How new Criminal Justice Law will fast-track Nigeria’s criminal justice

The act was signed into law by former president, Goodluck Jonathan, on May 14 following the passage of the bill and the Cybercrime Act by the Senate on May 5. The first committee for the criminal justice reforms was set up in 2003.At the public presentation of the two acts on May 26, the Attorney […]

The act was signed into law by former president, Goodluck Jonathan, on May 14 following the passage of the bill and the Cybercrime Act by the Senate on May 5. The first committee for the criminal justice reforms was set up in 2003.
At the public presentation of the two acts on May 26, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) said the Criminal Justice Act will protect the society from crimes and address the delays in criminal trials. He added that this will save the country’s image and bring it at par with other countries.
Speaking at the presentation of the two laws, the Secretary General of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, described them as “revolutionary.”
The chairman of the law review committee and the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, said the new law, in its restorative approach, will ensure justice for both the offender and the victim.
Reviewing the Act, a member of the reform committee, Professor Akinseye George (SAN), solicited the support of all stakeholders to publicise and implement the new law.
He listed some of the reforms in the new law to include, central criminal registry; electronic recording of confessional statements; quarterly report of criminal cases to the AGF; right to bail especially in capital offences; phasing of prosecuting non-lawyers; 14 days maximum period of remand; case management system among others.