NBA seeks domestication of ACJA in Kebbi

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the Kebbi state government to put in place measures to ensure the prompt domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. The ACJA is a federal legislation that was signed into law in 2015, which has been domesticated by some of the states but still […]

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the Kebbi state government to put in place measures to ensure the prompt domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

The ACJA is a federal legislation that was signed into law in 2015, which has been domesticated by some of the states but still awaiting domestication by others.

A release by the NBA’s national Secretariat in Abuja said the call was made in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State during the State Legislative Advocacy and Sensitization Workshop on Promotion and Domestication of Administration of Criminal
Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 organized by the NBA with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

According to the release, the Coordinator of the NBA-MacArthur Project, Barrister Victor Abasiakan-Ekim, told the participants that the ACJA is geared towards ensuring that the system of administration of criminal justice in Nigeria promotes efficient management of all criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, and protection of the rights and interests of the suspects and the victim of crime.

Abasiakan-Ekim, who also represented the NBA President, Paul Usoro, reportedly noted that the ACJA would fall short of its potential if it remains a federal law when states governments do not domesticate it.

On his part, the acting Chief Judge (CJ) of Kebbi State, Justice Muhammad Suleiman Ambursa, reportedly assured that he will muster the needed support and assistance towards ensuring that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act is domesticated in the state.