ACJA will end escape of inter-state criminals in Nigeria – AGF Fagbemi

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi has said that the full domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) by the states of the Federation will soon end the escape of inter-state criminals in the country.

With the adoption of the Act by states, Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, maintained that offenders can no longer move from state to state with a view to escaping justice, a term commonly known as Forum Shopping.

He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at a 3-Day Technical National Working Group Session Review and Validation of the National Minimum Standard Document for the implementation of ACJA, 2015.

To effectively curb acts of criminalities in Nigeria, Fagbemi canvassed the need to embrace the use of technology in the day-to-day administration of justice.

The AGF explained that the need to incorporate efficient use of technology into processes, systems and procedures for the advancement of the administration of criminal justice cannot be overemphasized.

He said that the Federal Government enacted the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in 2015 with a view to ensuring harmonious implementation of criminal justice reforms across the federation.

According to him, the Act provides for the administration of criminal justice system which promotes efficient management of criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, protection of the society from crimes and protection of the rights and interests of the suspect, the defendant and victims in Nigeria.

“The adoption of the Act by States also ensures that offenders cannot move from state to state with a view to escaping justice, a term commonly known as Forum Shopping.

“Thus, with improved and uniform implementation of criminal justice reforms across the country, there will be no escape route for criminals, which will in turn contribute to socio-economic development in Nigeria.”

The AGF said that the National Minimum Standards have been developed as a tool to implement the ACJA and consolidate collaboration between stakeholders in justice delivery by ensuring that courts, both at the federal and state level, apply similar standards in the implementation of criminal procedures and enforcement of criminal justice.

“It is to this end that the National Working Group on the implementation of criminal justice reform was set up.
“The National Working Group which comprises individuals and institutions of both the federal and state governments including Government Agencies, Civil Society Organisations, Lawyers and other stakeholders, was set up to facilitate cooperation and collaboration between stakeholders across the federation.

“The aim of setting up the National Working Group is to ensure that the National Minimum Standards for Implementation of ACJA receives input, recommendations and wide acceptance from stakeholders across board.

“It is important to note that the establishment of the National Working Group was in response to the outcomes from the National Stakeholders Forum which held in October 2023.

“At that Forum, participants unanimously recommended the establishment of the National Working Group to serve as the arrowhead for the implementation of criminal justice reforms across the country.

“I am therefore delighted that today, the recommendations of stakeholders has been implemented.

“I believe that in line with the recommendations of the Stakeholders’ forum, the National Working Group would be able to successfully galvanize and facilitate the implementation of ACJA and the National Minimum Standards.

“We have undoubtedly, come a long way since the enactment of ACJA in 2015. The National Minimum Standards is developed to serve as a catalyst for improved implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and the Administration of the Criminal Justice Laws of the various states (ACJA/ACJLs) by agencies of Criminal Justice administration at the federal and state levels.”

ACJA will end escape of inter-state criminals in Nigeria – AGF Fagbemi