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 interstate 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 practice commonly known as forum shopping.
He spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at a 3-Day Technical National Working Group Session for the Review and Validation of the National Minimum Standard Document for the implementation of ACJA, 2015.
To effectively curb criminal activities in Nigeria, Fagbemi stressed the need to embrace the use of technology in the day-to-day administration of justice.
The AGF explained that the incorporation of efficient 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 the aim of ensuring harmonious implementation of criminal justice reforms across the federation.
According to him, the Act provides for the administration of the criminal justice system, which promotes efficient management of criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, protection of society from crimes, and protection of the rights and interests of the suspect, the defendant, and victims in Nigeria.
He added, “The adoption of the Act by states also ensures that offenders cannot move from state to state with a view to escaping justice, a practice 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 stated 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 levels, 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,” he said.
“The National Working Group, which comprises individuals and institutions from 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 the implementation of ACJA receive input, recommendations, and wide acceptance from stakeholders across the 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 have been implemented.
“I believe that, in line with the recommendations of the Stakeholders’ Forum, the National Working Group would be able to successfully galvanise 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 Criminal Justice Laws of the various states (ACJA/ACJLs) by agencies of criminal justice administration at the federal and state levels.
“The document received support from relevant stakeholders, including the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies under the leadership of Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN.
“I implore all participants, members, and stakeholders to cooperate with the National Working Group so that they can achieve their mandate in bringing about the significant improvement we all expect to see in the day-to-day dispensation of criminal justice.
“As I inaugurate the National Working Group today, I charge the members to work very hard to ensure the terms of reference of their engagement are actualized, particularly to address pertinent issues militating against the harmonised implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, as well as issues that affect the rights of individuals, such as the persistent congestion of correctional centres in Nigeria.”