… Fresh Legislation Aims To Improve Efficiency Of Federal Courts Nationwide
…Proposed Reforms Strengthen Oversight, Accountability, Justice Delivery
Daud Olatunji
President Bola Tinubu has formally asked the Senate to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 and replace it with a new legal framework aimed at eliminating delays in criminal trials, improving prosecution processes and strengthening the administration of justice across Nigeria.
The request was contained in a letter read on the floor of the Senate on Thursday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.
Tinubu said the proposed Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026 would address long-standing legal, procedural and institutional challenges that have hampered the effective implementation of the existing law.
According to the President, the proposed legislation seeks to establish a more robust framework for the administration of criminal justice in the courts of the Federal Capital Territory and other federal courts across the country.
A major component of the bill is the creation of an Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council, which would be responsible for ensuring compliance with the law and enhancing coordination among institutions involved in criminal justice administration.
Tinubu noted that despite the gains recorded since the enactment of the ACJA in 2015, several challenges have continued to undermine the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
He identified delays in criminal investigations and prosecutions, inadequate deployment of technology in judicial proceedings, weak collaboration among justice sector institutions, poor case management systems and ineffective monitoring of compliance with the law as some of the major obstacles affecting justice delivery.
The President said the decision to seek a repeal and re-enactment of the law followed a comprehensive review conducted by legal experts and law officers with extensive experience in criminal law, criminal procedure and legislative drafting.
He explained that the proposed legislation incorporates recent judicial pronouncements, technological innovations and international best practices designed to improve efficiency and accountability within the criminal justice system.
“The bill has extensively addressed these challenges. It also strengthens the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council and provides additional measures aimed at effective implementation of the Act by relevant institutions,” Tinubu stated in the letter.
The President further said the proposed law would promote speedy dispensation of justice, improve the management of criminal justice institutions, protect society from crime and safeguard the rights of suspects, defendants and victims.
He added that the legislation would ensure greater compliance by courts, law enforcement agencies and other authorities responsible for enforcing criminal justice laws.
Tinubu urged lawmakers to accord the bill expeditious consideration, stressing the need for urgent reforms to enhance public confidence in the justice system and ensure more effective administration of criminal justice nationwide.
Following the presentation of the President’s request, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action.
The Senate President directed the committee to consider the proposal and report back to the chamber within four weeks.
This version follows the Punch-style inverted pyramid structure, with a stronger lead, clearer attribution, better flow, and emphasis on the implications of the proposed reforms for Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
