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AGF, Stakeholders Seek Uniformity on Implementation of ACJA 2015 Adopt National Minimum Standards

AGF, Stakeholders Seek Uniformity on Implementation of ACJA 2015
Adopt National Minimum Standards
By: Michael Mike
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, along with key stakeholders in the justice sector, have taken significant steps to ensure uniformity in the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
Fagbemi announced this development at the weekend in Abuja, at the conclusion of the stakeholders’ meeting for the inauguration of the committee for the review and validation of the national minimum standards documents on the implementation of the ACJA. Organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice with support from the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC-II) Programme of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the event culminated in the adoption of the National Minimum Standards Document 2024 on the implementation of the Act.

Speakers at the event emphasized that the introduction of the National Minimum Standards will significantly enhance the effective implementation of the ACJA, 2015. The RoLAC-II Programme aims to improve the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery in Nigeria.
According to Mr. Badejogbin Oluwatoyin, Manager of Component 1 – Criminal Justice Reform under the RoLAC-II Programme, the project aims to establish a national scheme for assessing and evaluating the implementation of the ACJA/ACJLs and a national scoresheet indicating the performance of each state. This initiative seeks to provide a common basis for evaluating the implementation of criminal justice reforms, promote healthy competition among states, and attract more resources to the criminal justice sector.
The document covers several areas, including pre-trial case management, witness support, case filtering and timelines, bail, remand protocol, trial case management, and post-trial procedures. Participants also encouraged the use of plea bargains and agreed that the stay of trial proceedings due to an interlocutory application or appeal should be prohibited.
The National Minimum Standards for the Implementation of ACJA 2015 were designed to consolidate rule of law and anti-corruption reforms, a key component of the programme aimed at enhancing the criminal justice system and justice service delivery in the Federal Capital Territory, Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano, Lagos, and Plateau states.
During his presentation, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George of the Center for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) emphasized the need to deepen the implementation of the ACJA and the ACJLs of States.
In a keynote address, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jessy-Agba, noted that the federal government enacted the ACJA in 2015 to ensure harmonious implementation of criminal justice reforms across the federation. He explained that the Act promotes efficient management of criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, and the protection of the rights and interests of suspects, defendants, and victims in Nigeria.
“The adoption of the Act by States ensures that offenders cannot escape justice by moving from state to state, a practice commonly known as forum shopping. Improved and uniform implementation of criminal justice reforms across the country will leave no escape route for criminals, contributing to socio-economic development in Nigeria,” he said.
He added that the National Minimum Standards have been developed to implement the ACJA and consolidate collaboration between stakeholders in justice delivery by ensuring that courts at both the federal and state levels apply similar standards in criminal procedures and enforcement of criminal justice.
Chairman of the Body of States Attorneys-General, Dr. Ben Odoh, represented by Nassarawa AG, Labaran Shaibu Magaji, described the initiative as significant, capable of creating a balanced and inclusive justice system that safeguards the rights of all parties and strengthens legal frameworks.
Other speakers included representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigerian Police, ICPC, EFCC, and NCoS, among others.
In her welcome address, Director of the Administration of Criminal Justice and Reform Department (ACJRD) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, stated that the initiative stems from the growing need for a unified framework to address persistent gaps in the implementation of the ACJA and ACJLs across the country. She identified challenges such as court congestion, unavailability of data, delayed trials, and a lack of uniformity in criminal justice processes, assuring that finalizing the document will significantly address these issues.
RoLAC representative Mr. Peter Omenka stressed that the entity will continue to support the process and create awareness to ensure the documents are translated into different languages.
“RoLAC is ready to support the process, create awareness in such a way that the documents is translated into different languages,” he said.
AGF, Stakeholders Seek Uniformity on Implementation of ACJA 2015
Adopt National Minimum Standards
News
UN Reaffirms Commitment to Building Act of Diplomacy in Young Nigerians

UN Reaffirms Commitment to Building Act of Diplomacy in Young Nigerians
By: Michael Mike
United Nations has reiterated its commitment to supporting young Nigerians imbibe diplomacy as skills to ensure a better future.
The commitment was made on Tuesday by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mohamed Fall, in Abuja at the inaugural Premiere Academy International Model UN (PAIMUN) conference organised by the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria.

The conference, which is centered on commemorating the 80th anniversary since the founding of the United Nations, seeks to promote peace, tolerance, diplomacy and consensus building amongst youths.
Fall said while delivering a welcome address at the maiden Premiere Academy International Model UN (PAIMUN) that Nigeria has an undoubtedly commitment to the UN and its many goals.
He said: “Nigeria joined the UN shortly after gaining independence and since then it has a key player, the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN is from Nigeria.
“It is critical we take UN out of formal space like interaction with government, get young people and civil society involved and because more than ever, UN goals and ideals are needed.
“Let us not forget that UN was established to prevent conflict, promote security, human dignity and development, as well as provide assistance to the most vulnerable and leave no one behind.
“It is time for us, to double down, reinforce them, and spread this message. What I have seen young people do in this regard is part of it, because the future is theirs,

“Getting them trained and know how UN functions, learn diplomacy, learn tactful way of solving and peaceful way of solving difference is something which is really critical in today’s world.”
He promised to improve on the maiden edition of the conference beyond Abuja and a specific school, in order to accommodate the 36 states and all local government areas in the country.
He noted that the UN Charter started with people and the people are not only the government, but also those who are hard to reach and most vulnerable.
Fall said: “It is everyone, those who are female, those who live with disability, and I think the notion of inclusion of UN has found expression in this principle of we the people.
“Young people to understand that the future is theirs. Today’s and tomorrow’s shape have to be done by them. It is their call.
“The same way the generation of those who came out of the Second World War created UN for building peace and security. It is their time and their call to take the challenge of today.
“The challenge today are conflict, insecurity, climate-related shock, poverty and inequality, they have to take it and that is my appeal to all young people,” Fall advised.
The Principal of Premier Academy, Mr Christopher Akinsowon, on his part, commended the conference for helping the students to better understand the operation of the UN General Assembly.
He said: “What we are doing here is a simulation of the UN General Assembly. This very section teaches not only students, even we adults, the process of diplomacy.
“Such that we can resolve all issues in a very diplomatic way, as against fighting, war and aggression.
“If all states and local governments in Nigeria adopted diplomacy, there will not be so much war or crises here and there; we will talk it out instead of war.
“So, that is what we here to inculcate in these young minds, because very soon they will be
the ones that will take over as leaders, whether you like it or not.”
Highpoint of the PAIMUN conference attended by 109-students was the students playing the roles of ambassadors of UN Member States with focus on UN@80: “Building the future together.”
UN Reaffirms Commitment to Building Act of Diplomacy in Young Nigerians
News
ECOWAS Court to Deliver Ruling in a Case Brought by Ghana’s Chief Justice

ECOWAS Court to Deliver Ruling in a Case Brought by Ghana’s Chief Justice
By: Michael Mike
The Community Court of Justice, ECOWAS on Monday, 14 July 2025 adjourned for a ruling on an application for provisional measures brought by the Chief Justice of Ghana, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, and the preliminary objections raised by the Republic of Ghana. The initiating application with suit No.
ECW/CCJ/APP/32/25, filed by the Chief Justice of Ghana, sought a suspension of ongoing proceedings to remove her from office and her reinstatement with full entitlements, pending the determination of the substantive matter before the Court. During the hearing, the Respondent requested that its jurisdictional objection be heard first as it pertains to the Court’s power to determine the request for provisional measures. It argued that the Court lacked jurisdiction and that the application was inadmissible since it concerned constitutional matters pending before competent domestic courts in Ghana, including its Supreme Court.
The Respondent contended that allowing the ECOWAS Court to proceed would amount to forum shopping and could lead to conflicting decisions. It cited some decided cases where the Court declined jurisdiction over matters concurrently pending before national courts, affirming its principle of non-interference in ongoing domestic judicial processes. The Respondent added that the Chief Justice was duly informed of the petition for her removal and afforded access to relevant documents.
Consequently, the ongoing process in Ghana are fully consistent with the procedures established under the Ghanaian Constitution.
In her response, the Applicant argued that the case does not involve constitutional interpretation, but rather clear violations of human rights guaranteed under regional legal instruments. She cited alleged breaches of Article 5 (right to dignity), Article 7 (right to fair hearing), and Article 15 (right to work) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The Applicant further argued that the proceedings in Ghana had already inflicted reputational harm on her and compromised judicial independence. She stressed that allowing it to proceed could render the substantive matter before the ECOWAS Court moot.
On jurisdiction, the Applicant cited the ECOWAS Court’s jurisprudence which affirm the Court’s authority to hear human rights claims despite ongoing domestic proceedings, particularly when the domestic remedies are ineffective, or the violations persist.
The Applicant pointed out that the purpose of the application for provisional measures was to temporarily protect her rights and prevent irreparable harm, pending the final decision on the substantive case.
The matter has been adjourned for a ruling at date to be communicated to the parties.
ECOWAS Court to Deliver Ruling in a Case Brought by Ghana’s Chief Justice
News
Mayor of London visits Lagos, attends function on Victoria Island

Mayor of London visits Lagos, attends function on Victoria Island
By: Zagazola Makama
The Mayor of London, Rt. Hon. Dr. Sadiq Khan, on Sunday evening arrived in Lagos for a visit aimed at strengthening ties and exploring investment opportunities.
Zagazola Makama confirmed the arrival of the mayor at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, at about 6:30 p.m., accompanied by his aides.
After completing airport formalities, the mayor proceeded in a motorcade to Slow Restaurant, located at No. 2 Musa Yar’adua Street, Victoria Island, where he attended a private function.
He later moved to Radisson Blu Hotel on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, where he is expected to lodge during his stay in Lagos.
Water-tight security measures had been put in place around the mayor and all locations scheduled for his visit.
Mayor of London visits Lagos, attends function on Victoria Island
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