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AGF, Stakeholders Seek Uniformity on Implementation of ACJA 2015
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
News
Zulum Says Borno Government Will Supports Plan to Upgrade Maiduguri Airport to International Status
Zulum Says Borno Government Will Supports Plan to Upgrade Maiduguri Airport to International Status
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has assured the minister of aviation and aerospace, Mr Festus Keyamo, of his administration’s support as the ministry announced a plan to upgrade the Muhammadu Buhari Airport, Maiduguri to international status.
Zulum gave the assurance on Monday during a visit to the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said: “As the chairman of northeast governor’s and this is our first International Airport, I want to assure of the political will needed to ensure the implementation of this laudable stride.”
The governor emphasised that Maiduguri being a gateway for most countries around Lake Chad and Central Africa, would stimulate economic development in the northeast region by upgrading the airport.
Speaking earlier, the aviation minister assured that Muhammadu Buhari Airport would take off as a full International Airport on January 1, 2025, noting that all the takeoff preparations have been concluded and that relevant government agencies have been notified of the development.
The minister expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the upgrade of Muhammadu Buhari Airport, Maiduguri, stressing that of all the geopolitical zones, only the northeast has no full International airport in the country.
Zulum was accompanied on the visit by senators Mohammed Ali Ndume, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, and Kaka Shehu Lawan, who represent Borno South, North and Central, respectively.
Borno APC Chairman Hon. Bello Ayuba, Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Engr Abdullahi Musa Askira and other senior government officials were also present on the visit.
Zulum Says Borno Government Will Supports Plan to Upgrade Maiduguri Airport to International Status
Black with Nigerian Root Seek Citizenship
…Promise to invest trillion dollars in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
Black men across the globe whose forefathers were taken as slaves from the African continent but recent DNA test have shown to be Nigerians have pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to offer them Nigerian citizenship
They have equally expressed their willingness to bring investment worth trillions of dollars into the Nigerian economy.
Speaking at pre-event briefing in Abuja on Monday, the President of the African Diaspora Union, Archbishop Chidiebere Ogbu, gave the disclosure.
Ogbu, who spoke to journalists ahead of the International Gathering in Honor of the Africans in Diaspora scheduled for between October 18 to 27, 2024 in Abuja and other parts of the country, revealed that the event
organised by AFRIDU in partnership with the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), would bring together African descendants from around the world with the aim to reconnect with their ancestral homeland.
Ogbu, while stating that President Bola Tinubu is expected to address the gathering during the event in Abuja,said a passionate appeal has already been made to him to address the request of granting Nigerian citizenship to those that have traced their roots to the country.
He said: “For clarity purposes, the Historic African Diaspora are indigenous Africans
whose ancestors were forcefully carried away through conspiracy, manipulation, and coercions into slavery over 500 years ago, and who are dispersed in Europe, North America, South America, Caribbean and the
Oceania.”
He advised Nigeria leader to emulate other African countries who have already established the legal framework for those who had traced their root through DNA to those countries to be granted citizenship.
He added that this would further enhance the drive for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country, noting that these group of people are willing to invest trillion of dollars in Nigeria’s economy.
The AFRIDU President therefore said for many of the participants, the event represents a long-awaited opportunity to return to Africa, not just as visitors, but as people reclaiming a deep personal and historical connection.
Nigeria, which was a central hub in the transatlantic slave trade, holds particular significance for those whose ancestors were forcibly taken from its shores more than 500 years ago.
He said: “The gathering will give all the
Black peoples of the world outside Africa the opportunity to visit Africa especially
Nigeria, with most of them visiting different states where they believe is their ancestry home which will usher in a great mass movement of the African Diaspora Experts, Investors, Professionals, Scientists, Entertainers, Academia, and people with diverse skills to Nigeria in the actualization of the Africans in Diaspora integration,” he said.
Black with Nigerian Root Seek Citizenship
Nigerian Government Says Super Eagles Was Placed in Detention
By: Michael Mike
The Nigerian government has described the incident with the National team, the Super Eagles in Libya as a detention.
The government in a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe said it received with dismay the news of the unfortunate detention of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials and the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Al Abraq International Airport several hours after arriving ahead of Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya.
The statement said: “To resolve the incident, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, initiated a phone call to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Eastern Government, Dr. Abdulhadi Lahweej. This spawned a series of actions, culminating in steps taken to assuage the officials and reassure the players of their safety. Subsequently, the contingent departed for Nigeria.
“In ending the phone conversation, Amb. Tuggar commended the authorities’ actions in resolving the incident, and both Ministers appreciated the amicable resolution of the unfortunate situation in the spirit of African brotherhood.”
Nigerian Government Says Super Eagles Was Placed in Detention
Zulum Says Borno Government Will Supports Plan to Upgrade Maiduguri Airport to International Status
Black with Nigerian Root Seek Citizenship
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