AGF Tasks FG, Stakeholders On Review Of Criminal Justice Administration Laws

Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, on Tuesday, tasked stakeholders, Attorneys General of States, Civil Society Organizations and International development partners to commit to the effective implementation of all policies, programmes and laws that will lead to a dynamic and efficient criminal justice administration system in the country.  Fagbemi said the FG is committed to ensuring that the criminal justice system of the country is more responsive to the demands of Nigerians for a simple, fast, efficient, effective, fair and trustworthy system for dispensation of justice.  The AGF stated this in his keynote address at a 3-day National Stakeholders’ forum organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Centre for Social-Legal Studies. At the program with the theme, “Review of the Implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of States, AGF noted that the passage of the ACJA by all the 36 States of the Federation have provided a common ground to address the critical issues and challenges confronting Nigeria’s criminal justice system.  “It has provided us a shared platform that would enable us scale up our efforts and seek new practical solutions to identified challenges.  In conducting the review of the ACJA/ACJLs, Fagbemi advised participants to ask questions regarding the nature and workability of the strategic amendments that needed to be done in order to make ACJA/ACJLs respond to critical challenges and needs of the society.  “We need to know what we could have done better, and how much further we need to go to enable us achieve the desired outcome.  “In addition, we will collaborate and work with colleagues in the private and public sectors, including fellow Attorneys-General to develop and agree on a National Minimum Standards that would guide our collective efforts at achieving a more balanced, effective and inclusive system of justice.  “It is expected that criminal justice institutions, anti-corruption agencies and other justice sector operatives will commit to, and observe the prescribed National Minimum Standards.  “My expectation is that at the conclusion of these deliberations, there would be a consensus around developing a strategic plan to guide both the Federal and State Governments in the review and consequent amendment of ACJA and the respective ACJLs of various States. The Justice Minister hinted that ACJA is one of the few key legislations that both the Federal and States Governments share so much common grounds, as with common worries and concerns.  In a goodwill message, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, charged participants at the forum to critically look at the grey areas impeding the implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act in the country. “If we don’t get it right here at this forum, then the issue of reforms in the Nigerian Correctional Services will remain a mirage. The Interior Minister insisted that getting lasting solutions to the problems facing the country’s judiciary, requires a multi-facet approach and must be through cocktail of ideas. Review will hold every Nigerian have a right and not a right as a privilege.  In her welcome address, the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Jeddy Agba, said the ACJA represents a significant milestone in the country’s judicial landscape, noting that the forum will provide stakeholders with the opportunity to brainstorm, share expertise, make recommendations, and build consensus on way forward in reviewing the ACJA. Prof Yemi Akinseye George SAN, President, Centre for Social-Legal Studies, in his remarks, thanked the AGF for creating the forum for stakeholders and Attorneys General of States to cross fertilize ideas on the ways to review and amend the ACJA and ACJL to enhance criminal justice delivery.

Appeal Court Has Delivered 7,295 Judgements, 3,665 Motions -President

The President of Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem has revealed that the court delivered a total of 7,295 judgments and 3,665 motions in the 2022/2023 legal year.  Speaking at the commencement of the 2023/2024 new legal year, Justice Dongben-Mensen recalled that a total of 98 panels were constituted to hear election petitions across the country to handle a total of 1,209 petitions that were filed.  Breaking down the delivery, she noted that among the petitions, five were filed at the presidential election petition court and have been concluded, while some of 147 filed at the Senatorial election tribunal have been delivered and 417 petitions from the House of Representatives election are also being attended to. Also, a total of 557 petitions associated with the State Houses of Assembly, and 83 Gubernatorial Elections petitions are being disposed off, added that twenty-eight States participated in the Governorship elections, and petitions were filed in 24 states. Concluding, she appealed to the Minister of the FCT, Nyeson Wike to provide a large piece of land for the construction of the Abuja Division, adding that Abuja division is currently overwhelmed by voluminous documents and suffers from lack of adequate storage facilities and office space.  A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr.  Kanu Agabi (SAN) said on Monday that Nigeria’s continued survival greatly depends on the transparency of judicial officers in the discharge of their judicial functions. Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria has therefore pleaded Judges and Justices not to lose confidence and principles in themselves no matter the challenges. He expressed that, in spite of the contributions and sacrifices of judicial officers to the survival of the country, they are still been unwarantedly attacked and criticised. He warned that the country would be doomed unless the unjust attacks against judicial officers are stopped. “It is only here that judicial officers work harder than slaves and yet, they are not appreciated. But the consolation is that the Judges in Nigeria are no match to the devil they are contending with. “Whether we like it or not, we have to be proud of our Justices. They are brilliant and bold and some of them appointed as Justices in other countries. “A mistake by one Justice should be not be generalised to warrant general condemnation from any quarter. They surpass Judges from other countries. They deserve commendation for resisting the evils. “Majority of judicial officers are standing in the face of challenges and unless we are careful with the way we attack Judges, we will lose our minds and conscience”, he said. He said, those who criticise judicial officers are at liberty to do so, but they have to cautious in the way they go about it adding that, while criticising the judiciary, they must not abuse it. The former Minister of Justice spoke against granting of outlandish bail conditions to suspected criminals. He noted that the law presumes them innocent until guilt is established adding that, granting of outlandish bail that will keep them in custody is unconstitutional According to him, “We need not to slam bail conditions that are unattainable as the principles which govern bail conditions are the same as fine governed by the constitution”. He challenged the current AGF to use his office to improve the welfare and work conditions of judicial officers. In his speech, the AGF and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will address the issue of shortage of Justices at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

Tinubu pledges comprehensive overhaul of criminal justice reform

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering dedication to implementing an extensive revamp of the criminal justice system. This commitment was expressed as he met with the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), headed by its president, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday. In a statement released on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, it was disclosed that President Tinubu emphasized the importance of reevaluating the compensation provided to judicial officers across the nation, especially in the context of the ongoing battle against corruption. The President recognized that addressing this issue requires careful consideration of both salaries and allowances, drawing from his significant achievements in reforming the justice and administration sectors during his tenure as the governor of Lagos State. “We cannot truly combat corruption within the Judiciary without addressing the revision of remuneration. We will assess the costs and consequences of this endeavour,” President Tinubu responded to a request made by the NBA president. Furthermore, President Tinubu acknowledged the necessity of resolving existing vacancies within the Supreme Court. He stressed that these obligations must be met in accordance with recommendations from the National Judicial Council, stating, “Once the majority of them return from their current vacation, we will thoroughly evaluate their recommendations and proceed to fill the vacancies. This is an essential obligation we intend to fulfill.” The President expressed gratitude for the invitation extended by the NBA to inaugurate the association’s 63rd Annual General Conference (AGC), scheduled to take place in Abuja from August 25 to September 1. He expressed satisfaction in having legal experts as close advisors, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, State Chief of Protocol Victor Adeleke, and his Principal Private Secretary, Prince Damilotun Aderemi. In his remarks, the NBA president lauded President Tinubu for appointing esteemed members of the bar to his cabinet, specifically highlighting Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The upcoming annual NBA conference, themed “Getting It Right, Charting the Course for Nigeria’s Nation Building,” will convene legal professionals, experts, and stakeholders to engage in discussions concerning critical issues pertaining to Nigeria’s national development.