NBA Urges Three States To Implement ACJA

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the governments of Bornu, Niger and Zamfara states to domesticate the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

According to the association, 28 states are already implementing the Act, adding that this is essential in the face of increasing spate of crime nationwide.

Coordinator of NBA Criminal Justice Reform Project, Osita Okoro, stated this in Minna during the domestication and implementation of the ACJA 2015 state validation public forum with stakeholders in Minna.

Okoro argued that the Act, when implemented, would be for the good of the states.

“As of today, almost all the states have adopted the ACJA 2015 except Bornu, Niger and Zamfara states. Taraba State is the last state to implement the ACJA”, he said.

Okoro expressed concern over the delay to act on the Bill in those states’ Houses of Assembly, while appealing to legislators to ensure its speedy passage.

He stated that the Act is expected to be institutionalised to suit each state’s local circumstances, adding that the objective of the Act is to engender widespread criminal justice reform by encouraging the domestication of the criminal justice act and promoting smooth implementation of the new criminal justice regime.

Niger State Acting Chief Judge Justice Halima Abdulmalik assured that the state is working to ensure that the Act is passed in the state.

“We are aware that the bill has passed the second reading in the House of Assembly. The Act will provide justice for the state, defendants and victims. It would address the issue of compensation and rehabilitation of victims.”

She stated that the Act which has been domesticated in some states has brought innovations to the implementation of criminal justice.

“We hope that it would be implemented and domesticated in Niger State very soon,” she added.