President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to consider and pass a bill seeking to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and replace it with a new legal framework aimed at reforming Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The request was conveyed in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Thursday.
In the letter, Tinubu sought the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026, saying the proposed legislation would strengthen the administration of criminal justice in the courts of the Federal Capital Territory and other federal courts across the country.
“The general objective of the bill is to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and to enact the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2026 to provide for the administration of criminal justice in the courts of the Federal Capital Territory and other Federal courts in Nigeria and establish an Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council for effective and efficient administration of criminal justice in Nigeria,” the letter reads.
The President said the proposed legislation is designed to improve the management of criminal justice institutions, ensure speedy dispensation of justice, protect society from crime and safeguard the rights and interests of suspects, defendants and victims.
He added that the bill would strengthen compliance with the law by courts, law enforcement agencies and other institutions involved in the administration of criminal justice.
According to Tinubu, the decision to repeal and re-enact the 2015 Act followed the identification of legal, procedural and institutional gaps that have hindered its effective implementation over the years.
The President identified the challenges as delays in criminal investigations and prosecution, inadequate deployment of technology in criminal proceedings, weak coordination among criminal justice institutions, inefficient case management mechanisms and limitations in monitoring compliance with the Act.
Tinubu said the proposed bill was reviewed by a team of law officers with extensive experience in criminal law, criminal procedure and legislative drafting.
He added that the new legislation reflects recent developments in criminal justice administration, judicial pronouncements, technological innovations and international best practices on criminal justice reform.
The President said the bill strengthens the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council and introduces additional measures to improve implementation by relevant institutions.
Tinubu also urged lawmakers to give the proposal accelerated consideration.
“In the light of the above, it is my hope that the Senate would consider the bill for an Act to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and to re-enact the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2026 expeditiously,” the letter reads.
After reading the President’s request, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business for legislative action.
He directed the committee to report back to the chamber within one week.
The Administration of Criminal Justice Act, enacted in 2015, was introduced to promote efficient management of criminal justice institutions, eliminate delays in the prosecution of criminal cases, protect the rights of suspects and victims, and enhance the dispensation of justice.
The proposed repeal and re-enactment is expected to update the legal framework in line with emerging challenges, technological advancements and evolving global best practices in criminal justice administration.