President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a bill to the Senate seeking to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and enact a new Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the President’s letter during plenary on Thursday.
In the letter, Tinubu said the proposed law is aimed at strengthening the administration of criminal justice in 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,” the letter reads.
It will also establish an Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council for effective and efficient administration of criminal justice in Nigeria.
Tinubu said the bill seeks to promote efficient management of criminal justice institutions, ensure speedy dispensation of justice, and protect society from crime.
It will also safeguard the rights and interests of suspects, defendants and victims, and ensure compliance by courts and law enforcement agencies.
According to the President, the decision to repeal the 2015 Act followed the identification of challenges including delays in investigations and prosecution, and inadequate deployment of technology in criminal proceedings.
Other challenges listed are weak coordination among criminal justice institutions, inefficient case management, and limitations in monitoring compliance with the Act.
After reading the letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Rules and Business and directed it to report back to the chamber within one week. Authority
