ACJA: Inter-state criminality in Nigeria to end soon – Fagbemi

Inter-state criminal escape would soon be a thing of the past with the full implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has said.

Speaking at the opening of a three-day Technical National Working Group Session Review and Validation of the National Minimum Standard Document for the implementation of ACJA, Fagbemi said the act will make it difficult for criminals to move from one state to the other in forum shopping.

To effectively curb acts of criminality in Nigeria, Fagbemi canvassed the need to embrace the use of technology in the day-to-day administration of justice.

The AGF explained that the need to incorporate efficient use of technology into processes, systems and procedures for the advancement of the administration of criminal justice cannot be overemphasised.

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“The aim of setting up the National Working Group is to ensure that the National Minimum Standards for Implementation of ACJA receives input, recommendations and wide acceptance from stakeholders across board. 

“It is important to note that the establishment of the National Working Group was in response to the outcomes from the National Stakeholders Forum which was held in October 2023.

“At that forum, participants unanimously recommended the establishment of the National Working Group to serve as the arrowhead for the implementation of criminal justice reforms across the country,” Fagbemi said.