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Criminal Justice Act: Lawyers Seek Provision Of Infrastructure In Courtrooms
Legal practitioners and activists have called for urgent deployment of infrastructure in courtrooms to facilitate the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
They told newsmen in Lagos yesterday that although the provisions of the ACJA were aimed at ensuring speedy justice delivery, its application would be efficient, if the necessary infrastructure were deployed in courtrooms.
The ACJA, was signed into law in May 2015.
It has 495 sections divided into 49 parts, providing for the administration of criminal justice and related matters in courts at the Federal Capital Territory and other federal courts nationwide.
The law repeals the erstwhile Criminal Procedure Act as applied in the South and the Criminal Procedure Act, applicable in the North, and the Administration of Justice Commission Act.
By the provisions of Section 1, the purpose of the Act is to ensure that the system of administration of criminal justice in Nigeria, promotes efficient management of criminal justice institutions and speedy dispensation of justice.
The Act is also geared at protecting the society from crime and the protection of the rights and interests of the suspect, the defendant and the victim.
Among other provisions, the Act does not allow for multiple adjournment of cases and it stipulates a time limit of 90 days, within which judgment should be delivered after conclusion of a case.
Speaking on the application of the Act, an activist, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, sees the ACJA as an ambitious attempt to tackle the hydra-headed problem of inefficient administration of criminal justice delivery in the country.
He told our correspondent that the said attempt had since met its water-loo as there was no corresponding provision of the necessary infrastructure that would oil the provisions of the Act.
“The entirety of the Act is meant to achieve a speedy and effective adjudication but without a corresponding improvement of facilities in the courts not much can be achieved.
“At issue are the number of available courtrooms, judicial officers as well as basic facilities. This has defeated the intent of the Act and now appears like putting a new wine into an old wine bottle.
“The letters of the ACJA cannot function with the existing infrastructure in the judiciary.
“There has to be a corresponding and holistic reformation of such infrastructure and human personnel in the courts to oil the wheels of justice in the way it is designed.”
Adegboruwa, therefore, called on government to put measures in place to ensure effective application of the ACJA.
“I urge the government to review the issue of manpower in the judiciary with respect to judicial officers, number of courtrooms, appointment of more judges and the creation of more courts.
“When a magistrate or judge has over 100 cases to attend to in a week, it becomes impossible to cope with such congestion in the courts and this renders the provisions of the ACJA ineffective.
“However, where these modalities are put in place, then it becomes realistic to set a time limit for adjournment of cases,” he said
On his part, a social critic, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, believes that the ACJA has done well in the unification of procedural acts of Nigeria, tapping from “the good work of Lagos State”.
He, however, urged the authorities to replicate the example of Lagos State and allow courts to conduct preliminary inquiry into investigations of the police on the reasons for remand without necessarily waiting for a formal arraignment.
Ataene also advised judges to ask pertinent preliminary questions in criminal charges and to discharge or grant bail to persons found unconnected to the charges, to help reduce congestion in prisons.
Another rights campaigner, Mr Daniel Onwe, argues that the cooperation of court, lawyers and the police is required to ensure an effective application of the ACJA.
He also stressed the need for law enforcement agencies to be diligent in the dispensation of their duties so as not to abuse some provisions of the Act.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene