Fagbemi Urges Nationwide Adoption of ACJA to Bolster Human Rights and Speedy Justice
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has reaffirmed the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) as a transformative legal instrument at the federal level. He emphasised that extending its full enforcement across all states would strengthen the protection of human rights, accelerate the delivery of justice, and reduce the prevalence of prolonged pre‑trial detention.
Fagbemi made these remarks in Abuja during the official launch of a CLEEN Foundation initiative titled “Strengthening Rights‑Based Approach to ACJA Frameworks & Advancing Women, Peace & Security Agenda in Nigeria.” The project enjoys the support of the Norwegian Embassy.
According to the AGF, the programme aims to reinforce justice sector performance, promote institutional accountability, and ensure that the safeguarding of citizens’ rights remains central to Nigeria’s justice system. He disclosed that the ACJA has so far been fully implemented in 12 states: Ekiti, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Enugu, Benue, Plateau, Gombe, Adamawa, Kaduna, and Jigawa.
Represented by Assistant Director in the Ministry of Justice, David Kassive, the minister also highlighted the operationalisation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Imo, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa States. He underscored the recognition of women’s critical roles in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and fostering inclusive governance.
Fagbemi noted that institutionalising the WPS agenda would not only strengthen justice and security frameworks but also guarantee that women’s perspectives, leadership, and voices are effectively integrated into decision‑making processes influencing peace and stability nationwide.
He described the CLEEN Foundation project as an intersection of justice and peace, rights and security, inclusion and development. It offers a platform for collaboration between the justice sector, security agencies, civil society, women’s groups, and the media — all committed to building a Nigeria where justice is accessible, rights are upheld, and peace is sustainable.
The Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), Justice Babatunde Adejumo, lauded the ACJA as an innovative statute that prioritises the rights and interests of all parties within the criminal justice process. He observed that its provisions — now domesticated across all 36 states — promote women’s inclusion in justice delivery, provide equal access to remedies, and enhance protection for victims and witnesses of crimes such as sexual violence, terrorism, and human trafficking.
Congratulating CLEEN Foundation on the project, the Norwegian Ambassador to Nigeria, represented by Chargé d’Affaires Michelle Cecilia Hovi, reiterated Norway’s pride in supporting initiatives that advance peace, justice, and inclusive societies. Acting Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Peter Maduoma, explained that the initiative seeks to strengthen ACJA implementation through a rights‑based, gender‑responsive approach while promoting women’s participation in peace and security under the National and State Action Plans on WPS.
