NBA calls for nationwide ACJA implementation to combat crime

The nationwide implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 will address existing crimes and tackle emerging ones across the country, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said.

The president of the association, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) said the domestication and implementation of the act across the country would further ensure the effective and efficient administration of the criminal justice system.

Represented by the Bar’s 3rd Vice President, Barrister Ben Orji, at a one-day state validation with relevant stakeholders meeting in Akwa Ibom organised by NBAMAC ARTHUR project team, Mahmoud said, “The administration of criminal justice project supported by MacArthur Foundation falls squarely within the thematic areas set out in the NBA strategic plan and includes: Justice sector reforms, rule of law and access to justice, elections and democracy, human rights, anti-corruption and, lastly, conflict resolution and transitional justice."

He added that since the introduction of the Act in 2015, only few states in the country have successfully domesticated it; making it essential for increased sensitization to promote the domestication and harmonized implementation of the Act across the country.

The chairman of Uyo branch of the NBA, Barr EnoObong Akpan said, “The state validation public forum is timely and entirely appropriate in providing a platform for participants to discuss elaborately, share ideas and best practices that will assist the various institutions in the criminal justice system to effectively implement the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJA) 2015, which has been domesticated by various states across the federation.”