Connect with us

Judiciary

AGF seeks stakeholders’ collaboration on Criminal Justice review

Published

2 years ago

on

Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN
Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN
Share

Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has called for stakeholders’ collaboration in reviewing the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Fagbemi made the call at the three-day national stakeholders’ forum for the review of the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of States on Tuesday in Abuja.

He described ACJA as one of the few areas where both states and national share common grounds; adding that the federal government is keen to see that the country’s criminal justice system is responsive.

“ACJA is one of the few key legislations that both the federal and states governments share so much common grounds, as with common worries and concerns.

“The reason for this is not far-fetched, the effectiveness and functionality of the criminal justice system, and indeed, the entire justice sector, has direct effect on the overall development, stability and sustainability of any society.

“Our ministry as a leading stakeholder in the ACJA implementation will continue to collaborate with public and private sector in achieving a balanced and inclusive judicial system.

“We will ensure that the criminal justice system of our country is more responsive to the demands of Nigerians for a simple, fast, efficient, effective, fair and trustworthy system for dispensation of justice’’.

He said passage of the ACJA by all the 36 States of the federation had provided a common ground to address the critical issues and challenges confronting Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

“It has provided us a shared platform that would enable us scale up our efforts and seek new pathways practical solutions to identified challenges’’.

Also speaking, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola urged all stakeholders in judiciary to forge a common front in the implementation and administration of the ACJA 2015.

Ariwoola, who was represented by Justice Tijani Abubakar commended the federal government for initiating conversation around ACJA, noting that it would afford authorities from states and federal to interact and forge a common front.

“This forum is a right step in the right direction as it would afford authorities from federal and state to interact and seek common front in the implementation and administration of the law,” Ariwoola said.

Stakeholders who were present at the forum were the Presidents of the Court of Appeal, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Inspector General of Police, the Solicitor General of the Federation, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences (ICPC).

Others are the Nigerian Custom Service, the Nigerian Prison Service, RoLAC, National Drug, Law and Enforcement Agency, , the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Code of Conduct Bureau and representatives from the European Union.

 

(NAN)

 

Post Views: 706
Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Judiciary

Nnamdi Kanu Opts to Defend Himself as Legal Team Withdraws from Trial

Published

2 months ago

on

October 23, 2025

By

Nnamdi-Kanu
Nnamdi Kanu
Share

A dramatic twist unfolded on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja as the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, announced that he would represent himself in court following the withdrawal of his entire legal team.

Lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court that he and other Senior Advocates had stepped down from the case, stating that Kanu had decided to “take back his case.”

Confirming the development, Kanu told the presiding judge, “I will be representing myself for now. That might change later.” When asked if he wanted the court to assign a lawyer to him, he declined.

Speaking directly before the bench, Kanu argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to continue with the case against him. His submission formed part of an oral argument he personally presented—a rare occurrence in such a high-profile criminal trial.

The development marks a new phase in the long-running case, which has faced multiple adjournments and legal battles since Kanu’s arrest and extradition from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021.

Kanu faces charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism-related offences. Legal observers say his decision to conduct his own defence could significantly affect the direction and tempo of the trial in the coming weeks.

Post Views: 118
Continue Reading

Judiciary

Natasha Files Objections to FG’s Criminal Defamation Suit

Published

3 months ago

on

September 22, 2025

By

, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Share

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed preliminary objections before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal High Court, contesting criminal defamation charges instituted against her by the Federal Government.

The senator described the case as an abuse of power and a calculated attempt at political persecution, alleging that the charges arose from petitions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

Her legal team, led by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria—Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN; Dr. E. West-Idahosa, SAN; J.J. Usman, SAN; and M.J. Numa, SAN—argued that the prosecutions are unconstitutional and aimed at silencing opposition voices rather than advancing public interest or national security.

The lawyers tendered exhibits indicating that the senator’s comments were part of legitimate public discourse and media commentary. They further contended that the Attorney-General of the Federation lacks the legal standing to prosecute defamation cases on behalf of private individuals.

According to the defence, defamation is a civil matter and criminalizing it amounts to intimidation, suppression of free speech, and misuse of the justice system.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused authorities of selective justice, stating that while her own petitions over threats to her life were ignored, complaints from her political rivals were quickly acted upon. She maintained that this amounts to discriminatory prosecution in violation of Section 42 of the Constitution.

Her lawyers urged the courts to dismiss the cases at the preliminary stage, warning that allowing them to proceed would erode public confidence in the justice system and waste national resources.

 

Post Views: 590
Continue Reading

Judiciary

Court Freezes Four Bank Accounts Linked to Ex-NNPC Boss Kyari Over ₦661m Fraud Allegation

Published

4 months ago

on

August 21, 2025

By

Mele Kyari
Share

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, over alleged involvement in a ₦661.4 million fraud.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, following an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

EFCC counsel, Ogechi Ujam, told the court that the accounts were under investigation in connection with conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering. The anti-graft agency said preliminary findings revealed the accounts, allegedly controlled by Kyari through family members and associates, received suspicious inflows from the NNPC and oil companies.

According to the EFCC, the funds—spread across four Jaiz Bank accounts in the names of Mele Kyari and Guwori Community Development Foundation—were disguised as payments for a book launch and activities of a non-governmental organisation.

The judge held that the application was meritorious and adjourned the matter to September 23 for a report.

 

 

 

 

 

Post Views: 175
Continue Reading