Stakeholders in the nation’s criminal justice system have identified ways to address its challenges and ensure equal access to justice.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Olanipekun Olukayode, his counterpart in the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu (SAN) called for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to ensure success.

They spoke in Abuja on Tuesday at the launch of the 2024 annual report and the 2025 strategic action plan of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC).

Fagbemi said “the journey to a flawless criminal justice system is complex, no doubt; but together, we can overcome these challenges.

“I call on all stakeholders – government agencies, civil society organisations, legal practitioners and public spirited individuals to continue their steadfast support and collaboration with the ACJMC.”

He said the report stands as a documentary evidence of ACJMC’s “relentless dedication, innovative strategies and collaborative efforts to improve the nation’s criminal justice landscape.”

He noted that since its enactment, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) has occasioned transformative changes in the nation’s criminal justice system.

Fagbemi noted that the achievements outlined in the 2024 annual report of the ACJMC, “demonstrates our commitment to making the criminal justice system effective, efficient and fair.

“The committee’s activities have been marked by remarkable achievements and groundbreaking initiatives.

“At the core of the efforts of the committee is the promotion of access to justice and improved pre-trial detention oversight, which the establishing a network of CSOs, focused on ACJA implementation and emphasizing the importance of stakeholders’ collaboration,” the AGF said.

Represented by the Director, Legal Services, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), the EFCC Chairman said, as a stakeholder, involved in the daily application of the ACJA in the courts, there was the need for the ACJMC to urgently address some of the provisions of the Act that have been vitiated by the rulings of the superior courts .

He identified one of such to include the Supreme Court’s decision nullifying Section 396(7) of the ACJA on the case of FRN against Jones Udeh, who was tried along with the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzo Kalu.

Olukayode noted that the intention of the provision, that allows elevated judges to conclude part-heard criminal cases, os salutary and should be protected.

He advocated that states should be encouraged to adopt such provision in their enactments similar to the ACJA.

Represented by the Director, Legal Services, Henry Umore, the ICPC Chairman spoke in similar manner and commended the ACJMC for the sucesses recorded ao far.

The President of the a criminal justice reform advocacy group, the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), Professor Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN) said the launch of the report indicated that much has been achieved in the efforts to reform the nation’s criminal justice system.

Represented by an official of the group, Oyinloye Opajobi, the CSLS president said: “This report is an indication that we have made significant progress and stride over time.

“We assure the committee of our continued support and collaboration and future partnership.”

The Chairman of the ACJMC and Chief Judge of the HIgh Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Husain Baba Yusuf said 2024 was a monument period for the committee, marked by remarkable progress and strategic reforms.

He said the committee’s achievements last year “are a demonstration of our collaborative efforts and the collaboration of key stakeholders, who have worked tirelessly to implement the ACJA.”

Justice Yusuf, who stressed the importance of technology to ensuring efficient and effective justice delivery, assured that the FCT Judiciary will not relentless in its effort to modernise its operations.

“In our pursuit of restorative justice, we have laid a strong foundation for a system that is fair and accessible to all, through training and capacity building programmes, we have equipped numerous criminal justice stakeholders with the skills necessary to uphold these standards,” he said