How to ensure ACJA’s success – CJN

Onnoghen said there was need for adequate understanding and effective application of the various innovative provisions of the ACJA in the criminal justice sector for the law’s objectives to be attained. The CJN spoke at the opening session of a two-day workshop on “the implementation and compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, organized by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja. He said the ACJA was not designed to do away with the already existing criminal laws in its entirety but to preserve and make them stronger by introducing innovative provisions that would enhance the efficiency of the justice system. The CJN said: “This is a paradigm shift in the criminal justice system of Nigeria, from a punitive approach to a restorative approach, with the needs of the society, victims, vulnerable persons and human dignity at the forefront. “With this shift from the law as it used to be, the advent of the ACJA, comes with a number of challenges, especially with regards to its application, implementation, compliance and funding; hence the need for this workshop. “The objective of the ACJA will never be attained unless, and until all relevant stakeholders in the criminal justice system are aligned and work collaboratively to ensure that the Act is not just implemented but complied with.”]]>