Tinubu Transmits Criminal Justice Reform Bill to Senate, Seeks Repeal of ACJA 2015

The Senate on Thursday received a request from President Bola Tinubu for the consideration of the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2026, which seeks to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 and replace it with a new legal framework to reform Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

The President’s request was contained in a letter read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

According to the letter, the proposed legislation is intended to modernise the administration of criminal justice across the Federal Capital Territory and other federal courts by strengthening institutional coordination, improving efficiency, and enhancing the protection of the rights of accused persons, victims and witnesses.

Akpabio said the bill seeks to replace the 2015 Act with a comprehensive framework that will ensure the effective administration of criminal justice, promote timely and fair dispensation of cases, protect society, and uphold the constitutional rights of all parties involved in criminal proceedings.

He noted that the proposed law addresses several shortcomings identified in the implementation of the ACJA 2015, including prolonged delays in investigations and prosecutions, poor case file management, weak coordination among criminal justice institutions, ineffective case management systems, and inadequate monitoring and compliance mechanisms.

The Senate President further stated that the bill introduces far-reaching reforms, including enhanced case management procedures, stronger collaboration among criminal justice agencies, improved monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and institutional reforms aimed at strengthening the governance of the criminal justice system.

The proposed legislation also contains implementation measures to ensure effective compliance by relevant institutions and improve accountability across the justice sector.

Following the presentation of the executive bill, the Senate referred it to the Committee on Rules and Business for further legislative action. The committee is expected to report back to the chamber within four weeks after assigning the bill to the appropriate standing committee.

The proposed Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026 forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to align Nigeria’s criminal justice system with contemporary global standards while ensuring faster, more transparent and more effective justice delivery.