Media professionals have been called upon to actively engage in advocacy for increased budgetary allocations to support the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in Nigeria.
The call was made by Dr. Salaudeen Hashim, Program Director at CLEEN Foundation, during a recent discussion on the challenges facing the country’s criminal justice system. The session, which took place in Lagos, addressed critical issues such as inadequate funding, inefficient management, and the urgent need for reforms to speed up judicial processes and improve justice delivery across the nation.
Program Director,
Cleen Foundation
Speaking on the issue, Salaudeen Hashim pointed out that despite constitutional provisions and the ACJA, the funding allocated to the judicial system is often inadequate to meet its needs. This has led to a backlog in cases and significant delays, with some custodial centers becoming crime scenes due to poor security and infrastructure.
“The lack of adequate funding for ACJL implementation has caused delays in justice dispensation. Suspects escape from police facilities, investigations and prosecutions are poorly executed, and forensic expertise remains scarce,” said Hashim. “There is also an alarming deficit in human capacity and a weak digital infrastructure for managing data, protecting witnesses, and ensuring proper interrogation.”
Experts also noted the influence of political interests on judicial processes. Weak responses from the Ministry of Justice and the absence or poor resourcing of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) have further hindered the effective implementation of the ACJA.
In some states, the situation is worse, with a lack of courts and judges, while others have failed to implement the ACJL entirely. Some states have also developed alternative practice directions instead of adhering to the ACJA. The lack of awareness among criminal justice stakeholders—particularly within police departments—further exacerbates the issue.
In light of these challenges, media outlets have been called upon to play a pivotal role in advocating for increased budgetary allocations for ACJL implementation. The media is urged to raise awareness on the incoherence of the ACJL’s execution across various states, highlight best practices from states like Delta, and track incidents of negligence and corruption in the sector.
“Raising awareness about the ACJL’s reality and potential, and promoting good practices, will help drive the change needed for a more transparent and accountable justice system,” Hashim stated.
The role of the media in advocating for justice reform is critical. Journalists are encouraged to focus on investigative reporting, monitor the implementation of judicial reforms, and follow up on the performance of key criminal justice institutions. By engaging with civil society organizations (CSOs), justice actors, and development partners, the media can facilitate a more informed public debate on the need for greater investment in the country’s criminal justice system.
Ag. Executive Director,
Cleen Foundation
Mr. Peter Maduoma, Executive Director, expressed his concerns about the weak implementation of the ACJL in various states, citing political influence over the judiciary and inadequate resourcing as major hurdles. “For nobody from across the streets has actually done enough to ensure that there is efficient functionality of this law,” Maduoma remarked. He emphasized the need for political will to support judicial independence and the provision of adequate budgets for effective law enforcement and judicial activities.
He further highlighted that in many states, the criminal justice monitoring committees, which are supposed to ensure compliance with the law, are either non-existent or dysfunctional. “In some states where these committees are set up, they are not incorporated properly, and even when they are, some members are unaware of their responsibilities or even the locations of their offices,” he said.
Maduoma pointed out that despite the national framework, many states have failed to prioritize and fund the necessary infrastructure for effective justice delivery. This includes key areas such as modern interrogation rooms, witness protection, and digitalized court processes. He noted that the lack of digital infrastructure has led to inefficiencies, such as missing case files and prolonged trials. “We only see one state, Katsina, where modern interrogation rooms have been set up, and that is at the police headquarters,” Maduoma added.
The Executive Director also raised concerns about the misuse of plea bargaining, which he claimed has become a tool for political elites to procure justice. This undermines the integrity of the criminal justice system and leads to a two-tier justice system where the wealthy and politically connected benefit, while ordinary citizens struggle to receive justice.
Maduoma’s remarks also addressed the systemic issue of poor monitoring and accountability. He criticized the failure of state ministries of justice, national and state assemblies, and other responsible bodies to provide adequate oversight and reform in the criminal justice sector. “Justice is often delayed because states do not invest in experienced lawyers or forensic experts,” he said.
The conversation also turned to the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies, with some criminal justice actors not fully aware of the legal procedures, resulting in frequent violations of suspects’ rights. Additionally, the lack of proper documentation and inconsistent approaches to implementing the ACJL further exacerbate the problem.
Maduoma concluded by stressing the importance of collaboration between civil society, the media, and governmental institutions to address these issues. He urged that the implementation of the ACJL be treated with urgency, calling for regular meetings to push for reforms and proper allocation of funds to the justice sector.
The Executive Director’s concerns reflect a growing consensus that urgent reforms and greater political commitment are needed to ensure the successful implementation of the ACJL and to strengthen Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
In conclusion, experts agree that increasing media engagement, advocacy, and follow-up are essential in securing more substantial funding for ACJL implementation. Journalists are urged to focus on sector-specific journalism, highlighting the human impact of inefficiencies in the system, and ensuring that the voices of ordinary Nigerians are heard in calls for justice reform.