Ten years after the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in May 2015, legal stakeholders converged in Ibadan, Oyo State for the NBA Western Zone Human Rights Summit to evaluate the law’s effectiveness. The event, held on June 4th and 5th, 2025, took place at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre, Iyaganku.
Spearheaded by the 2nd Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs. Bolatumi Animashaun, who also serves as the Alternate Chair of the NBA Human Rights Institute, the summit was organized in collaboration with Vice Chairs of NBA branches in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo, and Delta states. The event was supported by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies and Juritrust Centre for Socio-Legal Studies and Documentation.
Summit Theme and Key Presentations
The summit was themed “Human Rights, Law Enforcement and The Administration of Criminal Justice.” Discussions and papers addressed topics such as:
Effectiveness of the ACJA since 2015, delivered by Prof. Akinseye-George SAN
Role of the ACJMCs in monitoring and evaluation, presented by Prof. Akeem Bello and Mr. Gbemi Jaiyebo
Remand processes, criminal case management, and bench perspectives, delivered by Hon. Justice Olubunmi Fadipe and Hon. Justice S. Akintola
Arrest protocols and charge framing issues, addressed by Retired CP Fatai Owoseni, Mr. Okoli Chidi (EFCC), and officers from NCOS and ICPC
Detention facility visits and the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS), by Mr. Femi Falana SAN
Past NBA interventions, presented by Mr. Abiola Olagunju
Public interest litigation challenges, by Kunle Edun SAN
Monitoring interventions by official bars, addressed by Mrs. Tola Rotimi
People-centered justice mechanisms, by Gbolahan Adeniran
Defendant trial rights and disclosure, by Dr. Charles Adeogun-Philips SAN
Unifying the ACJA, by Prof. J.O.A. Akintayo
Attendance and Contributions
The summit drew participants from the judiciary, NBA leadership, law enforcement agencies, human rights committees, law students from UI, and legal experts. Significant resolutions were made, including publishing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Arrests, Detention, and Prosecution.
Proposals for Reform
Recommendations included:
Strengthening the ACJMC’s coordination and data-gathering roles
Electronic arrest records to minimize indiscriminate arrests
State Attorneys-General to actively implement ACJA provisions
Technology adoption in justice delivery (e-filing, virtual hearings)
Non-custodial sentencing and improved parole systems
Monthly detention facility inspections per Section 34 ACJA
Legal officer deployment at police stations per Section 66(3) of Police Act
Improved case file management and liaison between police and AG’s offices
Proper use of remand and elimination of holding charges
Support for restorative justice units in states
Enhancing legal education and public interest litigation
Other technical suggestions involved amending Rules of Professional Conduct, reforming bail practices, regulating charge amendments, enhancing Ministry of Justice review of case files, and building district solicitor systems across courts.
Summit Resolution and Conclusion
The summit concluded with a consensus to develop a comprehensive SOP addressing illegal detentions, torture, prolonged remand, and other systemic lapses in criminal justice administration. The goal is to harmonize efforts across stakeholders and strengthen the justice sector in line with human rights standards.
Supporting Organizations
The event received support from:
NBA Ibadan, Lagos, and Ikorodu Branches
Juritrust Centre
Centre for Socio-Legal Studies
Justice Reform Project
Duty Solicitors Network
Faculties of Law, University of Lagos and Ibadan
World Lilies Apartments and Hotels/Abiodun Adetunji SAN
Bayo Olugbemi (First Registrars and Investor Services Ltd)
Oyo and Lagos State Judiciaries
Nurudeen Adeoye Oyetunde
Suleiman K. Bayo
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