Tinubu transmits new criminal justice bill to Reps

President Bola Tinubu has sent a bill to the House of Representatives that proposes sweeping reforms to Nigeria's criminal justice system, aiming to repeal the existing Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015. The proposed Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2026, introduces several key changes, including the abolition of the controversial trial-within-trial procedure in criminal proceedings.

“

I am pleased to transmit to the House of Representatives for consideration, a Bill for an Act to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and enact the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026.

In a letter to the Speaker of the House, President Tinubu explained that the bill is designed to tackle legal, procedural, and institutional shortcomings that have hampered the effective implementation of the current law. The proposed legislation also seeks to establish a national Sex Offenders Register, create a Witness Support Fund, enhance judicial case management, and expand the powers of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council.

The bill's most significant reform, the abolition of trial-within-trial, traditionally used to determine the voluntariness of confessional statements, aims to reduce lengthy delays in criminal trials. Instead, prosecutors would establish the voluntariness of statements, with objections to admissibility addressed at the judgment stage. This change is particularly intended to expedite high-profile corruption and terrorism cases that often see trial-within-trial proceedings lasting months.

“

to provide for the administration of criminal justice in the courts of the Federal Capital Territory and other Federal Courts in Nigeria and the establishment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council for effective and efficient administration of criminal justice in Nigeria.

Furthermore, the bill proposes the creation of a Sex Offenders Register, to be managed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, which would include particulars of convicted sex offenders. It also mandates the transmission of relevant information by prosecuting and law enforcement agencies to this register.

“

to ensure that Nigeria’s criminal justice system promotes “efficient management of criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, protection of society from crime and protection of the rights and interests of the suspect, the defendant and the victim.”