My office recognizes the crucial responsibilities which have been placed on the Federal Ministry of Justice as a consequence of the enactment of this Act. Let me can assure you that we have already taken proactive steps to meet these challenges – Attorney-General Of The Federation And Minister Of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN
Goodwill Message By The Honourable Attorney-General Of The Federation And Minister Of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN At The Opening Ceremony Of The Special Workshop For Judiciary On Criminal Justice Administration, Development And Implementation Of The Administration Of Criinal Justice Act 2015 Organized By The National Judicial Institute In Collaboration With The Presidential Advisory Committee On Corruption (Pac-C) And The Unodc On Monday, 18th July, 2016
Courtesies
I am delighted to deliver this Goodwill Message on the occasion of this Special Workshop For the Judiciary On Criminal Justice Administration, Development and Implementation Of The Administration Of Criminal Justice Act 2015 organized by the National Judicial Institute In Collaboration With the Presidential Advisory Committee On Corruption (PAC-C) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), respectively.
2. I commend the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON, FNJI, the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice R.P. Bozimo, OFR as well as the leadership of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption and the UNODC, respectively, for the unique collaboration which has resulted in this important Workshop.
3. The decision to focus attention at this Workshop on the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 is one which is of critical relevance to the Bench, the Bar, Civil Society and the generality of our citizenry. Since its enactment, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act has been rightly acknowledged as a revolutionary legislation which should facilitate the achievement of our common objective of a humane and modern Criminal Justice system founded on social justice and the Rule of Law.
4. While we have crossed the first stage of enacting the Act, there is no doubt that considerable challenges remain in ensuring its effective implementation. In the first place, we must all work hard to ensure that the Act transcends the purview of Federal laws and Federal Courts and becomes a truly national legislation through the adoption of its reform-oriented provisions by our various State Governments. Additionally, given the fact that the Act creates a holistic value chain across all the segments of the Criminal Justice process, there is an urgent need for the proper understanding of its provisions by all persons involved with its implementation, particularly within our security agencies, investigative and prosecutorial authorities, the legal profession, the Judiciary and the Prison authorities, among others. It is in within this context that I must commend efforts such as this Workshop which are geared towards the above purpose.
5. My office recognizes the crucial responsibilities which have been placed on the Federal Ministry of Justice as a consequence of the enactment of this Act. Let me can assure you that we have already taken proactive steps to meet these challenges, which generally revolve around financial resources and requisite human capacity. In the aftermath of the enactment of the Act, my office has so far received over 8,000 Case Files from the Nigeria Police Force for prosecution by State Counsel in the Ministry. We have met this challenge through the deployment of additional Counsel to the Department of Public Prosecutions and the gradual development of their professional capacity to tackle these cases in a timely and efficient manner.
6. Your Excellencies, My Lords, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me to use this opportunity to acknowledge, and further solicit the cooperation and support of the Judiciary in the Federal Government’s current efforts at sanitizing the polity through various measures which have resulted in the on-going trials before our various courts. We must continue to see ourselves as partners in jointly pursuing reform initiatives not only to expedite the trial process as envisaged by the ACJA, but which also ensure that trials are devoid of unnecessary delays and recourse to technicalities. Let us be encouraged by the fact that at the end of the day the Nigerian people will hold us all accountable for the state of the nation, whether we serve in the Executive, Judiciary or Legislature.
7. I am convinced that this Workshop will be an important step in achieving that synergy and common purpose for a better Nigeria which we all desire. I therefore urge all participants to demonstrate objectivity and courage in addressing all the issues at stake. I look forward with enthusiasm to the outcome of this Workshop and assure you of the full support of my office in giving effect to the conclusions arising from your deliberations.
8. Your Excellencies, My Lords, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you all for your attention and wish you a very successful Workshop.
MR. ABUBAKAR MALAMI, SAN
Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation
and Minister of Justice
18th July, 2016.