President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally submitted the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2026, to both the Senate and the House of Representatives, in a major legislative push to overhaul Nigeria’s legal system.
Announced during plenary sessions on July 9, 2026, the proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. The comprehensive reform package aims to eliminate systemic delays, boost institutional efficiency, strengthen victim and suspect protections, and establish a rigorous oversight framework to modernize the rule of law amid ongoing national security challenges.
While the previous ACJA 2015 was initially celebrated for advancing trial speeds and suspect rights, judicial stakeholders have increasingly identified critical implementation gaps over the past decade. These include extensive delays in high-profile corruption and terrorism cases, poor inter-agency coordination, underutilized technology, and weak oversight.
In an official letter to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, President Tinubu emphasized that the 2026 bill directly addresses these legal, procedural, and institutional bottlenecks. The legislation will govern criminal justice administration across the Federal Capital Territory and all Federal Courts, driven by the creation of an empowered Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council.
The bill eliminates time-consuming mini-trials regarding the voluntariness of confessions. Confessional statements will now be provisionally admitted, with any objections resolved during the final judgment, a shift expected to drastically reduce the gridlock stalling major cases.
A centralized Sex Offenders Register will be established under the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, backed by mandatory reporting protocols. Additionally, a new Witness Support Fund will ensure prompt expense payments to enhance witness cooperation and protection.
The bill introduces standardized Plea Forms for accelerated arraignments, a strict 21-day timeline for no-case submissions, and a requirement to file comprehensive case materials upfront. Furthermore, transitional provisions will prevent trials from starting over in the event of a judge’s retirement, transfer, or death.
To guarantee compliance and seamless inter-agency cooperation, the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council will be overhauled with a diverse governing board comprising representatives from the judiciary, law enforcement, correctional services, the Nigerian Bar Association, and civil society. An Executive Secretary will lead the council upon appointment by the President, and the Attorney-General of the Federation will hold the authority to issue strict implementation regulations.
This sweeping reform underscores the Tinubu administration’s commitment to building a swift, fair, and highly accountable justice system for all Nigerians.
