The Federal Government has unveiled the National Minimum Standards for the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) alongside a harmonized restorative justice training curriculum manual, in a move aimed at deepening justice sector reforms and promoting a more humane justice system.
In a key note address at the unveiling ceremony and sensitization workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN described the initiative as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to build a justice system that is efficient, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of victims, offenders, and society.
Fagbemi noted that while the ACJA 2015 has introduced key reforms such as plea bargaining, prohibition of arrest by proxy, and improved asset recovery, challenges including delays in case management, congested courts, and overcrowded correctional centres persist.
According to him, the newly introduced National Minimum Standards on the Implementation of ACJA will provide a unified framework to ensure consistency, accountability, and improved performance across justice sector institutions nationwide.
He added that the standards were developed through extensive collaboration among federal and state institutions, as well as professional bodies.
The AGF and Justice Minister emphasized the growing importance of restorative justice, describing it as a complementary approach that shifts focus from punishment to repairing harm, promoting accountability, and rebuilding relationships between victims, offenders and communities.
Fagbemi commended the contributions of stakeholders, including the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as well as legal scholar, Prof. Akinseye-George, for their roles in developing the documents.
In a message delivered by Justice James Omotosho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho described the ACJA as a landmark reform that has enhanced efficiency, fairness, and protection of rights within Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
Tsoho said the establishment of national minimum standards would ensure uniformity in implementation across jurisdictions, strengthen institutional accountability, and boost public confidence.
He also praised the restorative justice manual as a progressive step toward a more inclusive justice system that prioritizes victim compensation, reconciliation, and rehabilitation.
Earlier, the Director of the Administration of Criminal Justice Reform and Development Department at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels said, the event marked the culmination of years of collaborative efforts to institutionalize restorative justice in Nigeria.
She explained that the ministry had made significant progress since 2022, including engagements with stakeholders and study visits to Lagos State, leading to the development of key policy documents such as a restorative justice policy, bill, practice direction, and training manual.
Ayoola-Daniels noted that the National Minimum Standards establish operational benchmarks for implementing restorative justice in line with global best practices, while the training curriculum is designed to ensure consistency, professionalism, and effective delivery across jurisdictions.
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