Tinubu Seeks to Scrap ACJA 2015, Introduces Landmark Criminal Justice Reform Bill with Sex Offenders Register

Tinubu Seeks to Scrap ACJA 2015, Introduces Landmark Criminal Justice Reform Bill with Sex Offenders Register

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a groundbreaking bill to the House of Representatives seeking to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and replace it with the proposed Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026, a move that could significantly reshape Nigeria's criminal justice system.

The proposed legislation introduces sweeping reforms aimed at speeding up criminal trials, strengthening victims' rights, improving judicial efficiency and modernising Nigeria's legal framework. One of the biggest changes is the planned abolition of the controversial trial-within-trial procedure, which has long been blamed for delaying criminal prosecutions.

Tinubu Pushes Major Criminal Justice Reforms

In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, President Tinubu urged lawmakers to consider the bill without delay.

According to the President, the proposed law seeks to provide a more efficient criminal justice system for the Federal Capital Territory and all Federal Courts while strengthening the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council (ACJMC).

Tinubu said the bill is designed to eliminate legal and procedural weaknesses that have limited the effectiveness of the existing ACJA since its introduction in 2015.

He noted that the reforms will promote:

Faster criminal trials

Better protection for victims, suspects and defendants

Improved coordination among justice institutions

Greater judicial efficiency

Stronger crime prevention mechanisms

Trial-Within-Trial Procedure to Be Abolished

One of the most significant provisions in the proposed bill is the removal of the trial-within-trial process.

Under the current law, courts conduct a separate hearing whenever a defendant claims a confessional statement was obtained through coercion or intimidation.

The new proposal allows prosecutors to tender confessional statements during the main trial, while objections over voluntariness will be decided alongside the final judgment instead of interrupting proceedings.

Legal experts believe this reform could drastically reduce delays, especially in high-profile corruption, terrorism and financial crime cases that often spend months resolving preliminary objections.

National Sex Offenders Register to Be Created

Another major reform is the establishment of a National Sex Offenders Register, which will be managed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The register will contain the identities of convicted sex offenders, with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors required to submit offenders' information for registration and publication.

The initiative aims to strengthen public safety, improve monitoring of convicted offenders and enhance accountability.

Witness Support Fund Introduced

The bill also proposes the creation of a Witness Support Fund to ensure witnesses receive timely reimbursement for transportation, accommodation and other approved expenses incurred while assisting criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The government believes this measure will encourage greater public cooperation with law enforcement agencies and improve witness participation during criminal trials.

Faster Court Processes and Modern Case Management

To reduce delays in Nigeria's courts, the proposed legislation introduces several procedural innovations, including:

Plea Forms to simplify arraignment procedures.

Mandatory determination of no-case submissions within 21 days after the prosecution closes its case.

Written witness depositions where appropriate.

Objections filed after plea to be determined during final judgment instead of delaying proceedings.

Improved electronic and technology-driven case management.

Streamlined filing of witness statements and exhibits alongside criminal charges.

The reforms are expected to significantly reduce unnecessary adjournments and accelerate the delivery of justice.

Stronger Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council

President Tinubu also proposes expanding the powers of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council by creating a governing board comprising representatives from:

The Judiciary

Law enforcement agencies

Prosecuting authorities

Correctional institutions

Nigerian Bar Association

Civil society organisations

The President will appoint the Executive Secretary of the Council based on the recommendation of the Attorney-General of the Federation, while the Attorney-General will also have authority to issue implementation regulations.

Ending Fresh Trials After Judges Leave Office

The bill contains transitional provisions designed to prevent lengthy criminal cases from restarting whenever judges retire, die or are transferred.

If implemented, this reform could save years of litigation and reduce case backlogs across Nigeria's federal courts.

Why Tinubu Wants ACJA 2015 Repealed

President Tinubu explained that although the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari, introduced historic reforms, several implementation challenges remain.

These include:

Slow criminal investigations

Prolonged prosecution processes

Weak institutional coordination

Poor monitoring of compliance

Inadequate use of technology

Ineffective case management systems

According to the President, the 2026 bill incorporates judicial decisions, technological advancements, international best practices and lessons learned from a decade of implementing the existing law.

What Happens Next?

The proposed Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2026 will now be considered by the House of Representatives and the National Assembly.

If passed and signed into law, it will represent the most comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria's federal criminal procedure system since the introduction of the ACJA in 2015, ushering in a new era focused on faster justice, stronger victim protection, improved court efficiency and greater accountability across the criminal justice sector.

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