Evbu Igbinedion Esq: Leading The Charge In Implementing The Administration Of Criminal Justice Act, 2015
Two months ago, Evbu Igbinedion was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC), the pivotal body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) of 2015. As a seasoned lawyer with a deep understanding of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, she quickly brought new energy and direction to the committee. Hon. Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, praised her swift and effective start, noting she “hit the ground running.”
To set the committee’s agenda and enhance its operations, Igbinedion organized a One-Day Stakeholders Engagement Summit on the effective implementation of the ACJA. This event has sparked a new national dialogue on improving criminal justice administration in Nigeria. The summit was attended by prominent figures in the sector, including Chief Judge of the High Court Hon. Justice Husseini Yusuf Baba, Attorney General and Minister for Justice Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Maikyau Chonoko Yakubu, SAN, among others. The Executive Secretary received widespread commendations for her dedicated and effective leadership.
In her brief tenure, Igbinedion has already made significant progress in advancing the ACJA within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). She credited her achievements to the support and collaboration from the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Hon. Justice Husseini Yusuf Baba, and the Hon. Attorney General and Minister for Justice. Additionally, she acknowledged the contributions of various criminal justice institutions and development partners, including the Nigerian Police Force, UNODC, MacArthur Foundation, INL, ROLAC, Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, PPDC, and NULAI.
Key achievements since her appointment include:
1. Expanding oversight visits by FCT Magistrates through the designation of additional magistrates.
2. Enhancing compliance with Section 34 of the ACJA through capacity-building programs for all FCT magistrates.
3. Training all Divisional Police Officers in the FCT to ensure compliance with Sections 15, 33, and 34 of the ACJA.
4. Training Magistrates Court registrars on reporting obligations.
5. Conducting technical review meetings that led to the validation of draft remand documents, subsequently signed by the Hon. Chief Judge of the FCT.
One of Igbinedion’s most notable achievements was hosting the Stakeholders Engagement Summit, where the Practice Direction and Guidelines and Monitoring Framework on Remanding Proceedings were officially signed by Hon. Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf. The Strategic Action Plan of the ACJMC for 2024-2025 was also presented to stakeholders at this event.
The Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), enacted in May 2015, aims to reform Nigeria’s criminal justice system by promoting efficient management of criminal justice institutions, ensuring speedy justice, preventing crime, and protecting the rights of suspects, defendants, and victims. However, challenges such as the lack of a functional Central Criminal Records Registry, delays in the justice system, and insufficient technological support have hindered its full implementation.
Under Igbinedion’s leadership, the ACJMC is tasked with addressing these challenges. Despite some successes, issues like de novo trials, inefficiencies among criminal justice actors, and inadequate punishment for offenders continue to plague the system. The ACJA also provides for victim compensation and restitution, but these measures are not widely implemented due to a lack of awareness and resources.
Overall, while the ACJA has made strides in protecting defendants’ rights and expediting high-profile cases, significant improvements are still needed. The Nigerian Bar Association must advocate for the Attorney-General and other relevant authorities to address these shortcomings, ensuring that the ACJA is fully and effectively implemented across Nigeria. As Evbu Igbinedion and her team lead this effort, there is hope for a more efficient and just criminal justice system in the country.