Abuja: In the quest for the adherence to rule of law, experts have called for urgent reforms in the Nigeria justice system. They made the call at the opening of the 7th Annual Criminal Law Review conference organised by the Rule of Law Development Foundation (ROLDF) on Monday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Ojo has called for full implementation of non-custodial measures as a critical step toward addressing overcrowding and improving rehabilitation outcomes in the country’s correctional facilities. The 5-day event is titled ‘Navigating Change: Emerging Trends and Challenges in Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System’.
The Minister noted that the correctional system was designed not only to punish but also to reform, rehabilitate, and reintegrate offenders. He added that effective non-custodial sentencing remained essential to achieving the mandate of the Correctional Service Act, 2019. Ojo highlighted ongoing reforms in the Service, including the profiling of inmates to leverage their skills, decongestion initiatives that facilitated the release of 4,086 inmates through fine payments, renovation of 12 custodial centres, and full biometric capturing, in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
He emphasised that Nigeria could not fully achieve the objectives of the Correctional Service Act without strengthening non-custodial sentencing and restorative justice mechanisms. He further urged stakeholders to work together to implement alternatives to imprisonment, saying the measures would reduce overcrowding, ensure better rehabilitation, and align Nigeria’s correctional practices with global standards.
In his welcome address, Mr JB Daudu SAN, Coordinator of the Rule of Law Development Foundation (ROLDF), expressed concern about the deteriorating state of correctional facilities nationwide and called for urgent government intervention. According to him, the conference was conceived as a forum to review all developments in crime apprehension, crime prosecution, crime adjudication, and post-adjudicatory processes.
He suggested that given the rising crime rate, the government should urgently build at least one multipurpose correctional centre in each of the 774 local government areas. He praised the Minister of Interior for his leadership over the four paramilitary agencies under his ministry. The conference would also examine issues such as extradition, extraordinary rendition, cross-border justice, artificial intelligence in crime regulation, blockchain for data protection, and the constitutional implications of state-backed vigilante groups.
The Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, represented by M Y Abdullahi, Attorney General of Kogi State, stated that his administration is committed to justice sector reform and the strengthening of the rule of law across Nigeria. He noted that the rule of law remains the bedrock of a just society, ensuring equality, protecting fundamental human rights, and safeguarding the democratic process. He added that Nigeria could only achieve lasting peace and security through strict adherence to legal processes and institutional accountability.
He lauded the organisers for sustaining a platform that promotes dialogue on emerging legal challenges and the future of criminal justice administration in Nigeria. He expressed that it is through such collaborative effort that a fair, efficient, and inclusive justice system for all Nigerians can be ensured.
On his part, President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benedict Kanyip, represented by Dr Abdullahi Zakaria, Director of Civil Litigation, highlighted the urgent need for reforms in the country’s criminal justice system to address cybercrime, court delays, overcrowded correctional centres, and gaps in legislation brought about by technological changes. According to him, Nigeria’s criminal justice system continues to face major challenges, including cybercrime, insecurity, human rights violations, and slow judicial processes, despite ongoing reforms under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
He noted that emerging digital realities such as remote work, virtual hearings, and artificial intelligence have introduced new dimensions to crime and evidence, making it necessary to modernise existing laws. He stressed the need for regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal processes, emphasising that AI must be used with caution and properly regulated to prevent misleading judicial outcomes. Kanyip emphasised the role of restorative justice, mediation, and arbitration in reducing court congestion and urged stakeholders to prioritise full implementation of the ACJA, modernisation of laws, and expansion of non-custodial sentencing options to reduce overcrowding in correctional centres. He commended the Rule of Law Development Foundation for consistently promoting reforms in Nigeria’s justice sector.
In his goodwill message, Yusuf Ali, SAN, stated that every citizen has a stake in justice sector reforms. According to him, even law-abiding individuals could find themselves entangled in the system. He urged the ROLDF to prioritise law enforcement reforms, describing them as the bedrock of the justice system. He expressed optimism that outcomes from the week-long conference would trigger meaningful policy and institutional changes.
NAN also reports that the foundation presented awards to three public officers who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the rule of law, which included the Governor of Kogi State, the Minister of Interior, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.