President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Pushes Biggest Criminal Justice Shake-Up Since 2015

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken another major step toward reforming Nigeria’s justice sector by transmitting the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2026 to the House of Representatives, proposing a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s criminal justice framework. If passed into law, the bill will repeal and replace the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, introducing new measures aimed at accelerating criminal trials, improving case management and strengthening public confidence in the justice system.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed legislation introduces several far-reaching reforms, including the abolition of the controversial “trial-within-trial” procedure, the establishment of a National Sex Offenders Register, the creation of a Witness Support Fund and mandatory timelines for courts to determine no-case submissions. The proposal has already attracted attention from legal practitioners and policy analysts who believe it could significantly reshape criminal proceedings in Nigeria.

Tinubu’s Criminal Justice Bill Promises Faster Trials, but Will It Deliver Justice?

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bill seeks to modernise Nigeria’s criminal justice system by addressing some of the procedural bottlenecks that have contributed to prolonged trials and case congestion in courts. Among its key innovations is the introduction of plea forms to simplify arraignment proceedings, greater reliance on written witness depositions and stronger case management mechanisms designed to improve efficiency throughout the judicial process.

Another notable provision is the measure preventing criminal cases from starting afresh whenever a judge dies, retires or is transferred. For years, such developments have resulted in lengthy retrials, increasing delays and costs for victims, defendants and the justice system. The proposed reforms aim to ensure greater continuity in criminal proceedings while safeguarding the rights of all parties involved.

Tinubu Pushes Bold Court Reforms as New Criminal Justice Bill Heads to National Assembly

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s latest proposal aligns with the administration’s broader agenda to strengthenTinubu’s Criminal Justice Bill Promises Faster Trials, but Will It Deliver Justice? governance, promote the rule of law and improve institutional efficiency. The establishment of a National Sex Offenders Register is expected to enhance monitoring of convicted offenders, while the proposed Witness Support Fund seeks to encourage witness participation by providing assistance and protection where necessary.

Legal experts are expected to scrutinise the abolition of the “trial-within-trial” procedure, a longstanding feature of Nigerian criminal law used to determine the admissibility of confessional statements. While supporters of the reform argue it could reduce delays and accelerate justice, others are likely to examine its implications for defendants’ constitutional rights and safeguards against coerced confessions. These issues are expected to feature prominently during legislative deliberations.

The Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2026 now awaits consideration by the House of Representatives and, subsequently, the Senate. If approved by the National Assembly and signed into law, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed reforms could mark one of the most significant changes to Nigeria’s criminal justice system in more than a decade, with far-reaching implications for courts, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, defence lawyers and the Nigerian public.