The Operations/Applications of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in Edo State

Abstract

Various states in Nigeria have passed the Administration of criminal justice bill into law.  Lagos state is the first followed by Anambra state. Other states include Ekiti, Ondo, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Jigawa, and recently Edo State. The Administration of Criminal Justice Law of the states repeals the Criminal Procedure Laws hitherto operational in those states, whereas the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which was enacted in 2015 repeals the Criminal Procedure Act, 2010 and the Administration of Justice Commission Act, 2010. The aim and purpose of these enactment is the speedy dispensation of justice whereby both the suspect or defendant and the victim of crime are all treated fairly under the law. The law has also make provisions on how the police should take down statement from the suspect and the ways and methods to treat suspect under their custody. This paper examined the innovation brought by the new law and also identifies the gaps that were present in the old law and how those gaps were adequately filled by the new law. It recommended that a lots still need to be done for the smooth application of the new law.

Keywords: criminal justice, operation, application.

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/94-17

Publication date: February 29^th 2020