To strengthen the legal framework within the state, the Kwara State Ministry of Justice on Wednesday organised a sensitisation workshop for judicial officers, public prosecutors, and law enforcement agencies on the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).
The maiden annual programme, themed “Investigation and Prosecutions: Focal Lens on Extant Nigerian Laws and Judicial Pronouncements on Extra-Judicial Statements,” featured a keynote address by renowned prosecutor and legal luminary, Rotimi Jacob (SAN).
Top dignitaries in attendance included the Kwara State Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Adebara; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulyman; the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Barrister Kikelomo Grillo; High Court judges, Magistrates, and leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Speaking at the event, Justice Adebara commended the Ministry for convening key stakeholders to discuss the advancement of criminal jurisprudence. He noted that the full adoption of the criminal justice law would check discrepancies in recording protocols and the misinterpretation of legal requirements, which often lead to inconsistencies and abuse of the process.
The Chief Judge disclosed that the State Judiciary recently introduced three Practice Directions to address challenges in the system, specifically the misuse of Direct Criminal Complaints under Sections 96-100 of the Kwara State ACJL 2018.
“The first is the Administration of Criminal Justice Law Practice Direction No. 1 of 2025, which came into effect on June 2, 2025. It is aimed at achieving speedy administration of justice in Kwara State vis-a-vis criminal cases filed in courts,” Adebara said. “The last two cover the Magistrate Court and Area Court Practice Directions on Direct Criminal Complaints.”
In his remarks, Attorney General Ibrahim Sulyman stated that the state enacted the ACJL 2018 to ensure efficient management of criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, and the protection of the rights of suspects, defendants, and victims.
Sulyman praised Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for consistently supporting the improved administration of criminal justice.
He announced that, following the Governor’s approval, the Ministry had procured recording gadgets for all investigating agencies to ease their work and ensure compliance with the law regarding extra-judicial statements.
“One of the innovations introduced by the law was the provisions for the mode and manner extra-judicial statements of defendants are to be recorded to make them admissible in court,” the Commissioner noted. “I am certain this will form the crux of our interaction today, and I urge the investigative and law enforcement agencies to pay rapt attention for subsequent compliance.”
Delivering his paper, Rotimi Jacob (SAN) emphasized that achieving the objectives of the ACJL depends heavily on effective investigation and prosecution.
He lauded Governor AbdulRazaq for his swift action in promoting the criminal justice system.
“Kwara is one of the first twelve states that enacted the Administration of Criminal Justice Law. This is quite encouraging and commendable,” Jacob said. “Where there is effective investigation and efficient prosecution, an innocent person will not be convicted for an offence he did not commit, nor will the guilty be allowed to escape. The beauty of the criminal justice law is to protect innocent citizens from being wrongly prosecuted.”