The Kwara State Ministry of Justice on Wednesday held a workshop for judicial officers and public prosecutors on the provisions of the state’s Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL). The event focused on investigation practices, prosecution standards, and court rulings on extra-judicial statements.
The programme, titled “Investigation and Prosecutions: Focal Lens on Extant Nigerian Laws and Judicial Pronouncements on Extra-Judicial Statements,” featured a keynote address by senior advocate Rotimi Jacob.
The workshop drew senior figures from the state judiciary and legal community, including Chief Judge Justice Abiodun Adebara; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Senior Ibrahim Sulyman; High Court judges and magistrates; Solicitor General Kikelomo Grillo; leaders of the Nigerian Bar Association; and representatives of security agencies.
Justice Adebara praised the Ministry for bringing together experts to examine gaps in criminal procedure. He said the ACJL helps correct problems in recording suspect statements and prevents errors that lead to abuse. He noted that the judiciary has introduced three new Practice Directions to address recurring issues, including the misuse of Direct Criminal Complaints under Sections 96–100 of the 2018 law.
“These measures aim to achieve speedy administration of justice,” he said, adding that the Practice Directions for the High Court, Magistrate Court, and Area Court took effect on June 2, 2025.
Attorney General Sulyman said the 2018 ACJL was enacted to improve how criminal cases move through the system and to protect the rights of suspects, defendants, and victims. He thanked the Governor for supporting reforms across the sector. He also announced that the Ministry has procured recording devices for investigating agencies and will distribute them at the end of the workshop.
“One of the innovations introduced by the law is the mode and manner extra-judicial statements should be recorded to make them admissible in court,” he said. He urged investigators and prosecutors to apply the law in their daily work.
In his presentation, Jacob said the success of the ACJL depends on proper investigations and sound prosecution. He commended the Governor for backing criminal justice reforms and noted that Kwara was among the first 12 states to adopt the ACJL.
“Where there is effective investigation and efficient prosecution, an innocent person will not be convicted, and the guilty will not escape,” he said.
He added that the purpose of the law is to protect citizens from wrongful prosecution.
