By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday asked the Senate to approve the repeal of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and replace it with a new legal framework designed to tackle delays in criminal trials, strengthen justice sector institutions and modernise Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The President also transmitted the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeking legislative approval to strengthen the administration and governance of public senior secondary education nationwide.
The two executive bills were conveyed in separate letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during Thursday’s plenary.
In his communication on the criminal justice reform, Tinubu said the proposed Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2026, would repeal and replace the existing ACJA 2015 to address persistent legal, procedural and institutional shortcomings that have undermined effective justice delivery.
He explained that the proposed legislation would improve the administration of criminal justice in the Federal Capital Territory and other federal courts, while strengthening the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council to ensure the law’s effective implementation.
According to the President, the new legal framework is intended to promote the efficient management of criminal justice institutions, accelerate the dispensation of justice, strengthen the protection of society from crime, and safeguard the constitutional rights of suspects, defendants, victims, and witnesses.
Tinubu said the Bill would also ensure full compliance by courts, law enforcement agencies and other institutions involved in criminal justice administration.
He identified chronic delays in criminal investigations and prosecutions, poor case-file management, inadequate deployment of technology in criminal proceedings, weak coordination among justice sector agencies, ineffective case management systems and poor monitoring of compliance with the existing law as major challenges necessitating the repeal of the 2015 Act.
The President noted that the draft legislation was prepared by experienced law officers with expertise in criminal law, criminal procedure and legislative drafting, adding that it incorporated recent judicial pronouncements, technological innovations and international best practices.
He added that the proposed law would strengthen the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council by enhancing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure effective implementation by the relevant institutions.
Following the presentation of the communication, the Senate referred the Bill to its Committee on Rules and Business with a directive to report back within four weeks.
In a separate communication, Tinubu forwarded the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, as part of his administration’s efforts to improve the governance and administration of public senior secondary education nationwide.
The President disclosed that the Federal Executive Council approved the amendment bill at its April 30, 2026, meeting, after which the Federal Ministry of Justice reviewed and finalised it to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions and legislative drafting standards.
He said the proposed amendment reflected his administration’s commitment to strengthening educational institutions and improving the quality of public senior secondary education in the national interest.
Tinubu urged lawmakers to accord the Bill expeditious consideration and passage.
“While I hope that the Senate will consider the bill and grant it its expeditious passage, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration and personal regards,” the President wrote.
The Senate subsequently referred the education amendment bill to the Committee on Rules and Business with a mandate to report back within one week.
