PRESSER: CSLS Presents 2026 Event Roadmap For Criminal Justice Reforms Advocacy In Nigeria
…Nigeria Should Take Trump’s Statement As A Wake-Up Call To Action Rather Than Threat – CSLS President, Prof. Akinseye-George
Deji Adebayo, Abuja
The Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) today presented its event roadmap plans for the 2026 calendar year with the promotion of Nigeria’s criminal justice reforms toping their agenda. While constitution amendment remains a key issue for the Centre.
This was made known during a press briefing held in Abuja by the centre sponsored by the European Union through International IDEA. The event has major stakeholders in the criminal justice sector.
During the press briefing, the President of Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, charged the Nigerian government to see the recent statement made by US President Donald Trump as a wake up call for them to revisit the security architecture of the country, rather than seeing it as a threat to national security. He noted the killing of a General and kidnapping of about 25 school girls in Kebbi as worrisome.
Below is the Press Briefing Unedited:
PRESS BRIEFING TO MARK THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW YEAR OF THE CSLS PROJECT SUPPORTED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION THROUGH IDEA
Date: 18 November 2025
Venue: Silver Green Hotel
Issued by: Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS)
INTRODUCTION
Distinguished members of the press, partners, stakeholders, and colleagues, we welcome you to this press briefing convened to mark the beginning of a new year of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) Project, implemented with the generous support of the European Union through the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
We appreciate your consistent partnership in amplifying the work of justice sector reform in Nigeria.
PURPOSE OF THE BRIEFING
Officially launch the new programme year of the CSLS–EU/IDEA Project.
Present key focus areas, expected outcomes, and major interventions planned for the year.
Update the public on progress made in the previous year and outline strategic priorities for the months ahead.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The CSLS Project, supported by the European Union through International IDEA, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the rule of law, enhance access to justice, and deepen accountability within Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
Over the years, CSLS has worked with critical justice institutions, including the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, legislative bodies, and civil society organisations to advance reforms in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and ACJLs. The support received has facilitated capacity-building, research, policy dialogue, and public engagement essential for sustaining justice sector transformation.
PROGRESS ACHIEVED IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR
I. Capacity Building
Over the past year, we trained over 1,000 criminal justice sector stakeholders in the 8 focal states (FCT, Abia, Anambra, Edo, Kano, Plateau, Adamawa, and Lagos) , through virtual and in person sessions.
We undertook high- and low-level advocacy visits in the 8 focal states to support effective implementation of the ACJA .
II. Legislative Reform
Our team participated in the amendment processes of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, contributing technical expertise and recommendations.
We advocated for legislative reforms aligned with the ACJA framework.
Through multiple desk reviews with sector experts, we developed the Model Practice Direction on the ACJA, providing standardized procedures to improve court efficiency.
III. Research & Advocacy
We drafted and validated the National Minimum Standards to guide effective ACJA/ACJL implementation nationwide.
Our research identified gaps and challenges in ACJA implementation, providing evidence to support policy and practice improvements.
We strengthened partnerships with civil society organizations and media institutions, amplifying reform initiatives.
We convened the National Technical Review and Evaluation Conference, bringing stakeholders together to assess progress, share insights, and harmonize best practices.
IV. Institutional Strengthening
We supported court digitization initiatives and provided essential infrastructure, including furniture and facilities, in selected states to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
KEY PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW PROGRAMME YEAR
In the coming year, we will actively advance initiatives to strengthen the implementation of the ACJA, promote uniform justice procedures, and work towards removing systemic barriers to an effective criminal justice system. Our key priorities include:
Conducting inspection visits and providing targeted support to state-level justice institutions to strengthen compliance with the ACJA/ACJLs.
Advocating for the adoption of the Model Practice Direction on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to enhance uniformity and improve procedural efficiency across jurisdictions.
Hosting the Technical Review and Evaluation for focal states to assess progress, address implementation challenges, and harmonize best practices.
Strengthening advocacy for the passage of the ACJ 2023 Bill and the amendment of relevant constitutional provisions to remove barriers to effective criminal justice administration.
ADVOCACY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
To strengthen Nigeria’s criminal justice system and ensure effective reform, we will intensify advocacy efforts to address key constitutional impediments that undermine the independence, efficiency, and responsiveness of the justice sector. These include:
The non-justiciability of Chapter II rights, which limits enforceability of socio-economic rights critical to access to justice.
Excessive executive control over the judiciary, affecting institutional independence, funding, and operational autonomy.
The rigid constitutional amendment procedure, which slows justice-related reforms and stalls timely updates needed for modern criminal justice administration.
CALL TO ACTION: PASSAGE OF THE ACJ 2023 BILL
“Swift passage of the ACJ 2023 Bill is critical to modernizing Nigeria’s criminal justice system and building public confidence.”
CSLS urgently appeals to the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill 2023 (ACJ 2023 Bill). This long-overdue legislation contains critical provisions that will modernize and strengthen Nigeria’s criminal justice system, including measures to enhance efficiency, protect fair trial rights, and improve case management across courts. Its enactment is essential to address longstanding gaps in justice administration, bolster accountability, and ensure the system responds effectively to the needs of all Nigerians.
ON INSECURITY IN NIGERIA
We believe that the recent statement by President Donald Trump serves as a call to action, prompting us to take a critical and introspective approach to national security.
We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently intensify its efforts in addressing the rising insecurity across the country. We insist that the government prioritizes the protection of lives and property, with particular attention to minority religious communities in Northern Nigeria, who continue to face severe and targeted attacks.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PARTNERS
CSLS recognizes that the successes of our project would not have been possible without the invaluable support, guidance, and collaboration of our partners and the dedication of our CSLS project team. Their commitment, technical expertise, and active engagement continue to drive the impact and sustainability of justice sector reform initiatives in Nigeria. We therefore wish to express our profound gratitude to the following partners for their continued support:
The European Union for its sustained investment in Nigeria’s justice reform efforts.
International IDEA for its leadership, technical support, and strategic partnership in driving criminal justice reforms.
The MacArthur Foundation for its long-standing support for accountability, transparency, and justice sector reform initiatives across Nigeria.
The Federal Ministry of Justice for its continued collaboration, policy leadership, and commitment to advancing the Administration of Criminal Justice framework.
The Attorney-General of the Federation for providing guidance, oversight, and championing key justice sector reforms.
Justice sector institutions across federal and state levels, whose cooperation strengthens reform implementation.
Civil society partners, the public, and especially the media, whose engagement, reporting, and advocacy continue to shape, amplify, and sustain the project’s success.
CONCLUSION
As we begin this new programme year of the CSLS–EU/IDEA Project, our commitment remains steadfast to advance reforms that promote justice delivery, uphold human rights, and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
We are grateful for the continued support of the European Union through International IDEA and look forward to deepening our collective impact through collaboration, innovation, and measurable progress.
THANK YOU