- Tinubu Seeks Senate Approval for Criminal Justice, Education Reform Bills
- The President said the existing law had become inadequate to address emerging legal, procedural and institutional challenges in the country’s criminal justice system
- Tinubu disclosed that the draft legislation had been reviewed by experts in criminal law
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Senate to commence legislative action on two executive bills seeking to reform Nigeria’s criminal justice system and strengthen the administration of public senior secondary education.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the requests were contained in separate letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during Thursday’s plenary.
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In the first communication, Tinubu sought the repeal of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and its replacement with a new Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026.
The President said the existing law had become inadequate to address emerging legal, procedural and institutional challenges in the country’s criminal justice system.
According to him, the proposed legislation is designed to improve the administration of criminal justice in the Federal Capital Territory and other federal courts while establishing a stronger Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council to ensure effective implementation of the law.
Tinubu said the new law would enhance the management of criminal justice institutions, speed up the dispensation of justice, strengthen the fight against crime and better protect the rights of suspects, defendants and victims.
He added that the bill would ensure greater compliance by courts, law enforcement agencies and other institutions involved in the administration of criminal justice.
The President attributed the proposed repeal and re-enactment of the Act to persistent shortcomings in the current legal framework, including delays in criminal investigations and prosecutions, inadequate use of technology, weak coordination among justice institutions, poor case management systems and ineffective monitoring of compliance.
Tinubu disclosed that the draft legislation had been reviewed by experts in criminal law, criminal procedure and legislative drafting, and incorporates recent judicial decisions, technological innovations and international best practices.
Following the presentation, 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 transmitted the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Amendment Bill, 2026, to the Senate for consideration.
He explained that the amendment seeks to strengthen the administration and governance of public senior secondary education across the country.
The President said the Federal Executive Council approved the bill on April 30, 2026, after which it was vetted by the Federal Ministry of Justice to ensure compliance with constitutional provisions and legislative drafting standards.
Tinubu said the proposed amendment reflects his administration’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s education sector and urged lawmakers to give the bill speedy consideration and passage.
The Senate subsequently referred the education bill to the Committee on Rules and Business with a mandate to report back within one week.
FURTHER READING
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- Alausa Unveils Nigeria’s First Manu-Tech University Innovation Pod at MOUAU
Click here to watch video of the week
