• Participants at the capacity building workshop on criminal justice reform in Akwa Ibom State hosted by CLEEN
By Raymond Ekpe
A self-assessment report has revealed significant shortcomings in the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Akwa Ibom State, three years after its passage by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
The findings which were compiled at the capacity building workshop on criminal justice reform in Akwa Ibom State hosted by CLEEN Foundation have raised serious questions about the effectiveness and integrity of the state’s criminal justice system.
Although the State House of Assembly enacted the ACJL in 2022, its practical application, it was gathered, has been minimal, hindered by critical deficiencies in funding, planning, and execution.
The Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC), responsible for overseeing the implementation of the law, has largely been inactive due to insufficient operational support and a lack of strategic direction.
Key findings from a self-assessment report highlighted systemic weaknesses and institutional failures, an absence of a dedicated budget and implementation roadmap, and a lack of measurable performance indicators for the ACJL.
While the ACJMC exists on paper, its work has been hindered by inadequate funding, coordination challenges, and a lack of regular reporting structures. The state also lacks a functional system for tracking arrests and monitoring repeat offenses.
Additional deficiencies in the implementation of the ACJL include technology and infrastructure deficits, the absence of digital tools for tasks such as e-recording suspect statements, dilapidated courtrooms and legal offices, under-resourced legal representation and prosecution capacity, and a lack of legal aid.
Moreover, shortages of prosecutors, delays in bail and court proceedings, gaps in correctional center facilities, and a lack of institutional coordination were identified as further issues affecting the ACJMC.
Despite the Chief Judge chairing the ACJMC and the Director of Public Prosecutions serving as the secretary, the committee was found to lack a formal work plan, with sub-committees lacking structure and accountability.
The self-assessment report rated Akwa Ibom State well below national standards in key performance areas, including case management, trial timelines, witness protection, and the use of technology.
Stakeholders have cautioned that without immediate intervention, the ACJL will remain merely a symbolic statute and will not have a significant impact on justice delivery.
To address these challenges, stakeholders have recommended the allocation of a dedicated budget for ACJL implementation, the development of a comprehensive implementation roadmap, the strengthening of inter-agency coordination and communication, investment in infrastructure, legal personnel, and digital tools, as well as improvements in data collection and reporting mechanisms.
