Delivering the keynote address at the inaugural Professor Adedokun Adebayo Adeyemi Foundation (PAAAF) Annual Lecture Series held at the University of Lagos, presiding justice of the Ilorin Division of the Court of Appeal, Justice M. A. Owoade, noted that there are several challenges impeding implementation of the ACJA.
Though Justice Owoade endorsed the encomiums being poured on the ACJA as well deserved, he warned that lack of replication of the ACJA across the states, poor stakeholders’ attitude and dearth of funds might impede achievement of the objects of the Act.
He said: “The ACJA has been described by various commentators in different complementary ways. Undoubtedly, it is a great improvement on previous legislations on procedural laws and the administration of the criminal justice system.
“It is imperative for overall effectiveness and efficacy of the criminal justice system for the ACJA to be replicated in the states of the federation. The state governments must therefore be encouraged to replicate the ACJA in their various states. One possible challenge or impediment to the implementation of the ACJA is funding and the other is the need for change of attitude by the various stake holders.”
The renowned jurist and legal scholar who received a standing ovation for his 24-page treatise titled: ‘The criminal justice system in Nigeria: Past, present and future,’ identified increased funding of the police and other prosecuting agencies “and a determination by stakeholders to make the system work” as some of the ways to realise the “lofty” goals of the ACJA.
Speaking earlier, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour of the Supreme Court noted the phenomenal achievements of the late Emeritus Professor Adeyemi, adding that he was a profound scholar who taught him criminal law in the early 70s at the University of Lagos.
He applauded the deceased scholar’s widow and Chairperson of the foundation, Mrs. Abimbola Adeyemi, and her children for keeping his legacy alive through the foundation and the lecture series, urging all stakeholders to work towards an effective criminal justice system.
The foundation was established in 2017 to foster the legacy and work of the late jurist and former UNILAG Dean of Law who is adjudged as perhaps Nigeria’s foremost criminologist and criminal law scholar. Its advisory board comprises leading criminal law jurists and practitioners including Professor Taiwo Osipitan (SAN); UNILAG Dean of Law, Prof. Ayo Atsenuwa, and foremost prison reform activist, Dr. Uju Agomoh. (The Nation)