His Excellency Umaru Tanko Al-Makura has made history
by signing into Law the Nasarawa State Administration of Criminal Justice Law
2018, flanked by the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State Justice Suleiman Dikko, the Attorney General Dr. Abdlkarim Kana, the SSG Barr.
Mohammed Hassan Abdullahi and the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice and
the Solicitor General Barr. Ishaku Usman the Governor
altered the course of Justice in Nasarawa State as he put his pen to this all
important Law .
Section 1 of the Nasarawa
State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2018 succinctly states that the
purpose of the Law is to ensure that the system of administration of criminal
justice in Nasarawa State promotes efficient management of criminal justice
institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, protection of the society from
crime and protection of the rights and interests of the suspects, the
defendants and the victims.
This purpose as set out in
Section 1 is indicative of a paradigm shift in the criminal justice system;
from the punitive approach to a restorative one, with the needs of the society,
victims, vulnerable persons and human dignity at the forefront.
As a result, the ACJL has introduced innovations, which aims to enhance the
efficiency of the criminal justice system.
There are many notable
innovations in NSACJL 2018.
Unlawful arrest
Previously, the police could
arrest a person without a warrant. This includes any person who has no
ostensible means of sustenance and who cannot give a satisfactory account of
his/her activity. This led to a practice of Police and other law enforcement
agencies arresting friends and close relatives of the suspects even when they
are not linked in any way. This thankfully is now prohibited. ACJL sets out the procedure to follow when arrests are
carried out by the Police. It prohibits arrest in lieu. Accordingly, it is prohibited
to arrest another person in place of a suspect. This provision of the ACJL if adhered to in the observance as opposed to in the
breach, would likely reduce congestion in the Prisons, Police cells and other
detention facilities.
Notification of arrest
The ACJL
has maintained the provisions of CPC with regards to notification of cause of
arrest. However it has further expanded its scope by mandating Police Officers
or any other person to inform the suspect of his right to: remain silent or
avoid answering any question until after consultation with a legal practitioner
or any other person of his own choice; consult a legal practitioner of his
choice before making, endorsing or writing any statement or answering any
question put to him after arrest; free legal representation by the Legal Aid
Council of Nigeria, where applicable.
Humane treatment of an
arrested person and prohibition of arrest in civil cases.
ACJL
provides that a suspect shall be accorded humane treatment, having regard to
his right to the dignity of his person.
It further provides that a
suspect shall not be arrested merely on a civil wrong or breach of contract.
Inventory of property by the
police. ACJL mandates the police upon arrest of a
suspect to take inventory of all items or property recovered from the suspects
and the police officer and the suspect must duly sign the inventory. However,
where the suspect refuses to sign, it shall not invalidate the inventory. This
provision further directs that a copy of the inventory shall be given to the
suspect, his legal practitioner or such other person as the arrested suspect
may direct. It permits the police to release such property on bond upon request
by either the owner of the property or parties having interest in the property,
the police officer shall make a report to the court of the fact of the property
taken from the arrested suspect and the particulars of the property. The
responsibility is given to the court to decide whether to release the property
or any portion of it in the interest of justice to the safe custody of the
owner or person having interest in the property. This provision is aimed at
ensuring accountability and transparency.
Recording of arrests
ACJL
provides that the process of recording personal data of suspect shall be
concluded within a reasonable time of the arrest of the suspect, but not
exceeding 48 hours. This is to prevent unreasonable pre-trial detention by the
police and other law enforcement agencies.
Electronic recording of
confessional statement of suspects
ACJL
provides that where a person arrested with or without a warrant of arrest
volunteers to make a confessional statement; the police officer shall record
the statement in writing and may record the making of the confessional
statement electronically on a retrievable video compact disc or such other audio visual means. This provision is aimed at curbing
allegations of violence on suspects while in custody and to prove the
voluntariness of that statement in court.
Establishment of a Police
Central Criminal Registry
ACJL
provides for the establishment of a Central Criminal Records Registry to keep
records for future investigation, prosecution and adjudication. It provides
that the Registry is to be established at every state Police Command which
shall keep and transmit criminal records to the Central Records Registry. The
Act also makes it mandatory to transmit decisions of courts in all criminal
trials to the Central Criminal Records Registry within 30 day
safer delivery of judgment. Prosecutors will be able to use this Registry to
verify past records of suspects.
Recording of statement of
suspect
ACJL
provides that where a person is arrested on allegation of having committed an
offence, his statement shall be taken in the presence of a legal practitioner
of his choice, or where he has no legal practitioner of his choice, in the
presence of an officer of the Legal Aid Council, official of a Civil Society
Organisation, a Justice of the Peace or any other credible person of his
choice. The Legal Practitioner or any other person mentioned in this provision
shall not interfere while the suspect is making his statement. Where a suspect
does not understand or speak or write in the English language, an interpreter
shall record and read over the statement to the suspect to his understanding
and the suspect shall then endorse the statement as having been made by him,
and the interpreter shall attest to the making of the statement. The
interpreter shall endorse his name, address, occupation, designation or other particulars on the statement. The suspect shall also endorse
the statement with his full particulars.
Quarterly reports
The law mandates the
Commissioner of Police and the head of every agency authorised by law to make
arrests to remit quarterly records of all arrests made with or without warrant
in relation to state offenses to the Attorney-General of the state.
Release on bail
The law provides that where a
suspect has been taken into police custody without a warrant for an offence
other than an offence punishable with death, the officer in charge of a police
station shall inquire into the case and release the suspect arrested on bail,
and where it will not be practicable to bring the suspect before a court having
jurisdiction with respect to the offence alleged, within 24 hours after the
arrest.
Power to release on bail
before charge is accepted
The law provides that where a
suspect is taken into custody, and it appears to the officer that the inquiry
into the case cannot be completed forthwith, he may discharge the suspect on
his entering into a recognizance, with or without sureties for a reasonable
amount, to appear at the police station and at such times as are named in their
recognizance unless he previously receives a notice in writing from the police
officer in charge of that police station that his attendance is not required.
Report to supervising
magistrate
The law provides that an
officer in charge of a police station or an official in charge of an agency
authorised to make arrest shall on the last working day of every month report
to the nearest Magistrate the cases of all suspects arrested without warrant
within the limits of their stations or agency whether the suspects have been admitted
to bail or not.
Chief Magistrate visit to
Police Station
The law also provides that
the Chief Magistrate, or where there is no Chief Magistrate within the police
division, any Magistrate designated by the Chief Judge for that purpose shall,
at least every month, conduct an inspection of police stations or other places
of detention within his territorial jurisdiction other than the prison.
Returns by Comptroller-
General of prisons.
Women Sureties
ACJL has
cured the long defective practice where women were constantly denied the right
to stand as sureties for the purpose of bail.
Prosecution.
Professional bondsperson The law provides for the registration and use of
Bondspersons and gives the Chief Judge the powers to make regulations for the
registration and licensing of bondspersons. The Bondspersons may undertake
recognizance, act as surety, or guarantee the deposit of money as required by
the bail condition of any person granted bail by the court within the
jurisdiction in which the bondsperson is registered.
The Chief Judge is given the
power to withdraw the registration of a bondsperson who contravenes the terms
of his licence.Where a bondsperson arrests a
defendant or suspect who is absconding or whom he believes is trying to evade
or avoid appearance in court he shall immediately hand him over to the nearest
police station. The defendant must be taken to the appropriate court within
twelve hours of his arrest.
Remand proceedings
The law provides that a
suspect who is yet to be charged with an offence can be ordered by a court to
be kept in prison custody, pending his bail, trial or release. It further
provides that the remand must be for a probable cause. It sets out conditions
wherein the court will take in establishing probable cause for a remand.
Plea bargain
The ACJL provides that the defence can write to the Prosecution
for plea bargain. The prosecution may enter into plea bargain with the
defendant, with the consent of the victim or his representative during or after
the presentation of the evidence of the prosecution, but before the
presentation of the evidence of the defence.