TRANSFORMING JUSTICE: EVALUATING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 2015 ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The effectiveness of a nation's judicial system is intricately linked to the accessibility of justice it provides. In Nigeria, the realization of comprehensive access to justice serves as a fundamental instrument for the protection of human rights and the establishment of the rule of law. This paper explores the pivotal role of access to justice in the Nigerian civil and criminal justice system, emphasizing the challenges and imperatives for its full realization. The adoption and rigorous implementation of key practices, including case flow management, front loading of cases, pretrial conferences, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), emerge as critical components in achieving robust access to justice in Nigeria. Despite their significance, the prevailing challenges are formidable, ranging from systemic delays and the soaring costs of litigation to the complexity of legal rules and procedures. Additionally, a lack of awareness and legal knowledge compounds these obstacles, contributing to the hindrance of access to justice. Corruption further exacerbates the impediments to the seamless flow of justice in Nigeria, posing a pervasive threat to the integrity of the judicial process. This article contends that true enforcement of individual rights, encompassing human and contractual rights, occurs only when there is unhindered access to law courts or alternative mediums that assure expeditious and affordable justice. In addressing these challenges, the paper advocates for the embrace of emerging processes such as restorative justice and victim-offender mediation. These innovative approaches hold the promise of not only reducing or eliminating delays but also substantially diminishing the costs associated with litigation. By delving into the transformative potential of these methodologies, the article sheds light on their capacity to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of the justice system, ultimately ensuring a more equitable and expeditious resolution of legal disputes in Nigeria.