APPRAISAL OF JUDICIAL REFORMS TOWARDS AN EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

APPRAISAL OF JUDICIAL REFORMS TOWARDS AN EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

CHAPTER ONE

GENERAL INTRODUCTION PAGE

1.1 Background to the Study…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1

1.2 Statement of Problem……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

1.3 Aims and Objectives of the Study………………………………………………………………………………………… 4

1.4 Justification for the Study………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4

1.5 Scope and the Research……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5

1.6 Research Methodology…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6

1.7 Literature Review………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6

1.8 Organisational Layout……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12

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CHAPTER TWO

DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS PAGE

2.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14

2.2 Judicial Reforms………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14

2.3 Efficiency…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15

2.4 Justice………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16

2.5 Justice Administration……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 17

CHAPTER THREE

AN APPRAISAL OF THE NEW INNOVATIONS IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF

JUSTICE IN NIGERIA

PAGE

3.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19

3.2 New Innovations in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015…………………….. 19

3.2.1 Prohibition of Unlawful Arrests………………………………………………………………………………………….. 21

3.2.2 Mandatory Notification of Cause of Arrest and rights of the Arrested Person…….. 22

3.2.3 Provision for Humane Treatment of an Arrested Person……………………………………………… 23

3.2.4 Electronic Recording of Confessional Statement……………………………………………………………. 23

3.2.5 Recording of statement of suspect…………………………………………………………………………………….. 24

3.2.6 Prohibition of Arrest in Lieu………………………………………………………………………………………………… 25

3.2.7 Prohibition of Arrest in Civil Cases……………………………………………………………………………………. 25

3.2.8 Mandatory Inventory of Property of Arrested Person…………………………………………………. 26

3.2.9 Mandatory Record of Personal Data of an Arrested Person……………………………………….. 27

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3.2.10

Establishment of a Police Central Criminal Registry ………………………………………

28

3.2.11

Establishment of Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee ….29

3.2.12

Quarterly Report of arrests to the Attorney-General of the Federation …………….

30

3.2.13

Monthly report by Police to supervising magistrate ……………………………………….

31

3.2.14

Returns by Comptroller-General of Prisons …………………………………………………..

32

3.2.15

Provisions on Bail ……………………………………………………………………………………..

32

3.2.16

Provision as to Persons Authorised to Undertake Criminal Proceedings …………..

35

3.2.17

Plea Bargain ……………………………………………………………………………………………..

36

3.2.18

Provision for Professional Bondsmen ……………………………………………………………

40

3.2.19

Electronic Record of proceedings ………………………………………………………………..

40

3.2.20

Service of court processes by courier companies ……………………………………………

41

3.2.21

Provision Relating to Trial of Corporation ……………………………………………………

42

3.2.22

Provision as It Relates To Women Sureties……………………………………………………

43

3.2.23

Provision for Compensation to victims of crime ……………………………………………

43

3.2.24

Provision Relating to Sentencing …………………………………………………………………

44

3.2.25

Some Speedy Trials Enhancing Provision …………………………………………………….

46

3.3

New Innovations in the Evidence Act 2011 ……………………………………………………

49

3.3.1

Hearsay Evidence and Exceptions ………………………………………………………………..

50

3.3.2

Admissibility of Illegally or Improperly Obtained Evidence ……………………………

58

APPRAISAL OF JUDICIAL REFORMS TOWARDS AN EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE