The Federal Government has unveiled new guidelines approving the establishment of a Compensation Trust Fund for victims of crime, as well as measures to ensure the efficient administration of criminal justice across Nigeria.
The documents, titled “National Minimum Standards on the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015” and “Harmonized Restorative Justice Training Curriculum and Manual 2025,” were unveiled by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation in Abuja.
The documents are aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of Nigeria’s justice system.
What the document says
According to the National Minimum Standards document obtained by Nairametrics, the purpose of the guidelines is to provide a standardized evaluation framework and common benchmarks for assessing the performance of criminal justice reforms and institutions across Nigeria.
Regarding the payment of compensation, the guidelines state that where a convict has served their term of imprisonment but is unable to pay the compensation imposed by the court, the Sentencing Guidelines should provide measures for such circumstances.
- “Where a court imposes a sentence that includes the payment of monetary compensation by a convict, the sentence should include the option of community service or such other orders as the court may deem fit in the circumstances.
- “The Federal Government, FCT, and State Governments shall establish a Trust or Compensation Fund for victims of crime,” other subsections also read.
In Section 7.1 of the guidelines, it is emphasized that where a convict is unable to pay court-ordered compensation due to verifiable financial constraints, the victim shall receive compensation from the Government Victim Compensation Trust Fund.
Section 7.2 highlights that an individual who has completed a sentence but is unable to pay court-ordered compensation shall be required to perform community service, agricultural service, or other forms of service that benefit the government, a designated private entity, or an individual.
- Section 7.3 further states that wages earned from such service shall be repaid to the Government Victim Compensation Trust Fund.
To facilitate the speedy conduct of proceedings, accurate record-keeping, transcription, and retrieval, the guidelines state that all heads of courts shall prioritize the automation of courts through the use of electronic tools, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) and e-filing, among others.
- The guidelines also stipulate that electronic arraignment may be conducted through video or audio-visual links.
More Insights
According to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi SAN, who wrote the foreword to the Minimum Standards document, he highlights the essential standards and elements of criminal justice administration to which all institutions and agencies are expected to adhere.
- “I urge all State Attorneys-General, courts, and other justice delivery institutions to adopt these standards and align their laws and practices where necessary. When consistently applied, these standards will enhance the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in addressing wrongdoing and, consequently, strengthen accountability, democracy, and the rule of law,” the AGF stated.
For his part, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, stated that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, represents a landmark reform in Nigeria’s criminal justice system, guaranteeing the protection of the rights of all parties within the justice process.
According to him, the establishment of national minimum standards is a significant step that ensures uniformity in implementation across jurisdictions, strengthens institutional accountability, and enhances public confidence in the justice system.
What You Should Know
Compensation has long been part of litigation under Nigerian law. It is awarded by judges and is also sought by parties in both criminal and civil cases.
In 2022, Mr. Abdullahi Isiaka was awarded N100 million in compensation by the FCT High Court in Abuja for the violation of his fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Constitution, by law enforcement agents.
In 2024, a Niger State High Court sitting in Minna awarded N1.1 trillion in compensation to the Samboro community in Rafi Local Government Area over the hardship they suffered due to the Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project at the time.
