Tinubu transmits new criminal justice bill to House of Representatives
via Punch Nigeria11 min read
President Bola Tinubu has sent a bill to the House of Representatives aimed at repealing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and enacting the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026. This proposed legislation seeks to reform Nigeria’s criminal justice system by addressing legal, procedural, and institutional deficiencies. Key reforms include the abolition of the trial-within-trial procedure, which has contributed to delays in criminal proceedings, particularly in high-profile cases. The new bill proposes that the voluntariness of confessional statements be established by prosecutors, with objections determined at the point of judgment rather than through separate mini-trials. Additionally, the bill aims to establish a national Sex Offenders Register, create a Witness Support Fund to ensure prompt payment of witness expenses, strengthen judicial case management, and expand the powers of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council. Other proposed changes include the introduction of a Plea Form, empowering courts to determine no-case submissions within 21 days, encouraging written witness depositions, and streamlining proceedings in magistrates’ courts. The legislation also seeks to improve coordination among criminal justice institutions, enhance the use of technology, and eliminate fresh trials due to the death, retirement, or transfer of judges. President Tinubu hopes for expeditious consideration of the bill, which, if passed, would represent
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Afrobeats artist Davido shared the story behind the casting of the lead female character in his hit song 'Aye' during an interview with Capital Xtra. The singer explained that the woman initially chosen for the role had to withdraw due to contractual obligations with a beauty pageant. With filming scheduled to begin and no option to reschedule, Davido and his team decided to use the makeup artist instead. This unexpected change became a memorable part of the video's success, which remains a significant hit in Nigerian pop history.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has launched the 2026 wet farming season, initiating the sale and distribution of 200 truckloads of NPK fertilizer at a 50 percent subsidized rate. Additionally, 120,000 farmers will receive free agricultural inputs, including agrochemicals, knapsack sprayers, certified seeds, water pumps, bicycles, and post-harvest storage facilities. The intervention aims to boost food production, improve livelihoods, ensure food and nutrition security, create employment, and enhance the socio-economic well-being of the people. Governor Zulum emphasized that the program covers the entire agricultural value chain, from mechanization to market access, and includes initiatives targeting women and youth. He also announced a N500 million cash support package for vulnerable persons, women, and youths across five local government areas. The Governor warned beneficiaries against diverting or reselling the subsidized fertilizer, stressing its intended use for crop production. Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Bawu Musami, highlighted Borno's emergence as a leading agricultural state through sustained investments.
The Corporate Affairs Commission CAC announced it will begin enforcing statutory requirements for company business letters starting August 1, 2026. Companies failing to comply will face sanctions. This directive, disclosed in a public notice, mandates that business letters, including invoices, quotations, and official correspondence, must clearly display the company’s registered name, registration number, and the present forenames or initials and surnames of directors. Additionally, any former forenames and surnames, and the nationality of every non-Nigerian director, must be included. The enforcement will cover Sections 3041, 3042, and 3041c of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020. The CAC urged companies to comply before the enforcement date to avoid penalties, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and accountability in the corporate regulatory environment.