The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has emphasized the imperative use of non-custodial sentencing by Judges and Magistrates across the country. He highlighted the 2015 Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which prioritizes non-custodial sentences, underscoring the guidelines set to ensure the proper implementation of these measures, thus preventing misuse.
Addressing participants at the workshop focused on implementing Non-Custodial Measures and Sentencing Guidelines under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 in Abuja, Fagbemi emphasized the significance of employing non-custodial sentences. Represented by Latricia Ayoola-Daniels, the Director of Administration of Criminal Justice and Reforms Department/Correctional Unit at the Federal Ministry of Justice, he stressed that the essence of non-custodial measures is to explore effective alternatives to imprisonment for offenders.
Fagbemi further highlighted a global shift in focus from sentencing offenders to prisons towards the utilization of non-custodial centers. This shift signifies a broader trend across various countries in recognizing the importance of seeking alternatives to imprisonment.
He said, “The Administration of Criminal Justice Act was enacted and came into force on May 13, 2015. The Act placed a premium on non-custodial sentences. In line with ACJA 2015, the Federal Government has set out guidelines to stipulate the requirements and procedure for imposing Non-Custodial sentencing to ensure reasonable uniformity and fairness in the imposition of sentences.
“To facilitate the application and effective use of the non-custodial sentencing, the legal and regulatory
framework must be effectively implemented. The purpose of non-custodial measures is to find effective alternatives to imprisonment for offenders. This is in accordance with the current global shift in punishing convicts with alternatives to prison terms.”
The AGF noted locking up minor offenders in prison has increased the population of awaiting trial inmates, adding that the process has made it difficult to reform these offenders.
He said, “Today we have seen countless cases where defendants are arrested for minor offences and locked up in prisons adding to the population of awaiting trial inmates. These offenders remanded with hardened criminals end up being initiated into a life of crime instead of being reformed.”
