The Federal Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJL) in collaboration with the Ogun State Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJL) will continue to strategies to further improve on current and effective implementation of criminal justice system in the State.

Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, disclosed this in Abeokuta at a-day workshop, with the theme "Effective Implementation of the provisions of ACJA/ACJL in Nigeria".

The Chief Judge, represented by Justice Ayokunle Rotimi-Balogun, revealed that prior to the enactment and implementation of Criminal Justice Committee in 2018, witnesses were hardly found in court, stating that in the last two years there had been improvement in handling of criminal cases, as inmates were brought to court as and when due, case files were forwarded when needed, and bail applications made easy.

"Criminal Justice is perhaps the most fundamental task of any civilised society. It is the main tool for law and order, it also deters offenders, prevent chaos of revenge and protect society from reoffenders", she said.

In his speech, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Oluwasina Ogungbade said the enactment of ACJL Act at the Federal level and ACJL Laws at the State were crucial to the current criminal justice system in the country.

Mr. Ogungbade noted that one of the useful innovations in global criminal justice was the appropriate use of plea bargain which helps to hasten cases in court, pointing out that 'section 283' of the law stipulates the conditions under which plea bargain could be struck out, which may be as a result of insufficient evidence.

Speaking earlier, the Secretary, Federal ACJL Committee, Mr. Sulaiman Dawodu, said the workshop was meant to strengthen the Monitoring Committee to enable them improve on the functions imposed on them, stating that ACJL portal had been opened where ideas and opinions could be shared for further improvement.

Mr. Dawodu commended the efforts of Ogun State Criminal Justice Committee, as they were awarded the best at the ACJL maiden conference held in November, 2021 in Abuja.

In their separate remarks, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lanre Bankole, represented by the Superintendent of Police, Mr. Adejuwon Morakinyo and the Ogun State Comptroller of Correctional Centres, Mr. AbdulRasheed Alimi also represented by Mr. James Ogunmoyede, applauded the leadership of the Committee, promising to cooperate on the implementation of the resolution as a stakeholder.