CSLS trains 100 new rangers to implement criminal justice reforms
The Centre for Social-Legal Studies (CSLS) trained about 100 new 'rangers' on Tuesday to champion proper implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and state-level ACJLs across Nigeria. Rangers are volunteers—including lawyers, civil servants, media, and court officials—who monitor and advocate for criminal justice reform. CSLS already has nearly 1,000 rangers but aims to expand significantly to reach Nigeria's 200+ million population.
President Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN) emphasized that rangers aren't meant to replace police but serve as change agents supporting the system. Facilitator Kelvin Mejulu urged digitization of courts to eliminate lengthy trial de novo processes, aligning with similar calls from Chief Judge John Tsoho and NBA President Afam Osigwe since 2025. Mejulu also advised lawyers to act as prosecutors rather than persecutors and avoid practices like trial-within-trial that delay cases. Sharon Jibanniya stressed compliance with the National Minimum Standard (NMS)—covering pre-trial processes, case management, plea-bargaining, and more—to ensure uniform implementation nationwide.
Why this matters: Nigeria's courts face massive backlogs, with many defendants waiting years for trial. Proper ACJA implementation could cut delays, while digitization would modernize record-keeping and streamline procedures. Rangers provide grassroots oversight to hold institutions accountable. With 1,000+ volunteers already contributing, scaling up could pressure government and judiciary to adopt reforms faster.
For legal professionals: Consider becoming a ranger to influence change from within. For all citizens: Understand your rights under ACJA—like speedy trial provisions—and demand compliance from courts. For stakeholders: Collaboration between Ministry of Justice, CSOs, and development partners is essential. This isn't just about legal technicalities; it's about whether ordinary Nigerians get timely justice or remain trapped in systemic delays.