Group seeks reform of Lagos State laws

The Human Rights Law Services (HURILAW) has advocated urgent reforms of the non-custodial provisions of the Lagos Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2015.

HURILAW, promoted by foremost rights campaigner, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) stressed that provisions of the Lagos ACJL 2015 were not far-reaching enough to significantly reduce prison population in Lagos.

Addressing journalists yesterday in Lagos on Reinvigorating Non-Custodian Provisions of the Lagos State ACJL 2015, the group’s Senior Legal Officer, Collins Okeke, explained that experts around the world were developing new non-custodial measures and improving on existing ones.

He said the Lagos House of Assembly should complement the judiciary by extending probation and community service in the ACJL 2015 to adult offenders.

“The Lagos state Chief Judge has introduced sentencing guidelines and trained magistrates on application of restorative justice. Fines prescribed in Lagos laws should be commensurate with the offenses and offenders,” he said.