An Assessment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and Its Impact on Pre-Trial Detention Practices in Ogun State

Pre-trial detention practices in Nigeria have historically been characterised by prolonged remand periods, overcrowded detention facilities, and failure to respect the constitutional presumption of innocence, contributing to a justice system widely perceived as punitive for the poor. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 introduced significant reforms aimed at reducing pre-trial detention through provisions on bail, speedy trial obligations, and prohibition of remand in police custody beyond 24 hours. This study assesses the impact of the ACJA 2015 on pre-trial detention practices in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. A socio-legal methodology is applied, combining doctrinal analysis of the ACJA 2015 and the Ogun State Administration of Criminal Justice Law with quantitative review of pre-trial detainee population data from the Ogun State Prisons Service for 2016 to 2023, and qualitative interviews with ten criminal law practitioners. The study evaluates changes in remand rates, bail grant rates, and average pre-trial detention duration before and after ACJA implementation. Available criminal justice literature from South West Nigeria identifies inadequate judicial manpower, prosecution delays, and police resistance to ACJA bail provisions as the principal impediments to reform. The Liberty and Security of Person Framework and the UN Standard Minimum Rules for Non-Custodial Measures guide the assessment. Recommendations address ACJA enforcement training, remand court expansion, and independent pre-trial detention audit. Keywords: pre-trial detention, ACJA 2015, criminal justice reform, Ogun State, South West Nigeria.