Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill

A Bill amends the Criminal Code Act to update definitions of offenses and sentencing guidelines for contemporary crimes. It specifically addresses issues like cybercrime, gender-based violence, and environmental crimes. This modernization aims to ensure a consistent and relevant criminal justice system for all Nigerians.

Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill Policy Overview

What Is This Policy?

A comprehensive amendment to the Criminal Code Act to update offence definitions, sentencing guidelines, and criminal procedure provisions to address contemporary crimes including cybercrime, gender-based violence, hate speech, and environmental crimes.

Who Does It Target?

All Nigerians subject to the criminal justice system Law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the judiciary Victims of newly defined or reclassified offences Federal Ministry of Justice and state attorneys general

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Modernise the Criminal Code to address new categories of crime not covered by the 1916-origin Act Introduce proportionate, evidence-based sentencing guidelines to reduce judicial inconsistency Strengthen protections for victims of gender-based violence, child abuse, and trafficking Align criminal law with ACJA 2015 reforms and international criminal law standards

Key Features

Current Status

Funding: N/A — legislative/regulatory reform

How to Access

Citizens engage through public hearings during legislative process; criminal law applicable through courts. Requirements: N/A — criminal law governs conduct automatically upon enactment Victims of newly covered offences can report to police Civil society may submit memoranda during National Assembly public hearings Application method: National Assembly public hearings; Federal Ministry of Justice: www.justice.gov.ng

Important Terms

Amendments apply prospectively — no retroactive criminalisation State criminal codes may need harmonisation following federal amendments Sentencing guidelines are advisory to judges but deviation must be reasoned in writing

Impact & Metrics

Nigeria's Criminal Code has not been comprehensively updated since the 1990s; the amendment addresses 30+ years of legal gaps including cybercrimes, GBV, and environmental offences.

Official Resources

Website: www.justice.gov.ng | www.nassbng.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Justice — [email protected] Federal Republic of Nigeria — Policy Summary Document | March 2026

Legal Framework

The Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill would amend the Criminal Code Act (applicable in Southern Nigeria) and aligns with the Penal Code (applicable in Northern Nigeria). It operates within the framework of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015. The 1999 Constitution (Sections 33–46, fundamental rights) provides the constitutional limits on criminal law.