The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has called for an urgent reform of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, describing it as weak, sick, and in need of significant intervention. The IGP likened the justice system to a patient requiring critical medical care, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to revitalize it.
Speaking at the 2024 Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony organized by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) on Thursday, Egbetokun noted that the police alone cannot be blamed for the shortcomings in the justice system.
“Police is not the only pillar or stakeholder in the criminal justice system in this country. We have challenges, we accept, but we will try our best to make sure we have a better system. All of us must come together to help perfect criminal justice or justice system administration in Nigeria. If this system is working well; it is going to affect you, it is going to us,” Egbetokun said.
The IGP, who was represented by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, reiterated the need for a collaborative approach to improve the justice system.
Corruption a Major Barrier to Justice Reform
Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), also spoke at the event, highlighting corruption as one of the most persistent issues plaguing Nigeria’s justice system.
“Corruption remains one of the most persistent challenges affecting all sectors and institutions of the Nigerian society, undermining policy-decision making, resource mobilisation and utilisation, policy execution and service delivery,” Aliyu stated.
Aliyu stressed that addressing corruption effectively requires a proactive and multi-faceted approach. “Our experience at the ICPC in partnership with key stakeholders has shown that tackling corruption effectively across sectors and institutions requires a proactive, multi-faceted approach. This approach should focus not only on enforcement but also on prevention, deterrence, and systems reform,” he said.
Challenges Facing Justice Administration
According to the ICPC Chairman, the justice system is plagued by institutional, funding, infrastructural, and human resource challenges, compounded by socio-cultural factors.
He further noted, “The widespread corruption within the justice system, including bribery, influence peddling, and attitudinal challenges, are more fundamental and daunting. Judicial officials exhibit relatively high bribery prevalence, hence the need for targeted anti-corruption measures in this sector.”
The lecture concluded with a call for a united effort among all stakeholders to address these challenges and restore public confidence in the justice system.