Daud Olatunji
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has described Nigeria’s criminal justice system as weak, sick, and in dire need of a comprehensive overhaul.
Egbetokun made the statement on Thursday during the 2024 Annual Lecture/Award Ceremony organized by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN).
He likened the current state of the justice system to that of a sick patient requiring urgent medical intervention.
“Like a sick person who seeks medical help from a doctor, the nation’s criminal justice system also needs to be revived,” Egbetokun stated.
The IGP, represented by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, called for collective efforts in reforming the justice system, emphasizing that the police alone should not bear the brunt of public criticism.
“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,” he said.
“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 affect us.”
… ICPC Chairman Laments Corruption in Justice Sector
Adding to the discourse, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, highlighted corruption as a significant factor undermining the Nigerian justice system and other sectors of society.
“Corruption remains one of the most persistent challenges affecting all sectors and institutions of the Nigerian society. It undermines policy decision-making, resource mobilisation and utilisation, policy execution, and service delivery,” Aliyu remarked.
Aliyu stressed the need for a proactive and multi-faceted approach to combat corruption, focusing not only on enforcement but also on prevention, deterrence, and systemic reforms.
The ICPC Chairman pointed out that institutional, funding, infrastructural, human resource, and socio-cultural challenges plague the justice system administration.
“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,” he added.
Both Egbetokun and Aliyu underscored the urgent need for reforms in the criminal justice system to restore public confidence and ensure effective service delivery.
The event, attended by key stakeholders in the security and justice sectors, reiterated the necessity for a united front in addressing the systemic flaws undermining justice administration in Nigeria.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
