On Thursday, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, described Nigeria’s criminal justice system as weak, sick, and in need of a complete overhaul.
The IGP likened the situation to that of a sick person seeking medical attention, explaining that the country’s criminal justice system also requires revitalization.
However, he urged Nigerians to stop placing blame solely on the police.
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Speaking at the 2024 Annual Lecture/Award Ceremony, organised by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), Egbetokun said: “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.”
The IGP was represented at the event by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Muyiwa Adejobi.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), stated that corruption continues to be one of the most persistent challenges affecting all sectors and institutions in Nigeria, undermining policy decision-making.
Aliyu said: “Corruption remains one of the most persistent challenges affecting all sectors and institutions of the Nigerian society, undermines policy-decision making, resource mobilisation and utilisation, policy execution and service delivery.
“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.”
According to Aliyu, the administration of the justice system faces challenges related to institutional capacity, funding, infrastructure, human resources, and socio-cultural factors.
He added: “The widespread corruption within the justice system, including bribery, influence peddling and attitudinal challenges are more fundamental and daunting. I dare say that the justice sector remains a focal point of concern, particularly regarding bribery involving stakeholders in the justice sector, and despite limited public contact, judicial officials exhibit relatively high bribery prevalence, hence the need for targeted anti-corruption measures in this sector.”