Executive Director of Community Policing Partners (COMPPART), Mr Saviour Akpan, Esq., has decried what he described as “the worsening trend of commercialisation of justice and security services” in Nigeria.
He described the commercialisation of justice as a “cancer” that is eating deep into Nigeria’s democratic institutions, stressing that urgent reforms are non-negotiable at this point in time.
Akpan, a former National Chairman of the Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), warned that the practice is fast eroding public trust, deepening inequality, and undermining constitutional guarantees of fair hearing and protection of citizens.
Apkan, who stated these in a paper titled; “Curbing the Disturbing Response to Justice and Security Sectors Welfare, Public Trust and Confidence Building: The Way Out,” noted that what should ordinarily be a noble duty of safeguarding lives and property has been turned into “a market where protection, justice and access to services are sold and bought”.
The human rights lawyer noted that extortion has become a ‘new normal’ within the justice and security sector, saying that several disturbing examples now commonplace
He also noted that citizens are reportedly compelled to pay between ₦20,000 and ₦200,000 before petitions are received or assigned for investigation at police formations just as complainants are often made to pay between ₦2,000 and ₦5,000 to open case files or even feed detained relatives.
Akpan emphasised that despite the police mantra that “bail is free,” suspects and their families routinely pay between ₦10,000 and ₦500,000 for release.
The lawyer said that roadblocks and security checkpoints which were officially banned, have become extortion points where motorists are forced to settle officers or face intimidation, harassment and at time brutalization.
In his words; “Armed police units are allegedly deployed for private businesses, land disputes, and debt recovery in exchange for payment in clear violation of the Police Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
“These practices have no legal basis and are outright violations of constitutional provisions on dignity, freedom of movement, and fair hearing.
“The monetisation of justice and security services has far-reaching consequences. It erodes public trust and confidence, turning protectors into predators. It entrenches inequality, limiting justice to only those who can pay. It fuels human rights abuses, including torture and unlawful detention,” he stressed.
He said that while poor welfare conditions, low salaries, inadequate housing, lack of insurance, and delayed pensions may push some officers into corrupt practices, he however said that such cannot justify extortion.
According to him; “Just as a hungry judge cannot sell justice, a poorly paid officer cannot commercialise protection. The Constitution is clear: the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.
Akpan therefore proposed a bundle of reforms that will include; periodic review of salaries, housing, insurance, and pensions for security and justice officers, strengthening accountability mechanisms through the Police Service Commission, National Judicial Council, and National Human Rights Commission, with structures accessible even at local levels, and criminalising illegal levies and station charges, backed by clear penalties.
Others he said included; “Establishing an independent civilian-led oversight body for justice and security complaints, continuous human rights education for officers and citizens alike, strengthening community policing to rebuild trust and end vigilantism, and abandoning the divisive phrase “members of the public” in favour of “fellow citizens” to reinforce shared national identity.
“We must reject the monetisation of justice and security services. Fidelity to the Constitution and all laws must outweigh the lure of illicit survival strategies. Nigerians deserve justice and security sectors that serve the law—not ones that sell it,” he emphasised.
