IGP Faults Nigeria’s Justice System As Weak, Sick
- Says urgent help required
BY CHINYERE OBIORA – The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday described Nigeria’s criminal justice system as weak and sick with an urgent need for intervention and complete healing.
Liking the system to a sick person seeking medical help from a medical doctor, the IGP maintained that urgent measures must be taken to ensure the justice system does not remain sickly state that is detrimental to the nation.
According to him, the need to overhaul and recalibrate the system cannot be overemphasized, adding that Nigerians must also stop blaming the Police for the noticeable lapses within the system.
IGP Egbetokun, who spoke at the 2024 Annual Lecture/Award Ceremony organised by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), 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 going forward.
“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.”
Represented by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP, Muyiwa Adejobi, the IGP said public support and cooperation are required to ensure the system functions optimally while the Police effectively perform their constitutional responsibility of maintaining law and order.
In his intervention at the occasion, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN) said corruption remains one of the most persistent challenges affecting all sectors and institutions of the Nigerian society.
Noting that the menace is also undermining policy-decision making in the country, 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.”
Aliyu lamented that the Justice System Administration is currently facing institutional, funding, infrastructural, human resources, and socio-cultural challenges that must be addressed urgently by both the government and all relevant stakeholders.
Furthermore, he said; “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.”
