Stop blaming Police, Nigeria’s criminal justice system weak, needs overhaul – IGP
Stop blaming Police, Nigeria’s criminal justice system weak, needs overhaul – IGP
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, delivered a candid assessment of Nigeria’s criminal justice system on Thursday, calling it “weak,” “ailing,” and in desperate need of a comprehensive overhaul.
Drawing a powerful analogy, the IGP likened the system to a sick patient in need of urgent medical attention.
He emphasised that just as a person seeks a doctor to heal physical ailments, the nation’s criminal justice framework must undergo revitalization to function effectively.
While acknowledging the flaws within the system, Egbetokun urged Nigerians to refrain from placing undue blame solely on the police.
He underscored that law enforcement is only one pillar within the broader criminal justice ecosystem, and all stakeholders have roles to play in its improvement.
Speaking at the 2024 Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony organized by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), Egbetokun remarked, “The police is not the only institution responsible for the state of our criminal justice system. While we face challenges, we remain committed to making improvements, but it will take collective effort to build a better framework.”
He called for a unified approach, stating, “All of us—police, judiciary, legislature, and the public—must come together to strengthen the criminal justice system. If we get it right, it will benefit everyone.”
The IGP was represented at the event by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Muyiwa Adejobi.
In the same vein, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), highlighted corruption as a persistent and corrosive force undermining Nigeria’s institutions and policy-making. He noted that corruption continues to erode the effectiveness of the nation’s governance, including its criminal justice sector.
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.
“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.”
