The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, stated on Thursday that Nigeria’s criminal justice system is weak, ill, and in dire need of a total overhaul.
He compared the system to a sick person in need of medical treatment, saying it requires urgent revival.
The IGP emphasized the need for reform but urged Nigerians to stop blaming the police for the country’s justice system issues.
Speaking at the 2024 Annual Lecture/Award Ceremony, organized 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.”
He further stressed the importance of collective effort in improving the justice 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 Adejob.
Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), also spoke at the event, highlighting that corruption is one of the biggest challenges plaguing Nigeria’s various sectors, including the justice system.
He stated, “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.”
Aliyu emphasized that combating corruption requires a proactive, multi-faceted approach, which should focus on enforcement, prevention, deterrence, and reforming systems.
He also addressed several challenges faced by the justice system, including issues with funding, infrastructure, human resources, and socio-cultural factors. He noted that corruption within the justice sector, such as bribery and influence-peddling, remains a significant problem:
“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.”
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