Nigeria’s Justice System is Weak, Needs Complete Overhaul – IGP Egbetokun

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s justice system, describing it as weak and in need of a comprehensive overhaul. Speaking at the 2024 Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony organized by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), the IGP, represented by Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi, called for collective action to reform the system.

He emphasized that the police alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of justice administration, urging Nigerians to collaborate with the force instead of placing sole blame on it. Comparing the justice system to a sick patient needing medical attention, Egbetokun stressed the importance of reviving the system to benefit all citizens.

“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,” he said.

Egbetokun also pointed out that existing legal frameworks, such as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) of 2015, are often hindered by confusion and sentimentality, further complicating the justice process.

In his address, Musa Adamu-Aliyu, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), highlighted corruption as one of the most significant challenges affecting all sectors of Nigerian society, including the justice system. He noted that corruption undermines policy-making, resource allocation, and service delivery, thereby weakening the justice sector’s integrity.

Adamu-Aliyu called for a multi-faceted approach to combat corruption, involving enforcement, prevention, deterrence, and systemic reform. He cited bribery, influence-peddling, and attitudinal issues within the justice system as major concerns requiring targeted anti-corruption measures.

“The justice sector remains a focal point of concern, particularly regarding bribery involving stakeholders in the justice sector. Despite limited public contact, judicial officials exhibit relatively high bribery prevalence, hence the need for targeted anti-corruption measures in this sector,” he stated.