Nigeria justice system needs help – IGP, Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s justice system, stating that it is not functioning at its best.

Speaking at the 2024 Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony organized by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), Egbetokun emphasized that the challenges facing the justice system cannot be attributed solely to the police, which is just one component of the broader framework that requires revitalization.

Represented by Force Headquarters Spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP acknowledged the difficulties confronting the police but reaffirmed their commitment to delivering optimal service to the nation.

“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. If this system is working well; it is going to affect you, it is going to us,” he said.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, stated that corruption was a persistent challenge affecting all sectors in the country.

Aliyu noted that tackling corruption requires the effort of all stakeholders. He decried that Nigerian institutions are all affected by corruption undermining efficiency in service delivery.

“Corruption remains one of the most persistent challenges affecting all sectors and institutions of the Nigerian society, undermines policy-decision making, resource mobilization and utilization, 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,” he stated.

The ICPC boss emphasized that te country’s judicial system has been inundated with bribery, influence peddling and attitudinal challenges.

“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,” Daily Trust quoted him.