Weak and Ailing: How Nigeria’s Justice System Can Be Reformed
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, recently described Nigeria’s justice system as “weak, sick, and in dire need of help.”
He made this statement while addressing the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, highlighting the challenges the system faces and the need for urgent reforms.
The IGP pointed out that one of the critical issues affecting the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) is the inefficiency of the justice system, which hampers efforts to combat crime effectively.
He argued that the police cannot operate in isolation and require a robust justice system to ensure proper prosecution and conviction of offenders.
Egbetokun emphasized the need for collaboration among all stakeholders in the justice sector, including the judiciary, legislature, and executive, to address the systemic problems.
His statement aligns with ongoing discussions about judicial reform in Nigeria to improve the administration of justice, ensure accountability, and restore public confidence.
This revelation adds to the broader discourse on governance and institutional weaknesses in Nigeria. The call for reform has been echoed by various civil society organizations, legal practitioners, and international bodies.