The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has described Nigeria’s criminal justice system as weak, sick, and in dire need of a comprehensive overhaul. He made this assertion during the 2024 Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony organized by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) on Thursday.
Comparing the system to a sick patient requiring medical intervention, Egbetokun stressed the need for urgent reforms. He also urged Nigerians to avoid placing all the blame solely on the police.
“Police are just one pillar among many stakeholders in the country’s criminal justice system. While we acknowledge our challenges, we are committed to improving the system. However, this requires collective effort. If the system works well, it benefits all of us,” Egbetokun stated through his representative, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) ACP Muyiwa Adejobi.
In a related address, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), highlighted corruption as one of the most pervasive challenges undermining Nigeria’s institutions and governance.
“Corruption affects every sector of our society, undermining policy decisions, resource utilization, and service delivery,” Aliyu said. He emphasized the need for a proactive, multi-faceted approach to address the issue, focusing on prevention, enforcement, deterrence, and systemic reform.
Aliyu also pointed out significant challenges within the justice system, including institutional weaknesses, inadequate funding, infrastructure deficits, and human resource issues. He underscored the prevalence of bribery, influence-peddling, and attitudinal challenges as critical concerns.
“The justice sector, particularly its stakeholders, remains a focal point of corruption concerns. Judicial officials, despite having limited direct public contact, exhibit relatively high rates of bribery. This calls for targeted anti-corruption measures in the sector,” Aliyu concluded.
Both leaders called for coordinated efforts to tackle the systemic issues plaguing the justice system and to ensure a more effective and equitable administration of justice in Nigeria.
