IGP Kayode Egbetokun has criticized Nigeria's criminal justice system, calling it "weak" and "sick." At a CRAN event, he urged reforms and collaboration across all sectors. ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu also addressed corruption's detrimental impact on the system, advocating for comprehensive reforms to tackle bribery and misconduct.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has described Nigeria’s criminal justice system as fundamentally flawed, likening it to a sick patient in dire need of treatment. Speaking on Thursday at the 2024 Annual Lecture and Award Ceremony organized by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), he emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul of the system.
The IGP, represented by Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, highlighted that the police are just one part of the justice system and should not bear all the blame for its shortcomings. He urged all stakeholders to work together to strengthen the framework, noting that a well-functioning justice system benefits everyone.
He stated, “The criminal justice system requires collective effort to achieve lasting reforms. It is not the responsibility of the police alone but of every stakeholder involved.”
Also addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, identified corruption as a persistent challenge across various sectors, including the judiciary. According to Aliyu, systemic issues such as bribery, influence peddling, and infrastructural inadequacies have weakened the justice system's integrity.
Aliyu stressed that tackling corruption requires proactive, multi-faceted strategies, including enforcement, prevention, and systemic reforms. He pointed out that judicial corruption, particularly bribery, remains a significant concern, despite limited public interactions with judicial officials.
Both speakers called for targeted anti-corruption measures and collaborative efforts to address the socio-cultural and institutional challenges undermining Nigeria’s justice system.
