The Right of Victims of Crimes Under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 in Nigeria

Abstract

The Nigeria Criminal Justice System leaves much to be desired. Besides the unacceptable and enormous responsibilities reposed on the victim in oiling the wheels of criminal justice system, the victim is unduly exposed to avoidable hardships and dangers. Unfortunately, a critical look at our victim compensation policies will without doubt reveal that the said policies are far below the acceptable minimum. In all, one is left to wonder if the Nigerian Criminal Justice System does not further victimize the victim. The issue of protection and compensation for victims of crime has gained prominent attention in international discourses in recent times. This issue was examined within the context of Nigeria from criminological and sociological standpoints; and gave it an analysis derived from the writer’s legal knowledge. This paper is an attempt to examine the right of victim(s) of crime under the Nigerian Administration Criminal Justice Law and review how the system has protected or marred the interest of the victim of crimes. The paper concludes that Nigeria lags behind seriously, given its huge potential in human and material resources, compared with other advanced Commonwealth countries in its treatment of, and attention accorded the issue. The paper offers some recommendations considered relevant enough to bring expected change in compensation of victim of crime in Nigeria.