THE ROLE AND CHALLENGES OF THE POLICE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study examined the historical emergence, duties and powers and the professional practices of the Nigeria police within the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria together with its nature, prospects and challenges. These were with a view to strengthening the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria. The study relied on primary and secondary sources of information. The primary source comprised the successive Constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, judicial decisions, and various statutes enacted for an enhanced administration of Criminal Justice System in Nigeria more particularly, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, Nigeria Police Act, 2020 and so on. The secondary source of information included books, journal articles, newspapers and magazine publications and; the internet. Data collected were subjected to content analysis. The study found that there exits in Nigeria both internal and external problems bedeviling the role of police in the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria. It also found that if the Criminal Justice System in Nigeria would achieve the expected objective culminating in their existence, the challenges of corruption must be decisively addressed. The study concluded that though there are several challenges that are currently hindering the efficiency and effectiveness of the police in the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria, quick intervention from government can assist in ameliorating the situations. There are several laws that have been put in place to ensure an improved, better, and speedy administration of Criminal Justice System in Nigeria, unless concerted efforts are made by the stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria, certain bottle neck in the bureaucratic plane would not allow effective application of laws bringing the needed reform.