A STUDY ON JUNGLE JUSTICE AND ITS IMPLICATION ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM (CJS) IN ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCIL, FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, NIGERIA

Abstract

This is a study on Jungle Justice and its implication on the Criminal justice System (CJS) in Nigeria Repeated occurrence of Jungle justice in the Municipal Area Council. Abuja in recent time shows is an issue with the administration of criminal justice system that should be addressed. Hence, the study was objectively designed to critically investigate the implication of Jungle Justice practice on the administration of Criminal Justice in the Municipal Area Council, Abuja, focusing on its prevalence, causes and justification, and effects and implications, with a view to finding lasting solution to the social malady. The study reviewed other related literatures and adopted frustration-aggression, as the major thrust. Social survey was used to incorporate the views of the target population. The total population of the study is 1,967,500, while the sample size is 384. The researcher used purposive and simple random sampling technique in selecting the towns and respondents. The study administered 384 questionnaires, and 342 were retrieved. More so, 15 participants were interviewed to support the data collected through questionnaire. The retrieved data was analyzed using simple percentage statistical technique. The study discovered that there is high rate of Jungle Justice in the municipal area council of Abuja due to suspicion, lack of public trust to get justice through the CJS, poor Police/public relations, and CJS challenges such as inadequate motivation, inadequate personnel, inadequate training and retraining and lack of equipment to combat the menace. The study recommends efforts should be doubled to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of jungle justice to serve as deterrence to others, mass enlightenment on the danger of taken the law into ones hand by perpetrating jungle justice, speedy dispensation of justice, recruitment and training of more personnel and provision of basic equipment, especially communication gadget to security agencies.