Criminal Profiling and Its Relevance in the Nigerian Criminal Justice System
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
This study has both general and specific objectives, the general objective of the study is to examine criminal profiling and its relevance in the Nigerian criminal justice system. However, the specific objectives are:
- To understand the evolution of criminal profiling in the history of the justice system
- To examine the strategies used in criminal profiling in Nigeria
- To find out the challenges facing criminal profiling in the Nigerian justice system
- To give suggestions for the improvement of the criminal investigation activities
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: THE CASE OF NIGERIA
The CJS of a nation represents a system or structure through which the laws guiding the existence and order of such a society is applied and the rights of the citizens are upheld. Certain characteristics have been associated with CJS. They include fairness, justice, equality effectiveness and efficiency (Alemika, 2014; Alemika&Chukwuma, 2005;Gabbay, 2005). These characteristics spell out equity, offence-punishment proportionality, constitutionality, public order and safety and integrity among other things. Criminal justice implies ascertaining whether or not an accused is guilty of a crime and ensuring that due process is involved in the determination of guilt or innocence and the administration of punishment or compensations as appropriate. Thus, the CJS is a social influencing agent that is concerned with orderliness, peace and tranquility in most societies.In influencing others, behaviors can be regulated and managed. However, if the process of influencing others is, in any form, tainted, then such influence may become either negative, difficult to achieve and, or, may be met with outright rebellion and disregard. Therefore in persuading, exerting influence and ensuring compliance, the agents of influence must be credible (Ajzen, 1992; Passer, Smith, Atkinson, Mitchell & Muir, 2003). A criminal justice system is a system made up of different agents charged with the responsibilities of investigating and prosecuting criminal cases and the correction and rehabilitation of those found guilty of opposing the laws. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Nigeria CJS is an issue that apparently requires attention; given the seemingly unchecked lawlessness that pervades the nation, the phenomenon and increased rate of recidivism in Nigeria, as in most other societies, and the general opinion and perception of justice as a mirage. Nigeria criminal justice system ought to connote an orderly system within which rights of the citizens are protected and those who err on the side of the law are prosecuted. Thus, it would be an aberration for this same system to be characterized by ineptitude and injustice. Because glaringly, a system whose principal constituents demonstrate utter disregard for the office and purpose for which they are sworn to uphold is an aberration. But Anaedozie (2016), submitted that the management of social order in Nigeria polity poses serious challenges. Okogbule (n.d), argued that from the point of arrest, to investigation, arraignment in court, case hearing, verdict and execution of court verdict, the Nigeria CJS is tainted. Thus, Nigeria seems to continue to struggle with upholding its laws amid myriad criminality that seem beyond the power of the CJS to solve. The principal actors in the Nigeria CJS charged with the responsibility of maintaining one aspect of the law or the other including: the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Police, the judges, the prisons and so on are often said to be enmeshed in ineptitude, corruption, and injustice. However, this paper focuses on the roles of the police, judges and the prisons. The reason for this choice is that these three actors are the length and breadth of the Nigeria CJS (Martins Library, n.d; Onimajesin, n.d; “The role of prison”, 2015). The point from being a suspect to being convicted or acquitted of charges and the execution of sentence of those judged guilty are within the domain of these actors. Furthermore, they are representatives of the government; the bridge between the government and the people. The endemic corruption in the nation has been attributed to the failure of the government to curb this social ill (Anaedozie, 2016). In other words, it could be said that the failure of the CJS, an organ of the government for the maintenance of justice and rule of law, to instigate process that will eliminate corruption, bring to judgment those found guilty of it and to remain corruption-free itself has borne several statements from concerned parties. According to Oyebode (2001) “…corruption …become our (Nigeria’s) fundamental objective and directive principle of state policy”. Anaedozie (2016) on the other hand favors the term “grand corruption” which was identified as the “sore spot” obstructing Nigeria’s path towards attaining transparency, accountability, effective rule of law, national development and security. Although within the Nigerian make-up, the judiciary connotes the law court.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine Criminal Profiling and Its Relevance in the Nigerian Criminal Justice System. Selected police station in Uyo forms the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain criminal profiling and its relevance in the Nigeria criminal justice system. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of criminal profiling and its relevance in the Nigeria criminal justice system
Summary
This study was on criminal profiling and its relevance in the Nigeria criminal justice system. Three objectives were raised which included; To understand the evolution of criminal profiling in the history of justice system, to examine the strategies used in criminal profiling in Nigeria, to find out the challenges facing criminal profiling in the Nigerian justice system and to give suggestions for the improvement of the criminal investigation activities. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn selected police station in Uyo. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
From the foregoing, it is clear that a credible CJS is the first step towards a sane society. Nigerians cannot continue to see glaringly the abuse of political office, blatant disregard of the rule of law, corruption and other acts of criminality in the institutions or system saddled with the responsibility to provide justice, fairness and social stability and be motivated to be law-abiding. Those in power are models for Nigerians and reference for judging the rightness or wrongness of their behaviors. When such models depict criminality as attractive, then there is a threat to the development of that nation. A central theme in the theories reviewed and applied implies that social justice and fair play is achievable only through a credible CJS Perhaps the first point of call is reorientation of these various actors. They should be reminded of what their job is and how it should be done. The value system of these various institutions should be refocused. Rather than a craving for quick wealth, there should be striving for fulfilling statutory responsibilities. These institutions should also be availed the necessary resources to improve their efficiency. Adequate training should be given and at regular intervals, retraining should be done. Offenders should not go unpunished as this sends a wrong signal that “crime pays and that one only have to know how to wriggle out of it”. Nigerians should also sit up. Corruption and other criminal acts are not limited to those in governance; it is there on the streets. Individuals should curb their desires for unearned and undeserved wealth; favor due process, respect the law and desist from short-cuts to acquire required services from the government. Curbing one’s desires for selfish gains, no doubt, is an altruistic act and a moral imperative for the social order of every society. Deciding not to satisfy personal needs and desires at the expense of others is at the heart of peaceful coexistence, particularly in a multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-tribal nation like Nigeria. Hence, teachings of contentment and hard work should be imbibed in the training of children and modeled by significant others like the teachers, parents, religious leaders and the media. Without doubt; poverty, unemployment, and economic recession is a driving force for criminal acts; an improved economy will go a long way in curbing crime in the nation
Recommendation
The study recommended; in addition to effective funding and training of prison wardens to enhance rehabilitation and skill acquisition training for offenders to curb recidivism. Also, interrogators should be trained and retrained in the art to reduce false confessions and the distortion of justice.
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