Mhe rising cases of jungle justice or mob action in Nigeria has called for urgent reform of Nigeria’s justice system.
Almost on daily basis, reports emerge of irate crowds descending on suspects who end up either being lynched or left half-dead, if the law enforcement bodies are not quick to respond.
In this special report, Correspondent Daniel Ezeigwe, speaks with a legal expert on the topic and its legal implications.
Article Three of the Universal Declaration on Human Right states that everyone has a right to life, liberty and security.
Equally, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Charter) Article Four, enshrines the right to life just as the right to life is amply provided for in Section 33 of the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, which also clearly states that every person has a right to life and fair hearing.
Some months ago, an Awka-based events manager, Mr. Pascal Onyilo was barbarically lynched to death and his car torched at Umuoji, Idemili Council Area, following a false alarm of kidnapping.
Like the late Onyilo, hundreds of other victims have been sent to their early graves by angry mobs who act as the accusers, judge and executioners.
Amnesty International in its several reports, has pointed to the growing level of jungle justice and extra-judicial killings in Nigeria.
An Awka-based legal expert, Barrister John Okoli-Akirika, while noting that jungle justice as a term is not specifically addressed in the Nigerian Constitution, pointed out that Section Twenty-three of
Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution already gives basic protection to the life of every Nigerian to fair and credible hearing in the event of crimes and default of the law.
Barrister Okoli-Akirika said that the poor or slow crime prosecution and perceived corruption among the justice enforcement bodies in Nigeria have often left the people with the sole option of taking the laws into their own hands.
He however, condemned the orgy of mob actions witnessed across the country over the months, calling for a reorientation of values, respect for human life and speedy prosecution of offences in
Nigeria.
Efforts to get an interview with the Anambra State Command of the Nigeria Police on the subject were futile .
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