AN EXAMINATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF JUVENILE JUSTICE IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT The current juvenile justice system in Nigeria faces significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, lack of specialized personnel, and insufficient rehabilitation programs. These issues contribute to a system that often fails to protect the rights and rehabilitate juvenile offenders effectively. This study will focus on the practice of juvenile justice administration in Nigeria with the aim to exploit the excesses of the administration and proffer solutions. This study would highlight the shortcomings of the juvenile justice system and propose reforms aimed at enhancing the system’s capacity to deliver fair and effective justice for young offenders. The system is established by the government to take care of persons under within a stipulated age bracket who happened to be involved in one crime or the other. Unfortunately, the criminal justice system in Nigeria is generally punitive and harsh, contrary to the international standard which advocates for reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration. This work having used doctrinal method to articulate its findings show that the legal framework for juvenile justice in Nigeria do not meet the international model and thus, does not serve its purpose. This study critically assesses the steps to be taken by the Nigerian government in handling juvenile delinquents in Nigeria vis-à-vis the requirement of juvenile justice. This study is purposely set to advocate for a better court system and a child friendly juvenile justice system. This work shall be of utmost importance to the government, students, academicians, police officers, security officials and other individuals or institutions concerned with juvenile justice administration in Nigeria.