Police Accountability and the Administration of Justice in Nigeria: A Case Study of Cross River State Command

Abstract

The police are essential for maintaining law and order, yet they face frequent allegations of human rights violations in Nigeria. This study investigates the Cross River State Police Command, focusing on how their actions contribute to human rights abuses. Key objectives include exploring conditions in police custody, assessing the legal rights of suspects, and examining issues of unlawful arrests and detention. Utilizing Tom Tyler's Procedural Justice Theory (1990), the research employs a descriptive survey design, gathering qualitative data through interviews. Participants, including police officers, legal practitioners, and individuals who have experienced human rights violations in Cross River State, were selected through purposive and cluster sampling from three police stations across different senatorial districts. Data were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Findings reveal pervasive human rights abuses by the police, such as corruption, extortion, brutality, and excessive force, which have eroded public trust and impaired effective intelligence gathering. The study recommends enforcing accountability for corrupt practices and serious abuses like extrajudicial killings and torture, urging stringent legal consequences to dismantle the culture of impunity within the Nigeria Police Force.

Received: 20 September 2024 / Accepted: 8 November 2024 / Published: 20 November 2024