AN APPRAISAL OF THE PROTECTION OF VICTIMS OF CRIME UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT, 2015

Abstract

This paper appraises the Protection of Victims of Crime under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of Nigeria, 2015. Victims of crime in Nigeria from the colonial time to this present day, have been seen to be relevant in our Criminal Justice System only for the purpose of successful prosecution; with their needs, interests and rights accorded little or no consideration by the operators of the law. The objective of this paper is to appraise the various provisions of ACJA, 2015 in relation to the extent of the protections granted victims of crimes in Nigeria. In trying to achieve the objective of this paper, the paper adopted the doctrinal research methodology where existing legal materials, such as textbooks, journals, newspapers, seminars papers, internet materials including statutes on universal and regional human rights instruments amongst others, were consulted. This paper has identified some loopholes in the Act which poses serious threat to the realization of the victims needs to be adequately compensated and to be restored back to the state where he was before the alleged crime was committed against him. Finally, this study recommended for the amendment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of Nigeria, 2015, in order to make provisions and recommendations for the formulation and promulgation of a National Policy on Compensation, Restitution and Remedies for Victims of Crime through the establishment of Victim Compensation Commission or Board at the Federal and state level.