JUDICIAL RECEPTION OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND VICTIM-OFFENDER MEDIATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The adoption of restorative justice and victim-offender mediation in recent times complements the criminal justice system operating in Nigeria, emphasizing the practical application of how these principles are applied in Lagos State through its various justice sector policy instruments and on the broader question of how such instruments can anchor systemic reform nationally. Thus, in recent times, legislative changes, such as the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and similar state-level laws, have introduced non-custodial sentencing and restorative justice mechanisms. In spite of this development, the application of these measures by the courts has been inconsistent and unequal. Through legal analysis with practical insights from the implementation of restorative justice, this paper argued that the slow acceptance and integration of restorative justice by courts in Nigeria stem from institutional conservatism rather than legal barriers. The Lagos State model demonstrates that restorative justice can be more effective when backed by strong legislative support, administrative dedication, and judicial training, particularly through the inclusion of community service and structured mediation processes.