THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUSPECTS AND ACCUSED PERSONS' RIGHTS VIOLATION IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examines the consequences of suspects and accused persons' rights violation in the administration of criminal justice in north-western, Nigeria. The intention of this work is to describe weather suspects and accused persons sustain physical injury or depression in the administration of criminal justice, identify whether their jobs, properties and family life have been disrupted. It also tries to identify whether there is lack of trust between the suspects/accused persons and criminal justice agents. Literature is reviewed in line with the above objectives, and labeling theory is adopted as the theoretical framework. The study utilized convenience and purposive sampling methods to select respondents for a survey and in-depth interviews in Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, respectively. The survey method was utilized to collect data from 496 Suspects and 507 Accused Persons, making a total of 1003 surveys. The respondents utilized for In-depth Interview included: three (3) suspects, three (3) accused persons, three (3) Police officers, three (3) court officials, three (3) correctional officers, three (3) lawyers from the Legal Aid Council and three (3) academics, making a total of 21 in-depth interviews.  The data generated from the survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the qualitative data were analyzed using narrative method as complimentary information. It is discovered that suspects and accused persons think their reputation in the society has been threatened and there was lack of trust between them and Criminal Justice Agencies. However, the study findings showed that majority experienced depression and other psychological disorders. Also, the study findings showed that majority of the suspects and accused persons agreed that their family life had been disrupted and few of them have sustain physical injury as a result of torture. The study recommended that the administration of criminal justice committee has to come up with new policies that will bring an end to lack of the speedy dispensation of justice and prison congestion as well as high number of awaiting trials. Moreover, governmental and non-governmental organizations have to mount programmes that will enhance trust between suspects/accused persons and criminal justice personnel and save the reputation of suspects and accused persons in the society. However, the Police and correctional officers have to find ways of improving the hygienic conditions of their cells in order to protect suspects and accused persons from sickness, depression and other psychological disorders