Legal experts, human rights advocates, and judicial officers are increasingly calling for a unified criminal justice system in Nigeria to address inconsistencies in state laws that lead to sentencing disparities and prolonged trials. Currently, Nigeria’s federal system allows states to adopt different legal frameworks, with some using the Penal Code, others the Criminal Code, and some enforcing Sharia law. These variations, legal experts argue, contribute to confusion, unequal treatment, and violations of defendants’ rights.
At the National Technical Review and Evaluation Conference in Abuja, Yemi Akinseye-George, President of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), emphasized the urgent need for legal harmonization. He pointed out that a standardized criminal justice system would ensure equality under the law for all Nigerians, regardless of their state of residence. A uniform framework, he argued, would improve court efficiency, reduce delays in trials, and promote better coordination among law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts.
The growing consensus highlights that a unified criminal justice system could streamline legal processes and enhance fairness across Nigeria.
