Abuja: Legal practitioners have condemned jungle justice in Nigeria, saying there is no justification for citizens taking the law into their own hands. Jungle justice is an extrajudicial form of punishment where a mob or vigilance group beats, tortures, or kills a person suspected of a crime without legal trial.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, in interviews on Tuesday in Abuja, the practitioners called for unity and strict enforcement of existing laws to end the menace. They urged citizens to be guided by laws in fighting crime, saying there are enough laws to ensure the conclusive investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of suspects in the country.
Mr. Cornelius Lamle, Managing Partner at SC Legal Partners, emphasized that killing a suspect extrajudicially is murder, and every participant is liable as a principal offender under the doctrine of common intention. He stressed that jungle justice has no place under Nigerian law, as every person, regardless of suspicion, retains the constitutional right to life and fair hearing. Lamle called for consistent prosecution of perpetrators and urged the government and the police force to rebuild public trust to eradicate self-help justice.
Lamle also advocated for state-level laws that specifically criminalize mob action with mandatory minimum sentences and clear duties on police to intervene. He highlighted that the problem is not the lack of laws but poor enforcement, emphasizing the need for police accountability and rapid-response protocols.
Echoing similar views, Mr. Moses Obeta stated that jungle justice violates constitutional rights and advocated for the police and security agencies to ensure proper investigation and prosecution without bias. Obeta stressed that offenders of jungle justice should face appropriate penalties as it is a criminal offense that violates Nigerian laws.
Mr. Simon Abel, another legal expert, called on the government to enlighten the public and equip security agencies with mechanisms to curb jungle justice. He noted that prosecuting perpetrators serves as a deterrent and urged for mechanisms to report instant issues effectively.
The experts highlighted the damage and toll of jungle justice across the country, noting its devastating effects on victims and their families.