Nigeria: Plea Bargaining – A Mockery of Criminal Justice Administration?

Abstract

Proponents of the incorporation of Plea bargain as a feature of Criminal Justice Administration in Nigeria have argued strenuously that it remains a useful tool in aiding criminal justice administration and would solve the totality of the problems of delay in the criminal justice system. However, plea bargaining may potentially result in a backdoor perpetuation of corruption by errant public officers. The practice may also lead to a situation whereby the prosecution will overstate the charge in the first instance so that when it is time for bargaining, it would have a stronger bargaining power. This is unjust, inequitable and oppressive. Consequently, this article seeks to consider the concept of plea bargaining and its practice in Nigeria. Efforts will also be made in this paper to contend that if not properly handled, it may result in backdoor perpetuation of corruption by public officers and therefore not achieving the overall goal of justice for all. It may also be a subterfuge or an escape route for corrupt public officers.

Keywords: Plea Bargaining, Criminal Justice, Mockery, subterfuge