An Evaluation of the Judiciary as a Major Plank of Criminal Justice System in Nigeria: A Study of Enugu State

ABSTRACT The study evaluates the judiciary as the major unit of criminal justice system in Nigeria. Case flow management, financial autonomy, inadequate facilities, and other constraints have made it difficult for judiciary in Enugu State to dispense cases freely. The objectives of this study therefore were to find out how slow dispensation of cases by judiciary affects their citizens in criminal matters. The researcher used propositions to discuss and analyze the problems facing judiciary in Enugu State. The Nigeria judicial system is besieged by both institutional and legal constraints, it is obvious that changes are inevitable and that criminal justice system should move and adapt to changes in society. Considering the recommendation of this study, judges are advised to enhance effective dispensation of justice and restore confidence of the public in the court system.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page - - - - - - - - - - i

Approval page - - - - - - - - - - ii

Dedication - - - - - - - - - - iii

Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - - iv

Table of Contents - - - - - - - - - v

Acronyms - - - - - - - - - - vi

Abstract - - - - - - - - - - viii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study - - - - - - - - 1

1.2 Study Area - - - - - - - - - 2

1.3 Focus of the Study - - - - - - - - 3

1.4 Statement of the Problem - - - - - - - - 3

1.5 Research Questions - - - - - - - - 5

1.6 Objectives of the Study - - - - - - - - 5

1.7 Significance of the Study - - - - - - - - 6

1.8 Definition of Concepts - - - - - - - - 6

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Review of Empirical Literature - - - - - - - 7

2.2 Review of Theoretical Literature - - - - - - - 9

2.3 Review of Theories - - - - - - - - 22

2.4 Theoretical Framework - - - - - - - - 23

2.5 Research Propositions - - - - - - - - - 24

vi

CHAPTER THREE: DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Preposition I: Factors that are responsible for slow dispensation of justice in Enugu State 25

Proposition II: A judiciary that has financial autonomy is more likely to function better

than a judiciary that lack financial autonomy - - - - - - 31

Propositions III: Judicial Staff who have good conditions of service are most likely to

performs better than those with poor conditions- - - - - - 33

CHAPTER FOUR: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary - - - - - - - - - - 36

Conclusion - - - - - - - - - - 37

Recommendations - - - - - - - - - 37

References - - - - - - - - - - 39