VICTIMS OF JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM FINLAND

Abstract

In Nigeria, victims of crime often suffer physical injury, emotional distress, financial loss, and a pervasive lack of support. Many feel unheard, particularly because criminal conduct is legally defined as an offence against the state rather than the individual. This doctrine, though explainable in theory, leaves victims feeling neglected and confused about their role in the criminal justice process. This study examines the rights and treatment of crime victims in Nigeria and compares them with practices in Finland. Its primary objective is to analyse what happens to victims who have suffered harm and how they are treated before, during, and after trial and sentencing. It further juxtaposes Nigeria’s criminal justice administration with that of Finland to highlight differences in victim centered support. Using a doctrinal methodology, this research reviews extensive academic literature to understand persistent challenges in Nigeria’s justice administration and to draw lessons from Finland’s more victim-inclusive framework. The study finds significant gaps in Nigeria’s current system, including inadequate policies, weak institutional practices, and insufficient judicial commitment to victim protection. These deficiencies underscore the need for comprehensive reforms, including policy overhaul, improved judicial responsiveness, and revision of criminal laws to reflect a more victim-supportive model. The study concludes with recommendations aimed at elevating Nigeria’s victim-rights standards to those observed in Finland. Strengthening mechanisms for compensation, restitution, and restoration will ensure that victims’ rights are protected and their voices adequately heard. Ultimately, the insights drawn from this comparative study offer valuable guidance for authorities and stakeholders seeking to improve the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria.