CHALLENGES TO COMPENSATION OF VICTIMS OF CRIME IN NIGERIA

Abstract

One of the ways the plight of victim could be cushioned is through award of compensation. However, experience shows that there are numerous challenges posing a threat to compensation for victims of crime. These challenges range from abuse of plea bargain, corruption, inability of the victim to request a compensable item and the uncertainty as to whether there is hope of compensation for damage suffered at the end of the trial. In discuss these challenges, we adopted doctrinal research method whereof the Constitution, statutes, case law, were utilized as our primary source of data, while textbooks, journal/articles and reliable internet materials were used as secondary sources of data. Findings revealed that under the extant laws in Nigeria, because compensation is merely at the discretion of the court, victims most times, never get a pronouncement as to compensations for many reasons ranging from decline of discretion by the court, technicality of the law, etc. Hence, it is recommended that the court should be bold enough to spring up in every opportunity it has and act when every voice is silent in the fight for justice regarding compensation for victims of crime in Nigeria. It is only through this way that Nigerian criminal justice system will revamp and to great extent measure up with other jurisdictions in victim compensation regime.