Juvenile Justice Administration and Child Prisoners in Nigeria

Benjamin Okorie Ajah, Cyril O. Ugwuoke

University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract:

This article looks at the juvenile justice administration and child prisoners in Nigeria and finds that while there has been an uptick in juvenile crime, there are no meaningful provisions for juvenile offenders in Nigeria despite the fact that provisions exist within Nigeria's legal framework. The article also shows that juvenile offenders are in most cases, lumped with adult offenders, leading to their being hardened criminals and inhibiting rehabilitation. The article makes use of secondary data such as articles and newspaper publications, and is discussed based on the frustration-aggression theory. The article recommends the creation of separate institutions for the trial and rehabilitation of juveniles. The article also calls for more effort on the part of parents, Non-Governmental Organizations, and the government in order to reduce juvenile crime.

Keyword:

Child Prisoners, Juvenile Justice System, Juvenile Administration, Delinquency