JUDICIARY AND ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE: AN OVERVIEW OF THE PERSISTENT CHALLENGES TO JUSTICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The authority for administration of justice rests with the judiciary.1 The authority is encapsulated in the judges and magistrates in the exercise of their hallowed duties through the courts.2 These duties encompass the determination of any question as to the civil rights and obligations of parties concerned3 as well as the necessity of maintaining societal order in the realm of criminal justice administration. However, the judiciary over the years has encountered persistent challenges in the course of performing the hallowed duties. Congested course lists thereto dilapidated facilities, corruption coupled with lack of continuing legal education for the justice administrators are just but few. Employing doctrinal approach the work found that while corruption may appear to be a major setback and clog in the wheel of justice, improved harmonized incentives thereto availability of modern justice administration equipment will be a great boost in justice delivery in Nigeria.