AN APPRAISAL OF THE PRINCIPLE OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN THE NGERIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

This paper examined the criminal justice system of Nigeria by essentially highlighting the gaps and the resultant effects of a criminal jurisprudence that was pivoted on the retributive criminal justice system only. The work conceptually analyzed the principle of restorative justice and appraised the provisions for the principle of restorative justice in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015. The paradigm shift from retributive to restoration justice as provided by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015 and the laudable consequences arising therefrom was underscored. To achieve the set goals the paper discussed the Nigerian Criminal Justice System, Restorative Justice in Perspective, the Innovative Provisions of the ACJA 2015 on Restorative Justice and New Direction for Criminal Justice in Nigeria. It concluded with a call on other States of the Federation to emulate the Federal Government in re-couching their criminal justice system on the principle of restorative justice.