Crime and Punishment in Nigeria
INTRODUCTION
Crime and punishment are two concepts that are vital to the harmony and peaceful co-existence of a state. The goal of every society is that every inhabitant should pursue his interest and aspirations without fear or hindrance from another co-inhabitant. In securing this, every community of man has always put in place rules and norms that regulate the interaction of the inhabitants.
Certain conducts in the society that threatens the societal goals are collectively frowned at. Such actions are usually collectively known by the people of every society. In other to discourage people from engaging in such acts, certain specified punishments are attached to such conducts.
In this paper, I shall consider the concept of crime and punishment from varieties of background. An attempt shall be made to examine the historical perspective of crimes, various categories and elements of crimes and of course theoretical basis of punishment and punishment as enshrined under Nigerian laws shall be highlighted.
THE DEFINITION OF CRIME
The word crime has its origin in the latin word crimen meaning “accusation”, “indictment”, “charge” or “fault”. What is a crime is a very difficult question to proffer an answer. The word ‘crime’ like many other concepts has defied an acceptable and all encompassing definition. The reason is not farfetched. The word crime has variety of meanings depending from the angle it is being approached. What a crime is to a sociologist may not necessary accord with a lawyer’s view of crime. Yet, theologians may not agree with both of them. Hence, it would be apt to consider what crime means to different classes of people.
Acts that constitute a crime in one society may not be a crime in another society. Even in the same society, an act that constitutes a crime at particular time may be dropped at another point in time. What is a crime to a person might not constitute a crime if committed by another person. The instances are endless.
Crime and punishment are two concepts that are vital to the harmony and peaceful co-existence of a state. The goal of every society is that every inhabitant should pursue his interest and aspirations without fear or hindrance from another co-inhabitant. In securing this, every community of man has always put in place rules and norms that regulate the interaction of the inhabitants.
Certain conducts in the society that threatens the societal goals are collectively frowned at. Such actions are usually collectively known by the people of every society. In other to discourage people from engaging in such acts, certain specified punishments are attached to such conducts.
In this paper, I shall consider the concept of crime and punishment from varieties of background. An attempt shall be made to examine the historical perspective of crimes, various categories and elements of crimes and of course theoretical basis of punishment and punishment as enshrined under Nigerian laws shall be highlighted.
THE DEFINITION OF CRIME
The word crime has its origin in the latin word crimen meaning “accusation”, “indictment”, “charge” or “fault”. What is a crime is a very difficult question to proffer an answer. The word ‘crime’ like many other concepts has defied an acceptable and all encompassing definition. The reason is not farfetched. The word crime has variety of meanings depending from the angle it is being approached. What a crime is to a sociologist may not necessary accord with a lawyer’s view of crime. Yet, theologians may not agree with both of them. Hence, it would be apt to consider what crime means to different classes of people.
Acts that constitute a crime in one society may not be a crime in another society. Even in the same society, an act that constitutes a crime at particular time may be dropped at another point in time. What is a crime to a person might not constitute a crime if committed by another person. The instances are endless.