Jungle Justice or Mob Justice is a practice that has become rampant in different parts of Africa.Wikipedia defined it as a form of public extra judicial killings. With particular reference to Nigeria and Cameroon.


Over the years it has been used as self-help , where the mob take laws into their hands and administer Justice to a suspect who according to them is guilty by mere accusation not backed up with concrete proof, evidence, and prosecution in the court of law.Mere accusation not backed up with enough credible and concrete evidence cannot indict a person accused of commiting an act. Any person alleged to have committed an act enjoys the Constitutional right of presumption of innocence,and the power to determine the guilt of such person is rested in the judiciary arm of government and never in the hands of the people.


In administering Jungle Justice,the victim is either beaten during which life threatening injuries may be inflicted or burnt alive while the mob watch in excitement as the victim writhes in the fire and the smell of the burning flesh fills the air.


While several machineries have been put in place by the state,it is saddening to say that little achievement has been achieved as Jungle Justice still thrives in some part of the country. The question which should be on the lips of every patriotic citizen of Nigeria is "Who is to be blamed for the insignificant achievement of these machineries? " Of course! Everyone will be quick to answer "The state". However we should not shy away from the fact that some of us are also to be blamed.

In 2012, pictures of Four students of The University of Port Harcourt (uniport) flooded the internet.The mob denied them their rights to fair hearing and they wasted no time in creating a non fictional scene where they were burnt beyond recognition. This sparked a wild cry across the country from the citizens and even the state condemning such inhumane and barbaric act. But did this mark the end of Mob Justice in Nigeria? No. Infact,series of such barbaric, inhumane, despicable act have taken place after then.


It sufficies to say that a society springs out from a collection of individuals who obviously must have come from a family. According to Sociology,the family is the smallest unit of the Society.Following this to a logical conclusion reveals that series of families with different ideologies,moral upbringing, backgrounds make up a society or a state. Now the question is,what happens if some of these families are dysfunctional? Obviously,such a society is on a voyage to it's state of nature. One cannot put something on nothing because there is nothing to receive the something. How then can the Criminal Administration System be at the fore front when some of the citizens due to some reasons have refused to adhere to the laws and blatantly flouted them with impunity?


One of the catalysts fuelling Jungle Justice is the absence of faith,trust and confidence in the State by the citizens.A closer look at the relationship between the State and the citizens reveals that some elements of fiduciary relationship exists.Here,the State is held to be in a higher position and trust, confidence and faith is reposed in them by the citizens. What happens when this is destroyed? They care less and become rebellious and thus flout rules with impunity.


Areas where the State has been performing below expectations from the Citizens are but not limited to:

a. Non speedy trial of cases: It is believed that "Justice delayed is Justice denied". Most times, parties have to wait for ages before justice is served to both parties. For instance, perpetrators of the Aluu Killings were brought to book in 2017, five years after the incident. In order to avoid unnecessary delays and hitches from the state, people resort to self help.


b. Corrupt and dishonest officers saddled with the responsibility of maintaining law and order: With the unfavourable reports about some scrupulous officers asking for "mobilization fees" before they commence action,how suspects are set free immediately their palms have been greased has registered a lot of concern in the minds of the citizens and has left the Citizens to see them as "toothless bull dogs".


c.Illiteracy and ignorance:
Nigerians are really lagging behind in the modern world today. A significant percentage of the population are illiterates if not Stark illiterates. Illiteracy in this context is not only the absence of the ability to write and read but also the absence of having an informed mind. It's a double jeopardy for one to be an illiterate and at the same time ignorant although both often accompany each other. How do these legal machineries criminalizing Jungle justice work when some citizens do not even know about their existence or even doubt their effectiveness? The State really has a lot to do in educating Nigerians!


This brings us to the conclusion that both the State and the Citizens have a lot to do in sending Jungle Justice packing from this country.The judiciary should be more responsive and adequate measures should be put in place to quicken trial of cases. The elements of Transperacy,Fairness and Accountability should be highlighted. Justice must not only be done,but must be seen to be done to all parties. With this Faith, confidence and Trust will be restored in the government.


Mass Education condemning Jungle Justice and prescribing stiff punishment for indulging in such should be should be extended to every citizens in the urban and rural areas. Ignorantia juris non excusat( Ignorance of the law is not an excuse) should ring a bell in the ears of all the Citizens.


Also,the Citizens are not left out . Proper moral values should be inculcated in the minds of the younger generation to shun social vices and never to indulge in Jungle Justice.


JUNGLE JUSTICE IS NOT AN OPTION AND WILL NEVER BE AN OPTION!
ENOUGH OF THE BARBARIC KILLINGS!

There is room for comments,suggestions and criticisms.

Because of failed policing and corrupt judiciary..and delays in the legal process,available justice becomes the only option...like in the case of kidnappers,robbers and persons caught with human parts..jungle justice is bae.

donbachi:
Because of failed policing and corrupt judiciary..and delays in the legal process,available justice becomes the only option...like in the case of kidnappers,robbers and persons caught with human parts..jungle justice is bae.

Jungle Justice is still not an option.

dollynnn:

Jungle Justice is still not an option.

comments are highly welcomed

if I were to be a governor, people who commit jungle justice will be sentenced to life imprisonment.. and if I cant get any, the area where the jungle justice took place will be stripped of all state benefits including health light, water and security at least for nine months

Jessepaid:
if I were to be a governor, people who commit jungle justice will be sentenced to life imprisonment.. and if I cant get any, the area where the jungle justice took place will be stripped of all state benefits including health light, water and security at least for nine months

lol,the last option though

dollynnn:

lol,the last option though

If you are talking about security yes! It's included.
There is still some level of sanity and orderliness in our communities today not because of the presence of failed security agents,
But because we fear being caught by them even if they are not doing their jobs well.
So imagine when there is an announcement that there will be no security at all or presence of security officials in a particular section of the state.
Just imagine
Lawless driving
Daylight armed robbery etc
It's not a thing to pray for sha

Jessepaid:

If you are talking about security yes! It's included.
There is still some level of sanity and orderliness in our communities today not because of the presence of failed security agents,
But because we fear being caught by them even if they are not doing their jobs well.
So imagine when there is an announcement that there will be no security at all or presence of security officials in a particular section of the state.
Just imagine
Lawless driving
Daylight armed robbery etc
It's not a thing to pray for sha

yeah,I get it now