JUNGLE JUSTICE IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA: A FOCUS ON DRIVING FACTORS, PATTERNS, LEGAL FRAMEWORKS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE

There are multiple incidences of jungle justices in Akwa Ibom State; without moral justification for this heinous crime. This study evaluated the motivating force, patterns, legal frameworks and law enforcement response to episodes of jungle justice in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The investigation was guided by the assumptions of the social contract theory. A descriptive survey design was adopted in the investigation. Purposive and simple random sampling technique was employed and a total of 384 community leaders, law enforcement agents, human rights advocates and family members of victims of jungle justice in Uyo, Eket and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State formed the sample size. Structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews were methods of data gathering. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the quantitative data and thematic analysis was utilised to analyse qualitative data. Findings showed that factors that influence jungle justice include lack of trust in the police and legal institutions, ignorance of the law and legal rights, nature of allegations, absence of the police, frequency of crime, cultural acceptance of retaliation or community-enforced punishment, and serving as a deterrent to other members of the society. The patterns of jungle justice included burning with tyres and fuel, beating the defendants to death, stoning and lynching, stripping them nude and using dangerous weapons or items to harm the suspects. The current legislative frameworks against jungle justice were unable to checkmate incidences of jungle justice due to insufficient application of the laws and police response to alleged jungle justice was ineffective due to logistical and institutional deficiencies. It is recommended that concerted efforts be undertaken to re-establish public trust in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the judicial system through transparent, responsible, and community-centred policing practices. In addition, extensive civic education initiatives that enhance understanding of legal rights, due process, and the risks of extrajudicial punishment should be put into place. Increasing police presence and responsiveness, especially in underprivileged areas, and promoting more engagement between law enforcement and communities might help to lessen the perceived necessity for vigilante activities and increase the legitimacy of formal justice systems.