EXAMINATION OF PLEA BARGAINING IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This research examines the concept of plea bargain in the fight against corruption in Nigeria. Plea bargain is an informal arrangement whereby the accused person agrees to plead guilty to one or some charges in return for the prosecution agreeing to drop the charges or a summary trial. The research discussed the legality and justifiability of plea bargaining as a tool to curb corruption in the administration of justice. It also examines the effectiveness of the current laws in curbing corruption in Nigeria. The research shows that even though in principle, plea bargain as a mode of punishment has inherent value and great benefits, its application in Nigeria is fraught with lack of clear cut parameters for effective implementation, assessment and appreciation, it has become a medium which corrupt officials escape punishment for corrupt practices. It shows from cases examined in this research that wealthy criminal elements adopt the use of plea bargain to plead away their criminality for lighter sentences to the consternation of the citizenry. It was also shown that that there are challenges affecting the implementation and enforcement of anti-corruption measures. Therefore, this research recommends that in order to effectively maximize the benefits of this approach to correction, the implementation of plea bargain should be done in a manner that is fair, just and equitable to enable it filer down to the average poor in Nigeria. �

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urn:uuid:57ae0940-5819-41ee-94b6-a3e8713ea1ab