Regulating Plea Bargaining to Achieve Acceptable Criminal Justice Outcome in Nigeria
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2016
Authors
Bello, Akeem
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Private Law, Faculty of Law, University of Uyo
Abstract
The article reviewed economic and financial crimes cases settled through plea bargaining in Nigeria. The sentences imposed by the courts after plea agreements were generally perceived as grossly inadequate and a mockery of justice. The article reviewed the sentences, practice of plea bargaining and issues generated by the cases. It explores options of regulating plea bargaining in order to ensure that it produces fair and acceptable results drawing insights from other jurisdictions. The paper found that contrary to the claim that plea bargain is vaccination against punishment, a legal framework that sets out the ground rules and define the role of the parties can ensure that it is conducted fairly and in the public interest. The article further found that Sentencing and Prosecutorial Guidelines also have the potentials to prevent abuse of plea bargaining by judges, prosecutor and defence counsel and recommends their adoption.
Description
Keywords
Sentencing in plea bargained cases in Nigeria , Analysis of Plea Bargained Cases Nigeria , Constitutionality of plea bargains , Plea bargaining and procedural laws , justification for plea bargains in Nigeria , Adequacy of punishments imposed in plea bargained cases , Establishing a statutory framework for the regulation of plea bargains , Role of court in plea bargain , Regulating plea bargains through sentencing guidelines
Citation
Chapter Eleven, U. Udok & I Essien, eds. Essays in Honour of Professor Enefiok Essien” Department of Private Law, Faculty of Law, University of Uyo, pp. 156-182.