Has the Concept of Plea Bargaining Been Abused in Nigeria's Criminal Justice System?

Abstract

Due to the overburdened criminal justice system, the vast majority of criminal cases are settled through a process known as plea bargaining. In a plea bargain deal, both sides gain something from the arrangement. The prosecution gains a conviction without the time and expense of a trial, while the defendant might get a reduced sentence or have some of the charges against him dropped. In some cases, for example, the prosecution will offer a plea deal so that the victim does not have to go through the drama and stress of testifying at a trial. This paper is going to start by first defining what plea bargaining is. After defining it, it will give a brief introduction as to the history and nature of plea bargaining. Then it will discuss extensively on its application in Nigeria and conclude on whether or not plea bargaining has been abused in Nigeria's Criminal Justice System.