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Abstract Despite the reforms in the Nigerian Criminal Justice System (NCJS), the treatment of inmates still falls below standard, with the vast majority of them on awaiting trial. Thus, this study critically examined the feasibility of adopting Virtual and Augmented Realities (VAR) as a framework that could effectively redirect policy and action. Following a cross-sectional survey research design, a sample of 1,498 comprising 623 awaiting-trial inmates, 617 police officers, 145 prison officers, and 113 court officials was drawn from NCJS, Ebonyi State Chapter. Multistage, purposive, snowball and census sampling techniques were used to reach the respondents, who completed the structured questionnaire. The study is founded on the predictions of institutional anomie and regulatory capture theories. In testing the hypotheses, regression results showed that, as the plight of awaiting trial inmates worsens, the need for the adoption of VAR in custodial centres also increased. Contingency table revealed that 260(41.73%) inmates were of the opinion that VAR could help address the challenges and problems, while the Chi-Square statistics indicated that educational qualification of awaiting trial inmates will not influence their views on the introduction of this technology. These findings point to the fact that VAR could be a state-of-the-art technology that holds great promise for correcting maladaptive behaviours among inmates and checkmating procedural laxities in the NCJS for better outcomes in the treatment and reintegration of inmates. We therefore, advocate the amendment of the Nigerian Criminal Justice Act 2015 to include VAR as a curative measure to the plight of awaiting trial inmates.

Individuals in positions of authority commit white-collar crimes, characterized by non-violent offenses such as embezzlement, fraud, and corruption, which have significant, multifaceted effects on both societies and economies. This paper critically examines the pervasive impact of white-collar crimes in Uganda, drawing on secondary data from various sectors. It draws attention to the wider social ramifications, such as the rise in social vices and the burden on Uganda's legal system, as well as the economic ones, such as job losses, business closures, and a deterrent to foreign investment. The paper's conclusions indicate that systemic corruption and shoddy governance frameworks exacerbate the long-term consequences of white-collar crimes. Consequently, the paper proposes some policy suggestions aimed at enhancing Uganda's legislative and regulatory structures. These include reclassifying white-collar crimes as felonies, ensuring judicial independence, establishing special tribunals for faster prosecutions, and implementing comprehensive whistleblower protection policies. Additionally, the paper advocates for the enactment of restitution laws, improved government transparency, and enhanced public awareness campaigns. By adopting these measures, the study offers a robust approach to mitigating the socioeconomic harm caused by white-collar crimes while promoting a culture of accountability and legal compliance.

The Nigerian judicial system plays an essential role in ensuring justice, fostering public trust, and upholding the rule of law. However, certain procedural practices within the system, such as trial de novo, have drawn significant criticism for their inefficiencies and adverse effects on justice delivery. The objective is to analyse the impact of a trial de novo on the judicial system and its broader implications for nation-building. This study adopts a doctrinal approach, using both primary and secondary sources. The research analyses the legal and institutional frameworks to understand the impact of trial de novo on the judiciary and the broader justice system. The study reveals that trial de novo contributes to a backlog of cases in the Nigerian judiciary, leading to significant delays in the administration of justice. These delays increase the costs of litigation for parties, erode public trust in the judiciary, and foster lawlessness and self-help. Additionally, the principle undermines judicial efficiency and the competence of judges, as it disregards prior case records. The study also shows that trial de novo hurts economic growth, especially when it comes to business disputes and social cohesion because it makes unresolved community conflicts worse. The study concludes that trial de novo, while intended to safeguard fairness, has become a significant hindrance to the efficient functioning of the Nigerian judicial system. It contradicts the constitutional mandate for timely justice and negatively affects the nation-building process by eroding trust in judicial institutions, hindering economic development, and fostering social unrest. A number of suggestions were made, such as changing the laws to limit the use of trial de novo, especially in situations where excellent records are available, and switching to a continuity approach, which lets cases go forward using records from previous cases in case a judge is transferred or retires.

Quick dispensation of justice is necessary for every democratic society to succeed. It is encouraging to see studies, concerns and active agitations from people on the promotion of quick justice in Nigeria. Unfortunately, these studies and agitations have not yielded any concrete results. This article examines how a computerized central repository system can address awaiting-trial problems in Ebonyi State. Utilizing quantitative and qualitative approaches of research, a sample of 1,498 respondents were drawn from Ebonyi State. Purposive and multi-stage sampling techniques were used to reach the respondents. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews served as instruments for data collection. After the administration of instruments, data were sorted, coded, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, and multiple linear regressions. Findings confirmed that while there is an uptick of awaiting-trial problems in Nigeria, there are no meaningful provisions to address it despite the fact that provisions exist within the Nigerian legal framework. Regression analysis revealed the Information and Computer Technology (ICT) method facilitates pretrial detention and brings it to quick conclusion as against the manual method. Based on the findings, the study calls for the creation of a computerized platform to automate all the Criminal Justice bureaucratic processes and make them faster through a centrally based computerized centrally repository system that is accessible to all agencies involved in Criminal Justice administration.

The African Union (AU) plays a crucial role in post-conflict recovery efforts across Africa. Its primary focus is peacebuilding, governance reconstruction, and socioeconomic rehabilitation. This study looks closely at how the AU helps countries recover after conflicts and checks how well its main plans, like the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) framework, work. Using a qualitative research approach, the study analyses case studies from South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and Somalia to evaluate the AU’s successes, challenges and limitations in post-war recoveries. Findings reveal that while AU-led initiatives have contributed to stabilization and peacekeeping, their effectiveness is often undermined by financial constraints, political fragmentation, security risks and institutional inefficiencies. A comparative analysis with other regional and international organizations such as the European Union, ECOWAS, and the United Nations highlights best practices and areas for potential collaboration. This study contributes to the existing literature by offering a comprehensive and critical evaluation of the AU’s post-conflict rehabilitation strategies through an integrated theoretical lens – conflict transformation theory and regional security complex theory. It also provides a comparative perspective that situates AU’s interventions within broader regional and global peacebuilding frameworks. The study concludes that strengthening the AU’s financial independence, enhancing coordination with global and local actors, and promoting inclusive governance are essential for improving the sustainability and impact of the AU-led post-conflict rehabilitation efforts.

This article examines the pervasive nature of faith-based violence in Nigeria, highlighting the intricate interplay between religious extremism and various forms of crime. It utilizes the relative deprivation theory to explain how perceived inequalities and marginalization fuel grievances, which extremist groups and political actors exploit. The study employs a qualitative methodology, relying on secondary data analysis to explore key substantive issues, including the evolution of insurgent groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, the religious framing of farmer-herder conflicts, the impact of blasphemy laws on mob violence, the disruption of education, and the political manipulation of religion. The analysis reveals how systemic governance failures, a culture of impunity, and strategic targeting of societal foundations exacerbate these challenges, undermining national integration and sustainable development. The article concludes with recommendations aimed at fostering security sector reform, judicial accountability, economic development, inter-religious harmony, and democratic stability in Nigeria.

Illegal wildlife trafficking has become a critical issue in international environmental crimes, posing a significant threat to global biodiversity and ecosystem stability. It is in this connection that this article looks at how enforcement efforts and policy responses have helped fight this transnational environmental crime. The article describes the scope of illegal wildlife trafficking, including the wide range of species that are targeted and the complicated webs that make it possible for the illegal trade in wildlife. The article employs the doctrinal method, which relies on primary and secondary sources, and analyses the data using both analytical and descriptive methods. The relevant literature shows that even though efforts to stop illegal wildlife trafficking have grown over the last few decades, problems still exist, such as a lack of resources, corruption, and the ability of trafficking networks to change. Also, many plans and strategies have been looked into that involve international agreements at both the national and international levels, like CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). However, there is a need to have a more collaborative framework to control and monitor wildlife trade, policy responses to illegal wildlife trafficking, law enforcement strategies, and campaigns to lower demand of wild life. The article concludes that the most important things to do to close existing gaps and problems are to improve the legal frameworks, stricter enforcement regime , and put new solutions into action.

Terrorism in Africa has profound economic and geopolitical consequences, shaping the continent’s engagement with global powers through mechanisms of securitisation and dependency. Drawing on securitisation theory and dependency theory, this study examines how terrorism disrupts Africa’s economic development and reinforces asymmetric power dynamics. Qualitative analysis of secondary data reveals that terrorism imposes substantial economic costs, approximately $97 billion annually, while undermining GDP growth, trade networks, and public investments in critical sectors like healthcare and education. Counter-terrorism partnerships with global powers, framed through securitisation narratives, often prioritise military solutions over systemic reforms, perpetuating aid dependency and neo-colonial hierarchies. To break this cycle, the study recommends shifting shift toward a developmental security framework that integrates economic resilience, governance reforms, and inclusive policymaking. When the root causes, such as inequality and political exclusion, are addressed, Africa can reduce its reliance on external actors and foster sustainable peace.

Gender equality remains a critical issue in both Uganda and Nigeria, with historical, socio-cultural, legal, and institutional factors influencing the rights and participation of women in these countries. This study examines the gender policy reforms in Uganda and Nigeria. The objective was to compare the effectiveness of gender policies in both countries, identify the barriers to their full implementation, and offer policy recommendations for improving gender equity. The study adopts a doctrinal research approach, which involves a comprehensive analysis of legal texts, national policies, and international frameworks related to gender equality in Uganda and Nigeria. The study critically reviews legal documents, including Uganda's Gender Policy, Domestic Violence Act, and Nigeria’s National Gender Policy and Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, as well as international instruments like CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action. Findings show that both Uganda and Nigeria have made significant progress in advancing gender equality through legal frameworks. However, challenges such as socio-cultural resistance, limited resources, inadequate institutional capacity, and inconsistent political will hinder the effective implementation of these laws. While international frameworks like CEDAW and the Beijing Declaration have influenced national policies, their enforcement remains uneven, and regional disparities continue to undermine their success. The study concludes that although progress has been made, the enforcement of gender equality laws is often hindered by socio-cultural attitudes, insufficient political will, and limited resources. Among others, the study recommends strengthening institutional frameworks and enhancing the capacity of agencies responsible for implementing gender policies.

Recent coups in Sub-Saharan Africa underscore a concerning trend of democratic backsliding, despite the institutional efforts of the African Union (AU). The existing continental and regional mechanisms designed to prevent unconstitutional government changes have proven largely ineffective. This article argues that the AU must critically reassess its convention on unconstitutional government changes to address its inherent shortcomings. Employing document analysis as the primary methodology, this study systematically evaluates the AU's mechanisms, aiming to enhance their operational efficiency. A comprehensive assessment of the AU's successes and challenges will illuminate essential areas requiring strategic reform. This is because reinforcing the commitment to democratic governance among African states is crucial for the sustainability of democratic institutions. Achieving this necessitates the establishment of robust frameworks that promote democratic practices and ensure accountability at both regional and national levels.