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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.

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.

Religious fanaticism poses a significant threat to the socioeconomic development of Nigeria, exacerbating ethnic tensions and contributing to widespread violence. This article explores the evolution of religious beliefs in Nigeria and how religious fanaticism has undermined Nigeria's growth. The study identifies key patterns and root causes of religious violence, including economic disparities, poverty, and the manipulation of religious identities for political gain. Using historical analysis complemented by current data, the research demonstrates how religious fanaticism has negatively impacted economic indicators such as GDP, employment, foreign investment, and the provision of social services. The study calls for a comprehensive approach to address these challenges. Some important suggestions are to start a national unification program to bring people of different religions and ethnicities together, to improve infrastructure and create jobs to help people get out of poverty, and to make sure that people who incite violence are punished while protecting religious freedoms. By addressing both the economic and social drivers of religious fanaticism, the Nigerian government can pave the way for lasting peace and sustainable development.

This study investigates the effect of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA 2015) on the implementation of restorative justice techniques in Enugu State, Nigeria. Restorative justice, which focuses on mending the harm caused by criminal behavior through inclusive processes that involve all stakeholders, is emerging as a viable alternative to traditional punitive approaches. However, the extent to which ACJA addresses these behaviors is unknown. This study uses a cross-sectional research design and a quantitative technique, with a structured questionnaire given to legal practitioners, community leaders, and crime victims. We polled a total of 451 individuals to thoroughly examine attitudes towards restorative justice and the efficiency of the ACJA. Findings revealed that while there is a strong belief in the usefulness of restorative justice for crime control and a positive public image of its principles, there are significant hurdles in its implementation. Respondents specifically stated that restorative justice approaches have only been partially implemented in Enugu State, with many expressing worry about the prevalence of punitive tactics in local communities. Given these findings, the paper avers that it is crucial to implement comprehensive awareness campaigns aimed at educating the public about the principles and benefits of restorative justice. These campaigns should use various media platforms, workshops, and community forums to reach diverse audiences. Also, to enhance the effective implementation of restorative justice practices, targeted training programs should be established for legal professionals, including judges, lawyers, and law enforcement officials.

The rise in religious violence in Nigeria has significantly impacted the nation’s socio-political landscape, posing a serious threat to national unity and stability. Atrocities committed in the name of religion are not only increasing in frequency; they are also extending beyond Nigeria’s borders, affecting regional and global peace. This paper contends that religion itself is not inherently violent; rather, it is the misinterpretation and misuse by individuals and groups claiming divine authority that fuels such conflicts. This study, drawing from the theory of peace education, examines how a proper understanding and teaching of religious principles can transform religion into an instrument of peace and harmony. The paper examines various case studies of religious violence in Nigeria, analyzing the intrinsic political and socio-economic factors that lay the groundwork for conflict escalation.It highlights the role of educational institutions, religious leaders, and policymakers in fostering a culture of peace through education, dialogue, and interfaith cooperation. The research further proposes comprehensive strategies to counter religious extremism, including curriculum reforms, community engagement programmes, and policy interventions aimed at promoting tolerance and mutual respect among different religious communities.

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.