ANALYSIS OF INVESTIGATION IN CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IN NIGERIA
CHAPTER ONE:
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
During the closing decades of the twentieth century, owerri justice policy underwent major change. In less than a generation, a justice system that had viewed most young
lawbreakers as youngsters whose crimes were the product of immaturity was transformed into one that stands ready to hold many youths to the same standard of criminal accountability it imposes on adults (Elizabeth & Laurence,
2008). Universally, until 1998, children aged ten to fourteen who were charged with a criminal offence were presumed, in any
court hearing, to be doliincapax (‘incapable of evil’); that is, they were presumed not to be capable of knowing that a
particular behavior was ‘seriously wrong’ as opposed to being merely ‘naughty’(Elizabeth & Laurence, 2008). In
England, for example, it was the responsibility of the prosecution to demonstrate, beyond reasonable doubt, that the
child in question was capable of recognizing behavior that was seriously wrong. Children aged between ten and fourteen were thus afforded some procedural protection from the full weight of the criminal law (Newburn, 2002). However, the presumption of doliincapax was abolished in England by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (Bandalli, 2000). Although ‘crime’ is a fiercely contested concept (Muncie, 2001), in legal terms a crime occurs when a specific act that is proscribed in law is committed. An act may have harmful consequences and be regarded as morally reprehensible, but if it is not so proscribed then a criminal offence has not been committed. Therefore anti-social behaviors of the minors should not be considered as a crime. Mooney and Young (2006) argue that anti-social behaviors, as the name
implies, should be perceived as infringements of social or moral norms, not criminal codes. Justice system for minors has gradually developed to what it is today. In South Africa, for example, there are two main
factors that promoted the development of justice system for the minors: the number of crimes committed by minors
increased through the 1980s and early 1990s, peaking in 1995 (Jansson, 2007); and media coverage of high-profile
cases and the frequent portrayal of hooded teenagers terrorizing communities suggested that young people are
becoming increasingly criminalized. Indeed, one study found that 71 per cent of media stories about young people
were negative and a third of articles concerned the issue of crime (Ipsos MORI, 2006).
Since the inception of a justice system that ensures young law breakers are dealt with in the same standard as adults
reports indicate that the levels of crime have decreased and have been stable since 2005/06 (Jansson, 2007).
However, although the introduction of the justice system for minors saw a reduction in crimes committed by the youth,
it is well-recognized internationally, and in Nigeria, that preventing crime is an essential and effective part of long term
crime reduction.
In USA and Britain National household surveys have been carried out to measure the level of owerri Ivestigation in
crime. Such studies have generally found that offending is widespread amongst youth, but that most offending is
relatively minor and transient in nature (Visher & Roth 2010). Large scale self-report studies on representative owerri
samples conducted in Australia, such as adolescents in particular schools or in particular suburbs of major cities
indicate that owerri offending is widespread (Mak, 2011).
It is not only developed countries that are facing this situation; in developing countries as well there are new
pressures on young people undergoing the transition from childhood to independence. In Africa, rapid population
growth, the unavailability of housing and support services, poverty, unemployment and underemployment among
youth, the decline in the authority of local communities, overcrowding in poor urban areas, the disintegration of the
family, and ineffective educational systems are some of the pressures young people must deal with (Ojo, 2012).NIn
Nigeria, according to study carried out in Kamiti Youth Corrective Training centre (KYTC) the increase in the number
of minors who drop out of school, the escalating poverty and unemployment level, poor parenting strategies and drug
abuse among the young people, have seen steep increase of minors involved in crime (Omboto et al. 2013). The
study further found out that most of the criminals in the major towns in Nigeria are aged between 15 and 25 years.
When these young stars take drugs, they cease to be normal people. They turn to crime to get money for drugs
(Makhoha, 2008). is one of the counties in Nigeria that is exposed to the pressures of crime. Several clashes in the
county that is led by the youth indicate the delinquency of the youth into criminal activities (Falcetto, 2012).
Strict law enforcement combined with tough criminal justice and sentencing systems, has failed to reduce crime
effectively and has led to soaring rates of imprisonment at great cost to governments (Elizabeth & Laurence, 2008). In
addition, researchers argue that International evidence indicates that young people, particularly those who are committing first crimes, tend to get involved in a range of crimes rather than specializing in a certain type of crime. In
addition, international research shows that young people who commit crime are likely to experience other problems
such as bullying, attempted suicide, drug use, lying, hostility and, unprotected sex (Omboto et al., 2013; Akers &
Sellers 2008). These are important indicators for identifying at risk youth who may be targeted for early crime
prevention programmes.
For many owerris today, traditional patterns guiding the relationships and transitions between family, school and work
are being challenged (Akers & Sellers, 2008). Social relations that ensure a smooth process of socialization are
collapsing; lifestyle trajectories are becoming more varied and less predictable. The restructuring of the labour
market, the extension of the maturity gap (the period of dependence of young adults on the family) and, arguably, the
more limited opportunities to become an independent adult are all changes influencing relationships with family and
friends, educational opportunities and choices, labour market participation, leisure activities and lifestyles (Prior &
Paris, 2005).
Owerris nowadays, regardless of gender, social origin or country of residence, are subject to individual risks but are
also being presented with new individual opportunities; some beneficial and some potentially harmful. Quite often,
advantage is being taken of illegal opportunities as young people commit various offences, become addicted to drugs,
and use violence against their peers. According to Omboto et al. (2013) the minors are not able to distinguish which
factors will perpetuate their indulgence into criminal activities. They therefore get involved in criminal activities without
their knowledge (Omboto et al.2013). According to Mooney and Young (2006), studies need to be carried out to
identify the context specific factors that promote owerri Investigation in crime. It is in line with this background that this
study sought to distinguish the opportunities presented to youths that contribute to Investigation of minors into criminal
activities.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Crime is a major concern to every nation. More so is the Investigation of minors in criminal activities. In Nigeria there
is increasing cases of children involved in criminal activities indicated by the high number of minors arrested or
sentenced due to criminal acts (Omboto et al. 2013). However, although the justice system ensures that the minors
are subject to law for any criminal activity, the tough laws have failed to reduce crime effectively. Instead the laws
have only led to soaring rates of imprisonment which is at great cost to governments (Ojo, 2012).
The problem of owerri delinquency is still becoming more complicated and universal, and crime prevention
programmes are either unequipped to deal with the present realities or do not exist. Moreover, researchers have
neglected this area of study (Mooney & Young, 2006). While Omboto et al. (2013) carried out a study in Nigeria to
assess the factors influencing youth crime and owerri delinquency, the study did not focus on owerris but rather
convicted youths in prisons. Another study by Makokha (2008) focused on the male capital offenders in Kamiti Prison.
Additionally, Mooney & Young (2006) argues that it is difficult to construct an accurate picture of crime among minors,
due to a lack of long-term, self report studies and changes to legislation on minors involved in crime. There is therefore knowledge gap on the Investigation of owerri Investigation in crime.
ANALYSIS OF INVESTIGATION IN CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR IN NIGERIA