Abstract
The paper explored the socio-economic and cultural factors influencing the effectiveness of rehabilitation methods, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive and context-specific interventions tailored to the Nigerian context. It also addressed the challenges facing rehabilitation efforts, including limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and stigmatisation of offenders post-release. Through a critical analysis of the existing rehabilitation framework, this paper provided insights into potential reforms and innovations to enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitation methods for drug offenders within Nigeria's criminal justice system. It underscored the importance of adopting evidence-based practices, promoting collaboration between governmental agencies, civil society organisations, and international partners, and prioritising holistic approaches that addressed the complex interplay of social, economic, and psychological factors contributing to criminal behaviour and substance abuse. The paper made use of doctrinal modes of research by employing primary and secondary sources or materials. It was found that the treatment of drug offenders in Nigeria is more of punishment rather than rehabilitation and although there are robust provisions for the employment of rehabilitation methods for the treatment of drug offenders, the punitive measure outweighs the rehabilitative measures. Ultimately, the paper advocated for a paradigm shift towards a rehabilitative justice model that prioritises the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders into society, thereby promoting public safety, reducing recidivism, and fostering a more just and equitable criminal justice system in Nigeria.
References
1 National Bureau of Statistics ‘Drug use in Nigeria’ (NBS, 2018) < https://nigerianstat.gov.ng/elibrary/read/881#:~:text=The%20past%20year%20prevalence%20of,between%20 15%20and%2064%20years.> accessed 5 October 2024 2 Agency Report, ‘40% of Nigerians Deeply Involved in Drug Use-NDLEA’ Premium Times (Lagos, 19 August 2021) <https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/480118-40-of-nigerian-youth-deeply-involved-indrug-abuse-ndlea.html?tztc=1> accessed 5 October 2024 3 Olutola, Faloore O. Drug Addiction and Rehabilitation in Nigeria: Insights from Sociological Theories’ (2012) 12 (5) Global Journal of Medical Research. 4 World Health Organisation, ‘Rehabilitation’ (WHO 2024) <https://www.who.int/news-room/factsheets/detail/rehabilitation#:~:text=Rehabilitation%20is%20defined%20as%20%E2%80%9Ca,in%20interacti on%20with%20their%20environment%E2%80%9D.> accessed 5 October 2024 5 Ayuk, A. A., Owan, J. E. & Ekok, C.O., ‘The Impact of prison reforms on the welfare of the inmates: A case study of Afokang prison, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria’ (2013)13 (2) Global Journal of human social science, sociology & Culture, 2-6. 6 Omoruyi, O. L. & Ego, C. P. ‘From Prison to Society: The Burden of Inmates’ Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Recidivism in Nigeria Custodial Centres’ (2023) 3 (2) Journal of Social Theory and Research https://publications.jostar.org.ng/sites/default/files/2023-12/FROM%20PRISON%20TO%20SOCIETY.pdf accessed 8 October 2024. 7 Akanji, T. A., Oladejo, O. A., and Alayande, A. F., ‘Rehabilitation programmes, recidivism and internal security: a case study of Agodi and Abologo correctional facilities, Oyo State, Nigeria’ (2018) ResearchGate 8 Ndubueze, P. N., ‘Critical issues in offenders’ rehabilitation in the 21st century Nigeria’ (2020)4 (1) Journal of Social 9 ibid 10 Jatau A.I. et. al., (2021) ‘The Burden of Drug Abuse in Nigeria: A Scoping Review of Epidemiological Studies and Drug Laws’ 42 Public Health Rev. 11 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) Section 249-251 12 National Drug Control Master Plan 2021-2025 https://www.unodc.org/conig/uploads/documents/NDCMP_2021-2025.pdf accessed 8 October 2024 13 Nigeria Correctional Service Act, 2019 14 Rehab Path ‘Rehab Centres in Nigeria (2024) https://rehabs.africa/location/nigeria/ accessed 8 October 2024 15 Oyewo, O. O., ‘Inmate rehabilitation idea and the challenges of policy implementation in the Nigerian Correctional Centres’ (2023) (3) 3 AKSU Journal of Administration and Corporate Governance. 16 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999, Section 251 17 Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, CAP N30, LFN 2004 18 Nigeria Correctional Service, ‘Mandate/Functions of the Nigeria Correctional Service’ (2024) <https://www.corrections.gov.ng/page/about-ncos/mandate/functions?menu_id=2&sub_id=19> accessed 6 October 2024 19 Ayuk, A. A., & Okpa, J. T., (2022) ‘Predictors hampering treatment of offenders in Nigeria’s Custodian Centres’ Interchopen, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.106425. 20 The Nigerian Legal Aid Act, 2011 21 Obioha, Emeka E. Challenges and reforms in the Nigerian prisons system. (2011) 27 (2) Journal of Social Sciences, 95-109. 22 Ibid 23 Ahmed, A. M. & Ahmad, A. H., ‘Prison, Stigma, Discrimination and Personality as Predictors of Criminal Recidivism: Preliminary Findings’ (2015) 6 (12) Journal of Social and Development Sciences, 20-30. 24 Opafunso, Z. O. & Adepoju, O. O, ‘Prison reforms system and inmates’ welfare in Nigeria’ (2016) 7 (1) Arts and Social Science Journal, p.166 25 Ajah, B. O. & Nweke, J. O., ‘Challenges facing Vocational Training of Prison Inmates in Nigeria: A Study of Abakaliki and Awka Prisons’ (2017) 73 (5) Ponte: International Journal of Sciences and Research, 32-48. 26 Ahmed, A. M. & Ahmad, A. H., Op.cit. 27 Aliyu K., Mustaffa J., and Nasir, N., ‘Issues Affecting the Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Programme in Oke Kura Prison, Kwara State, Nigeria’ (2017) 8 (10) IRA-International Journal of Management & Social Sciences.
