VICTIMS OF CRIME AND ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF LAFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NASARAWA STATE

All over the world justice is not ensured to those who deserve it, Nigeria as a nation is not also left out in this regards. Due to the high rate of criminal activities in our society today, we are all at the risk of becoming victims of crime in one way or the other most especially now that Nigeria is witnessing high rate of insurgency. Criminal victimization has serious consequences for both the citizens and the society. The study however, examined the nature and problems faced by criminal victims most especially violent crimes such as robbery, murder, manslaughter, rap ,assault, etc. and property crime in the administration of criminal justice with reference to Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The study used survey research design, and non-probability sampling technique was used, on the basis of that, the research used the various wards (Accruba, Agyaragu Tofa, Chiroma, Gayam, Makama, Waquwa and Zanwa) in Lafia town as cluster and snowball technique to select the sample size elements. Both primary and secondary sources of data was used, structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the sample frame. Other method like interview as well as documentary study was used where ever it was required. Based on the information collected and analysed, it was clearly discovered that the victims of crime are given only passive recognition in the administration of criminal justice and they do not receive any services or programs like their criminal counterparts who receive reformatory and rehabilitative service in the prison or correctional institution, as such the study recommended that, there should be a designated programme and service for the victims of crime in other to ensure a balance between the criminal offenders and victims in the criminal justice system administration in Nigeria.