Promoting Accountability and Transparency in the Customary Courts in Nigeria: Some New Approaches

Abstract

The Nigerian justice system currently faces significant administration and efficiency problems. It is well-established that the justice system is slow, not accountable, not so transparent and unfriendly to its users and stakeholders. The use of legal terminologies and technicalities are rife and bogged down the wheel of justice. This study aims to determine how the implementation of the customary Law of Lagos State can facilitate quick and efficient administration of justice at the customary courts. Specifically, it investigates whether the implementation of the new customary law of Lagos state and the application and enforcement of the judicial code of conduct can impact the administration of justice, particularly at the customary court level. To test the hypothesis that these legal instruments can positively impact the legal system the research adopts the doctrinal and comparative legal research methodologies. The results showed that the implementation of the new customary laws of Lagos state and the application of the judicial code of conduct at the customary court have the potential to improve the dispensation of justice at this level. Further, the judges must do substantial justice and avoid technical justice to achieve the desired end. These results suggest that in addition, new approaches to the dispensation of justice is required.