NCJ Number
64789
Date Published
1973
Length
13 pages
Annotation
CRIMINAL STATISTICS FROM THE WESTERN STATE OF NIGERIA, THE LARGEST OF THE 12 STATES OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
IN 1967, THE WESTERN STATE HAD AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 9 MILLION COMPARED TO 55 MILLION FOR THE ENTIRE FEDERATION. ALTHOUGH CRIME STATISTICS IDEALLY INCLUDE UNIFORM DATA ON OFFENSES AND OFFENDERS DERIVED FROM OFFICIAL AGENCIES' RECORDS AND PUBLISHED PERIODICALLY, THE WESTERN STATE'S POLICE STATISTICS, WHILE CONFORMING CLOSELY TO THIS DEFINITION DO NOT HAVE INFORMATION ON AN OFFENDER'S AGE, SEX, AND SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS. FURTHERMORE, JUDICIAL STATISTICS GIVE AN INCOMPLETE IDEA OF THE STATE'S CRIMINALITY. POLICE DATA SHOW THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REPORTED OFFENSES IN 1970, 1971, AND 1972 WERE 20,128, 20,845, AND 19,081 RESPECTIVELY; BUT THESE DATA REFLECT REPORTING CHANGES RATHER THAN CHANGES IN CRIMES COMMITTED. BETWEEN 20 PERCENT AND 25 PERCENT OF REPORTED CASES RESULTED IN COURT PROCEEDINGS; ABOUT 18 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES WERE UNSOLVED. BURGLARY AND BREAKING INTO HOUSES AND STORES COMPRISED ABOUT TWO-FIFTHS OF ALL REPORTED CRIMES. JUDICIAL STATISTICS FROM 1970 THROUGH 1972 SHOWED THAT FROM 37 TO 53 MALES WERE IMPRISONED FOR EACH FEMALE IMPRISONED. ABOUT HALF OF ALL PRISONERS RECEIVED SENTENCES OF 6 MONTHS OR LESS. THIS PERCENTAGE REFLECTS NIGERIA'S LACK OF ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS ADULT PROBATION, AS WELL AS LACK OF LEGAL AID. ADOPTION OF A LEGAL AID SYSTEM IS RECOMMENDED. THE WESTERN STATE'S STATISTICS NEED IMPROVEMENT TO MAKE THEM SERVE THEIR DESIRED FUNCTIONS. TABLES, FOOTNOTES, AND SUPPLEMENTAL TABLES ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)