Community service makes up about 69% of non-custodial sentences, making it the most used in Nigeria

Key Takeaways

  • 68.9% of non-custodial sentences fall under community service. This sentencing method is by far the most utilised, indicating a strong preference for rehabilitation through public work.
  • Restorative justice is gaining traction (18.9%), emphasising reconciliation between offenders and victims rather than punitive measures.
  • Probation is the least utilised; despite being a common alternative to detention in other systems, probation accounts for just 5.6% of non-custodial sentences in Nigeria.
  • 6.7% of cases fall under "others," which could include lesser-known alternatives such as conditional discharge or special rehabilitation programmes.

In Nigeria’s evolving justice system, non-custodial sentencing is becoming a key tool for rehabilitation and reintegration. With 68.9% of all cases assigned to community service, the data signals a strong reliance on public work as an alternative to incarceration. This suggests a system that prioritises keeping offenders within society rather than behind bars.

However, restorative justice also plays a vital role, accounting for 18.9% of non-custodial sentences. This method focuses on healing and reconciliation, often involving victim-offender mediation, making it a growing trend in alternative justice approaches.

Interestingly, probation remains relatively rare, making up only 5.6% of cases, a stark contrast to international trends where probation is often a primary sentencing alternative. This could point to strict requirements or a lack of infrastructure to monitor probationers effectively.

With 6.7% of sentences falling under "others," Nigeria’s justice system does explore alternative paths beyond conventional non-custodial measures, though these remain a small fraction.

Source:

Nigerian correctional service

Period:

2025
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