Dr Suzzie Oyakhire

Restorative justice processes are increasingly included in criminal justice systems of several countries as an alternative to traditional responses to crime. They are founded on the principle that criminal behaviour harms the victim and the community and not just the state. Accordingly, a core principle of restorative justice is the inclusion of victims in the criminal justice process to address the consequences of this harm. In Nigeria, criminal justice reforms, especially the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, aim to protect victims’ rights and interests in participating in the criminal justice system. However, their participation is often hindered by revictimization or secondary victimisation, and this exposure to further harm undermines a central objective of restorative justice. Adopting a doctrinal method, this chapter argues that to effectively facilitate victim participation and reduce the effects of victimisation, victim protection mechanisms are required. Accordingly, the chapter examines the concept of restorative justice, victimisation and the nature of existing victim protection mechanisms available in Nigeria. It then considers the protective mechanisms adopted by Kenya, proposing how Nigeria can draw on the Kenyan practice to reform its own framework.

To decarbonize the Nigerian power sector and ensure a reliable electricity supply, nuclear power will play a key role. However, public acceptance must be considered for the successful introduction of nuclear power. This study examines the perceptions of Nigerians towards nuclear power generation and its opportunity as a viable source of power in Nigeria. The study adopts a quantitative method through surveys, using simple random sampling by administering questionnaires of structured close-ended questions to 10,001 respondents via social networking services and hand-delivered questionnaires. However, the response rate was only 71%. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation to measure the relationship between the various perceptions of nuclear power as a viable solution to the electricity problems in Nigeria using the statistical analysis software, Statistical Product and Service Solutions Statistics (IBM SPSS). The Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.821 of the items (questions) illustrates the acceptable internal consistency of the study and shows that it has reliability and validity on a five-point Likert scale. The study shows that over 56% of the respondents support the use of nuclear power generation as a viable option for electricity supply in Nigeria. Furthermore, it is recommended as a boost to the Nigerian economy, safety, security, and environmental sustainability, therefore, indicating positive perceptions towards building a nuclear power plant in Nigeria.

Valentina Vadi’s book is an important addition to the existing literature and brings a unique dimension to the discussions on cultural heritage by exploring the intersection between international economic law and international cultural heritage law (p.5). This intersection is explored by examining the ‘interplay between the protection of cultural heritage and the promotion of trade and investment in international economic law’ (p. 12). The discussions are analysed through the lens of the IEL dispute settlement mechanisms (DSM); the World Trade Organisation (WTO) adjudicative bodies on one hand and the investment treaty arbitral tribunals on the other (referred to by the author as the international economic courts). In particular, this book considers whether common approaches have emerged in the way international economic courts balance economic interests with cultural heritage concerns/cultural interests in adjudicating cultural heritage related disputes.

This book examines the concept of witness protection which is still at an early developmental stage in several African countries including Nigeria, from a legal and institutional perspective. Recent developments in Nigeria highlight the need to clarify legal and conceptual issues within the existing legal framework for protecting witnesses. Using the Nigerian case study, the book illustrates some obscurities inherent in the concept of witness protection. These are highlighted around five critical areas: the definition of witness protection; the scope of beneficiaries requiring protection; the nature of crimes necessitating protection; the nature of protective measures; and the administrative control of witness protection. Specifically, this book draws from the existing literature and practices of witness protection and adopts two distinct perspectives: the criminal justice perspectives and human rights perspectives as heuristic tools for analysing the concept and to separate the disparate influences that shape how it is construed. These distinctions are utilised throughout the book as an integrated way of conceptualising the concept of witness protection. By discussing the practice of witness protection within the Nigerian context, the book contributes to African conversations on the topic of witness protection. The clarifications made in this book are utilised in making normative proposals for developing a legal framework for witness protection in Nigeria. They are also useful for other African countries interested in developing a witness protection framework as part of criminal justice reform. This book will serve as a reference point for legal scholars, researchers, academics, (postgraduate) students and policy makers interested in the concept of witness protection. It would also be useful for courses 'concerned with comparative criminology where there is an interest in developments in the Global South.'

This paper offers a critical reflection of the authors’ experiences as Global South teachers of International Economic Law (IEL) while situated on opposite sides of the North-South divide, engaging with the practicalities of decolonising the teaching of IEL within our respective universities. Although some attention has been given to the decolonisation of the pedagogy of international law broadly defined and IEL as a sub-speciality of international law, limited studies have explored the comparative perspectives and experiences of Global South scholars who teach IEL in universities on opposite sides of the Global North-South divide. Adopting an autoethnographic methodology, we explore the issue of decolonisation and Eurocentrism of IEL through our personal experiences and reflective practice as decolonisation scholars. Our experiences are discussed around two core themes: knowledge production and curriculum design/ teaching strategy. Specifically, this paper highlights our experiences based on our different journeys, first, as students trained in Eurocentric epistemologies and our subsequent efforts as teachers of IEL, seeking to contribute to the decolonisation of IEL teaching and scholarship in our respective institutions.

This book explores contemporary reforms in criminal justice administration across selected sub-Saharan African countries, with particular reference to Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, South-Africa and Burundi. Recent legislative developments within these jurisdictions signal a gradual shift from purely retributive models of justice to restorative and rehabilitative approaches aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency. The book is organized around three major themes: effective management of pre-trial detention, mechanisms for achieving speedy trials, and the adoption of restorative justice and non-custodial measures. Through comparative analysis and case studies, contributors examine the extent to which these reforms have improved justice delivery and the challenges that continue to impede their implementation. Particular attention is given to the interplay between law, institutional capacity, and resource allocation, as well as to emerging questions surrounding the use of technology in criminal justice processes. Ultimately, the book argues that meaningful reform extends beyond legislative change. It requires sustained institutional commitment, adequate funding, and the reorientation of justice sector stakeholders. By documenting reform experiences across diverse jurisdictions, this book offers valuable insights for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners seeking to strengthen criminal justice systems in Africa.