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A Critical Analysis of the Role of Forensic Evidence in Securing Convictions in Nigerian Courts: Challenges and Prospects

Ibrahim Siraju Mohammed

Abstract

This study titled “A Critical Analysis of the Role of Forensic Evidence in Securing Convictions in Nigerian Courts: Challenges and Prospects” examines the effectiveness of forensic science in enhancing judicial accuracy and strengthening criminal justice outcomes in Nigeria. The main aim is to analyze how forensic evidence contributes to securing convictions, identify the challenges limiting its application, and explore the prospects for improving its use in court proceedings. The study is anchored on the Legal Realism Theory, which emphasizes that judicial decisions are influenced by empirical evidence and social realities rather than abstract legal principles alone. Using a descriptive and doctrinal research method, data were gathered through content analysis of statutes, case laws, and scholarly materials related to forensic evidence and criminal justice in Nigeria. Findings reveal that although forensic evidence has the potential to significantly improve conviction accuracy and reduce wrongful acquittals, its effectiveness is undermined by inadequate infrastructure, lack of trained personnel, poor preservation of evidence, and weak institutional frameworks. The study implies that the reliability of the Nigerian justice system depends on the extent to which forensic science is integrated into legal processes. It concludes that strengthening forensic capacity, training investigators and judges, and investing in modern forensic laboratories are vital steps toward credible justice delivery. The study recommends policy reforms, professional training, and public enlightenment to enhance the role of forensic evidence in Nigerian courts.

Keywords

Forensic EvidenceCriminal JusticeAdmissibilityDigital ForensicsJudicial Reliability

References

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