Predictors Hampering Treatment of Offenders in Nigeria’s Custodian Centres

This study examined silent variables that influence the treatment of offenders in Nigerian custodian centres. The research was conducted using both primary and secondary data. Questionnaires were distributed to 400 respondents randomly selected from correctional institutions across the three senatorial districts of Cross River State, while the in-depth interview was conducted on 6 participants each across the selected custodian centres. The presentation of data was done using frequency distribution tables, and relevant narratives. The test of hypotheses was done using Pearson product moment correlation (PPMC) and the qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The study found that corruption, inadequate rehabilitation equipment and low funding strongly influence the treatment of offenders in custodian centres in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study, therefore, recommends that the government through a special committee constituted should judiciously oversee the execution of the previously suggested prison reforms, which include but are not limited to provision of the needed infrastructures that will cater for the welfare of the inmates, pardoning awaiting trail offenders that have spent reasonable number of years in custody without conviction, this will help solve the challenge of overcrowding in correctional institutions across the country

Women’s Empowerment and the Well-Being of the Unemployed Women in Yakurr, Nigeria

Issues on women’s deprivation, marginalization and empowerment are well documented in literature. The impact of women’s empowerment on the well-being of unemployed women in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria, is yet to receive sufficient investigation from scholars. Thus, this study explores the relationship between women’s empowerment and the well-being of the unemployed women, aged 18-45 years in Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. It specifically examines the types and access to available women’s empowerment programmes, the nature of empowerment programmes that women have benefitted from, as well as areas of positive impact in the context of socio-economic well-being. The study adopted an exploratory design using quantitative and qualitative data, obtained from 660 unemployed women recruited via multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square in testing the two hypotheses. Results indicate that 31.9% of respondents reported the provision of agricultural facilities as the most common women’s empowerment programme, while 58.3% acknowledge that they have benefitted from any given women’s empowerment programme. A total of 19.9% indicated that they have benefitted from micro-credit facilities, while 20.8% reveal that women’s empowerment programmes have positively impacted their well-being. Findings further reveals a statistically significant relationship between education and the impact of women’s empowerment programmes; and a statistically significant relationship between place of residence and the impact of women’s empowerment programmes. Based on the findings, it was concluded that women’s empowerment programmes have positively impacted the well-being of unemployed women in Yakurr, Nigeria. Thus, there is an urgent need for the Cross Rivers State Government to develop grassroot women’s empowerment programmes that will enable these women to take advantage of available resources and to know that apart from non-governmental organisations and the government, women are endowed to actively help themselves and be drivers of their own destiny

Unemployment and Drug Trafficking Among Suspects in Custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Cross River State Command, Nigeria

The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between unemployment and drug trafficking in Nigeria with particular reference to suspects in custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Cross River State Command. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select one hundred and twenty-seven (127) respondents (suspects) from the study area, to which standard questionnaires were administered. The generated data were statistically analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation analysis to estimate the relationship under study. The findings of the study revealed that there were significant direct relationships between unemployment and drug trafficking and between un-employability and illicit drug trade. Lack of entrepreneurial skills had a positive link with drug trafficking. As a solution, the study recommended that government at all levels should create or encourage the private sector to offer, more jobs for the teeming unemployed youths, promote small and medium scale enterprises for the unemployed through empowerment programmes and provide unemployment benefits for the jobless

Intelligence Gathering Imperative: A Tool for Successful Security Outfits’ Operation

This study examines the recent security challenges Nigerians and non-Nigerians encounters in their daily existence to eke a living. These threats are orchestrated by the activities of one of the deadliest terrorist group in the world (Boko Haram), and herdsmen notorious killers, armed banditry, cow rustling by rustlers, incessant kidnapping especially students in schools and unsuspecting Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike; which has made Nigeria federating states unsafe for any meaningful socio-economic development to thrive. To achieve this, two objectives were stated to include, underscore the overarching relevance of intelligent gathering in preventing crime and understand the elaborateness of intelligence gathering that can be utilized to mitigate crimes outcomes. The study found that intelligence gathering is the disconnect that has precipitated this state of affairs in Nigeria. Equally responsible is the people’s loyalty which is first and foremost skewed to ethnoreligious and political considerations instead of the country. It was recommended among other appeals to include: The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) of Nigeria which is the coordinating security agency should be properly funded and personnel trained in modern intelligence gathering techniques, the unnecessary bickering, in-fighting for superiority between and among security agencies in Nigeria should be discouraged because this itself is a big challenge in security equation of Nigeria; and serious effort should be made to stop the politicization of security intelligence gathering matters based on tribe, ethnic group, religious and political affiliations

Cybercrime: Victims’ Shock Absorption Mechanisms

The development of technology creates opportunities for businesses, seamless communications and leisure activities to thrive. However, it also propels crime. In Nigeria, cyber threat continues to evolve rapidly with rising number of victims on daily bases. This necessitated the present study that examines the shock absorption mechanism of the cybercrime victims in Nigeria. The data for this study came from a variety of sources, including books, articles, essays, tabloids, and journal publications; a content analysis approach was used to evaluate the data and present using certain words, themes, concepts, or codifications. The study found that the peculiarity of cybercrime lies in the fact that the victims willingly land themselves into it without being forced to do so. It starts with what seem to be a friendly conversation and exchange of correspondences and pleasantries which turns into a scamming spree. To this end, victims are left battered and shattered, and could act irrationally against own-self before state actors set out to track the offender(s). Thus, victims of cybercrime could absorb shock by spending quality time with significant others. This enables them feel the love and moral supports from close associates, other than wallow in loneliness and isolation which can breed unpleasant stimuli

Exploring the relationship between infrastructural development and socioeconomic well-being in rural areas: Evidence from Bakassi, Cross River State, Nigeria

The relationship between infrastructural development and the socioeconomic well-being raises interest in rural areas. It specifically examines the relationship between road construction, potable water supply, and the socioeconomic well-being of rural dwellers in the Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria. The study design is cross-sectional, using quantitative and qualitative data from 420 rural respondents, with a multi-stage sampling technique. The descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequency tables, and Chi square was used to test the significance of the relationship between variables. All the respondents agreed that there is a significant relationship between road construction (68.8%), potable water supply (41.0%) and the socioeconomic well-being of rural dwellers. The study concludes that there is a significant relationship between infrastructural development and the socioeconomic well-being of rural dwellers. Thus, since the construction of roads has become a viable approach to establishing other sectors of the economy, governments at all levels should be largely involved in the provision of good and durable roads and the rehabilitation of old ones, especially in linking villages, towns, and communities to strengthen economic activities.JEL Classification  I30; Q25; R0

Community-based survey on the myths and use of contraceptive methods among married adults in Calabar South, Nigeria

Background: Despite the enormous benefits associated with contraceptive use, only a few sexually active married adults in developing countries like Nigeria use contraceptive methods, this situation is even worst in rural areas across Nigeria. This study examines the influence of myths on the use of contraceptive methods in Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria. Methods: Using the mixed approach, data were obtained from 600 respondents, using a multi-stage sampling technique which in this study entails the selection of community clusters, streets, villages, housing units and respondents through simple random and purposive sampling techniques. In the analysis and interpretation of study findings, descriptive statistics were employed, and qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The study shows that fear of pregnancy-related complications and fear of infertility are significant determinants of contraceptive use in Calabar South LGA, Cross River State, Nigeria. Conclusion: The study, therefore, concludes that myths associated with contraceptive use are real and a strong factor that discourages most married adults from the use of contraceptive methods

Special Courts as Nigerian Criminal Justice Response to the Plight of Awaiting Trial Inmates in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

This study looks at how using special courts can provide succor to the plight of awaiting trial inmates in Ebonyi state, Nigeria. The study adopted quantitative and qualitative research methods, with a sample of 1,498 respondents comprising 617 police officers, 623 awaiting-trial inmates, 113 court staff, and 145 prison officers drawn from Ebonyi State. Purposive and Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to reach the respondents. The quantitative data was descriptively analyzed using percentages and charts, while a thematic method of analysis was employed in the qualitative data. The findings revealed that, while there has been an uptick in awaiting trial problems, there is no meaningful provision to address them, despite the existence of provisions within the Nigerian legal framework. The article calls for the creation of special courts that are equipped to address peculiar crime cases in a more effective and faster manner. These courts are better poised to address the peculiarities of special cases and pass better and faster judgments