Psychological Profiling of Criminals in Violent Crime Investigations in Nigerian Criminal Justice System

The Nigerian criminal justice system is not entirely ignorant or unaware of the use and the merits of the application of criminal profiling as a tool in crime investigation. The technique was introduced to help law enforcement agencies solve serious crimes such as serial rape or murder and to a lesser extent arson and property crime. At the heart of profiling lies the belief that by combining psychological principles with crime scene analysis, it is possible to identify the likely characteristics of a perpetrator. However, criminal profiling in Nigeria has not nearly reached the level of recognition, functionality, or institutionalization that it has attained in other jurisdictions. This study aims to examine the feasibility and the practicality of offender profiling in a criminal investigation of violent crimes with a particular focus on the Nigerian criminal justice system. It will also give an expository critique of the loopholes and impediments in the Nigerian criminal justice system and ways criminal profiling can fill up these holes. The research methods employed in this study include a combination of both primary and secondary sources. The work highlighted the effectiveness of this field and thus concluded that criminal investigative analysis should be effectively immersed into the justice system and should also receive as much recognition as it has in other jurisdictions especially in the United States and in major parts of Europe. Keywords: Criminal Profiling, Crime Investigation, Violent Crime, Criminal Justice System

Prisons and Security Challenges in a Democratic Nigeria

Survival of every nation- state is a function of her ability to cope with security challenges. The security sector in Nigeria in recent years is faced with constant threat from within. It is against this background that this paper examines the roles of Nigerian Prison Service as an integral part of the security configuration of the country and the challenges facing the outfit towards stemming the tide of security problems facing the country. It further analyzes the symbiotic relationship between the prison system of a nation and its security challenges. Related data were obtained through secondary source and were descriptively analysed. The study concluded that Nigerian Prison is not well equipped to fulfil its mandate. Consequently, the paper recommends that training in modern day techniques of prison administration and effective funding are panacea for improved performance of Nigerian prison service. Keywords: Prison service, Security challenges, Democratic Nigeria, Nation-state

Leadership and Democratic Governance in Nigeria

The paper examined leadership roles in democratic Nigeria. Particularly, it showed how the political elites have at different times subverted the essence of democratic governance in the country since independence and thus, tacitly encouraging political instability. Relevant data were obtained through secondary method and empirically discussed. The study revealed that the relative stability being enjoyed in the polity is lubricated through intensive patron-client arrangement.  The paper concluded that sustainable democracy will continue to be a mirage in the country until political power is held and used in the interest of many. Good governance, transparency and accountability are suggested as necessary vitamins for democratic consolidation in the country. Keywords: Democracy, Governance, Leadership and Democratic Governanc

Social Capital as a Determinant of Organizational Capability in Nigeria

This study examined social capital as a determinant of organizational capability in Nigeria. It adopted survey research design, purposive and convenience sampling techniques respectively.  257 male and female private sector’s employees participated in the study. A structured questionnaire form containing five validated scales of measurement was used as instrument.  Hypothesis one stated that cognitive, relational and structural social capitals will jointly and independently predict marketing capability while hypotheses two stated that cognitive, relational and structural social capitals will jointly and independently predict research and development capability. Results revealed that cognitive, relational and structural social capitals jointly predicted marketing capability F (3,253) = 41.83; R2= 0.324; p <.01.  It further showed that cognitive social capital (?= -0.437; t= -6.618; p <.01), relational social capital (?= 0.366;  t= 5.884;  p <.01) and structural social capital (?= 0.550;  t= 9.955;  p <.01)  independently predicted marketing capability.  Similarly, results showed that cognitive, relational and structural social capitals jointly predicted research and development capability F (3,253) = 38.66; R2= 0.306; p <.01.  It further revealed that relational social capital (?= 0.553; t= 8.773; p <.01) and structural social capital (?= 0.203; t= 3.628; p <.01) independently predicted research and development capability. However, cognitive social capital did not (?= -0.096; t= -1.430; p >.05).  Based on the above findings, this study concluded and recommended that, to a large extent, social capital is a significant determinant of organizational capability in Nigeria. Hence, human resource department of organizations, managers and directors should channel their managerial efforts toward the development of all aspects of social capital among the employees and ensure that, it positively affect organizational capability. Keywords: Cognitive Social Capital, Relational Social Capital, Structural Social Capital, Marketing Capability, Research and Development Capability, Organizatio