CONFLICT, STRAIN, AND RATIONAL CHOICE THEORIES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CRIME CAUSATION AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Crime in Nigeria is a serious social and legal problem, despite the existence of several criminal laws and enforcement institutions. This paper examines crime causation and criminal justice responses in Nigeria through the lens of Conflict Theory, Strain Theory, and Rational Choice Theory. The paper argues that crime control in Nigeria should not rely only on the legal approach but should also be influenced by an understanding of relevant crime theories. The paper discusses the application of these theories to specific criminal legislation and judicial decisions in which these theories have been applied. It finds that Nigerian criminal law is largely legalistic and punitive and often fails to address the social and institutional conditions that produce crime. The paper concludes that effective crime control in Nigeria requires an approach that combines fair enforcement, institutional reform, social welfare, youth empowerment, faster trials, and equal application of the law.