Justice Unmasked as Society Grapples With Systemic Crime

 

(M) VICE CHANCELLOR, PROF. ISAAC ZEB-OBIPI IN A GROUP PHOTOGRAPH WITH OTHER PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY, SHORTLY AFTER THE 132ND INAUGURAL LECTURE.

PROF. CLIFFORD ANAELE NWANYANWU DURING HIS LECTURE SESSION .

THE VC, PROF ISAAC ZEB-OBIPI DELIVERY HIS REMARKS DURING THE 132ND INAUGURAL LECTURE.

Justice Unmasked as Society Grapples With Systemic Crime

The serene atmosphere of Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, came alive on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, as scholars, legal practitioners, administrators, students, and distinguished guests gathered at the Dr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Senate Building for the institution's 132nd Inaugural Lecture. 

Beyond the ceremonial grandeur that often accompanies academic gatherings, the event evolved into a profound intellectual interrogation of the state of justice, governance, and criminality in contemporary society.

Hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, on behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Senate, Staff, and Students of the university, the lecture bore the thought-provoking theme, "Society as Criminal Enterprise: Unravelling a Complex Justice System." The lecture was delivered by Professor Clifford Anaele Nwanyanwu, a renowned Professor of Criminal Law and Justice, whose presentation challenged conventional assumptions about crime and justice while exposing the intricate relationship between societal structures and criminal behaviour.

In his opening remarks, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi set the tone for the discourse by drawing attention to the growing disconnect between societal aspirations and the realities confronting the justice system. He lamented the increasing prevalence of deviant acts, particularly kidnapping, which continues to threaten lives and undermine public confidence in institutions responsible for maintaining law and order.

The Vice-Chancellor painted a disturbing picture of a society where students and teachers increasingly find themselves victims of criminal activities, with some held captive in forests by kidnappers. 

According to him, such realities raise fundamental questions about the effectiveness of existing justice mechanisms in addressing emerging security challenges. He stressed that universities must not remain detached observers of societal crises but should instead serve as centres of ideas and solutions capable of confronting the complex problems facing humanity.

Against this backdrop, Professor Nwanyanwu took his audience on an intellectual journey through the foundations, evolution, and shortcomings of the criminal justice system. At the heart of his presentation was a bold argument that crime should no longer be viewed merely as the actions of isolated individuals. Rather, he contended, criminality has become deeply embedded within social, political, and economic structures, transforming society itself into what he described as a criminal enterprise.

According to the inaugural lecturer, modern criminality has evolved beyond street-level offences and now thrives within institutions and systems that should ordinarily serve the public good. Corruption, abuse of power, economic exploitation, and manipulation of governance processes, he argued, have become institutionalized to the extent that criminal conduct is often normalized within formal structures.

Professor Nwanyanwu maintained that economic crimes now constitute one of the greatest threats to societal survival, noting that the consequences extend far beyond financial losses to include weakened institutions, compromised governance, and diminished public trust. In his view, the criminal enterprise is no longer confined to hidden networks operating outside the law but can sometimes be found within the very structures designed to uphold legality.

Turning his attention to the justice system itself, the professor examined what he described as structural defects that continue to undermine its effectiveness. He identified political interference, constitutional ambiguities, and institutional weaknesses as major factors contributing to the inability of the system to adequately protect citizens and dispense justice fairly.

He reminded the audience that criminal law derives its authority from legislation and that an act only becomes criminal when expressly prohibited by law. Yet, he observed that the practical administration of justice often departs from these foundational principles due to competing political interests and procedural failures.

Professor Nwanyanwu further explained that the criminal justice system revolves around three principal stakeholders: the offender, the victim, and society represented by the state. Balancing the interests of these parties, he argued, requires strict adherence to due process rather than a blind pursuit of efficiency or public outrage.

In a period when calls for instant justice are becoming increasingly common, the legal scholar firmly defended procedural safeguards and constitutional rights. He cautioned against extrajudicial measures and emphasized that justice can only be meaningful when fairness, equity, and lawful procedures are respected. The temptation to bypass legal processes, he warned, ultimately weakens the legitimacy of the entire system.

His lecture also traced the historical development of Nigeria's criminal justice architecture. He explained how colonial legal structures significantly influenced contemporary legal institutions, particularly through the introduction of the Federal Criminal Code and the gradual displacement of traditional communal systems of dispute resolution. While acknowledging the contributions of inherited legal frameworks, he questioned whether some aspects remain suitable for addressing present-day realities.

The professor highlighted the critical role played by law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, whose powers of arrest and investigation often initiate the criminal justice process. He subsequently examined the functions of the courts and correctional institutions, referencing the Nigerian Correctional Service Act of 2019 as an important legal framework governing custody and rehabilitation while balancing the interests of victims, defendants, and the state.

Beyond legal institutions, Professor Nwanyanwu expanded the discussion to broader societal issues. He argued that governance failures, corruption, electoral malpractice, and the politicization of justice have collectively contributed to the normalization of criminal behaviour. For him, meaningful reform requires a deliberate separation of political interests from criminal justice administration.

He also reflected on the influence of religion, aging populations, social identity, and communal relationships in shaping societal attitudes toward crime and responsibility. Human existence, he observed, is fundamentally rooted in community, and law remains indispensable for preserving social order and collective well-being.

As the lecture drew to a close, the audience was left with a powerful conclusion: criminality has evolved into a complex and systematic phenomenon that cannot be effectively addressed through simplistic solutions. Understanding the interconnected relationship between society, law, governance, and institutions, he argued, is essential for confronting the sophisticated criminal systems of the modern era.

In his closing remarks, Vice-Chancellor Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi described the presentation as a timely contribution to human knowledge and national development. He observed that the lecture had successfully explored the nature, components, and evolution of criminal justice while exposing the dangers of what he termed "criminal injustice"—a condition in which justice institutions fail to deliver fair outcomes.

The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that no nation can achieve sustainable development without an effective and credible justice system. According to him, a dysfunctional justice framework inevitably creates an environment where criminality flourishes and public confidence deteriorates. He expressed hope that the ideas generated during the lecture would stimulate broader conversations about reforming legal institutions and strengthening the administration of justice.

One of the most memorable moments of the occasion came when Professor Clifford Anaele Nwanyanwu was formally decorated and honoured by the Vice-Chancellor in recognition of his role as the university's 132nd Inaugural Lecturer. The ceremony attracted enthusiastic applause from attendees who acknowledged the significance of his scholarly contribution.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the event, Professor Clifford Anaele Nwanyanwu reiterated many of the concerns raised during his lecture. He stressed that the effectiveness of the criminal justice system depends on strict compliance with due process, beginning from arrest and extending through trial, conviction, and correctional administration.

He expressed concern that many of Nigeria's existing laws have become outdated and no longer reflect contemporary realities. According to him, legal systems must remain dynamic and responsive to changing societal conditions. He therefore called for urgent legislative reforms aimed at replacing obsolete statutes with modern legal instruments capable of addressing present-day challenges.

The professor also addressed the issue of plea bargaining, describing it as a practical mechanism for improving efficiency and reducing delays within the justice system. While acknowledging its usefulness in expediting cases and easing judicial congestion, he noted that defendants who enter plea bargains effectively admit responsibility for offences and must therefore fully understand the implications of such decisions.

Throughout the interview, he maintained that both democracy and criminal justice risk self-destruction when the rule of law is abandoned. In his assessment, the path toward societal renewal lies in restoring faith in legal institutions and ensuring that justice is administered fairly and transparently.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Professor G. B. Okon, who expressed gratitude to God, university management, staff, students, guests, and stakeholders whose contributions ensured the success of the occasion. He particularly commended the leadership of Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, describing him as a visionary administrator whose forward-thinking approach continues to create opportunities for academic excellence and institutional growth.

Professor Okon also acknowledged the foundational efforts of past leaders and elders whose sacrifices helped establish the platform upon which the university continues to thrive today. He thanked the distinguished guests for their presence and support, noting that their participation added immense value to the event.

As formal proceedings came to an end, the atmosphere shifted from intense intellectual engagement to cultural celebration. Traditional drummers and dancers filled the venue with vibrant rhythms and captivating performances, providing a fitting conclusion to a day devoted to scholarship, reflection, and communal appreciation.

Yet beyond the music, pageantry, and ceremonial honours, the central message of the 132nd Inaugural Lecture lingered in the minds of attendees: that justice remains the foundation of every civilized society, and unless institutions evolve to confront the realities of modern criminality, society itself risks becoming the very enterprise it seeks to defeat.