Crime, Policing and Judicial Prosecution in Colonial Ilorin, North Central Nigeria

Ridwan, Idris Tosho; Olawale, Yemisi Isaac; Abdulbaki, Abdulwaheed Shola

doi:10.21608/tjhss.2022.266954

Crime, Policing and Judicial Prosecution in Colonial Ilorin, North Central Nigeria

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of History and International Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin, ilorin Nigeria

² Mr Yemisi Olawale Isaac, Nigeria, Yemisiwaleisaac@gmail.com

³ Department of History and International Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin, Ilorin Nigeria.

10.21608/tjhss.2022.266954

Abstract

The article fills an existing gap in Ilorin colonial historiography by exploring crime, policing and judicial prosecution. Using oral interviews, archival materials and other secondary sources drawn from books and peer-reviewed journals, the article shows that alongside the British colonialist economic interest, administrative institutions were set up to address issues of policing, crime and judicial prosecution. Under colonial rule, administrative institutions the Native Court, Native Police and Prison systems were employed as a means of subduing crimes and criminal activities detrimental to British economic interest. Statistical data gathered from archival documents reveal cases of crimes prevalent in colonial Ilorin to include murder, attempted murder, child stealing, armed robbery, burglary, stealing, coining offences, and illegal distillation among others were prevalent in colonial Ilorin. Also, the data reveals that the British not only focused on the natives but also prosecute native administrators under the indirect rule system if found guilty of offences.

Keywords