At the slightest alarm of a criminal scene, many take to their heels for safety, while some bold citizens in the absence of the law enforcement agencies run towards the scene to apprehend the alleged criminal. What next after the arrest, all forms of inhuman and degrading treatment are meted on the alleged suspect, they are sometimes killed. In many cases, all these are done without giving the suspect a listening ear.

This is a typical example of scenes at public places such market places, viewing centres and some other place in Africa. It has been termed street justice or as popularly known "jungle justice". Resorting to the laws of the jungle or street is not only unlawful but primitive and robs innocent people of fair hearing and sometimes takes away their life.

A law abiding citizen is to call on the law enforcement agencies, and where they are not close by, (for those who are capable) can make an arrest on the said suspect. However, after the arrest, such private persons are not advised to keep the suspect or alleged criminal in custody, torture or even kill the suspect but swiftly hand them over to the police for further investigation and prosecution. 

Where the citizens feels the police might release and not duly investigate the matter and let justice be done, he is obliged to write to the state police command for serious attention to the matter and can also do well to follow up the matter to see that justice is done.

 

There will be no better way to conclude this than in the words of justice Oputa

 

The establishment of the court system was a great milestone in the human journey. We are reminded how in the state of savagery and "jungle justice", every man was armed and was a law unto himself. But civilization means that courts were established and that men lay aside their arms and carried their causes to those courts"

Civilization is that men have to submit their powers and will to the government and in turn expect it to act in the interest of the people. This is the social contract theory.

It will be degrading for men in the 21st century to neglect the court, the law and become justice unto themselves; it will be a case of bouncing forward and backwards as no one will feel safe in the community. This will lead to chaos and anarchy in the state and hamper the peace of the state. It is a firm plea that citizens should desist from such act and follow due process according to law.