Abstract
The incidence of crimes, and the activities of criminal has taken an alarming dimension in our Country today. The Laws governing crimes and criminal conducts are really challenged, so also the Law enforcement mechanisms. People are often tempted to assumed that there are no Laws regulating many aspects of our society. Others are of the views that the Laws if they exist at all, they are very weak to meet up the present realities. The two views above are debatable. The truth is that many people do not know or understand that there are Laws governing various aspect of human conduct and activities. Many who have interest in the area, do not know what the Laws stipulates for the many conducts and behaviors that are prohibited. That is why a writing like this is of immense value to all, who want to know something concerning crime, criminals and the Law in Nigeria. This writing has attempted to explain in very understandable language, what one needs to know about Crimes, Species of Crimes, Types of Crimes, Classification of Crimes, the Reasons why Persons Commit Crimes, Consequences of Crimes, Principles of Crime Prevention; Who is a Criminal, Classifications/Characteristics of Criminals/Offenders; What is Criminal Law, Objectives of Criminal Law, Sources of Criminal Law, Classification of Crimes, Elements of Criminal Offence, List of Criminal Justice Legislations, Types of Criminal Offences, Burden of Proof in Criminal Matters, Defences available in Criminal Cases, and the Institutions involved in the Administration of Criminal Justice. This paper posits that there are Laws regulating various aspects of Crimes and Criminality in Nigeria. Thus, this writing on crime, criminals and the Law should be of great interest for a great majority of persons.
Keywords: Crime, Criminal, Law, Nigeria