Development of an Islamic Restorative Justice Model for the Nigerian Criminal Justice System

This dissertation develops an original Islamic Restorative Justice Model (IRJM) for integration into the Nigerian criminal justice framework, addressing a significant gap at the intersection of Islamic jurisprudence, restorative justice theory, and Nigerian criminal law reform. The retributive orientation of Nigeria's formal criminal justice system has generated well-documented failures in rehabilitation, victim satisfaction, and social reintegration, while existing restorative justice models are grounded in secular or indigenous rather than Islamic ethical frameworks. The study employs a mixed theoretical-empirical methodology, drawing on Islamic jurisprudential analysis of Qisas, Diyah, and Ta'zir principles, comparative restorative justice scholarship, and field research comprising interviews with 30 Islamic law scholars, 20 correctional officers, 25 crime victims, and 15 offenders in Kano, Sokoto, and Abuja. Original contributions include the IRJM, a theoretically grounded three-phase model incorporating victim-offender dialogue (Musafahah), community reparation councils, and spiritual rehabilitation programming (Tawbah-centred counselling). Framework validation through expert consultation confirms the model's jurisprudential soundness and practical adaptability. Findings reveal that both Muslim victims and offenders express significantly higher satisfaction with restorative processes than with formal retributive adjudication. The dissertation recommends adoption of the IRJM as a complementary track within Nigeria's Correctional Service Act reform agenda. Keywords: Islamic restorative justice, Nigerian criminal justice, Qisas, Diyah, rehabilitation.