Boko Haram: An Evaluation Of Judicial Practices

own evaluations of their practices possible.

The Judiciary

One of the most corrupt sectors of the country is the judiciary (GCB, 20015) and one of the reasons for this ca be explained by the fact that there is a blur separation of powers among the three branches of government, hence there exist overlaps especially from the executive arm. According to the (HRR, 2016) release, the judiciary is not independent in investigating and presecuting cases and judges are often susceptible to executive influence delay judicial proceedings when pressure. Harassment of judicial officials as well as lawyers is a common practice (Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Feb. 2017).

In addition, the salary cut that came with the introduction of Structural Adjustment

Bribery is widespread among the police officers and the practice of demanding payments at checkpoint (HHR, 2016). They are expected to check car documents, reckless and drunk drivers, overloaded buses and cars transporting illegal things. Nonetheless, officers are known for demanding money ranging from 1 dollar and above. This practise has increased crimes, negatively affecting road safety as reckless and drunk drivers with bad cars can easily go by as long as they bribe the officers. With growing insecurity in the country because of terrorist attacks from the notorious group Boko Haram, there is emphasis on the checking of identity cards of citizens but in most cases people with no identity cards are given green lights if they bribe. It is considered as a privilege and opportunity to enrich oneself when sent to checkpoint, officers bribe their commissioners so as to be sent out and this promotes hatred within the institution as the roads are valued more than the piecemeal they receive as salaries. Officers as well as citizens continuously exploit the corrupt system for their personal gain to the point that it has become almost acceptable. Studying corruption in the Russian health care service, Michelle Rivkin (2005:50) argues that unofficial payments for doctors that was formerly considered as an act of corruption has been used over time and transformed to the extent that it has become almost accepted. It is a way to avoid the institutions that are considered by the Russian people as ineffective and they see these payments as a moral obligation on the parts to compensate the doctors for their professionalism. The situation at the check points along the Cameroonian highways is described by the officers to compensate themselves for the piecemeal wage that they receive which is not enough to maintain their living standards, and a way for the citizens like the drivers to escape some of the