Crime in every ramification is a harmful act not only to some individuals but also to a community, society or state at large. A criminal offence is an unlawful act punishable under the law of a state as it is contained under the state’s Criminal Law or Criminal Code. A crime is an offence that merits community condemnation and punishment, usually by way of fine or imprisonment. A crime is different from civil wrong (a tort) which is an action against an individual that requires compensation or restitution.

Crime prevention is a legal attempt to curb and reduce criminal activities in the society. It is a legal attempt in the sense that, trying to curb or reduce crime by injustice is a crime against humanity and that is an offence already. Crime prevention comprises strategies and measures that seek to reduce the risk of crimes occurring and their potential harmful effects on individuals and society, including fear of crime, by intervening to influence their multiple causes.

However, criminal justice system encompasses the work of the police, prosecution and judiciary with regard to criminal matters, as well as the access to legal aid, prison reform and alternatives to imprisonment and restorative justice. It also includes cross-cutting issues, such as gender, human rights and consideration for victims and children within the criminal justice system.

By our finding as an NGO, we have been able to compile a list of common criminal offences here in Nigeria. They are; rape, kidnapping, murder, human rituals, incest, burglary, fraud, terrorism, robbery, cyber-crime, election malpractice, hate speech, bribery and corruption, money laundry, cattle-rustling, Fulani herdsmen syndrome, human trafficking, narcotism, drug trafficking, child labor, child abuse, women abuse, smuggling , illicit cultural heritage trafficking, assault, arson, felony, willful endanger of biodiversity and wildlife, human slave trade, illegal mining, injustice, religion extremism, sexual harassment, one chance and money doubling.

African Heritage and Global Peace Initiative’s campaign against illicit Cultural Heritage Trafficking in conjunction with the appropriate authorities in Nigeria is our contribution to ensure crime prevention in Nigeria.

Election is one of the main features of a democratic society, yet election is one of the most manipulated features of democracy norms in the society at different levels. Your vote is your voice. You can use it to make a difference in your life and the lives of your families, friends and the future of your country. Electoral credibility is the backbone of a sustainable democracy. If electoral process is abused, democracy is jeopardized.

An election is the process of voting in order to choose someone to be political leader or representative in government. In a democratic society, the right to vote is the main way most citizens can influence the decisions about how their country is governed.

Nigeria as a democratic country has experienced different electoral malpractices for decades. Electoral malpractice is the absence of free and fair electoral processes. Dirty games of different types affect electoral credibility in a democratic system. The confidence of electoral credibility has become a fairy tale in the society as a result of this problem.

Examples of electoral malpractices are:
• Illegal usage of ballot boxes
• Illegal printing of voter’s cards
• Vote buying
• Thugry/Violence
• Snatching of ballot boxes
• Result falsification
• Stuffing ballot boxes with fake ballot papers votes
• Manipulation of registration of voters
• Weak judiciary system
• Government & security agents intimidation

To save Nigeria Democracy, African Heritage and Global Peace Initiative work with different institutions toward electoral civic education, campaign against election violence, snatching of ballot papers etc.

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