Assessing Competency to Stand Trial: The Role of Clinical Psychologists in Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64321/jcr.v2i4.47Keywords:
competency to stand trial, forensic psychology, clinical assessment, criminal justice, mental health lawAbstract
This study examines the critical role of clinical psychologists in assessing competency to stand trial within Nigeria's criminal justice system. Against a backdrop of limited forensic infrastructure and inadequate mental health legislation, the research investigates how psychological assessments are currently conducted, the tools employed, and the challenges facing practitioners. Drawing on qualitative document analysis and an extensive review of literature, including global standards such as the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool-Criminal Adjudication (MacCAT-CA) and the Evaluation of Competency to Stand Trial-Revised (ECST-R), the study highlights the discrepancies between international best practices and Nigerian realities. It further evaluates the legal and ethical implications of competence evaluations, including the recognition of psychological testimony in courts, the absence of standardized protocols, and the limited number of trained clinical and forensic psychologists in the country. The research reveals that while Nigerian law, particularly the Criminal Code Act, provides for the defense of insanity and mental incapacity, the lack of integration between legal and clinical frameworks hampers accurate determination of defendants’ fitness to stand trial. Inadequate training, poor funding, societal stigma, and outdated psychiatric laws also pose significant barriers. The findings highlight the urgent need for policy reform, enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, and investment in forensic mental health services. This study contributes to the evolving discourse on forensic clinical psychology in sub-Saharan Africa, proposing recommendations for aligning Nigeria’s practices with international norms and improving the protection of mentally ill defendants. It calls for a legislative overhaul, the inclusion of psychologists in criminal proceedings, and the adoption of evidence-based tools to safeguard fair trial rights.
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