Exegetical perspectives of Deuteronomy 19:15–21 on jungle justice in Nigeria

Abstract

Considering the large number of mob killings, especially the case of two suspected thieves who were burnt alive in the Enugu metropolis, a more exegetical approach to the issue of jungle justice becomes imperative to assuage mob and hasty killing. The article employed a rhetorical approach to studying Deuteronomy 19:15–21 to provide lucid exegetical findings on the issue of jungle justice. The article discovered that the major cause of jungle justice is the failure of the masses to engage more than one witness in order to ascertain the actual situation. Suspected cases are to be taken to appropriate legal institutions and not handled on the street. Also, judges are supposed to make diligent inquiries to ensure justice and attenuate jungle justice. This article did not engage life experience as the former study has provided evidence of Jungle Justice in Nigeria. INTERDISCIPLINARY AND/OR INTERDISCIPLINARY IMPLICATIONS : The strategic response to this phenomenon discussed in the article are legal examples exemplified in Deuteronomy 19:15–21 and Jungle Justice. Therefore, the article promotes interdisciplinary knowledge because it developed a new theology between religion and civil rights. Also, it promotes education and enlightenment.