FACULTY OF LAW

The recruitment and use of children in armed conflict remains one of the most persistent violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Despite the existence of an extensive normative framework prohibiting child soldiering, including the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol, and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, the practice continues across both international and non-international armed conflicts. This study examines the effectiveness of international legal mechanisms designed to prevent the recruitment and use of children in hostilities, and the extent to which these mechanisms have been enforced in practice. Adopting a doctrinal research methodology, the study analyses international treaties, customary international humanitarian law, decisions of international and hybrid criminal tribunals, and relevant United Nations instruments. Through case studies drawn from Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, the research highlights the evolving nature of armed conflict, the blurred distinction between voluntary and forced recruitment, and the increasing involvement of non-state armed groups. The findings reveal that while the international legal framework has achieved normative clarity, enforcement remains uneven and largely dependent on political will, domestic incorporation, and international cooperation. The International Criminal Court and other accountability mechanisms have contributed to the development of jurisprudence on child soldiering, yet significant gaps persist in prevention, prosecution, and post-conflict reintegration. The study concludes that strengthening domestic implementation, enhancing international cooperation, and prioritising child-centred reintegration strategies are essential to closing the enforcement gap. By providing a comprehensive legal and theoretical analysis, this research contributes to ongoing scholarly and policy debates on child protection, accountability, and the future of international humanitarian law.

Sexual violence is an extensive and deeply distressing crime that poses significant challenges to the criminal justice systems globally, particularly in Nigeria, and this is often committed in private, without witnesses, and under conditions where victims face social stigmatization and psychological trauma which could range from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other traumatic related issues, such crimes are infamously difficult to investigate and prosecute, It remains a pervasive and deeply rooted issue in Nigeria, cutting across social, economic and cultural boundaries, This study explores the prevalence , causes and consequences of sexual violence crimes in the country, examining both the systemic failures and cultural attitudes that enables it's persistence, it examines the application of forensic evidence as an essential tool in detecting and prosecuting sexual violence crimes, focusing on how scientific methods can improve the effectiveness and credibility of investigations and legal proceedings worldwide, with particular focus on Nigeria, with the primary aim to explore how forensic techniques such as DNA analysis, toxicology, fingerprint, forensic pathology,crime scene reconstruction, and expert testimony and other forensic techniques can assist law enforcement agencies and the judiciary in obtaining objective and more accurate evidence in sexual offence cases. Furthermore, this study seeks to identify the forensic methods most relevant to such crimes, assess the challenges inhibiting their effective application in Nigeria, and propose legal and institutional reforms to enhance their uses.

Political corruption stands as the most formidable and deeply ingrained barrier to Nigeria’s progress, persistently undermining economic stability, eroding public trust, and crippling institutional development since independence. This study aims to critically evaluate the devastating impact of this scourge on national development by examining its historical roots, socio-political manifestations, and economic consequences, while also assessing the effectiveness of existing legal and institutional frameworks. Employing a doctrinal research methodology enriched with historical analysis and comparative insights from successful models like Singapore and Rwanda, the research reveals that corruption in Nigeria is not merely incidental but a systemic feature enabled by weak institutions, political interference, and a pervasive culture of impunity. Key findings highlight the ineffectiveness of agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC due to partisan influence and operational constraints, as well as the complicity of the judiciary and electoral bodies in perpetuating corruption. In response, the study urges comprehensive reforms including ensuring the autonomy of anti-corruption bodies, enacting stringent campaign finance laws, establishing specialized courts for corruption cases, and leveraging technology for greater transparency, ultimately emphasizing that sustainable change depends on genuine political will and an engaged civil society to foster a culture of accountability and transform Nigeria’s governance landscape.

The paper discusses the evolving relationship between defamation law and social media in Nigeria, with a view to assessing how legal regimes can balance individual reputation against the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression. As public discourse increasingly shifts onto platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, the velocity, spread, anonymity, and perpetuity of online communication have increased both the possibility of defamatory harm and the potential claims to free speech protection. Through the use of statutory provisions, including the 1999 Constitution and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, as well as judicial decisions, this research examines the adequacy of existing legal frameworks in addressing defamatory content within the digital space. It further explores the responsibilities and potential liabilities of users, content creators, and internet intermediaries. The paper thus concludes with policy and balanced regulatory recommendations aimed at safeguarding reputations while at the same time maintaining an open, virile, and vibrant virtual space for free expression in Nigeria.

The concept of plea bargain follows a simple logical code that an offer of leniency precedes confession. Plea bargain functions within the administration of criminal justice in a legal system. The core of the concept is to establish an agreement between the prosecutor and the accused, where the accused pleads guilty to a lesser offence or one of multiple charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence or dismissal of other charges. Plea bargain is adopted by legal systems to hasten judicial process in a bid to save resources while also ensuring the administration of justice. The concept has evolved into a safe haven for the accused in the Nigerian legal system. Plea bargain a tool introduced by the administration of criminal justice system for its efficiency is now being wield by the accused in Nigeria to their favor with a profound level of mastery. However the value of the concept of plea bargain has been proven by the results it produces in other jurisdictions where it applied. This project seeks to appreciate the concept of plea bargain and also highlight the extant provisions of the law on it in Nigeria. It will further evaluate the practice of plea bargain in the Nigerian legal system and highlight the discrepancies which makes it a caricature of that which is practiced in other jurisdictions such as the United States of America, China, Italy and France by a comparative analysis. In conclusion this work would recommend other options open to the Nigerian legal system for future efficiency in its application of the concept of plea bargain.

This study examines the legitimacy of recent military takeovers in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, analyzing the political, legal, and security factors that enabled the resurgence of coups in the Sahel. It critically examines these regimes through theories of legal positivism, natural law and legitimacy, showing that while juntas claim popular support, their actions violates domestic constitutions and regional norms such as the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the AU Constitutive Act. The research identifies insecurity, jihadist insurgency, governance failures, corruption, ethnic tensions, and foreign interference as core drivers of unconstitutional changes of government. Using the Sahelian recent coups as a case study, it highlights severe human rights abuses and shifting geopolitical alliances. This study also examines how International actors like France have exploited the Sahel, boosting their economy at the expense of the Sahel. The study finds that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) possess strong legal instruments and frameworks but weak enforcement capacity, resulting in inconsistent sanctions and declining public trust. It concludes that restoring constitutional order in the sahel requires credible enforcement mechanisms, harmonized regional framworks, civic education, and commitment to human rights and democratic governanance.

A will is the final testament of a person. It contains directions as to how the person wants their estate to be administered. Prima facie, a person has the freedom to dispose their property in a manner that pleases them. However, there are limitations or restrictions to a person's testamentary freedom. This study aims to identify the various ways a person's testamentary freedom can be limited by law, cultural norms and religious dictates. It is trite principle in law that a person can make a will, but it does not mean that he can freely dispose his estate with no limit to his power of testation. This study examines the relevant judicial precedents and statute with regards to restrictions on testamentary disposition, as well as the challenges that arise with the wrong use of testamentary capacity. This study also examines the how cultural practices can affect testamentary disposition. Using the doctrinal method of research, it specifically investigates the effect of the trite principle of "nemo dat quod non habet” on testamentary freedom. The study goes further to identify other areas that affect testamentary freedom such as the effect of family property, the fetters Islamic law places on testators and the position on the law on provision for family members and dependents. This study tries to highlight the various ways, cultural and religious norms places restrictions on the testamentary freedom of a testator. The long essay also tries to identify modern developments in testamentary freedom. The study tries to suggest reforms to clarify the legal process of testamentary freedom and disposition. In conclusion, this long essay provides insight into the legal dynamics that govern testamentary disposition and offers practical solutions to lawyers and individuals especially testators and testatrixs seeking to navigate the murky waters of testamentary freedom and disposition.

This research examines the challenges hindering the effective enforcement of the Child Rights Act (CRA) across various states in Nigeria. Although the CRA has been adopted at the national level, its functional operation varies significantly from state to state due to a range of socio- cultural, economic, religious, legal, and institutional factors. Through doctrinal analysis, this study conducts a comparative assessment between states where the Child Rights Law (CRL) is fully operational and those where it is less effectively implemented. To provide a balanced perspective, the research incorporates case studies from one state in each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, focusing on two critical issues—child labour and child marriage. These are examined as persistent social ills that continue to thrive despite statutory prohibitions under the CRA and state CRLs. The study investigates why, in some states, the provisions are observed and enforced, while in others, deep-rooted cultural and religious norms undermine their application. By exploring the socio-cultural dynamics and specific state contexts that perpetuate these practices, this research aims to uncover the systemic barriers to the CRA’s practical enforcement. The study concludes with recommendations on how to achieve more uniform and functional implementation of the CRA across Nigeria, ensuring stronger protection of children’s rights irrespective of geographical or cultural boundaries

This study examines the topic “Economic Hitmen and International Trade Law: Using Trade and Debt Instruments to Entrench Poverty in Developing ations.” It explores how powerful states, multinational corporations, and international financial institutions subtly influence and control developing economies rough unequal trade agreements, conditional loans, and debt- based interventions. The work argues that these instruments—often presented as development assistance—frequently function as tools of economic coercion that limit national sovereignty and deepen structural poverty. The aim of the research is to analyse how trade and debt mechanisms are used to create dependency, identify the legal gaps within international trade law that enable such practices, and valuate the role of institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and WTO in shaping economic outcomes in vulnerable nations. Using a doctrinal research method, the study relies on treaties, statutes, case law, institutional reports, and scholarly literature to examine the legal and economic frameworks that sustain obal inequality. The findings reveal that many developing nations remain trapped in cycles of poverty not because of natural economic weaknesses, but due to deliberately structured global systems that favour creditor nations. Trade rules, loan conditions, and debt repayment structures often force developing states into policies that undermine development. The study recommends stronger ransparency in loan negotiations, regional debt- management strategies, fairer trade rules, and legal reforms within global financial institutions to protect weaker economies. The work contributes to knowledge by linking the economic-hitman framework directly with international trade aw and demonstrating how legal instruments, rather than open force, are used to entrench dependency and underdevelopment.

The exploration and production of petroleum resources in Nigeria have long generated immense economic wealth but also severe environmental degradation and social dislocation, particularly in oil-producing regions such as the Niger Delta. Despite the existence of multiple legal and regulatory instruments designed to ensure compensation for affected communities, widespread grievances persist over inadequate redress, environmental pollution, and inequitable distribution of oil wealth. This study, therefore, evaluates the effectiveness of the laws governing compensation for oil-producing regions in Nigeria, with a view to identifying the structural, institutional, and procedural weaknesses that undermine justice and sustainability in the Nigerian oil sector. Adopting a doctrinal and comparative research methodology, the study examines Nigeria’s primary legal instruments which include including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, the Land Use Act 1978, the Oil Pipelines Act, the NOSDRA Act 2006, etc. It analyzes their provisions on compensation, environmental remediation, and community participation. It further compares Nigeria’s compensation framework with those of other oil-producing jurisdictions, namely Norway, Canada, Ghana, Alaska, and South Africa, to extract best practices and policy lessons relevant to Nigeria’s context. This study finds that while Nigeria’s legal framework is elaborate on paper, its effectiveness is hampered by legislative fragmentation, institutional overlap, poor enforcement, and limited community participation. Compensation mechanisms are often opaque, inconsistently applied, and insufficiently linked to environmental restoration or livelihood recovery. Conversely, the comparative jurisdictions demonstrate that effective compensation depends on clear statutory duties, strong institutional capacity, judicial enforceability, and public transparency. For example, South Africa’s rights-based approach to environmental protection and Norway’s integration of oil revenues into long-term social welfare provide instructive models for reform. Based on these findings, the study recommends a comprehensive restructuring of Nigeria’s compensation system. It concludes that true compensation extends beyond monetary payment, it encompasses environmental rehabilitation, livelihood restoration, and respect for the human and environmental rights of oil-producing communities. In achieving these reforms, Nigeria can transform its compensation framework from a reactive mechanism of damage control into a proactive instrument of social justice, environmental protection, and sustainable development, setting a continental standard for equitable resource governance.