FACULTY OF LAW

Air pollution is a critical environmental and public health issue in Nigeria, exacerbated by rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, and inadequate enforcement of regulations. This study evaluates the legal framework for air pollution control in Nigeria, examining challenges that hinder effective regulation and proposing strategies for redress. Key statutes, such as the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Act, are analysed to assess their effectiveness in addressing air pollution. The research identifies significant challenges within the legal framework, including insufficient statutory provisions, limited enforcement powers, inadequate inter-agency coordination, and weak penalties for violations. Additionally, socio- economic factors, including poverty, population growth, and political interference, further undermine the effective implementation of air quality regulations. These challenges limit the capacity of Nigerian laws to curb pollution and protect public health effectively. A comparative approach is adopted to examine international best practices in air pollution control, focusing on jurisdictions with established air quality management systems. Lessons are drawn from these systems to highlight practical measures that could enhance Nigeria’s regulatory framework. The study proposes legal and policy reforms, such as expanding the mandate and resources of environmental regulatory bodies, updating outdated legislation to incorporate contemporary pollution control technologies, enhancing public awareness, and
fostering partnerships with international organisations for technical support. By addressing these legal and policy challenges, Nigeria can reduce the adverse impacts of air pollution on public health and environmental sustainability while improving compliance with global environmental standards. This research contributes to the discourse on environmental law reform in Nigeria, offering recommendations to strengthen the air pollution control framework and providing a pathway toward a cleaner and healthier environment.

Sub-saharan Africa is home to many of the world's longest-ruling political leaders. Not less than seventeen heads of government have tried with varying degrees of success to secure longer terms in office through "constitutional coups". This is done by proposing constitutional amendments for approval by the Legislature or Judiciary or in national referenda, so that by early 2021, at least, three sub-saharan African rulers had held on to power for more than thirty years each. The aims of this study, though limited to presidential systems, is to analyze comparatively, the concept of constitutional coups in sub-saharan Africa; to examine reasons for its prevalence; to show its impact on development and security in the region with a view to proffering solutions and recommendations for wholesome reforms which, it is sincerely hoped will curb the trend. This study found that constitutional coups threaten the continuance and survival of true democracy. Democracy is dependent on the existence of strong and independent institutions able to counterbalance the enormous powers vested on the executive arm of government. These powers enable the executive to wield enormous influence over other arms of government, coercing them to do its bidding. It also finds that the most meaningful approach to curb the spate of constitutional coups is an intellectual revolution geared towards establishing an ideological order that replaces the old regime of holding on to power through constitutional coups.

The #EndBadGovernance protest saw once again the brutal tendencies of the Nigerian government and law enforcement. The constant violations by way of brutal crackdowns and indiscriminate headhunting pose many problems to the enjoyment of the right to rotest. Protest is a core element for the existence and consolidation of democratic tes. espite the constellation of international, regional, and national legal frameworks protecting this right it is still in constant violation. The aim of this research is to enlighten readers on the makeup of the right to protest along with the inherent limitations of the right. It also seems to divulge the role of the state, law enforcement and the judiciary in the promotion and protection of this right. This research uses a doctrinal approach with an expository tone to set the pace throughout the work. It gives a historical background of protest along with the legal frameworks protecting it. This research identifies the government and the law enforcement as being instrumental in the continuous violation of this right. The study recommends that as the backbone of democracy, the right to protest should be given full attention. Particularly concerning legislations and treatises covering it. Case laws go a long way to explain how a law should be interpreted, this lends credence to the crucial role of the judiciary. The vital role of protest in society cannot be overemphasized: the right and freedom of protesters — too much or too little.

The core of proof in criminal trials is that the accused must be proven to be the perpetrator of the crime beyond all reasonable doubt. In most cases, this is anchored on the evidence of an eyewitness; however, in the absence of such evidence, the fate of the victim becomes uncertain. It appears that criminals have adopted increasingly sophisticated methods to commit crimes, making it necessary for the legal system to adopt effective mechanisms to ensure proper proof of offences, one of which is the application of Forensic Science. However, the Nigerian legal system has remained largely dependent on police reports, which sometimes lack credibility, as well as on circumstantial evidence. This approach poses a significant setback to the efficiency of the criminal justice system. The use of forensic science has been effectively deployed in other jurisdictions to combat crime, while it is still an evolving practice in Nigeria. This study appraises the significance of forensic science in the Nigerian legal system with the aim of achieving a fair, just, and robust criminal justice system that will strengthen the administration of justice. It also examines the relevance and application of forensic evidence within the Nigerian legal framework. The study adopts a doctrinal research approach, relying on existing legal principles and scholarly works, and its findings establish the need for the proper utilization of forensic science in order to restore the dignity, reliability, and efficiency of the criminal justice system in Nigeria.

The revolt against patriarchy is not a recent development. It can be traced to the hallowed days of the Holy Bible (Numbers 27). Where the Zelophead daughters made agitation against being ousted from their deceased father’s inheritance. The creator took the time to make clear what is now incorporated in the constitutions and legal instruments of civilized nations as well as international conventions, which is that sex is not a base to determine propertiary rights. All human beings are born equal into a free world with equal opportunities, until culture, race and traditions begins to separate us. Thus, the focus of this paper will be an analysis of the position of the law with regards to women inheritance in Nigeria, with the customary practices in Eastern Nigeria as a case study, the rights of spouses to the estate of their husbands, while alive and upon demise. The unfairness in the proprietary customary practices in the eastern Nigeria will be exposed and a plea will be made for enforcement of more favorable practices to women proprietary rights. We will also be looking at the impediments to women’s rights in Nigeria. As well as the possible remedies and recommendations for a change in the social-cultural climate in the Eastern Nigeria.

This research examines the evolution of cybercrime in Nigeria, highlighting how rapid digitization has created new avenues for offences such as financial fraud, identity theft, ransomware attacks, and cyberstalking. Although Nigeria has enacted the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 and established specialized institutions for enforcement, the country continues to face persistent challenges in implementation. Weak institutional coordination, inadequate technical capacity, slow investigative procedures, underreporting, and limited public awareness all contribute to the widening gap between law and practice. The study employs a doctrinal research methodology, analyzing statutory provisions, case law, institutional frameworks, and scholarly commentary. It reveals that cybercrime persists not because of a lack of legislation, but because enforcement structures remain fragmented and technologically outdated. Comparative insights from jurisdictions such as the United States and the United Kingdom demonstrate that successful cybercrime control depends on sustained investment in digital forensics, inter-agency collaboration, and public-private partnerships with telecom and fintech sectors.
The study recommends targeted reforms including a comprehensive amendment of the 2015 Act, improved institutional coordination, training of cybersecurity personnel, enhanced digital infrastructure, stricter financial monitoring systems, and greater public digital literacy. It concludes that Nigeria’s ability to combat emerging digital threats and protect its socio-economic future depends on building stronger, technology driven, transparent, and independent enforcement institutions.

The core of proof in criminal trials is that the accused must be proved to be the perpetrator of the crime beyond all reasonable doubt. In most cases, this is anchored on the evidence of an eye witness, however in the presence of none what becomes the fate of the victim. It appears that criminals have adopted a sophisticated scheme to commit crimes, it is therefore appropriate for our legal system to adopt a effective mechanism to ensure that crimes are proven and one way o attaining this is the use of Forensic. However the Nigerian legal system has remained redundant, primarily because criminal convictions are based on police reports, which sometimes lack credibility, as well as reliance on circumstantial evidence. This approach is a major setback to an efficient criminal justice system. The use of forensic science has been effectually deployed by other jurisdictions in combating crimes, while it is still an evolving trend in Nigeria. This study appraise the significance of forensic science in the Nigerian legal system with the aim of achieving a fair, just and robust criminal justice system that would strengthen the administration of justice in Nigeria. It also examine the relevancy and application of forensic evidence in Nigerian legal system. This study will adopted the doctrinal approach of research relying on existing principles and works of great authors and its findings will establish the essence for proper utilization of forensic science in order to restore the dignity, dependability and efficiency of the criminal justice system in Nigeria

The core of proof in criminal trials is that the accused must be proved to be the perpetrator of the crime beyond all reasonable doubt. In most cases, this is anchored on the evidence of an eye witness, however in the presence of none what becomes the fate of the victim. It appears that criminals have adopted a sophisticated scheme to commit crimes, it is therefore appropriate for our legal system to adopt a effective mechanism to ensure that crimes are proven and one way of attaining this is the use of Forensic. However the Nigerian legal system has remained redundant,

Kidnapping has gained ascendancy in Nigeria over the last decade. Despite the government’s effort to nip this daunting societal menace in the bud, it has graduated and developed more terrifying modus operandi. One thing is certain; kidnapping has become a terrorist act in the country, spanning from the Niger Delta militants in Southern Nigeria to that of the Boko Haram insurgents in the Northern part of the country. The Chibok and Dapchi girls’ incident which brought the Nigerian State to the global arena cannot be easily forgotten. A malady previously unknown to the people has rapidly become domesticated. Kidnapping is undeniably, a crime of ancient origin. As persistent and resurgent as this crime is however, governments of nations of the world have continually devised means of curbing the crime or at least reducing its occurrence to the barest minimum through the instrumentality of the law. The business of securing lives and properties in the State is a paramount one to any government hence, structures must be put in place and efforts made in perpetuity to ensure this is guaranteed the citizens. Nigeria as a country has witnessed a colossal increase in kidnapping in recent years. Despite the various laws enacted and implemented against such offence. The law acting as an instrument of social control and as the last hope of the common man has stepped up to address this anomaly. The law institutions confronted with the saddening reality that the penalty for kidnapping was disproportionate and inadequate, had to toughen the anti- kidnapping laws, in some cases as a capital offence to act as a possible deterrent. However, the recurring increment in the spate of kidnapping (even of law officers) in the face of the current legal regime leave one in doubt if the current laws are well designed to tackle this daunting menace.

The determination of paternity has long been a sensitive and legally significant issue in matrimonial proceedings, particularly in cases involving custody, maintenance, and legitimacy of children. With the advent of modern scientific methods such as DNA testing, the resolution of paternity disputes has evolved from reliance on presumptions and circumstantial evidence to verifiable biological proof. This study critically examines the role of DNA testing in resolving paternity disputes under the Nigerian Matrimonial Causes Act (MCA) Cap M7 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. It explores the extent to which Nigerian courts have accepted and applied DNA evidence in matrimonial proceedings and whether existing legal frameworks adequately support its use. The research is doctrinal and analytical, relying on statutes, judicial decisions, textbooks, and scholarly articles. It examines the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act and the Evidence Act 2011 to determine the admissibilityand evidential value of DNA testing in establishing paternity. Furthermore, the study analyzes the judicial attitudes toward scientific evidence in Nigerian courts and compares the Nigerian position with that of other jurisdictions, notably the United Kingdom, South Africa, and India. Findings reveal that while Nigerian courts recognize DNA testing as credible expert evidence, statutory and procedural gaps within the Matrimonial Causes Act hinder its consistent application. The study emphasizes the need for legislative reform to expressly incorporate DNA testing provisions, ensuring fair, accurate, and child-centred outcomes in matrimonial disputes. The research concludes that integrating scientific evidence within Nigeria’s family law framework will enhance the administration of justice, uphold the best interests of the child, and strengthen public confidence in the judicial process