LAW

Land administration systems, largely shaped by legal frameworks like the Land Use Act, playapivotal role in managing land as a vital natural resource, ensuring its sustainable utilizationanddevelopment. This research delves into the multifaceted landscape of land management, encompassing social, legal, cultural, economic, and technical dimensions within whichlandadministrators navigate. Focusing on the Land Use Act, this study meticulously evaluatesitsefficacy in addressing the underlying challenges it was designed to alleviate, withparticularscrutiny on Section 47. Emphasis is placed on scrutinizing the limitations arising fromtheAct'snon-justiciability concerning the adequacy of compensation. Employing a doctrinal researchmethodology, the research examines legal principles and statutes to elucidate theseissues. Findings reveal a disjunction between the objectives of the Land Use Act and its practicaloutcomes, attributing this disparity to inherent flaws within the Act itself and challengesinitsimplementation. Consequently, the study advocates for legislative amendments to aligntheActwith contemporary realities, thereby enhancing its feasibility and effectiveness in practice. Thisresearch underscores the imperative of legislative evolution to address the dynamic complexitiesof land administration, advocating for reforms that resonate with the present socio-economicandlegal landscape.

The study examines the legal and institutional frameworks for combating public corruption in Nigeria and proposes reforms to enhance accountability and governance. The objectives are twofold: to examine the existing legal framework for anti-corruption efforts and to recommend measures for reducing corruption in the public sector. The study adopted a doctrinal research methodology, case method, providing a historical overview of Nigeria’s anti- corruption institutions and their successes and limitations. Findings indicate that despite the implementation of various preventive and punitive measures, corruption remains widespread due to weak enforcement, limited transparency, and institutional inefficiencies. The analysis demonstrates that strengthening accountability mechanisms through both answerability and enforceability of public officials can improve the efficiency of the public sector and ensure national resources are directed toward development initiatives. The study contributes to knowledge proposing for a holistic and proactive legal framework to make public institutions in the country to be independent in order to be able to drive the policy of the country rather than being built around individuals. Based on the findings, the study recommends enhancing institutional capacity, improving enforcement of anti-corruption laws, promoting transparency, and cultivating a culture of integrity among public officials. Overall, the research underscores that legal and institutional reforms are essential for reducing corruption, improving governance, and ensuring that public resources are effectively managed to achieve sustainable national development

This research critically examines the issues surrounding independent actions for maintenance under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1970 (MCA 1970). The study was motivated by the persistent ambiguity in section 70 of the Act, which empowers courts to make maintenance orders but fails to indicate whether such proceedings may be instituted independently of principal matrimonial causes such as divorce, nullity, or judicial separation. This legislative gap has generated conflicting judicial interpretations and inconsistent enforcement across Nigerian courts. The research adopts a doctrinal legal methodology, relying on statutory analysis, case law, and comparative examination of other jurisdictions. It also draws on relevant international conventions, including The Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), to assess Nigeria’s compliance with global standards. Findings reveal that the MCA 1970, though a landmark statute, is inadequate in addressing the realities of family maintenance in contemporary Nigeria. The absence of express statutory provision for independent maintenance actions has resulted in divergent judicial opinions, procedural confusion, and limited access to justice for vulnerable spouses and children. The Act further restricts its application to statutory marriages, thereby excluding those contracted under customary and Islamic law, contrary to the constitutional principle of equality. Comparative analysis shows that jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, and Australia expressly recognise and regulate independent maintenance proceedings as a distinct legal right. The study recommends a comprehensive legislative reform of the MCA 1970 to expressly provide for independent maintenance proceedings, extend protection to all forms of marriage, and establish specialised family courts or maintenance divisions for effective adjudication and enforcement. It further proposes the introduction of clear procedural rules, periodic review of maintenance orders, and stronger enforcement mechanisms such as attachment of earnings and garnishee proceedings. In conclusion, the research asserts that recognising independent maintenance actions under Nigerian law is imperative for ensuring
access to justice, gender equality, and the protection of the welfare of spouses and children. The proposed reforms would align Nigeria’s maintenance framework with international best practices and enhance the delivery of family justice in the modern legal system

This Essay is centered on the efficacy of sentencing in Nigeria, it is common knowledge that the prison is used to deter certain persons that go against the law, it can be used as a means for those individuals to atone for their actions as well as protecting the society from the actions of that individual, when they are perceived as a danger to the public and themselves. The modern
Nigerian prison has sadly strayed far away from its original intent. The prison system is constrained with reoccurring problems, recidivism, overcrowding, abuse on the mental and physical health of the inmates when incarcerated, these issues seem to have the Nigerian justice system at a choke hold. A clear solutions to these issues is the utilization of alternative sentencing models like, probation, parole, community service, restorative justice, fines, and the likes. The justice system does not utilize rehabilitative programs to aid character development and transformation of the inmates. This Essay goes into further explanation of these alternative sentencing models as against the overused incarceration, which yields no result but rather seems to be a counterproductive measure in countering crime and rehabilitation. This study will look into the root of the problems of sentencing in Nigeria and how to curb the plaguing issues, as well as looking into other international jurisdiction to gain insight of the use of certain punishment and the outcomes. This essay is aimed at shedding more light in these areas as well as bringing long lasting solutions to sustain and improve the implementation of alternative sentencing models in the criminal justice system

This long essay critically examines the persistent problem of digital piracy within the Nigerian music industry, analyzing the adequacy and effectiveness of the nation's legal framework from a legal and human rights perspective. The central thesis is that
Nigeria’s response to this challenge is characterized by a fundamental paradox: the system is strong in law but profoundly weak in execution. While the Copyright Act 2022 provides a modern, comprehensive arsenal of rights and digital safeguards, its
practical implementation is severely undermined by institutional and procedural failures. The nature and scope of piracy have drastically evolved from physical markets to technologically sophisticated digital methods, including widespread stream-ripping, cyberlockers, and illicit sharing across decentralized social media platforms, a shift the enforcement institutions have failed to match. The unchecked prevalence of piracy results in an estimated annual loss of ₦918 trillion across Nigerian copyright industries, which translates into a direct and severe violation of the economic and human rights of Nigerian creators to benefit from the fruits of their labor. This institutional execution gap is manifested in the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) being operationally overstretched, the Nigerian Police Force deprioritizing intellectual property crime, and Collective Management rganisations (CMOs) being plagued by governance crises and credibility challenges. Furthermore, the framework contains a critical gap regarding the emerging threat of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI). A comparative analysis of the US and South African models confirms that the solution does not lie in legislative overhaul but in decisively adopting proven models for procedural efficiency, institutional transparency, and strong judicial deterrence. This research concludes that safeguarding the sustainability and global competitiveness of Nigeria's music sector requires a fundamental shift in priority to bridge the gap between statutory promise and practical reality.

The topic entails the flaws of the traditional defamation law in dealing with activities on the internet. The limitations of the traditional defamation law in protecting the reputations of persons on the internet where such reputations have been affected by statements made by individuals or groups and the law not being able to bring justice to such wrong doers in some cases due to anonymity or the speedy spread of information online. However, there have been provisions such as those laid down in section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 pertaining to digital defamation, addressing the flaws of the traditional defamation laws and laying down sanctions for such defamatory offences ranging from seven million fines to not less than three years imprisonment or both for offenders. This analysis aims to explores the inadequacies of the traditional defamation laws and the evolving landscape of defamation law in the digital age like the Australian Defamation Amendment Bill of 2023. The work highlights the need for reforms and advancement of the traditional defamation law in order to tackle unique digital challenges such as jurisdictional issues, anonymity, and balancing the need to protect reputations with the right to free speech as contained in section 39 of The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and also Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and how such rights are not completely absolute.
By analysing the current legal framework and its limitation in tackling online defamation, this study highlights the importance of advancing defamation law in Nigeria to effectively protect reputations while balancing the right to freedom of expression. The findings of this research will provide an insight into the complex interplay between protecting reputations and preserving free speech in the digital space highlighting the need and importance of adaptive legal frameworks, increased protections and international cooperation to promote a safer online environment and better safe guard individual reputations.

The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial arms of government comprise the three branches of government in Nigeria. As the third branch of the government, the judiciary’s main responsibility is to dispense justice. In order to critically assess the judicial branch of government and the laws governing judicial officers in Nigeria, this research will concentrate on the process for the appointment and removal of judicial officers in Nigeria by the executive. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) expressly grants executive authority to nominate, dismiss, and execute disciplinary measures against judicial
officers. Judicial officers are those people who occupy any judicial post that is specifically mentioned in the Constitution. Unfortunately, there have been some disagreements on which branch of government has the authority to name, suspend, and remove judicial officers from office. According to the provisions of section 292 (1) (a) (ii) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), there have been attempts by some Governors to remove senior judicial officers, in particular the Chief Judge, based on a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of the relevant House of Assembly. Having looked into the appointment of judges in other jurisdictions, it has been noted that while the appointment of judges is done by the Executive, which is similar to the position we have under our laws in Nigeria, it is my opinion that the NJC should recommend, followed by the approval of the National Assembly before the president can appoint them. It is also my opinion that the members of the NJC should not be appointed by the executive so as to ensure an impartial nomination of persons that should constitute the Bench.
However, the removal of judicial officers should not be subject to the wills of the executive but rather, the judiciary should have among its members an independent body tasked with investigation, discipline and dismissal of judicial officers as it relates to misconduct. This is because the retirement age of judicial officers is constitutionally provided for, hence, the decline and removal of judges on the grounds of misconduct should be done by the judiciary to ensure the independence of the judiciary

Nigeria's expanding digital realm is experiencing a troubling surge in hate speech and misinformation which presents a profound risk to national security, social unity, and the credibility of its democratic system. This academic inquiry focuses on the legal and regulatory measures enacted to counter this threat, specifically scrutinizing the actions of the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). The study examines the NBC's practice of imposing penalties, such as fines and license revocations, on media organizations and news houses. By employing a doctrinal methodology alongside a qualitative case study analysis of prominent NBC enforcement actions especially those concerning political coverage and responses to national crises, the research evaluates the legal effectiveness and constitutional validity of the Commission's regulatory authority under the National Broadcasting Act and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. The research uncovers an ongoing regulatory paradox, in other words; while the NBC is tasked with upholding broadcast standards and public order, its method of imposing unilateral sanctions has consistently been contested in the judiciary. These legal challenges frequently cite violations of the principles of natural justice and an infringement upon the fundamental right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution. The core conclusion of the research is that the existing enforcement framework is widely viewed as arbitrary and prone to regulatory overreach. Consequently, it often fails to achieve the crucial equilibrium between managing harmful content and safeguarding press freedom. The study's ultimate recommendation advocates for targeted legal reforms to ensure that all efforts against misinformation and hate speech are executed within a framework that is both procedurally fair and constitutionally sound, thereby cultivating a responsible media environment instead of a restricted one.

This research takes a look at the issue of internal displacement in Nigeria, where millionsofpeople have been forced from their homes by conflict and disaster. It assesses the extant lawsand addresses why the country's laws and policies, fail to protect these vulnerable citizensinreality. The study explores the challenges of implementation within the system, wheredifferent agencies struggle to work together and the promises the law makes are not fulfilled. By uncovering the real reasons for this failure, this work points to what must be done tofixthe broken system and finally provide the safety and support that displaced peopleneedurgently

This research work will provide a comprehensive analysis of terrorism in Nigeria, with a focused case study on Boko Haram, one of the most violent and persistent insurgent groups in the region. The main purpose is to explore the complex interplay of political, economic, social, and ideological factors that have contributed to the rise and entrenchment of Boko Haram, evaluate its effects on national security and civilian life, and assess the effectiveness of government and international responses to the crisis.This study relied on the doctrinal research methodology. It is library research which includes primary and secondary sources. The primary sources consist of statute and case laws. The secondary sources which consisted relevant information from leading authorities, books on tax laws and practices, writings and articles of scholars, magazines, opinion of jurists, journals, periodicals, seminar papers, as well as the internet and websites. The research concluded that Boko Haram’s insurgency is deeply linked to systemic issues such as poverty, unemployment, religious extremism, poor governance, and regional inequalities. The group’s adaptive tactics and exploitation of local grievances have made counterinsurgency efforts challenging. While military operations have yielded some territorial gains against Boko Haram, sustainable peace remains elusive without addressing underlying socio-economic problems. Policy recommendations emphasize a holistic strategy combining security improvement, economic empowerment, education reforms, and regional cooperation to dismantle extremist networks and promote long-term stability in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin.