LEGAL

This research examine human trafficking and child abuse in Nigeria, with specific focus on Edo State. The study adopted a descriptive method using qualitative analysis to solve the research problems. The findings from the study revealed the prevalence, incidence and knowledge of human trafficking and child abuse among residents of Edo State. The results revealed the causes and determining factors of human trafficking and child abuse among residents of Edo State to include poverty and armed conflict; lack of economic opportunity and education; discriminatory practices including gender discrimination; abusive family environments; restrictive migration policies; and poorly regulated industrial sectors. Identified possible solutions to the menace of human trafficking and child abuse in Edo State includes effective poverty alleviation programme, strict law enforcement process and public enlightenment. The study demonstrated that human trafficking and child abuse were very rampant in Edo State. Following the conclusions, the study propose the following recommendations: The government should legislate against gender discrimination, and make girl-child education free at primary and post primary school levels; The government should set limit to family size; The Edo State government should make adult education compulsory for all illiterate parents; The government should encourage parents’ involvement in cooperative societies through which they will be empowered for economic self-reliance; The government should expand the job market and make employment available to single or unmarried youths to help the care for themselves and think less of migrating away from their State or country.

The Nigerian music industry has undergone a dramatic transformation in the digital era (1999– 2024), fueled by technological advancements, the rise of streaming platforms, and the global popularity of Afrobeats. While these developments have created unprecedented opportunities for artists and record labels, they have also intensified disputes over contractual fairness, revenue sharing, and intellectual property rights. This study critically examines the legal realities and industry dynamics of Nigerian recording contracts, focusing on the pre-contractual negotiation process, transparency in artist-label relationships, and the effectiveness of existing legal and institutional frameworks in ensuring fairness. The research explores key issues such as information asymmetry, bargaining power imbalances, and the opaque nature of royalty structures, which often leave artists vulnerable to exploitative agreements. It evaluates the role of Nigerian contract law, the Copyright Act 2022, the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, and industry institutions like the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and Collective Management Organizations (CMOs) in regulating contractual fairness. Case law and industry disputes, including landmark cases like King Sunny Ade v. African Songs Ltd and Kizz Daniel v. G-Worldwide Entertainment, are analyzed to assess the legal protections available to artists and labels. Methodologically, this study adopts a doctrinal legal approach, relying on statutory analysis, case law review, and comparative examination of international transparency standards. The findings reveal significant gaps in Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework, particularly in contract enforcement, financial accountability, and regulatory oversight. While existing laws provide theoretical protections, weak enforcement mechanisms and a lack of industry-wide contract transparency allow exploitative practices to persist. This research recommends the adoption of standardized contract clauses, mandatory financial disclosures, stronger oversight of CMOs, and the integration of blockchain technology for royalty tracking to enhance transparency. Strengthening artist education, collective bargaining frameworks, and dispute resolution mechanisms will also be essential in fostering a more balanced and sustainable music industry. By addressing these legal and industry gaps, Nigeria can move towards a more equitable system where both artists and record labels thrive.

Cross-border child maintenance has become an increasingly complex legal issue as rising migration, international marriages and family breakdowns create situations where a parent resides outside the jurisdiction responsible for enforcing a child’s right to maintenance. Although international instruments such as the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 1990 African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child affirm this right, enforcement remains inconsistent, particularly in Nigeria. The central problem addressed in this study is the persistent gap between the legal recognition of child maintenance as a right and the practical ability of custodial parents to enforce that right when the obligor lives abroad. The aim of this study is to critically assess the international, regional, and domestic frameworks governing the cross-border enforcement of child maintenance, with particular reference to Nigeria. Using a doctrinal method based on statutes, case law, treaties, and academic literature, the paper examines the extent to which Nigerian law accommodates international obligations and identifies legal, procedural, and institutional obstacles. Findings show that Nigeria’s dualist approach to treaty ratification limits the domestic effect of international maintenance conventions, including the Hague 2007 Child Support Convention. Although domestic laws such as the Child Rights Act and Matrimonial Causes Act provide strong protections, they lack cross-border applicability. Additionally, the absence of a central authority, limited judicial expertise in private international law, bureaucratic delays, gendered socio-economic inequalities, and fragmented mechanisms for enforcing foreign judgments pose challenges. The study recommends comprehensive reforms, including domestication of relevant conventions, creation of a central enforcement authority, harmonisation of family laws, enhanced judicial capacity, and gender-responsive mechanisms to safeguard children’s financial rights across borders.

Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is a serious and persistent problem in Nigeria, deeply rooted in social, cultural, and legal contexts. Despite existing laws and institutions designed to protect victims, IPA continues to affect countless individuals, particularly women, revealing significant gaps between legal provisions and their implementation. This study examines Nigeria’s legal and institutional framework for addressing IPA, considering both domestic laws, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 and international and regional instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Comparative insights from other countries’ approaches to IPA are also explored to identify best practices and lessons for Nigeria. The research highlights persistent challenges, such as weak enforcement, inadequate coordination among institutions, limited victim support services, and societal stigma, all of which undermine the effectiveness of legal protections. Through case studies, including the widely publicized Osinachi Nwachukwu case, the study illustrates the real-life consequences of these systemic weaknesses and the urgent need for reform. The findings suggest that addressing IPA in Nigeria requires more than legislation; it demands public education, capacity building for law enforcement and the judiciary, community engagement to challenge harmful gender norms, and enhanced support services for survivors. By situating Nigeria’s experience within the broader international context, the study demonstrates that meaningful progress against IPA depends on a combination of legal, institutional, and cultural interventions. The research concludes with practical recommendations aimed at strengthening both protection and prevention measures, ensuring that victims receive justice, and fostering a society where intimate partner abuse is no longer tolerated.