HUMAN RIGHTS

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 concept of same-sex marriage in recent times is one of the recurrent controversial issues universally, and this is especially so with its criminalization in some countries. It is not a new phenomenon. There are conflicting views on same sex relationships and nations of the world are at disparity on this score. With the passage of time, it is glaring that the law is being influenced as a result of growth and development of science. A controversial issue in the argument on same sex marriage in Nigeria is whether marriages between people of the same gender is foreign to Nigerian culture and tradition. The traditional marriage system in Nigeria has been particularly challenged by the rising visibility of same-sex relationships and marriages. Nigeria does not recognize or accept same sex relationships and this decision by the legislature is hinged on moral, religious and traditional values and the country has established this by passing the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act (SSMPA) 2014 into law. This law prohibiting same sex marriages and civil unions has been criticized by some of the international community on grounds that same sex activities are considered acts between two consenting adults as purely private affairs and ought not to be the state’s concern. A major question that arose with the implementation of the SSMPA was whether the new legislation would infringe the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgenders (LGBTs) and in extension, the Nigerian Constitution which safeguards the rights of citizens. In light of the foregoing, this study examines the legality and framework of the anti-gay law in Nigeria and seeks to establish the impact same sex unions have on Nigerian culture, morals and the value system as a whole due to the fact that Nigeria is a highly moralist state

The origins of amnesty in Nigeria date back to the 1960s, when the federal government granted amnesty to rebels who surrendered during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)¹. This move was aimed to promote national reconciliation and stability. In 2009, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua introduced the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to address the Niger Delta crisis². The program aimed to reintegrate militants through training, education, job placement and social support stipends. The PAP was a significant step towards addressing the region's grievances. Despite the PAP's successes, human rights concerns persist in Nigeria. Amnesty International has raised concerns about excessive force, torture, forced evictions, climate change impact, enforced disappearances and sexual and gender-based violence³. These issues underscore the need for sustained efforts to protect human rights. Amnesty International has been actively engaged in Nigeria since the 1970s. The organization has taken various actions, including Urgent Actions, research reports and campaigns to address human rights abuses and promote accountability⁴