Nigeria

Economic Reform and The Development of Nigeria’s Power Sector, 2015-2020 (Published)

Nigeria’s successive governments have tried a variety of policy alternatives throughout the years to enhance the country’s power industry, but they have all failed due to substantial energy losses (both technical and non-technical), a lack of knowledge, and high operating costs. The present government found it difficult, if not impossible, to implement any meaningful changes in the power industry given this tendency. Consequently, the private sector must be involved in the growth of Nigeria’s electricity sector. In essence, the study looks at how Nigeria’s electricity sector would develop between 2015 and 2020 in the wake of economic reform. In order to arrive at the solution to the problem, the study relied on secondary sources of data collecting in addition to qualitative data analysis and documentary methods of data acquisition. The study found that the lack of competition among power distribution businesses was the cause of Nigeria’s ongoing poor access to power, using the crony capitalism theory as our analytical framework. Above all, the report advises the Nigerian Energy Regulatory Commission (NERC) to enforce its authority as a regulator by enforcing appropriate fines and consequences against individuals who transgress the laws, rules, and regulations governing the energy market. 

Keywords: Development, Nigeria, Power Sector, economic reform

Party Politics, The Zoning Policy Paradox, And Consolidation of National Unity: An Assessment of the Two Major Political Parties in Nigeria (Published)

The word “Zoning” has dominated the present political struggle in Nigeria.  To a reasonable degree, zoning has been omnipresent in the genesis of Nigeria’s politics right from the first Republic and influences the formation of government (both military and civilian), and has been a subject of debate amongst scholars. It is right to reaffirm that the intention of those who brought the idea of the zoning policy into Nigeria’s political space was to ensure fairness in the rotation of key political offices across the country, but the politics and contentions associated with the actual practice of it is something to worry about. This is due to the fact that Nigerian politics over the years have been played on the basis of ethnicity as zoning seems to be an arrangement made to favour a particular set of people, who by reason of numbers acclaimed to be the majority, as against those who are regarded as the minority. In fact, zoning has practically turned out to represent the interest of few elites, who want to perpetually remain in power, and it is also defined by them, against what the masses may consider zoning to be in the sense of justice and fairness. With the 2023 general elections in sight, the issue of zoning is once again central and, as usual, contentious. This paper is an attempt to interrogate the extent to which the zoning of political offices during electoral contests, appointments, and the distribution of amenities will help in sustaining national unity in Nigeria and help in harmonizing and actualizing party interest(s). Scholars have written extensively on the zoning arrangements in Nigeria, some have even gone as far as tracing its origin to the second republic, but one thing which has remained a gab in their efforts is their inability to capture appropriately how zoning can help keep the country together by not just stating or making mention of zoning, but applying it in spirit and in principle. In gathering data for the study, the paper made use of the secondary method of data collection, while the generated data was analyzed using content analysis. Using John Rawl’s Theory of Justice, the paper finds and exposes the marginalization in the undue application of the zoning policy in Nigeria. This is because political actors have always placed their personal and party interests above fairness and justice. In other to ensure political justice, and consolidate National unity in the country, the paper recommends that the interest of the diverse religion, languages, and tribes that make up the country should be considered always so as to overcome the feeling of marginalization and domination of one region over the other which is about to tear the country into pieces.

Keywords: National Unity., Nigeria, marginalization, political justice, political party, zoning policy

Understanding Disability and Disability Rights in Nigeria (Published)

This paper aimed at conceptualizing disability within the law, culture and society in Nigeria. It attempted to compare the definitions of disability and provide a unique definition of disability based on the Nigerian experience. This theoretical paper explored the types and models of disability and related it to the Nigerian society. It distinguished the Nigerian Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006). While the CPRD is majorly a compilation and restatement of human rights found in other human rights document, the DAPPA, 2018 is an anti-discrimination Act for persons with disabilities. The paper captured the expected benefits of DAPPA on persons with disabilities in Nigeria. It recommended the appointment of members of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities as provided in the Act as the will ensure the implementation of the Act to the later. It further recommends the enlightenment of persons with disabilities on their rights as contained in Act so they can identify violation of such rights and seek redress of their rights.

Citation:  Adiela O.N.P. (2023) Understanding Disability and Disability Rights in Nigeria, Global Journal of Politics and Law Research, Vol.11, No.1, pp.40-51

Keywords: Nigeria, Society, disability, disability rights

The Role of Law in Tackling Corruption in Education (Published)

Education is a fundamental right of every citizen but corruption impedes the realization of this right because it makes access to education difficult. This paper brings together the roots of corruption in education, examines the underlying effects and showcases the role education itself and the law play in combating this menace. Recommendations are then made. It is note that strategies to prevent corruption in education should consider strengthening communication, education of civic values, respect for established criteria and rules for all issues in the education sector.

Citation: Damfebo Kieriseiye Derri and   Josephine Nkeonye Egemonu (2022) The Role of Law in Tackling Corruption in Education, Global Journal of Politics and Law Research, Vol.10, No.7, pp.1-14

 

Keywords: Corruption, Education, Law, Nigeria, Role

Vol10, Issue 7, 2022 (Initial Evaluation)

Keywords: Corruption, Education, Law, Nigeria, Role

Sentencing Guidelines and Prison Congestion in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects for Decongestion (Published)

This Paper examines the problems of absence of Sentencing Guidelines and Prison Congestion in Nigeria. It compares these in passing with the position in the United Kingdom. The Paper finds that the absence of Sentencing Guidelines does not encourage use of non-custodial options in sentencing but allows for uncoordinated exercise of judicial discretion in custodial sentences, which leads to prison congestion, disparity and uncertainty in penalties inflicted on prisoners convicted of same or similar offences. This is despite the efforts made in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 at providing scanty sentencing guidelines to solve the problem of uncoordinated sentencing. It concludes that comprehensive Sentencing Guidelines and Nigeria Sentencing Commission should be created to ensure adequate use of non-custodial sentences in deserving cases, uniformity and certainty in custodial sentences, and decongestion of correctional centres. The paper suggests solutions to bridge the gap, one of which is a recommendation that a penal law be enacted or existing ones amended to accommodate comprehensive Sentencing Guidelines and Sentencing Commission in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Analytical, comparative, descriptive, doctrinal, and empirical research methods are used in collating and scientifically analysing relevant statutes, statutory instruments, reports, judicial authorities, learned articles and textbooks, and interviews. These are followed with conclusion and recommendations.

Citation: Festus Okpoto Agbo (2022) Sentencing Guidelines and Prison Congestion in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects for Decongestion, Global Journal of Politics and Law Research, Vol.10, No.6, pp.27-42

Keywords: Congestion, Nigeria, decongestion, prisons, sentencing commission, sentencing guidelines

Role of The Judiciary in Promoting Access to Justice in Nigeria (Published)

The role of the Judiciary in promoting access to justice cannot be over-emphasised, neither can its contribution towards attainment of justice be quantified. An independent, strong, respectable and responsible judiciary is indispensable for the administration of justice in any society. It is in this light that the Judiciary, as an arm of government, is the most important of all the three arms of government in Nigeria. The availability of the judicial system and the quality of justice it dispenses depend largely on the coordinated efforts of the judicial officers and the staff of the courts, their professional competence and compliance with ethical standards of conduct and discipline at work.  An effective justice system is one that is accessible in all its parts. Without this, the system risks losing its relevance and the respect of the people it serves. Accessibility therefore is more than ease of access to the courts and legal representation, it involves an appreciation and understanding of the needs of those who require the assistance of the legal system. It is the duty of the judiciary to adequately protect all individuals that come before it to seek justice. In consideration of the importance of the judiciary, it is expected that it should play leadership role in the provision of access to justice. Unfortunately, access to justice in Nigeria is faced with so many challenges. These challenges and more shall form the focus of this research.

Citation: Josephine Nkeonye Egemonu (2022) Role of The Judiciary in Promoting Access to Justice in Nigeria, Global Journal of Politics and Law Research, Vol.10, No.5, pp.1-16

Keywords: Access, Judiciary, Justice, Nigeria

Non-Governmental Appraisal of the Frameworks for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Nigeria (Published)

Non-governmental organization are key actors in human rights promotion and protection in Nigeria. As also key players in international human rights mechanisms and particularly the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process of the Human Rights Council (HRC), non-governmental stakeholders in Nigeria have participated in the three UPR circles of Nigeria and submitted reports appraising the normative and institutional frameworks for the promotion and protection of human rights. As a creation of the HRC in 2006, the UPR is a peer mechanism to review, on a periodic basis, the human rights records of all Member States of the United Nations based on three distinct sources of information submitted to the HRC. One of such sources of information is the reports from non-governmental organization operating in Nigeria classified as ‘other reports’ and compiled by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.  Focusing on the ‘other reports’ submitted to the HRC on the normative and institutional frameworks for the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria, this article which is descriptive in nature concludes that despite advances claimed in its national UPR reports by the Government of Nigeria, non-governmental stakeholders are still of the view that there are evidently several weaknesses in the normative and institutional frameworks for the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria.

Keywords: Civil Society, Human Rights, Nigeria, non-governmental, normative and institutional framework, universal periodic review

Incessant Kidnapping and Killings in Nigeria: Has The Country Returned To The State Of Nature? (Published)

The rate of insecurity in Nigeria does not only call for concern but raises a loud alarm that no one is safe. The unending occurrence of killing, banditry and kidnapping affect all regions of the country and fear grips the mind of citizens, both the rich and the poor. The government at various levels have tried making security policies, giving security a primary attention in the national budget, purchasing sophisticated ammunitions, reshuffling the rank and file in the army, creating regional security outfits and other proactive steps, yet insecurity in the country prevails by the day and government appears to be handicapped in taking charge of internal sovereignty of the country. The government has however, often times, being excused of liability, especially when the cause of death is not directly connected with any of the government’s agencies despite the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the citizens. It is in the light of this that the research aims at examining the sole responsibility of government in protecting citizens in the country, and the government’s corresponding liability in this regard. Relying on both primary and secondary of information, the article revealed the failure of the government to protect lives and properties within her territory makes the country drift into a state of nature. It is therefore concluded that citizens have entered a social contract for the sake of their safety and security, the government should henceforth be held responsible for further acts of killings and insecurity in the country.

Keywords: Nigeria, country, incessant kidnapping, killings, state of nature

A Holistic Appraisal of Electoral Fraud and Other Electoral Irregularities in Nigeria: Way Forward (Published)

Over the years, allegations of electoral fraud have been levelled against the various elections held in Nigeria, including presidential elections. The recurrent incidences of flawned elections has no doubt eroded the credibility of election results and also debased the trust in the Electoral Commission. This paper examines the factors responsible for flawned elections in Nigeria among others. This is doctrinal research which relies on both primary and secondary sources of data. This paper reveals that the politicians have come to see election as a do or die affairs, hence the frequent use of thuggery, intimidation and violence during elections. This paper concludes by proferring some solutions.  

Keywords: Election, Fraud, Ideology, Nigeria, incumbency