Why Court of Appeal Justices must not act in vain

The appointment of the latest batch of Court of Appeal Justices has been strewn with controversies, not least the claim that the interviews conducted by the National Judicial Council was perhaps shambolic. Just when justice sector stakeholders thought that the ghost of the troubled exercise was to be laid to rest with the scheduled swearing-in…

May 20, 20210Comments

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The Law and You

Child molesters are barbaric animals of dangerous species –Supreme Court

By Stephen Azubuike In myriads of cases, the Nigerian Supreme Court has had to deal with appeals relating to cases of child molestation. The apex Court has consistently expressed deep concern and condemned the act in strong terms. For instance, in the case of Boniface Adonike v. The State [2015] 7 NWLR (Pt. 1458) 237 at 266,…

April 29, 20210Comments

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The Law and You

SUPREME COURT FORBIDS LAWYERS FROM PLEADING ALLOCUTUS

By Stephen Azubuike Francis v. Federal Republic of Nigeria [2021] 5 NWLR (Pt. 1769) 398 at 412, per Eko, JSC: “Allocutus”, as defined in Earl Jowitt: The Dictionary of English Law, is what the convict has to say why the court should not proceed to sentence him. That is, what the convict shows “Why the sentence should…

April 29, 20215Comments

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Job & Numbers: 2 Bible Books That Swayed Supreme Court Ruling On Female Inheritance

By John Chuks Azu Years after the Supreme Court nullified the customary practice of not according inheritance to female children by their family in Igboland, the lead justice in the case has explained the main reason for the decision. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, who retired from the Supreme Court on March 22 after clocking the statutory…

April 13, 20210Comments

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The Law and You

COURT OF APPEAL RECOMMENDS THAT MONEY RITUALISTS SHOULD BE MADE TO PROVE THEIR INNOCENCE

Tobi Ojo v. The State [2021] 3 NWLR (Pt. 1764) 435 at 460, per Patricia Ajuma Mahmoud, JCA: I cannot end this judgment without thinking aloud of the nature of greed that will make one human being kill another for ‘ritual money’. That for doing no work, one is prepared to sacrifice the life of…

April 9, 20210Comments

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The Law and You

Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a pastor and another who sold two ladies into prostitution: Lessons

By Stephen Azubuike Given the level of unemployment and poverty in the country, many young people continue to fall victims of human trafficking, especially young ladies. The prevalence of this vice led the Government into passing the law known as Trafficking in Persons Prohibition Law Enforcement and Administration Act, 2003 (“Trafficking Act”). Notwithstanding, the illegal…

April 9, 20210Comments

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The Law and You

Is It Contempt of Court or Abuse of Judicial Power?

By Hon. Justice M. I. Edokpayi Introduction I feel honoured to be invited to present a brief paper in honour of a distinguished jurist and titan, Hon. Justice S.M.A. Belgore, G.C.O.N., Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am overwhelmed by the invitation taking into consideration the status of the celebrant. I must…

March 24, 202123Comments

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The Law and You

What is Mandamus?

By Usman Bwala There are many types of writs, one of which is called mandamus. Mandamus is a Latin word which in English means “we command” Black’s Law Dictionary p.867. It is an order requiring that an act be done; the act to be done must be public act Exparte Sunday Odje 1961 IV All…

February 12, 202119Comments

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The Law and You

Court of Appeal rescues a fraudster whose plea bargain agreement was “betrayed” by the High Court

By Stephen Azubuike Plea Bargain – Meaning and Essential Principles Plea Bargain is an interesting invention by the law for the benefit of a person accused of committing an offence, the prosecutor and the society in general. Contrary to the assumption by many at inception in Nigeria particularly, a plea bargain does not operate to…

December 31, 20200Comments

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The Law and You

What the Law Doesn’t Know About Suicide

Most of us insist that it is wrong to take one’s own life. We conceive both a religious and a moral ‘duty’ to maintain life. Christianity abhors suicide as contradicting its doctrine of sanctity of human life and Koran expressly inhibits it. In this sanctity, there is no difference between murder and suicide. This Christian…

August 11, 20182Comments

ByIbe Ikwechegh

The Law and You

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