An Appraisal of The Enforcement of Human Rights Under The Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 In Nigeria

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 – An Appraisal of The Enforcement of Human Rights Under The Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 In Nigeria –

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ABSTRACT
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 chose certain rights to protect under chapter IV and termed them as Fundamental Rights.

These rights are chosen to be protected not only by the Constitution, but also by the African Charter on Human and Peoples „Right.

Whenever there are breaches of these fundamental rights, the law provides a procedure for their enforcement, which is the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009.

The basic objective of the 2009 Rules is to facilitate enforcement procedure by removing some of the impediments in 1979 rule.

Unfortunately it is clear that the procedure for enforcement of Fundamental Rights is still bedeviled by delay. Many applications alleging serious human rights violations are routinely struck out or dismissed.

However, the pertinent question is: to what extent are the human rights provision in these legal instruments realized or enforced?

It is worthy of note that there are equally other important impediments in the realization of the objective of Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009, such as the distinction between main claim and ancillary claim in the Nigerian fundamental rights, because litigants are cautious of whether or not their claim will succeed because of this distinction.

This research examines the problem of delay associated with the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 This dissertation made an in depth analysis of the rules and considered to what extent it achieved its objective in order to enhance a robust human right regime.

To achieve a close –to- accurate‟ if not accurate result, the research embarked on a field work. To this end, both doctrinal and empirical method of research is used.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page……………………………………………………………………………… ….  i

Declaration…………………………………………………………………… …………   ii

Certification……………………………………………………………………………..   iii

Acknowledgment………………………………………………………………………   iv

Dedication…………………………………………………………………………………. v

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………. vi

List of Appendices……………………………………………………………………..  ix

List of Statues………………………………………………………………………..…… x

List of Cases……………………………………………………………………………..    xi

Abbreviations…………………………………………………………………………..… xiv

Abstract………………………………………………………………………………..…..   xv

CHAPTER ONE 

1.0  GENERAL INTRODUCTION……………………………………………  1

1.1 Background to the Study…………………………………………………………   1

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem…………………………………………   2

1.3 Aim and Objectives ……………………………………………………….…………3

1.4 Scope of the Research………………………………………………….……………4

1.5 Research Methodology………………………………………………….…………  4

1.6 Literature Review………………………………………………………….………….4

1.7 Justification of the Research……………………………………….……………   7

1.8 Organizational Layout…………………………………………………….…………7

CHAPTER TWO:

2.0 CONCEPT OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS, HUMAN RIGHTS AND  CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT………………………………………………………….                                                                                                                 9

2.1 Introduction….……………………………………………………………………………                                                                      9

2.2 Meaning of Human Rights……………………………………………………………….                                                                10

2.3 The Concept of Fundamental Rights, Human Rights and Constitutional Rights Distinguished………………….13

2.4 History of Fundamental Human Rights in Nigeria…………………………..…………                                                      14

2.5 Nature of Constitutional Provisions……………………….……………………………..                                                           22

2.6 The Nature of Fundamental Rights………………………………………………………                                                            27

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 EXAMINATION OF THE PROCEDURE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS IN NIGERIA…………………………………                                                                                    30

3.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………… ……………..                                          30

3.2 Individual and Institutional Frame work for the Enforcement of Fundamental Human

Rights…………………………………………………………………………………….                                                      31

3.3 Justiciability or otherwise of the Fundamental Human Rights under the Constitution………. 33

3.4  Cause of Action…………………………………………….…………… ………………                                           37

3.5 Jurisdiction of Courts………………………………………………….…………………                                        42

3.6 Procedure for enforcement………………………………………………………………                                      46

3.6.1 Action Commenced by Originating Summons………………………………………….                           48

3.6.2 The Grounds for Seeking Reliefs………………………………………………………..                                 51

3.5.3  Applicant‟s written Address and Respondent‟s Written Address ……………………………………………………………………………………………                                                          52

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT PROCESS IN NIGERIA…………………………………………..                          54

4.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………54

4.2 Instrument………………………………………………………………………………..55

4.3 Sample and Sampling Techniques……..…………………………………………55

4.4 Statistical Tool for Analysis of Data..………………………………….…………56

4.5 Reliability and Validity of Instrument……………………………………………56

4.6 Method of Data Analysis………………………………………………………………56

4.7 Data Presentation and Analysis…………………………………………………… 56

4.8 Test of Proposition…………………………………………………………………….. 57

CHAPTER FIVE 

5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS……100

5.1 Summary of findings …………………………………………………………..………109

5.3  Recommendations………………………………………………………………………111

Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………            112

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Background to the Study
Fundamental Rights are rights derived from natural or fundamental or constitutional law1. They are rights which remain in the realm of domestic law, which are recognized, entrenched and guaranteed in the constitution of a country or any other legal instrument such as the African Charter on Human and People‟s Rights.

Fundamental Human Rights are also described as rights which are inalienable and guaranteed to every person. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the African Charter on Human and Peoples‟ Right guarantee fundamental human rights.

These Fundamental Human Rights are not privileges in the sense that they could be withdrawn at the whims and caprices of the government of the day.

They are rights which the executive and legislature are enjoined to respect and the judiciary to protect. However, there are instances where these guaranteed rights are violated either by law enforcement agents or in quasi-judicial proceedings

Furthermore, where there are breaches of these rights, the appropriate means to secure the enforcement of the victims‟ fundamental right is paramount. It is against this background that the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules was enacted. On 29th May, 1999, a new constitution came into being.

Some judicial opinions3 were of the view that the Fundamental Rights ( Enforcement Procedure ) Rules1979 was dead pursuant to section 42(3) which provides who to make rules for the practice and procedure for the High court towards the enforcement of the provision of Chapter IV.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

AbiolaOjo,(1977),Fundamental Human Rights in Nigeria,The 1963 and 1979 constitutional Provisions

Afolayan A.F. and Okorie P.C (2007) modern civil procedure Law, Dee-Sage, Lagos.

Black‟s Law Dictionary,8th Edition

Dalhatu M.B,(2008), What is Constitutional Law, Sacombuc, Zaria.

Eze.O. (1988) Human Rights in Africa, Nigerian Law Publication Ltd, Lagos.

Femi Falana,(2010), Fundamental Human Rights Enforcement in Nigeria, Legal text, Lagos

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