Excerpt Posts

Stop and search is legal in Nigeria only when police have reasonable suspicion and act within the law.

Abuse happens when officers profile, intimidate, extort, assault, or force access to phones/social media without lawful grounds.

Citizens have rights during stop and search, including asking why they’re being stopped, refusing unlawful searches, and seeking legal remedies if abused.

Trial by ordeal still exists in Nigeria despite being clearly prohibited by law, reflecting a clash between traditional beliefs and the modern legal system.

The practice violates fundamental rights such as the right to life, human dignity, and fair hearing, and Nigerian courts have ruled that no cultural or religious belief can justify it.

Its persistence is driven by deep-rooted beliefs, fear of supernatural consequences, and weak law enforcement, ultimately undermining the rule of law.

Family disputes in Nigeria commonly arise from marriage, child custody, inheritance, and domestic violence, and when handled informally, they often escalate and lead to rights violations or legal trouble.

Nigerian law provides clear frameworks for resolving family disputes, including the Matrimonial Causes Act, Child’s Rights Act, VAPP Act, and succession laws, all of which prioritise due process and protection of vulnerable parties.

Lawful resolution methods such as mediation, court intervention, and protection orders help prevent self-help, violence, and disobedience of court orders, ensuring disputes are resolved peacefully and legally.

The festive season in Nigeria brings joy, celebrations, and shopping. It also sees a rise in fake and adulterated products. Substandard food, electronics, cosmetics, and beverages can threaten health, safety, and finances. Awareness and careful purchasing are essential.

Nigerian law protects consumers. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018 guarantees rights to safety, accurate information, free choice, fair value, compensation, and redress. These provisions allow consumers to demand quality products and seek remedies if harmed by counterfeit goods.

Consumers can take practical steps to avoid unsafe products. Check labels, expiry dates, batch numbers, and certification numbers like NAFDAC or SONCAP. Buy from reputable stores, verify product quality, and report violations to the relevant authorities.

Land ownership in Nigeria is not absolute—government retains certain powers. One of it is the statutory powers to revoke your title.

Government acquisition is legal but must follow proper procedures.

Knowing your rights and being proactive protects your property and ensures fair compensation.

Nigerian drug laws (NDLEA Act, Criminal Code, Penal Code) impose strict penalties, but enforcement often triggers human rights concerns such as torture, prolonged detention, and lack of access to fair trial.

International treaties and Nigerian case law emphasize the need to balance drug control with fundamental rights like dignity, privacy, and health.

A rights-based approach calls for rehabilitation, legal reforms, and accountability rather than over-criminalisation.

The Nigerian Highway Code (NHC), FRSC Act 2007, and National Road Traffic Regulations form the backbone of traffic law enforcement in Nigeria.

Common offences include speeding, drunk driving, seatbelt violations, phone use while driving, reckless overtaking, and driving without valid documents.

Weak enforcement, corruption, poor road infrastructure, and low public awareness are the major challenges limiting effectiveness.

Patients in Nigeria have rights guaranteed under the Constitution, National Health Act 2014, and other statutes, including the right to emergency care, dignity, confidentiality, and non-discrimination.

Breaches include denial of emergency treatment, failure to obtain informed consent, and breaches of privacy — all of which have legal consequences.

Patients can seek redress through civil suits, regulatory complaints, and consumer protection bodies.

The Nigerian law distinguishes between wild animals (ferae naturae), where owners face strict liability, and domesticated animals (mansuetae naturae), where liability usually depends on negligence.

Owners can face civil liability (trespass, negligence, nuisance) and criminal sanctions (e.g., under the Criminal Code or Police Act) when their pets cause harm.

Defences include provocation, trespass by the victim, or unforeseeable events, but pet owners are still expected to act responsibly.

The type of marriage (statutory, customary, or Islamic) determines the legal divorce process in Nigeria.

Common misconceptions—like “returning the bride price ends a marriage”—often lead to invalid or incomplete divorces.

Statutory marriages require a court process under the Matrimonial Causes Act; informal separation or religious rites are not legally sufficient.

Gambling laws in Nigeria are primarily governed at the state level, following a 2024 Supreme Court ruling.

Licensed betting and lottery platforms are legal, but unlicensed operations and games of pure chance are prohibited.

The NLRC, state gaming authorities, and FCCPC regulate the industry and ensure consumer protection and responsible gambling standards.

Courts generally presume that social or domestic agreements are not legally binding unless there is clear evidence of legal intent.

Agreements involving money, property, or caregiving may become enforceable if formalized or appear commercial in nature.

Written agreements and mutual benefit (consideration) are key to making personal promises legally valid.

Emigration (the “Japa” trend) is legal but must follow formal immigration laws and documentation standards.

Key laws include the Immigration Act 2015, Immigration Regulations 2017, and international treaties on human rights and free movement.

Challenges include fraudulent documents, passport racketeering, and weak enforcement of service bonds.

An accessory after the fact is someone who helps a criminal avoid justice after the offence has been committed.

Nigerian law (Criminal and Penal Codes) criminalizes such assistance, with penalties ranging from 2 to 7 years imprisonment.

Proving knowledge and intent is key, and cultural/family loyalty often makes prosecution difficult.

Aiding and abetting means providing support, encouragement, or assistance to someone committing a crime.

Nigerian law treats aiders and abettors as equally guilty as the main offender.

Punishment depends on the seriousness of the underlying offence.

Consumer protection laws exist to safeguard customers from unfair practices in banking and financial services.

Challenges like hidden charges, poor transparency, and delayed dispute resolution remain widespread.

Institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) play key roles in enforcement.

E-commerce has transformed the way Nigerians buy and sell. With a few clicks, consumers can purchase everything from clothes to electronics, delivered right to their doorstep. But this convenience often comes with hidden risks. In this episode of Legal Matters, […]

Food safety is a public health and consumer rights issue, not just a regulatory concern.

Nigerian laws set standards for food handling, packaging, and labeling to protect consumers.

Enforcement is challenging due to informal markets and weak compliance.