Tag: judgement

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When “We Had No Choice” Becomes a Legal Doctrine: The Doctrine of Necessity in Nigerian Constitutional Law by Lawson Akhigbe

Nigerian public life has a tradition of justifying questionable legal actions with the doctrine of necessity, a principle originating from the UK's unwritten constitution. This doctrine allows for actions deemed unlawful under normal circumstances if they are necessary to prevent greater harm, such as escaping a burning building. However, Nigeria, with its codified Constitution of 1999, presents a stark contrast. The constitution, seen as the supreme law, renders any act inconsistent with it void. The article questions how the doctrine of necessity can coexist within a constitutional democracy like Nigeria, highlighting the tension between the flexible nature of UK law and the rigid framework of Nigeria's constitution.

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The Changing Face of Justice: A Deep Dive into Nigeria’s Judicial Funding Reforms (2024–2026) by Lawson Akhigbe

Nigeria has finally built the legal architecture for a self-sufficient judiciary. The challenge for the remainder of 2026 and beyond is ensuring fiscal discipline. With the judiciary now managing its own billions, the public is shifting its focus from "Why is the court broke?" to "How transparently is the court spending our money?" For the first time in history, the Nigerian judiciary has the tools to be truly independent, now, it just needs to prove it can manage them.

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The Great Clacton Escape: Can Nigel Farage Outrun His Own Paperwork? By Lawson Akhigbe

Farage’s latest stunt, abruptly resigning as the MP for Clacton to trigger a theatrical summer by-election is a masterpiece in the fine art of political distraction.

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The Cross-Carpeting Clause: A Constitutional Ornament Admiring Itself in the Mirror By Lawson Akhigbe

Godswill Akpabio There is a particular kind of Nigerian comedy that requires no jokes, only a calendar. Take a recent entry: on a Tuesday in late June, the Delta State House of Assembly solemnly declared the seat of Hon. Collins Egbetamah vacant, three months after he left the All Progressives Congress for the Nigeria Democratic …

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Lifusprudence: An introduction to a judicial hitman By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

Lifusprudence: An Introduction to a Judicial Hitman” by Chidi Anselm Odinkalu introduces “Lifusprudence” as the controversial judicial brand of Justice Peter Lifu of Nigeria’s Federal High Court. It contrasts Lifu’s predictable, politically aligned rulings — often accused of disregarding constitutional guardrails, ignoring higher court orders, and inventing convenient interpretations (e.g., the recent political parties de-registration case) — with the legacy of Nigeria’s illustrious judges. The piece portrays Lifu as a dependable “judicial hitman” for ruling party interests, framing his style as a dangerous form of clientelism masquerading as law, especially ahead of elections.

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