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Israel - Hamas War: Interrogating the Legality or otherwise of the Attacks on Medical Establishments in Gaza Strip
Full text linkVarious United Nations Conventions and Protocols afford special protection to medical establishments and personnel whose mission is to save lives and provide health care for civilians and combatants alike. However, when medical establishments are used to interfere directly or indirectly in military operations or for military purposes, thereby causing harm to the enemy, the rationale for their specific protection ceased. The allegation of use of hospitals for military purposes in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas and the consequential attacks on the medical establishments in Gaza Strip displays the contemporaneity of the problem discussed in this study. This study therefore interrogates the legality or otherwise of the attacks on medical establishments in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza Strip, using doctrinal method of legal research and analytical approach. The findings of this study indicates that parties to the war are taking unfair advantage of the flexibility of the exceptions to the protection of medical establishments in armed conflict to deliberately or recklessly violate International Humanitarian Law – in particular the prohibition of launching indiscriminate attacks and the principle of proportionality and precautions in attack. This study concludes that nonetheless the use of medical establishments for military purposes which may legally and morally justify an attack against such protected facilities, there are certain precautions expected of the attacking party; and with specific recommendations on how to interpret the law governing such attacks; and proposes adoption of additional international legislation complimentary to the Geneva Convention for the protection of medical establishments in conflicts
Equitable Distribution and Gender Justice:Analyzing Women\u27s share in Marital Property Regimes
Full text linkThis article critically examines the principle of equitable distribution in marital asset division, with a particular focus on the recognition and valuation of women’s contributions, both financial and non-financial, within marriage. It interrogates the extent to which legal systems acknowledge the multifaceted roles women play in sustaining marital partnerships, including income generation, domestic labor, caregiving, and emotional support. Drawing on feminist legal theory and intersectional analysis, the study explores how statutory frameworks, judicial discretion, and cultural norms across jurisdictions, including Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, shape the outcomes of asset division upon divorce. It highlights the systemic undervaluation of domestic labour, caregiving, and emotional support, and identifies key barriers to equitable distribution, such as legal ambiguity, patriarchal traditions, financial illiteracy, and asset concealment. In many cases, these plural legal systems reinforce gender hierarchies and fail to provide adequate remedies for women whose contributions are not easily quantifiable in monetary terms. The analysis underscores the need for a more inclusive and context-sensitive approach to marital property division, one that accounts for the lived realities of spouses and the socio-economic dynamics that shape marital relationships. Through an extensive review of case law and empirical data, the article reveals that existing legal regimes often fail to deliver substantive equality for women, particularly in contexts where customary and religious laws dominate. The article argues for a transformative approach to marital property reform, advocating for statutory clarity, judicial training, expanded legal aid, public education, and institutional safeguards against financial manipulation. By integrating legal analysis with socio-economic inquiry, the article contributes to the discourse on gender justice in family law and calls for reforms that recognize and reward all forms of marital contribution. The pursuit of equitable distribution, it concludes, must be grounded in both legal principle and lived reality to ensure fairness, dignity, and equality for all spouses
FROM LAW TO LIFE: EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR COMBATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA
Full text linkDomestic violence has become a recurrent phenomenon in the African clime, such that various Nations have established legal and institutional mechanisms for combating this great and odious menace. This Article aims to bridge the gap between Nigeria’s formal legal frameworks and everyday cultural practices to effectively combat domestic violence in Nigeria. Despite robust legal protections, domestic violence remains pervasive due to cultural norms and practices that undermine these laws Prevalent consciousness that sees the female gender as inferior to the male gender which is further exacerbated by certain cultural and religious teachings that has contributed to the myopic or stereotypes to which the female gender are perpetually subjected to which invariably leads to certain forms of violence perpetrated against the female gender has proven problematic in the effort to sustainably combat domestic violence. The Article employing the doctrinal research methodology, evaluates the laws and institutions set up to combat domestic violence; implementation challenges and gaps in enforcement, highlighting systemic barriers that hinder effective protection and therefore recommends that for the law to be effective certain sthings must be addressed like examining the strengths and weaknesses of existing frameworks, identifying areas of improvement and propose strategies to enhance better protection of the victim. Combating domestic violence in Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach that combines legal reforms, awareness campaigns, support services, community involvement, data-driven policies, and efforts to change mindsets and cultural attitudes. The ultimate goal is to create an environment where domestic violence is not tolerated, survivors are supported, and perpetrators are held accountable
Reproductive Rights and Religious Ethics: The Legal Status of Artificial Insemination under the Nigerian Constitution and Islamic Law
Full text linkIslamic law allows assisted reproduction through certain conditions, based on independent juristic reasoning, if the process does not conflict with the core values of Islamic law. Artificial insemination exists as a controversial practice in Nigeria because it meets resistance from conflicting laws and moral codes of Islamic teachings. Nigerian Muslim couples dealing with infertility face a dilemma when medical technology provides artificial insemination because religious and legal guidelines remain unclear. Does artificial insemination pass Islamic Law standards? What is the legal status of a child resulting from artificial insemination procedures? This paper demystifies the legal position of artificial insemination practice within Nigerian law and Islamic jurisprudence. Islamic scholars who grant permission for married couples to use their biological material for reproduction at the same time condemn outside sperm and egg donations because they fear these practices will distort genetic lines. Nigerian law lacks clarity regarding the new technologies used by Assisted Reproductive Technology in defining who qualifies as a parent. Section 25(1)(b)2 of the Nigerian constitution recognizes heterosexual relationships as conventional parenthood. Nonetheless, that is a precarious assumption as it implies that there are no legal stances for children conceived through non-natural methods. The paper uses doctrinal research methodology to investigate assisted reproduction issues by studying both Nigerian regulatory frameworks together with Islamic Jurisprudential views. The results show that the lack of definite laws leads to unclear situations which demand quick legal adjustments to resolve the conflict. The paper calls for new laws to support Nigerian and religious perspectives.
THE LEGAL REGIME OF CYBERBULLY AND VICTIM PROTECTION IN NIGERIA
Full text linkThe rise of digital technology and social media has transformed communication, but it has also given rise to new forms of harm, particularly cyberbullying. This paper critically examines the legal and institutional framework for addressing cyberbullying in Nigeria, with a focus on how victims are protected under existing laws. The paper adopts a doctrinal legal research methodology, being primarily qualitative and library-based, relying on both primary and secondary sources. Drawing from statutory provisions, case law, and international instruments, the study explores how Nigerian laws such as the Cybercrimes Act 2015, Child’s Rights Act 2003, NDPR 2019, and the Constitution respond to online abuse and digital harm faced by victims. The paper also evaluates the role of key institutions like the Nigeria Police Force, NITDA, NCC, NSCDC, and the Computer Professionals Registration Council, while comparing Nigeria’s approach with global standards such as the Budapest Convention and the UNCRC. Through real-life examples, unreported court cases, and victim testimonies, the paper highlights the practical challenges of enforcement, such as poor awareness, function overlap among institutions, and lack of data protection literacy among citizens. Finally, the study finds that while Nigeria has taken important legal steps, enforcement mechanisms remain weak, and victim support systems are underdeveloped. It recommends cordial institutional coordination, updated digital literacy policies, and targeted reforms to make cyberbullying laws more responsive and inclusive.
POWER OF COURT TO REFRAME ISSUES FORMULATED BY PARTIES IN A CASE AS A DICTUM
Full text linkThe power of court to reframe issues formulated by parties in a general manner has remained fluidic. The Supreme Court held that the law is indeed settled that an Appellate Court may, where it deems the issue or issues formulated for the determination of an appeal as incapable of serving the interest of justice or clumsily crafted, reframe or formulated the new issues for the determination of the appeal. The Court particularly in State v. Sani (2018) LPELR – 43598 (SC) held that it was entitled to reframe the issue or issues formulated by the parties; in order to give the issues precision and clarity, and in reframing the issue or issues different from issues formulated by the parties. This paper contents that the Court is tasked to ensure that the reframed or formulated issues are derived from the grounds of appeal filed by the parties. The paper further recommends that trial Judges are also entitled to reframe the issue or issues formulated by the parties in order to give the issues clarity and precision; as the Court is tasked with ensuring that the reframed or formulated issues are derived from the argument raised by the parties in their briefs
Cultural Practices among Muslims in Lagos State: A Case of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government
Full text linkThis study explores the cultural practices among Muslims in Lagos State, with a specific focus on Oshodi-Isolo Local Government area of Lagos State. The interplay between religion and culture in this region provides a unique lens through which the diversity and dynamics of Islamic traditions can be observed. The research examines key cultural practices such as marriage ceremonies, naming traditions, festivals such as: Eid-el-Fitr and Eid-el-Kabir and burial rites, highlighting their alignment with Islamic tenets and local Yoruba customs. Through qualitative data gathered from interviews, observations, and literature review, the study identifies how these practices have evolved due to urbanization, globalization, and interreligious interactions. It also explores challenges faced by the Muslim community; including maintaining cultural identity amidst modernization and ensuring compliance with Islamic principles. The findings reveal a vibrant blend of Islamic traditions and Yoruba culture, reflecting the adaptability of Muslim communities in Oshodi-Isolo. The study concludes that while Islamic teachings remain central to their practices, local cultural influences contribute to a rich and dynamic expression of faith. This work underscores the importance of understanding the cultural contexts of religious practices in fostering tolerance and social cohesion in a multi-religious society like Lagos State
Èdè Yorùbá gẹ́gẹ́ bí ogún, ọnà ìdánimọ̀ tí kò le è parun
No full textÈdè ni Olódùmarè fi sààmì ẹ̀dá àti ẹ̀yà tí ẹ̀dá kọ̀ọ̀kan jẹ́. Láìsí èdè, kò lè sí ẹ̀dá, láìsí ẹ̀dá kò lè sí Àwùjọ. Oríṣìíríṣìí iṣẹ́ ni àwọn onímọ̀ ti ṣe lórí èdè Yorùbá tí yóò fi máa gbòòrò sí i, tí kò sì ní í parun. Ọ̀nà ìparun ni èdè Yorùbá wà báyìí, pẹ̀lú ọwọ́ tí àwọn elédè yìí fi mún ún àti àwọn adarí tí a lè pè ní ìjọba àti liana tí wọ́n ṣàmúlò. Pépà yìí gbìyànjú láti wo ìhà tí àwọn ọmọ Yorùbá kọ sí èdè yìí lóde òní. Ọ̀nà tí wọ́n ń gbà sàmúlò rẹ̀ sákálá láì kà á kún ogún pàtàkì. A ṣe ìfọ̀rọ̀-wáni-lẹ́nu-wò pẹ̀lú àwọn ènìyàn àwùjọ láti mọ ibi tí èdè Yorùbá ń doríkọ báyìí. Ó hàn gbangba pé àwọn ọ̀nà pàtàkì tí a lè gbà láti rí i pé, èdè Yorùbá kò parun ni a fi ìdí rẹ̀ múlẹ̀ nínú pépà yìí. A fẹ́ kí àwọn ènìyàn rí i pé èdè kò ju èdè lọ àti pé bí a bá ṣe gbé èdè wa ni àwọn ẹ̀yà mìíràn yóò ṣe bá wa gbé e. Ohun tí a fi ìdí rẹ̀ múlẹ̀ nínú iṣẹ́ yìí ni pé, ìjọba gbọdọ̀ jẹ́ kí èdè abínibí, pàápàá èdè Yorùbá jẹ́ ohun tí a gbọdọ̀ máa sàmúlò lóòrè-kóòrè, gẹ́gẹ́ bí èdè ọ́fíìsì, èdè gbẹ̀fẹ́ àti àìgbẹ̀fẹ́, èyí tí ó lè mú èdè kí èdè náà wà ní ipò tí èdè Gẹ̀ẹ́sì, Faransé àti àwọn èdè tí wọ́n ń lò káàkiri àgbáyé
FÍÌMÙ YORÙBÁ : Ọ̀NÀ LÁTI TÁN ÌṢÒRO ORÍLẸ̀-ÈDÈ FÚN ÌDÀGBÀSÓKÈ
Full text linkṢáájú kí àwọn òyìnbó tó dé sí Àwùjọ adúláwọ̀, pàápàá orílè-èdè Naijiria eré-oníṣẹ́ jẹ́ ọ̀nà kan pàtàkì tí àwùjọ ń gbà wá ojútùú sí àwọn ìṣòro tí àwùjọ tàbí ẹ̀dá àwùjọ ń kojú. Láàárín àwọn Yorùbá, eégún aláré àti àwọn ọdún ìbílẹ̀ ní tíátà tí wọ́n ń lò láti ṣe ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́ àti ìdánilárayá láwùjọ wọn. Àwọn àgbékalẹ̀ méjèèjì yìí ni ọ̀nà pàtàkì tí àwọn àwùjọ máa ń fi mọ ohun tí ó ń lọ nílùú. Àwọn òṣèré eégún aláré máa ń ṣe àgbékalẹ̀ tí ó ní ṣe pẹ̀lú pípé àkíyèsí àwọn ènìyàn àwùjọ sì ọ̀rọ̀ tó ń lọ, kí àwọn tí ọ̀rọ̀ kan lè kó ara wọn ní ìjánu. Ojúṣe àwọn aláré yìí ni láti lè se ìtónisona fún àwọn onwòran, tí wọn jẹ ara ilu kí ilosiwaju lè bá eda kọ̀ọ̀kan àti ìlú wọn, èyí tí yóò jẹ ìgbéga fún orílè-èdè. Pépà yìí ṣe àmúlò àwọn fíìmù Àgbéléwò Yorùbá bíi mélòó kan, láti wo ọ̀nà tí àwọn Oníṣẹ́ fíìmù tàbí àwọn àjọ òṣèré ń gbà wá ojútùú sì àwọn ìṣòro tí àwùjọ ń koju, kí ìdàgbàsókè lè bá irú àwùjọ bẹẹ. A gbìyànjú láti wo oríṣìíríṣìí fíìmù àti lé wo ọ̀nà tí wọ́n ń gbà pé àkíyèsí àwọn ènìyàn àwùjọ sì ọ̀nà tí orílẹ̀ èdè yìí Léfì bo nínú ìdààmú, ipayin keke tí a ń koju báyìí. Oríṣìíríṣìí fíìmù tí ó nise pẹ̀lú ona ati lè yanjú ìṣòro orílè èdè yìí là ń gbìyànjú láti wo, bákan náà ni a fi ọ̀rọ̀ wa àwọn onworan tàbí ara ilu lẹ́nu wo láti wo ipa fíìmù lórí wọn, lójú ọ̀nà àti wá ojútùú ìṣòro aìrìná, airilo, ọ̀wọ́n gógó oúnjẹ, igbenipa, ijinigbe, olè jíjà, yíyí ìbò, òògun olóró,àsìlò oogun àti bẹ́ẹ̀ bẹ́ẹ̀ lọ. Pépà yìí fihan pe fiimu lè tán ìṣòro tí orílè èdè yìí ń kojú, ti àwọn onworan bá ń fi ọkàn bá àwọn àgbékalẹ̀ yìí lọ, tí wọn sì ń ìṣàmúlò àwọn ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́ inú àwọn fọ́nrán tí wọ́n wo fún ìdánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́ àti ìdánilárayá, láì kan máa wo fíìmù fún awẹ́wá tàbí ìgbádùn nìkan. Ó hàn gbangba pé, lítíréṣọ̀ tí àwọn ará ìlú feran lóòrè koore ni fíìmù jẹ́. Iṣẹ́ yìí fihàn pé tí àwọn ènìyàn bá lè kópa pàtàkì nínú àtúnṣe orílẹ̀ èdè, tí wọ́n bá ń sàmúlò ẹ̀kọ́ tí àwọn onífíìmù fẹ́ kí wọn kọ nínú awon àgbékalẹ̀ wọn. Gbogbo ìwàgúnlẹ̀ fíìmù Yorùbá máa ń fi hàn pé, wọn fẹ́ kí àwọn ènìyàn máa kópa tí ó yanranti lórí ìdàgbàsókè àwùjọ wọn. This study examines how Yoruba films address societal issues, using them as a medium to educate and enlighten the community. The study also investigates how the audience perceives these films, whether as a means of entertainment or education. Furthermore, it explores the impact of these films on the audience and how they contribute to the development of the community and the country at large. The study reveals that films can be an effective tool for addressing societal issues. The study also shows that filmmakers often use their works to draw attention to pressing issues in the community and encourage positive change. The study recomends that filmmakers should endeavour to use their works to address societal issues and promote positive change The study concludes that if people can learn from the lessons portrayed in these films, it will lead to positive development in the communit
Bridging Linguistics Divides: Integrating Artificial Intelligence Technologies into the Practice of Comparative Literary Criticism
No full textThis study investigates the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into the practice of comparative literary criticism, aiming to bridge linguistic divides and enhance analytical capabilities. The research is guided by the following research questions: How can AI facilitate the analysis of linguistic features across different texts? In what ways can machine learning algorithms contribute to the identification of thematic and stylistic similarities and differences? What are the implications of these technologies for traditional literary criticism? To address these questions, mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative analyses was used. The methodology includes the use of natural language processing (NLP) tools to conduct textual analysis on a diverse corpus of literary works from various cultural contexts. Machine learning algorithms are applied to identify patterns in language use, thematic development, and stylistic elements, with a focus on both stylistic metrics and semantic networks. Data visualization techniques are utilized to present findings in an accessible manner, highlighting the relationships and divergences among the texts. The objectives of this research are threefold: first, to develop a framework for integrating AI tools into literary analysis; second, to assess the effectiveness of these tools in uncovering linguistic and thematic connections; and third, to critically evaluate the ethical considerations and limitations inherent in using AI within the humanities. By fostering a dialogue between linguistics and literary studies, this research aspires to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of comparative literature, ultimately enriching the field with innovative methodologies and perspectives