Kwara State University Journals
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THE ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN COMBATING CYBERCRIME IN NIGERIA
Get PDFCybercrime has become a major threat to Nigeria’s security and economic stability, with crimes such as internet fraud, identity theft, and ransomware increasingly undermining public trust in digital platforms. Although Nigeria enacted the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 and related statutes to address these challenges, cybercriminals continue to exploit technological loopholes and jurisdictional gaps. This paper examines the role of law enforcement agencies in combating cybercrime in Nigeria, with emphasis on their mandates, strategies, achievements, and constraints. The study identifies the core problem as the widening gap between the improvements on cybercriminal activities and the limited technical, legal, and institutional capacity of Nigerian law enforcement agencies. Despite the involvement of key institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), enforcement remains hampered by inadequate funding, insufficient manpower, slow judicial processes, and weak inter-agency coordination. Adopting a doctrinal research methodology, the study relies on statutory provisions, judicial decisions, and scholarly works to evaluate the effectiveness of Nigeria’s legal and institutional response to cybercrime. Findings reveal notable successes, including high-profile arrests, asset recovery, and collaborative operations with international bodies such as INTERPOL and the FBI, but these remain insufficient given the scale of cyber threats. The paper recommends targeted capacity building, legislative reforms, stronger international cooperation, increased funding, and public-private partnerships to enhance Nigeria’s cyber resilience. It concludes that a unified, proactive, and technology-driven national strategy is essential for securing Nigeria’s cyberspace and protecting its digital economy
APPRAISING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN ENHANCING ENVIRONMENTAL LAW IN NIGERIA
Get PDFNigeria is continuously facing a lot of environmental challenges ranging from loss of biodiversity, deforestation, desertification, bush burning, illegal logging, illegal traffic in wildlife, soil erosion to pollution of the entire environment, among others. There exists a good number of traditional knowledge (TK) within the local and indigenous communities in Nigeria that try to protect the environment from devastating challenges it is facing. There are traditional methods of biodiversity conservation, pollution control, ecosystem and natural resources management in many parts of Nigeria that attest to the fact that TK can enhance environmental law in Nigeria. However, the existing legal framework in Nigerian has failed to recognized TK as part of the legal system for environmental protection. That is why this paper attempted to discuss the importance of TK in environmental law. Adopting the doctrinal method of research, the paper found that TK is indispensable in enhancing environmental law as it provides valuable insights into local ecosystems, sustainable resource and biodiversity management and climate change control. In many local communities in Nigeria there is profound respect for natural resources guided by spiritual and ethical, which make them richer in biodiversity than other areas under the protection of conventional legal framework. This is why several international organisations recognized the importance of incorporating TK into environmental law. It is on this basis that the paper recommended that Nigerian government should integrate TK into its environmental law by inserting some elements of TK for protection of environment into the curriculum of environmental law in Nigerian universities. Although TK is faced with many challenges such as lack of formal legal framework, insufficient collaboration between stakeholders, cultural biases, difficulty of documentation, cultural and linguistic barriers to communication and collaboration, etc., the Nigerian government can overcome these challenges and recognized the importance of TK in environmental law
APPRAISAL OF THE TESTAMENTARY FREEDOM OF A TESTATOR UNDER ISLAMIC LAW: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Get PDFWill (Bequest) is a branch of Islamic inheritance system which deals with the freedom of a testator dispose of his property. This study undertakes a comparative analysis of the testamentary freedom of a testator under Islamic law, wills laws and other jurisdictions of interest, examining the extent to which a testator can as of right dispose of his property upon death. The Islamic inheritance system, offers two major restriction to a testator when making a Will (bequest). A testator under Islamic inheritance law is restricted to dispose of his property to the maximum of 1/3 and he/she is not allowed to write a Will (bequest) in favour of his/her heirs so as to ensure the rights of legal heirs and other beneficiary are protected. The research work reveals a significant differences in the approaches of testamentary freedom. The Nigeria Wills laws, the Act and other administration of estates laws of some states allowed a testator with a testamentary as well as a complete freedom to dispose of all his property to anybody of his own choice. The testator’s powers are constructively truncated by certain customary laws and rules in Nigeria. A comparative understanding and examination of the laws of the United Kingdom, India, Ghana and some Arab nations, highlights the diverse ways in which testamentary freedom is regulated and balanced for the purpose of ensuring that a testator, adhered to the Will laws for the purpose of protecting all and sundry in the estate distribution and management. The research also contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities of testamentary freedom and its implication for Muslim testators who live and die in an environment that the Islamic law of inheritance (Will) does not adhere to.
ECONOMIC VIABILITY AND COMPLIANCE WITH NIGERIAN LAWS OF ISLAMIC BANKING IN NIGERIA AMIDST MISCONCEPTIONS
Get PDFIslamic banking, a non-interest financial system rooted in Sharia principles, has gained significant traction in Nigeria over the past two decades. Emerging as a viable alternative to conventional banking, it aims to promote ethical finance, financial inclusion, and socio-economic development. However, its growth has been met with widespread misconceptions, ranging from its perceived exclusivity to Muslims to doubts about its economic viability, compliance with Nigerian laws, and operational transparency. These misconceptions have not only shaped public perception but also hindered the broader adoption of Islamic banking products and services. This article using qualitative legal analysis method examines misconceptions surrounding Islamic banking, evaluates legal frameworks, and assesses operational models through literature review and case studies. By analyzing legal frameworks, such as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s guidelines and the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA), the study establishes the legitimacy and regulatory compliance of Islamic banking. Furthermore, it evaluates operational models, including profit-and-loss sharing (Mudarabah) and asset-backed financing (Murabaha), to demonstrate their economic viability and alignment with global best practices. The socio-economic impacts of Islamic banking are also assessed, highlighting its role in fostering financial inclusion, supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and promoting ethical investment. The study reveals that Islamic banking is not only inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of religious affiliation, but also contributes significantly to Nigeria’s financial inclusion goals and economic development. To address persistent misconceptions, the article concludes with actionable recommendations, including public education campaigns, enhanced regulatory clarity, and proactive stakeholder engagement.
INTERNATIONAL ABDUCTION OF CHILDREN BY PARENTS: A CALL FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION IN NIGERIA
Get PDFMarriages could break down irretrievably. The eventual residence of the children of broken marriages is usually contested. A major concern in divorce proceedings is the custody of children. Custody is usually awarded to either party on agreed terms, with the court giving attention to the best interest of the children. Parties are not denied access to the children except the court believes such access would not be in the best interest of the children. Thus, the situation presented by the abduction of children by one party is one of utter disregard for law and order and an infringement on the inherent rights of the other party. This paper examined the Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction 1980, which is the international legal framework put in place to protect and ensure that children abducted by a parent and taken to another country are returned to their habitual residence. The paper also considered the United States of America and Australia, which have enacted local legislation that deals with the international abduction of children by parents. The paper identified that Nigeria has not acceded to the Hague Convention. It was also discovered that, unlike the United States of America and Australia, Nigeria has no specific legislation that deals with the international abduction of children by parents. Suggestions that Nigeria should take legislative action by enacting local legislation to address international abduction of children by parents and ratifying and domesticating the Hague Convention
INTERROGATING LEGAL IMPLICATIONS OF CONTEMPORARY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EXPLORATIVE REGIME
Get PDFThe intersection of law and artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, presenting both opportunities and challenges. The paper adopts doctrinal method to explore the legal implications of AI technologies, focusing on issues such as accountability, liability, privacy, and ethical considerations. As AI systems become more autonomous, questions arise regarding the allocation of responsibility for decisions made by these systems. It also examines the lawyers’ professional responsibility to client with the emergence of AI. The paper examines existing legal frameworks and their adequacy in addressing the unique characteristics of AI, proposing potential regulatory approaches to ensure that AI development and deployment align with societal values and legal standards. Additionally, the ethical dimensions of AI, including bias, transparency, and fairness, are discussed, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to create robust and adaptive legal structures. By analyzing current case studies and legal precedents, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges and potential solutions in the realm of law and AI.  
X-RAYING THE RIGHTS OF AN UNBORN CHILD UNDER THE ENGLISH COMMON LAW: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE
Get PDFMajor focus in the global discourse of rights have been on human rights. This presupposes the rights of persons who have been born alive. Little attention is paid to the rights of the unborn child under the common law jurisprudence. Hence, this paper is poised into making an enquiry into the rights of an unborn child under the English common law. In doing so, the study adopts the doctrinal method of legal research. The paper finds that there appears no consensus among scholars on when human life begins, while some opine that it is at birth, quickening is said to mark the beginning of life by some; the pro-life advocates opine that conception is the beginning of human life. The paper finds further that the underlying principle as regards the unborn child in Common law jurisdictions is the ‘born alive rule’ with an exception found in the American experience of the rule. The paper finds also that Nigerian constitutional provisions on the protection of human life vis-à-vis appropriate sanctions for violation are by extension applicable to an unborn child. The paper concludes that such rights can be overridden in the interest of the mother. The paper recommends legal jurisprudence expansion to harmonize various issues relating to the rights of an unborn child under the law
Navigating the Journey of Postgraduate Study within the Ideologies of Karin-kapo, Kenimanism and Kenimatonism
Get PDFSupervision is a key aspect of postgraduate study in many institutions of higher learning around the world. However, what is expected to be a life-long experience in some cases turns out to be unpalatable. This has advett effect on the products of such relationship. The study looks at the situation of postgraduate supervision; highlighting various challenges faced by prospective students and ways to sumounting them as it relates to supivisor-supervisee relationship. The paper relied on personal experience for primary data, information from secondary sources such as literature in books and the internet. A number of challenges were highlighted and possible solutions to them were discussed. The paper recommends that there should be proper teaching of research courses at the undergraduate level to equip prospective postgraduate students with the rudiments and prerequisites of higher studies. Institutions of higher learning should provide adequate study facilities that will enable effective research activities; making it less stressful for intending students.
INTERNATIONAL LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Get PDFHuman rights is a well-known concept whose foundation has been laid from the very beginning. Ever since the dawn of time, the rights of man have evolved alongside man and only become more significant. The formulation of treaties and frameworks to protect and enforce these rights has also become a necessity. Law plays a huge role in the protection and enforcement of these rights within the domestic setting. International law allows for these rights to be safeguarded on a larger scale that is between nation states. This paper redefines the concept of human rights and considers through an in-depth analysis what this concept is, how it should be seen and why it should be protected. It enlightens our minds on the role of international law within the realm of human rights, its enforcement and protection. It delves into the history of human rights and makes us see how it arrived at where it is today. It will also shed light on how human rights are seen and treated in regional and municipal localities. This paper will majorly lay emphasis on the impact of international law on human rights and how much it has affected human rights positively in our world today. Human rights is a major subject of international discuss and its enforcement, an issue of major concern internationally. This paper treats in detail every aspect of international law’s concern with human rights and makes it fully known how much it is concerned with the international subjec
ANALYZING X-RAY AND RADIATION EXPOSURE RISK UNDER SHARI‘AH PATIENTS’ HEALTHCARE
Get PDFX‑ray imaging holds an indispensable role in modern medical diagnostics, yet its utilization raises significant ethical and safety consideration especially in aspect of radiation exposure. Hence, this paper analyses x-ray and radiation exposure risk under Shari’ah patient healthcare by drawing on classical Islamic legal maxims such as necessity (darurah) and the imperative to prevent harm (dafʿ ad-darar). The study examines the traditional fiqh and how the overarching Maqasid as-Shari‘ah can ethically accommodate the use of x‑rays in medicine. The analysis balances the life-saving diagnostic benefits against the potential risks of radiation, thereby illustrating the flexibility and adaptability of Islamic jurisprudence to modern technological challenges. Adopting a multidisciplinary approach, the paper reviews classical Islamic texts alongside current radiological standards and clinical research. It explores the conditions under which x‑ray examinations are deemed permissible when conducted in adherence to stringent safety protocols aimed at minimising risk. Through evaluation of contemporary fatwas and case studies, the paper demonstrates how informed ijtihād (independent legal reasoning) fosters an interpretative framework that not only mitigates potential harm but also promotes patient welfare within an Islamic ethical context. Ultimately, the study provides clear guidelines for both religious scholars and medical practitioners, advocating for a dynamic dialogue that ensures medical innovations remain aligned with the fundamental values of preserving life and well-being. The paper found that despite the existence of the contemporary challenges, the flexibility of Shariah rules makes room for permissibility of x-ray under necessity doctrine and prevention of harm hinged on life-saving objective. The paper recommends clinical best practices, virile institutional framework, fatwa-based enquiry, amongst other