Know Your Rights: 16 Key Laws in the Nigerian Constitution Every Nigerian Should Know
Dear BIVILLEPM Community,
The Nigerian Constitution contains several sections dedicated to the protection of human rights. Here is a list of relevant sections that someone should be familiar with to understand and protect against potential human rights violations:
Chapter IV: Fundamental Rights
1. Section 33 — Right to Life
- Everyone has the right to life and cannot be deprived of it intentionally, except in execution of a court sentence following a criminal conviction.
2. Section 34 — Right to Dignity of Human Person
- Prohibits torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, and forced or compulsory labor.
3. Section 35 — Right to Personal Liberty
- Protects individuals against unlawful detention and stipulates that anyone arrested must be brought before a court within a reasonable time (typically 24 to 48 hours).
4. Section 36 — Right to Fair Hearing
- Guarantees fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court or tribunal.
5. Section 37 — Right to Private and Family Life
- Protects the privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations, and telegraphic communications.
6. Section 38 — Right to Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion
- Allows freedom to change religion or belief and freedom to manifest and propagate one’s religion or belief.
7. Section 39 — Right to Freedom of Expression and the Press
- Ensures freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.
8. Section 40 — Right to Peaceful Assembly and Association
- Guarantees the right to freely assemble and associate with others.
9. Section 41 — Right to Freedom of Movement
- Ensures that every citizen is free to move throughout Nigeria and reside in any part thereof.
10. Section 42 — Right to Freedom from Discrimination
- Prohibits discrimination against any citizen on the basis of ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion, or political opinion.
11. Section 43 — Right to Acquire and Own Immovable Property Anywhere in Nigeria
- Protects the right to acquire and own property.
12. Section 44 — Right to Compensation for Compulsory Acquisition of Property
- Ensures that no property can be compulsorily taken possession of or acquired except in accordance with the law, and provides for prompt payment of compensation.
13. Section 45 — Restriction on and Derogation from Fundamental Rights
- Outlines circumstances under which the government can lawfully restrict certain rights in the interest of defense, public safety, public order, public morality, or public health.
Additional Relevant Sections
14. Section 6 — Judicial Powers
- Establishes the judiciary as an independent branch of government and outlines its powers and functions.
15. Section 17 — Social Objectives
- Promotes social justice and sets out the state’s duty to protect human rights and provide equal opportunities for all citizens.
16. Section 22 — Obligation of the Mass Media
- Ensures that the press is free to uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.
Memorization Tips:
- Focus on key phrases and concepts associated with each section.
- Use mnemonic devices to remember the section numbers and their corresponding rights.
- Regularly review and quiz yourself on these sections to reinforce memory.
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George NWOGU, is a Senior Project & Planning Manager, COO and Global Trainer from Nigeria. He is the Founder of Bizville Project Management Limited
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