TRENDS IN CONSTITUTIONALISM AND CONSTITUTIONAL ADJUDICATION IN NIGERIA

(Chapters in Honour of Prince Mahruf Adesegun Ajibola, SAN)

Edited By:

A. O. Sambo, I. Imam & S. O. Jimoh

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Knowledge, they say, is light. It is thus pleasurable to the mind to read a book which systematically investigates ideas. Trends in Constitutionalism and Constitutional Justice in Nigeria is a book of the moment, as it is a methodical and systematic investigation into trending spheres of constitutionalism and constitutional adjudication. The contemporary issues on constitutionalism took centre stage in the book. One of the topical areas comprehensively delved into in the book is the judicial approach to the President’s emergency declaration particularly when democratic institutions are suspended. The latest decision of supreme Court in Attorney General of Adamawa State & 10 Ors v. Attorney General of the Federation & Anor (SC/CV/329/2025, Judgment delivered on the 15th of December,2025) was also carefully analysed with its implications on constitutionalism.

 

ABOUT THE EDITORS

Abdulfatai Oladapo Sambo is a Professor and a former Head of Department in the Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. He has successfully supervised at least Thirty (30) Master’s Degree students and 4 (Four) Ph.D. Student. He currently supervises about Seven (7) Ph.D. students. He has about 70 published works to his credit both locally and internationally. He has acted as a resource person in many Workshops locally and internationally, He was also one of the resource persons who taught Public International Law at the training organised by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) for South Sudanese judges in Malaysia. He specialises in Constitutional Law and delivered the 278th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ilorin on the 17th of April, 2025 titled: Judicialising Politics without Politicising the Judex.

 

Ibrahim Imam, NCE (COED Oro), LL.B. (UNISOK), BL (Abuja), LL.M. (OAU-Ife), Ph.D. (Unilorin), is a Professor in the Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, Former Ag. HOD, Department of Public Law, former Sub-Dean, Faculty of Law, Current and Pioneer Director, Institute for Legislative Studies, University of Ilorin, imam.i@unilorin.edu.ng – ORCID: 0000-0001-7639-4577

 

Saliu Ojo Jimoh (Ag. Dean) is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Jurisprudence and International law, Bola Ajibola College of Law, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He has an excellent analytical and research skill which has resulted in many scholarly publications and conference papers presentations. A graduate of Law, University of Ilorin in year 2003 with Master Degree in Law from University of Ibadan in year 2008 and obtained his Ph.D. degree from University of Ilorin.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Editors’ Notes

Forewords

Acknowledgements

Abridged Profile of Prince Mahruf Adesegun Ajibola, SAN, Inst.D, FCIArb)

About the Editors

Notes on Contributors

Contents

 

PART ONE: CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNANCE AND JUSTICE

 

CHAPTER ONE

Theory and Practice of Constitutional Alteration and Transformation

Ibrahim Imam

 

CHAPTER TWO

Judicial Avoidance Approach to Emergency Proclamation and the Suspension of Democratic Institutions in Nigeria

Abdulfatai Oladapo Sambo

 

CHAPTER THREE

Assessment of the Financial and Political Autonomy of States Houses of Assembly in Nigeria: A charade or Reality?

Amana Mohammad Yusuf

 

CHAPTER FOUR

Judicial Corruption as a Threat to Constitutional Democracy and Stability in Nigeria

Saliu OjoJimoh

 

CHAPTER FIVE

An Exposition of the International Guiding Principles on Constitutional Interpretations

 

Rose Nneka Adima & Abdulfatai Oladapo Sambo

 

CHAPTER SIX

Women’s Participation in Democratic Governance in Nigeria

Saheedat Odunayo Lawal

 

CHAPTER SEVEN

Emerging Constitutional and Administrative Issues on Citizenship and Nationality in Nigeria

Osawaru A. Erimwinorosee

 

CHAPTER EIGHT

Constitutional Lapses and the Implications for Budget-Making in Nigeria

Bakare Adebola Rafiu & Sanusi Abdulwasiu

 

CHAPTER NINE

The Challenges and Prospects of Federalism and National Development in Nigeria

Benedicta Daudu

 

PART TWO: HUMAN RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTIONALISM

 

CHAPTER TEN

Perspectives on Human Rights and Social Justice in Nigeria

Nlerum Sunday Okogbule

 

CHAPTER ELEVEN

A Legal Analysis of Freedom of Speech and Online Defamation in Nigeria

Oyesola Animashaun

 

CHAPTER TWELVE

Fiscal Constitutionalism and Social Justice: Tax Policy as an Instrument for Enforcing Socio-Economic Rights

Lukman L. Akanbi

 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

A Literary Appreciation of Isa Alabi’s Arabic Poem on the Neglect of Socio-Economic Rights and Economic Crimes in Nigeria 282

Olagunju-Ibrahim, Ridwan Olawale, Hamzat-Umar Kawthar Ayomipo & Ismail Danjuma Yusuf

 

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Gender Equality Vide Reproductive and Property Rights in Nigeria

John O. Ogouno

 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

A Constitutional Analysis of Xenophobia and Human Rights Protection in Nigeria with an Appraisal of the Cybercrimes Act

Wahab Kunle Shittu, SAN, Wahab Ismail Yinkola, & Abdulkadir Bolaji Abdulkadir

 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Advocating the Need for a Constitutional-Based Approach to Environmental Degradation in Nigeria

Bukola Oyaleke

 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Environmental Constitutionalism in Nigeria: From Aspirational Principles to Enforceable Rights

Vivian I. Uzoma

 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Evaluation of Environmental Constitutionalism in Nigeria

Hagler Okorie

 

APPENDIX: SUMMARY OF CHAPTERS 411

INDEX 426