Most times we wonder if truly as citizens of Nigeria if we have
legal right? the answer is not far fetched because it is absolutely in the
affirmative, YES WE DO.
The 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended specifically provides us
with our fundamental human rights as enshrined in Chapter 4.this rights are
basic and is meant to be observed stricto sensu. these are the provisions in
summary.
- Every
person has a right to life.
- Every
individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person.
- Every
person shall be entitled to his personal liberty.
- In the
determination of his civil rights and obligations, including any question
or determination by or against any government or authority, a person shall
be entitled to a fair hearing within a reasonable time by a court or other
tribunal established by law and constituted in such manner as to secure
its independence and impartiality.
- Every
person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be
innocent until he is proved guilty.
- Every person
shall be entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion,
including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either
alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to
manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching,
practice and observance.
- Every
person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to
hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without
interference.
- Every citizen of
Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any
part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or
refused ent ry thereby or exit therefrom.
- Subject to the
provisions of this Constitution, every citizen of Nigeria shall have the
right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria.
- No moveable
property or any interest in an immovable property shall be taken
possession of compulsorily and no right over or interest in any such
property shall be acquired compulsorily in any part of Nigeria except in
the manner and for the purposes prescribed by a law.
This is absolutely the law that governs me and you and the
constitution is made available to all citizenry to ensure the least, that you
know your rights, not forgetting to state that there are exceptions to the
above rights stated.
Everyday in this our dear Country Nigeria, we get to see violation
of this rights in one way or the other lets quickly look at these
scenarios.
1.
While exiting the mall you unknowingly touched someone, the next
thing that visits you is a very painful slap on your face.
2.
You come back from work and hear that your neighbours daughter who
is just (3)three years of age has been sexually molested(raped).
3.
Owing to a little quarrel between a husband and wife over his
wife's jovial nature to their male neighbour, the husband decides to lock up
the wife in the house everyday while going to work and release her when he is
back, when he is sure he has his eyes on his the wife and the neighbour.
4.
Being a lover of news,you bought a newspaper and on seeing the
recent updates in the country, with your church mind you said a few things at
the newspaper stand, and just after that, you get beaten up badly for airing
your view from the fans of the person you criticised.
All this scenarios constitute some form of violation of our human
right in one way or the other .This latin maxim says "UBI JUS UBI REMEDIUM"
meaning "WHERE THERE IS A RIGHT THERE IS A REMEDY". Dont feel laid
back if your right is violated because
- you are not well
placed in the society
- or no one will
come to your aid. Your
ability to speak up will afford you the necessary remedy that you
require.Some of these unfortunate scenes can be resolved amicable one on
one ie the minor ones, through alternative dispute resolution, or the
court which is usually the last resort.
Please feel free to let me know some of the instances you feel
constitute a violation,make suggestions, all we want is a country that has less
violations and we can achieve peaceful co-existence.
If you have any legal issues that needs assistance or any area of
law that you would like me to talk on for your interest and others,please do
not hesitate to contact me,as you will be getting a quick response and
solution.kindly send me a mail to zeeeemba@gmail.com.
INTERESTED IN YOUR WELL BEING
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