The Pragmatic Nature Of Private Defence Under Criminal Jurisprudence In Nigeria
Keywords:
Criminal jurisprudence, defence, practical operationAbstract
The study aimed at examining the practical operation of the right to private defence in Nigeria by virtue of the various constitutive legal instruments operating in the field of criminal jurisprudence. The sources of information relied upon here, are relevant statutes, texts, journals (both local and international) and conference papers. The finding is that the enabling provisions on the subject matter is not smooth sailing. This is because the exercise of the right to private defence is further tied to the satisfaction of certain conditions which ordinarily the user will not advert his mind too and if case is not taken, in the attempt to prevent the commission of an offence which is about to be done to him, he becomes criminally liable in the reverse. In this regard, the study concluded that there is the problem of uncertainty as far as the instruments of self defence are concerned. In order to erase the problem of uncertainty, the user of the right must exercise caution in order to succeed in the courts. Pending when an amendment is made.
References
The section is S.33, chapter VI, CFRN, 1999 which relates to the constitutional guarantees of right to life.
S. 33 (2) (a), Ibid.
Ofori, Amankwah, E.H. - Criminal Law. In The Northern State of Nigeria, Gaskiya Corporation Limited, Zaria, Nigeria 1986, P. 252
Ibid 6Ibid
S. 60(a) PC, S. 32 (3)
S. 60(b) P.C. & 282 CC, 289 - 294
(1967) Q. B. 63
S. 61 PC, Vol 13, Cap 3, LFN, 2004.
S. 66 (a) P.C op.cit, and also S. 288 cc, volume 4, Cap C 38, LFN, 2004.
Vol. 4, Cap C38, LFN, 2004
Vol. 13, Cap P3, Ibid
S. 32 (3) & (4) CC Op.cit. 15S. 282, Criminal Code, Ibid
That is, S. 32 (3) & (4) CC, S. 282 cc, and S. 59 PC generally 17287 CC, op.cit.
Vol. 4, Cap. C38, Ibid.
(2009) All FWLR, 230
Op.Cit., P. 230 - 231
Ibid. P. 231 22Ibid.
Both the High Court of Edo State and Court of Appeal.
Omeregie V. The State, Op.Cit, P. 232
Ibid. See also Liya V. State (1998) 2n NWLR (Pt. 538) 397; Kwaghsir V. State (1995) 3 NWLR (Pt. 386) 651; and Nwambe V. the State (1995) 3.
Omoregie V. The State, op.cit, P. 231 - 232 See also Baridam V. The State (1994) 4 NWLR (Pt. 233) 17; and Duru V. The State (1993) 3 NWLR (Pt. 281) 283.
Criminal Law in Nigeria, Spectrum Publication, Sweet & Maxwell, London 1980, p. 226.
See S. 220 - 285 PC, and 287 CC, S. (32) and (4) CC and S.33 (2) Constitution Fed. Rep. Nig. 1999. See S. 65 P.C.
Ofori - Amankwah, E.H. - Criminal Law. In The Northern State of Nigeria op.cit. p. 258
Ibid. P. 259. 31S. ICC
Okonkwo, C.O. - Okonkwo and Naish: Criminal law in Nigerian First edition, Sweet and Maxwell, London, 1980, P. 226.
S. 222 (2) PC and S. 217 cc respectively. 34See S. 67 PC
See S. 64 PC
S. 291, Penal Code, Op.cit Also see Ofori - Amankwah, E. H., op.cit, P. 254. 37S. 311, Penal Code, Ibid
S. 317, Penal Code, Ibid. 39S. 317, Penal code, Ibid 40S. 320, Penal Code, Ibid 41S. 396, Penal Code, Ibid. 41S. 399, Penal Code, Ibid.
