THE RULE OF LAW, EQUALITY AND JUSTICE: A DISCOURSE OF THE LAW AND PRACTICE IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This research examines the rule of law, equality and justice: a discourse of the law and practice in Nigeria. Rule of law is a fundamental principle as a standard not only for judging the performance of government, but also for determining which is beneficial or destructive to humanity. It is the bedrock of our system of justice. This research examines the concept of the rule of law and justice in Nigeria. It also examines the challenges of the rule of law, equality and justice in Nigeria. The study shows that Nigerian leaders have inflicted maximum damage on the Nigerian state and its citizens with impunity and recklessness, disregard for rule of law, justice, and human rights. This research also showed that the challenges facing the rule of law and justice in Nigeria are not limited to corruption, executive lawlessness, abuse of exparte injunction, and ineffective legal and judicial systems have militated against the rule of law and justice in Nigeria. This research therefore recommends that the Nigerian federation should, or rather must add to the list of issues relevant to a clear and fair play of the rule of law as a check to political abuse or excessiveness, biased legal parallelism establishing a law for the rich and that for the poor and inequality in the administration of justice and the grant or denial of human rights and freedom which have become characteristic of Nigeria’s system of government.