Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

SAN Calls For Urgent Review of 1999 Constitution

POSTED ON June 30, 2024 •   Politics      BY Benedicta Bassey
1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria/ Photo credit: Thisday

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Afam Osigwe, has on Sunday called for an elaborate review of the 1999 constitution, saying it would boost the justice system and governance in the country.

Osigwe made this call at a lecture organised by the Sagamu Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association celebration.

The SAN spoke on the theme, “The Justiciability of the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy: Prospects for National Economic Reintegration.”

Represented by the NBA chairman in Keffi, Nuhu Egya, the SAN said, “The fundamental objectives and principles of state policy enshrined in Chapter two of the 1999 Constitution as amended laid the groundwork for the socio-economic and political aspirations of our country.”

He said this aspect of the constitution posits that the government is expected to promote democracy, social justice order and enhance the economic and welfare status of the Nigerians.

Osigwe said, “For instance under section 16 of this chapter of the constitution, it is part of its provision that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, a reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, unemployment, sick benefits, and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens.”

He, however, noted, “As lofty as these constitutional provisions are, their classification as non-justifiable according to section 6 (6) (c) means that they cannot be legally enforced in a court of law.

“In order words, you cannot sue the government for not providing pipe borne water, good roads, good minimum wage, standard educational facilities among others.”

Osigwe said many democratic nations such as India, Pakistan among others have successfully integrated socio-economic rights into their legal frameworks, ensuring that their citizens enjoy these rights fully.

He said that adopting a similar approach would align Nigeria with international best practices, promoting human rights and social justice.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman NBA, Sagamu Branch, David Efuwape, urged his colleagues to remain committed to using their training to promote social justice and order in the society.

READ ALSO
Tinubu Honors Bill Gates with National Award for Global Philanthropy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu commended Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and chairma...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Orders Urgent Repairs on Flood-Damaged Bridge in Mokwa
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

NIGER, Nigeria (NAN)- President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Works to repair t...

READ ALSO
Road Maintenance Crisis: FERMA Requires N880 Billion Yearly Amid Budget Shortfalls
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 3, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Federal Government needs approximately N880 billion each year for the upkeep of...

READ ALSO
PDP Leaders Slam Minister for Backing Tinubu's 2027 Campaign
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 3, 2025 0

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Coalition of United Pol...

READ ALSO
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Set to Appear in Court as F G Files Defamation Charges
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 2, 2025 0

The suspended senator for Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, is scheduled to...

READ ALSO
Sanusi, El-Rufai, and Yusuf Discuss Nigeria's Poverty and Governance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 1, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of Kano and ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Niger...

READ ALSO
Cabinet Reshuffle Looms: President Tinubu Set to Announce Changes Post-Eid
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 1, 2025 0

If everything goes smoothly, President Bola Tinubu is expected to announce his cabinet members who w...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Commits to Collaborative Efforts with AfDB's New Leadership, Congratulate Sidi Tah
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 30, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu has praised the election of Sidi Tah as the ninth president of the African Dev...

OUR CHANNELS:

Enugu Proposes Bill to Curb Criminal Activities Linked to Traditional Practitioners
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

ENUGU, Nigeria - Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has proposed an Executive Bill to the Enugu State H...


Bill Gates Advocates for Improved Health Care in Nigeria Amid Budget Constraints
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 6, 2025 0

US billionaire Bill Gates, who chairs the Gates Foundation, expressed that Nigeria’s health bu...


Controller General Issues Urgent Security Directive for Correctional Facilities
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, has issued a strict order to all Zonal Co...


NEMA Mobilizes Teams to 15 States Amid Flood Warnings
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sent officials to 15 high-risk states to educate...


Edo Faces Diphtheria Outbreak, Two Confirmed Deaths
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

EDO, Nigeria (NAN) - A diphtheria outbreak has been confirmed in Edo State, resulting in two deaths....


Tinubu Honors Bill Gates with National Award for Global Philanthropy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu commended Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and chairma...


Bahrain, Colombia, DRC, Latvia, and Liberia Join UN Security Council for 2026-2027 Term
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

The UN General Assembly on Tuesday elected five new non-permanent members to the UN Security Council...


Tinubu Orders Urgent Repairs on Flood-Damaged Bridge in Mokwa
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

NIGER, Nigeria (NAN)- President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Works to repair t...


Nigeria Needs ₦2.2 Trillion to Eliminate Cervical Cancer by 2030, Says Task Force Chair
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 5, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria will need ₦2.2 trillion to roll out comprehensive cervical cancer ini...


EFCC Charges Two Men for Posing as Fake Sureties in Illegal Mining Case
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara June 4, 2025 0

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged two individuals, Shehu Abdu and Isah...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu