41. What is the Rule of Law?

Answer:
The principle that the law is supreme and binds all persons equally.

42. Explain the principle of equality before the law.

Answer:
All citizens are subject to the same laws without discrimination.

43. List three basic features of Nigerian common law.

Answer:

• Judicial precedent
• Adversarial court system
• Court-developed principles

44. Define judicial precedent.

Answer:
A legal principle established in earlier cases that guides later decisions.

45. Explain the significance of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Answer:
It is the supreme law governing all actions and institutions in Nigeria.

46. Who has the power to appoint the Attorney General of Oyo State?

Answer:
The Governor.

47. Identify the law regulating the appointment and removal of Chiefs in Oyo State.

Answer:
The Chiefs Law of Oyo State.

48. What is the grundnorm of Nigeria?

Answer:
The 1999 Constitution.

49. Mention four fundamental human rights guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

Answer:

• Right to life
• Right to dignity
• Right to fair hearing
• Freedom of expression

50. List four duties of citizens under the 1999 Constitution.

Answer:

• Obey laws
• Pay taxes
• Respect national symbols
• Protect public property

51. Differentiate between Acts and Laws.

Answer:

• Acts: Laws made by the National Assembly (Federal).
• Laws: Laws made by State Houses of Assembly.

52. Differentiate between Gazettes and Circulars.

Answer:

• Gazette: Official government publication.
• Circular: Administrative instruction for public officers.

53. Define the term Bye-law with an example.

Answer:
A regulation made by a Local Government.
Example: Local sanitation bye-law.

54. Define Edicts and state when they were commonly issued.

Answer:
Edicts are laws made by military state governors, especially before 1999.

55. Define Decrees and state who had the authority to issue them.

Answer:
Decrees were federal laws issued by the military government.

56. What is a subsidiary legislation?

Answer:
Rules or regulations made under powers given by a principal Act.

57. State the year the current Laws of Oyo State came into force.

Answer:
2000.

58. Mention three functions of the Ministry of Justice in Oyo State.

Answer:

• Drafting legislation
• Prosecution of cases
• Legal advice to government

59. Explain the term administrative law.

Answer:
Law that regulates the actions of government agencies and public authorities.

60. Define the Oyo State Local Government Law and its purpose.

Answer:
A law defining the structure, powers, and duties of local governments in Oyo State.

61. List 10 Nigerian laws or Acts you know.

Answer:
Criminal Code, Land Use Act, Evidence Act, Labour Act, Child Rights Act, FOI Act, Electoral Act, Police Act, ICPC Act, Pension Reform Act.

62. Explain the meaning of interpretation of statutes.

Answer:
The judicial process of determining the true meaning of legislation.

63. List three canons of statutory interpretation.

Answer:

• Literal rule
• Golden rule
• Mischief rule

64. Describe the Golden Rule of Interpretation with an example.

Answer:
It modifies literal meaning to avoid absurd results.
Example: avoiding an interpretation that punishes innocent people.

65. Describe the Mischief Rule with an example.

Answer:
It interprets laws to correct the defect or “mischief” the law was made to prevent.
Example: interpreting a law to stop tax evasion schemes.

66. What is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)?

Answer:
Processes for settling disputes outside courts.

67. Name three types of ADR mechanisms.

Answer:

• Mediation
• Arbitration
• Conciliation

68. Explain the concept of negotiation in ADR.

Answer:
A voluntary discussion between parties to reach an agreement.

69. Explain the concept of arbitration in ADR.

Answer:
A neutral arbitrator hears both sides and makes a binding decision.

70. Mention two advantages of mediation over litigation.

Answer:

• It is faster
• It is cheaper