“THE DECLINE IN HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS AMONG THE COMMON PEOPLE AND THE CONSEQUENT RISE IN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE HAS SUBJECTED MANKIND GLOBALLY TO A CLASS OF ENDANGERED SPECIE; ENDANGERED BY MEN WHOSE DUTY IT IS TO PRESERVE THE DIGNITY OF MAN” Anthony Atata
OUR VISION: To ensure that the Liberty of Man is Preserved through knowledge of our basic laws.
OUR MISSION: To consistently and efficiently provide Human Rights Education and basic law education to the vast population of Nigeria..
LAW 101 – is a free forum for everybody aimed at extending Human Rights Education to the common man on the street. Our emphasis is on the day to day experience of innocent citizens with Law Enforcement Agents, overbearing Landlords, stubborn tenants,harsh,employers,greedy employees, insensitive government etc
The campaign is to ensure that the common man on the street conform to the customary standard of rights awareness. That he is also aware of several legal avenues available to address these rights when they are violated.
This concept is built on three primary questions namely:
What are my Rights?
When are my rights abused?
How can I enforce my rights?
HOW WILL IT BENEFIT ME? On the streets, at home, in the work place, in our businesses even in our marriages we experience many issues that we require basic legal answers. Visiting LAW 101 might be the only thing you might require to clear your understanding
HOW DOES THIS WORK?
We have developed some frequently asked questions bordering on the subjects of human rights and Law: Answering Questions like What do I do when a policeman; stops me, tries to search me, tries to arrest me, tries to detain me, asks for my papers
If some of these answers do not fit your enquiries, please do not hesitate to send us your enquiry through our enquiry form below. We will be glad to get back to you on the things you need to know or do about your human rights, tenancy, employment Laws, intellectual properties, government, divorce etc
WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS?
So many rights arise in different endevours. It could be in your work place as an employer or employee, in a business transaction and or contracts, in property dealings, in your marriage, with your landlord or tenant etc. But some rights are constitutionally protected while some are defined by the individual in contract. The basic rights protected by the constitution are called fundamental human right.
WHAT IS FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT?
This includes right to life, liberty, fair hearing, expression, freedom of religion, association etc. These rights when breached are enforceable in Court of law in Nigeria. Note that there are other rights provided for in the constitution known as Economic and Social rights. They include right to education, public amenities, health facilities etc. These are not enforceable under the Nigerian constitution.
SO I CAN ENJOY MY FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS WITHOUT INTERFERENCE?
Yes, you can but there are situations under the law that such fundamental rights could be denied E.g. Right to life can be denied when there is insurrection, mutiny or when a sentence of death is handed over by a Court.
I INTEND TO BUY A HOUSE OR A LAND. WHAT DO I DO?
So many factors come into play when you want to enter into such a transaction. Location of property, type, ownership. You can reach us through our enquiry form below. We will get back to you.
I WANT TO DIVORCE MY HUSBAND PERIOD!
Please reach us through the enquiry form below.
AM I GUILTY ONCE THE POLICE ARREST ME?
No, under the Nigerian law, an accused person is always presumed to be innocent until his guilt is proved beyond reasonable doubt in a Court of law.
MUST I GIVE STATEMENT IN THE POLICE STATION WHEN I AM ARRESTED?
No, you must not. You can ask for your lawyer to be present before you make a statement.
WHAT IS A WARRANT OF ARREST?
A warrant of arrest is an authority in writing by a Court to a police officer or any other person to arrest an offender.
HOW DO I IDENTIFY ONE WHEN I SEE IT?
A warrant must be in writing; it shall bear the date of issue, contain necessary particulars and be signed by the Judges or a Magistrate issuing it.
WHEN CAN A WARRANT BE ISSUED?
It is where the allegation against the offender is a serious one and where summons is disobeyed.
MUST I DEMAND FOR A WARRANT WHEN THE POLICE COME TO ARREST ME?
A person can be arrested without a warrant where such a person commits an offence in the presence of the police officer. At this point it becomes immaterial that the offence in respect of which such a person is arrested stipulates that the arrestee cannot be arrested without warrant. A law creating an offence may provide that an offender cannot be arrested without a warrant or that he cannot be so arrested unless found committing the offence.
THE NOTICE TO QUITE MY LANDLORD GAVE TO ME WILL EXPIRE TOMORROW. HOW DO I MAKE SURE THAT HE DOES NOT BREAK INTO MY HOUSE AND REMOVE MY THINGS WHEN I AM AT WORK?
There are different types of tenancy. None of them allows a Landlord to do that without a Court Order. Please send us your enquiry using the form below so that we will understand and advice you accordingly.
CAN I ARREST SOMEONE AS A PRIVATE PERSON?
Yes you can. A private person has power to arrest without warrant under three circumstances (a). If a person in his view commits an indictable offence. (b). If he reasonably suspects a person to have committed a felony or (c). If he reasonably suspects a person to have committed a misdemeanor by night. (If you need more clarifications on this please do not hesitate to fill the enquiry form and send your enquiry).
WHAT WILL I DO WITH THE ARRESTED PERSON IF I ARREST HIM?
You should without reasonable delay hand over the person so arrested to a police officer in the absence of a police officer, take such person to the nearest police station.
CAN THE POLICE ARREST ME?
Yes a police officer has the power to arrest anybody committing, who committed and who he reasonably suspects to have committed an offence. But such arrest must be within the ambit of the law.
MUST THE POLICE HANDCUFF ME ON ARREST?
No. The person arrested shall not be handcuffed, or otherwise bound or subjected to unnecessary restraint except by order of Court. Not that where there is a reasonable apprehension of violence, or of an attempt to escape or the restraint is necessary for the safety of the person arrested, then such can be restrained.
HOW DO I KNOW WHY I AM BEING ARRESTED?
The arrested person must be informed of the cause of the arrest except he is in the actual course of committing a crime or is pursued immediately after committing a crime or escaping from unlawful custody.
WHAT INSTITUTIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO ME FOR REDRESS WHEN MY RIGHTS ARE VIOLATED?
There are many institutions available depending on the nature of the case, state of residence, status of the person involved because some institutions were created to aid indigent people. Please send the details of your case to us .We will be very happy to guide you properly. Consulting a Lawyer will be useful too.
