ADHERENCE TO THE RULE OF LAW IN NIGERIA: LEGAL ISSUES ARISING

Abstract

The rule of law is a constitutional concept which stipulates that everything in a State must be done in accordance with the due process of law. It amplifies such ideals that government should be run according to the due process of law, equality before the law, respect for human rights and the independence of the judicial arm of government. The rule of law is a sine qua non for constitutional democracy. Therefore, this paper examined the rule of law under military and civil dispensations. It found that the rule of law thrives better in the latter. The paper concludes by advocating that Government and all relevant stakeholders must ensure that the rule of law is applied, adhered to in all governmental actions and policies in order to prevent arbitrariness in government and also to promote the need to guarantee human rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended