AN APPRAISAL OF THE RIGHTS TO PRIVACY AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION UNDER THE NIGERIAN LAW

Abstract

It has become a truism that the protection of the freedom of expression is an indispensable attribute of a democratic society. On the other part, the right of personal privacy is said to be quintessential to the preservation of human dignity, self-determination, self-development and safety. These rights are provided by the Nigerian constitution as well as the African Charter on Human and peoples’ rights which is part of Nigerian law. This article x-rayed the meaning and scope of these rights of expression and privacy as expounded by the Nigerian courts. The methodology employed is doctrinaire as it examined the provisions of the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and people’s rights as well as judicial decisions connected thereto. It found the scope of the provisions adequate but recommended enactment of specific legislations that will give more meaning to the privacy rights guaranteed by the Constitution.