AN APPRAISAL OF THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE AMNESTY PROGRAMME FOR MEMBERS OF BOKO HARAM SECT IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper is intended to make an indepth analysis and examination of the constitutionality and basis of the amnesty programme designed by the Federal Government of Nigeria for members of the Boko Haram sect (an Islamist sect) in the Northern part of Nigeria.  The paper is aimed at finding out whether by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is legal and legitimate on the part of the government to introduce an amnesty programme a-part of State policy considering their criminal and heinous activities which are in-' only threatening the security in the Northern part of the country but also the. security and unity of the entire country. The paper is also intended to find out sow. of the basic challenges the programme may face bearing in mind that the Federal Government has not approached the legislature to legalize the programme. It is further intended in this paper to find out whether the government is taking any stcr to come up with an enactment to give legal backing w the amnesty programme Primary and secondary sources will be used.  The paper will be concluded by finding out whether the programme can continue without a legal support to it.