Police rarely get involved and would ordinarily request relatives to resolve the domestic disputes unless there is a breach of criminal law.
Law firms can be involved when briefed or where there is a violation of fundamental rights.
Yes, the Evidence Act governs this.
Yes, under any of the offenses in Chapter 14 of the Criminal Code dealing with offenses related to the administration of justice.
Under Nigerian law, consent cannot be given for the waiver of a law enacted for the protection of a victim or a constitutional right.
Yes, both are defenses under the Criminal Code (Sections 285-288 for self-defense; Section 28 for insanity).
Witnesses have a duty to testify honestly and there is a right against self-incrimination. Failure to give honest testimony is perjury under the Criminal Code.
By virtue of Section 182 of the Evidence Act, a spouse is a competent and compellable witness where offences stated in subparagraphs a, b and c are involved. However, communication during marriage is privileged. Spouses can also refuse to answer questions if it would expose them or their partner to prosecution.
No special law provides any special protection to children testifying. The law, however, enables the court not to disclose the name of the child.
Yes, evidence of a child is admissible if the court is able to establish that the child understands the nature of an oath (Section 183 of the Evidence Act).
The penalties in law are the same, although the judge may impose a heavier sentence for repeat offenders.
Yes. Rape: maximum of 14 years for persons under 14; minimum of 12 years' imprisonment for all others and a minimum of 20 years for each person.
The penalty for disobeying an order of the court is a fine of NGN 100,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or both a fine and imprisonment.[33]