AN APPRAISAL OF PRESS FREEDOM AND FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT IN NIGERIA
Abstract
The study examines the relevant laws on the right to freedom of information in Nigeria. In view of the fact that the right to freedom of information derived its origin from international law, this paper deems it appropriate to start examining the international legal instruments dealing with the right to freedom of information. These include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the African Charter on Human and People’ Rights (ACHPR), etc. The paper then goes further to examine the Laws on the right to freedom of information in Nigeria. The paper analyses the laws under two separate periods, viz; Pre-2011 and Post-2011. The paper extensively discusses on the enforcement, protection mechanism and limitations of the right under review. Therefore, this paper observes that the Nigerian Post-2011 legislation (Freedom of Information Act 2011) on the right to freedom of information was enacted to complement other existing legislation guaranteeing and safeguarding the right. And that any person in Nigeria desirous of enforcing his right to freedom of information can do so not only under the Post-2011 legislation but even under such other existing legislation enacted prior to 2011. This paper finally recommends that the Federal Government and its agencies should take steps to ensure that necessary regulations or procedures are put in place for the effective implementation of the current freedom of information legal regime. There should also be proper storage of records by government officials, particularly in the face of serious challenges of power and technology in the country. Keywords: Human Rights, Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Information, Enforcement and Limitations of the rights
CHAPTER 1 Introduction
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The right to freedom of information is one of the species of rights and freedoms which is guaranteed and protected under international law. In fact, the root of this freedom or right is traceable to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) 1948 and subsequent other international legal instruments on Human Rights like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1966 among others. International legal instruments usually guarantee the right to freedom of information under the broader right to Freedom of Expression (right to seek information, in part and gather information). At the national levels, the right to freedom of information is also guaranteed as a Constitutional right while in some countries; special legislation are enacted guaranteeing and safeguarding the right in an elaborate manner. Nigeria is a country where the right to freedom of information is guaranteed under the Constitution as well as under special legislation which include the recently enacted Freedom of Information Act 2011. The freedom of information legislation is a legal document which deals with the right of the general public to access information held by public bodies sometimes referred to as the right to know.1 Freedom of information legislation represents the foundational right to know the legal process by which requesters (citizens) may ask for government-held information and receive it freely or at a minimal cost, bearing *Muhammad Nuruddeen, LL. B, LL.M (BUK), LL.M (ABU), BL. (Enugu); Lecturer, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, Bayero University Kano; mnur74.mn@gmail.com ; +2348063003991. 1 Akande, I. F., ‘The Right to Freedom of Information and Participation in Governance as a Basis for Democratic Governance’. in Madaki, A. M. (ed), Challenges of Constitutional Governance in Nigeria (Department of Private Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 2012) p. 340.
To get the complete project or material
Pay #3000 (10 Dollars) for material
Pay #5000 (30 Dollars) for complete project.
BANK TRANSFER OR DEPOSIT
PAYMENT DETAILS:
ACCOUNT NAME : SAMUEL CHARLES
ACCOUNT NO. : 2009884029
BANK : FIRST BANK
ACCOUNT TYPE: CURRENT ACCOUNT
AFTER PAYMENT SEND YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS AS FOLLOWS –
NAME
TOPIC
DEPARTMENT
MOBILE NUMBER
AMOUNT PAID
TO 2348077215645 , 2348176196229 AS SMS OR WHATSAPP MESSAGE OR
E-MAIL: distinctvaluedproject@gmail.com
