Expanding the Frontiers of Criminal Law to Integrate Prosecution of Nigeria: Beaming Searchlight at the Security Bedlams inNorth western Zone
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68050/JAMS.2026.367Keywords:
Expanding Frontiers; Criminal Law; Prosecution of Nigeria; Beaming Searchlight; Security Bedlams; and Northwestern Zone.Abstract
Intensification of security bedlams in Nigeria by terror groups, is central in the social environment. The tactical strategies of these groups to cause calamity are multidimensional, with more fiend and pernicious groups emerging. Civilians and military personnel have been killed and kidnapped without remediation. The nefarious goons are glowing due to inadequate courage of Nigerian government to confront dissidents. The work is aimed, at thorough examination of expanding existing frontiers in criminal jurisprudence to assimilate prosecution of Nigeria. This is done by beaming searchlight at the growing lawlessness in Northwestern Nigeria. Doctrinal methodology was adopted, utilizing primary and secondary sources of information as tools for data collection. The work found amongst others, there are unrestrained catastrophes in Northwestern zone. It is concluded, Nigeria is probable for prosecution where frontiers of criminal law were expanded. The work recommended among others, that criminal adjectival laws be expanded to web prosecution of Nigeria.
References
1. https://barristerng.pol.com. October 11, 2025. Accessed on October 12, 2025 at about 21:15 hours GMT.
2. https://thenigerislawyer.com/2025/11/19, Accessed on November 18, 2025 at about 9:30 hours GMT local time.
3. Ibidem.
4. Voice of America News of January 2012. https://www.voa.com. Accessed on October 25, 2025 at about 14:45 hours Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) local time.
5. These are happening right on the nose of a sovereign State with well-organized standing Armed Forces. It behooves more than what the naked memory of the proletariat and plebs Nigerian could comprehend.
6. Amnesty International, Nigeria, February 3, 2026; https://www.amnestyinternational.org. accessed on February 5, 2026 at about 17:00 hours GMT local time.
7. BarristerNG, Law and Politics News, April 3, 2026. https://www.barristernglawandpolitics.com. Accessed on April 5, 2026 at about 11:53 hours GMT, local time.
8. The Nigerian Lawyer News of August 7, 2026. https://thenigerialayer.com. Accessed on 7th August, 2026 at about 14:00 hours GMT, local time.
9. Ibidem.
10. The Nigerian Lawyer News of August 15, 2026. https://thenigerialayer.com. Accessed on 15th August, 2026 at about 16:00 hours GMT, local time.
11. Unimi Kate Chioma of Nigeria Lawyer.com, of June 30, 2026. https://www.thenigerialawyer.com. Accessed on June 30th 2026 at about 12: noon hours GMT local time.
12. Ibidem.
13. An Improvised Explosive Devise.
14. BarristerNg Law and Politics, News of July 5, 2026. Accessed on the 6th day of July 2026 at about 16:00 hours GMT.
15. Unini Chioma Kate of the Nigeria Lawyer News of May 20, 2026 https://thenierialawyer.com. Accessed on May 22, 2026 at about 17:00 hours GMT local time.
16. Ibidem.
17. Ibidem.
18. The Guardian Nigeria, Magazine.
19. LegalLinkz.com News of August 28th 2026. Accessed on August 28,2026 at about 21:45 hours GMT.
20. Ibidem.
21. Ibidem.
22. Independent Geographic Intelligence Group, SBM Research Firm.
23. Ibidem.
24. Sahara Reporters.
25. Ibidem.
26. Independent Geographic Intelligence Group, SBM Research Firm.
27. Ibidem.
28. Ibidem.
29. Ibidem.
30. The Guardian Nigeria, Magazine.
31. Ibidem.
32. Independent Geographic Intelligence Group, SBM Research Firm.
33. See the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended. “…., I will strive to preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I, do solemnly swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. …., I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. ….”
34. Captioned as Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy, which is the navigational buoy of the country.
35. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999, as Amended.
36. Cap.C.38, Vol. 4, Laws of Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2010. This paragraph of the Act, states thus: “Every person who does or omits to do any act for the purpose of enabling or aiding another person to commit the offence; [is a principal party to offence committed].”
37. Ibidem.
38. Section 306 of the Criminal Code Act, entrenches thus: “It is unlawful to kill any person, unless such killing is authorized or justified or excused by law.” Furthermore, Section 319 (1) of same Act stipulates: “Subject to the provisions of this section, any person who commits the offence of murder shall be sentenced to death.”
39. Guardian Nigeria, News of August 26, 2026. Accessed on 26th August 2026 at about 20:45 hours GMT.
40. Ibidem.
41. legalLinkz.com News of August 28, 2026. Accessed on the 28th August 2026 at about 21:15 hours GMT.
42. Ibidem.
43. Ibidem.
44. https://lawlogngnews, July 28, 2026. Accessed on July 29, 2026 at about 20:00 hours GMT local time.
45. Ibidem.
46. https://barristernglawandPol.com, Accessed on July 25, 2026 at about 18:31 hours GMT local time.
47. Ibidem.
48. https://www.thenigerialawyer.com. Accessed on August 1, 2026 at about 9:00 GMT local time.
49. Ibidem.
50. Security & Conflict Reporters, Bakat Bakatsine, vide official X account handle. Accessed on 24th June 2026 at about 20:00 hours GMT, local time.
51. Ibidem.
52. Daily Justice News of June 19, 2026. https://dailyjusticenews.com. Accessed on the 19th of June, 2026 at about 16:45 hours GMT, local time.
53. Ibidem.
54. Al Jazeera News, September 26, 2023. https://www.aljazeeranews.com. Accessed on October 10, 2025 at about 14:30 hours GMT local time.
55. https://barristernglawandPol.com, Accessed on March 17, 2026 at about 10:31 hours GMT local time.
56. Ibidem.
57. Ibidem.
58. A confession of an ordeal by a woman who was kidnapped with her entire family along Ekiti-Ilorin highway on July 23, 2022.
59. Centre for Democracy & Development, An Abuja Based Policy and Advocacy Think Tank.
60. Internally Displaced People.
61. https://www.thenigerialawyer.com. Accessed on November 1, 2025 at about 9:00 hours GMT local time.
62. https://www.thenigerialawyer.com. Accessed on November 6, 2025 at about 15:00 hours GMT local time.
63. Ibidem.
64. Ibidem.
65. https://www.thenigerialawyer.com. Accessed on November 1, 2025 at about 9:00 GMT local time.
66. BBC News Africa, September 26, 2021. https://www.bbcnewsafrica.com. Accessed on November 6, 2025 at about 16:00 hours GMT.
67. Al Jazeera News, February 26, 2021. https://www.ljazeenaws.com. Accessed at about 14:00 hours GMT on November 8, 2025.
68. Ibidem.
69. Ibidem.
70. https://www.thenigerialawyer.com. Accessed on February 5, 2026 at about 16:00 hours GMT local time.
71. Amnesty International News, Nigeria, February 13, 2026; https://www.amnestyinternational.org. Accessed at about 17:00 hours GMT on 13: 02.2026.
72. Ibidem.
73. Sahara Reporters. https://.www.saharareporters.com. Accessed on February 12, 2026 at about 16:00 hours GMT.
74. Ibidem.
75. Sahara Reporters. https://.www.saharareporters.com. Accessed on February 12, 2026 at about 16:00 hours GMT.
76. BBC News, February 26, 2021. https://www.bbc.com. Accessed on November 10, 2025 at about 12: noon hours GMT.
77. Ibidem.
78. Al Jazeera News, March 24, 2024. https://www.ljazeenaws.com. Accessed at about 14:00 hours GMT on November 8, 2025. Also reported on You Tube, Television (TV) on February 24, 2024.
79. Al Jazeera News, September 26,2023. https://www.ljazeenaws.com. Accessed at about 16:00 hours GMT on November 12, 2025. Also reported by UNICEF, September 26, 2023. https://www.unicef.org.
80. Al Jazeera News, September 26,2023. https://www.ljazeenaws.com. Accessed at about 16:00 hours GMT on November 12, 2025. Also reported by UNICEF, September 26, 2023. https://www.unicef.org.
81. Al Jazeera News, December 11, 2020. https://www.ljazeenaws.com. Accessed at about 10:00 hours GMT on November 5, 2025.
82. Ibidem.
83. Premium Times, Nigeria, March 11, 2021. https://www.premiumtimesng.com Accessed on November 11, 2025 at about 18:00 hours GMT.
84. Ibidem.
85. BBC News Africa, July 28, 2025. https://www.bbcnewsafrica.com. Accessed on November 2, 2025 at about 15:00 hours GMT local time.
86. The Nigeria Lawyer.Com News, 2025/11/29. https://thenigerialawyernews.com. Accessed on December 2, 2025 at about 3:51 hours GMT local time.
87. The Nigeria Lawyer.Com News, 2025/11/29. https://thenigerialawyernews.com. Accessed on December 2, 2025 at about 3:51 hours GMT local time.
88. The Nigeria Lawyer.Com News, 2025/12/01. https://thenigerialawyernews.com. Accessed on December 2, 2025 at about 19:45 hours GMT local time.
89. Ibidem.
90. BBC News Africa, July 28, 2025. https://www.bbcnewsafrica.com. Accessed on November 2, 2025 at about 15:00 hours GMT local time.
91. https://lawlogngnews, June 22, 2025. Accessed on June 24, 2025 at about 20:00 hours GMT local time.
92. Ibidem.
93. BarristerNGlaw and Pol, October 20, 2025. https://www.barristernglawandpol. Accessed on October 28, 2025 at about 20:28 hours GMT.
94. LawblogNG News, June 22, 2025.
95. https://thenierialawyer.com, November 18, 2025. Accessed on November 18, 2025 at about 21:13 hours local time.
96. Ibidem.
97. Ibidem.
98. UN 2025/11/22. https://www.un.org. https://thenigerialawyer.com, 2025/11/22. Accessed on November 23, 2025 at about 16:23 hours GMT local time.
99. Ibidem.
100. Ibidem.
101. https://www.un.org. https://thenigerialawyer.com, 2026/03/26. Accessed on March 26, 2026 at about 8:55 hours GMT local time.
102. Ibidem.
103. Ibidem.
104. Nigeria Lawyers News, Friday 16, January 2026. https://www.nigerialawyernews.com. Accessed on January 17, 2026 at about 16:45 hours GMT.
105. Ibidem.
106. Ibidem.
107. Nigeria Lawyers News, Friday 16, January 2026. https://www.nigerialawyernews.com. Accessed on January 17, 2026 at about 16:45 hours GMT.
108. Ibidem.
109. Interrogations by security agencies during lawful apprehension.
110. Oral interview from a Northern sheikh who interfaces with Islamic terrorists’ groups in Nigeria.
111. See Section 43 (1), of the Companies and Allied Matters (Amendment) Act, 2020; where it entrenches as follows: “Except to the extent that the company’s memorandum, or any other enactment otherwise provides, every company shall for the furtherance of its business, or objects, have all the powers of a natural person of full capacity.”
112. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.
113. The safety of the people is the supreme law of the land. Encompass under Chapter II of the 199 Constitution dealing with the Country’s navigational guide, captioned: Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.
114. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN), 1999 (as amended).
115. Ibidem.
116. Ibidem.
117. See also Section 52 (1) (a) - (b), of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A 20, Vol. 1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, (LFN), 2010, streams similar circumstances. See also Sections: 273, 276, 282, 284, and 285, of the Criminal Code Act, Cap.C38, Vol. 4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, (LFN), 2010.
118. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN), 1999 (as amended).
119. Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended. “…., I will strive to preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I, do solemnly swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. …., I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
120. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999 (as amended).
121. Ibidem.
122. Section 306 of the Criminal Code Act, entrenches thus: “It is unlawful to kill any person, unless such killing is authorized or justified or excused by law.” Furthermore, Section 319 (1) of same Act stipulates: “Subject to the provisions of this section, any person who commits the offence of murder shall be sentenced to death.”
123. In the event of failed mutiny within the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Further peruse Section 52 of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A20, Vol. 1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2010.
124. Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
125. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN), 1999 (as amended).
126. Ibidem.
127. Ibidem.
128. Section 7 of the Criminal Code Act, entrenches to the following effect: “When an offence is committed, each of the following persons is deemed to have taken part in committing the offence, and to be guilty of the offence, and may be charged with actually committing it, this is to say: (a) Every person who actually does the act or makes the omission which constitutes the offence; (b) Every person who does or omits to do any act for the purpose of enabling or aiding another person to commit the offence; (c) Every person who aids another person in committing the offence; and (d) Any person who counsels or procures any other person to commit the offence.”
129. Ibidem, especially paragraph (b), Section 7 of the Criminal Code Act.
130. “Every person who does or omits to do any act for the purpose of enabling or aiding another person to commit the offence; [is a principal party to offence committed].”
131. Cap. C38, Vo.4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2010.
132. [2016] 11 NWLR (Part. 1524) 497 SC @ 519, paras. F-G; per Okoro, JSC.
133. Hym vs DPP (1974) 2 All ER 41; per Brown, CJ, where, his Lordship observed thus: “Even the devil does not know the mind of a man except that intent is transformed into an act.”
134. The Criminal Code Act, Cap.C38, Vol. 4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2010.
135. Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA), 2015.
136. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN), 1999 (as amended).
137. Ibidem.
138. Cap.C.38, Vol. 4, Laws of Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2010. This paragraph of the Act, states thus: “Every person who does or omits to do any act for the purpose of enabling or aiding another person to commit the offence; [is a principal party to offence committed].”
139. Cap. C38, Vol. 4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2010.
140. Section 14 (2), (a) stipulates as follows: “It is hereby, accordingly, declared that- sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authorities.”
141. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CTRN) 1999, as amended.
142. Ibidem.
143. It’s inter-alia, provides thus: ‘’Any person who alleges that any of the provision of this Chapter has been, is being, or likely to be contravened in any State in relation to him may apply to a High Court in the State for redress.’’
144. Section 306 of the Criminal Code Act, entrenches thus: “It is unlawful to kill any person, unless such killing is authorized or justified or excused by law.” Furthermore, Section 319 (1) of same Act stipulates: “Subject to the provisions of this section, any person who commits the offence of murder shall be sentenced to death”
145. The Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Vol. 4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2010. The paragraph of the Act, provides as follows: “Every person who does or omits to do any act for the purpose of enabling or aiding another person to commit the offence; [is a principal party to offence committed].”
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Articles published in the Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Studies (JAMS) are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), unless otherwise stated. Authors retain copyright of their work and grant JAMS the right of first publication.
