IN SEARCH OF JUSTICE THROUGH THE FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVES IN THE NIGERIA CONSTITUTION

Abstract

Justice and fairness ought to be the foundation of every civilized society. Sometimes laws are made with good intentions but without properly evaluating the effects of such laws or may have been deliberately ignored due to certain concealed interests. The fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy included in chapter two of 1999 Constitution of Nigeria is laudable which if the state and or policy makers align with in policy making the results would be tremendous. In the midst of these laudable objectives are provisions which appear discriminatory and has become an abattoir for injustice against certain of her citizens. Can these citizens ever find justice in the face of these constitutional provisions, moreso when the court is precluded from scrutinizing whether any act or omission or even judicial decision is in conformity with it? Could there be need to amend the constitution in the face of these institutionalized discrimination? Some of these objectives in juxtaposition with justice for the citizens are examined. In gathering and analyzing information doctrinal approach is employed in this work. Statutes, case laws textbooks, articles, treaties and conventions were analyzed. The paper found that discrimination is somewhat institutionalized due to these provisions of chapter two of the constitution and that some of the continued agitations from all quarters of the country is not unconnected with it. The paper further recommends amendment of the constitution relating to the institutionalized discrimination found within the provisions of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy contained in the constitution to provide a level ground for all citizens.