Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
1999

We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Having firmly and solemnly resolve, to live in unity and harmony as one
indivisible and indissoluble soverei gn nation under God, dedicated to the
promotion of inter-African solidarity, wo rld peace, international co-operation and
understanding

And to provide for a Constitution fo r the purpose of promoting the good
government and welfare of all persons in our country, on the principles of
freedom, equality and justice, and for the purpose of consolidating the unity of
our people

Do hereby make, enact and give to ourselves the following Constitution:-

Chapter II
Fundamental Objectives and Direct ive Principles of State Policy

13. It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all
authorities and persons, exercising legislat ive, executive or judicial powers, to
conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this Chapter of this
Constitution.
14. (1) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the
principles of democracy and social justice.
(2) It is hereby, accordingly, declared that:
(a) sovereignty belongs to the
people of Nigeria from whom
government through this
Constitution derives all its
powers and authority;
(b) the security and welfare of
the people shall be the

primary purpose of
government: and
(c) the participation by the
people in their government
shall be ensured in
accordance with the
provisions of this
Constitution.
(3) The composition of the Government of the Federation or
any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be
carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character
of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to
command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be
no predominance of persons from a few State or from a few
ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any
of its agencies.
(4) The composition of the Government of a State, a local
government council, or any of the agencies of such
Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the
Government or council or such agencies shall be carried out
in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people
within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of
belonging and loyalty among all the people of the Federation.
15. (1) The motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be Unity and Faith,
Peace and Progress.
(2) Accordingly, national integration shall be actively
encouraged, whilst discriminati on on the grounds of place of
origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or
ties shall be prohibited.
(3) For the purpose of promoting national integration, it shall
be the duty of the State to:
(a) provide adequate facilities
for and encourage free
mobility of people, goods and
services throughtout the
Federation.
(b) secure full residence
rights for every citizen in all
parts of the Federation.
(c) encourage inter-marriage
among persons from different
places of origin, or of different
religious, ethnic or linguistic
association or ties; and

(d) promote or encourage the
formation of associations that
cut across ethnic, linguistic,
religious and or other
sectional barriers.
(4) The State shall foster a feeling of belonging and of
involvement among the various people of the Federation, to
the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional
loyalties.
(5) The State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of
power.
16. (1) The State shall, within the contex t of the ideals and objectives for which
provisions are made in this Constitution.
(a) harness the resources of
the nation and promote
national prosperity and an
efficient, a dynamic and self-
reliant economy;
(b) control the national
economy in such manner as
to secure the maximum
welfare, freedom and
happiness of every citizen on
the basis of social justice and
equality of status and
opportunity;
(c) without prejudice to its
right to operate or participate
in areas of the economy,
other than the major sectors
of the economy, manage and
operate the major sectors of
the economy;
(d) without prejudice to the
right of any person to
participate in areas of the
economy within the major
sector of the economy,
protect the right of every
citizen to engage in any
economic activities outside
the major sectors of the
economy.
(2) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring:

(a) the promotion of a
planned and balanced
economic development ;
(b) that the material
resources of the nation are
harnessed and distributed as
best as possible to serve the
common good;
(c) that the economic system
is not operated in such a
manner as to permit the
concentration of wealth or the
means of production and
exchange in the hands of few
individuals or of a group; and
(d) that suitable and
adequate shelter, suitable
and adequate food,
reasonable national minimum
living wage, old age care and
pensions, and
unemployment, sick benefits
and welfare of the disabled
are provided for all citizens.
(3) A body shall be set up by an Act of the National Assembly
which shall have power;
(a) to review, from time to
time, the ownership and
control of business
enterprises operating in
Nigeria and make
recommendations to the
President on same; and
(b) to administer any law for
the regulation of the
ownership and control of
such enterprises.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section –
(a) the reference to the
“major sectors of the
economy” shall be construed
as a reference to such
economic activities as may,
from time to time, be
declared by a resolution of
each House of the National

Assembly to be managed
and operated exclusively by
the Government of the
Federation, and until a
resolution to the contrary is
made by the National
Assembly, economic
activities being operated
exclusively by the
Government of the
Federation on the date
immediately preceding the
day when this section comes
into force, whether directly or
through the agencies of a
statutory or other corporation
or company, shall be deemed
to be major sectors of the
economy;
(b) “economic activities”
includes activities directly
concerned with the
production, distribution and
exchange of weather or of
goods and services; and
(c) “participate” includes the
rendering of services and
supplying of goods.
17. (1) The State social order is founded on ideals of Freedom, Equality and
Justice.
(2) In furtherance of the social order-
(a) every citizen shall have
equality of rights, obligations
and opportunities before the
law;
(b) the sanctity of the human
person shall be recognised
and human dignity shall be
maintained and enhanced;
(c) governmental actions
shall be humane;
(d) exploitation of human or
natural resources in any form
whatsoever for reasons,
other than the good of the

community, shall be
prevented; and
(e) the independence,
impartiality and integrity of
courts of law, and easy
accessibility thereto shall be
secured and maintained.
(3) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that-
(a) all citizens, without
discrimination on any group
whatsoever, have the
opportunity for securing
adequate means of livelihood
as well as adequate
opportunity to secure suitable
employment;
(b) conditions of work are just
and humane, and that there
are adequate facilities for
leisure and for social,
religious and cultural life;
(c) the health, safety and
welfare of all persons in
employment are safeguarded
and not endangered or
abused;
(d) there are adequate
medical and health facilities
for all persons:
(e) there is equal pay for
equal work without
discrimination on account of
sex, or on any other ground
whatsoever;
(f) children, young persons
and the age are protected
against any exploitation
whatsoever, and against
moral and material neglect;
(g) provision is made for
public assistance in
deserving cases or other
conditions of need; and

(h) the evolution and
promotion of family life is
encouraged.
18. (1) Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal
and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.
(2) Government shall promote science and technology
(3) Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this
end Government shall as and when practicable provide
(a) free, compulsory and
universal primary education;
(b) free secondary education;
(c) free university education;
and
(d) free adult literacy
programme.
19. The foreign policy objectives shall be –
(a) promotion and protection
of the national interest;
(b) promotion of African
integration and support for
African unity;
(c) promotion of international
co-operation for the
consolidation of universal
peace and mutual respect
among all nations and
elimination of discrimination
in all its manifestations;
(d) respect for international
law and treaty obligations as
well as the seeking of
settlement of international
disputes by negotiation,
mediation, conciliation,
arbitration and adjudication;
and
(e) promotion of a just world
economic order.

20. The State shall protect and improv e the environment and safeguard the
water, air and land, forest and wild life of Nigeria.
21. The State shall –
(a) protect, preserve and
promote the Nigerian cultures
which enhance human dignity
and are consistent with the
fundamental objectives as
provided in this Chapter; and
(b) encourage development
of technological and scientific
studies which enhance
cultural values.
22. The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at
all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this
Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to
the people.
23. The national ethics shall be Discipline, Integrity, Dignity of Labour, Social,
Justice, Religious Tolerance, Self-reliance and Patriotism.
24. It shall be the duty of every citizen to –
(a) abide by this Constitution,
respect its ideals and its
institutions, the National Flag,
the National Anthem, the
National Pledge, and
legitimate authorities;
(b) help to enhance the
power, prestige and good
name of Nigeria, defend
Nigeria and render such
national service as may be
required;
(c) respect the dignity of
other citizens and the rights
and legitimate interests of
others and live in unity and
harmony and in the spirit of
common brotherhood;
(d) make positive and useful
contribution to the
advancement, progress and
well-being of the community
where he resides;

(e) render assistance to
appropriate and lawful
agencies in the maintenance
of law and order; and
(f) declare his income
honestly to appropriate and
lawful agencies and pay his
tax promptly.

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Chapter IV
Fundamental Rights

33. (1) Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life,
save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has
been found guilty in Nigeria.
(2) A person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in
contravention of this section, if he dies as a result of the use, to such extent
and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is
reasonably necessary –
(a) for the defence of any person from
unlawful violence or for the defence of
property:
(b) in order to effect a lawful arrest or to
prevent the escape of a person lawfully
detained; or
(c) for the purpose of suppressing a riot,
insurrection or mutiny.
34. (1) Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly –
(a) no person shall be subject to torture or
to inhuman or degrading treatment;
(b) no person shall he held in slavery or
servitude; and
(c) no person shall be required to perform
forced of compulsory labour.
(2) for the purposes of subsection (1) (c) of this section, “forced or
compulsory labour” does not include –

(a) any labour required in consequence of
the sentence or order of a court;
(b) any labour required of members of the
armed forces of the Federation or the
Nigeria Police Force in pursuance of their
duties as such;
(c) in the case of persons who have
conscientious objections to service in the
armed forces of the Federation, any labour
required instead of such service;
(d) any labour required which is reasonably
necessary in the event of any emergency
or calamity threatening the life or well-
being of the community; or
(e) any labour or service that forms part of
–
(i) normal communal or
other civic obligations of
the well-being of the
community.
(ii) such compulsory
national service in the
armed forces of the
Federation as may be
prescribed by an Act of the
National Assembly, or
(iii) such compulsory
national service which
forms part of the education
and training of citizens of
Nigeria as may be
prescribed by an Act of the
National Assembly.
35. (1) Every person shall be entitled to his pe rsonal liberty and no person shall be deprived
of such liberty save in the following cases and in accordance with a procedure permitted by
law –
(a) in execution of the sentence or order of
a court in respect of a criminal offence of
which he has been found guilty;
(b) by reason of his failure to comply with
the order of a court or in order to secure
the fulfilment of any obligation imposed
upon him by law;

(c) for the purpose of bringing him before a
court in execution of the order of a court or
upon reasonable suspicion of his having
committed a criminal offence, or to such
extent as may be reasonably necessary to
prevent his committing a criminal offence;
(d) in the case of a person who has not
attained the age of eighteen years for the
purpose of his education or welfare;
(e) in the case of persons suffering from
infectious or contagious disease, persons
of unsound mind, persons addicted to
drugs or alcohol or vagrants, for the
purpose of their care or treatment or the
protection of the community; or
(f) for the purpose of preventing the
unlawful entry of any person into Nigeria or
of effecting the expulsion, extradition or
other lawful removal from Nigeria of any
person or the taking of proceedings
relating thereto:
Provided that a person who is charged with
an offence and who has been detained in
lawful custody awaiting trial shall not
continue to be kept in such detention for a
period longer than the maximum period of
imprisonment prescribed for the offence.
(2) Any person who is arrested or detai ned shall have the right to remain
silent or avoid answering any question until after consultation with a legal
practitioner or any other person of his own choice.
(3) Any person who is arrested or detained shall be informed in writing
within twenty-four hours (and in a language that he understands) of the
facts and grounds for his arrest or detention.
(4) Any person who is arrested or detai ned in accordance with subsection
(1) (c) of this section shall be brought before a court of law within a
reasonable time, and if he is not tried within a period of –
(a) two months from the date of his arrest
or detention in the case of a person who is
in custody or is not entitled to bail; or
(b) three months from the date of his arrest
or detention in the case of a person who
has been released on bail, he shall
(without prejudice to any further
proceedings that may be brought against
him) be released either unconditionally or

upon such conditions as are reasonably
necessary to ensure that he appears for
trial at a later date.
(5) In subsection (4) of this section, the expression “a reasonable time”
means –
(a) in the case of an arrest or detention in
any place where there is a court of
competent jurisdiction within a radius of
forty kilometres, a period of one day; and
(b) in any other case, a period of two days
or such longer period as in the
circumstances may be considered by the
court to be reasonable.
(6) Any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained shall be entitled to
compensation and public apology from the appropriate authority or person;
and in this subsection, “the appropriate authority or person” means an
authority or person specified by law.
(7) Nothing in this section shall be construed –
(a) in relation to subsection (4) of this
section, as applying in the case of a person
arrested or detained upon reasonable
suspicion of having committed a capital
offence; and
(b) as invalidating any law by reason only
that it authorises the detention for a period
not exceeding three months of a member
of the armed forces of the federation or a
member of the Nigeria Police Force in
execution of a sentence imposed by an
officer of the armed forces of the
Federation or of the Nigeria police force, in
respect of an offence punishable by such
detention of which he has been found
guilty.
36. (1) In the determination of his civil rights and obligations, including any question or
determination by or against any government or aut hority, a person shall be entitled to a fair
hearing within a reasonable time by a court or other tribunal established by law and
constituted in such manner as to secure its independence and impartiality.
(2) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this section, a law shall
not be invalidated by reason only that it confers on any government or
authority power to determine questions ar ising in the administration of a law
that affects or may affect the civil rights and obligations of any person if
such law –

(a) provides for an opportunity for the
persons whose rights and obligations may
be affected to make representations to the
administering authority before that
authority makes the decision affecting that
person; and
(b) contains no provision making the
determination of the administering authority
final and conclusive.
(3) The proceedings of a court or the pr oceedings of any tribunal relating to
the matters mentioned in subsection (1) of this section (including the
announcement of the decisions of the court or tribunal) shall be held in
public.
(4) Whenever any person is charged wi th a criminal offence, he shall,
unless the charge is withdrawn, be entitled to a fair hearing in public within
a reasonable time by a court or tribunal:
Provided that –
(a) a court or such a tribunal may exclude
from its proceeding s persons other than
the parties thereto or their legal
practitioners in the interest of defence,
public safety, public order, public morality,
the welfare of persons who have not
attained the age of eighteen years, the
protection of the privat e lives of the parties
or to such extent as it may consider
necessary by reason of special
circumstances in which publicity would be
contrary to the interests of justice;
(b) if in any proceedings before a court or
such a tribunal, a Minister of the
Government of the Federation or a
commissioner of the government of a State
satisfies the court or tribunal that it would
not be in the public interest for any matter
to be publicly disclosed, the court or
tribunal shall make arrangements for
evidence relating to that matter to be heard
in private and shall take such other action
as may be necessary or expedient to
prevent the disclosure of the matter.
(5) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed
to be innocent until he is proved guilty;
Provided that nothing in this section shall invalidate any law by reason only
that the law imposes upon any such per son the burden of proving particular
facts.

(6) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be entitled to –
(a) be informed promptly in the language
that he understands and in detail of the
nature of the offence;
(b) be given adequate time and facilities for
the preparation of his defence;
(c) defend himself in person or by legal
practitioners of his own choice;
(d) examine, in person or by his legal
practitioners, the witnesses called by the
prosecution before any court or tribunal
and obtain the attendance and carry out
the examination of witnesses to testify on
his behalf before the court or tribunal on
the same conditions as those applying to
the witnesses called by the prosecution;
and
(e) have, without payment, the assistance
of an interpreter if he cannot understand
the language used at the trial of the
offence.
(7) When any person is tried for any criminal offence, the court or tribunal
shall keep a record of the proceedi ngs and the accused person or any
persons authorised by him in that behalf shall be entitled to obtain copies of
the judgement in the case within seven days of the conclusion of the case.
(8) No person shall be held to be guilty of a criminal offence on account of
any act or omission that did not, at the ti me it took place, constitute such an
offence, and no penalty shall be impose d for any criminal offence heavier
than the penalty in force at the time the offence was committed
(9) No person who shows that he has been tried by any court of competent
jurisdiction or tribunal for a criminal offence and either convicted or
acquitted shall again be tried for that offence or for a criminal offence
having the same ingredients as that offence save upon the order of a
superior court.
(10) No person who shows that he has been pardoned for a criminal
offence shall again be tried for that offence.
(11) No person who is tried for a criminal offence shall be compelled to give
evidence at the trial.
(12) Subject as otherwise provided by this Constitution, a person shall not
be convicted of a criminal offence un less that offence is defined and the
penalty therefor is prescribed in a wr itten law, and in this subsection, a

written law refers to an Act of the National Assembly or a Law of a State,
any subsidiary legislation or instrument under the provisions of a law.
37. The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and
telegraphic communications is he reby guaranteed and protected.
38. (1) Every person shall be entitled to fr eedom of thought, conscience and religion,
including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in
community with others, and in public or in priv ate) to manifest and propagate his religion or
belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
(2) No person attending any place of education shall be required to receive
religious instruction or to take part in or attend any religious ceremony or
observance if such instruction ceremony or observance relates to a religion
other than his own, or religion not app roved by his parent or guardian.
(3) No religious community or denomination shall be prevented from
providing religious instruction for pupils of that community or denomination
in any place of education maintained wholly by that community or
denomination.
(4) Nothing in this section shall entitle any person to form, take part in the
activity or be a member of a secret society.
39. (1) Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including
freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information
without interference.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of
this section, every person sha ll be entitled to own, establish
and operate any medium for the di ssemination of information,
ideas and opinions:

Provided that no person, other than the Government of the
Federation or of a State or any other person or body
authorised by the President on the fulfilment of conditions
laid down by an Act of the National Assembly, shall own,
establish or operate a television or wireless broadcasting
station for, any purpose whatsoever.

(3) Nothing in this section shall invalidate any law that is
reasonably justifiable in a democratic society –

(a) for the purpose of
preventing the disclosure. of
information received in
confidence, maintaining the
authority and independence
of courts or regulating
telephony, wireless
broadcasting, television or
the exhibition of
cinematograph films; or
(b) imposing restrictions
upon persons holding office

under the Government of the
Federation or of a State,
members of the armed
forces of the Federation or
members of the Nigeria
Police Force or other
Government security
services or agencies
established by law.

40. Every person shall be entitled to as semble freely and associate with other
persons, and in particular he may form or belong to any political party, trade
union or any other association for the protection of his interests:

Provided that the provisions of this se ction shall not derogate from the powers
conferred by this Constitution on the Independent National Electoral
Commission with respect to political parties to which that Commission does
not accord recognition.
41. (1) Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in
any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry
thereby or exit therefrom.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall invalidate any law that is
reasonably justifiable in a democratic society-
(a) imposing restrictions on the residence
or movement of any person who has
committed or is reasonably suspected to
have committed a criminal offence in order
to prevent him from leaving Nigeria; or
(b) providing for the removal of any person
from Nigeria to any other country to:-
(i) be tried outside Nigeria for any criminal
offence, or
(ii) undergo imprisonment outside Nigeria
in execution of the sentence of a court of
law in respect of a criminal offence of
which he has been found guilty:
Provided that there is reciprocal agreement
between Nigeria and such other country in
relation to such matter.
42. (1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex,
religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:-

(a) be subjected either expressly by, or in
the practical application of, any law in force
in Nigeria or any executive or
administrative action of the government, to
disabilities or restrictio ns to which citizens
of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic
groups, places of origin, sex, religions or
political opinions are not made subject; or
(b) be accorded either expressly by, or in
the practical application of, any law in force
in Nigeria or any such executive or
administrative action, any privilege or
advantage that is not accorded to citizens
of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic
groups, places of origin, sex, religions or
political opinions.
(2) No citizen of Nigeria shall be subj ected to any disability or deprivation
merely by reason of the circ umstances of his birth.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall invalidate any law by
reason only that the law imposes re strictions with respect to the
appointment of any person to any office under the State or as a member of
the armed forces of the Federation or member of the Nigeria Police Forces
or to an office in the service of a body , corporate established directly by any
law in force in Nigeria.
43. Subject to the provisions of this Constituti on, every citizen of Nigeria shall have the right
to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria.
44. (1) No moveable property or any interest in an immovable property shall be taken
possession of compulsorily and no right over or interest in any such property shall be
acquired compulsorily in any part of Nigeria except in the manner and for the purposes
prescribed by a law that, among other things –
(a) requires the prompt payment of
compensation therefore and
(b) gives to any person claiming such
compensation a right of access for the
determination of his interest in the property
and the amount of compensation to a court
of law or tribunal or body having jurisdiction
in that part of Nigeria.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall be construed as affecting
any general law.
(a) for the imposition or enforcement of any
tax, rate or duty;
(b) for the imposition of penalties or
forfeiture for breach of any law, whether

under civil process or after conviction for
an offence;
(c) relating to leases, tenancies,
mortgages, charges, bills of sale or any
other rights or obligations arising out of
contracts.
(d) relating to the vesting and
administration of property of persons
adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt
or insolvent, of persons of unsound mind or
deceased persons, and of corporate or
unincorporate bodies in the course of being
wound-up;
(e) relating to the execution of judgements
or orders of court;
(f) providing for the taking of possession of
property that is in a dangerous state or is
injurious to the health of human beings,
plants or animals;
(g) relating to enemy property;
(h) relating to trusts and trustees;
(i) relating to limitation of actions;
(j) relating to property vested in bodies
corporate directly established by any law in
force in Nigeria;
(k) relating to the temporary taking of
possession of property for the purpose of
any examination, investigation or enquiry;
(l) providing for the carrying out of work on
land for the purpose of soil-conservation;
or
(m) subject to prompt payment of
compensation for damage to buildings,
economic trees or crops, providing for any
authority or person to enter, survey or dig
any land, or to lay, install or erect poles,
cables, wires, pipes, or other conductors or
structures on any land, in order to provide
or maintain the supply or distribution of
energy, fuel, water, sewage,
telecommunication services or other public
facilities or public utilities.

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provis ions of this section, the entire
property in and control of all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas in under
or upon any land in Nigeria or in, under or upon the territorial waters and
the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria s hall vest in the Government of the
Federation and shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed by
the National Assembly.
45. (1) Nothing in sections 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 of this Constitution shall invalidate any law
that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society
(a) in the interest of defence, public safety,
public order, public morality or public
health; or
(b) for the purpose of protecting the rights
and freedom or other persons
(2) An act of the National Assembly shall not be invalidated by reason only
that it provides for the taking, during periods of emergency, of measures
that derogate from the provisions of se ction 33 or 35 of this Constitution; but
no such measures shall be taken in pursuance of any such act during any
period of emergency save to the extent that those measures are reasonably
justifiable for the purpose of dealing with the situation that exists during that
period of emergency:
Provided that nothing in this section shall authorise any derogation from the
provisions of section 33 of this Cons titution, except in respect of death
resulting from acts of war or authorise any derogation from the provisions of
section 36(8) of this Constitution.
(3) In this section, a ” period of emergency” means any period during which
there is in force a Proclamation of a state of emergency declared by the
President in exercise of the powers conferred on him under section 305 of
this Constitution.
46. (1) Any person who alleges that any of the prov isions of this Chapter has been, is being
or likely to be contravened in any State in re lation to him may apply to a High Court in that
State for redress.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a High Court shall have
original jurisdiction to hear and determine any application made to it in
pursuance of this section and may ma ke such orders, issue such writs and
give such directions as it may consider appropriate for the purpose of
enforcement or securing the enforcing with in that State of any right to which
the person who makes the application ma y be entitled under this Chapter.
(3) The Chief Justice of Nigeria may make rules with respect to the practice
and procedure of a High Court for t he purposes of this section.
(4) The National Assembly –
(a) may confer upon a High Court such
powers in addition to those conferred by

this section as may appear to the National
Assembly to be necessary or desirable for
the purpose of enabling the court more
effectively to exercise the jurisdiction
conferred upon it by this section; and
(b) shall make provisions-
(i) for the rendering of financial assistance
to any indigent citizen of Nigeria where his
right under this Chapter has been infringed
or with a view to enabling him to engage
the services of a legal practitioner to
prosecute his claim, and
(ii) for ensuring that allegations of
infringement of such rights are substantial
and the requirement or need for financial or
legal aid is real.