Learn Law WDr Maureen Eneh Ujah

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Let's answer the question with this Nigerian story: Let's imagine that Tunde and Emeka were close friends. One day, they...
25/10/2026

Let's answer the question with this Nigerian story:

Let's imagine that Tunde and Emeka were close friends. One day, they entered into an agreement to sell a parcel of land that neither of them had the legal right to sell.

Tunde was to provide the money, while Emeka promised to use his connections to make the transaction happen.

They agreed to share the proceeds after the sale. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Emeka collected the money but refused to give Tunde his agreed share.

Angry and feeling cheated, Tunde rushed to court and demanded that Emeka pay him his share of the money.

But here is the legal question:

Can Tunde ask the court to help him enforce an agreement that was founded on an illegal transaction in which he knowingly participated?

This is where the Latin maxim IN PARI DELICTO becomes relevant.

WHAT DOES IN PARI DELICTO MEAN?

In pari delicto means “in equal fault” or “equally at fault.”

The principle generally means that where two parties are equally involved in wrongdoing, the court may refuse to assist either of them in enforcing rights arising from their illegal transaction.

In simple terms, the court is not ordinarily available to help one wrongdoer profit from an illegal agreement simply because the other party has cheated them.

Tunde cannot automatically expect the court to enforce his bargain merely because Emeka has acted dishonestly.

So what does the law provide?

In Pan Bisbilder (Nigeria) Ltd v First Bank of Nigeria Ltd (2000) 1 NWLR (Pt. 642) 684 (Supreme Court of Nigeria), the principle of in pari delicto is relevant to the treatment of claims arising from illegal transactions.

The maxim is commonly expressed as:

In pari delicto potior est conditio defendentis.

This means that where the parties are equally at fault, the defendant is in the more favourable position.

BUT DOES THIS MEAN THAT EVERY PERSON INVOLVED IN AN ILLEGAL TRANSACTION LOSES EVERY LEGAL RIGHT?

Absolutely not!

The application of this principle depends on the facts of the case, the nature of the illegality, the parties’ respective levels of fault, and the applicable law.

A court may distinguish between parties who are equally at fault and a party who was misled, exploited, or was not equally responsible for the wrongdoing. Other legal rules and exceptions may also apply.

The maxim is therefore not a licence for one party to cheat another. Rather, it is a principle that may prevent the courts from lending their assistance to a claim founded on equal wrongdoing.

📌 TODAY'S TAKEAWAYS

📌Before entering into a questionable agreement, remember that if the transaction goes wrong, the law may not provide the remedy you expect.
📌Do not assume that because someone has cheated you, the court will necessarily enforce an agreement that the law regards as illegal.

Let us discuss:

If two people knowingly enter into an illegal agreement and one later cheats the other, should the court help the cheated party recover the money?

Tell us what you think in the comments.

Follow Learn Law WDr Maureen Eneh Ujah for more legal insights.

Remember: Knowledge is power, and ignorance of the law is no excuse. Stay informed and know what the law says.

Dr. Maureen Eneh Ujah
Bringing the law closer to you

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Let's start today's lecture by asking a pertinent question and using a storyline to explain the maxim:Can a court infer ...
25/10/2026

Let's start today's lecture by asking a pertinent question and using a storyline to explain the maxim:

Can a court infer negligence even when nobody saw exactly what happened?

Let me tell you a story.
Mrs. Ade took her three-year-old daughter to a private hospital in Lagos for a minor surgical procedure.

The operation was scheduled to be straightforward. The doctors assured her that everything would be fine. After the operation, however, her daughter developed serious complications. The family later discovered that a surgical instrument had been left inside the child's body.

Mrs. Ade was devastated. She asked the hospital management how such a thing could happen during an operation performed by trained medical professionals.

Nobody gave her a satisfactory explanation. She had not been inside the operating theatre. She did not know what happened during the surgery. She could not identify the particular member of the surgical team responsible.

But one question troubled her:

How could a surgical instrument be left inside a patient if proper care had been exercised? She consulted a lawyer and instituted legal proceedings.

The hospital's lawyers argued that Mrs. Ade had no direct evidence identifying the person who made the mistake.

But her lawyer raised an important legal principle: RES IPSA LOQUITUR.

WHAT IS THE PROVISION OF THE LAW ON THAT?

Res ipsa loquitur is a Latin expression meaning “the thing speaks for itself.”

In appropriate circumstances, the nature of an accident may provide evidence from which negligence can be inferred, even where the claimant cannot establish precisely how the incident occurred.

For the principle to apply, the circumstances must support such an inference. Generally, the incident must be of a kind that would not ordinarily happen if proper care had been exercised, the thing causing the harm must have been under the relevant defendant's control, and the evidence must not reasonably point to another explanation attributable to the claimant or a third party.

The principle does not automatically make the defendant liable. The court must consider all the evidence and the explanation offered by the defendant.

In Mrs. Ade's case, the court would examine the evidence to determine whether the circumstances justify an inference of negligence.

The hospital cannot escape scrutiny merely because the mother did not witness what happened inside the operating theatre.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

📌Sometimes, the circumstances surrounding an incident can provide powerful evidence of negligence.
📌However, res ipsa loquitur does not mean that every unfortunate outcome proves negligence. Its application depends on the facts and the applicable law.

NOW, LET US DISCUSS!

If a surgical instrument is left inside a patient after an operation, should the patient have to identify the exact person who made the mistake before the court can consider whether negligence occurred?

What is your opinion?

Share your thoughts in the comments.

Follow Learn Law WDr Maureen Eneh Ujah for more legal insights.

Remember: Knowledge is power, and ignorance of the law is no excuse. Stay informed and know what the law says.

Dr. Maureen Eneh Ujah
Bringing the law closer to you

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Chief Okoro was still angry.The government had acquired his family land, claiming that a public road and a government ho...
23/10/2026

Chief Okoro was still angry.

The government had acquired his family land, claiming that a public road and a government hospital would be constructed there.

But months later, a luxury estate appeared on the same land.

He suspected that the acquisition had been used to benefit private individuals connected to powerful government officials. His neighbours advised him to forget about the land.

'Chief, do you want to fight the government? Leave it alone before you get into trouble!' But Chief Okoro asked his lawyer a very important question:

'Must I simply accept what has happened because the people involved are powerful?'

His lawyer replied: 'Absolutely not. You have lawful ways to demand accountability. But you must act intelligently, gather evidence and follow the law.'

HERE ARE FIVE THINGS CITIZENS CAN DO.

1. Demand documents and ask questions.

Do not rely only on rumours or what people say in the community.

Find out what the government actually announced. Request relevant information, including the acquisition notice, the stated public purpose, the approved project details and any available records showing the subsequent allocation or use of the land.

Where applicable, a citizen may make a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act, subject to the Act's scope and applicable exemptions.

2. Organise the community lawfully.

Chief Okoro met with other affected landowners and community leaders. Together, they documented their concerns, held peaceful meetings and prepared a petition requesting an explanation from the relevant government ministry and land authority.

They asked three direct questions:

📌What specific public project justified the acquisition?
📌Why had the land been developed for a different purpose?
📌Who authorised the new development or allocation?

A community acting together, peacefully and with credible evidence, can demand answers more effectively than individuals acting in isolation.

3. Report suspected corruption through appropriate channels.

Chief Okoro's lawyer explained that where credible evidence suggests bribery, abuse of office or other corrupt conduct, the matter may be reported to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The ICPC accepts petitions concerning suspected corruption. Its official website provides petition guidelines and reporting options.

Citizens may also complain to the Public Complaints Commission where the matter involves alleged administrative injustice, abuse of authority or improper conduct by a government body or official.

The appropriate channel depends on the facts and the nature of the alleged wrongdoing.

4. Take the matter to court where necessary.

A petition does not automatically restore land or invalidate an acquisition.

Where there is a genuine legal dispute, the affected landowner may need to approach a competent court to challenge the legality of the acquisition, seek appropriate declarations or injunctions, or pursue other remedies available under the law.

The lawyer must examine the acquisition instrument, the stated purpose, the applicable legislation, the evidence of any diversion and the remedies legally available.

Under Section 28 of the Land Use Act, revocation of a right of occupancy must fall within the statutory framework. The government cannot simply assume that every acquisition is lawful because it has described the purpose as public.

5. Document the facts and speak responsibly.

Photograph developments from places where you may lawfully be, preserve notices and correspondence, keep copies of petitions, and record dates and official responses.

Do not trespass, destroy property, threaten anyone or publish unverified accusations as established facts.

You can demand accountability without exposing yourself to unnecessary legal risks.

WHAT HAPPENED TO CHIEF OKORO?

He and other affected residents submitted a documented petition, requested the relevant records and consulted a lawyer about challenging the acquisition.

They did not assume that the appearance of a private estate automatically proved corruption. Instead, they sought evidence of the original purpose, the authority for the subsequent development and whether the law had been followed.

Their position was simple:

'If our land was acquired for the public, show us the public purpose and explain what happened to it.'

TODAY'S TAKEAWAYS:

📌Government possesses powers that private citizens do not possess. But public power must be exercised within the law.
📌Citizens have a role to play in promoting transparency, documenting suspected wrongdoing, using lawful complaint channels and seeking judicial remedies when necessary.

NOW, LET ME ASK YOU:

If government acquires your land for a public hospital but a luxury estate belonging to private interests is later developed on it, what would you do first?

A. Organise the affected community and demand an explanation.

B. Petition the appropriate anti-corruption or public complaints agency.

C. Consult a lawyer and challenge the acquisition in court.

D. Do all three, where appropriate.

Tell us your answer in the comments. Let us learn from one another.

Follow Learn Law WDr Maureen Eneh Ujah for more legal insights.

Remember: Knowledge is power, and ignorance of the law is no excuse. Stay informed and know what the law says.

Dr. Maureen Eneh Ujah
Bringing the law closer to you

Today's lecture is on a very important topic on land law.  Let's imagine this Nigerian storyline:Chief Okoro inherited 2...
22/10/2026

Today's lecture is on a very important topic on land law. Let's imagine this Nigerian storyline:

Chief Okoro inherited 20 plots of land from his father. For years, his family cultivated the land, and he had spent millions developing part of it. He had his survey plan, title documents and other relevant records.

One Monday morning, he received shocking news.

The state government had acquired his land for a proposed public infrastructure project. The official explanation was that a major public road and a government hospital would be constructed on the land.

Chief Okoro was unhappy, but he understood that government could lawfully acquire private land for a genuine public purpose, subject to the law. He waited for information about the project and the compensation he was entitled to.

Months passed.

No road was constructed. No hospital appeared. There was no visible sign of the promised public project. Then, one afternoon, Chief Okoro drove past his former land and almost lost his breath.

The land had been fenced off. Construction was underway. Large signboards announced the development of a luxury residential estate.

He made enquiries and discovered something even more disturbing. The estate was reportedly being developed by a private company linked to a close associate of a powerful government official. Some of the plots had allegedly been allocated to individuals connected to influential people.

Chief Okoro was furious.

He asked, “If this land was acquired for a public road and a government hospital, how did it suddenly become a private estate? Was the public project merely an excuse to take my land and hand it over to privileged individuals?”

He consulted a lawyer.

The lawyer explained that the government has the power to compulsorily acquire land for legally recognised public purposes. However, that power is not an unrestricted licence to take a citizen's land for private advantage.

Under Section 28 of the Land Use Act, a right of occupancy may be revoked for overriding public interest, including a government's requirement for land for public purposes.

Section 44(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, also provides constitutional safeguards concerning compulsory acquisition of property, including the requirement for compensation and access to a court or tribunal for the determination of interests and compensation in accordance with law.

The lawyer advised Chief Okoro to investigate the acquisition documents, the stated purpose, the notices issued, the compensation process and the subsequent allocation of the land.

If the evidence established that the stated public purpose was a sham and that the acquisition was carried out for an unauthorised private benefit, Chief Okoro could challenge its legality before a competent court.

But the lawyer gave him one important warning: the fact that private development followed an acquisition does not automatically prove that the acquisition was unlawful. The actual purpose, legal authority, documents and surrounding evidence would matter.

Chief Okoro decided he would not remain silent. He would seek legal redress.

NOW, LET US CONSIDER THE LAW.
⁉️Can the government acquire your land for a public project and then divert it to private interests?
⁉️What happens when the stated public purpose appears to be merely a cover for benefiting powerful individuals?
⁉️And what legal remedies may be available to a landowner who believes that government has abused its power of compulsory acquisition?

What do you think? Should a government be allowed to hide behind the words “public purpose” when the evidence suggests that private interests were the real beneficiaries?

Share your views in the comments.

Follow Learn Law WDr Maureen Eneh Ujah for more legal insights.

Remember: Knowledge is power, and ignorance of the law is no excuse. Stay informed and know what the law says.

Dr. Maureen Eneh Ujah
Bringing the law closer to you

Let's imagine this scenario;Imagine saving for 15 years to buy a piece of land, only for someone to arrive one morning a...
21/10/2026

Let's imagine this scenario;
Imagine saving for 15 years to buy a piece of land, only for someone to arrive one morning and tell you that the land no longer belongs to you!

This was the painful experience of a woman we shall call Mrs. Grace.

Grace was a hardworking businesswoman who had spent years saving money to secure a future for her children. After making the necessary enquiries, she purchased a parcel of land, obtained her documents and began fencing the property. She was excited. At last, she had something she could call her own!

But three months later, some men arrived at the land with workers and building materials. When Grace challenged them, one of the men told her: 'Madam, go and do whatever you like. We have people in government. This land is no longer yours!'

Grace was shocked.

She had paid for the land. She had her documents. She had done nothing wrong. Yet these men were determined to take it away from her. She reported the matter, but one question kept troubling her:

If the law gives me the right to own property, can somebody simply take it away from me?

WHAT THE LAW PROVIDES:

Section 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, provides that every Nigerian citizen has the right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria, subject to the Constitution.

This means that Nigerians have a constitutional right to own land, houses and other immovable property.

However, this right does not mean that every claim of ownership is automatically valid or that property can never be taken away under any circumstances.

WHEN CAN YOUR RIGHT TO OWN PROPERTY BE CHALLENGED, LIMITED OR LOST?

1. When someone fraudulently sells you another person's land

Imagine buying land from someone who has no title or authority to sell it. Even if you paid millions of naira and received a document, that payment does not automatically make you the lawful owner.

This is why proper title searches and verification are essential before purchasing land.

2. When government lawfully acquires land for public purposes

Under section 44 of the Constitution and applicable land laws, government may compulsorily acquire property in legally permitted circumstances and in accordance with the prescribed procedure. The law provides safeguards, including compensation and access to a competent court or tribunal to determine a claimant's interest and compensation.

Government cannot simply disregard the applicable legal requirements because it has power.

3. When a court orders the sale or forfeiture of property under the law. Property may be affected by lawful court orders, including ex*****on of a judgment to recover a debt or forfeiture where legally authorised.

But a private individual cannot simply seize another person's property merely because they claim to be owed money.

4. When the property is subject to a mortgage or other valid legal obligation

If you use your property as security for a loan and default, the lender may have enforcement rights under the mortgage and applicable law. That does not mean the lender can ignore the legally required process.

5. When the purported owner has no valid title or the title is successfully challenged

A person may occupy land or possess documents without having the better legal title. Where ownership is disputed, the court may determine the competing claims based on the evidence and applicable law.

BUT WHAT IF SOMEONE SIMPLY INVADES YOUR LAND?

Let us return to Grace.

If those men had no lawful title, court order or other legal authority to take possession of her land, their actions could amount to unlawful interference with her property rights.

Depending on the circumstances, Grace could seek appropriate legal remedies, including an injunction to restrain further interference, a declaration of title, recovery of possession or damages.

She should preserve her documents, avoid taking the law into her own hands and seek advice from a qualified property lawyer.

Remember: Having powerful connections does not automatically give anyone ownership of another person's land.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAYS:

✅Your right to own property is legally protected, but the strength of your claim depends on the validity of your title and compliance with applicable laws.
✅Before buying land, verify the seller's title, investigate the property's history and ensure that the transaction is properly documented.
✅And if someone threatens to take your property, do not assume that the loudest voice or the most powerful person is legally right.

Now tell me: If you bought land, paid in full and obtained documents, should another person be allowed to take it from you simply because they have political connections?

What would you do in Grace's position?

Disclaimer: This post is for general legal education and does not constitute legal advice on any particular property dispute.

Follow Learn Law WDr Maureen Eneh Ujah for more legal insights.

Remember: Knowledge is power, and ignorance of the law is no excuse. Stay informed and know what the law says.

Dr. Maureen Eneh Ujah
Bringing the law closer to you

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I'll start today's lecture with the following question:Have you ever wondered why a law made by the National Assembly or...
21/10/2026

I'll start today's lecture with the following question:

Have you ever wondered why a law made by the National Assembly or a State House of Assembly can be declared invalid by a court?

Why should a law made by lawmakers give way to another law?

The answer lies in one of the most fundamental principles of constitutional law: the supremacy of the Constitution.

Let us understand it in simple terms.

1. WHAT IS THE GRUNDNORM?
Grundnorm is a German word meaning basic norm or fundamental norm. The concept is associated with Hans Kelsen, a renowned legal philosopher who developed the Pure Theory of Law.

In simple terms, the Grundnorm is the foundational norm upon which the validity of other legal norms within a legal system is understood.

In a constitutional system such as Nigeria's, the Constitution occupies the position of supreme law. It establishes the structure of government, defines governmental powers and provides the framework within which other laws are made and applied.

2. WHY IS THE CONSTITUTION SUPREME?
Imagine a country where the President can make any decision, the legislature can pass any law, and public officials can exercise power without restrictions.

What would prevent those in authority from acting arbitrarily?

The Constitution provides the legal framework for preventing such abuse by defining governmental powers, setting limits on their exercise and protecting citizens' rights.

It establishes the rules by which those who govern must themselves be governed.

That is why the Constitution is not merely a document that creates government; it also limits government.

3. WHAT DOES THE NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION SAY?
Section 1(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, declares the Constitution supreme and makes its provisions binding on all authorities and persons throughout Nigeria.

Section 1(3) goes further by providing that, if any other law is inconsistent with the Constitution, the Constitution prevails, and the inconsistent law is void to the extent of the inconsistency.

This means that the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, the President, governors and other public authorities must exercise their powers in accordance with the Constitution.

No law is valid merely because a legislature has passed it. Its constitutionality matters.

4. LET US CONSIDER A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE.

Imagine that a State House of Assembly passes a law prohibiting every citizen from criticising the state governor, regardless of the circumstances.

A citizen challenges that law in court, arguing that it violates the constitutional right to freedom of expression.

The court would examine the law alongside the relevant constitutional provisions, including any permissible limitations on that right.

If the court determines that the law is inconsistent with the Constitution, section 1(3) provides that the law is void to the extent of the inconsistency.

Why?
Because the State House of Assembly cannot use an ordinary law to override the Constitution.

The same principle applies to laws made by the National Assembly and actions taken by government authorities.

5. DOES THIS MEAN THAT EVERY OTHER LAW IS UNIMPORTANT?

Certainly not!
Acts of the National Assembly, state laws, subsidiary legislation and other recognised sources of law remain essential to the administration of justice and the regulation of society.

However, their validity and application must be consistent with the Constitution and the applicable legal hierarchy.

For example, laws regulating contracts, tenancy, banking, criminal offences and family matters govern many aspects of our daily lives. They remain effective so long as they are valid and applicable.

The Constitution does not replace every other law. Rather, it provides the supreme legal framework within which other laws operate.

6. WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GRUNDNORM AND THE CONSTITUTION?
There is an important distinction worth understanding.

Hans Kelsen's concept of the Grundnorm is a theoretical explanation of the foundation of legal validity within a legal system. It is not simply another name for a written constitution in every legal system.

However, in a constitutional system such as Nigeria's, the Constitution occupies the position of supreme positive law. Its supremacy is expressly established by section 1 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Thus, the concept of the Grundnorm helps us understand the foundational position of the Constitution in Nigeria's legal order.

TODAY'S TAKEAWAYS:
📌The Constitution is supreme because it establishes the legal framework within which governmental authority is exercised and other laws operate.
📌It ensures that public power is not supposed to be exercised according to personal wishes, but within legally prescribed limits.
📌When a law conflicts with the Constitution, the Constitution prevails to the extent of the inconsistency.

The ultimate lesson is this: those who make the laws are not above the law, and those who enforce the laws must also obey the Constitution.

Now, let me ask you:

If a law has been duly passed by the legislature but contradicts the Constitution, should the court uphold it simply because lawmakers enacted it? Tell me your answer in the comments.

Follow Learn Law WDr Maureen Eneh Ujah for more legal insights.

Remember: Knowledge is power, and ignorance of the law is no excuse. Stay informed and know what the law says.

Dr. Maureen Eneh Ujah
Bringing the law closer to you
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Let's imagine this scenario:You rent a two-bedroom apartment and pay your rent in full. You live there with your spouse ...
20/10/2026

Let's imagine this scenario:

You rent a two-bedroom apartment and pay your rent in full. You live there with your spouse and two children.

A few months later, your younger sister comes to stay with you temporarily while she looks for a job. Your landlord finds out and becomes angry. He tells you that he rented the apartment to you alone and will not allow any additional person to live there.

He threatens to evict you if you do not send your sister away. You are surprised. After all, you pay your rent, and you believe you should be able to accommodate a family member.

CAN A LANDLORD LEGALLY LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN A RENTED APARTMENT?

The answer is not simply yes or no.

A landlord may have a legitimate basis for imposing reasonable occupancy limits, particularly where the tenancy agreement contains relevant terms, the property has genuine occupancy or safety restrictions, or overcrowding becomes an issue.

However, a landlord does not automatically have an unrestricted right to dictate every aspect of a tenant's private and family life simply because the landlord owns the building.

The tenancy agreement, the applicable law, the nature of the occupancy restriction and the circumstances of the case all matter.

There is also an important distinction between a temporary visitor, a family member staying for an extended period, and an additional occupant who effectively becomes a permanent resident.

And even where a tenant breaches a tenancy agreement, the landlord cannot simply use force or unlawfully throw the tenant out. The applicable legal procedure for recovering possession must be followed.

So, tenants should not assume that they can accommodate any number of people they wish, and landlords should not assume that ownership gives them unlimited control over their tenants.

LET US DISCUSS:

If you pay your rent in full, should your landlord be allowed to determine how many people can live with you?

What if the additional person is your spouse, child, sibling or elderly parent?

Share your views in the comments.

Follow Learn Law WDr Maureen Eneh Ujah for more legal insights.

Remember: Knowledge is power, and ignorance of the law is no excuse. Stay informed and know what the law says.

Dr. Maureen Eneh Ujah
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Today's lecture is on the trending story which involved the owner of a business and her apprentice who came late to work...
19/10/2026

Today's lecture is on the trending story which involved the owner of a business and her apprentice who came late to work. The businesswoman as a result slapped the apprentice who is a married woman. She went home and reported the incident to her husband. What did the husband do? He went to his wife's place of work and slapped the businesswoman in retaliation.

Now the question is this:
Does the fact that the lady came late to work give her boss the legal right to slap her?

We have to separate workplace discipline from the law.

1. Does an employer have the right to discipline a worker?

YES.

There are different ways an erring employee can be disciplined without the employer physically assaulting the employee as happened in this case and it involves applying disciplinary measures or consequence management. This includes:
📌 Issuance of query
📌Warning letter
📌Suspension
📌Termination or summary dismissal as the case may be.
An employer can establish reasonable workplace rules, including official resumption times. An employee who repeatedly comes late without a satisfactory explanation may face appropriate disciplinary measures, subject to the employment contract and workplace rules.

2. Does that right include slapping the worker?

The fact that someone is your employee or apprentice does not mean that you own that person's body or have unlimited authority over them.

A slap may constitute an assault under the applicable Nigerian criminal law. The precise offence and consequences depend on the facts and the law applicable in the state where the incident occurred.

Lateness is not, by itself, a legal justification for physically assaulting a worker.

3. What should the employer have done instead?

The employer could have asked for an explanation, issued a warning, applied a lawful disciplinary procedure or taken other appropriate action permitted by the employment or apprenticeship arrangement.

You can insist on punctuality without using violence.

4. What about the worker's husband?

I have always taught that we should not resort to self help by taking the laws into our hands as was done by the husband. Even if the employer acted wrongly, that does not automatically give the husband the right to retaliate by assaulting the employer.

If a wrong has been committed, the appropriate response is to seek lawful redress rather than take the law into one's own hands.

One person's alleged wrongdoing does not give another person a licence to commit a separate wrong.

THE LESSON

An employer has responsibilities. A worker also has responsibilities.

But discipline must not be confused with physical abuse, and respect for authority must not be confused with surrendering one's legal rights.

Being a boss does not place anyone above the law.

LET US DISCUSS:

If an apprentice or employee repeatedly comes late to work, what should the employer do?

A. Slap or physically punish the worker.

B. Issue a warning or apply lawful disciplinary measures.

C. Terminate the arrangement where legally permissible.

D. Consider the reason for the lateness and decide on an appropriate response.

Drop your answer in the comments. Let us learn from one another.

Follow Learn Law WDr Maureen Eneh Ujah for more legal insights.

Remember: Knowledge is power, and ignorance of the law is no excuse. Stay informed and know what the law says.

Dr. Maureen Eneh Ujah
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