ISSN 2736-1608
International Journal of Law and Legal Studies Vol. 2 (3) pp. 141-144, April, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Review
Putting a halt to terrorism: Boko Haram and the need for constitutional activism in Nigeria
*Augustine E. Arimoro
PhD Researcher, Kingston Law School, Kingston University, Kingston Hill Campus, Kingston-Upon-Thames, United Kingdom.
E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 19 August, 2014
Abstract
Long before British colonialists laid siege on the territory consisting present day Nigeria, there was in existence already defined legal systems for the administration of public life as well as justice in the different emirates, kingdoms, towns, cities, villages and hamlets. In the Northern part of Nigeria, the Islamic Shariah system was dominant whilst in areas where Muslims were not in the majority, the people were guided by their native laws and customs. In a similar vein, in the South, public life, government and the private affairs of the people was regulated by native mores and custom. In this paper, this author asserts that the manner in which, the British colonised the territory now known as Nigeria, the forced union of people without similar value systems and the lack of constitutional activism to cater to the needs of the people in this forced entity is the reason behind acts of militancy, terror and specifically, the acts being carried out by the group known as Boko Haram. There is a need therefore, to have a constitution or document which truly reflects the aspiration and yearnings of the citizenry. The author concludes that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be reviewed without the usual placing of limits or ‘no go areas.' There is also a need to cater to provisions in the current document with a view to resolve inherent lacunas upon which militancy and terror thrives.
Key words: Insurgency, Boko Haram, constitution, secularism, religion.