Asuzu, Chinua

Fair Hearing In Nigeria

Dedication v Acknowledgements vi Cases xiv Statutes xxvii What is fair hearing? 1(31) The twin principles of natural justice 1(3) Primacy of fair hearing 4(2) Statutory, regulatory or administrative compliance no excuse 6(4) Fair hearing cannot be waived or compromised 10(13) Confrontation with case 23(1) Indices of fair hearing 24(3) Injuria sine damno 27(1) Merits of decision irrelevant, proceedings invalid 28(2) `Fair hearing' versus `fair trial' 30(2) Nemo judex in causa sua 32(41) General principles 32(2) Perception is everything 34(2) The Nigerian constitution 36(2) Fawehinmi's case 38(1) Opeola v Opadiran 39(1) Prior acquaintance with res 40(7) Litigant cannot sit over opponent's case: Abiola v Nigeria 47(2) Potential litigant cannot sit over would-be opponent 49(2) Tenuous connexion with either side insufficient 51(1) Class connexion insufficient 52(4) Descending into the arena 56(13) Nemo judex in electoral litigation 69(2) Primitive loyalties: ethnic affinity 71(2) Audi alteram partem 73(88) Introductory remarks 73(4) Hasty judgment 77(4) Public hearing 81(4) Final addresses 85(4) Applications 89(7) Priority of applications 96(4) Opportunity satisfies fair hearing 100(5) Hearing need not be oral 105(2) Duty of fair hearing active, not passive 107(4) Legal representation 111(9) Service of processes 120(5) Adequate consideration of parties' cases 125(12) Pleadings, suits, briefs of argument, issues 137(3) Evidence 140(6) Prejudging main suit at interlocutory phase 146(1) Joinder, misjoinder and non-joinder of parties 147(4) Undefended list 151(6) Irregular forensics, strange processes: need to avoid `arid legalism' 157(1) Objections must be entertained 158(1) Trial timetables/business schedules 159(2) Academic discipline, labour law and chieftaincy disputes 161(54) Suspension of staff, students 161(4) Dismissal and expulsion 165(4) Dismissal versus termination in labour law 169(9) The Chloroquine overdose case 178(2) Criminal misconduct: prosecution before discipline? 180(12) How not to sack 192(1) Bamgboye v University of Ilorin 193(2) Federal Civil Service Commission v Laoye 195(3) Evidence must be disclosed 198(1) Orchestrated hearing will not do 198(1) Only specifically alleged misconduct may be penalised 199(1) Unconfirmed staff 200(1) Repudiating staff cannot complain 200(1) Hearing party as witness not sufficient 201(4) Disciplinary measures requiring prior hearing 205(2) Akulega v Benue State Civil Service Commission 207(1) Udo v Cross River State Newspaper Corporation 208(1) Chieftaincy disputes 209(6) Adjournments 215(22) Judicial discretion 215(1) Court must balance speed with fairness 216(1) Legal representation in adjournment contexts 217(5) Adjournment to call specific witness 222(1) Adjournment to rectify faulty procedure 222(1) Shutting down party's case 223(2) Delay tactics, indolent prosecution and self-induced ``unfairness'' 225(4) Court must countenance serious process 229(1) Expeditious hearing 230(7) Constraints on jurisdiction - limits of judicial initiative and power 237(25) Contempt of court: criminal contempt 237(1) Contemnor's right to fair hearing 238(5) Limits of ex parte proceedings 243(4) Why ex parte at all? 247(1) Granting relief not sought 248(4) Raising issues suo motu 252(5) Making case for parties 257(2) Issuing orders against non-parties 259(3) Criminal law 262(45) Constitutional safeguards 262(33) Taking plea 295(1) Valid arraignment 296(6) Defendant's right to be present during proceedings 302(1) Limits to judicial initiative in criminal proceedings 303(1) Court's duty to consider defences 303(1) Prompt arraignment 304(3) Criminal investigation and police interrogation: Miranda 307(18) Pre-trial foundations of a fair criminal trial 307(2) Miranda v Arizona 309(3) Miranda outside the United States 312(2) Miranda lessons for Nigeria 314(8) The judges' rules 322(3) Bibliography 325(1) Index 326