Combating Terrorism in Nigeria: A Critical Analysis of the Legal Framework.

ABSTRACT Terrorism has been a threat to both the people and of government of Nigeria. The loss of human and material resources is so monumental and set back to the country. The objective of this research is to critically evaluate the legal framework put in place to counter terrorism in Nigeria. The methodology adopted for this research is doctrinal, this enable the researcher examine the mechanism put in place to tackle terrorism and find a means of filling the gap identified. The major findings of this research includes terrorism prevention Act 2011and Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013,s 27 of the Act states that a suspect may be detained for 90 days subject to renewal ,while s 28 deals with access to detain person pending the conclusion of investigation while s29 relates to the privacy of the citizens. These provisions run counter to the spirit of the constitution of federal republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). It is in the light of the forgoing that this recommendation is made amendment of the above mentioned provisions to conform with constitution as it relates to Fundamental Human Rights.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ..............................................................................................................................i

APPROVAL ....................................................................................................................................ii

DEDICATION................................................................................................................................iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ..............................................................................................................iv

TABLE OFCASES ..........................................................................................................................v

TABLE OF STATUTES.................................................................................................................vi

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS........................................................................................................ vii

ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................. xiii

CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................. 1

1.1 Background to the study ...................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem.......................................................................................................... 4

1.3.1 General Objectives................................................................................................................. 6

1.3.2 Specific Objectives ................................................................................................................ 6

1.4 Research Questions................................................................................................................... 6

1.5 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................................... 6

1.6 Scope of the Research............................................................................................................... 7

1.6.2 Content Scope ........................................................................................................................ 7

1.6.3 Time Scope ............................................................................................................................ 7

1.7 Research Methodology ............................................................................................................. 8

1.8 Literature Review...................................................................................................................... 8

1.9 Organizational Layout............................................................................................................. 13

CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................... 14

xi

CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATIONS OF KEY TERMS............................................................. 14

2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 14

2.2 Concept of Terrorism.............................................................................................................. 14

2.3 Concepts of Terrorist Financing ............................................................................................. 23

2.4 Concept of Money Laundering ............................................................................................... 25

2.5 Stages of Money Laundering .................................................................................................. 27

2.6 Terrorist Financing Through Money Laundering ................................................................... 28

2.7 Sources of Terrorist Funding in Nigeria ................................................................................. 30

2.8Concept of Crime under Municipal/Domestic Law and International Law ............................ 33

2.8.1 Adoption and Incorporation of International Instruments in to Municipal/National Laws 

Countries. ...................................................................................................................................... 39

CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................................... 41

AN OVER VIEW OF THE INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC LEGAL MECHANISMS 

FOR COMBATING TERRORISM IN NIGERIA ....................................................................... 41

3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 41

3.1 International Legal Regime against Terrorism ....................................................................... 42

3.2 The African Union effort in Combating Terrorism ................................................................ 44

3.3 Economic Community of West Africa States Regional efforts in Combating Terrorism- ..... 45

3.5 Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011 ........................................................................................... 50

3.7 Regulatory Regime Predating the EFCC & TPA (amendments)Acts 2013 ........................... 62

3.8 National Security Organization............................................................................................... 64

General Duties of National Security Agencies ............................................................................. 65

3.9 Enforcement Mechanisms of the Laws on Terrorism;............................................................ 66

3.10 A Critical Analysis of the Domestic Legal Regime in the Fight against Terrorism in Nigeria.

....................................................................................................................................................... 67

3.10.3 Terrorism Prevention (amendment) Act 2013 ................................................................... 70

GENERAL OVERVIEW OFCAUSES OF TERRORISM, CONSTRAINTS AND IMPACT 

FACED IN COMBATTING TERRORISMIN NIGERIA ........................................................... 73

4.1 Introductions ........................................................................................................................... 73

4.2 Causes of Terrorism in Nigeria ............................................................................................... 73

4.4 Constraint in Combating Terrorism in Nigeria ....................................................................... 85

4.4.1 The Courts/ Judiciary........................................................................................................... 85

4.4.2 Lack of Basic Tools of Research, Intelligence and Investigation........................................ 86

4.4.3 Poor Enforcement of the Terrorism Laws ........................................................................... 87

4.4.4 Poor or Inadequate Funding of the Security Agencies by the Government ........................ 87

4.4.5 Lack of Good Governance ................................................................................................... 88

4.4.6. Corruption ........................................................................................................................... 88

4.4.7. Porous Borders.................................................................................................................... 88

CHAPTER FIVE .......................................................................................................................... 90

5.1 Summary of Findings.............................................................................................................. 90

5.2 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 92

5.3 Recommendations................................................................................................................... 92

BIBLIOGRAPHY......................................................................................................................... 95