Benue State University, Makurdi

Criminal Justice Reforms in Nigeria: An Appraisal of Plea Bargain under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and its Envisaged Challenges

Ayodele, John Alade* and Okunowo Oladele Olaitan**

Abstract

Whereas the need for individuals to be vaccinated against the scourge of the dreaded corona virus disease (COVID-19) is arguably to boost immunity and prevent further infection as well as guarantee public health and public safety, it is worrisome to constrain citizens against the exercise of their human freedoms same which are guaranteed by, and enjoy the recognition of, international human rights law as well as the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) as amended, being the fundamental law of the land. Following the proclamation by the federal government of Nigeria and replicated by governments of States of the federation on the issue of mandatory vaccination of all employees of the government as a condition for their continued access to their work environment, this paper holds the view that the said directive seeks to place social interests over and above the individual’s fundamental rights and therefore in utter violation of the inalienable rights of citizens under the Constitution. The paper calls for the said directive to be struck down for being inconsistent with Chapter 4 of the 1999 CFRN as amended. It is argued that the right to accept any kind of medical exertion upon a person is subject to the discretion of the individual. Forced or compulsory vaccination offends the fundamental rights to privacy of individuals as well as their freedom of thought, conscience and religion pursuant to the provisions of section 38 of the Constitution.

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