International records / OpenAlex research

Harmonisation of Shari’ah, Common law and Customary Law in Nigeria: Problems and Prospects

Law in Nigeria is traceable to three distinct legal traditions namely customary law, Islamic law and the English common law. These laws often differ irreconcilably in substantive law, procedural law, concepts of justice, and worldviews. The colonial administration ensured the ascendancy of the common law in the country but the movement in support of Islamic law has remained very strong. Thus, there exist a lot of tensions within the Nigerian legal system. Various approaches have been suggested to resolve these conflicts. Some have suggested a unification of the three systems of law. Others, to…