Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:

[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION

BENCHMARK MINIMUM ACADEMIC STANDARDS

For
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

T
In
AF
NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES
R

LAW
D

NOVEMBER 2014

PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement

shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

PREFACE

Section 10 (1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions)
Act, Cap E3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, empowers the National Universities
Commission to lay down minimum standards for all programmes taught in Nigerian universities.
In 1989, the Commission, in collaboration with the universities and their staff, developed
minimum academic standards for all the programmes taught in Nigerian universities and the
Federal Government subsequently approved the documents.

After more than a decade of using the Minimum Academic Standard (MAS) documents as a major
instrument of quality assurance, the Commission in 2001 initiated a process to revise the
documents. The curriculum review was necessitated by the fact that the frontiers of knowledge in
all academic disciplines had been advancing with new information generated as a result of
research. The impact of Information and Communication Technologies on teaching and learning
and the dynamics of the skills set required to face the challenge of competition engendered by
globalization were also compelling reasons for the curriculum review.

T
Other compelling reasons included the need to update the standard and relevance of university
education in the country as well as to integrate entrepreneurial studies and peace and conflict
studies as essential new platforms that will guarantee all graduates from Nigerian universities the
AF
knowledge and appropriate skills, competencies and dispositions that will make them globally
competitive and capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

Recognising that the content-based MAS documents were rather prescriptive, a decision was taken
to develop outcome-based benchmark statements for all the programmes in line with
contemporary global best practice. To actualize this, the Commission organized a stakeholders’
workshop to benchmark each programme in all the disciplines taught in Nigerian universities.
R
Following comments and feedback from critical stakeholders in the universities indicating that the
Benchmark-style Statements were too sketchy to meaningfully guide the development of curricula
and were also inadequate for the purpose of accreditation, the Commission put in place the
mechanism for the merger of the Benchmark-style Statements and the revised Minimum Academic
D

Standards into new documents referred to as the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards
(BMAS).

The resultant documents, an amalgam of the outcome-based Benchmark statements and the
content-based MAS clearly enunciates the learning outcomes and competencies expected of
graduates of each academic programme without being overly prescriptive while at the same time
providing the requisite flexibility and innovativeness consistent with institutional autonomy.

The first step in the process of amalgamation of the Benchmark statements and the content-based
MAS was the conduct of a needs assessment survey and the publication of the findings in the report
titled Needs Assessment Surveys of Labour Market for Nigerian Graduates. This was carried out
for all the disciplines taught in Nigerian universities. The exercise involved major stakeholders
particularly employers of Nigerian graduates. The objectives of the Needs Assessment Survey
included identification of expected knowledge, attitudes and skills for graduates and their ability
to fit into the requirements of the new national and global economy. The second stage was the
organisation of a workshop at which academic experts across Nigerian universities, including

ii
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

Vice-Chancellors, participated with the objective of ensuring that the designed BMAS for the
various disciplines took into cognizance the identified knowledge and skill gaps. At the end of the
workshop, draft BMAS documents were produced for the various programmes in the thirteen
broad academic disciplines into which the Nigerian University System has been structured. Of
significance was the introduction of science- and social science/humanities-based courses under
the General Studies programme which are compulsory for all first- year students in Nigerian
universities, irrespective of their course of study.
The documents were later sent to the Universities offering relevant disciplines for comments and
input. Following the collation of the input and comments from the Universities, another workshop
was held at which invited academic experts studied and incorporated the relevant comments and
input received into the draft documents.

After content and language editing, by relevant experts, a one-day workshop was held at which
the edited documents were harmonized to produce the final BMAS documents.

Consequent upon the afore-mentioned processes, BMAS documents were produced for the under-
listed academic disciplines:

T
i. Administration; Management and Management Technology;
ii. Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Home Economics;
iii. Arts;
iv. Basic Medical and Health Science;
AF
v. Education;
vi. Engineering and Technology;
vii. Environmental Sciences;
viii. Law;
ix. Pharmaceutical Sciences;
x. Medicine and Dentistry;
R
xi. Science;
xii. Social Sciences; and
xiii. Veterinary Medicine.
D

For each programme, the document contains suggestions of the status of each course in terms of
compulsory, required and elective. Universities are encouraged to take due cognizance of the
BMAS while bringing necessary innovation into the content and delivery of their programmes
towards achieving their overall objectives and goals. Programmes are to be structured in such a
way that a typical student does not carry less than 30 credit units or more than 48 credit units per
session.

It is the Commission’s expectation that this BMAS document will serve as a guide to the
universities in the design of curricula for their programmes in terms of the minimum acceptable
standards of input, process as well as measurable benchmark of knowledge, skills and competences
expected to be acquired by an average graduate of each of the academic programmes.

Professor Julius A. Okojie, OON

Executive Secretary

iii
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE.................................................................................................................................................... ii
GLOSSARY OF COURSE CODES ......................................................................................................... vi
SECTION ONE: .......................................................................................................................................... 1
BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE OPERATION OF THE BENCHMARK MINIMUM ACADEMIC
STANDARDS IN LAW PROGRAMME.................................................................................................. 1
Preamble .................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Programme and Degree.............................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Philosophy and Fundamental Principles of the LL.B Degree Programme ............................. 2
1.3 Aims and Objectives of the LL.B Degree Programme .............................................................. 2
1.4 Admission Requirements ............................................................................................................ 2
1.5 Duration of the LL.B Degree Programme. ................................................................................ 3
1.6 Learning Outcomes. ................................................................................................................... 3

T
1.7 Graduation Requirements .......................................................................................................... 3
1.8 Course System ............................................................................................................................. 4
1.9
AF
Standard Terminologies ............................................................................................................. 4
1.10 Grading of Courses ..................................................................................................................... 4
1.11 Grade Point Average and Cumulative Grade Point Average .................................................... 5
1.12 Degree Classifications ................................................................................................................ 5
1.13 Duration ...................................................................................................................................... 6
R
1.14 Evaluation ................................................................................................................................... 7
1.14.1 Techniques of Student Assessment ...................................................................................................7
1.15 External Examiners’ System ...................................................................................................... 7
D

1.16 Student Evaluation of Courses................................................................................................... 7

1.17 Maintenance of Curricula Relevance ........................................................................................ 8
1.18 Performance Evaluation Criteria............................................................................................... 8
1.19 Resource Requirement................................................................................................................ 9
1.19.1 Academic Staff..................................................................................................................................9
1.19.2 Non – Academic Staff ..................................................................................................................... 11
1.19.3 Physical Facilities ........................................................................................................................... 11
1.19.4 Equipment ....................................................................................................................................... 13
1.19.5 Library and Information Resources................................................................................................. 14
SECTION TWO: ........................................................................................................................................ 18
SYNOPSES FOR LAW DEGREE PROGRAMME: BASIC COURSES ............................................ 18
Preamble ................................................................................................................................................ 18
2.1 Basic Courses (including two compulsory law courses) ......................................................... 18
2.2 General Studies Programme .................................................................................................... 18
2.2.1 General Studies: Course Structure ....................................................................................................... 19

iv
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

2.2.2 Entrepreneurship .................................................................................................................................. 19

2.2.3 Course Synopses .................................................................................................................................. 20
SECTION THREE: ................................................................................................................................... 23
COURSE STRUCTURE AND SYNOPSES FOR LAW PROGRAMME........................................... 23
Preamble ................................................................................................................................................ 23
3.1 Sub – division of courses .......................................................................................................... 23
3.2 Compulsory Courses ................................................................................................................. 23
3.2.1 Compulsory Law Courses .................................................................................................................... 23
3.2.2 Compulsory Non – Law Courses ......................................................................................................... 24
3.3 Elective Courses ........................................................................................................................ 24
3.4 Course Structure (100 Level – 500 Level)................................................................................ 26
3.5 Course Synopses ....................................................................................................................... 29
SECTION FOUR: ...................................................................................................................................... 45
PRACTICAL/CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LAW PROGRAMME - LAW CLINIC AND

T
MOOT COURT ........................................................................................................................................ 45
Preamble ................................................................................................................................................ 45
4.1 Clinical Legal Training ............................................................................................................ 45
AF
4.1.1 Clinical and Moot Court Practice ........................................................................................................ 45
4.1.2 Tutorials and Clinical Rooms .............................................................................................................. 45
4.1.3 Innovative and Quality – Enhancing Strategies ................................................................................... 45
R
D

v
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

GLOSSARY OF COURSE CODES

These are the 3 – letter codes for the identification of courses offered in the Law discipline
as covered in the BMAS for the Nigerian University System. They are in three categories
dictated by the sources of courses involved:

Category A: Course codes for courses offered in programmes outside the Faculty of Law

Category B: Course codes for the general and basic courses offered by all students
registered in the Law programme.

Category C: Course codes for courses offered by specific department in the Law faculty.

Category A

The Programme offering the Courses Course Code

English: Introduction to Poetry LIT 104

T
English: Introduction to Prose Literature LIT 105
English: Introduction to Drama LIT 106
Psychology: Learning Processes PSY 103
AF
Psychology: Forensic Psychology PSY 411

Category B

The Programme offering the Courses Course Code

General Studies Courses offered at the University for students GST
R
registered for degree programme in all the disciplines.
Foundation courses for all students registered in the Law programme. LAW

Category C
D

The Departments offering the Courses Course Code

Department of Private and Property Law PPL
Department of Jurisprudence and International Law JIL
Department of Commercial and Industrial Law CIL
Department of Public Law PUL
Department of Clinical Legal Education and Training CLE
Department of Islamic and Customary Law ICL

vi
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

SECTION ONE:

BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE OPERATION OF THE BENCHMARK MINIMUM

ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN LAW PROGRAMME

Preamble
These Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) are designed for the education
and training of undergraduate students wishing to obtain first degree in Law in the Nigerian
university system. Presented in this Section are the basic operational elements that serve to
define the minimum academic standards required to achieve the cardinal goal of producing
graduates in Law with sufficient academic background and professional exposure to face the
challenges of a developing economy in the increasingly globalised world economy.

It is pertinent to note that this BMAS Document is expected to guide institutions in the design
of curricula for their Law programme by stipulating the minimum requirements. Being such,
institutions are encouraged to take due cognizance of the BMAS while bringing necessary
innovation into the content and delivery of their programmes towards achieving the overall

T
goals of legal education and training in the country.

1.1 Programme and Degree

AF
Presented in Table 1.1 is the programme and the degree in view covered in this current
BMAS Document. An attempt has been made to cover not only the programme being
currently run in the Faculty of Law, but, also, proposed new programmes in response to the
local and global dynamics of the requisite knowledge, skills and professional competences
of Law graduates. Overall, it is expected to serve the needs of existing faculties
contemplating minor or major programme review and also new institutions seeking to chart
a new path away from the existing programmes in the system.
R

List of Programme and Degree in View

S/N PROGRAMME DEGREE IN VIEW
D

1. Law LL. B

All Faculties of Law in Nigerian Universities will offer courses and programmes leading to
the degree of Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Honours.

A law faculty is expected to have a minimum of two (2) departments and may wish to
develop departments to a maximum of six (6).

The six departments a faculty of law may establish are:

a) Department of Private and Property Law (PPL).
b) Department of Jurisprudence and International Law (JIL).
c) Department of Commercial and Industrial Law (CIL).
d) Department of Public Law (PUL)
e) Department of Clinical Legal Education and Training (CLE).
f) Department of Islamic and/or Customary Law (ICL).

PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement

shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

1.2 Philosophy and Fundamental Principles of the LL.B Degree Programme

The Law programme is established to contribute significantly to the enrichment and
enhancement of legal study and practice. It is designed to provide legal education within the
realm of a dynamic socio – political environment that encompasses the national and global
trends and challenges. The main focus of the Law programme is to create an environment
that encourages intellectual rigour, analytical and critical engagement as well as profound
ethical standards. The programme will produce law graduates who can compete actively in
legal, social, economic and political developments on a global scale.

1.3 Aims and Objectives of the LL.B Degree Programme

The main aims and objectives of the degree programme in Law should be:
i. To ensure that Law is taught as it exists at any given time, and that every Law student
adopts a comparative approach to legal studies bearing in mind that there are many
systems of Law (Common Law, Statutory Law, Customary Law and Islamic Law)
currently in operation.
ii. To ensure that students are imbued with a general knowledge and understanding of
Law.

T
iii. To develop in students the intellectual ability to apply research, knowledge and
analytical skills to solving theoretical and practical legal problems.
iv. To acquaint students with principles of the judicial process and legal systems, as well
AF
as their interaction with socio-economic frameworks.
v. To provide, through training and orientation, an appreciation of the growing relevance
of inter- and multi-disciplinary approach to the solution of complex life problems and
the role of law therein.

1.4 Admission Requirements

R
The entry requirements shall be through any of the three under-listed options:

a) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Mode

The minimum academic requirement is credit level passes in five (5) subjects at
D

O’Level in nationally recognised examination, including English Language and

Literature in English obtained at not more than two sittings; such a candidate must in
addition have an acceptable pass in the UTME.

b) Direct Entry Mode

i. A two– or three – year Diploma certificate plus credit passes in five (5) papers,
including English Language and Literature in English at the Senior Secondary
School Certificate examination or General Certificate of Education ‘Ordinary’
Level or their equivalent; or
ii. Three (3) papers passed at principal or Advanced Level in Higher School
Certificate in addition to O’Level requirement as stated above.
iii. Two (2) papers at Principal or Advanced Level in HSC or GCE in addition to
O’Level requirement as stated above.
iv. An acceptable first degree.

2
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

c) Inter University Transfer.

Students may transfer from the Law Department of a recognized University, after
having completed the first year and passed all the courses, provided they have the
relevant qualifications. Universities are to satisfy themselves that the grades obtained
by such candidates are acceptable, and that the students have fulfilled other criteria set
by the University in question.

1.5 Duration of the LL.B Degree Programme.

A standard 5-year programme for students with Senior Secondary School Certificate,
General Certificate of Education “Ordinary” Level, or their equivalents is to be offered.
However, Direct Entry candidates will be permitted to join in year two of the programme.
However, this category of students must take any 100 level course missed.

1.6 Learning Outcomes.

Law graduates are expected to develop a wide range of skills and abilities. These are divided
into three broad categories:

T
a. Analytical skills
Graduates of law are expected to develop high cognitive abilities and skills. With the
growing complexities in society law graduates are expected to identify related
AF
socioeconomic challenges and demonstrate ability/competence in proffering practical
relevant solutions.

b. Research skills
Graduates of the programme are also expected to exhibit commendable research skills,
with significant ability to find, consult, and analyse legal texts and other materials.
R

c. Advocacy skills
As ministers in the temple of justice, graduates of law are expected to demonstrate
commitment to societal harmony and the administration of justice at all levels utilizing
D

their analytical and advocacy skills.

d. Application
Graduates of law are expected to have the ability to apply their knowledge and skills
in solving academic and practical social problems.

1.7 Graduation Requirements

A student shall qualify for the award of a degree when the student has completed and passed
all the Courses registered for, including all compulsory courses and such elective /optional
courses as may be specified by the university/faculty; obtained a minimum Cumulative
Grade Point Average (CGPA) specified by the university but not less than 1.50 and earned
the minimum credit units of not less than 150 for those that entered UTME and 120 through
Direct Entry .

3
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

1.8 Course System

The LL.B. programme is to be run on a Course System, under which courses are divided
into course packages that will be taught within a semester system, with examinations at the
end of each semester. Weights in form of units will be attached to each course, with one Unit
equivalent to one hour of lectures. One Unit is equivalent to one hour per week per semester
of 15 weeks of lectures or 3 hours per week of practical/moot court work per semester of 15
weeks. It is assumed that the Nigerian university system shall continue to operate an
academic year of two semesters with a minimum of 15 weeks of lectures/tutorials/clinic per
semester.

Courses are to be numbered based on a progressive system reflecting the applicable session
and semester within the 5 – year programme. For ease of reference and identification, course
numbers may be prefixed by a three – character programme/subject code, usually reflecting
the department that offers the particular course. Thus, the course code is in the form: DEP
LNJ (where the three letters DEP identify the programme, ‘L’ in LNJ represents the level of
the course (1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 for all undergraduate courses) and NJ is a two – digit
numbering of courses. Thus, for example, PUL 409 is a 400 – Level (4th year) course with

T
number 09 offered by the Department of Public Law.

1.9 Standard Terminologies

AF
The following standard terminologies are used for different categories of courses.
i. Core/Compulsory Course:
A course which every student must compulsorily take and pass in any particular
programme at a particular level of study.

ii. Elective Course

R
A course that students take within or outside the faculty. Students may graduate
without passing the course provided the minimum credit unit for the course had been
attained.
D

iii. Optional Course

A course which students can take based on interest and may count towards the
minimum credit unit required for graduation.

iv. Pre-requisite Course

A course which student must take and pass before taking a particular course at a higher
level.

v. Required Course
A course that you take at a level of study and must be passed before graduation.

1.10 Grading of Courses

Grading of courses shall be done by a combination of percentage marks and letter grades
translated into a graduated system of Grade Points as shown in Table 1.2.

4
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

Grade Point System

Mark % Letter Grade Grade Point
70 – 100 A 5
60 - 69 B 4
50 – 59 C 3
45 – 49 D 2
40 – 44 E 1
0 -- 39 F 0

1.11 Grade Point Average and Cumulative Grade Point Average

For the purpose of determining a student’s standing at the end of every semester, the Grade
Point Average (GPA) system shall be used. The GPA is computed by dividing the total
number of Units multiplied by the Grade Point (TUGP) by the total number of units (TNU)
for all the courses taken in the semester as illustrated in Table 1.3 below.

The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) over a period of semesters is calculated in
the same manner as the GPA by using the grade points of all the courses taken during the

T
period, which is the student’s cumulative time in the Faculty.

Calculation of GPA or CGPA

AF
Course Units Grade Point Units x Grade Point (UGP)
C1 U1 GP1 U1 x GP1
C2 U2 GP2 U2 x GP2
- - - -
- - - -
R
Ci Ui GPi Ui x GPi
- - - -
- - - -
D

CN UN GPN UN x GPN
TOTAL TNU TUGP
N N
TNU = ∑U i TUGP = ∑U i * GPi
TUGP
GPA =
i=1 i=1
TNU

1.12 Degree Classifications

The following regulations shall govern the conditions for the award of an honours degree.
i. Candidates admitted through the UTME mode shall have registered for at least 197
units of courses during the 5 – year degree law programme.
ii. Candidates admitted through the Direct entry mode shall have registered for at least
169 units of courses during the 4 – year degree law programme
iii. Candidates must have registered and passed all the compulsory courses specified for
the law programme.

5
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

The determination of the class of degree shall be based on the Cumulative Grade Point
Average (CGPA) earned at the end of the programme. The CGPA shall be used in the
determination of the class of degree as summarized in Table 1.4. It is important to note that
the CGPA shall be calculated and expressed correct to two decimal places.

Degree Classification
CUMULATIVE GRADE CLASS OF DEGREE
POINT AVERAGE (CGPA)
4.50 – 5.00 1st Class Honours
3.50 – 4.49 2nd Class Honours (Upper Division)
2.40 – 3.49 2nd Class Honours (Lower Division)
1.50 – 2.39 3rd Class Honours

1.13 Duration
The maximum length of time allowed for obtaining an honours degree in the Faculty shall
be fourteen semesters for the 5 – year degree programme and twelve semesters for students

T
admitted directly into the 200 level. Students requiring more than the maximum period of
fourteen and twelve semesters for UTME and Direct entry students can be considered for
the award of a third class degree on the recommendation of the Faculty Board and the
approval of Senate.
AF
Students who transfer from other universities should have sat and passed all courses
transferred from the previous university or should have attained the minimum CGPA of 1.50.
Such students shall however be required to spend not less than three sessions (6 semesters)
in order to earn a degree. Students who transfer from another programme in the Faculty or
R
other faculties for any approved reason shall be credited with those units passed that are
within the curriculum of the programme to which they have transferred. Appropriate
decisions on transfer cases shall be subjected to the approval of Senate on the
recommendation of the Faculty.
D

a) Probation
A student whose Cumulative Grade Point Average is below 1.5 at the end of a
particular year of study, earns a period of probation for one academic session. A
student on probation is allowed to register for courses at the next higher level in
addition to his/her probation level courses provided that the regulation in respect of
student work – load is complied with.

b) Withdrawal
A candidate whose Cumulative Grade Point Average is below 1.50 at the end of a
particular year of probation should be required to withdraw from the University.
However, in order to minimize waste of human resources, consideration should be
given to withdrawal from programme of study and possible transfer to other
programmes within the same University.

6
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

1.14 Evaluation

1.14.1 Techniques of Student Assessment

a) Tutorials
The timetable for courses shall be designed to make provision for tutorials of at least
one hour for every four hours of lecture. Thus a 3 – unit course of 45 hours per
semester should attract 15 hours of tutorials.

b) Continuous Assessments
Continuous assessment shall be done through essays, tests, and participatory
exercises. Scores from continuous assessment shall normally be a minimum of 30
per cent of the full marks for courses which are primarily theoretical.

c) Examinations
In addition to continuous assessment, final examinations should normally be given
for every course at the end of each semester. All courses shall be graded out of a

T
maximum of 100 marks comprising:

Final Examination: 70% – 60%

AF
Continuous assessment (Quizzes, Homework, Tests): 30% – 40%

1.15 External Examiners’ System

The involvement of external examiners from other universities is a crucial quality assurance
requirement for all courses in Nigerian University System. In this regard, external examiner
should go beyond mere moderation of examination questions to examining of examination
papers to scope and depth of examination questions vis-a-vis the curricular expectation.
R

1.16 Student Evaluation of Courses

There should be an established mechanism to enable students to evaluate courses delivered
D

to them at the end of each semester. This should be an integral component of the course
credit system to serve as an opportunity for feedback on the effectiveness of course delivery.

Such an evaluation which should be undertaken by students at the end of each course, should
capture, among others:

(i) Improvement in the effectiveness of course delivery.

(ii) Continual update of lecture materials to incorporate emerging new concepts.
(iii) Effective usage of teaching aids and tools to maximize impact of knowledge on
students and
(iv) Improvement in students’ performance through effective delivery of tutorials, timely
in presentation of continuous assessment and high quality examination.

It is very important that students’ evaluation of courses be administered fairly and

transparently through the use of well-designed questionnaires. The completed questionnaires
should be professionally analysed and results discussed with the course lecturer(s) towards
improvement in course delivery in all its ramifications.

7
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

1.17 Maintenance of Curricula Relevance

Using the benchmark as guide, the curriculum in each discipline shall be reviewed from time
to time to determine the continued relevance and fitness of purpose. The NUC, in its role as
the national quality assurance agency on university programmes, shall subject the
benchmark statements for review periodically. It is recommended that universities review
their programme, at least once in five years, using the current quality assurance benchmark
statements. A committee of staff competent to carry out an effective review shall conduct
each curriculum review. The review shall include an assessment as to whether the goals and
objectives of the programme as formulated are still relevant in dynamic professional and
social contexts. Reviews shall endeavour to incorporate the opinions of relevant stakeholders
such as students, staff, external examiners, employers, professional bodies, policy makers
etc. Each curriculum so revised shall be subjected to consideration and approval at the levels
of Department, Faculty/Colleges, and Senate in the University. Specifically, a good review
should examine the curriculum and resources in accordance with the following criteria:

i. Re – assessment/re – formulation of goals and objectives of the programme in relation

T
to the needs of the learners and the market requirements, taking into account the
broader aspects of the discipline.
a. (ii) The market demands of the graduates, in terms of skills needed to function
AF
as competitive professionals in the current labour market on a global scale.
b. (iii) Relevance of the current content in terms of knowledge, skills and attitudes
being taught/developed, and how these meet the needs of the present and future
requirements of the clientele.

ii. How the teaching and learning methods meet or fall short of current and future
R
standards of comparable programmes.

iii. The quality of teaching and learning material used.

D

iv. Outcomes of learning in terms of success, experience of learners (pass rate, knowledge
and skills acquisition, professional capability and integrity) as contributed by the
programme.

v. The views of employers and community members on the quality and relevance of the
curriculum.

1.18 Performance Evaluation Criteria

a) Definition of Accreditation
The accreditation of the Law programme will serve as a system of ensuring a level of
performance, integrity and quality that ensures the relevance of the programme to the
broader educational and professional community, the students, and employers of
labour.

8
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

The objectives of the accreditation exercise are to:

i. Ensure that at least the provisions of the minimum academic benchmark

statements are attained, maintained and enhanced.

ii. Assure employers and other members of the community that graduates of these
institutions have attained an acceptable level of competence in their areas of
specialisation.

iii. Certify to the international community that the programmes offered in these
universities are of high standard and that their graduates are proficient for
employment and for further studies.

b) Performance Indices
In an accreditation exercise, the main aim should be to assess the extent to which the
benchmark statements are being achieved. In this respect, the following performance
indices should be examined:

T
i. Students' performances in academic activities outside their faculties – e.g. Law
School;
ii.
AF
Reports from stakeholders outside the Faculty and the University;
iii. Reports from foreign institutions and organisations on the performance of
Nigerian Law graduates; and
iv. General assessment by external examiners and assessors on students’
performance.
v. Curriculum
vi. Teaching staff quantity and quality
R
vii. Student admission, retention and graduation
viii. Physical facilities
ix. Financial Support
D

x. Employers’ rating of graduates

1.19 Resource Requirement

1.19.1 Academic Staff

a) Must be intellectually and morally capable to teach and conduct research and provide
leadership to the students.

b) (i) On the part of the employer, staff must be provided with adequate opportunity for
self – retraining through research, attendance at conferences and training
programmes, and
(ii) Adequately equipped with necessary facilities and well remunerated.

9
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

Qualification for Appointment/Promotion of Academic Staff

The qualifications and other criteria necessary for appointment and/ or promotion of
academic staff at the various levels of the career structure are set out in the table below.

Qualifications for Appointments/Promotion of Academic Staff

LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS
i. Graduate Assistant A good Bachelor’s Degree (with a minimum Second Class
Upper Division)
This is a training position, and staff in this category are
expected to complete their Master’s degree within two years
of their appointment.
ii. Assistant Lecturer A Master’s Degree in addition to a good Bachelor’s Degree.
iii. Lecturer II • A PhD Degree for direct appointment;
• By promotion from Assistant Lecturer rank after a
minimum of three years in addition to fulfilling other
promotion requirements

T
iv. Lecturer I In addition to the qualifications specified for Lecturer II,
Lecturer I should have had at least three years post-doctoral
teaching experience and demonstrated ability for research
AF
work and evidence of scholarship.
v. Senior Lecturer A PhD Degree in addition to meeting the requirements for
publications, teaching and other conditions stipulated in the
guideline.
vi. Reader Basic qualifications set out for Senior Lecturer plus at least
(Associate three years of experience. Must have considerable
R
Professor) publications resulting from research as well as demonstrated
academic leadership ability. A Reader should have
evidence of participation in University administration and
community activities. External assessment is required for
D

promotion to the level of a Reader.

vii Professor Basic qualifications as for Reader/Associate Professor.
Must have had at least three years of experience as
Reader/Associate Professor in addition to meeting the
necessary publications. A Professor should demonstrate
clear evidence of scholarship as well as academic and
administrative/professional leadership.

The Strength and Mix of Academic Staff

The right strength, calibre and mix should be provided based on the demand of the Faculty
should be provided.

Students – Teacher Ratio

The Students – Teacher Ratio should be 1:30, in accordance with the guideline

10
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

1.19.2 Non – Academic Staff

a) Must be adequately trained to supply the needed support for both staff and students;

b) Must be readily available and possess enough moral and behavioural abilities for
patience and understanding; and

c) Must have opportunity for re-training programmes that will enhance their
productivity.

Senior Technical Staff

The ratio of senior technical staff to academic staff shall be as per guidelines. However,
the qualifications and criteria for promotion should be as the University approves.

Senior Administrative Staff

The number of Senior Administrative Staff shall be as per guidelines. However, the criteria
for Senior Administrative Staff appointments and promotions should be the same as is

T
applicable in the University Central Administration.

Junior Staff
AF
The ratio of junior staff to teachers in a Faculty of law shall be as per guidelines. However,
the criteria for appointments and promotions of Junior Staff should be as is applicable in
the University Central administration.

1.19.3 Physical Facilities

Spaces:
R

a) Faculty Building:
Every law faculty should have its own building separate and distinct from others. In
D

designing such a building, the factors given below should be taken into account.

b) Offices
Every law faculty should have offices for the Dean, Heads of Departments, academic
and administrative staff, general offices, stores, conference / seminar room, common
room, utility rooms/ kitchen etc.

c) Dean’s Office Complex

Dean’s office, excluding space for toilet and Secretary’s office, should measure
approximately – 70m2.

Secretary’s office – 24m2.

General Office – 96m2.
Conference / Seminar room to accommodate 50 people
Faculty Officer’s room – 24m2.
Room for faculty Officer’s Secretary – 16m2.

11
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

Stores – 20m2.
Machine room – 12m2.

d) Head of Department’s Office

There should be two at first but later could be increased to six.

A Head of Department’s Office excluding space for toilet and secretary’s office
should measure approximately – 35m2.
Secretary’s Office/Reception – 20m2.
General Office – 48m2.
Store/Machine room – 30m2.

e) Professor’s Office
At first two units but later increased, as the faculty grows, up to 10 units. Each
should consist of:

T
i) Professor’s Office, excluding toilet – 35m2.
ii) A toilet attached to the office
iii) Secretary’s Office – 16m2.
AF
f) Senior Lecturers’ and Lecturer’s Office
At first 10 units but later increased, as the faculty grows until it comes to 35 units.
Each should consist of:
i. Lecturer’s room, exclusive of toilet 30m2.
ii. One toilet for two senior Lecturers
R
g) Staff Common Room
A Staff Common Room measuring approximately 70m2 should be provided. The
common room should have functional facilities e.g. (cable) for national and
D

international electronic news and relevant programmes.

h) Staff Library
It is desirable for a faculty of law to have a faculty/departmental library based in the
faculty building and detached from the main law library for the use of the Academic
Staff. It should be sufficiently roomy to accommodate stacks of important law
reports (local and foreign) and seats for at least 10 readers at a time.

i) Classroom Requirements
The standard requirement per full-time student equivalent enrolment (FTE) is
considered and endorsed. Thus, the minimum total space requirements of a faculty of
law shall be the product of its total full – time student enrolment and the minimum
space requirement per FTE.

12
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

Faculties in intermediate stages of development are expected to improve their facilities

to suit their own level of development, always moving along the line that would
ultimately land them in the position of a fully developed faculty specified below.

j) Faculties with Student Intake of 50

A Faculty that admits 50 students annually should have the following facilities:

i) One classroom that can accommodate 250 students

ii) One classroom that can accommodate 150 students
iii) Two classrooms that can accommodate 100 students
iv) Two classrooms that can accommodate 40 – 50 students
v) A students’ common room measuring approximately 120m2.
vi) A Moot Court that can accommodate 100 – 150 students

Such a faculty may use the bigger classroom as its assembly hall when and if the need
arises. It can also use the medium – sized classrooms as a moot – court.

T
k) Faculties with Students Intake of 250
A big law faculty with such a large population of students should have the following
facilities:
AF
i. A classroom capable of accommodating 250 students.
ii. A classrooms capable of accommodating 150 students.
iii. at least three (3) classrooms, each capable of accommodating 100 students.
iv. 5 (5) tutorial rooms, each capable of accommodating 40 – 50 students.
v. a moot court capable of accommodating 250 students at a time, but specially
designed to suit the purpose and have rooms for judges’ chamber as well as
R
barristers’ chambers and dressing rooms.
vi. a students’ common room measuring approximately 300m2, with offices for –
students’ union activities, including editorial office for their journals.
D

vii. an auditorium or lecture theatre capable of holding 1,000 to 1,500 students at a

time.
viii. a computer room capable of accommodating at least 50 students as well as micro
computers, word processors and other needed equipment.

1.19.4 Equipment
Classrooms and offices should be properly equipped and constantly serviced to enable
meaningful teaching and office work to be done. Teaching aids like books, furniture,
computer, public address system (microphone) for large classes, writing materials, audio –
visual appliances, etc. should be provided.

However, apart from those equipment common to all offices/classrooms:

i. Every large classroom meant for 100 or more students should have a platform and a
lectern as well as loud speakers and other electronic equipment for mass
communication of ideas.
ii. Every office should have a reading desk, bookshelves, chairs, etc.

13
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

iii. The Dean’s office and each Department should have a photocopying machine, a
duplicating machine and at least three typewriters, plus other items of standard office
equipment.
iv. The faculty should have Micro Computers and Word Processors.

1.19.5 Library and Information Resources

Library Block, Space and Law Librarian

As law students’ laboratory, the library should:

i. Be sufficiently large and roomy to have reasonable space for book stacks, reading
space which should sit 25% – 30% students at a time) and staff offices;
ii. Be separate and distinct from any other library of the institution, but where such is
within the general library, the law section must be located distinctly to serve law
users only;
iii. Have adequate and current books, journals, law reports (foreign and local) and should
be made readily accessible to users;

T
iv. Have internet and electronic facilities for downloading current information that are
made accessible to staff and students,
v. A Law library should preferably have a librarian that has a law qualification apart
AF
from the professional qualification as a librarian because such a person will:
vi. Know the needs of the law faculty much better than a non – law degree holder;
vii. Be in a better position to make sound judgment about the collections in Law Library
as well as take care of peculiar reference needs of law students and researchers,
and
viii. Know where to get what for the faculty.
R
Library Holdings

All law faculties should have:

D

i) Nigerian Publications

a) All publications published in the State of the University’s location, including:

i) All law reports;
ii) All judgments of the various high courts;
iii) Statutes; bye-laws; statutory instruments; and
iv) All gazettes.

b) All Federal legislations and law reports, including:

i) Statutory instruments, statutes and gazettes;
ii) Supreme Court Judgments;
iii) Court of Appeal Judgments;
iv) Federal High Court Judgments; and
v) National Industrial Court Reports.

14
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

c) All law reports published in Nigeria, whether by governments; individuals, or

organizations, including the West African Court of Appeal Reports
d) All Law Journals published in Nigeria;
e) Recommended textbooks published in Nigeria; and
f) Authoritative Digests and Treatises by Nigerian Authors.

ii) British Publications

English Reports (ER);
All English Reports (All ER);
Queens Bench Reports (Q.B) and Kings Bench Reports (K.B);
Appeal Cases (AC);
Chancery Cases (CH.D);
Weekly Law Reports (WLR);
Probate;
Lloyds Law Reports;
Criminal Appeal Reports;
Halsbury’s Laws of England;

T
British and Empire Digest;
African Commercial Law Reports;
African Criminal Law Reports
Cambridge Law Journal;
AF
International and Comparative Law Quarterly (ICLQ);
Modern Law Review (M.L.R.);
Criminal Law Review;
Law Quarterly Review (LQR);
Journal of Business Law;
Journal of African Law;
R
Industrial Law Journal;
Public Law Journal (Journal of Public Law);
Current Law Review;
D

British Year Book of International Law (BYIL); and

Index of Foreign Legal Periodicals.

iii) American Publications

Harvard Law Review;
Yale Law Journal;
Columbia Law Review;
American Journal of International Law;
U.S. Federal Reports.
Stanford Law Review
Pennsylvania Law Review (the oldest).
Chicago Law Review
Duke Law Journal
Hastings Law Review (University of California at Berkeley)
Cornell Law Journal
Virginia Law Journal

15
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

Virginia Journal of International Law

Harvard Journal of International Law
Columbia Journal of International Law
Cornell Journal of International Law
American Journal of Comparative Law

iv) Commonwealth Law Reports

Australian Commonwealth Law Reports;
Canadian Dominion Law Reports;
Indian Law Reports;
All Indian Law Reports;
East African Law Reports
Ghana Law Reports

v) Textbooks, Encyclopaedias and Dictionaries

1. All the major textbooks on each course taught in the faculty of the university
concerned;

T
2. Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents;
3. Law Dictionaries:
a) Blacks Law Dictionary;
b)
AF
Jowitts Law Dictionary; and
c) Stroud’s Law Dictionary.
4. Major legal Encyclopaedias, including
a) Corpus Juris Secundum
b) Am Jur Second

vi) Public International Law

R
(a) Hague Recuil des course (Hague Academy of International Law)
(b) International Court of Justice (ICJ) Reports
(c) Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ) Reports
D

(d) European Court of Justice Reports

(e) European Court of Human Rights Reports
(f) Reports of the International Criminal Court (ICC)
(g) The Netherlands Yearbook of International Law
(h) International Legal Materials (ILM)
vii) Acquisitions
a) Each law faculty should have a minimum of 2 sets of Nigerian Publications,
Reports and Journals, initially and 5 sets of such publications ultimately.
b) Law faculties must have at least one set of English Reports; American Reports;
Commonwealth Reports; Journals, etc. initially and 3 sets of such publications
ultimately.
c) In the acquisition of Library holdings in the Law Library, Law Faculties must
be fully consulted and their recommendations seriously considered. In other
words, acquisitions by law libraries should be guided by the recommendations
of the faculties.

16
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

d) The need to update the holdings of law library should be boldly underlined.
New issues of law reports and journals and current editions of books should be
acquired from time to time.

viii) Internet access

Each law faculty should have access to the internet to facilitate up to date legal
research and ensure access to the latest case law and legal developments. The faculty
should also ensure subscription to legal academic databases, e – journals and other
resources.

T
AF
R
D

17
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

SECTION TWO:

SYNOPSES FOR LAW DEGREE PROGRAMME: BASIC COURSES

Preamble
The basic courses for the Law degree programme are selected to help the student to better
prepare for the legal education. At the tender age that most students gain admissions into
universities coupled with lack of exposure to in – depth career guidance and counselling, it
is difficult for a young person to make a life – long commitment to the legal profession.

2.1 Basic Courses (including two compulsory law courses)

Basic Courses
Course Code Course Title Units
Law 101: Legal Method I 4
Law 102: Legal Method II 3
CSC 101 Introduction to Computer Science 3

T
ENG 107 Basic English Grammar 3
Lit 105: Introduction to Prose Literature 3
Econ 101: Principles of Economics I (Micro) 3
AF
Econ 102: Principles of Economics II (Macro)

2.2 General Studies Programme

The aim of the General Studies Programme is to expose students to a course of liberal
education through which they can develop and expand their awareness of their social,
cultural and natural environments. The goal is to produce well – rounded graduates that are
R
intellectually sound, and competent in the use of English Language.

The objectives of the programme include:

•
D

Acquisition of a body of situational relevant knowledge outside of the respective field

of specialization of the students for productive, healthy living and promotion of
peaceful coexistence.
• Development of competence in the use of English Language as a tool for their studies
and effective means of communication in the society and in their future
employment/enterprise.

Students are expected to register for and pass at least 10 units of GST courses from among
the courses tabulated below. Departments should select appropriate programme – relevant
GST courses.

18
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

2.2.1 General Studies: Course Structure

General Studies Programme

Course Code Course Title Units
GST 111 Communication in English I 2
GST 112 Logic, Philosophy and Human Existence 2
GST 113 Nigerian Peoples and Culture 2
GST 121 Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT 2
GST 122 Communication in English II 2
GST 123 Basic Communication in French 2
GST 124 Basic Communication in Arabic 2
GST 125 Contemporary Health Issues 2
GST 211 Environment and Sustainable Development 2
GST 222 Peace and Conflict Resolution 2
GST 223 Introduction to Entrepreneurship 2
GST 224 Leadership Skills 2
GST 311 Entrepreneurship 2

T
2.2.2 Entrepreneurship
Towards Nigeria’s quest for accelerated economic growth, it is important that active and
AF
virile youth population is assisted to develop and convert their innovative ideas into
business ventures. These skills can be acquired particularly by those so innately inclined.
This underscores the need to actively promote and train students to be entrepreneurial
within our educational system. The course aims at re – orientating students towards a job-
creation mind – set rather than the fixed attitude of job – seeking. It will equip them with
the skills required in establishing businesses or making them add value to existing systems,
R
if employed in organizations. The main objective is to introduce students to concepts and
opportunities available in entrepreneurship and innovation. It assumes no previous
knowledge and takes students through the rudiments of entrepreneurship to selecting a
desired business and starting it with a Feasibility Report.
D

The specific objectives of the GST 223 (Introduction to Entrepreneurial Skills) and GST
311 (Entrepreneurship Studies), also to be taught under the General Studies Programme as
reflected in the above table, are to enable students to:
• Understand the relationship of enterprise, entrepreneur, business, entrepreneurship,
innovation and creativity.
• Analyse the historical perspective of entrepreneurship in Nigeria, and relate it to the
recent trend of unemployment, under – employment and job dissatisfaction,
personal, national and global economic recession.
• Identify the roles of entrepreneurial development agencies and regulatory bodies.
• Cultivate the spirit of entrepreneurship.
• Correct wrong attitudes and mind – sets and develop high entrepreneurial potential
in students.
• Select possible business ideas.
• Build the capacity to develop business plan to start a business.

19
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

2.2.3 Course Synopses

Presented below are the synopses of all the general studies courses presented in Table 2.2.
The Units of each course, the number of lecture hours (LH) and the number of practical
hours (PH), for those with practical component, have been indicated.

100 Level Courses

GST 111: Communication in English I: (2 Units: LH 30)

Effective communication and writing in English Language skills, essay writing skills
(organization and logical presentation of ideas, grammar and style), comprehension,
sentence construction, outlines and paragraphs.

GST 112: Logic, Philosophy and Human Existence (2 Units: LH 30)

A brief survey of the main branches of Philosophy; Symbolic logic; Special symbols in
symbolic logic-conjunction, negation, affirmation, disjunction, equivalent and conditional
statements. The method of deduction using rules of inference and bi – conditionals,

T
qualification theory. Types of discourse, nature or arguments, validity and soundness,
techniques for evaluating arguments, distinction between inductive and deductive
inferences; etc. (Illustrations will be taken from familiar texts, including literature materials,
AF
novels, and newspaper publications).

GST 113: Nigerian Peoples and Culture (2 Units: LH 30)

Study of Nigerian history, culture and arts in pre-colonial times; Nigerian’s perception of his
world; Culture areas of Nigeria and their characteristics; Evolution of Nigeria as a political
unit; Indigene/settler phenomenon; Concepts of trade; Economic self – reliance; Social
justice; Individual and national development; Norms and values; Negative attitudes and
R
conducts (cultism and related vices); Re – orientation of moral; Environmental problems.

GST 121: Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT (2 Units: LH 30)
D

Brief history of libraries; Library and education; University libraries and other types of
libraries; Study skills (reference services); Types of library materials, using library resources
including e –learning, e – materials, etc.; Understanding library catalogues (card, OPAC,
etc.) and classification; Copyright and its implications; Database resources; Bibliographic
citations and referencing. Development of modern ICT; Hardware technology; Software
technology; Input devices; Storage devices; Output devices; Communication and internet
services; Word processing skills (typing, etc.).

GST 122: Communication in English II (2 Units: LH 30)

Logical presentation of papers; Phonetics; Instruction on lexis; Art of public speaking and
oral communication; Figures of speech; Précis; Report writing.

20
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

GST 123: Basic Communication in French (2 Units: LH 30)

Introduction to French, Alphabets and numeracy for effective communication (written and
oral), Conjugation and simple sentence construction based on communication approach,
Sentence construction, Comprehension and reading of simple texts.

GST 124: Basic Communication in Arabic (2 Units: LH 30)

Introduction to Arabic alphabets and writing systems. Elementary conversational drills.
Basic reading skills and sentence construction in Arabic.

GST 125: Contemporary Health Issues (2 Units: LH 30)

Diet, exercise and health, nutritional deficiency diseases, malaria, other infections,
hypertension, organ failure, air – borne diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, cancer and
its prevention, sickle cell disease. HIV/AIDS: Introduction, epidemiology of HIV, natural
history of HIV infection, transmission of predisposing factors to HIV, Impact of HIV/AIDS
on the society, management of HIV infection, prevention of HIV. Drugs and Society: sources
of drugs, classification of drugs, dosage forms and routes of drug administration, adverse
drug reactions, drug abuse and misuse, rational drug use and irrational drug use. Human

T
kinetics and health education: personal care and appearance, exercise and health, personality
and relationship, health emotions, stress, mood modifiers, refusal to tobacco, alcohol and
other psychoactive drugs.
AF
200 Level Courses

GST 211 Environment and Sustainable Development (2 Units: LH 30)

Man – his origin and nature; Man and his cosmic environment; Scientific methodology,
Science and technology in the society and service of man. Renewable and non-renewable
resources – man and his energy resources. Environmental effects of chemical plastics,
R
Textiles, Wastes and other materials, Chemical and radiochemical hazards, Introduction to
the various areas of science and technology. Elements of environmental studies.
D

GST 222 Peace and Conflict Resolution (2 Units: LH 30)

Basic Concepts in peace studies and conflict resolution; Peace as vehicle of unity and
development; Conflict issues; Types of conflict, e. g. Ethnic/religious/political/ economic
conflicts; Root causes of conflicts and violence in Africa; Indigene/settler phenomenon;
Peace – building; Management of conflict and security. Elements of peace studies and
conflict resolution; Developing a culture of peace; Peace mediation and peace-keeping;
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Dialogue/arbitration in conflict resolution; Role of
international organizations in conflict resolution, e.g. ECOWAS, African Union, United
Nations, etc.

GST 223 Introduction to Entrepreneurship (2 Units: LH 30)

Introductory Entrepreneurial skills: Relevant Concepts: Enterprise, Entrepreneur,
Entrepreneurship, Business, Innovation, Creativity, Enterprising and Entrepreneurial
Attitude and Behaviour. History of Entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Rationale for
Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation for Entrepreneurs. Leadership and
Entrepreneurial Skills for coping with challenge. Unit Operations and Time Management.

21
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

Creativity and Innovation for Self-Employment in Nigeria. Overcoming Job Creation

Challenges. Opportunities for Entrepreneurship, Forms of Businesses, Staffing, Marketing
and the New Enterprise. Feasibility Studies and Starting a New Business. Determining
Capital Requirement and Raising Capital. Financial Planning and Management. Legal
Issues, Insurance and Environmental Considerations.

GST 224 Leadership Skills (2 Units: LH 30)

Transformation is a fundamental shift in the deep orientation of a person, organization or
society such that the world is seen in new ways and new actions and results become possible
that were impossible prior to the transformation. Transformation happens at the individual
level but must be embedded in collective practices and norms for the transformation to be
sustained. Leadership Development Programme (LDP) proposes novel approaches to
teaching and learning, which emphasizes the practical involvement of participants. It is
interactive and involves exercises and actual implementation of breakthrough projects by
teams that make difference in the lives of the target population. In this course, leadership
concepts comprising of listening, conversation, emotional intelligence, breakthrough
initiatives, gender and leadership, coaching and leadership, enrollment conversation and

T
forming and leading teams will be taught.

300-Level Course
AF
GST 311 Entrepreneurship (2 Units: LH 30)
Profiles of business ventures in the various business sectors such as:
Soap/Detergent, Tooth brush and Tooth paste making; Photography; Brick making; Rope
making; Brewing; Glassware production/ Ceramic production, Paper production; Water
treatment/conditioning/packaging; Food processing/preservation/packaging; Metal
fabrication; Tanning industry; Vegetable oil extraction; Farming; Fisheries/aquaculture;
R
Plastic making; Refrigeration/Air – conditioning; Carving, Weaving; Bakery; Tailoring;
Printing; Carpentry; Interior Decoration; Animal husbandry etc. Case Study Methodology
applied to the development and administration of Cases that bring out key issues of business
D

environment, start-up, pains and gains of growth of businesses, etc. with particular reference
to Nigerian businesses. Experience sharing by business actors in the economy with students
during Case presentations.

22
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

SECTION THREE:

COURSE STRUCTURE AND SYNOPSES FOR LAW PROGRAMME

Preamble
The style of course distribution should be tailored in such a way that the law student is able
to appreciate the choices and decisions which must be made at each level of study. Starting
with the basic and general courses taught in the early years of legal study to the more
technical fundamental courses taught in later years, the course distribution will ensure that
students are provided with a stable, developmental learning process which offers a precise
and well – tailored academic package that is a blend of intense professional study and a
flexible learning schedule. The basic foundational courses in law are expected to provide the
student with a comfortable introduction to the university system, and should thus feature
courses that are simple, with a general tenor and comprehensible language for the new
student of law. As the student progresses in his/her study, the courses should become more
technical and demand more analytical and practical exertion from the student. The tables
below provide the course breakdown at the different levels of legal study.

T
Note: Non – law courses shown in the table below provide a guide as Universities are
expected to decide on appropriate non – law courses.
AF
3.1 Sub – division of courses
Every law subject is normally split into two – parts I and II. Each part should be taught to
students for one semester, i.e. for roughly 15 weeks and the teaching should be for four hours
a week, three hours of lecture and one hour of tutorial. Each part of a subject should be
treated as a separate and stand – alone course, and when taught one hour for a period of
R
about 15 weeks should be treated as a 4 credit hour course. In a nutshell, each law course
on the list, apart from the long essay, should have attached to it 4 credit hours or 4 units. For
example, a subject like Law of Contract will have 4 credit hours for part 1 (first semester)
and 4 credit hours for part II (second semester) making a total of 8 credit hours for the
D

session.

The Long Essay in the final year shall not feature lectures; students will work on their own
though under supervision.

3.2 Compulsory Courses

3.2.1 Compulsory Law Courses

Compulsory courses are made up of core courses and compulsory non – law courses.
Thirteen (13) courses that can be described as core are identified and every law faculty in
the country must cover them adequately. The amount of time and attention given to each of
them by various faculties must be uniform.

23
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

The courses and the weights attached to them are as follows:

Courses Weight in Credit Units

1. Legal Method 8
2. Constitutional Law 8
3. Law of Contract 8
4. Criminal Law 8
5. Company Law 8
6. Commercial Law 8
7. Law of Equity and Trusts 8
8. Law of Evidence 8
9. Jurisprudence & Legal Theory 8
10. Property Law 8
11. Nigerian Legal System 8
12. Law of Torts 8
13. Information and Communication Technology Law 8
14. Public International Law 8

T
15. Clinical and Moot Court Practice 8
16. Compulsory Essay in the final year 6
AF
In addition, seven non – law courses that may be vital to the career of a lawyer and should
therefore be treated as compulsory for all students on the 5 – year standard law programme
are identified.

3.2.2 Compulsory Non – Law Courses

1 GST Courses (10) 20 Units

R
2 Introduction to Computer Science 3 Units
3 Introduction to Human Personality and Lifespan 3 Units
4 Psychology of Law 3 Units
D

5 Basic English Grammar 3 Units

6 Principles of Economics (Micro) 3 Units
7 Principles of Economics (Macro) 3 Units

*One credit unit is the equivalent of one contact hour per week, per semester.

Note: Of the non – law compulsory courses in year 1, only the General Studies courses will
be compulsory for Direct Entry candidates. However, the compulsory law course in year one
– Legal Method I & II shall be taken by all Direct Entry students.

3.3 Elective Courses

Each Faculty should have a set of elective or optional courses made up of: Law Courses and
Non – Law Courses.

24
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

The list of such courses should not, at any given time, be closed, but should remain open so
that courses that become irrelevant or unimportant should be eliminated and new relevant
ones added. The list of the courses identified for the moment is as follows:

(a) Elective Law Courses Weight in Credit Units

1. Administrative Law 8
2. Revenue/Taxation Law 8
3. Labour Law/ Industrial Law 8
4. Oil and Gas Law 8
5. Info. & Comm. Tech Law 8
6. International Trade & Investment Law 8
7. Conflict of Laws 8
8. Family Law /the Family and the Law 8
9. Conveyancing 8
10. Alternative Dispute Resolution 8
11. Criminology 8
12. Introduction to Islamic Law 8

T
13. Law of Banking 8
14. Law of Insurance 8
15. Law of Intellectual Property 8
16. Maritime Law
AF 8
17. Human Rights Law 8
18. Customary Law 8
19. Environmental Law 8
20. African Comparative Law 8
21. Legal research and Writing 8
22. Health Law/ Law and Medicine 8
R
23. Islamic Law of Crimes and Tort 8
24. Islamic Law of Transactions 8
25. Islamic Law of Procedure and Evidence 8
D

26. Islamic Family Law and Succession 8

27. Islamic Jurisprudence 8

(b) Optional Non-Law Courses

1. Elements of Business / Management 6
2. Political Science / Elements of Government 6
3. Philosophy 6
4. Social Relations 6
5. Psychology 6
6. Such other non – law courses as the faculty may 6
determine from time to time.

25
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

3.4 Course Structure (100 Level – 500 Level)

100 Level Courses

Course Code Course Title Units Status LH PH
LAW 101 Legal Method 1 4 C 45 15
LAW 102 Legal Method 11 4 C 45 15
CSC 101 Introduction to Computer Science 3 C 45 -
PSY 103 Learning Processes 2 C 30 -
LIT 104 Introduction to Poetry 2 C 30 -
LIT 105 Introduction to Prose Literature 2 C 30 -
LIT 106 Introduction to Drama 2 C 30 -
GST 111 Communication in English I 2 C 30 -
GST 112 Logic, Philos. and Human Existence 2 C 30 -
GST 121 Use of Library, Study Skills and ICT 2 C 30 -

T
GST 122 Communication in English II 2 C 30 -
GST 211 Envir. and Sustainable Development 2 R 30 -
AF
GST 223 Intro. to Entrepreneurship 2 R 30 -
GST 224 Leadership Skills 2 R 30 -
GST 311 Entrepreneurship Studies 2 R 30 -

TOTAL 35
R

LH – Lecture Hour PH – Practical Hours C – Compulsor R – Require E – Elective

200 Level Courses

D

Course Code Course Title Units Status LH PH

PUL 201 Constitutional Law I 4 C 45 15
PUL 202 Constitutional Law II 4 C 45 15
CIL 201 Law of Contract I 4 C 45 15
CIL 202 Law of Contract II 4 C 45 15
PUL 203 Nigerian Legal System I 4 C 45 15
PUL 204 Nigerian Legal System II 4 C 45 15
PPL 203 Family Law I 4 E 45 15
PPL 204 Family Law II 4 E 45 15
JIL 209 Criminology I 4 E 45 15
JIL 210 Criminology II 4 E 45 15
PPL 205 Administrative Law I 4 E 45 15
PPL 206 Administrative Law II 4 E 45 15
TOTAL 48

26
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

300 Level Courses

Course Code Course Title Units Status LH PH
LAW 301 Legal Research & Writing I 4 E 45 15
LAW 302 Legal Research & Writing II 4 E 45 15
PUL 301 Criminal Law I 4 C 45 15
PUL 302 Criminal Law II 4 C 45 15
JIL 303 Human Rights I 4 E 45 15
JIL 304 Human Rights II 4 E 45 15
PPL 301 Law of Torts I 4 C 45 15
PPL 302 Law of Torts II 4 C 45 15
CIL 303 Commercial Law I 4 C 45 15
CIL 304 Commercial Law II 4 C 45 15
PPL 305 Property Law I 4 C 45 15
PPL 306 Property Law II 4 C 45 15
JIL 309 Health Law /Law and Medicine I 4 E 45 15

T
JIL 310 Health Law /Law and Medicine II 4 E 45 15
JIL311 Human Rights Law I 4 E 45 15
JIL 312
AF
Human Rights Law II 4 E 45 15
ICL 307 Introduction to Islamic Law I 4 E 45 15
ICL 308 Introduction to Islamic Law II 4 E 45 15
JIL 311 Information and Communications
Technology Law 1 4 E 45 15
JIL 312 Information and Communications
R
Technology Law II 4 E 45 15

TOTAL 80
D

400 Level Courses

Course Code Course Title Units Status LH PH
LAW 401 Introduction to Legal Practice I 4 E 45 15
LAW 402 Introduction to Legal Practice II 4 E 45 15
JIL 411 Conflict of Laws I 4 E 45 15
CLE 401 Clinical and Moot Court Practice 4 C 45 15
CLE 402 Clinical and Moot Court Practice 4 C 45 15
JIL 412 Conflict of Laws II 4 E 45 15
JIL 403 Environmental Law I 4 E 45 15
JIL 404 Environmental Law II 4 E 45 15
PPL 403 Equity and Trusts I 4 C 45 15
PPL 404 Equity and Trusts II 4 C 45 15
PUL 401 Law of Evidence I 4 C 45 15

27
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

PUL 402 Law of Evidence II 4 C 45 15

PPL 405 Law of Banking I 4 E 45 15
PPL 406 Law of Banking II 4 E 45 15
JIL 405 Public International Law I 4 C 45 15
JIL 406 Public International Law II 4 C 45 15
JIL 407 International Trade & Investment 4 E 45 15
Law I
JIL 408 International Trade & Investment 4 E 45 15
Law II
JIL 409 Alternative Dispute Resolution I 4 E 45 15
JIL 410 Alternative Dispute Resolution II 4 E 45 15
PSY 411 Forensic Psychology 2 C 30 -

TOTAL 82

T
500 Level Courses

Course Code Course Title Units Status LH PH

JIL 501
AF
Jurisprudence and Legal Theory I 4 C 45 15
JIL 502 Jurisprudence and Legal Theory II 4 C 45 15
PPL 501 Company Law I 4 C 45 15
PPL 502 Company Law II 4 C 45 15
PPL 503 Insurance Law I 4 E 45 15
PPL 504 Insurance Law II 4 E 45 15
R
PUL 505 Revenue / Taxation Law I 4 E 45 15
PUL 506 Revenue / Taxation Law II 4 E 45 15
CIL 507 Labour Law / Industrial Law I 4 E 45 15
CIL 508 Labour Law / Industrial Law I 4 E 45 15
D

JIL 503 Oil and Gas Law I 4 E 45 15

JIL 504 Oil and Gas Law II 4 E 45 15
PPL 509 Conveyancing I 4 E 45 15
PPL 510 Conveyancing II 4 E 45 15
JIL 507 Comparative African Law I 4 E 45 15
JIL 508 Comparative African Law II 4 E 45 15
ICL 511 Islamic Law of Crimes and Torts I 4 E 45 15
ICL 512 Islamic Law of Crimes and Torts II 4 E 45 15
ICL 511 Islamic Law of Transactions (Mu’ 4 E 45 15
amalat) I
ICL 512 Islamic Law of Transactions 4 E 45 15
(Mu’amalat) II
ICL 513 Islamic Law of Procedure and 4 E 45 15
Evidence I
ICL 514 Islamic Law of Procedure and 4 E 45 15
Evidence II

28
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

ICL 515: Islamic Family Law and Succession I 4 E 45 15

ICL 516: Islamic Family Law and Succession II 4 E 45 15
ICL 513 Islamic Jurisprudence (Usul Al – 4 E 45 15
Fiqh) I
ICL 514 Islamic Jurisprudence (Usul Al – 4 E 45 15
Fiqh) II
LAW 599 Long Essay in the Final Year 6 C
TOTAL 110

3.5 Course Synopses

100 LEVEL COURSES

LAW 101: Legal Method 1 (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

Law in social context (a) nature and functions of law in society: law, order and justice; law
and freedom; law and the state; law and legitimacy; law and sovereignty (b) aspects of law

T
– types of law – eternal law, divine law, natural law and human or positive law; classification
of law: common law and civil law; common law and equity; public and private law; civil
and criminal law, substantive and procedural law; written and unwritten law; customary law
AF
and Islamic law (c) methods of social control through law – penal method; grievance –
remedial method; private arranging method; constitutive method, administrative regulatory
method; fiscal method; conferral or social benefits method (d) Legal reasoning and approach
to problems – language of the law; principles, standards and issues in law; formality and
precision in the use of language and distinctiveness of legal language; legal rhetoric and legal
logic; legal reasoning and practical reasoning; legalism (e) Legal reasoning in judicial
R
processes: sifting of facts and law in courts; ratio decidendi; precedents (f) Legal reasoning
in legislation – legislative proposals; legislative drafting; ambiguity, vagueness, open
texture, semantics in law; legislative process: construction of statutes; types of legislation;
codification of laws.
D

LAW 102: Legal Method II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Sources of law – primary sources; statutory materials and judicial materials; secondary
sources: books and pamphlets, letters, speeches, interviews, periodicals, and news – papers;
foreign materials (b) Use of source materials – law library and legal research, indexing and
identification of library materials, cases and citation of cases and reports; opinions; analysis
and note taking; use of authorities in legal argument and legal writing (c) online research
methods (d) Legal writing – methods and approaches in essay writing; styles of writing;
analysis of social and legal issues and application of legal rules; division of topics into
chapters, sections and subsections (e) Professional ethics, and regulation of the legal
profession.

CSC 101: Introduction to Computer Science (3 Units: LH 30, PH: 15)

Survey of computers and information processing and their roles in society. This course
introduces a historical perspective of computing, hardware, software, information systems,
and human resources and explores their integration and application in Law, business and

29
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

other segments of society. Students will be required to complete lab assignments using the
PC’s operating system, and several commonly used applications, such as word processors,
spreadsheets and graphics presentations applications. Internet and on-line resources,
browsers and search engines.

LIT 104: Introduction to Poetry: (2 Units: LH 15)

This course explores Poetry as a literary genre, the different poetic forms and traditions e.g
narrative/dramatic/the lyrics and ode. It also looks at the epic tradition, romance,
praise/panegyric poetry. Examples are drawn from different classical, English,
African/Nigerian poetic experiences.

LIT 105: Introduction to Prose Literature: (2 Units: LH 15)

(Short stories and a few selected novels that are considered classic) The course is to trace
the origin of the English novel, and the subsequent adaptation in Africa/Nigeria; the basic
features that characterize the novel and the distinguishing features of the English novel and
the African novel, etc

T
LIT 106: Introduction to Drama: (2 Units: LH 15)
This course is an Introduction to Drama (i.e. as a significant generic form of literature). It
includes the possible origins of drama – from ritual/festivals, the Greek classical drama, the
AF
medieval English drama, modern drama/ African drama; forms of drama: tragedy, comedy,
epic, etc.; dramatic traditions and major proponents of the traditions, etc.

200 LEVEL COURSES

PUL 201: Constitutional Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Definition and sources of constitutional law: classification of the constitutions: written
R
and unwritten, rigid and flexible, federal and unitary, presidential and parliamentary (b) The
concepts of separation of powers, rule of law, federalism, supremacy of the
constitution/parliament (c) The legal consequences of the change of government by extra –
D

constitutional means (e.g., coup ; d’etat); constitutional history of Nigeria from the advent
of British rule up – to – date; The Military and Constitution-Making in Nigeria, Law Making
by the Military, The Judiciary under the Military, The Executive under the Military, The
Military and search for constitutional and political order.

PUL 202: Constitutional Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Supremacy of the constitution, citizenship, fundamental rights, fundamental objectives
and directive principles of state policy, creation of states, and constitutional amendments (b)
legislative power: its meaning, scope and relation with the executive and judicial powers;
delegation of legislative power – division of legislative power between the federation and
the states; interpretation of legislative entries/its doctrines of pith and substance, implied
powers, repugnancy, and occupied field – impeachment power: oversight functions of the
Legislature (c) judicial power: its meaning and scope – judicial review of legislation –
independence of judiciary, jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal,
Federal and State High Courts and Sharia and Customary Courts of Appeal, Judicial control
of administration – nature, scope of writs and orders; habeas corpus, mandamus, certiorari,

30
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

prohibition, quo warranto, declaration and injunction (d) Executive power: its meaning and
scope; powers and functions of the President and Governors: appointment, legislative,
police, public order, defence, emergency, prerogative of mercy, foreign affairs – Federal
(and State) executive bodies – Attorney General’s powers (e) Local government; status –
relationship with State and Federal government, creation, finance, personnel and dissolution.

CIL 201: Law of Contract I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Nature of contract: sources of law, concept of bargain, classification (b) Formation of
contract: offer and acceptance, consideration, intention to create legal relations (c) Contents
of contract: terms, representations, excluding and limiting terms and fundamental breach of
terms, (d) Capacity: infants, illiterates, corporations, mental patients and drunken persons.

CIL 202: Law of Contract II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Vitiating elements of a contract: mistake; misrepresentation; duress; illegality and
unenforceable contracts (b) Privity of contract: rules and exceptions (c) Discharge of
contract: by performance, agreement, breach and frustration (d) Remedies / damages;
equitable remedies in outline only, quantum meruit claims and quasi contract (e) Contract

T
under customary law and Islamic law: constituents, capacity, terms, breach, and remedies.

PUL 203: Nigerian Legal System I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

AF
(a) Sources of Nigerian law (b) Administration of justice in Nigeria: problems and concepts
of substantive law (c) Interaction between various arms of government within the Nigerian
legal system and the social context (d) The idea and structure of a legal system (e) Nature
and function of law (f) Classification of law, sources of Nigeria law: (i) legislation; judicial
precedents / case law; customary law; Islamic law; English Common Law and doctrine of
equity (ii) reception and application of English law in Nigeria.
R
PUL 204: Nigerian Legal System II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
(a) Internal conflicts (i) different customary laws/Islamic laws (ii) English law and
customary law (iii) English law and Islamic law (b) judicial institutions (c) the role of the
D

judiciary (d) the history and development of the courts (e) types and jurisdiction of courts:
customary and Area Courts; magistrate and district courts; and courts of record (f) Special
courts: Sharia Court of Appeal, Customary Court of Appeal, Tribunals (excluding
Commissions of Inquiry) (g) Judicial Personnel – appointment and tenure (h) Outline of civil
and criminal procedure in Nigeria (i) Legal Aid and Advice: development and future of law
in Nigeria, (j) the organization of legal education and legal profession in Nigeria.

PPL 203: Family Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Nature of family including the extended family system, (b) the nature and sources of
Nigerian family law and succession (c) nature, form and incidence of marriage under
customary / Islamic law (d) contract and celebration of marriage (e) formal and essential
validity of statutory marriage (f) void and voidable marriages (g) dissolution of marriage (h)
relationship between parents, children and the state – issues from the Children’s Rights Act
2003.

31
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

PPL 204: Family Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Rectification of marriage (b) judicial separation (c) maintenance and financial relief (d)
legitimacy, custody, guardianship and adoption (e) basis of marriage and divorce (f)
succession, testate and Intestate in customary, Islamic and statutory laws (g) foreign
marriages (h) parental responsibility and parenthood through reproductive technology (i)
gender perspectives on law.

JIL 209: Criminology I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) The meaning, nature and scope of criminology (b) the evolution of criminological thought
(c) phenomenology (d) actiology of crime and victimology (f) Legal principles relating to
insanity (g) mental deficiency and other forms of mental incapacity (h) criminological
aspects of victimless crimes (i) the criminology of enforcement (j) criminological forecasting
and planning.

JIL 210: Criminology II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Drug addiction, alcoholism, cultism, juvenile delinquency (b) theories of punishment (c)
the law governing sentencing and court orders made in respect of criminal cases (d)

T
sentencing practice (e) treatment techniques (f) strategies and criminological research
methods (g) Philosophies of punishment, correction and treatment: analysis of different
forms of punishment or treatment (h) execution (i) the correction of convicts.
AF
PPL 205: Administrative Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
(a) Nature, scope and sources of administrative agencies and procedure, relationship between
administrative law, the rule of law, separation of powers and delegation of powers. Delegated
legislation: its nature, forms, making and control thereof.

PPL 206: Administrative Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

R
(a) Administrative adjudication; (b) powers of administration: administrative invasion by
tribunals of the peoples’ legal right and delegations – tribunals and inquiries (c) Judicial
control of administration; and judicial power of administration: (i) ground of judicial
D

review e.g. doctrine of ultra vires, principle of natural justice and error of law (ii) remedies
– e.g quo warranto, certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, declaration, injunction, habeas
corpus, damages, appeal and ombudsman (iii) action by and against the state, corporations
including Local Government Areas and Councils.

300 LEVEL COURSES

LAW 301: Legal Research & Writing I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Introduction to legal writing (b) Objectives of Legal Writing (c) Types of Legal Writing
(d) Letter Writing (e) Essay writing (f) Writing a Legal Brief (g) Developing a Writing Style.

LAW 302: Legal Research & Writing II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Objectives of legal Research (b) Research ethics (c) Referencing and Citation (d) Use of
Law Library (e) Case Reporting (f) Digital tools.

32
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

PUL 301: Criminal Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) General introduction and purpose of Criminal Law (b) the content of crime (c)
history and sources of Nigerian Criminal Law (d) the elements of an offence (e) classification
of offences (f) general principles of criminal responsibility (g) parties to an offence (h)
offences against the person (i) corporate liability.

PUL 302: Criminal Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Offences against property (b) offences against the state and against public order, (c)
offences of corruption (d) the police and the administration of criminal justice (e) theories
and types of punishment (f) general principles of sentencing (g) Islamic criminal law
and customary criminal law.

JIL 303: Human Rights Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Human rights – meaning, scope and sources (b) Philosophical basis of human rights –
natural law, positivism etc (c) Historical perspective – feudal, colonial, world wars, post
colonial era etc (d) Traditional and contemporary African perspectives on human rights (e)

T
International and national protection of human rights (f) The United Nations and Human
Rights.

JIL 304: Human Rights Law II

AF (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
(a) Human rights under the Nigerian Constitution (b) Compatibility between Nigerian laws
and international minimum standards (c) Regional Conventions – emphasis on African
Charter (d) Human rights of vulnerable groups – women, children and minorities (e) Role,
organization and methods of international and domestic NGOs (f) impediments to realization
of human rights, violations of human rights, legal responses to human rights violations.
R
PPL 301: Law of Torts I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
(a)Historical background and general principles of tortious liability (defences will be
considered in relation to each tort); (b) trespass to person – assault, battery, false
D

imprisonment and intentional harm to the person (c) trespass to land; trespass to chattel,
conversion and detinue (d) negligence – duty of care, standard of care (e) proof of negligence
(f) nervous shock (g) contributory negligence and damages, including remoteness of damage
(h) occupiers’ liability.

PPL 302: Law of Torts II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a)Nuisance (b) the rule in Rylands v. Fletcher (c) liability for animals (d) malicious
prosecution (e) vicarious liability (f) defamation (e) death as course of action (f) fatal
accidents (g) deceit (h) economic torts of passing – off, civil conspiracy, intimidation,
interference with contract (i) parties; joint torts; remedies.

CIL 303: Commercial Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Sale of goods: nature and formation of the contract (b) conditions, warranties and
representations (c) ownership and passing – off of property (d) duties of the seller (e) duties
of the buyer (f) effect of contract (g) remedies (h) special commercial contracts in outline
(i) the use of various payment devices e.g. cheques, credit cards, luncheon and fuel vouchers.

33
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

CIL 304: Commercial Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Hire purchase: nature and meaning of hire purchase (b) hire purchase in common law
and under the Hire Purchase Act 1965 (c) Ownership and passing – off of property (d)
remedies of owner and hirer (e) minimum payment clauses and damages (f) standard form
hire – purchase agreements (h) bills of sales (i) conditional sale and credit sale agreements.
(a) Agency: definition, formalities and capacity (b) authority of the agent (c) ratification:
types of agents (d) rights and duties of principal and agent (e) termination of agency (f)
relationship of principal and agents to third parties.

PPL 305: Property Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

Introduction: (a) legal notions of property (Law Relating to Chattels (Personal Property);
the Law Relating to Incorporeal Property (Choses in Action); and Land Law) (b) historical
evolution of land law in Nigeria (c) sources of Nigerian land law (d) terminology –
ownership, possession, titles, rights, liability, land, etc. Customary land law/Islamic land
law: (a) modes of acquiring title to land, settlement; expansion; loan or borrowing; pledge
or pawn; gift; conquest, allotment, kola tenancy (b) concept and ownership of land: (i) nature

T
of title to land (ii) control and management of community land – individual rights and extent
of community land today (iii) creation of family land – nature and extent of member’s right
in family land; control of family land, alienation of family land, recovery of family land,
AF
Improvement by a member of family land, termination of family land (iv) an outline of
succession to rights in land.

PPL 306: Property Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

Legal regulation of property: (a) The Land Use Act – state control of land; grant of right of
occupancy; what Certificate of Occupancy connotes; alienation of Certificate of Occupancy;
revocation of Certificate of Occupancy; compensation for revocation (b) relationship
R
between Land Use Act and State land law (c) an outline of control of natural resources –
minerals, water and forests; agrarian reforms (d) rights and interest in land – freehold, joint
tenancy, tenancy in common, prescription, laches, acquiescence, leasehold, easements, profit
D

a prendre, covenants, mortgages, (e) registration – registration of instruments, registration

of title.

JIL 309: Health Law/Law and Medicine I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

Health is a vital aspect of the human existence fully protected by the country’s constitution.
Yet its critical essence needs to be well articulated within the discipline of law as a course
of study because of the important and controversial health care issues involved with
implications for the individual, family and society.
Introduction: (a) definitions (b) evolution of health law (c) sources of health law, statutes,
regulations, policies etc. (d) right to health under municipal laws, regional and international
treaties / instruments (e) overview of pertinent issues relating to the Nigerian health care
delivery system (f) legal framework of health care decision – making, including professional
self-regulation, government regulation moral judgment and the market discipline.

34
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

JIL 310: Health Law/Law and Medicine II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

Legal aspects of reforms in health care issues. (a) informed consent; right to die; right to
treatment; issues in medical malpractice; HIV/AIDs etc. (b) doctor – patient relationship;
including interface of moral; ethical and legal problems in modern medicine (c) health care
institutions … emphasis on recent developments e.g. National Health Insurance Scheme
(NHIS) (d) the “cost” of health care delivery: new payment methods, status/rights,
implications of NHIS for medical care (e) comparative national health care reforms, policies
and laws.
Medical Torts, Criminality in Medical Practice, the Moral, Ethical and Legal limits of Bio-
Medical Research. Forensic Issues in Psychology and Psychiatry e.g. Matters Relating to
Evidence, Causation, etc, Legal Issues in Forensic Bio-Chemistry, Epidemiology, Biological
and Chemical Warfare, constitutional matters and issues in International Law.

ICL 307: Introduction to Islamic Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

Introduction and Historical Background: the nature and sources of Islamic Law, the
historical background (a) pre – Islamic Arabia: Law and Society in pre – Islamic Arabia (b)
The Rise of Islam – Sharia (c) the Prophet Mohammed, the Quaranic Legislations, the

T
Prophetic Sunnah, The Development of Judicial System: Muadh bn Jabal appointment and
Prophet’s Directions; Umar’s directions to the judges, the development of judicial
institutions; Qadi Muhtasib Naziral, and Raddul Mazalim. The role of juristic opinion (Ra’y)
AF
and custom (‘urf) in the development of Islamic law (d) the Emergence of the Schools of
Law: Maliki, Shaffii, Hambali, Ja’fari and Zahiri (e) the Developments of Islamic legal
literature: types e.g. compendia, abridgments, gersses, Responsa, etc (f) the frequently
consulted authoritative texts of the various schools of law (g) Modern developments: impact
of western legal system Islamisation of laws in recent years.

ICL 308: Introduction to Islamic Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

R
Islamic law in Nigeria – the historical background: introduction of Islam in West Africa (a)
the Maliki School of Law: the spread of Maliki School in Nigeria: authoritative books and
court systems (b) the Application of Islamic Law during the British period (c) the extent and
D

application of Islamic Law at present – codification of Sharia Penal Laws in some states of
Nigeria.

JIL 311: Information and Communications Technology Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
The course provides an overview of the entire field of ICT law, with specific emphasis on
the legal aspects of Computing, Communication and other components of modern
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) (a) broadcasting law,
telecommunications law and computer law (b) legal aspect of technologies convergence,
Institutional aspects of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) with specific
emphasis on the powers and duties of the Regulator, licensing of systems and regulatory
conditions in class of licenses, protection of consumers and Quality of Service (QoS) and
the Law relating to Spectrum Management (c) the roles of National, International and
regional institutions involved in ICT, the functions of National institutions in relation to the
obligations and rights of service providers and customers (d) Dispute Resolution
Mechanisms in ICT including court, regulatory, and other government proceedings.

35
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

JIL 312: Information and Communications Technology Law II

(4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
(a) Computer technology software licensing (b) International protection of computer
technology. (c) ownership of computer networks (d) regulation of the Internet (e) regulation
of electronic commerce, specific questions relating to the protection of intellectual property
rights in the area of ICT, infringement of copyright, trademark, patents (f) liability of
network service providers (g) regulation of electronic signatures, domain names, the
protection of the individual with regard to personal data processing (h) legal remedies against
computer – related fraud, Invasion of privacy and security etc.

400 LEVEL COURSES

LAW 401: Introduction to Legal Practice I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Interviewing Skills (b) Advising and Counselling Clients (c) Law Office Ethics (d)
Advocacy Skills (e) Social Ethics.

LAW 402: Introduction to Legal Practice II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

T
(a) Basic Guides to Commercial Practice (b) Basic Guides to Civil Litigation (c) Basic Guide
to Criminal Litigation (d) Basic Guide to Alternative Dispute Resolution (e) Practical
effective writing skills.
AF
JIL 403: Environmental Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
(a) Sources of Nigeria Environmental Law (b) sources / causes of environmental pollution /
degradation in Nigeria (c) policy and Legal responses to environmental pollution
/degradation (d) legal protection of the environmental media: land, air and water at local
government, state and federal levels (e) control of hazardous wastes and substances (f)
environmental litigation.
R

JIL 404: Environmental Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Background to the protection of the global environment at the International level (b)
D

development of International Environmental Law / Multilateral Environmental Agreements

(c) specific focus on the following global environmental issues: (i) trans – boundary
Movement of hazardous wastes and their disposal (ii) climate change (iii)
deforestation/desertification (iv) biodiversity loss (v) depletion of the ozone layer, (vi)
flooding, (vii) rise in sea water levels (d) issues of environmental governance, i.e.
environmental rights to information and participation; access to justice, etc. (e) International
Environmental Non – Governmental Organisations, e.g. the Green Peace, WWF, etc.

PPL 403: Equity and Trusts I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

General Principles of Equity: (a) Nature, doctrine and history of equity, its development in
England and its introduction to Nigeria (b) the relationship between equity and common Law
(c) conflict between equity and customary law (d) maxims of equity; nature of equitable
rights and interests (e) priorities (f) assignment of choses in action (g) conversion; election;
satisfaction.

36
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

Remedies and defences: (a) equitable remedies – Injunctions: specific performance;

rescission; rectification; delivery up and cancellation of documents; account; receivership;
restitution (b) equitable defences – estoppel, laches and acquiescence.

PPL 404: Equity and Trusts II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

The law of trusts: (a) Nature and classification of Trusts; the requirements of Trust;
constitution of trusts; express private trusts; charitable trusts; constructive trusts; protective
and discretionary trusts (an outline only); trusts in favour of creditors (b) appointment of
trustees – duties and discretion of trustees; power of trustees; breach of trust; retirement and
removal of trustees (c) an outline of administration of estates.
NB: A faculty is free to add to this anything peculiar or local to its environ which a lawyer
from that locality is expected to know.

PUL 401: Law of Evidence I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) General introduction (b) sources of Nigerian law of evidence (c) direct and circumstantial
evidence (d) facts in issue and relevant facts (e) complaints (f) similar facts evidence, Res
Gestae.

T
PUL 402: Law of Evidence II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
(a) Character evidence (b) opinion evidence (c) hearsay evidence (d) estoppel; competence
AF
and compellability of witnesses (e) privilege generally (f) corroboration (g) burden of proof
(h) documentary evidence (i) evidence under customary law / Islamic law.

PPL 405: Law of Banking I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Nature, history and evolution of banking in Nigeria (b) law regulating the
establishment and operation of banking in Nigeria (c) nature and legal effect of negotiable
instruments, including cheques, promissory notes, bills of exchange, etc. (d) negotiability
R
and assignability; endorsement and delivery; presentment and notice of dishonour.

PPL 406: Law of Banking II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

D

(a) Bank – customer relationship, including the nature and legal effects of bank accounts,
overdrafts, bank notes, cheques and their crossing, etc. (b) mortgages and foreclosures
etc; forgeries and conversions; securities and advances (c) regulation of Banks and Financial
Institutions: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation
(NDIC).

JIL 405: Public International Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

General introduction – history and sources: International and municipal law; subjects of the
law of nations: (a) states – (i) nature and classification, recognition of states, governments
and belligerents, de jure and de facto governments (ii) state succession (iii) territory;
acquisition and loss (b) Individuals: (i) nationality and domicile (ii) human rights and
fundamental freedoms (c) Diplomatic representation – (i) status and functions of diplomatic
envoys and consuls (ii) privileges and immunities (iii) diplomatic missions and international
organization (iv) state responsibilities and conditions of basic international claims.

37
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

JIL 406: Public International Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

State jurisdiction: territorial waters and airspace, international servitudes and waterways.
International Agreements: nature, entry into force, ratification, reservations, interpretation
and discharge. International organisations (a) the United Nations and its charter – specialized
agencies; disputes; pacific and non – pacific methods of settlement (b) the Organization of
African Unity/African Union (c) ECOWAS; war and neutrality: position of belligerent
forces and civilians in war (d) the Hague and Geneva Conventions; economic warfare – on
land, sea and in the air; effects of outbreak of war – persons, actions, contracts, treaties; the
legal capacity to use force – states, recognized belligerents and U.N (e) the legal claims to
make war and U.N. Charter obligations (f) Position of neutrals, punishment of war crimes:
Nuremberg Trials.

JIL 407: International Trade & Investment Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
(a) The concept, nature and development of international trade and investment (b) sources
and principles of international trade and investment law – (i) Principle of Permanent
Sovereignty over Natural Resources (ii) principle of economic non-discrimination (iii) treaty
standards such as Most Favoured Nation Treatment Standard, principle of reciprocity (c)

T
international export contracts – FOB contracts, CIF contracts (d) Concept of contracts in
transnational investment process – economic development agreements, management
contracts, joint ventures, service contracts, sales or purchasing contracts, production sharing
AF
contracts (e) Protection of foreign direct investment, Export Processing Zones, (f) Free
Zones, (g) World Trade Organization (WTO).

JIL 408: International Trade & Investment Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
(a) Carriage of goods by sea – charter parties: types, common law obligations and immunities
(b) Carriage of goods by air (c) Letters of credit and performance bonds (d) marine cargo
insurance (e) Settlement of trade and investment disputes (f) Regional trading and economic
R
integration arrangements – European Union, North American Free Trade Agreement,
African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Cotonou Agreement, Africa Growth and Opportunity
Act, ECOWAS, ANDEAN Pact, CARIFTA etc.
D

JIL 409: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 1 (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

ADR exposes students to the broader options available for conflict and dispute resolution,
both within and outside a formal court room.
(a) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods (b) arbitration and conciliation law in
Nigeria Good offices, negotiation, inquiry, etc. – (i) sources (ii) development of arbitration
legislation (iii) law applicable to arbitration proceedings (c) nature of arbitration (d)
arbitration agreement.

JIL 410: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 11 (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Arbitration Tribunal – (i) number of arbitrators (ii) appointment of arbitrators (iii)
qualities of an arbitrator (iv) challenge and removal (b) Powers and duties of arbitrators (c)
arbitral proceedings (d) nature, type and enforcement of awards (e) conciliation – (i) general
principles (ii) appointment, role and functions(iii) procedure for conciliation.

38
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

JIL 411: Conflict of Laws I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Nature and scope of conflict of laws – internal and international conflicts (b) general
principles of conflicts of laws: (i) jurisdiction and exemption from jurisdiction of the courts
(ii) exclusion of foreign law / state laws (iii) characterization (iv) domicile and nationality
(v) renvoi.

JIL 412: Conflict of Laws II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

Conflict situations (internal and external) and choice of law in: (a) Law of PERSONS:
status, marriage and matrimonial causes, infants, legitimacy and legitimation and adoption,
lunatics, succession (b) law of obligations, particularly contract (c) Law of Tort (d) Law of
Property –movable and immovable (e) recognition and enforcement of foreign / state
judgments (f) the need for a uniform legal system.

PSY 411 Forensic Psychology (2 Units: LH 15)

Introduction to forensic psychology; definition and scope; art of identification of incidence;
interrogations and confessions using psychological skills; interviewing techniques. Crime
and delinquency; psychopathic behaviour and society; juvenile offender and the law; mental

T
status of the offender; social and psychological implications of legal judgments; crime
culture and prevention; mental health legislation.

500 LEVEL COURSES

AF
JIL 501: Jurisprudence and Legal Theory I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
Introduction: the purpose of the study of law and jurisprudence; nature, definition and scope
of jurisprudence; meaning and functions of law. (a) The relation of law to: (i) justice (ii)
morality (iii) religion (iv) law and social change; ethics, the relation of the above concepts
to customary law (b) Sources of law: (i) legislation, customs and judicial precedents (ii)
R
nature, ascertainment, applicability and the role of these courses in contemporary and early
society. (c) Analysis of fundamental legal concepts: rights, duty, liability, ownership,
possession, personality, liberty, sovereignty, etc.
D

JIL 502: Jurisprudence and Legal Theory II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

Theories of Law: (a) Natural Law School, (b) Historical School (c) Positivist Theory (d)
Sociological Theory (e) Pure Theory of Law (f) Marxist theory of law (g) Indigenous
theories and concepts of Law, customary law (i) Law Reform (j) codification, restatement,
adaptation and unification of Customary Law, realism, cultural and anthropological school,
and Jurimetrics.

PPL 501: Company Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Forms of Business Organization; Sole Proprietorship; Partnership; Incorporated
Companies; Creation and Incidents. (b) Formation of companies; Certificate of
Incorporation; Pre –incorporation contracts; promoter’s liability (c) Memorandum of
Association; Doctrine of Ultra – Vires; alteration of Memorandum and the Objects clause
(d) Articles of Association; Contractual effect of Memorandum and Articles; Alteration of
Articles, (e) doctrine of constructive notice and in-house management (f) prospectus;
statement in lieu of prospectus; Remedies for Misrepresentation (g) regulation of

39
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

company matters: Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Securities and Exchange

Commission (SEC).

PPL 502: Company Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Company securities; shares and debentures; becoming and ceasing to be a shareholder;
transfer of shares; floating charges (b) directors and other officers; appointment, removal,
duties, rights and powers (c) meetings resolutions (d) majority powers and minority rights;
prevention of oppression and mis-management (e) reconstructions and take – over, mergers
(f) winding up (in outline) (g) privatisation (h) partnership: relation of partners inter se and
to third parties; and dissolution of partnership.

PPL 503: Insurance Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Nature of insurance (b) purposes or functions of Insurance (c) types of insurance:
including marine insurance, life and personal accident insurance, motor vehicle insurance,
etc (d) Insurable interests and principles of Indemnity: parties to insurance contract;
assignment of insurance policies.

T
PPL 504: Insurance Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
(a) Underwriting and reinsurance claims and settlement of claims (b) state control of
insurance business (c) recapitalization of insurances businesses.
AF
PUL 505: Revenue / Taxation Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
(a) The nature, meaning and various forms of taxation (b) the general principles and
administration of tax and the rules governing residence and ordinary residence tax payers,
including individuals, trustees, companies and other business organizations (c) Definition,
ascertainment and computation of income for tax purposes e.g. deductions and allowances
which may be set against income.
R

PUL 506: Revenue / Taxation Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Different types of taxes (e.g., Personal Income Tax, Company Income taxe, and
D

petroleum Profit Taxes etc.) and related duties imposed by governments (b) taxing powers
of governments/ tax jurisdictions (c) the role of state and federal tax agencies: Federal Inland
Revenue Services (FIRS) (d) problems of double taxation, married women, and tax
exemption of pensions and gratuities (e) Tax treatment of groups of companies:
reconstructions, amalgamations and dividends.

CIL 507: Labour Law / Industrial Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Introduction: nature, history, sources and scope of labour law (b) contract of employment:
definition, formation, contents, Parties: young persons, apprentices, women (c) employees
duties: good faith, accountability, confidentiality, restraint of trade (d) termination of
contract of employment: performance, agreement, notice, summary dismissal, repudiation,
remedies for wrongful dismissal (e) safety at work – employer’s duty of care; vicarious
liability; Factory’s Act; Workmen’s Compensation Act, Reform.

40
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

CIL 508: Labour Law / Industrial Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Collective bargaining and collective agreement – framework, nature and legislation (b)
Trade Unions – Formation, rights, obligations, criminal liability, civil liability (c) Agencies
– I.A.P., N.I.C., P.P.I.B., Industrial Training Fund (d) Industrial Law and Economic
Development.

JIL 503: Oil and Gas Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) The Origin and occurrence of Oil and Natural gas (b) Theories of Ownership in Oil and
Gas (c) United Nations and Natural Resources (d) Interests in Oil and Gas – Oil concession,
effect of rights of concessionaires on natural gas (e) Expropriation of Rights in Oil and
Gas (f) Oil and Gas Pipelines – nature, legal status, conditions for grants, rights and
obligations of the licensees (h) legal framework of oil and gas in Nigeria.

JIL 504: Oil and Gas Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Refining petroleum and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) (b) pollution (c) oil and gas
revenue allocation (d) taxation of petroleum and natural gas (e) state participation in the
petroleum industry – Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) (g) human resources

T
development and technology transfer (h) Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (i)
local content

PPL 509: Conveyancing I

AF (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
The course concerns the law relating to the transfer of legal estates and interest in land. (a)
It examines capacity of parties (b) the contract for the transfer of a legal estate or interest in
land – leases, mortgages, and assignments (c) It also deals with the transfer of title to land
(d) the relevance of the study is examined in the light of the Land Use Act 1978.

PPL 510: Conveyancing II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

R
This course examines (a) the contents of a Conveyance (b) it also considers Wills and
Settlements (c) the relevance of the study is examined in the light of the Land Use Act 1978
(d) Transfer of interest under Customary Law and Islamic Law.
D

JIL 507: Comparative African Law I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

African Legal systems are underpinned by some shared characteristics, the focus of this
course includes (a) Introduction – the nature of African Legal Systems in their pre – colonial,
colonial and post – colonial settings; African Legal Mentalities i.e. Common law and Civil
law traditions as direct offshoot of colonial heritage (b) The Roles of the State, Religion,
Ideology and Society in influencing African Legal Systems (c) The Concepts of Legal
Pluralism and Conflict of Laws in Africa.

JIL 508: Comparative African Law II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Focus on specific legal areas in the laws of selected African States: (i) Family Law (ii)
Business Law (iii) Human Rights (iv) Labour Law (v) Environmental Law (vi) Criminal
Law (vii) Immigration Law; etc. (b) The African Union: Legal Aspects (c) Consideration of
a rationale for a future African Court of Justice for the continent.

41
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

ICL 509: Islamic Law of Crimes and Torts I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
Legal theory of Jinayat: (a) nature of Islamic criminal law: definition, classification of
crimes, scope of Islamic criminal law (b) objective of Islamic criminal law (Maqasid al
Shari’ah) (c) Sources of Islamic criminal law: Quran and hadith; Istinbat (d) criminal
responsibility, degrees of responsibility, defences (e) reflection of Islamic criminal law in
Nigerian legislation (f) Islamic school of law (g) Maliki school

ICL 510: Islamic Law of Crimes and Torts II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
Specific crimes and punishments: (a) Qisas offences (crimes against human life or body) –
homicide: hurts: types of hurts (b) Hudud offences (offences against the state) nature and
scope, specific Hudud offences, conditions, proof and penalties (c) Ta’zir offences,
differences between Ta’zir and Hudud / Qisas offences, proof and Penalties. Law of tortuous
liability: (i) introduction and scope of Dhaman – legal basis of tortuous liability (ii) principles
of Islamic law of torts (iii) injuries to property, injuries to the person (iv) liability relating to
control of animals and liability relating to buildings and dangerous structures.

ICL 506: Islamic Law of Transactions (Mu’amalat) I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

T
This part deals with the general principles of contract: (a) capacity of the contracting parties,
formation of contract, terms in the contract (b) conditions of validity (shurut al – siha, shurut
al – nafth, shurut al – luzum) (c) conditions and warranties (al – shurut fi al – aqd); theories
AF
of majlis al – aqd and khiyar al – majlis), options (Al – khiyarat) (d) void and voidable
contracts (e) termination of contract.

ICL 507: Islamic Law of Transactions (Mu’amalat) II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 45)

This part deals with specific contracts: (a) sale of goods, including auction sales, sales with
deposit, future sale, theory of gharar, rights of the seller and buyer (b) contracts of Hire
(including carriage of goods, lease and services) (c) contract of mortgage (d) partnership and
R
other joint ventures i.e. Mudhara’ah, Musaqat, Mudharabah (e) other specific contracts: qard,
ju’ala, wadi’ah, awqaf etc.
D

ICL 507: Islamic Law of Procedure and Evidence I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
Criminal Procedure: (a) Nature and meaning of criminal procedure (b) sources of Islamic
law of procedure, and courts vested with jurisdiction in Islamic criminal law (c) the roles of
legal practitioners (d) institution and methods of instituting criminal proceedings in the
Sharia Courts (e) Custody and bail of accused, process to compel attendance of accused,
power to search by Police and other officers (including a brief explanation of the status of
police in Sharia) (f) charges and complaints in Sharia Courts, preliminaries to trial, trial
and/or hearing, judgment, appeals.
Civil Procedure: (a) Sources of Islamic Civil Procedure (b) Appointment, qualification and
termination of Sharia Court judges (c) Sharia Courts vested with civil jurisdiction and other
matters to be considered before commencing an action (d) cause(s) of action and joinder of
causes, parties and joinder of parties (e) form and commencement of claim and statement of
defense (f) Interlocutory proceedings and /Injunctions (g) preliminaries before trial in Sharia
Courts, the trial or hearing of action; judgment, execution of judgment (h) Appeals and
judicial review; Arbitration and Settlement out of Court.

42
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

ICL 508: Islamic Law of Procedure and Evidence II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
(a) Law of evidence: meaning, nature and scope of law of evidence in Islamic law (b)
classification of law of evidence (c) sources of Islamic law of evidence; means of proof:
admission and confession, oral testimony and witnesses, documentary evidence, oath and
Nukoul (d) circumstantial evidence; burden of proof, standard of proof (e) facts the proof of
which are made in exceptional cases: character evidence, expert evidence, presumptions,
Estoppel, long possession (Hauzi) (f) wrongful admission and rejection of evidence.
ICL 504: Islamic Family Law and Succession I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
Law of Marriage: (a) contract of marriage: (i) preliminaries: betrothal: binding nature of
betrothal; withdrawal and betrothal gifts (ii) contract of marriage: definition of marriage;
capacity of contracting parties; guardianship of marriage; power of marriage guardians;
doctrines of different schools with regard to guardianship (iii) offer and acceptance, dower
(Mahr) (iv) void and voidable marriages: Shighar; Mut’ah, Muhallil; defects in spouses (v)
impediments to marriage: (permanent and temporary impediments) defects in spouses (vi)
polygamy: conditions of polygamy including equal treatment to co – wives (vii) rights and
duties of the spouses, rights of the husband, Rights of the wife, mutual rights (b) termination

T
of the contract of marriage: Repudiation: (Talaq), Khul’, termination by court decree: legal
grounds for obtaining court decree; Ila’ (vow of abstinence); Zihar (injurious assimilation);
Li’an (accusation of unchastity); defects; termination by death of either spouse (c) rights
AF
following termination: idda (waiting period), maintenance of wives and elatives,
maintenance of the children, fosterage and Hadanah: (Custody of the child) (d) establishment
of paternity (e) guardianship.

ICL 504: Islamic Family Law and Succession II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)
Law of Succession: (a) Intestate Succession (i) Introduction to the Law of Succession:
Elements of Succession, Estate, Causes of inheritance, conditions of inheritance,
R
Impediments to succession, evolution of the estate (ii) who are the legal heirs (Ashabul –
furud, Asabah, Cognatic heirs, Baitul – Mal as a quasi heir, doctrine of Radd (Return) (iii)
Distribution of Estate, awl (iv) Grandfather in competition with brothers and/or sisters (v)
D

the doctrine of priority (hajb) (b) bequests: (i) introduction to and definition of bequest
(Wasiyyah), Essentials to Bequest, Testator (Musi), Legatee (Musa Lahu), formalities
(Sigha), bequest object (Musa Bihi) (ii) validity of bequest: Invalid bequests, Ultra – vires
bequests, the doctrine of death sickness (maradul mawt).

ICL 509: Islamic Jurisprudence (Usul Al-Fiqh) I (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

This course gives (a) a general idea of the basic principles of Islamic jurisprudence (usul al
– fiqh), and (b) the techniques by which Muslim jurists derive and formulate rules of Islamic
law. (c) Definition, scope and evolution of the of usul al fiqh: (i) al – ahkam al – shariyya:
definition and essential constituents; classification of al ahkam al – shariyya (ii) main sources
of Islamic law: Quran, Sunna, Ijam and Quyas (iii) Nashk (abrogation).

ICL 510: Islamic Jurisprudence (Usul Al – Fiqh) II (4 Units: LH 45; PH 15)

(a) Subsidiary sources of Islamic law: Istislah, Istihasan, madhhab al – sahabi, urf, istishab
al – hal, etc (b) linguistic and legislative principles of interpretation: Ijtihad and Taqlid (c)
contemporary trends in interpretation of Islamic law.

43
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

LAW 599: Long Essay in the Final Year (Units 6)

Each final year law student will have an approved topic for research at the beginning of the
final year. Such a candidate will be expected to produce a well – researched essay containing
a minimum of 10,000 words under the supervision of a member of the academic staff in the
faculty.

For the sake of quality assurance and to underscore the importance of this essay, students
should be made to defend their work orally before a faculty panel who should determine the
final grade after thorough examination.

T
AF
R
D

44
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System
 Please, forward your comment on any section of this document to the following email:
[email protected]
You can also call the following phone numbers: 08033145087, 08033201097
All comments should be received before 31st October, 2015

SECTION FOUR:

PRACTICAL/CLINICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LAW PROGRAMME - LAW

CLINIC AND MOOT COURT

Preamble
Presented herein are facilities required to support the law programme.

4.1 Clinical Legal Training

4.1.1 Clinical and Moot Court Practice

Every Law Faculty shall have a Moot Court practice as part of the requirement for clinical
legal education, which shall be constructed to accommodate at least 100 (One hundred)
students per session. Clinical and Moot practice shall be available for the 400 Level class
to run for one session, incorporated into a curriculum that spans across clinical legal
training of the students legal research, writing and advocacy.

T
4.1.2 Tutorials and Clinical Rooms
Every Faculty shall have tutorial and clinical rooms, apart from Lecture theatres and
auditoria, specifically designated for tutorials and clinical activities, which shall be
AF
constructed to accommodate not less than 30 (thirty) students and not more than 50 (fifty)
students.

4.1.3 Innovative and Quality – Enhancing Strategies

Inter – university visitations should be taken periodically to ensure that performance is in
line with the benchmark statements;
R
a) Inter – university short – term exchange programmes should be established and fully
encouraged to allow free movement of experienced academics to service less –
experienced faculties;
D

b) Each institution should, as a matter of monitoring, demand yearly reports from

faculties on their achievements during the year; and

c) The regulatory body should encourage inter-university visitations aimed at

evaluating compliance with the benchmark statements.

45
BMAS Law
PLEASE NOTE: Conclusive statement
shall be made on the minimum CGPA of 1.5
for graduation after the forthcoming workshop on
Grading System