VIEWS ON THE ECHOING INFLUENCE OF THE COMMON LAW ON THE NIGERIAN LEGAL SYSTEM

Abstract

Nigeria as a former British colony owes the development of its legal system to the English common law. Postindependence and even till date, the common law has remained a major influence on the Nigerian legal system. Although, the common law was statutorily received as a source of law in Nigeria via Ordinance No 3 of 1863 which provides that the common law of England, rules of equity and statutes of general application in force in England as at the 1st of January, 1900 be made applicable in Nigeria and an independent Nigeria has since developed its own legal system, yet the indirect influence of common law resonates in almost all aspects of laws in Nigeria. This paper therefore attempts an analysis of some of the Nigerian judicial authorities which reflects the echoing influence of the common law on the Nigerian legal system with special emphasis on the criminal law, civil law of tort, contract law, company law, constitutional law and labour law. It concludes that the common law is still a strong influence more than sixty years post independence.