An Examination of the Constitutionality of the Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta Region of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Abstract

The collapse of social values, failure of leadership, and neglect of the youth is now a current problem in Nigeria. This vice now increases the spate of unemployment, abject poverty; illiteracy, frustrations and the resurgence of many militant and terrorist groups in different part of the country. This work examines the Amnesty granted by the Federal; Republic of Nigeria to the Militants disturbing the oil production and vandalizing many oil pipelines in South-South region of the country vis-a-vis the provisions of the constitution and draws a legal opinion whether going by the constitution the Amnesty programme is not unconstitutional or null and void. The paper further examine if Amnesty is the lasting solution to the problem in the region considering the unabated activities of the militants despite the amnesty programme. In the final analysis, the paper posited that since amnesty programme is yet to be passing into law, it is unconstitutional. For it to be constitutional, there is a need for the presidency to approach the National Assembly to make law permitting the president to grant Amnesty to the militants and other related groups who are willing to voluntarily make peace.

Keywords: Constitutionality, Amnesty, Niger Delta Region.