Rule of Law I

Civic Education S.S.S 3 Second term

WEEK 1

Rule of Law I

Performance Objectives

Student should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning and importance of the Rule of Law

Content

1. Meaning and definition of Rule of Law

2. Importance of Rule of Law

 

Meaning of Rule of Law

Rule of law is defined as the absolute supremacy of the law over everyone, both the leaders and all the proceeding in a state.

Professor A.V. Dicey, a professor of law, emphasised that "those entrusted with the administration of a country, should rule or exercise their authority in accordance with the established laws of the laws; and such established laws should be regarded as supreme ". The laws of any land supersedes all her citizens.

"The rule of law is simply the people's cognisance of laws and living below it". Rule of law is one of the basic fundamental principles of every constitution of the states of the world, with few modifications from one state to the other in the style of its application.

Importance of Rule Of Law

1. Equality before the law

Dicey sees men to be equal before the law of the land/State. This simply means that no one is above law and the law is no respect for any persons. Rather, people should take cognisance of the rule of laws and respect them. The leaders and the led, rich and poor, able and disable are all equal before the law and the importance of the rule of law here is to preserve the law from been manipulated or abused by anyone.

2. Impartiality

Dicey believes in the legality of the law before everyone, which means due process in the application of the law and in the dealing with offenders. The importance of the rule of law here is that it applies the same level of punishment for offenders no matter the person's status. People with laws should avoid been partial.

3. Rights of the individual

Citizens of a country should enjoy certain basic inalienable rights and liberties under the law, the violation of which they have the rights to seek redress in the law court.

4. It helps to reduce the rate of crimes in any given state.

5. The rule of law protects the state and people against the arbitrary rule of any kind.

6. It ensures the independence of the judiciary in the state.

7. It brings about good government and development.

8. It gives the citizens confidence in the government and ensures or guarantees legitimacy and stableness of government.