Punishable Offences And Punishment For Breaking the Law

People commit lots of offences in their activities or relationships with others that are punishable by law. There are various types and degrees of offences commensurate with their punishment.

There are two classes of offences:

1. Criminal offences
2. Civic offences

CRIMINAL OFFENCES:

There are severe offences with severe penalties. Though a citizen must be tried in the court of law and found guilty of such offences before punishment is meted out with respect to the provision of law.

Criminal offences include crimes like bribery, drug trafficking, corruption and human trafficking. Criminal offences may attract jail terms and death penalties.

CIVIC OFFENCES:

They are less critical offences, yet they attract penalties. They include libel, prostitution, slander, sanitation offences and so on.

They are punishable by imprisonment and short detention sentences. The state and the rule of law: In this context, ‘state’ means the nation or country. Institutions or arms of government that help in formulating and enforcement of the rule of law include the legislature, executive, judiciary and the law enforcement agencies such as police, EFCC, ICPC and so on.

THE LEGISLATURE:

The aim of government is for a country.

Legislature and the rule of law

In formulating and enforcing the rule of law, the legislature.

1. Makes necessary laws that help in protecting the rule of law
2. Make amendments to constitution when necessary
3. Helps in establishing law enforcement agencies like NAFDAC, EFCC, NHRC, INEC etc.
4. Has power to impeach the president in case he abuse power
5. Has the power to investigate financial activities of any government departments.

THE EXECUTIVE:

This aim of government implements and enforces the law and other government politics.

THE ROLE IN ENFORCING AND FORMULATING THE LAW

1. It protects lives and properties through law enforcement agents like the police, NAFDAC etc.
2. It helps in implanting all laws made by the legislature
3. The president with his cabinet has the duty to defend the constitution
4. It advices the legislature when there is need to amend the constitution (electrical laws in Nigeria was amended before April 2012 general election)
5. Imposes curfew whenever there is chaos and commotion in the country.

3. THE JUDICIARY:

The judiciary interprets the law

THE ROLE OF THE JUDICIARY INCLUDES

1. It helps in interpreting the law
2. It fights against any constitutional abuse or violation by other arms of government, individuals or organisations.
3. It punishes violation of the law
4. It determines the quality and punishes them accordingly
5. It has the power to release anyone unjustly detained.

THE POLICE

The police have the right to enforce the laws, preserve peace, reduce fear and provide for a safe environment.

Partnership with the communities to enforce quality of life is also part of their responsibilities.

ROLES OF POLICE

1. Protect lives and properties
2. Protects and arrest suspects
3. Maintain law and order in the society
4. Settle minor disputes that may culminate into breakdown of law and order
5. Fights crime by preventing it and by rigorous pursuit of violates of law
6. Investigate criminal cases and presents suspect in court.

THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (EFCC)

This was set up in 2002. It focuses on combining financial and economic crimes. The commission is empowered to prevent, investigate and penalise economic and financial crimes.

It also enforces other laws and regulations related to economic or financial environments such as embezzlement of public funds, fraud etc.

THE INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES COMMUNICATION (ICPC)

This communication was established on September 29^th 2000 to compliants, investigates and persecute corrupt people. It is also to enlighten the public about the fight against bribery, corruption and related offences. The major role of the commission is to make Nigeria socially free from corruption in forms of misappropriation of fund and illegal punishment.

THE NATIONAL AGENCIES FOR FOOD AND DRUGS ADMISSION AND CONTROL (NAFDAC)

NAFDAC was established by decree of 1993 but officially established a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Health on January 1^st, 1994, to regulate and control the quality of foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical services, chemical detergents and packaged water imported and locally made distributed in Nigeria.

FUNCTIONS OF NAFDAC

1. Regulatory Functions: it controls importation of exportation, manufacture, advertisement, distribution, sales of drugs, cosmetics etc.
2. Inspection Functions: It inspects imported goods, drugs, cosmetics, etc. by establishing the quality and certifying the production site of production.
3. Registration Functions: It registers food, drugs, bottled water and chemicals.
4. Investigation Functions: Investigate production premises and raw materials for food and drugs.

THE NATIONAL DRUG AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (NDLEA)

It was established by Decree 48 of 2000. It was the sole agency for drug enforcement in Nigeria.

FUNCTIONS OF NDLEA

1. The coordination of all drug laws and enforcement functions conferred on any person or authority.
2. Adoption of measures to eradicate illegal cultivation of narcotic plants and eliminate illicit demand for them and psychotropic substances
3. Maintenance of investigation and control techniques
4. Improving on eradication efforts
5. Improving enforcement of laws against illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
6. Elements and preventing major causes of the problems of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.