Introduction To Nigeria Criminal Law

1. Define the sources of Nigerian Criminal Law.
2. Define crime and its elements.
3. Classify offences into felonies, misdemeanors, and simple offences.
4. Understand the elements of specific offences such as homicide, stealing, and rape.
5. Identify the roles and responsibilities of parties to an offence.
6. Understand the role of the police in the administration of criminal justice.

13 weeks, about 42 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1:

   • Unit 1: History and Sources of Nigerian Criminal Law · 3 hours

     Read the introduction to Nigerian Criminal Law.. Identify the sources of Nigerian Criminal Law.. Understand the purpose of Criminal Law..

2. Week 2Module 1:

   • Unit 2: The Definition of Crime · 3 hours

     Define crime from juristic, judicial, and statutory perspectives.. Distinguish crime from sin and immorality.. Analyze the elements of crime..

3. Week 3Module 1:

   • Unit 3: Elements of an Offence · 3 hours

     Understand the physical and mental elements of an offence.. Examine the concurrence of physical and mental elements.. Explore exceptions to the concurrence principle..

4. Week 4Module 1:

   • Unit 4: Classification of Offences · 3 hours

     Classify offences into felonies, misdemeanors, and simple offences.. Explain the principle of no liability without fault.. Identify the sources of the principle..

5. Week 5Module 1:

   • Unit 5: Homicide (General Aspects) · 3 hours

     Define homicide and its general aspects.. Understand the physical element of homicide.. Analyze the issue of causation in homicide cases..

6. Week 6Module 1:

   • Unit 6: Parties to an Offence · 3 hours

     Identify the different parties to an offence.. Distinguish between principal offenders and accessories.. Understand the liability of an accessory after the fact..

7. Week 7Module 1:

   • Unit 7: Stealing · 3 hours

     Define stealing and its elements.. Understand the concepts of taking and converting.. Identify the specific intents in stealing..

8. Week 8Module 1:

   • Unit 8: Obtaining by False Pretence · 3 hours

     Define obtaining by false pretences.. Understand the elements of obtaining.. Analyze the concept of pretence and its falsity..

9. Week 9Module 2:

   • Unit 1: Receiving Stolen Goods · 3 hours

     Define receiving stolen goods and its elements.. Understand the concept of receiving dishonestly.. Analyze the element of guilty knowledge..

10. Week 10Module 2:

    • Unit 2: Burglary and House Breaking · 3 hours

      Define burglary and house breaking.. Understand the elements of breaking and entering.. Analyze the intent required for these offences..

11. Week 11Module 2:

    • Unit 3: Treason · 3 hours

      Define treason and its elements.. Understand the concept of levying war.. Analyze the concept of treasonable felonies..

12. Week 12Module 2:

    • Unit 4: The Offence of Rape · 3 hours

      Define the offence of rape and its elements.. Understand the concepts of carnal knowledge and consent.. Analyze the mental elements required for the offence..

13. Week 13Module 2:

    • Unit 5: Theories and Types of Punishment · 3 hours

      Examine the theories and types of punishment.. Understand the principles of retribution, deterrence, and rehabilitation.. Analyze the general principles of sentencing..

    • Unit 7: The Police and the Administration of Criminal Justice · 3 hours

      Understand the role of the police in the administration of criminal justice.. Analyze the powers and duties of the police.. Examine the procedures for arrest, search, and bail..