Academic Activities

FACULTY OF LAW ACADEMIC PROGRAMME / CURRICULUM

The academic programme/curriculum is designed to meet the minimum standards stipulated by the National Universities Commission in terms of entry requirements, programme content, organization, delivery and duration of courses. The idea is to provide students with training in independent and analytical or synthesized reasoning, resulting in the final year project, which aims at integrating the various facets of the students’ programme. The project is a report/thesis followed by an oral defence of the report/thesis by each student.

The time limit for the completion of any programme shall not be longer than 150% of the prescribed duration for the programme provided, however, that time does dot run while a student is on suspension.

Degree Programme

The Faculty offers a four or five- year Degree Programme and prepares students for the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Degree.

The programme comprises a series of courses made up of General Study Courses, Inter-Faculty Courses and Faculty Courses. All the Inter-Faculty Courses, General Study and Faculty Courses other than Elective/Optional Faculty Courses are compulsory.

General Study Courses (GSS): Use of English, Nigerian Peoples and Culture, History and Philosophy of Science and Basic Studies in Igbo.

Inter-Faculty Courses: Computer Programming, Principles of Economics, Principles of Accounting, Introduction to Sociology, Introduction to Political Science, Introduction to Psychology, Literature in English, Introduction to Mass Communication and Application of Computer to Legal Studies. These are non-law courses.

Faculty Courses: Logic and Philosophical Thoughts, Legal Methods, Law of Contract, Law of Torts, Constitutional Law, Nigerian Legal System, Criminal Law, Commercial Law, Property/Land Law, Equity and Trust; Law of Evidence, Jurisprudence and Legal Theory, Company Law, Clinical Legal Education and Long Essay.

Elective/Optional Faculty Courses:

Law Courses:  Industrial/Labour Law, Banking and Insurance, Law of Intellectual and Industrial Property, Women and Minority Rights, Law of Energy and Natural Resources, Law of Arbitration, Administrative Law, Shipping Law, Environmental and Planning Law, Conveyancing law, Public International Law, Introduction to Advocacy, Family Law and Law of Taxation.

Academic Year

Each year is divided into two semesters of about 15 weeks each. At the end of a semester, the students take examinations in the courses they registered. A student shall not qualify to participate in the examinations if he fails to attend at least 75% of the lectures delivered in a course.

Five-Year Programme:

First Year

In the first semester, ten courses are done, while eight are done in the second semester. Only two of these are law courses. The courses in law lay the foundation for law courses for the students.

The non-law courses are University-wide and inter-faculty courses, which are geared towards the general mental development of the students and are also intended to acquaint them with the general principles of other disciplines.

In addition, the first year of the student commences with an intensive one-week Introduction to Law course in which students are given a brief introduction to some essential terms and techniques and are taught how to use a law library.

Second Year

In each semester, four compulsory law courses comprising fundamental branches of the law are studied. One non-law course is taught in the first and second semesters. In addition, students take lectures in entrepreneurial studies in the second semester although this does not count in the computation of the GPA.

Third Year

In the third year, which is also divided into two semesters, four law courses are studied: two of them are compulsory and the other two are electives. In addition, two non-law courses are studied in the first semester with one in the second semester.

Fourth Year

Each semester of the fourth year has five courses. Four of them are law courses, and one is non-law. Three of the law courses are compulsory, and one is an elective. The Faculty is currently consulting on the modalities for the introduction of public interest courses in community work, prison internships and minority and indigent protection services at this level of study.

Fifth Year

Six courses per semester are studied in the 5th year; five of them are law courses. Three of the Law courses are compulsory while the other two are electives.

In addition, the Faculty offers a four- year programme to direct entry students.

 

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Law Faculty, a candidate must have credit level passes in at least five subjects at either the West African School Certificate (WASC) examination or the General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination at ordinary level, or the Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSSC) examination, (or the equivalent) obtained in not more than two sittings. These subjects must include English Language, English Literature, Mathematics or a Science subject, taken from Physics, Biology, Chemistry or Agricultural Science.

In addition, the candidate must either-

Pass the University Tertiary and Matriculation Examination (UTME) or

hold a Degree, Diploma, HND, or NCE from a recognized institution or credit level passes in 3 subjects at GCE “A” level.

Candidates who qualify by alternative (a), that is via UTME, are admitted to the full five-year course. Those who qualify by alternative (b) that is holders of Degrees, HND, etc. are admitted into year two, of the programme, and run a four-year course.

Competition for places in law is intense throughout the country and possession of any of the above basic qualifications does not necessarily ensure entry. Admissions are based on merits and the National Universities’ Commission/ Council of legal Education admission quota.

 

Academic Advising

Every new student shall, upon completion of registration, be assigned to an academic adviser who shall be a lecturer in his department and who shall provide the student with assistance on academic matters as well as personal counselling.

A student may have the same academic adviser for the duration of his programme (for the sake of continuity) except in compelling circumstances where a change may be necessary and may then be made by the Dean.

Student academic advising shall be complemented with Student Counselling Services which is provided on a University-wide basis.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate, a student must complete ten/eight semesters of at least thirty-eight credit units and not more than forty-eight credit units in each academic year. A credit unit means one lecture hour, or one tutorial hour, or three hours of a practical class, per week throughout a semester. Every student in the final year must participate in the compulsory research project and present an original dissertation (Long Essay) on an approved topic from any of the law courses offered in the Faculty of Law.

 

Teaching Methods

In every law course studied, a student will receive instructions normally by way of weekly lectures, tutorials and clinical education.

 

Evaluation of Students’ Work

The system of continuous assessment of the student is adopted. This is carried out through seminar presentations, take-home and on-the-spot tests and examinations during the two semesters. For the final degree examinations, an external examiner is always engaged to assess the students work before final computation of the results.

Five Year Programme

First Year

S/NO

 

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE

 

FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER TOTAL CREDIT
General Courses
1 GSS 101 Use of English I&II 1 2 3
2 GSS 107 Nigerian People and Culture 2 2
3

 

GSS 104

 

History and Philosophy of Science 2

 

 

2

 

4 GSS 108 Basic Studies in Igbo 1 1
Inter-Faculty courses
5 ECO 111/112 Principles of Economics 3 3
6 LIT 101/2 Literature in English I & II 3 3 6
7 MAC 101/2 Introduction to Mass Communication 3 3 6
8 CSE

101/2

Computer Programming 1&11 3

 

3

 

6

 

Faculty Courses
9

 

LAW

123/4

Logic & Philosophical Thoughts I & II 3 3 6
10

 

LAW

121/2

Legal Methods I&II

 

2

 

2

 

4

 

TOTAL 23 17 40

 

Second Year

S/NO

 

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE

 

FIRST SEMESTER (Credit load) SECOND SEMESTER (Credit load) TOTAL CREDIT

 

Inter-Faculty Courses
1 PSY 111/2 Psychology 3 3 6
2.

 

SOC 111/2

 

Introduction to Sociology  I & II 2

 

2

 

4

 

Faculty Courses
2 LAW 211/2 Law of Contract I & II 4 4 8
3 LAW 291/292 Law of Torts I& II 4 4 8
4 LAW 281/282 Constitutional Law I & II 4 4 8
5

 

LAW 261/262 Nigerian Legal System I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

TOTAL 21 21 42

 

Third Year

S/NO

 

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE

 

FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER TOTAL CREDIT
Inter-Faculty Courses
1

 

ACC 101/2 Principles of Accounting I & II 3

 

3

 

6

 

Faculty Courses
2

 

LAW 381/382 Criminal Law I & II

 

4

 

4

 

8

 

3 LAW 311/312 Commercial Law I & II 4 4 8
Elective – Two Courses
4

 

LAW 341/342 Industrial/Labour Law I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

5

 

LAW 321/322 Law of Banking and Insurance I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

6

 

LAW 331/332 Law of Intellectual & Industrial Property I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

TOTAL 19 19 38

 

Fourth Year

S/NO

 

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE

 

FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER TOTAL CREDIT
Inter-Faculty Course
1

 

PSC 101/2

 

Introduction to Political Science I&II 3

 

3

 

6

 

Faculty Courses
2 LAW 4 17/8 Property/ Land Law I & II 4 4 8
3 LAW 43 3/4 Equity and Trusts 1 & 11 4 4 8
4 LAW 435/6 Law of Evidence I & II 4 4 8
Electives – One Course
5

 

LAW 42 1/2

 

Women & Minority Rights I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

6

 

LAW 4 15/6

 

Law of Energy & Natural Resources I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

7 LAW 43 1/2 Law of Arbitration I&II 4 4 8
8

 

LAW 437/438

 

Administrative Law

1&11

4

 

4

 

8

 

9 LAW 439/440 Maritime Law 1 & 11 4 4 8
TOTAL 19 19 38

 

Fifth Year

S/NO

 

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE

 

FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER TOTAL CREDIT
Faculty Courses
1

 

LAW/527/8 Jurisprudence & Legal Theory I &II 4

 

4

 

8

 

2 LAW 525/6 Long Essay I &II 3 3 6
3 LAW 518/9 Company Law I &II 4 4 8
4 CLE 535/6 Clinical Legal Education 4 4 8
Electives – Two Courses
A

 

LAW 513/4 Environmental & Planning Law I &II 4

 

4

 

8

 

B LAW 5 11/2 Conveyancing Law I -II 4 4 8
C

 

LAW 520/1

 

Public International Law I &II 4

 

4

 

8

 

D

 

LAW 534/5 Introduction to Advocacy I &II 4

 

4

 

8

 

E LAW 533/4 Family Law I &II 4 4 8
F LAW 515/6 Law of Taxation I&II 4 4 8
TOTAL 23 23 46

GRAND TOTAL 40+ 42+ 38+38 + 46 = 204

Four- Year Programme

First Year

S/NO

 

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE

 

FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER TOTAL CREDIT
Inter-Faculty Courses
1.

 

PSY111/2

 

Psychology I&II 2

 

2

 

4

 

2.

 

SOC 111/2

 

Introduction to Sociology I&II 2

 

2

 

4

 

3 CSE 101/2 Computer Programming I&II 3 3 6
Faculty Courses
4 LAW 12 1/2 Legal Method 2 2 4
5 LAW 2 11/2 Law of Contract I & II 4 4 8
6 LAW 23 1/2 Law of Torts I & II 4 4 8
7 LAW 239/40 Constitutional Law I & II 4 4 8
8

 

LAW 243/4 Nigerian Legal System I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

TOTAL 23 23 46

 

Second Year

S/NO

 

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE

 

FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER TOTAL CREDIT
General Courses
1 GSS 101/2 Use of English I&II 1 2 3
2

 

GSS 107

 

Nigerian People and Culture 2

 

 

2

 

3

 

GSS 104 History and Philosophy of Science 2

 

 

2

 

4. GSS 108/09 Basic Studies in Igbo 1 1 2
Inter-Faculty Course
5.

 

ACC 101/2 Principles of Accounts I & II 3

 

3

 

6

 

Faculty Courses
6. LAW 344/5 Criminal Law I&II 4 4 8
7 LAW 346/7 Commercial Law I & II 4 4 8
Electives- Two Courses
8.

 

LAW 350/1 Industrial/Labour Law I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

9

 

LAW 33 1/2 Banking & Insurance I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

8 LAW 335/6 Law of Intellectual

and Industrial

Property I & II

4 4 8
TOTAL 25 22 47

 

Third Year

S/NO

 

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE

 

FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER TOTAL CREDIT
Inter-Faculty Course
1

 

PSC 101/2

 

Introduction to Political Science 3

 

3

 

6

 

Faculty Course
3

 

LAW 123/4

 

Logic and Philosophical Thought I & II 3

 

3

 

6

 

4

 

LAW 417/8 Property / Land Law I & 11 4

 

4

 

8

 

5 LAW 433/44 Equity and Trusts 1 & 11 4 4 8
6 LAW 435/6 Law of Evidence I & II 4 4 8
Electives – One Course
7

 

LAW 42 1/2

 

Women & Minority Right I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

8

 

LAW 415/6

 

Law of Energy & Natural Resources I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

9 LAW 43 1/2 Law of Arbitration 4 4 8
10 LAW 437/8 Administrative Law I&II 4 4 8
11 LAW 439/40 Maritime Law 4 4 8
TOTAL 22 22 44

 

Fourth Year

S/NO

 

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE

 

FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER TOTAL CREDIT
Faculty Courses
1

 

LAW 527/8 Jurisprudence and Legal Theory 4

 

4

 

8

 

2 LAW 535/6 Long Essay 3 3 6
3 LAW 5 18/9 Company Law I &II 4 4 8
4 CLE 529/530 Clinical Legal Education 4 4 8
Electives – Two Courses
5

 

LAW 513/4 Environmental & Planning Law I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

6 LAW 511/2 Conveyancing Law I & II 4 4 8
7

 

LAW 520/1 Public International Law I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

8

 

LAW 534/5 Introduction to Advocacy I & II 4

 

4

 

8

 

9 LAW 533/4 Family Law I & II 4 4 8
10 LAW 515/6 Law of Taxation I&II 4 4 8
TOTAL 23 23 46

GRAND TOTAL CREDIT: 46+47+44+46 =183