Second Term Lesson Note for Week Three.
Class : JSS 2
Subject : Civic Education
Topic : The Rule of Law.
Duration : 40 Minutes
Period : Single Period
Reference Book :
- Civic Education for Junior Secondary School, JSS 2.
- Lagos State Unified schemes of work for Junior Secondary School, JSS 1 – 3.
- Online Resources
Instructional Material :
Learning Objectives : By the end of the lesson the student will be able to :
i. Explain the meaning of law and rule of law.
ii. Mention some of the principles of rule of law.
iii. State the benefit of the rule of law.
Content :
MEANING OF LAW AND THE RULE OF LAW.
Law is the set of rules and regulations by which a society is governed to maintain peace and orderliness.
The rule of law means the supremacy of law over the citizens in a country. The equality of every citizen before the law and the presence of individual right.
Professor A.V. Dicey, profound the doctrine that leaders should abide by the rule of law and govern the people according to the provision of the constitution of the country.
PRINCIPLES / FEATURES OF RULE OF LAW
The rule of law has the following principle as explained by Prof. A.V. Dicey
1. PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW: There is no citizens that is above the law. The law should apply to all with respect for person and without respect for person. Hence, all citizens should be equal before the law.
2. PRINCIPLE OF IMPARTIALITY: These includes that suspects should not be detained for more than twenty – four hours. An offender should still be innocent until he is proven guilty by the process in the court.
3. THE PRINCIPLES OF SUPREMACY: Nobody is above the law of supremacy over all.
4. PRINCIPLES OF FAIR HEARING: People arrested for an offence should be given fair hearing through formal legal process in the court before condemned or sentence to jail.
5. RIGHT OF APPEAL: When a lower court’s judgment on an individual is not satisfied, he should appeal in a higher court.
6. FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT: The right of individual should be enthrenched in the constitution enforced and guaranteed.
BENEFITS OF THE RULE OF LAW OVER ARBITARY RULE
1. It protects citizens against arbitrary rule: Rule of law ensures that citizens have access to seek re-dress in court when they feel cheated or their right is infringed upon.
2. Guarantees the fundamental human right: It makes every citizen enjoy the fundamental human rights as stated in the constitution.
3. Ensures process freedom: Journalist have freedom (though not without limits) to express views about government policies and how they affect the masses. This freedom leaves journalist unpunished for pointing out areas where government is not performing.
4. Prevent unlawful detention: No person should be detained beyond 24hours before trial in court. Individuals can see government and its agents for unlawful arrest or detention.
5. Allows for equality of all citizens: Under the rule of law, there is no sacred cow. The law applies to all and all citizens are equal before the law.
6. Give rooms for appeal: When judgement given by a lower court is not satisfactory, rule of law gives room for appeal to a higher court.
EVALUATION :
1. What is law?
2. _______________ means the supremacy of law over the citizens in a country
3. Who profound the rule of law?
4. Mention three principles of the rule of law.
5. State four benefit of the rule of law over arbitrary laws.
CONCLUSION : The teacher summarizes and goes over the lesson again for a better understanding. He/ she marks the students notebooks and makes corrections where necessary.
