THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INJUNCTIONS IN THE DISPENSATION OF JUSTICE IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The topic of this research is „THE SINIFICANCE OF INJUNCTIONS IN THE DISPENSATIN OF JUSTICE IN NIGERIA‟. Injunctions are court orders prohibiting someone from doing some specified act or commanding someone to undo some wrong or injury. Injunctions are ordinarily and properly elicited from proceedings in courts. The main feature of injunction is the maintenance of the res or status quo that is the subject matter of the dispute or litigation. The problem treated in this research work arose from the literatures reviewed and the practical experience of the writer in the area of the research. The legal requirements and procedure for applying for the grant of the equitable remedy of injunction are so difficult to be met by an applicant for the injunctive order, requirements such as the need that an applicant must prove that he has a legal right to be protected over the subject matter he is seeking injunction for. This research work critically looked at this problem with the view to proffering solutions to them. This research work aimed at identifying the significance of the equitable remedies of interim and interlocutory injunctions in justice dispensation in Nigeria. Furthermore, the objectives this research work set out to achieve includes; critical discussion and analysis of interim and interlocutory injunctions. The methodology employed in this research work is mainly doctrinal. It has been conducted mostly in the library through the use of both primary and secondary sources of law. It has been observed that there exist a fundamental contradiction or legal conflict between the constitutional doctrine of Audi altera patem rule for the fair hearing of all the parties before the court decide on a matter on the one part and the rules of courts and the various High court Rules which specifically provide and empower the courts to hear one party, consider and grant or refuse the application where the court is faced with an application for interim injunction. It is recommended that the two legal principles be allowed to subsist as each one is important for the determination of the case.

CHAPTER ONE/GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Background of the study 

The process of instituting an action in court in order to redress a wrong takes considerable time. Owing to the peculiar state of affairs in Nigeria, calling the court into action to determine the respective rights of parties consumes considerable time with possible harm to the subject matter of the suit. The subject matter in law is commonly referred to as the “res”. The res, in deserving circumstances would need to be preserved from waste, destruction or dissipation by any of the parties.

The history of injunction could be traced to the later part of the 16^th century when quarrel between common and Chancery over the power of the Chancery to issue injunction in the cases before it became manifest¹. Justice Coke was the Chief Judge of the Common Law Counts while Lord Ellesmere was the Lord Chancellor in Chancery. Chancery‟s jurisdiction was challenged by Justice Coke, notably its power to grant common injunction restraining the enforcement of judgment decided by the Common law courts. Justice Coke threatened to issue a writ of prohibition against Chancery‟s interference with judgments/decisions of the Common law courts by its issuance of common injunction².

Nevertheless, Lord Ellesmere of the Chancery division pronounced that Chancery had the power to grant common injunction against the judgments of the Common law courts that were oppressive or without conscience. The conflict was settled in the case of Earl of Oxford which was decided in favour of the Chancery that it can give an injunction against the judgments of the Common law courts.