This book is the third series of Babcock University Essays on Contemporary Legal Issues. The theme is unique in the African terrain, exploring law as it were in other disciplines particularly in the sciences and social sciences. The role of law in these sectors in Africa demands urgent consideration across the continent and more so in Nigeria being the largest country in the continent.
Law, as we all know, operates on fact of life. These facts give law its life, purpose and nourishment. Science and the Politics of Knowledge are undoubtedly relevant for discussions in all areas of law as they are in social sciences. How law interacts with science is more critical now than ever before. There are often-overlapping clusters of issues regarding: Technology, Medicine, Environment, Health, Intellectual Properties, Sustainable Development, Civil Liberties, Knowledge Systems, Economic Development, Philosophies and Methodologies.
The legal profession in Nigeria should begin to engage with scientists to tackle pressing regulatory and public policy issues. Discussions on science often lead to discussions on knowledge. Contemporary societies are indeed knowledge societies highlighting the interaction between science, knowledge and knowledge production which is fundamental to all societies regardless of their level of development. Thus it is about time lawyers, scientists and social scientists examine the inevitable nexus between law and science across various fields of knowledge.
The articles in chapters 1 - 5 inquire into issues related to health and medicines in Nigeria and Africa generally. New techniques in the medical field are examined in relation to the advancement of technology and law. Traditional medicine in contrast to these new techniques is also investigated as a means of enriching healthcare and seeking a means for its protection. In chapters 6 - 7, the rights of children regarding customary practices in relation to marriage and health issues of children with disabilities is examined. Chapters 8 - 11 focus on African philosophies from the perspective of corporate governance, inheritance to the politics of knowledge and access to justice
through customary laws.
Chapter 12 is on the most controversial area of technology, that is, artificial intelligence, while chapters 13, 14 and 15 takes us into the international arena, looking at refugee settlement in Africa; constraints on control of oil multinational corporations in Nigeria and Iran and a critique of the agreement on Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) as it relates to traditional medicine. Chapter 16 is on companies and regulatory procedures in Nigeria. Chapter 17 tackles issues involved in secured credit transactions in Nigeria while chapter 18 explores environmental practices and enforcement procedures regarding bush burning in Nigeria.