By
Olaniyi Grace
Although legal writing is frequently thought of as a tool for academics and attorneys, it has played a significant role in influencing Nigeria’s advocacy and social justice movements. It serves as a strong voice for the voiceless, the foundation of reform movements, and the unseen force behind legal triumphs. Legal writing has shown to be an essential tool for change in Nigeria, where human rights abuses and social injustice are still rampant. With an emphasis on topics that are frequently overlooked yet have enormous transformational potential, legal writing has been and still is a catalyst for activism in Nigeria.
The capacity of legal writing to preserve and convert Nigeria’s diverse array of native laws into written frameworks is among its most alluring features. In Nigeria, a lot of communities still settle disagreements orally. Without adequate documentation, these customs—which are frequently easier to access and more culturally relevant than formal legal systems—run the risk of disappearing. By formally acknowledging their justice systems, legal writers who take on the task of codifying these traditions empower communities in addition to preserving history. In addition to safeguarding cultural identity, this endeavour makes it possible to improve these customs by eliminating aspects that might be in opposition to basic human rights, like gender parity.
Though the legal community frequently emphasizes courtroom advocacy, journalists with strong legal writing skills have revealed corruption and injustice that would otherwise go unnoticed. For example, a 2017 Premium Times report on the mismanagement of funds in the oil sector sparked national outrage and policy discussions. These investigative pieces, which are often based on legal principles and supported by thorough research, fuel public advocacy campaigns and force institutions to act. The art of fusing legal facts with storytelling is one that moves hearts and changes minds.
Although Nigeria’s Constitution under Chapter II outlines fundamental objectives, such as the right to healthcare and education, these rights are non-justiciable, meaning they cannot be enforced in court. Nevertheless, through careful legal argumentation in policy briefs, public commentaries, and advocacy campaigns, legal writers have pushed for legislative reforms to give these rights enforceable status. This advocacy doesn’t always make the headlines, but it lays the groundwork for transformative legal shifts. The legal writer is another unsung hero in the advocacy landscape.
It’s not just about formal reports and policy documents. Legal writing has also seeped into Nigeria’s vibrant creative industries. Behind the booming Nollywood scene and the global rise of Afrobeats is an army of legal minds crafting contracts, licensing agreements, and intellectual property protections. These legal documents do more than protect artists’ earnings; they enable creators to use their platforms for advocacy without fear of exploitation. Songs and films can then freely tackle issues such as police brutality, gender-based violence, and systemic corruption, amplifying social justice messages far and wide.
The role of legal writing in environmental advocacy is another overlooked area. Communities in the Niger Delta, for example, have long suffered from environmental degradation due to oil spills. Advocacy groups have leveraged legal writing to draft petitions, submit briefs in international courts, and push for accountability. A well-crafted legal argument can elevate a local environmental disaster to the level of international concern, as seen in cases brought before the Hague and the ECOWAS Court. These documents are not just technical; they tell the stories of communities whose livelihoods have been destroyed, urging the global community to act.
Legal writing’s evolution in the digital age presents exciting new opportunities. With the rise of social media and digital platforms, legal writers can now disseminate information and engage broader audiences faster than ever before. Organizations like Paradigm Initiative use legal writing to advocate for digital rights, ensuring that Nigerians enjoy the same freedoms online as they do offline. Through blog posts, policy analyses, and online petitions, they address issues such as internet shutdowns and data privacy breaches, making complex legal topics accessible to the average citizen.
Of course, no discussion about legal writing and advocacy would be complete without acknowledging its role in public interest litigation. Public interest cases are won not only in the courtroom but on paper, where strong legal arguments are built. Take the case of SERAP v Nigeria, which sought to ensure transparency in the management of recovered looted funds. The court’s eventual ruling in favor of transparency was grounded in meticulously crafted legal briefs that left no room for doubt. The strength of these arguments came from their clarity, their reliance on precedent, and their deep understanding of both domestic and international law.
However, challenges remain. One of the most significant is the alienating nature of traditional legal language. Much of legal writing is dense, filled with jargon that can make it inaccessible to non-lawyers. Yet, advocacy is most effective when the people it seeks to benefit can understand and support it. This is where plain language legal writing comes in—translating complex legal ideas into simple terms without losing their force. It is a skill that more legal writers in Nigeria are beginning to embrace, recognizing that advocacy is not about sounding sophisticated but about making an impact.
In conclusion, legal writing in Nigeria is more than an academic or professional exercise; it is a lifeline for advocacy and a catalyst for social justice. Whether through codifying indigenous laws, exposing corruption, promoting socio-economic rights, or protecting the creative and digital rights of citizens, legal writing has proven its power time and again. By exploring unconventional avenues and adopting innovative approaches, Nigerian legal writers can continue to drive change, ensuring that their work resonates beyond the walls of courtrooms and law offices. The pen, it seems, truly is mightier than the sword.
REFERENCES
- Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015.
- SERAP v Nigeria (2018) Suit No ECW/CCJ/APP/10/2017, ECOWAS Court of Justice.
- Premium Times, Investigation into the Nigerian Oil Sector (2017).
- Paradigm Initiative, Digital Rights in Africa (2022) Lagos: Paradigm Initiative.
- Akinwumi T, Legal Drafting and Social Justice: A Nigerian Perspective (2019) Lagos: Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.