ETHICAL STANDARD AS SUBSTITUTE FOR LAW IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF NIGERIAN STATE
Authors:
NWAODIKE Chibuzor
Publication Type: Journal article
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Abstract
Abstract
With avalance of human made laws by institutions in both public and private sectors, crimes are being committed on regular basis. For example, the enactment of criminal and penal codes had failed to stem the rate of criminal activities while the EFCC and ICPC acts had equally failed to reduce or stop corrupt practices. The position of this paper therefore is that human made laws are not the antidote for curbing or reducing civil and criminal activities and argues that morality and ethical standards are essential factors as they appeal to conscience and preaches the right against the wrong, the normal act against the abnormal, the proper against the improper. Thus, the paper further opines that while laws are directed at the outward conduct of man, with attendant sanctions if violated, ethical standard takes care of inner conduct of man. This allows man to ask himself, should I do this? Is this right; am I on the right path. Is it morally justified to force a woman to bed without her consent? Should I drive without a valid and update license? The paper which employed secondary sources of data concludes that if all and sundry allowed reason, rather than emotions, guided by ethical standard. However, the paper concludes that to effectively play a critical role as a substitute for law, the family, society and government need to play vital central role in the reorientation of values.