At the Rule of Law Development Foundation’s 7th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference held on 20th November 2025, legal practitioner Audrey Chinelo Ofoegbunam, Esq., ACIArb(UK), ANICArb, ACIS, AICMC, ACTI, delivered a scholarly presentation on a critical aspect of Nigerian criminal jurisprudence.
The conference, themed “Navigating Change: Emerging Trends and Challenges in Nigeria’s Criminal Justice System,” brought together leading experts, practitioners, and scholars to examine evolving dynamics within the justice sector.
Ms. Ofoegbunam presented a paper titled “Nigerian Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence: Annual Survey of Appellate Court Decisions – The Offence of Wandering.”
Her work focused on a detailed analysis of the offence of wandering, with particular emphasis on the appellate decision in Abu v State (2025) 7 NWLR (Pt. 1989) 299.
In her presentation, she examined the essential elements of the offence, the court’s reasoning in the Abu v State decision, and the broader implications of the judgment for the interpretation and enforcement of criminal law in Nigeria.
She underscored the need for clearer legal definitions and consistent application of the offence, especially in balancing public safety with individual rights and freedoms.
The presentation contributed meaningfully to ongoing discourse on criminal justice reform and highlighted areas requiring legislative and judicial attention.
Signed
Audrey Chinelo Ofoegbunam, Esq., ACIArb(UK), ANICArb, ACIS, AICMC, ACTI
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