Writing a colonial legal history of Northern Nigeria: An analysis of methods and sources

OWOLADE, Femi (2023). Writing a colonial legal history of Northern Nigeria: An analysis of methods and sources. History in Africa.

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Abstract

This article analyzes the methods and sources of writing a colonial legal history of Africa. The analysis is carried out with a case study of the dual legal system operative in colonial Northern Nigeria from 1900 to 1960, which saw the English common law coexist with Islamic law. I examine how three sources of colonial law – namely, legislations, case law, and legal writings – reveal the varied perspectives of European colonial officials and Africans on the workings of this legal system. I argue that while colonial legislations and legal writings are lopsided toward the perspectives of the British authority, case law in conjunction with African commentaries provide some prospect to engage in a narrative that foregrounds the voices of Africans.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	2103 Historical Studies; 4303 Historical studies
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1017/hia.2023.11
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Elements
Depositing User:	Symplectic Elements
Date Deposited:	18 Dec 2023 12:31
Last Modified:	22 Dec 2023 12:30
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/32892

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