A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE GROUNDS FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS OF PUBLIC BODIES AND AVAILABLE REMEDIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

On a daily basis, Nigerian Courts review the administrative actions of public bodies. This is so because public bodies are saddled with the responsibility of taking decisions, and sometimes some of these decisions may be ultra vires, that is, above the power bestowed on them by law. Thus, if public bodies exceed the limits of their power as provided for by statute, or refuse to act when the statute says they should do so, an aggrieved person may have ground or grounds upon which to approach the court for a remedy. To this extent, using doctrinal research methodology, the article examines the concepts of judicial review and public bodies, grounds for judicial review and the remedies available to an aggrieved person or body against public bodies under Nigerian law. It also examines the challenges associated with the grounds and proffer lasting recommendations aimed at strengthening judicial review and its grounds, so that any person who approaches the court on the ground of any decision taken by a public body is compensated via any of the available remedies without any problems.