A STUDY OF LEGAL MEASURES AGAINST BEGGING IN NIGERIA VIS-A-VIS KANO STATE STREET-BEGGING (PROHIBITION) LAW, 2013

Abstract

The practice of holding unto soliciting for financial assistance or other necessaries as a means of livelihood (begging) is seen as a disdainful undertaking, though minority lends support to it on account of some extreme peculiarities. Begging is generally considered as a daily increasing problem being encountered by all nations, developed inclusive. This, therefore, makes begging a universal problem, though the nature of its practice may strike a distinction of some sort between nations. In an ideal society, earning living should not be left to the full responsibility of the followership as the leadership has much to offer to compliment the affair. Against this background, and having observed that Kano State enacted a penal law (Kano State Street-begging (Prohibition) Law, 2013) as a means of getting rid of street begging in the state, this study was conducted with a view to examine legal measures against begging in Nigeria generally as well as desirability or otherwise of the said penal law. In so doing, the study employed doctrinal legal research methodology. Consequently, the study found that there are adequate legal measures against begging in Nigeria in principle the enforcement of which would have shut all doors for state penal measure against the menace. It, therefore, recommends for the full implementation of these legal measures against begging in Nigeria.