Isaac O. C. Igwe’s scientific contributions

The increasing fragmentation of the global economy and politics, coupled with the profound and unpredictable diversity of our society, renders the idea of courteous and open-minded discourse seemingly unattainable. The centralised and uniform global economic governance orchestrated by pivotal entities like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the World Bank (WB) has had detrimental effects on emerging nations. This dynamic has facilitated the rise of nativist and populist leaders who promote mercantilist and protectionist policies, thereby eroding the foundational principles of a "liberal" international order. This trend is particularly evident in scenarios where globalisation has intensified economic inequality and poverty, as recent historical events demonstrate. International financial institutions frequently advocate for a uniform strategy in development, focusing on neoliberal economic policies like free trade, deregulation, and limited government involvement. These models have faced criticism for not aligning with the unique socio-economic realities of developing nations, which can sometimes result in stagnation or economic dependency. This paper will explore the origins of the global economic imbalance initiated by the Bretton Woods System and will critically examine whether any developments have occurred since that time to reduce global economic inequality. The assessment will determine if the ambitious initiatives proposed by the International Financial Institutions (IFI) aimed at enhancing living standards across nations have resulted in a transformative shift that influences the ongoing economic challenges faced by developing countries.

The synthesis of rule of law enthrones democracy, justice and goes with such characteristics as liberty, freedom, and the restoration of the dignity of man. The rule of law is predicated upon absolute autonomy being accorded to the judicial arms of the government of any society, state, or country. Thus, the application and interpretation of the law must be under the control of impartial courts adjudicating within the ambit of fair judicial procedures. The dialectics of power and the guiding principles of governance are anchored in the constitution which enshrines the provisions of enforceable laws. The law is the cardinal power of a nation, a direction for due process, and a guiding principle for good governance. The age of enlightenment and the middle ages have a special place for the rule of law as opposed to tyranny otherwise, life could have been chaos. The role of law cannot be left in isolation of democracy as both are interlaced as core universal principles of the civilised world. This paper will explore the rule of law as a paramount factor in constitutionalism, idealism, and realistic principles of the law of any given society. The treatise will in general terms discuss the principles of rule of law and articulate it with the hitherto Nigerian democracy. It will conclude with the argument that complete independence of the judiciary in Nigeria is paramount to ensure proper implementation of rule of law for a better Nigeria. Keywords: Rule of Law; Constitutionalism; Independent Judiciary; Tyranny; Nigerian Democracy. Rule of Law;

Although brutality can repress a society, it never assures the sustainability of that conquest. Tyranny steers the hopeless to despair, edges to rebellion, and could open the door for a new tyrant to rise. Law becomes a limiting factor that must act as a stopgap to the avaricious intentions of a dictator. A democratic leader must incorporate the supremacy of the law and honest officials into his government. He shall also create courts of law, treat the poorest citizens with fairness and build a hall of justice to bring the society to modernity with the operation of the rule of law enshrined in the constitution. Legislation is nothing without enforcement and Law is no law if not accepted and respected by the people. The rule of law cannot be said to be working in a country where the government continues to violate the orders of the court, unlawfully detain its citizens, abuse human rights including arbitrary and extra-judicial executions, unlawful arrests and detentions, embargo on freedom of speech and press, impunity and inhumane torture, degradation of people or exterminations. This treatise will argue on the supremacy of the “Rule of Law” as it impacts Nigerian democracy. Keywords: Rule of Law; Democracy; Judiciary; Supremacy; Government; Tyranny; Nigerian Constitution

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) process and its ethos are fast losing their development objectives. The crisis, challenges and complexities in the implementation of WTO policies on agriculture and market access has not abated. Intellectuals, researchers and academics opine that the implementation of WTO policies have not only encouraged power and development divide between the Industrialised nations and the developing nations, it has worsened the rate of global economic inequality. Although the inclusion of agriculture in the Uruguay Round was taken as a major achievement, the commitment to minimum market access for most protected products, reducing export subsidies and a considerable measure of support, did not do much to lower agricultural protection. The promises made to the developing countries under the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) on agriculture, market access, reduction of subsidies/tariffs and implementation issues were limited and not fulfilled. Can the emerging WTO market capacities and alliances lead to a change in the decision-making process? This writing aims to critically analyse the existing WTO legal problems hindering market flows and the incidence of barriers to trade in agriculture being much higher than protection of developing countries farmers which has impacted their development.+ Keywords: WTO; Legal; Agriculture; Implementation; Inequality; Developing Countries; Doha Development Agenda; Decision-marking; Market Access; Development.+