Pandemic recovery in Africa: A case for strengthening insolvency laws for rescuing small and medium enterprises

by | Dec 17, 2021 | JCLA, JCLA V8 I2 2021

Pandemic recovery in Africa: A case for strengthening insolvency laws for rescuing small and medium enterprises

Authors: Williams C. Iheme and Sanford U. Mba

ISSN: 2521-2605
Affiliations: LLB, LLM, SJD. Associate Professor of Law, Jindal Global Law School; Visiting Professor, Strathmore Law School; LLB, LLM, SJD. Senior Associate in the law firm Dentons ACAS
Source: Journal of Comparative Law in Africa, Volume 8 Issue 2, p. 74 – 103
https://doi.org/10.47348/JCLA/v8/i2a4

Abstract

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in the economy of developing countries. Although SMEs contribute to economic growth, they still struggle with access to finance and cash flow constraints. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic worsened this situation, making it necessary for countries to develop rescue regimes suitable for financially distressed SMEs. Focusing on Nigeria and Kenya – which represent the largest economies in West Africa and East Africa respectively – this paper critically sheds light on the socio-legal challenges posed by extant insolvency law regimes in both countries and their unsuitability for driving SME rescue. As a conversation starter in the African context, the authors identify transplanted concepts and structures which make SME rescue a futility, in the light of local circumstances, while proposing solutions tailored to the social milieu of both countries.

Protection of the right to social security of the migrant worker in international law

by | Dec 17, 2021 | JCLA, JCLA V8 I2 2021

Protection of the right to social security of the migrant worker in international law

Author: Kehinde Anifalaje

ISSN: 2521-2605
Affiliations: LLB (Unilag), LLM (Ibadan), PhD (Ibadan), Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, West Africa
Source: Journal of Comparative Law in Africa, Volume 8 Issue 2, p. 104 – 148
https://doi.org/10.47348/JCLA/v8/i2a5

Abstract

The right to social security is recognised as a basic human right in a number of international instruments. While most nations give recognition to social security rights and generally enforce them within the dictates of domestic legislation to their nationals, the narrative is different for non-nationals, particularly the migrant worker. The article examines the measures that have been deployed at international and regional levels to protect the social security rights of migrant workers, with particular attention to the regular ones. It argues that a number of factors, including the doctrines of territoriality and nationality, account for the marginalisation of the migrant worker in the enforcement of these rights. Some migrant-specific international instruments and series of bilateral and multilateral agreements to overcome these perceived challenges are being hindered by the low number of ratifying countries and disparities in the design and level of development of schemes for specific branches of social security across countries. The article concludes that the social security right of the migrant worker would be enhanced if more countries ratify, domesticate and enforce relevant international instruments on the social security rights of the migrant worker and complement same by a much more coordinated bilateral and multilateral social security agreements.

The United States Supreme Court’s case selection: A primer for the South African Constitutional Court in hearing matters of general public importance

by | Dec 17, 2021 | JCLA, JCLA V8 I2 2021

The United States Supreme Court’s case selection: A primer for the South African Constitutional Court in hearing matters of general public importance

Author: Paul Nkoane

ISSN: 2521-2605
Affiliations: BCom, LLB (UNISA), LLM (UCT) Lecturer: University of South Africa (UNISA)
Source: Journal of Comparative Law in Africa, Volume 8 Issue 2, p. 149 – 174
https://doi.org/10.47348/JCLA/v8/i2a6

Abstract

The jurisdiction of the South African Constitutional Court has been extended for the court to administer ‘matters of general public importance’ in addition to administering constitutional matters. There is no South African court that accepted appeals on the grounds that the matter raised an arguable point of law of general public importance. This novelty in the South African law requires an inspection of other jurisdictions to determine which matters the Constitutional Court should accept for appeals. In this respect, the article inspects the Supreme Court of the United States case docket to determine the kinds of cases the court accepts for appeals.

A fundamental law of reason and the constitutional law of elections in Africa

by | Jun 10, 2021 | JCLA, JCLA V8 I1 2021

A fundamental law of reason and the constitutional law of elections in Africa

Author: Atudiwe P. Atupare

ISSN: 2521-2605
Affiliations: BA, LLB (UG), M.A. (Brock), LLM, PhD (Queen’s University).
Source: Journal of Comparative Law in Africa, Volume 8 Issue 1, p. 1 – 41
https://doi.org/10.47348/JCLA/v8/i1a1

Abstract

This paper attempts a comparative understanding of the constitutional law of elections in two African countries: Ghana and Nigeria. As a prelude, I argue that judges should approach the task of interpretation of the constitutional law of elections based on a non-positivist understanding of legality or the rule of law. Law is not to be regarded simply as the product of lawmakers’ decisions and intentions but as embodying fundamental values that gain normative force independently of what is decided, written or intended by lawmakers. The core of this claim is anchored on a theory of law, the fundamental law of reason. The identification of this fundamental law is not a matter of pure moral reasoning. It is a conception of law as a rule of reason with ‘reason’ here suggesting a uniquely judicial form of discourse where the particular values that will, under this approach, gain this special normative force cannot be listed in a fixed catalogue; they are, rather, the values that are deemed essential to securing the conditions for legality or the rule of law that are, in turn, necessary for ‘law’ to exist. In light of this, I contend that judicial decisions on electoral disputes in Ghana and Nigeria should be able to carry conviction with the ordinary person as being based not merely on legal precedent or the law-makers’ intentions but also upon acceptable values as understood from the reason of the fundamental law.

Selected challenges associated with the reliance on customer due diligence measures to curb money laundering in South African banks and related financial institutions

by | Jun 10, 2021 | JCLA, JCLA V8 I1 2021

Selected challenges associated with the reliance on customer due diligence measures to curb money laundering in South African banks and related financial institutions

Authors: Howard Chitimira and Sharon Munedzi

ISSN: 2521-2605
Affiliations: LLB, LLM (UFH), LLD (NMMU). Research Professor and Professor of Securities and Financial Markets Law, Faculty of Law, North-West University; LLB, LLM (NWU), LLD candidate, Faculty of Law, North-West University. 
Source: Journal of Comparative Law in Africa, Volume 8 Issue 1, p. 42 – 66
https://doi.org/10.47348/JCLA/v8/i1a2

Abstract

Customer due diligence is a means of ensuring that financial institutions know their customers well through know-your-customer (KYC) tools and related measures. Notably, customer due diligence measures include the identification and verification of customer identity, keeping records of transactions concluded between a customer and the financial institution, ongoing monitoring of customer account activities, reporting unusual and suspicious transactions, and risk assessment programmes. Accordingly, financial institutions should ensure that their customers are risk assessed before concluding any transactions with them. The regulation of money laundering is crucial to the economic growth of many countries, including South Africa. However, there are still numerous challenges affecting the banks and other role players’ reliance on customer due diligence measures to combat money laundering in South Africa. Therefore, a qualitative research methodology is employed in this article to unpack such challenges. The challenges include the failure to meet the identification and verification requirements by some South African citizens, onerous documentation requirements giving rise to other persons being denied access to the formal financial sector, and the lack of express provisions to regulate the informal financial sector in South Africa. Given this background, the article discusses the challenges associated with the regulation and implementation of customer due diligence measures to enhance the combating of money laundering in South African banks and related financial institutions. It is hoped that the recommendations provided in this article will be utilised by the relevant authorities to enhance customer due diligence and effectively combat money laundering activities in South African banks and related financial institutions.

States of emergency and the rule of law under contemporary African constitutions: A comparative analysis

by | Jun 10, 2021 | JCLA, JCLA V8 I1 2021

States of emergency and the rule of law under contemporary African constitutions: A comparative analysis

Author: Lukman Adebisi Abdulrauf

ISSN: 2521-2605
Affiliations: Senior lecturer, Department of Public Law, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
Source: Journal of Comparative Law in Africa, Volume 8 Issue 1, p. 67 – 101
https://doi.org/10.47348/JCLA/v8/i1a3

Abstract

Emergencies, whether natural or man-made, are inevitable in contemporary societies. Although the nature and magnitude of such emergencies are usually unpredictable, governments across the world must adopt measures to mitigate and control the emergency while securing the lives and properties of the people. Since emergencies envisage exceptional circumstances, there may be the need for the suspension of the normal legal order and its temporary replacement with an extraordinary regime to help restore the normal legal order. During the subsistence of the extraordinary regime, the question that has always concerned modern-day constitutionalists is how the rule of law can be maintained in such a regime which is characterised by the suspension of the normal legal order. This concern is even more apparent in Africa considering the general attitude of political leaders who will want to take advantage of every opportunity to abuse human rights, consolidate powers and remain in government. All these concerns therefore centre on the nature and scope of state of emergency provisions in constitutions and their implementation. Therefore, in this article, I will comparatively analyse the nature and scope of state of emergency provisions under modern African constitutions to determine the extent to which they are inclusive and embrace the basic tenets of the rule of law. I will further interrogate the applicability of the rule of law in states of emergency using recent practices in selected African countries.