Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria

Section 34 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 is about Right to dignity of human person. It is under Chapter IV (Fundamental Rights) of the Act.

(1) Every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly –
(a) no person shall be subject to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment;
(b) no person shall be held in slavery or servitude; and
(c) no person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) (c) of this section, “forced or compulsory labour” does not include –
(a) any labour required in consequence of the sentence or order of a court;
(b) any labour required of members of the armed forces of the Federation or the Nigeria Police Force in pursuance of their duties as such;

(c) in the case of persons who have conscientious objections to service in the armed forces of the Federation, any labour required instead of such service;
(d) any labour required which is reasonably necessary in the event of any emergency or calamity threatening the life or wellbeing of the community; or

(e) any labour or service that forms part of –
(i) normal communal or other civic obligations of the wellbeing of the community,
(ii) such compulsory national service in the armed forces of the Federation as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly, or
(iii) such compulsory national service which forms part of the education and training of citizens of Nigeria as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

Credit: Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC)