Functions, Theories And Practice Of Administrative Law In Contemporary Governance

Abstract

The vast development in the socio, economic and political spheres of the contemporary society makes governance more demanding and cumbersome which necessitated the rational for a system of administration where Governmental powers and functions can legally be delegated to individuals and or corporate bodies otherwise known as administrative bodies to carry out the functions and powers of Government in modern society. Every power and functions of Government and its agencies are traceable to the Constitution which creates the power and functions or an enabling law created by the said Constitution where such powers and functions are expressly spelt out. Administrative agencies saddled with the responsibility of performing the functions of Government must be properly created and must at all-time act within the scope of power created by the enabling law. Abuse by the administrative agencies in the exercise of their functions is inevitable, and hence this research through doctrinal methodology also examined the system of law that oversees the internal operations of Government agencies through developments of administrative law principles like rule of law and judicial review that have evolved over time by statute and by judicial pronouncements. Albeit various theories in administrative law like red, green and amber light have emerged over the years with conflicting arguments, nonetheless the court are always ready to grant remedies to an aggrieved citizen whenever the administrative agencies exceed or abuse its powers.