AN APPRAISAL: OVERLAPPING JURISDICTION BETWEEN MORALITY AND CRIMINALITY

The aim of this paper is manifold. First, it intend to examine, the Report of the English Wolfendon Report, on the relation, between law and morals. Thereafter, commentaries which ensued after that report, particularly, the views of Lord Delvin agreeing and, disagreeing with some aspects of that report, will be highlighted. Secondly, t the difficulty which is usually encountered in an attempt to use the provisions of criminal law to enforce morals, particularly in a country like ours; where’ there exist a hybrid of. indigenous customs or values with other values rooted in alien cultures, will also be. highlighted. Furthermore, a synthetic appraisal of the views s of some, eminent jurists within the moralists and positivists school of thought on what ought to be the function of criminal law, will also be examined. The conclusion will attempt to depict the yardstick which: is considered useful in determining the distinguishing features between morality and criminality.