Abstract
This study conducts a pragmatic evaluation of selected statutory definitions in the Nigerian Criminal Code Act. The aim of the study is to assess the clarity, adequacy, and communicative effectiveness of the definitions. The research is motivated by concerns about ambiguity, verbosity, outdated terminology, and lack of inclusivity which tend to militate against the effectiveness of legal drafting. The study adopts a qualitative, descriptive research design relying on textual analysis of purposively selected definitions from the act. The analytical procedure involves a systematic application of Grice’s Cooperative Principle, using the conversational maxims of Quantity, Quality, Relevance, and Manner as evaluative parameters. Each definition is examined in three stages: identification of its semantic scope, pragmatic interpretation within legal context, and evaluation against the maxims to determine areas of compliance or violation. The findings reveal that while most definitions maintain legal accuracy and relevance, they frequently violate the maxim of Manner through syntactic complexity, and redundancy that hinder comprehension. Some definitions also exhibit limitations in scope, gender bias, and technological obsolescence, affecting their contemporary applicability. The study concludes that although the definitional framework of the Code remains doctrinally sound, there is a need for pragmatic redrafting to enhance clarity, inclusivity, and modern relevance. It recommends the adoption of plain language principles and interdisciplinary collaboration between legal drafters and linguists to improve accessibility, legal certainty, and effective statutory interpretation.
Keywords: Pragmatic Evaluation,
Statutory Interpretation, Nigerian Criminal Code, Gricean Maxims, Legal
Drafting.
DOI: 10.36349/sojolics.2026.v02i01.023
author/SALIH, Muhammad Jamiu Alagolo, Ph.D.
journal/Sokoto JOLICS 2(1) | June 2026 |
