Jafaru Dahiru Usman

Bio: Jafaru Dahiru Usman is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Consumer Bill of Rights & Redress. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 45 citations.

An examination of the legal and institutional frameworks for consumer protection in Nigeria: A case study of the deregulated electricity sector

Abstract: Recently, the Nigerian electric utility lost its public service character following its deregulation. The electricity sector deregulation was executed despite bad consumers‘ experience in the earlier deregulated sectors on service quality, complaints handling and others. Adopting a socio-legal research method, this thesis critically examines the legal and institutional frameworks for consumers‘ protection in the Nigerian deregulated electricity sector. The thesis was motivated by the state of the extant laws and the institutional arrangements for consumer protection; the lingering regulatory failure and rising consumer exploitations in the Nigerian electricity sector. The thesis‘s objectives are to examine the frameworks; the consumer redress mechanisms; and the challenges hindering electricity consumers‘ protection and redress in Nigeria. The data was collected through the library-based approach and twenty semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from consumer protection agencies such as the Consumer Protection Council, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria; lawyers in the academia; and the heads of consumer organisations. The thesis employed the interpretive doctrinal technique and the thematic analysis in analysing the legal materials and the interview data. The comparative analytical approach was also employed because comparison is useful in legal research. Guided by international standards and global best practices, the thesis found that the frameworks are deficient and limited in many aspects. It lacks provisions on consumer rights and remedies; its product-focused with less emphasis on services; and lacks competition law that are critical for consumer protection in deregulated environments. The thesis found that while regular courts are expensive and time consuming, the frameworks lack ideal institutional arrangements such as small claims court and consumer ombudsman. The thesis also found that consumer protection in Nigeria faces several challenges with lack of consumer awareness and underfunding of agencies being the prominent challenges. For the benefit of the consumers and industry, the thesis recommends comprehensive frameworks that integrate competition, consumer rights and remedies provisions. The thesis further recommends improvement to the legal aid scheme, the establishment of ideal consumer redress forums and efficient regulatory agencies for more effective consumer protection

Doing qualitative research: a practical handbook

Abstract: Doing qualitative research: a practical handbook, by David Silverman, Los Angeles, Sage, 2010, 456 pp., AU$65.00, ISBN 978-1-84860-033-1, ISBN 978-1-94960-034-8. Available in Australia and New Zeal...

Encyclopedia of Statistics in Behavioral Science

Abstract: An apposite and eminently readable reference for all behavioral science research and development

The politics of regulation

Abstract: The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with the wide variety of regulatory processes, policies, and institutions in this country. Furthermore, students will develop a sophisticated and rigorous understanding of selected elements of regulatory politics, processes, and policies involving a regulatory agency of the U.S. government. To accomplish this, a variety of materials will be presented. These will involve reading, discussion and integration of the concepts of regulation, as well as understanding the processes by which regulatory policy is developed and implemented. Also, the impacts or results of such regulatory policies will be treated. In addition, students will gain a good deal of experience and develop techniques for conducting a diverse set of research and writing skills.

A New Regulatory Framework for Extra-Judicial Consumer Redress: Where We are and How to Move Forward

Abstract: This paper examines the new legal framework on consumer Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the EU. The primary contribution of this paper is in identifying that, harmonizing the complaint submission in a pan European Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform, and directing parties to nationally approved ADR entities that comply with minimum standards, will not fulfill the potential of an extra-judicial consumer redress system. This paper proposes key functions that the ODR platform should incorporate if it is to provide effective redress. This paper also argues that a successful ODR platform should include built-in incentives that encourage parties to: (i) participate in approved ADR processes; (ii) settle complaints with little or no intervention from neutral third parties; and (iii) ensure voluntary compliance with final outcomes.