100+ Free NG Bar Crim Lit Practice Questions

Pass your Nigerian Bar Final (Bar Part II) Criminal Litigation (Nigeria) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NG Bar Crim Lit Exam

100

Practice Questions

NLS Criminal Litigation Prep

1 hour

MCQ Exam Time

Council of Legal Education

ACJA 2015

Core Procedure Statute

Federal Law of Nigeria

Evidence 2011

Evidence Rules

Evidence Act 2011

30 Days

Supreme Court Appeal

Supreme Court Rules

Pass

Grading System

Body of Benchers regulations

This practice set consists of 100 multiple-choice questions designed to prepare candidates for the MCQ section of the Bar Final Criminal Litigation paper, covering all syllabus areas from pre-trial to appeals.

Sample NG Bar Crim Lit Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NG Bar Crim Lit exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Section 35(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, within what time limit must an arrested suspect be informed in writing of the facts and grounds of arrest?

A.Immediately upon arrest

B.Within 12 hours of arrest

C.Within 24 hours of arrest

D.Within 48 hours of arrest

Explanation: Section 35(3) of the 1999 Constitution requires that any person who is arrested or detained must be informed in writing within 24 hours (and in a language they understand) of the facts and grounds for their arrest or detention. This constitutional safeguard prevents arbitrary and undocumented detention by law enforcement agencies.

2Which of the following correct procedural remedies is available to a suspect whose arrest is conducted in direct violation of Section 7 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 (arrest by proxy)?

A.An application for Fundamental Rights Enforcement under Section 46 of the 1999 Constitution

B.An oral application to the Police Service Commission for direct dismissal of the arresting officer

C.A motion on notice for interlocutory injunction restraining the Attorney-General from compiling charges

D.A petition to the National Judicial Council for immediate reassignment of the case file

Explanation: Section 7 of ACJA 2015 prohibits arrest in lieu of any other person (arrest by proxy). Where a suspect's relative is arrested in their place, it constitutes a gross violation of constitutional liberty, and the appropriate remedy is an action for the enforcement of fundamental rights under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules.

3Under Section 17 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, what is the mandatory requirement for taking a suspect's confessional statement to ensure its voluntariness?

A.It must be taken in the presence of a Magistrate or a High Court Judge.

B.It must be taken in the presence of the suspect's legal practitioner, an officer of the Legal Aid Council, or a member of an NGO, or be video-recorded.

C.It must be certified by a Justice of the Peace within 6 hours of recording.

D.It must be signed by at least two independent police officers who did not participate in the arrest.

Explanation: Section 17 of ACJA 2015 mandates that where a suspect wishes to make a confessional statement, it must be taken in the presence of their legal practitioner, an officer of the Legal Aid Council, a member of a non-governmental organization, or any other person of their choice, or alternatively, it must be video-recorded. This minimizes cases of coerced confessions and reduces trial-within-trial disputes.

4A private citizen arrests a suspect for committing an indictable offence in his presence. What is the private citizen's immediate duty under Section 22 of the ACJA 2015?

A.To detain the suspect in a private lockup for a period not exceeding 24 hours while gathering evidence

B.To hand over the suspect to a police officer or deliver him to the nearest police station immediately

C.To take the suspect directly to a Magistrate's court to plead to a holding charge

D.To notify the Attorney-General of the State within 48 hours to secure a prosecution fiat

Explanation: Section 22 of ACJA 2015 provides that a private person who makes an arrest must hand over the suspect to a police officer or deliver him to the nearest police station immediately. Private individuals do not possess detention powers and keeping the suspect beyond what is necessary to hand them over constitutes false imprisonment.

5Under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which of the following is true regarding the execution of a search warrant?

A.It can only be executed between the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM on weekdays.

B.It can be issued and executed at any time on any day, including a Sunday or public holiday.

C.It cannot be executed on a Sunday unless specifically endorsed by a High Court Judge.

D.It must be executed within 48 hours of its issue, or it automatically expires.

Explanation: Section 148 of ACJA 2015 states that a search warrant may be issued and executed at any time on any day, including a Sunday or public holiday. This is a modernization compared to the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), which restricted Sunday execution unless specifically endorsed.

6During the execution of a search warrant on a premises under ACJA 2015, what is the right of the occupant or owner of the premises?

A.To demand that the search be conducted in their absence to prevent intimidation

B.To be present during the search and to have a copy of the list of things seized, signed by the search officer

C.To veto the search of specific rooms by locking them and retaining the keys

D.To insist that the search be supervised by a legal practitioner before any item is touched

Explanation: Under Section 149 of ACJA 2015, the occupant of the premises search is entitled to be present during the search and must be provided with a signed copy of the list of all items seized. This ensures transparency and prevents the police from planting incriminating evidence.

7Section 8(2) of the ACJA 2015 prohibits the police from arresting a suspect for a civil wrong. What is the legal effect if a police officer arrests a suspect solely for breach of contract?

A.The arrest is constitutionally and statutorily illegal, rendering the police liable for damages for unlawful arrest.

B.The arrest is valid, but the police must transfer the suspect to a civil court within 24 hours.

C.The arrest is permissible if the breach of contract involves a government contract.

D.The arrest is voidable only if the suspect files an application for bail within 12 hours.

Explanation: Section 8(2) of ACJA 2015 (and Section 6 in various state ACJLs) explicitly states that a suspect shall not be arrested merely for a civil wrong or breach of contract. An arrest for a civil debt or contract breach violates the suspect's fundamental right to personal liberty, and the police can be sued for damages under Section 35(6) of the 1999 Constitution.

8Where a police officer is conducting a search on a woman, who is authorized to conduct the search under Section 149 of the ACJA 2015?

A.Any police officer, regardless of gender, provided a third-party witness is present

B.Only a female officer or a female person, with strict regard to decency

C.Only a medical practitioner of either gender

D.A male police officer, provided the search is conducted in a public place

Explanation: Under Section 149(3) of the ACJA 2015 (and similar provisions in the CPA and CPC), when a female suspect is to be searched, the search must be conducted by a female officer or a female person, with strict regard to decency. This protects the bodily integrity and dignity of female suspects.

9Under the Evidence Act 2011, what is the status of a confessional statement obtained from a suspect through the use of torture or threat of violence?

A.It is admissible but carries low probative weight.

B.It is inadmissible under Section 29 of the Evidence Act and Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution.

C.It is admissible if the suspect subsequently signs it in front of a superior police officer.

D.It is admissible if it leads to the discovery of any fact or exhibit.

Explanation: Under Section 29(2) of the Evidence Act 2011, a confession obtained by oppression, torture, or threats is inadmissible. This is reinforced by Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to dignity of the human person and outlaws torture.

10Under the Judges' Rules, what must a police officer do immediately before asking a suspect questions about their involvement in a crime?

A.Administer the statutory caution to the suspect

B.Allow the suspect to contact their local local government chairman

C.Obtain written consent from the suspect to be interviewed

D.Administer an oath on a holy book to ensure the suspect speaks the truth

Explanation: The Judges' Rules (which guide police interviews in Nigeria) require that before a suspect is questioned about an offence, they must be administered the caution. The caution informs the suspect that they are not obliged to say anything unless they wish to do so, but whatever they say will be written down and may be given in evidence.

About the NG Bar Crim Lit Exam

The Nigerian Bar Final Criminal Litigation exam tests candidates on their understanding of criminal procedure, statutory powers of arrest and search, drafting criminal charges, conducting trials, examination of witnesses, sentencing, and appellate procedure under the ACJA 2015, Evidence Act 2011, and the 1999 Constitution.

Assessment

100 multiple-choice questions (simulating the MCQ paper)

Time Limit

1 hour

Passing Score

Pass standard in all core subjects

Exam Fee

Included in school fees (Council of Legal Education (CLE))

NG Bar Crim Lit Exam Content Outline

20%

Constitutional Rights, Arrest, Search, and Pre-Trial Investigation

Powers of arrest, arrest warrants, search warrants and execution, constitutional rights of suspects, police interviews and statements under the 1999 Constitution and ACJA 2015.

20%

Courts, Jurisdiction, and Remand Proceedings

Criminal jurisdictions of Magistrate Courts, State High Courts, Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. Remand proceedings under ACJA 2015.

20%

Commencement of Proceedings, Charges, and Bail Pending Trial

Modes of instituting criminal proceedings, drafting and amendment of charges, rules on duplicity and misjoinder, and bail applications.

25%

Trial Procedure, Examination of Witnesses, and Constitutional Safeguards

Arraignment, pleas, examination of witnesses, competency and compellability, submission of no case to answer, and constitutional trial safeguards.

15%

Judgment, Sentencing, Appeals, and Post-Trial Proceedings

Delivery of judgment, sentencing principles, allocutus, sentencing options, appellate procedure and timelines, and bail pending appeal.

How to Pass the NG Bar Crim Lit Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Pass standard in all core subjects
Assessment: 100 multiple-choice questions (simulating the MCQ paper)
Time limit: 1 hour
Exam fee: Included in school fees

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NG Bar Crim Lit Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize key constitutional sections under Chapter IV, particularly Section 35 (Personal Liberty) and Section 36 (Fair Hearing).

2Understand the rules governing the drafting of charge sheets, specifically focusing on how to avoid duplicity and misjoinder of offences or offenders.

3Be clear on the exact timelines for remand orders under Section 296 of the ACJA 2015 (14 days initially, plus 14 days renewal).

4Learn the order of examination of witnesses (chief, cross, re-examination) and the specific rules on leading questions under the Evidence Act 2011.

5Understand the different pleas a defendant can enter during arraignment, particularly the special pleas of autrefois acquit and autrefois convict.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the Criminal Litigation paper in the Bar Final Examination?

The Bar Final Criminal Litigation paper consists of a Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) section (20% weight, 1 hour) and a written theory essay and drafting section (80% weight, 3 hours). Candidates must pass overall to qualify for Call to the Bar.

Which laws are primary sources for Criminal Litigation in Nigeria?

The primary statutory sources are the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 (for federal trials and FCT), various state Administration of Criminal Justice Laws (ACJL), the Evidence Act 2011, and the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

What is the difference between CPA, CPC, and ACJA 2015?

The Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) historically applied to Southern states, while the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) applied to Northern states. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 was enacted to merge and modernize both procedures, introducing progressive reforms like video-recorded confessions, non-custodial sentencing, and strict remand timelines.

How strictly are the appeal timelines enforced in Nigerian criminal courts?

Very strictly. A notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days for appeals from Magistrate Courts to High Courts, and appeals from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court. High Court to Court of Appeal requires 90 days for final judgments and 14 days for interlocutory decisions.