By Levi I. Shaapera, Esq. “In Nigeria, wrongdoers get away with impunity because the system offers no immediate remedy.” – J.S. Okutepa, SAN The Supreme Court of Nigeria, established under Section 230(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is the apex court in the nation’s judicial hierarchy. Its composition, as prescribed by Section 230(2) of…
For years, claimants have pursued individual police officers for damages, but the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in CBN v. Ochife (2025) LCER-51001(SC) has reshaped police litigation in Nigeria. The decision reinforces the need to sue the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and Police Service Commission (PSC) instead, ensuring enforceable judgments. Find out how this ruling affects pending cases and the best legal strategies moving forward.
By Levi I. Shaapera.* Many years ago, in the great animal kingdom, there ruled a leader named Ikyu. His reign was marked by harsh, oppressive, and dictatorial rule. One of his most feared decrees was that no one should engage in any form of argument, be it public or private. A nearly impossible law to…
“All lawyers are learned but others are more knowledgeable in certain areas than others. Accept this simple truth and learn to consult experienced colleague(s) in the relevant areas of law.”
Kwande Local Government Area, located in Benue State, Nigeria, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage. The area’s economy primarily relies on agriculture, with crops like yam, cassava, rice, maize, millet, and groundnut being cultivated. The Local Government plays a vital role to Nigeria’s agricultural sector. However, the Local Government lacks infrastructure, including road networks,…
“Notably on the list are two seasoned legal practitioners from Kaduna Branch of the NBA popularly known as the Premier Bar. They are the present Attorney General of Kaduna State – Sule Shu’aibu, ESQ and Abiola Isiaq Oyebanji, ESQ. The former General Secretary of the NBA – JONATHAN TAIDI GUNU, ESQ also made the list.”
Intellectual property disputes can involve highly technical scientific matters and complex legal issues, but not every country has specialized intellectual property courts or judges. Thus, when judges and juries lack the necessary expertise to fully comprehend the complex factual, technical and legal issues at stake, considerable time and resources may be required to present the relevant technologies and laws to them. ADR processes allow parties
Retrospective operation of Statute is an application of the law to actions, which existed prior to the enactment of the said law. That is, such laws change or alter the legal consequences of acts that took place prior to its enactment. A retrospective law impairs an existing right by creating or imposing a new liability for an act committed before the enactment of a law. A retrospective legislation is contrary to the general principle of prospective operation of law; which provides for and, regulates the future acts of men, and does not interfere in any way with what happened in the past. The question that we face during the applicability of retrospective law is whether a statute or law, should be given a retrospective effect, which takes away or impairs an existing right or impose a new liability.
Beverley Agbakoba-Onyejianya & Pauline Mbanza OAL This short article gives a basic insight into what every budding artiste should know about their Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in music, it is also for anyone interested in the music industry and the technicalities involved. Intellectual property refers to the creations of the mind such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs…
By Arthur Marcus Obiene Law firm marketing in Nigeria has been quite challenging, especially when it comes to complying with Rule 39 of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) as enacted by the General Council of the Nigerian Bar. Rule 39 of the Nigerian Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners regulates the way in…