Newsletters

AN AWARD CREDITOR MUST TARRY TILL THE PROCEEDINGS TO SET ASIDE AN AWARD EXTINGUISHES.

The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja Coram: Nwosu-Iheme J. handed down a landmark decision giving appropriate procedural directions on the steps to be taken in the process of facilitating the recognition and enforcement of an Arbitral Award in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/620/2022 between Dr. Marianne J. Ngoulla v. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the 28th day of March, 2023.

COURT RULES - THE EFCC LACKS POWERS TO INVESTIGATE, ASSESS, LEVY AND OR ENFORCE TAX AND TAX RELATED MATTERS ON BEHALF OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NI

We are pleased to have represented Vertex Agro Ltd; a major Manufacturer and supplier of Agro-Allied products in Nigeria, before the Federal High Court, Abuja to a Landmark Victory against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

CHIEF MACDONALD IGBADIWEI & ANOR vs INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION & ORS

We are delighted to have represented Hon. Selekaye Victor Ben; winner of the House of Assembly Election in Southern Ijaw Constituency IV, Bayelsa State before the National and State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Bayelsa State, and also at the Court of Appeal, Port-Harcourt Division successfully.

The Role of the Nigerian Police Force in Election Security Management within context of the Electoral Act, 2022.

Elections as a tenet of democracy is the right and power of a people to decide who wields the helms of authority in running the affairs of a nation at various levels of government by electing candidates into political offices across the country. It is the way by which the choice of the majority in a State is determined and decided.

OVERVIEW OF THE NIGERIAN STARTUP ACT

In the last few years, Nigeria has experienced a rapid shift in technological growth and advancement impacting the country’s economy positively through unprecedented investment in the sector. According to the Nigerian Startup Ecosystem Report 2022, it was reported that Nigeria is Africa’s most popular investment destination, the report also revealed that between 2015 and 2022, 383 Nigerian tech Startups raised a total of $2Billion, higher than any other country.

LOCUS STANDI UNDER SECTION 29 OF THE ELECTORAL ACT, 2022 ON ALLEGATION OF FALSE INFORMATION.

Under the old dispensation of the Electoral Act, 2011, there was universal locus standi to any person who has reasonable grounds to believe that the information supplied by a candidate in his FORM CF001 are false or has submitted forged documents of a fundamental nature that impairs his constitutional qualification, and can approach the Federal High Court, High Court of a State or High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to seek an order of disqualification.

THE IMPLICATION OF LIMITATION OF CASH WITDRAWALS/DEPOSITS: PROS & CONS.

On the 6th day of December, 2022 the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) issued a circular directing Deposit Money Banks, Payment Service of Bank (PSB) and other financial Institutions limiting cash withdrawal by customers from their accounts. Our corporate commercial practice group recently reviewed the legal framework of this regulation from a pros and cons perspective.

SUIT NO: FHC/LF/CS/20/2022 AWAJE DANLAMI v. PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY & 4 OTHERS

We are pleased to have represented Honourable Bulus Babawi Ishaku (Our Client); the Nominated Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Keffi, Karu and Kokana Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State in the Forthcoming General Election in 2023, in a contentious Pre-Election litigation before the Federal High Court, Lafia Division in Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION

We are pleased to have represented Vertex Agro Limited; one of the major Agro Allied Company in northern Nigeria in a contentious commercial litigation involving a Turn-key Project on an EPC basis for the supply and installation of 500KVA, 750KVA and subsequently a 1000KVA transformer respectively, before the Niger State High court, Suleja Judicial Division.

NON - JUSTICIABILITY OF ACTIONS FILED UNDER SECTION 29(5) OF THE ELECTORAL ACT, 2022 BEFORE THE PUBL

We are pleased to have represented Alhaji Liman Isah Kantigi; the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State in the Forthcoming 2023 General Election, in a contentious Pre-Election litigation which was a fall out from the Primary Election Conducted by the Party on the 26th day of April, 2022.

Contractual Tenancy premised on Consideration otherthan rent.

We are pleased to have represented a High Net individual; Dr. Ebikabowei Victor Ben in a Complex real estate litigation involving a contractual tenancy with the Bayelsa State Government in respect of a prime property situate in a high brow area of Abuja, before the Federal Capital Territory, High Court, Maitama, Abuja Coram Oriji.J.

RAMON TRILLO v ECOWAS - RULING

We are pleased to have represented the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) in a Contentious Litigation before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Sitting in Abuja Nigeria Coram: Kutigi .J in suit No: FCT/CV/ 475/2018 in matter instituted by Spanish Attorney; Ramon Trillo Maquina claiming professional fees from his representation of the Commission in an LCIA Arbitration in London.

Linacres vs Access Bank

This is a Banker-Customer dispute that commenced before the Federal Capital Territory High Court Coram: U.P Kekemeke.J wherein the claimant challenged the Post-No-Debit (PND) and/or Freezing Order placed on its account domiciled with the Bank without an Order of court. pleadings were filed and exchanged and the matter proceeded to trial.

UBA vs Vertex Agro

This is banker-customer dispute, wherein the Respondent as plaintiff at the trial court took out a Writ of Summons before the Niger State High Court, Coram; Honourable Justice Mariyam Ismaila J. complaining of the negligent conduct of the bank in the handling of his account in an online transaction, which amounted to a breach of it’s duty of care and fiduciary duty.

THE CONTRIBUTORY PENSION SCHEME: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

The contributory pension scheme (CPS) is an arrangement whereby employees and employers are mandated to collectively contribute a percentage of an employee’s emolument from where the employee will be paid retirement benefits. The Scheme (CPS) was established by Section 3 of the Pension Reform Act, 2014 and is regulated by the National Pension Commission. The scheme guarantees protection of the pension assets as same survives the deceased, cannot be seized, sold or be granted as loan neither can same be used to satisfy a judgement debt.

The Effect of Unauthorised Debit

On duty of financial institution to reverse unauthorised debit on customer's account within seventy two hours of customers written notification.

Pro Bono: Mrs. Binta Audu

We are pleased to have received Mrs. Binta Audu; an indigent client our firm was privileged to represent Pro Bono in a criminal trial before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja on the charge of conspiracy to commit fraud, dishonest conduct and cheating with respect to a POS transaction that went bad, in our Abuja office on Friday the 24th day of June, 2022 on a thank you visit.

APPLICABILITY OF INTERPRETATION ACT IN CONSTRUING LIMITATION PERIOD IN PRE-ELECTION MATTERS

Indeed Mr. Anuga for the 1st respondent and Mr. Numa for the 2nd respondent are the correct state of affairs in matters such as the one at hand and in the light of the prevailing circumstances well settled

PRO- BONO SERVICE - FOR THE GOOD.

CHARGE NUMBER: CR/109/2021- INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE v. BINTA AUDU. We are pleased to have represented Binta Audu (an indigent Client) on a four-count charge bothering on conspiracy, obtaining by pretence, cheating and fraud relating to a Point Of Sale (POS) transaction before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Nigeria Coram Judice; S. M. Idris of Court 28, in Charge No.CR/109/2021.

PRE-ELECTION LITIGATION: THE CHANGING JURISPRUDENCE OF SECTION 31(5) & (6) OF THE ELECTORAL ACT, 201

On the 7th day of May, 20222, the Court of Appeal, Asaba Division dismissed the appeal in Appeal No: CA/AW/100/2022 instituted by one Francis Adinor challenging the qualification of Valentine Ozigbo and his running mate Mrs Lilian Azuka Enemo in the just concluded Anambra State Governorship election held on the 6th of November, 2021 from contesting on the grounds that they gave false information owing to the slight variant in their names.

VERTEX AGRO LTD V. IDRIS MARIGA NSHV/SD/46/2019

We are pleased to have represented Vertex Agro Limited in a N112,500,000.00 (One Hundred and Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) Only litigation before the Niger State High Court Coram; Ahmad Danladi J in Suit No: NSHC/SD/46/2019 against an obstinate debtor.

SAKAMORI CONSTRUCTION (NIG) LTD V. LAGOS STATE WATER CORPORATION

The Appellant instituted Suit LD/1146/2009 at the High Court of Lagos State in 2009 claiming in the main, the sum of N462,068,741.92

Product Liability

The Niger State High Court, Sitting in Suleja Judicial Division, Nigeria on Wednesday the 30th day of March, 2022 gave a landmark decision in NSHC/SD/38/2020 wherein the Court found in favour of the Plaintiff; Vertex Agro Limited against the Defendnt;

THE REFORMS/SALIENT FEATURES INTRODUCED BY THE ELECTORAL ACT 2022

The Electoral Act of 2022 is indeed commendable and a welcomed development in the Nigerian sphere; it has brought in several innovations and refinement that are aimed at deepening democaracy in Nigeria.