Author: amakaekelawoffice

Navigating litigation in Nigeria often requires a clear understanding of three key procedural concepts: cause of action, interlocutory applications, and jurisdiction. Recent decisions from the Nigerian Court of Appeal provide helpful clarification on these points. Below is a digest of key principles from these cases. 1. Cause of Action A cause of action refers to…

The Statute of Limitation in Nigeria plays a critical role in civil litigation by setting a legal time frame within which lawsuits must be filed. Once the prescribed time elapses, the claim becomes statute-barred, and courts will refuse to hear the case. However, Nigerian law recognizes several important exceptions where limitation laws do not apply.…

In Nigeria, the right to own property is protected by the Constitution and other land-related statutes. But what happens when the government or its agencies compulsorily acquire your land without following due process or without paying adequate compensation? This post explains the key legal issues, constitutional provisions, and court decisions that protect your rights in…

The Public Officers Protection Act (POPA) is a federal legislation in Nigeria that sets a statutory time limit for filing actions against public officers for acts done in the course of their official duties. However, as Nigerian courts have repeatedly clarified, the Act does not give blanket immunity to public officers who act outside their…

In Nigeria, disputes between landlords and tenants often hinge on whether a proper notice to quit was served before an action for recovery of premises was filed. Courts have consistently emphasized the importance of strictly complying with legal requirements before evicting a tenant. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, understanding the legal framework…

The wheels of justice do not wait for those who choose silence or delay. A recent decision by the Court of Appeal in ADAMA & ORS V. SHETTIMA (2025) LPELR-81255(CA) highlights the consequences of failing to respond to court processes and illustrates how procedural defaults can result in judgment being entered against a party, even…

When a party obtains a favorable monetary judgment from a court, the next important step is enforcement—especially when the judgment debtor fails or refuses to pay. One of the effective enforcement mechanisms under Nigerian law is a garnishee proceeding. This legal tool empowers a judgment creditor to recover the judgment sum from third parties (often…

Not every court case needs to go through a full trial. In some civil matters—especially where the facts are clear and the defendant has no valid excuse—the law allows for a quicker path to justice. Two of the main fast-track options in Nigeria are summary judgment and the undefended list procedure. What is Summary Judgment?…

Bail is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. But what happens when a court has already refused bail—can it later reverse itself and grant bail? The short answer is yes—a Nigerian court can revisit and grant bail after previously denying it. This post explores…

Introduction Money laundering sounds like something out of a crime movie, but it’s a real offence with serious consequences in Nigeria. It happens when someone tries to hide the source of money gotten from illegal activities—like fraud, kidnapping, corruption, or drug trafficking—so that it looks like clean, legal money. This post explains what makes up…