Imadojemu Solicitors

PRESS RELEASE
NJC ends Emergency Meeting
Gives Hon. Mr. Justice W.S.N. Onnoghen, GCON and Hon. Mr. Justice I.T. Muhammad, CFR seven (7) working days to respond to petitions.
Refers petition against CCT Chairman, Danladi Yakubu Umar to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).
To reconvene on 11th February, 2019.

The National Judicial Council held an Emergency Meeting today and considered four (4) petitions filed at its Secretariat. The petitions are:
Petition against Hon. Mr. Justice W.S.N. Onnoghen, GCON by Zikhrillahi Ibrahim of Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civil Education;
Petition against Hon. Mr. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, CFR by Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative;
Petition against Hon. Mr. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, CFR by Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, OON; and
Petition against Hon. Danladi Yakubu Umar, Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal by Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative.
Council referred the petition against Hon. Danladi Yakubu Umar to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) which is the appropriate constitutional body empowered to deal with it.
In line with its procedure, Council also forwarded the petitions against Hon. Justices W.S.N. Onnoghen, GCON and I. T. Muhammad, CFR to them for their responses.
In view of the gravity of the matters involved, Council abridged the usual response period from fourteen (14) to seven (7) working days for the Hon. Justices to respond.
Hon. Mr. Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen, GCON and Hon. Mr. Justice I.T. Muhammad, CFR recused themselves from the meeting. Consequently, Council elected Hon. Mr. Justice Umaru Abdullahi, CON, former President of the Court of Appeal as Interim Chairman to preside over the meeting. Council will reconvene on the 11th February, 2019.

Soji Oye, Esq.
Director (Information)

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PROPERTY ACQUSITION IN NIGERIA - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

The need to acquire landed property in Nigeria has given rise to an increase in disputes and litigation arising from such acquisitions. Most of the time and rather unfortunately, professional advice is only solicited after "the door of the stable had been closed and the horse had bolted". Underneath is a checklist of steps that can be taken to prevent these disputes and help protect prospective purchasers from unsuspecting fraudsters.

Checklist:

On taking the decision to acquire land, consult a qualified and experienced Attorney (Lawyer). This cannot be over-emphasised. This will safeguard your investment and save you the trouble of possible future disputes and litigation in relation to the property.

Your Attorney will assist you in finding out the name of the present owner of the land or the name of the family that owns the land? It is critical that you or your Attorney establish physical contact with the owner before any payment is made for the property. This contact will also enable you to have a feel of the owner and assist you in taking a decision as to whether or not, to continue with the transaction.

Your Attorney will need to investigate the kind of title that the owner of the land has.

How long has the owner been in possession of the land and what structures are on the land to show that he had always been in possession? Has possession been disturbed or interrupted at any time by another interested party? These are some of the MANY other things your Attorney might want to find out.

Your Attorney might also need to conduct a land search on the property depending on the kind of title that the property owner has. This is very crucial in land transactions. There are salient steps to be taken here which every experienced property Attorneys should be conversant with. Note that a Land Search may not be conclusive. A physical search should also be undertaken.

The land search should establish whether the land is free from any form of government acquisition, registered mortgage(s), caveats, Court Cases, etc.

You need to also ensure that before actual payment is made for the land, as much documentation that would be required to change the ownership to the new one are obtained from the original owner. Your Attorney should know better. This would prevent unnecessary additional expenses from being incurred.

Please note that this article is not exhaustive. It is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as legal advice or legal opinion.