Civil and criminal proceedings through the hierarchy of Nigerian courts, and the appellate work that follows them. Where a dispute is better resolved outside court, we say so before proceedings are issued rather than after.
Every matter begins with an assessment of what can actually be proved, what it will take to prove it, and how long the court is likely to take. That assessment is given to you in writing, including where it points away from proceedings.
Litigation in Nigeria is slow and the cost of a weak claim is not only the fee. Where the commercial answer is a negotiated settlement or a reference to arbitration, that is the advice you receive.
Contract claims, land and title proceedings, tort claims, debt recovery, and administrative law challenges. Acting for claimants and for defendants at first instance in the High Courts and in the specialist courts where jurisdiction lies elsewhere.
Representation of accused persons, including in matters of homicide and manslaughter and in allegations of corruption. Bail applications, examination of the prosecution case, objection to procedural irregularity, and conduct of the trial. The firm also holds watching briefs for complainants.
Appellate work turns on the record and on questions of law rather than on a rehearing of the facts. That means identifying the errors that are actually appealable, compiling the record correctly, and settling briefs of argument for the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Representation in arbitral proceedings and in mediation. These are private, ordinarily faster than litigation, and can preserve a commercial relationship that proceedings would end. Whether they are available at all usually depends on a clause agreed long before the dispute.
If proceedings have already been issued or a limitation period is running, include the dates. They determine what can still be done.