Ask a Lawyer Q&A Forum

Adeyinka Adesina, Esq.

Senior Tech & Corporate Counsel (Lagos)

1 hour ago

No, under Section 14 of the Nigerian Labour Act (Cap L1 LFN 2004), wages become due and payable at the end of each period of employment. An employer cannot unilaterally withhold earned salaries after proper notice has been served unless authorized by a court order or explicit contract term. You should issue a formal Demand Letter through an advocate before petitioning the Ministry of Labour or National Industrial Court.

Chukwuemeka Anyim, Esq.

Real Estate & Property Attorney (Enugu/Lagos)

3 hours ago

A 1-month notice is invalid for a yearly tenant under Section 13(1)(d) of the Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011. A yearly tenant is entitled to a SIX (6) MONTHS Notice to Quit, unless your tenancy agreement explicitly states a shorter notice period. Furthermore, notice cannot expire mid-term while your rent remains valid.

Ibrahim Musa, Esq.

Commercial & Defense Advocate (Abuja)

18 hours ago

No officer has the right to conduct a random fishing search on your personal phone or banking apps without a valid search warrant or reasonable suspicion of a specific felony under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (Right to Privacy) and Section 45 of the Cybercrimes Act 2015. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has issued multiple directives banning phone searches at routine checkpoints. If threatened, activate the Mobile Lawyer Emergency SOS button immediately.

Folake Williams, Esq.

Commercial & Corporate Solicitor

20 hours ago

Yes! Under Section 18(2) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, one person may form and incorporate a private company. Furthermore, Section 271(1) of CAMA 2020 exempts small companies from the requirement of having at least two directors. You can register your company with CAC as a single-member, single-director entity.

Barrister Babatunde Alabi

Fintech & Regulatory Partner

1 day ago

Inbound diaspora remittances require an International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO) license from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) pursuant to the Revised Guidelines for International Money Transfer Services. Alternatively, fintechs partner with already-licensed commercial banks or licensed IMTOs via API rails while obtaining a PSSP or Mobile Money Operator (MMO) license for domestic disbursement.

Kemi Adeleke, ACTI, Esq.

Tax & Fiscal Law Specialist

1 day ago

Under Section 23 of the Companies Income Tax Act (as amended by the Finance Act 2019 and 2020), small companies with a gross annual turnover of ₦25 Million or less are subject to ZERO percent (0%) Companies Income Tax (CIT). However, you are still statutorily required to file your annual tax returns with the FIRS, even if your tax payable is zero.

Barrister Tariere Amadi

Energy & Natural Resources Counsel

2 days ago

Under Section 235 of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, settlers (operators) are legally mandated to incorporate a Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) with the CAC. Section 240 mandates an annual contribution of 3% of the settlor's operating expenditure from the preceding fiscal year into the Trust Fund. Direct cash payouts to individuals or youth groups are illegal and do not satisfy statutory PIA compliance.

Barrister Chioma Okeke

IP & Brand Protection Solicitor

3 days ago

No. CAC business name registration only gives you statutory corporate identity under CAMA 2020, NOT proprietary trademark protection. Trademark rights arise strictly from registration with the Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry under the Trade Marks Act (Cap T13 LFN 2004). To restrain unauthorized use, you must file a passing-off action under common law and immediately register your trademark in the relevant NICE classification.

Barrister Bamidele Martins

Probate & Estate Administration Attorney

3 days ago

Because your parents contracted a statutory marriage under the Marriage Act, English common law and the Administration of Estates Law of Lagos State apply to the exclusion of customary law (Cole v. Cole). The surviving spouse and children are the primary statutory heirs. The extended family has no legal right to dispossess you. You must apply for Letters of Administration at the High Court Probate Registry before distributing any assets.

Adewale Cole, Esq.

Immigration & FDI Counsel

4 days ago

First, the Nigerian company must obtain Expatriate Quota approval from the Federal Ministry of Interior. Once granted, the expatriate applies for a Subject to Regularization (STR) Visa at the Nigerian Embassy in their home country. Upon arrival in Nigeria, the STR visa must be regularized into a Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) within 90 days pursuant to the Immigration Act 2015.

Barrister Victor Alade

Maritime & Admiralty Solicitor

4 days ago

Under Section 3 of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, vessels engaged in domestic coastal trade in Nigeria must be 100% owned by Nigerian citizens, built in Nigeria, registered in Nigeria with NIMASA, and crewed by Nigerian seafarers. A foreign vessel may only operate if a formal Ministerial Waiver is granted under Sections 9-14 where no suitable Nigerian vessel exists.

Folashade Danladi, Esq.

Data Protection & Cybercrime Attorney

5 days ago

Under Section 48 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, unauthorized processing or disclosure of personal and sensitive data attracts administrative fines of up to ₦10,000,000 or 2% of annual gross turnover. Furthermore, under Section 14 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, unauthorized access with intent to steal data is a criminal offense punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment.