Legal Consults & Updates

Legal Consults & Updates [email protected]
(1)

20/06/2026

Old memories

CAN SOMEONE BE PROSECUTED FOR SPREADING FALSE INFORMATION ONLINE?If you knowingly spread false information online whethe...
19/06/2026

CAN SOMEONE BE PROSECUTED FOR SPREADING FALSE INFORMATION ONLINE?

If you knowingly spread false information online whether on Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram, or X, you could find yourself facing serious legal consequences.

If you falsely accuse someone of a crime, or you spread a fake story that damages a person's reputation, or you circulate false information that causes panic in a community, or you published unverified allegations that ruin someone's business or career.

That "simple post" could become evidence in court.

Freedom of speech is your constitutional right, but freedom of speech is NOT freedom to deliberately spread falsehoods.

In today's digital age, one false post can destroy a reputation built over decades. It can trigger violence, cause public panic, or inflict financial and emotional damage on innocent people.

The following laws may be applicable.

1. Criminal defamation under Sections 391-395 of the Penal Code in Northern Nigeria, and similar common law defamation in the South. False statements that injure reputation can be charged.

2. Sedition and public incitement under the Criminal Code, if the false info is likely to cause public disorder.

3. Cyberstalking, fraud, impersonation under other sections of the Cybercrimes Act.

4. Civil defamation The person can sue for damages, even if there’s no criminal case.

However, the information must be false. True statements are protected.

Was the information meant to deceive, incite, or harm the reputation of the person? Did it cause panic, violence, financial loss, or reputational damage?

Nigeria’s Constitution in Section 39 guarantees freedom of expression.

Criticism of government officials, satire, opinion, and political speech are protected.

You have been informed. Follow Legal Consults & Updates for more legal tips and updates

Be Rest Assured.
19/06/2026

Be Rest Assured.

19/06/2026

The struggles shall pay off in due time 🙏🙏🙏🙏

CAN YOU SUE SOMEONE WHO COLLECTED MONEY TO GET YOU A JOB BUT FAILED?Many Nigerians have lost their hard-earned money cha...
18/06/2026

CAN YOU SUE SOMEONE WHO COLLECTED MONEY TO GET YOU A JOB BUT FAILED?

Many Nigerians have lost their hard-earned money chasing job opportunities that never existed.

Imagine this: A man tells you, "I have connections. Give me ₦500,000 and I'll secure a government job for you."

Trusting his words, you paid. Weeks turned into months, yet, no job, no refund.

Now he has stopped answering your calls.

The question is: Can you take him to court?

If the man deliberately deceived you into parting with your money by falsely claiming he could get you a job, he may be liable for fraud and you may be entitled to recover your money.

But, if the money was paid as part of an illegal arrangement to "buy" a job through influence, the law may refuse to assist either of you because courts generally do not enforce illegal transactions.

In the case of EKEREMOR L.G.C. V. OMIE (2022) 4 NWLR (Pt. 1819) 129, it was held that:

"A contract is illegal if the consideration or the promise involves doing something illegal or contrary to public policy or if the intention of the parties in making the contract is thereby to promote something which is illegal or contrary to public policy".

When the object of either the promise or the consideration is to promote the committal of an illegal act, the contract itself is illegal.

This is why the facts of each case matters

Before you give anyone money to secure employment, ask yourself: Is this a legitimate recruitment process? Can I prove what was promised? What happens if the job never comes?

You have been informed. Follow Legal Consults & Updates for more legal tips and updates

LAW IS NOT AN INSTRUMENT OF OPPRESSIONMany people see the law as a tool used to punish or restrict them.Law, in its true...
17/06/2026

LAW IS NOT AN INSTRUMENT OF OPPRESSION

Many people see the law as a tool used to punish or restrict them.

Law, in its true sense, is not an instrument of oppression but a mechanism for achieving justice, maintaining social order, and protecting individual rights

The true purpose of law is not oppression but the protection of rights, maintenance of order, and promotion of justice.

The law protects fundamental rights such as the right to life, personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of expression, and human dignity. It also ensures that everyone, including those in government, is subject to the same law. This is the essence of the rule of law.

When properly applied, the law serves as a shield against oppression by providing remedies for those whose rights have been violated.

Although some individuals in positions of authority may misuse legal processes, such abuse does not change the true nature and purpose of the law.

In a democratic society, the law is meant to protect the weak from the strong, restrain the abuse of power, and ensure that justice prevails.

You have been informed. Follow Legal Consults & Updates for more legal tips and updates

CAN PARENTS BE JAILED FOR CHILD LABOUR?Yes. Parents can be jailed for child labour in Nigeria if it violates the law.A p...
17/06/2026

CAN PARENTS BE JAILED FOR CHILD LABOUR?

Yes. Parents can be jailed for child labour in Nigeria if it violates the law.

A parent says, He's my child. I can make him work for me!"

Many people believe that because a child belongs to them, they can make the child hawk goods on the streets, work long hours, or engage in dangerous labour.

Yes. Parents can face criminal liability if they subject a child to unlawful labour or exploitative work.

The law recognizes that children are entitled to protection, education, dignity, and proper development.

A parent who exploits a child for labour may be violating the law, even if the intention is to help the family earn income.

On line with the Child’s Right Act 2003, Section 28:
Under Section 12: Cannot be employed at all, except for light work done for a parent/guardian that doesn’t interfere with school or health.

12-17: Can do light work, but not hazardous work.

A child cannot be used in hazardous work, trafficking, forced labour, prostitution, drug trafficking, or armed conflict.

The Labour Act, Section 59: Prohibits employment of children under 12 in industrial undertakings and limits work hours for those 12-14.

The Trafficking in Persons Act 2015: Makes child trafficking and forced child labour a crime.

The Act also prohibits using a child for slavery-like practices; employing a child in hazardous work, subjecting a child to excessive street hawking and similar exploitative activities.

Not every instance of a child helping a parent with minor household tasks is illegal.

However, where a child is regularly exposed to danger, denied education, or compelled to engage in strenuous trading activities, the conduct may amount to child labour.

Courts and child-protection authorities will usually consider factors such as: the child's age; nature of the work; hours involved; whether schooling is affected; the risks to the child's health and safety.

Teaching responsibility is not the same as exploitation.

You have been informed. Follow Legal Consults & Updates for more legal tips and updates.

17/06/2026

Even a Boy Scout would do more than this.

CAN A TRADITIONAL RULER BANISHED YOU FROM A TOWN? Banishment is unconstitutional and has been struck down by Nigerian co...
16/06/2026

CAN A TRADITIONAL RULER BANISHED YOU FROM A TOWN?

Banishment is unconstitutional and has been struck down by Nigerian courts multiple times. But it still happens informally in some rural areas.

Well, Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides that:
“Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom.”

“Reside in any part thereof” includes your hometown. A community resolution, chief, or traditional council can’t override that.

Section 34 (1) Prohibits inhuman or degrading treatment. Forcing someone out of their home, seizing property, and cutting off social ties has been held to violate this.

In the case of SHUGABA ABDULRAHMAN DARMAN V MINISTER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS, the court emphasized the importance of a citizen's right to remain and move freely within Nigeria and held that arbitrary expulsion is inconsistent with constitutional guarantees.

Similarly, in the case of AGBAI V. OKOGBUE 7 NWLR (Pt. 204) 391: The Supreme Court held that the “osu” caste system custom that banned certain people from living in parts of the community was unconstitutional and repugnant to natural justice.

Meanwhile, in the case of UKEJE V. UKEJE LPELR-22737 (SC), The Court reiterated that customs that violate the Constitution are void.

The principle of law is that: Any customary practice that deprives a Nigerian citizen of the right to live in their community is void.

You can report it to the police and file a civil suit for declaration that the banishment is illegal and for damages.

A traditional ruler may command respect and exercise customary authority, but he cannot override the Constitution.

A community can shun you, but it cannot legally force you to leave your hometown or stop you from returning.

You have been informed. Follow Legal Consults & Updates for more legal tips and updates.

THE CONCEPT OF LAW AND MORALITY:Law is a set of rules developed and implemented by governmental authorities to maintain ...
16/06/2026

THE CONCEPT OF LAW AND MORALITY:

Law is a set of rules developed and implemented by governmental authorities to maintain order and protect the citizens.

Morality on the other hand is a code of conduct derived from cultural, religious, or personal beliefs that defines what is perceived as right or wrong.

Are you aware that what is morally wrong can be legally right?

Address

High Court Of Justice Headquarters
Lokoja

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Legal Consults & Updates posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category