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Affable Solicitors, Maitama, Abuja (2026)

29/08/2026

🧠 Understanding the Psychology Behind Eyewitness Testimony

Eyewitness testimony can be powerful evidence in a legal proceeding. A witness may genuinely believe that they remember what happened accurately, yet psychological research shows that human memory is not a perfect recording of events.

Understanding how memory works is therefore important when evaluating eyewitness evidence.

👁️ 1. Perception Influences Memory

A witness can only remember what they were able to perceive. Lighting, distance, visibility, distractions, and the amount of time available to observe an event can affect what is initially stored in memory.

🧠 2. Memory Is Reconstructive

When people remember an event, they do not simply replay a perfect recording. The brain reconstructs memories, and some details may be forgotten, altered, or filled in over time.

😰 3. Stress Can Affect Recall

Highly stressful or frightening situations can affect attention and memory. A witness may remember some aspects of an event clearly while having difficulty recalling other details.

⏳ 4. Time Can Affect Accuracy

As time passes, memories can become less detailed. Delays between an event and the witness's account or identification may therefore be relevant when assessing the evidence.

🗣️ 5. Post-Event Information Can Influence Memory

Information obtained after an event—from conversations, news reports, social media, or other witnesses—can sometimes become mixed with a person's original memory.

🔍 6. Confidence Is Not Always Accuracy

A witness may appear very confident about what they remember. However, confidence by itself does not necessarily establish that the memory is accurate. The circumstances surrounding the observation and the evidence as a whole remain important.

⚖️ 7. Why This Matters in Law

Courts must carefully evaluate eyewitness evidence alongside other available evidence. Understanding the psychology of memory helps explain why eyewitness testimony should be examined thoughtfully rather than accepted solely because a witness appears certain.

✅ Takeaway

Seeing something does not always mean remembering it perfectly.

Eyewitnesses can provide valuable information, but their recollections may be influenced by perception, stress, time, and information received after the event. Understanding these psychological factors helps promote a more careful and balanced approach to eyewitness evidence.

This post is shared as part of Affable Solicitors' commitment to promoting legal awareness and helping individuals and businesses better understand their legal rights and obligations.

29/08/2026

⚖️🧠 The Psychology of Eyewitness Testimony

How Eyewitness Testimony Affects Court Cases

Eyewitness testimony can play an important role in a court case. A person who witnessed an incident may provide information that helps investigators and the court understand what happened. However, human memory is not a perfect recording of events.

The way people perceive, remember, and later recall an event can be influenced by several psychological factors.

👁️ 1. Perception at the Time of the Event
What a witness actually sees can depend on factors such as lighting, distance, visibility, and how long the person had to observe the event.

🧠 2. Memory Can Change
Memory can become less accurate over time. Details may be forgotten, altered, or unintentionally reconstructed.

😰 3. Stress and Fear Can Affect Recall
Highly stressful situations may affect a person's ability to accurately perceive and remember certain details.

🗣️ 4. Information from Others Can Influence Memory
What a witness hears from other people, reads online, or is told after an event can sometimes influence their later recollection.

🔎 5. Identification Can Be Challenging
Identifying a person after an incident can be affected by factors such as the conditions under which the person was initially observed and the procedures used during identification.

⚖️ 6. The Court Must Assess Reliability
Eyewitness evidence is considered alongside other evidence. The circumstances in which the witness observed the event, the consistency of their account, and other relevant factors may all be important when assessing its reliability.

✅ Takeaway

Eyewitness testimony can be valuable, but confidence does not always equal accuracy. Understanding the psychology of memory helps us appreciate why eyewitness evidence should be carefully evaluated rather than accepted without scrutiny.

29/08/2026

🎉 Congratulations to the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN

Congratulations once again to Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, who was sworn in as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on 28 August 2026 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She took the oath of office administered by her predecessor, Afam Osigwe, SAN, the 32nd President of the NBA, who also formally handed over the affairs of the Association to her.

Her assumption of office represents a significant moment in the history of the Nigerian legal profession. Badejo-Okusanya becomes the first woman to be elected President of the NBA, making her emergence particularly significant for women in the legal profession and for the broader history of the Association. She is, however, the second woman to lead the NBA, following the tenure of Priscilla Kuye, who served as President from 1991 to 1992.

⚖️ A New Chapter for the Nigerian Bar

The presidency of the NBA carries enormous responsibility. The Association represents lawyers across Nigeria and plays an important role in matters concerning the legal profession, the administration of justice, the rule of law, access to justice, professional ethics, and the welfare of legal practitioners.

Badejo-Okusanya therefore assumes office at a time when expectations from the Bar are high. Her administration will be expected not only to represent lawyers but also to contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigeria's justice system.

In her inaugural address, she emphasised unity and described her vision as one of an “inclusive association.” She also expressed the desire to be President of all members of the Bar, irrespective of how they voted during the election.

👩‍⚖️ Breaking a Significant Barrier

Her election is particularly noteworthy because it demonstrates the increasing participation and leadership of women within the Nigerian legal profession.

For many young female lawyers, her emergence is more than simply a change in leadership. It represents the possibility of occupying the highest levels of professional leadership through competence, experience, dedication, and service.

Her statement that she hopes not to be the last woman to occupy the office carries an important message: leadership positions should continue to become increasingly accessible to competent members of the profession, irrespective of gender.

💼 Welfare of Lawyers

One of the major issues identified by the new administration is the economic welfare of lawyers, particularly young practitioners.

Badejo-Okusanya has spoken about the need for fair remuneration for lawyers and indicated that her administration intends to engage relevant authorities regarding compliance with the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Order.

This is an important area of concern because the strength of the legal profession depends, in part, on the ability of practitioners—especially young lawyers—to build sustainable careers while maintaining professional standards.

💻 Technology and the Future of Legal Practice

Another significant aspect of the new administration's agenda is the use of technology.

The new NBA President has indicated an intention to modernise the NBA's national secretariat and make membership-related processes easier through technology. She has also identified emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, digital commerce, data protection, energy transition, and cross-border legal services as areas in which lawyers need to be better equipped.

This is particularly relevant because the legal profession is changing rapidly. Lawyers can no longer afford to view technology as something separate from legal practice. The ability to understand emerging technologies, their legal implications, and the regulatory frameworks surrounding them will increasingly be important.

🤝 The Importance of Unity

Leadership transitions can sometimes create divisions, particularly after a competitive election. The new President has therefore placed considerable emphasis on unity.

Her message that there should be “one Bar” reflects the need for members to move beyond electoral differences and work collectively toward strengthening the profession.

This is perhaps one of the most important responsibilities of any professional association: ensuring that differences in opinion do not prevent members from pursuing common objectives.

👏 Appreciating the Outgoing Administration

As we celebrate the beginning of a new administration, it is equally important to acknowledge the service of Afam Osigwe, SAN, who served as the 32nd President of the NBA.

The transition in Port Harcourt formally brought his tenure to an end, with Osigwe handing over to his successor and presenting her with a handover note.

Leadership is ultimately a continuum. Every administration builds upon the work of those before it, addresses existing challenges, introduces new ideas, and leaves its own mark on the institution.

🌟 A Moment of Expectation

With the swearing-in now completed, congratulations naturally give way to expectations.

The legal profession will be watching closely as the new administration translates its vision into concrete initiatives. From lawyers' welfare and professional development to technology, ethics, access to justice, institutional reform, and the standing of the legal profession, there is considerable work ahead.

But every new administration also presents an opportunity—a chance to rethink existing systems, strengthen what works, correct what does not, and create opportunities for the next generation of lawyers.

🥂 Congratulations, Madam President!

Congratulations once again to our President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, on this historic achievement and the commencement of her tenure as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

May her tenure be marked by wisdom, courage, fairness, innovation, inclusiveness, and meaningful service to the Bar and the Nigerian justice system.

The profession wishes you a successful tenure.

Congratulations, Madam President! ⚖️👏🎉

29/08/2026

⚖️ The Impact of Jury Duty on the Community

Jury duty is more than a legal obligation—it is an opportunity for members of the community to participate directly in the administration of justice. By serving as jurors, ordinary citizens contribute to a justice system that depends on fairness, impartiality, and public participation.

Here are some of the ways jury duty can impact the community:

👥 1. Encourages Civic Participation
Jury service gives citizens an opportunity to take an active role in an important part of the justice system.

⚖️ 2. Promotes Fairness
A jury drawn from members of the community can bring different experiences and perspectives to the consideration of evidence.

🏛️ 3. Strengthens Public Confidence
When people understand that members of the public can participate in deciding cases, it can strengthen confidence in the fairness and legitimacy of the justice system.

🤝 4. Builds a Sense of Responsibility
Jury duty reminds citizens that maintaining a fair society is not solely the responsibility of judges, lawyers, or law enforcement officers. Members of the public also have a role to play.

📚 5. Improves Legal Awareness
People who serve as jurors may gain a better understanding of how evidence is presented, how legal procedures work, and why due process matters.

🌍 6. Connects the Justice System with Society
Jury service creates a direct connection between the justice system and the community it serves, helping ensure that public participation remains an important part of justice where jury trials are applicable.

✅ Takeaway

Jury duty can have an impact that extends beyond the courtroom. It encourages civic responsibility, promotes public participation, and can strengthen the relationship between the justice system and the community.

Justice is not only something that happens in court—it is a responsibility that society shares.

29/08/2026

⚖️ How to Prepare for Jury Duty

Being selected for jury duty is an important civic responsibility. Jurors play a significant role in the justice system, and proper preparation helps ensure that they can perform their duties fairly, objectively, and responsibly.

Here are some practical steps to take:

📋 1. Understand Your Responsibilities
Read the information provided by the court carefully. Understand when and where you are required to appear, as well as the rules that apply to jurors.

⏰ 2. Be Punctual and Organised
Arrive on time and make the necessary arrangements for transportation, work, school, or other commitments in advance.

⚖️ 3. Remain Impartial
Avoid forming opinions about the case before hearing all the evidence. Your role is to consider the evidence presented in court and follow the instructions of the judge.

📵 4. Avoid Discussing the Case
Do not discuss the case with friends, family, colleagues, or other people unless the court expressly permits it. Be particularly careful about discussing the case on social media.

👂 5. Listen Carefully
Pay attention to the evidence, witness testimony, arguments, and directions given by the judge. Avoid distractions and take notes only where permitted.

🔎 6. Base Your Decision on the Evidence
Do not conduct your own investigation, search for information online, or rely on information from outside the courtroom. Decisions should be based on the evidence and legal directions applicable to the case.

🧠 7. Ask for Clarification When Permitted
If you do not understand an instruction or procedure, follow the court's established process for seeking clarification rather than making assumptions.

✅ Takeaway

Preparing for jury duty is ultimately about being informed, impartial, attentive, and responsible. A juror's decisions can have serious consequences, so every juror should approach the responsibility with care and respect for the justice system.

This post is shared as part of Affable Solicitors' commitment to promoting legal awareness and helping individuals and businesses better understand their legal rights and obligations.

29/08/2026

⚖️ The Importance of Jury Duty

Understanding the Role of the Jury in the Justice System

Have you ever wondered who decides whether the evidence presented in a criminal trial proves that an accused person is guilty?

In jurisdictions where jury trials are used, the jury plays an important role in the administration of justice. Jurors are ordinary members of the public who are selected to listen to evidence, assess the facts, and reach a decision based on the law and the evidence presented in court.

🔹 1. Promotes Public Participation
Jury service allows members of the public to participate directly in the justice system and contributes to the principle that justice should not be left entirely in the hands of state officials.

🔹 2. Assesses the Evidence
Jurors listen carefully to witnesses, examine the evidence presented, and consider the facts before reaching their decision.

🔹 3. Supports Fairness
An impartial jury can provide an important safeguard in criminal proceedings by ensuring that decisions are based on evidence rather than personal opinions or outside influence.

🔹 4. Protects the Accused
In systems that provide for jury trials, the jury can serve as an important protection for an accused person by requiring the prosecution to prove its case according to the applicable standard.

🔹 5. Strengthens Confidence in Justice
Public participation in the justice system can promote transparency and confidence in the administration of justice.

✅ Takeaway

Jury duty is more than simply attending court. Where jury trials form part of a country's legal system, jurors carry an important civic responsibility: to listen impartially, consider the evidence carefully, and perform their role according to the law.

Understanding how juries work helps us better appreciate how justice is administered—and why fairness, impartiality, and evidence are essential to the justice system.

This post is shared as part of Affable Solicitors' commitment to promoting legal awareness and helping individuals and businesses better understand their legal rights and obligations.

28/08/2026

DISCUSSION CORNER

When registering a business, many entrepreneurs focus on the name, registration fees and getting their certificate.

But how many actually stop to understand their business objects?

Business objects describe the activities and purposes for which a company is established. They can therefore be an important part of understanding the company's proposed activities and future direction.

💬 Let's hear from you:

When you registered your business, did you understand what your business objects meant?

A. Yes, I understood them.
B. I had some idea.
C. No, I didn't understand them.
D. I never really looked at them.

No judgment—we're here to learn. 😊

Drop A, B, C or D in the comments.

28/08/2026

Common Mistakes When Drafting Business Objects

Business objects should be drafted with the company's actual and intended activities in mind. Yet, some common mistakes can affect the usefulness of the objects.

❌ 1. Copying Objects From Another Company

What works for one business may not be suitable for another.

Your objects should reflect your company's own activities and plans.

❌ 2. Making the Objects Too Narrow

If the objects only describe one very specific activity, they may not adequately reflect related activities the company genuinely intends to undertake.

❌ 3. Adding Every Possible Business Activity

A long list is not necessarily a better list.

Including numerous unrelated activities simply to make the objects appear comprehensive can make them unnecessarily broad and unclear.

❌ 4. Ignoring Regulatory Requirements

Some proposed activities are subject to specific laws, licences or regulatory approvals.

Including such an activity in your objects does not by itself give the company permission to operate it.

❌ 5. Failing to Consider Future Plans

Business owners should consider not only what the company does today but also legitimate related activities they may reasonably undertake as the business develops.

💡 Key Takeaway

Good business objects are not about having the longest list. They're about having objects that properly reflect the company's legitimate business activities and plans.

💬 Discussion Corner

Which of these mistakes do you think entrepreneurs make most often?

1️⃣ Copying another company's objects
2️⃣ Making them too narrow
3️⃣ Making them unnecessarily broad
4️⃣ Ignoring regulatory requirements

Drop the number in the comments.

28/08/2026

MYTH VS FACT

“The More Business Objects, the Better.”

❌ MYTH

The more activities you include in a company's business objects, the better.

Some people believe that listing numerous and unrelated activities automatically gives a company greater flexibility.

But more does not necessarily mean better.

✅ FACT

Business objects should be carefully considered and appropriately drafted to reflect the company's intended activities and legitimate business plans.

Including numerous unrelated activities simply to make the objects appear comprehensive may create unnecessary clutter and may not accurately reflect what the company actually intends to do.

For example, a company established primarily for real estate may have objects covering property development, property management, real estate investment and related activities.

💡 Key Takeaway

The goal isn't to have the longest list of objects.

The goal is to have objects that are clear, relevant and sufficiently comprehensive for the company's legitimate activities.

And where a proposed activity is regulated, the relevant regulatory requirements still need to be considered.

💬 What do you think?

Would you rather have:

A. 5 well-drafted, relevant objects
B. 30 broad and unrelated objects

Tell us why.

28/08/2026

How Broad Should Business Objects Be?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how broad a company's business objects should be.

The objects should be broad enough to accommodate the company's genuine business plans, while remaining clear, relevant and properly drafted.

A common mistake is to list every imaginable business activity simply because the company might want to venture into them someday.

For example, a company established primarily for real estate may include related activities such as property development, property management, investment and consultancy. But adding completely unrelated activities may not necessarily make the objects better.

A good approach is to consider:

🔹 What does the company intend to do now?

🔹 What related activities may it reasonably undertake in the future?

🔹 Are any of the proposed activities regulated?

🔹 Are there restrictions in the company's constitutional documents or applicable laws?

💡 Key Takeaway

Broad does not necessarily mean better.

The goal should be to have business objects that are clear, relevant and sufficiently comprehensive for the company's legitimate plans.

And remember, even where a company's objects are unrestricted under CAMA 2020, specific business activities may still be subject to separate laws, licences or regulatory approvals.

Which approach do you prefer when drafting business objects?

A. Keep them narrowly focused
B. Make them broad and comprehensive
C. Include the main activities and related activities

Shared as part of Affable Solicitors' commitment to promoting legal awareness.

Affable Solicitors

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