Ovie Obobolo & Co

25/12/2025

Season’s greetings from all of us at Ovie Obobolo & Co.

We wish you joy, peace, and renewed possibilities this Christmas and in the New Year ahead.

06/09/2025

Meaning of Alibi

Alibi simply means “elsewhere.”

It is a defence raised by an accused person to show that they were not at the scene of the crime at the material time, hence they could not have committed the offence.

If successfully established, it creates a doubt in the prosecution’s case.

When Alibi Will Avail the Accused

1. The accused must raise the defence at the earliest opportunity, usually in their extra-judicial statement to the police.

2. It must be specific – giving details of where they were, with whom, and possibly facts capable of being verified.

3. Once raised, the burden shifts to the prosecution to investigate the alibi and disprove it. If the alibi is not investigated, it may create reasonable doubt.

Shehu v. State (2010) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1195) 112 – Alibi must be raised promptly and specifically.

Olatinwo v. State (2013) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1355) 126 – Once an alibi is properly raised, prosecution must investigate.

Eyisi v. State (2000) 15 NWLR (Pt. 691) 555 – Court must evaluate whether alibi was raised and disproved.

Aliyu v. State (2013) NWLR (Pt. 1368) 403 – Where the accused is positively identified at the scene, alibi collapses.

✅ Takeaway:
The defence of alibi is a powerful shield, but it is only effective when:

raised early,

specific and verifiable, and

not contradicted by the accused’s own statements.

05/09/2025

The Five Ingredients of a Valid Contract

Under Nigerian contract law (and generally in common law), the following five elements must co-exist before a contract can be said to be valid and enforceable:

1. Offer – A definite promise by one party (the offeror) to be bound on specific terms.

2. Acceptance – The unqualified assent by the offeree to the terms of the offer, communicated in the prescribed or customary manner.

3. Consideration – Something of value (money, goods, services, forbearance) that each party gives or promises in return for the other’s promise.

4. Intention to Create Legal Relations – Parties must intend their agreement to give rise to enforceable legal obligations (distinguishing social arrangements from contracts).

5. Capacity to Contract – Parties must have legal competence (age, sound mind, not disqualified by law).

👉 Absence of any one of these five ingredients renders the contract invalid.

05/09/2025

In defamation law, it’s simple: No publication, no defamation.

📖 “Publication” here isn’t about books or newspapers. It means a false statement leaves your lips (or pen) and reaches a third party.

🗣️ Said only to the person concerned? No case.
If you call a saint a thief, and he’s the only one who hears it, that’s not defamation. He knows he’s no thief.

👂 But the moment another person hears it, that’s publication — and you could be liable.

⚖️ And if the person really is a thief? Then it’s not defamation… it’s the truth 😂😂😂

03/07/2025

I come in peace oh.

26/06/2025

Bought Land Without Any Documents? You Own Nothing in the Eyes of the Law.

25/06/2025

It is unlawful under the Nigerian Labour Act for an employer to deduct employee's salaries as punishment — for lateness, misconduct, or errors etc

24/06/2025

What Does “Next of Kin” Really Mean Under Nigerian Law?

23/06/2025

NGO vs. Company – Know the Legal Difference!

18/06/2025

Many Nigerian employers try to avoid full employment obligations by engaging contract staff. However, they may still be held liable if such staff suffer injuries while working on their premises.

17/06/2025

5 Ways to establish ownership of land in Nigeria

25/12/2024