18/02/2026
LOVE CAN BE REAL
AND STILL BE WRONG.
(What the Law Taught Me About Relationships — Day 16)
In law, many disputes don’t come from bad people; they come from mismatch.
Different expectations.
Different capacities.
Different values.
Same table. Constant conflict.
The Court acknowledged this reality in
Odutola v. Papersack (Nig.) Ltd (2006) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1012) 470: that when parties are fundamentally misaligned, conflict is inevitable.
Let us bring that truth home.
Two good people.
Strong emotions.
But opposing directions.
Love can be sincere
and still not be sufficient.
Chemistry excites.
Compatibility sustains.
Alignment reduces friction.
Shared values preserve peace.
Wisdom is not just choosing who to love—
it is understanding what you can realistically build together. Love needs alignment to last.
- Akinwale Akinlawon Esq. MCIArb(UK)
