P. D. Pius & Associates

11/05/2026

IF YOU PAY OR ACCEPT CASH, YOU ARE LIABLE TO IMPRISONMENT - Pius Danba

There are too many laws you need to comply with when buying or selling land or cars or shares in Nigeria failing which you will be liable for criminal offense.

In the case of ALIYU v. FRN (2026) LPELR-83493(SC) it was held as follows:

"It is apropos, perforce, to place on record that the appellant was charged with accepting cash payment for the sale of landed property contrary to the provision of Section 22(1)(a) of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act.

It is germane to pluck it out, verbatim ac litteratim, whence it is domiciled quietly in the statute book.

It states:
22. Payments for certain goods
(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any enactment or law and except as provided in Subsection (2) of this Section, no person shall, in Nigeria, make or accept cash payment, whether denominated in foreign currency or not, for the purchase of acquisition of the following:
(a) landed properties;
(b) securities, including stocks, shares, debentures and all forms of negotiable instruments; and
(c) motor cars, including other vehicles of any description whatsoever.

(2) Payments for the items specified in Subsection (1) of this Section shall, as from the commencement of this Act, be made by means of bank transfers or cheques drawn on banks in Nigeria only."

Thus, you can no longer buy land, house, hotel, garden, Benz, Lamborghini, Chevrolet, or company shares with cash payment.

Remember, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. Feel free to ask us further questions or visit www.pdpiusandassociates.com to speak with a Lawyer.

BUSINESS LAW MONDAY

08/05/2026

Congratulations to our Principal Partner Pius Danba.

‎𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗦 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 — 𝗕𝗔𝗥𝗥. 𝗣𝗜𝗨𝗦 𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗔 𝗣𝗜𝗨𝗦
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‎Barr. Pius Danba Pius is the Founder and Lead Counsel of P. D. Pius & Associates, a law firm headquartered in Abuja with a branch office in Jalingo. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2014 and has since built a strong and respected legal practice.
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‎Beyond private legal practice, he is the Founder of the PD Community Development Initiative, a non-governmental organisation through which he delivers humanitarian and community-focused interventions across Taraba State.
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‎A native of Bitako Mazara in Zing Local Government Area, Barr. Pius was raised in Zing and has deep roots in the communities he serves.
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‎He attended Federal Government College, Wukari, and studied at the University of Maiduguri, the University of Jos, and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus.
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‎He brings to the Board strong expertise in law, corporate governance, compliance, and community advocacy, with experience spanning the private sector and the social impact space.
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07/05/2026

N33.8billion Fraud: Court Convicts Saleh Mamman
** Sentence Comes May 13

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has convicted a former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman on 12- count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N33.8billion.

The judge also deferred his sentence to May 13, 2026 because the former Minister was not physically present in court.

To forestall his escape from the country before being sentenced, EFCC Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, applied for a bench warrant for his arrest so as to be produced in court.

07/05/2026

CAN YOU REMARRY AFTER RETURNING BRIDE PRICE? HERE’S WHAT THE LAW SAYS - Peace Johnson

The answer to this question is not as straightforward as you think.

To properly answer this question, it is important to first consider the type of marriage involved.

If the marriage was contracted under customary law; what many people refer to as traditional marriage — where the man visits the woman’s family with drinks, kolanuts, tubers of yam, and other customary items, and bride price is paid to the woman’s family, then yes, under customary law, the return of bride price can signify that the customary marriage has come to an end.

However, where the parties went further to contract a statutory marriage — either by way of a court marriage or a marriage conducted in a licensed place of worship — the position is completely different.

Once a statutory marriage is contracted, the only lawful way to bring that marriage to an end is through a decree of dissolution granted by a competent court of law.

Therefore, where a couple celebrates both a customary marriage and a statutory marriage, the mere return of bride price does not, in law, end the marriage.

In the eyes of the law, the parties remain legally married until the marriage is dissolved by the court.

Do you understand?

If you don't, feel free to ask your questions in the comment section below or visit www.pdpiusandassociates.com to speak with a lawyer.

Remember, ignorance of the law is no excuse.

FAMILY LAW THURSDAY

05/05/2026

CAN A COMPANY SELL LAND IN NIGERIA? HERE'S WHAT BUYERS SHOULD KNOW- Peace Johnson

Recently, we have handled cases involving individuals who purchased property from a company.

And let’s be honest, this has gradually become a norm in Nigeria. Many people buy land or houses from Real Estate companies or other businesses registered as Limited Liability Companies, whether or not real estate is their primary business.

Now, here’s the assumption most buyers make:
“As long as the company is registered and I’ve verified it, I’m safe.”

But is that really enough?
Can a company registered in Nigeria actually sell property? Do they have the legal capacity to transfer interest in land?

By virtue of Section 38 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020, “a company shall, for the furtherance of its authorised business or objects, have all the powers of a natural person of full capacity.”

Simply put, a company can do what a natural person can do—including owning, acquiring, and disposing of property.

So yes—a company can legally sell property.

But here’s where it gets interesting…

The signing of the Deed of Assignment is not just a formality—it can determine whether your “purchase” is legally recognised or not.

For a land transaction of this nature to be valid and enforceable, the document must be properly executed—by two directors, or a director and the company secretary.

Anything outside this, you may have simply paid for land in exchange for paperwork—not ownership.

That’s why involving a lawyer is not optional. Whether it’s a sale, lease, or gift, every property transaction deserves proper legal scrutiny.

At P. D. Pius & Associates, we don’t just handle property transactions, we ensure your interest is properly secured and your investment is legally protected.

Visit www.pdpiusandassociates.com to speak with a Lawyer, now.

Remember, ignorance of the law is no excuse.

PROPERTY LAW TUESDAY

01/05/2026

Ask us anything about Employee or Employers Rights and Duties.

Happy Workers day.

01/05/2026

One of the most common realities for Nigerian workers today is: unpaid salaries or persistent delays in salary payment.

And somehow, many have learned to adjust.
No matter how frustrating or unfair the situation becomes, workers stay—hoping that eventually, their labour will be rewarded.

You hear things like: “If I leave this job, what’s the certainty that I’ll get another one?”

But here’s the real question: If you remain, what’s the certainty that you’ll ever be paid—especially when delays have become the norm?

At this point, it is important to move beyond emotions and look at the issue from a legal perspective.

Does the law actually excuse an employer who delays salary payment, even where the reason sounds “justifiable”? For instance: “The company is yet to receive payment from clients.”

Section 15 of the Labour Act makes it clear that wages become due and payable at the end of the agreed period of work—whether daily, weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.

In other words, salary payment is not left to the discretion or convenience of the employer. Once wages become due and remain unpaid, the implication is straightforward:
there is a breach.

This is because an employment relationship is, at its core, a contract—and both employer and employee are bound by its terms.

Once the employee has fulfilled their obligation, the employer’s duty to pay becomes due and enforceable. Accordingly, financial difficulty or delays in receiving payment from clients do not, in themselves, relieve the employer of this obligation.

In summary, an employer may face financial challenges, but the employee is not the party the law permits to bear them.

As we mark another Workers’ Day in Nigeria, it is also an opportunity for reflection.

Employers naturally expect productivity and commitment from their workers.
Likewise, employees also expect something just as basic in return—fair and timely payment for work done.

I believe this is not too much to ask. Let us learn to treat our employees right.

Happy Workers’ Day from all of us P. D. Pius & Associates .

©️ Peace Johnson

29/04/2026

Our Principal Partner, Pius Danba advocating for justice at the Federal High Court, Jalingo.

We remain committed to

28/04/2026

Lawyers from P. D. Pius & Associates at the NBA Law Week, Jalingo branch.

We remain committed to

24/04/2026

POV: When your Lawyer knows the Law

15/04/2026

We are pleased to receive these distinguished personalities in our Abuja Office.

We look forward to better legal relationships.