GEM Attorneys

18/02/2026

Every problem has a legal solution.
The question is — are you protected?
What legal solution do you need today?

18/02/2026

18/02/2026

Who Has the Right to Manage the Estate?

When there is no will, the family must apply for Letters of Administration at the Probate Registry of the Lagos State High Court.
The court will appoint administrators, usually:
The surviving spouse
Children of the deceased
Or close relatives
These administrators are legally authorised to:
Access bank accounts
Manage property
Pay debts
Distribute assets
Without Letters of Administration, no one has legal authority to deal with the deceased’s estate.

18/02/2026

What Does “Dying Intestate” Mean?

Dying intestate simply means the deceased did not leave a legally valid will stating how their assets should be distributed. Without a will:
There is no named executor
No clear instructions on how property should be shared
The law determines who inherits
This often leads to delays and disagreements among family members.

18/02/2026

What Happens When Someone Dies Without a Will in Lagos?

When a person dies without leaving a valid will, they are said to have died intestate. In Lagos, intestacy can create confusion, delays, and sometimes serious family disputes.

If your loved one has passed away without a will, here is what you need to know.

11/02/2026

We are indeed client focused firm

11/10/2025

Very interesting adrenaline pumping, thoughts provoking trial with lawyers that understands the intrigues of land litigation.

Chai litigation can be interesting when all parties are ready and know their onion

18/04/2023

Requirements for the grant of license for a finance Company

Finance Companies are highly regulated by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and cannot be validly operated without approval by the regulatory body CBN.
Any company seeking a license for a Finance Company business in Nigeria shall apply in writing to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Such application shall be accompanied by the following:
A non-refundable application fee of N100,000 (One hundred thousand naira only) in bank draft, payable to the Central Bank of Nigeria.
ii. Deposit of the minimum capital of N100 million (One hundred million naira only) in bank draft made payable to the Central Bank of Nigeria. The capital thus deposited together with the accrued interest will be released to the promoters on the grant of the final licence.
Satisfactory, verifiable and acceptable evidence of payment by the proposed shareholders of the minimum capital of N100 million.
Detailed business plan or feasibility study, including:
a. The objectives and aims of the proposed Finance Company.
b. The need for the services of the Finance Company.
c. The special services that the Finance Company intends to provide.
d. A five-year financial projection for the operation of the Finance Company, indicating its expected growth and profitability.
e. The branch expansion programme [if any] within the first five (5) years.
f. The proposed training programme for staff and management succession.
g. Details of the assumptions upon which the financial projection has been made.
h. The organizational structure of the Finance Company, setting out in detail, the functions and responsibilities of the top management team.
i. The conclusions based on the assumptions made in the feasibility report.
v. A copy of the draft Memorandum and Articles of Association. The objectives of the Company as disclosed in its Memorandum and Articles of Association should agree with the services listed under the scope of permissible operations for Finance Companies.
vi. A letter of intent to subscribe to the Finance Company, signed by each subscriber. Central Bank of Nigeria Revised Guidelines for Finance Companies in Nigeria
vii. A copy of the list of proposed shareholders in tabular form, showing their business and residential addresses [not post office addresses] and the names and addresses of their bankers.
viii. Names and curriculum vitae (CV) of each of the proposed members of the Board of directors including other directorships held. The CVs must be personally signed and dated. The promoters would also be required to submit the names and curriculum vitae of the proposed management team.
ix. Thereafter, the Governor of the CBN may grant a license to a Finance Company. The Bank may at any time vary or revoke any condition of a license or impose additional conditions.
x. Where a license is granted subject to additional conditions, the Finance Company shall comply with those conditions to the satisfaction of the CBN within such period as the CBN may deem appropriate in the circumstances. Any Finance Company that fails to comply with such conditions shall be guilty of an offence under BOFIA, 1991 [as amended].
xi. No proposed Finance Company shall incorporate/register its name with the Corporate Affairs Commission until a written approval has been communicated to the promoters by the CBN, a copy of which shall be presented to the Corporate Affairs Commission.
xii. Licenses shall be renewed within the first quarter of each year at a non-refundable fee to be stipulated by the Bank from time to time, subject to the operations of the Finance Company being satisfactory to the Bank. Failure to renew a licence would attract severe sanctions, including revocation

12/02/2023

Divorce in Nigeria is totally different from the American movies.