Elumeziem Oluchi Esq.

08/04/2024

Starting something and being consistent at it is not an easy thing to do.

But being determined is the only way to keep moving even when you are not getting the expected results.

Only one win can change the whole narrative.

Keep pushing and building the results would be worth it.

This is also a subtle reminder to my humble self.

I am Elumeziem Oluchi I am a business lawyer and a General virtual legal assistant. I offer legal support and General legal assistant services to individuals, Startup founders, small business owners, organizations, law firms and solo practitioners.

Feel free to contact me if you need my services.

05/04/2024

If you don't own the trademark, you don't own the name.

If someone trademarks your brand name, logo, slogan before you, they can force you to rebrand or even sue you for the profits you made using the mark.

So, If you have long term plans for your business make trademark a priority.

If you would like to get started with your trademark journey send me a dm.

NB: Registration of your business with CAC does not give you the exclusive right over the name and mark.

18/03/2024

Welcome to a brand new week.

The month of March is gradually moving and June 30th is around the corner.

As a business owner, the month of June should ring a bell because that is the month you accumulate unnecessary and unavoidable liability for your registered business.

This brings me to an important question;
Are you sure your registered business is still an active business on CAC portal?

Which year did you register your business?

Since you registered your business have you filed annual returns?

How many years have you defaulted in filing your annual return and do you even have plans of filing and activating it?

If the answer to your question is No, then do well to make right your business. There are so many advantages of operating an active business in Nigeria.

Payment of your annual returns tells CAC that you are still in business and a serious business owner too.

PS. You do not need to have started business to pay your annual returns.

If you need help with filing your annual returns, registering your business with CAC, processing necessary compliance certificates like SCUML, TCC, NSITF, ITF, BPP, Pencom, NEPC, Trademark and Nafdac registration. Feel free to send me a DM.

I am Elumeziem Oluchi (The Legal Goddess).

05/03/2024

Does registration of your business with CAC protect your brand name, logo, tagline from being used by others?

Registering your business with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) provides legal recognition to your brand but does not automatically protect the brand name, logo, or other intellectual property (IP) from being used by others.

Registration with CAC is for the purpose of establishing that the business is a legal entity under Nigerian law, which can be necessary for various reasons such as opening a corporate bank account, obtaining loans, grants and fulfilling other regulatory requirements.

To protect a brand name, trademark, or any other intellectual property in Nigeria, you need to register it with the Nigerian Intellectual Property Office, specifically through the Trademarks, Patents, and Designs Registry.

This separate registration process is what grants you exclusive rights to use your brand name, logo, or other related intellectual properties and it provides legal remedy in case someone else tries to use your registered IP without permission.

Do you need help with legally structuring your business through regulatory compliance? Feel free to send me a DM.

I am Elumeziem Oluchi . I offer legal services to individuals and business owners.

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01/03/2024

Welcome to the month of March. Do you know that while it is advisable to open a corporate account for your business, some banks will not allow you to open one without your SCUML certificate?

Some may allow you to open it in order not to lose you but go ahead to freeze your account until you provide your scuml certificate.

What then is SCUML?
SCUML means special control unit against money laundering. It is a body controlled by EFCC to curb the issue of money laundering for business that are not financial organizations.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐌𝐋 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞:

🔸Cac certificate
🔹Taxpayer identification number(TIN) or Tax clearance certificate
🔸ID card
🔹BVN
🔸NIN
🔹Phone number
🔸Active email address.

Need help with processing your regulatory compliances such as 𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐌𝐋, 𝐓𝐚𝐱 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐅, 𝐈𝐓𝐅, 𝐁𝐏𝐏, 𝐍𝐀𝐅𝐃𝐀𝐂, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐂𝐀𝐂 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 etc.
You can send me a DM.

I am Elumeziem Oluchi and I am The Legal Goddess.

28/02/2024

If it's possible for you as a person, please avoid troubles especially ones that involve physical attacks.

The theme of this year "𝐍𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲" is encouraged to be used positively but not in the negative aspect.

The 𝐞𝐠𝐠𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐤𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞 is a legal doctrine that states a defendant is liable for all damages suffered by a plaintiff, even if the plaintiff's injuries are more severe than expected due to a pre-existing condition of the plaintiff.

This means that a defendant must take their victims as they find them.

If you push a person and he or she slumps and di , you can't be heard to say it's just an ordinary push which shouldn't ki*ll anyone. You would be liable for mu*rder.

Try to avoid trouble.

I am Elumeziem Oluchi and I am 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬.

28/02/2024

Why have you decided to run an inactive business?

What exactly was your motive for registering your business in the first place?

2023 annual returns is due for filing since the 31st of December which is presumed to be last day every company should carry out their annual general meetings.

After June 30th, your business will attract a default fee of 5000 naira as usual.

Don't say you were not informed.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬.

28/02/2024

In business transactions involving money there is no such word like "𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭".

No matter the relationship you have with any person, never you enter into any financial transaction without using a comprehensively drafted agreement.

It doesn't matter if they are family member, close friend or associates. Do not underestimate the power of using agreements in business transactions. It protects your interest in the long run.

The agreement should contain clear terms and conditions and every other vital information that would be agreed upon, and must be signed by both parties, advisably in the presence of your lawyer or after your lawyer has reviewed it.

I am Elumeziem Oluchi and I am 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬.

27/02/2024

To build trust and grow your business online, there are some steps you need to take in order to rule out any chances of people seeing you or your business as scam.

The first step is to register your business with corporate affairs commission. Once that idea comes to your head, go ahead and make sure you search whether the name is available before you start branding.

▪Once the said name is available, go ahead and register it with CAC.

▪After registration get your TIN so that you can open a corporate bank account. This is advisable because people know they can always get their money should anything go wrong.

▪Always file your annual returns and tax to have an active business status.

I have had people come to me to perform magic so that the brand name they have been known for which they didn't register and unfortunately another person registered before them would somehow go through during availability search. It is not possible at all.

This client took my advise, she registered her business and got her Tin ready for her corporate account opening. To grow a sustainable business you need to be very intentional.

Note: There are instances where banks also demand for your SCUML certificate, please get it ready too.

I am Elumeziem Oluchi and I am 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬.

Comprehensive legal and IT support services for individuals and businesses. Feel free to send a DM