Chikasi Benjamina Okonkwo, Esq.

13/03/2026

It's an honour to be part of this programme as a facilitator.

20/09/2025

Excited to be participating in this event today.

19/09/2025

19/09/2025

The tax regime that begins in 2026 will create more opportunities for lawyers, especially in litigation.

Tax evasion is an offense you do not want to be caught up in. So, do well to approach your lawyer or a tax professionals to guide you accordingly.

Brace up!!

26/02/2025

Be Careful with your land transactions.
Part 1

In the video, I shared my experience from being in court yesterday.

16/11/2024

I'm proud to share that I've completed the Human Rights Due Diligence on Decent Work training with ITC ILO!

This training has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to identify and address human rights risks in the workplace, promoting fair and decent work for all.

Let's work together to build a more just and equitable world!



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Note: ITC ILO stands for International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization.

30/09/2024

Chikasi Benjamina Okonkwo Nwokemodo

12/09/2024

Understanding Marriages in Nigeria: Customary vs. Statutory
Marriage is the union of a man and a woman in matrimony. In Nigeria, we have various types of marriages, including Customary, Islamic, and Marriage under the Act (commonly known as 'court marriage'). Today, let's focus on Customary Marriage, which is prevalent in the southern part of Nigeria.

Customary Marriage and Polygamy
There's a popular saying that men are naturally polygamous. If you're considering multiple wives, Customary Marriage is your go-to option. This type of marriage allows for polygamy, unlike Marriage under the Act, which is strictly monogamous.

Legal Implications of Mixing Marriage Types
If a man marries under Customary Law and then marries the same woman under the Act, he cannot marry another woman under the Act without nullifying the first union. Doing so could lead to charges of bigamy, punishable by imprisonment or a fine.

Inheritance and Customary Law
When a man marries under Customary Law and dies without a will, his estate is distributed according to the customs and traditions of his community. However, if he marries under the Act, his wife is entitled to administer his estate, followed by their children, parents, and so on.

Recent Legal Developments
A recent Court of Appeal judgment is set to challenge the foundations of the Marriage Act, particularly concerning Islamic marriages. This could have far-reaching implications for other forms of marriage. We await the Supreme Court's decision on this.

Marriage Under the Act
Marriage under the Act must be held at a marriage registry or a licensed place of worship. Often, people go through traditional, court, and church marriages, which might be redundant. For instance, in the Catholic Church, the marriage registry process is integrated, making it a valid marriage under the Act.

Ending a Marriage
The only way to end a Customary Marriage is by returning the dowry. In contrast, a marriage under the Act can only be dissolved through divorce.

When Marriages Hit Rough Waters
When a marriage faces challenges, couples can opt for judicial separation (court-ordered) or mutual separation. These options can sometimes save the marriage. Divorce should be considered only when the marriage has irretrievably broken down.

Lawyers should inform couples about these alternatives. Sometimes, a temporary separation can help mend fences and save the union. If a judicial separation order is given, it must be vacated by the court for the couple to reconcile.

Thank you for reading! Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences.

27/08/2024

I am prepping something on divorce. There's definitely something new you'll learn.

20/08/2024

It is a norm to see on your payment receipt after purchasing items, the description; VAT 7.5%

What is VAT?
VAT is the acronym for Value Added Tax and this is an amount expected to be paid by consumers and since it will be illogical to recover this tax directly from consumers individually, business owners and service providers are expected to collect the said sum from their customers by adding the tax sum to their bills.

All of the big supermarkets, restaurants and several other service providers collect this VAT. So, you definitely pay that

There is however a misconception that every item is vatable, and this is why I am bringing this information to you. the vendor may not know but you know and that saves you money.

Before one can collect VAT an application must be made to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) requesting for a unique Tax Identification Number and recognition as a VAT collector. This VAT when collected must be remitted to the FIRS and failure to do so as and when due, attracts penalties.

Moreso, if any business owner collects VAT they must make sure that it is remitted accordingly, and that VAT is not paid on exempted goods.

What goods are exempted?
There are a number of goods that are exempted and some of them are bottled water, basic food items, fertilizers and the list goes on.

I know most of us would be shy to ask for deductions especially from supermarket cashiers, or restaurants where other persons might witness it, but you have to make sure you are not losing money in avoidable ways.

So, when next you go to the supermarket and purchase garri, rice, yam, water be sure to inform them that those goods are exempted from VAT and the deductions will be made accordingly.

When you get to the restaurant as well ask that they deduct the VAT attached to the water. Whether the cooking of already cooked basic foods should attract VAT is a topic for another day. Let us start with this basic first.

You are welcome.