Global Law Experts Logo

Find a Global Law Expert

Specialism
Country
Practice Area
awardsr

Awards

Since 2010, the Global Law Experts annual awards have been celebrating excellence, innovation and performance across the legal communities from around the world.

Procedure for Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Nigeria

posted 5 years ago

a. Enforcement by registration

This is the common method of enforcing foreign judgments in Nigeria. The judgment must be a judgment of a superior court of the foreign country with reciprocal treatment with Nigeria. The judgment must also be a monetary judgment, final and conclusive between the parties. Under the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Rules 1922, a judgment creditor shall, by an exparte application, apply for leave to register a foreign judgment within 12 months from the date the foreign court delivered the judgment.

Nevertheless, the court may direct that the judgment debtor should be put on notice. The Rules suggests that a Nigerian court can extend time within which a judgment creditor may apply to register a judgment. Generally, an application for extension of time within which to register a judgment outside the statutory period shall involve the exercise of the judge’s discretionary power which is exercised judicially and judiciously with regard to the circumstance of the case.

The application shall be by originating motion or petition brought pursuant to the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgment Ordinance, 1958 (“the Ordinance”) and praying the court for leave to register the foreign judgment. The application shall be accompanied by an affidavit which shall state that the judgment does not fall within the cases in which it may be set aside under Section 3 (2) of the Ordinance. The affidavit shall also give the full name, title, trade or business and usual or last known place of abode or business of the judgment creditor and judgment debtor. A certified true copy of the judgment shall be exhibited. The application and affidavit shall be titled “In the Matter of the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Ordinance and in the matter of a judgment of the …. (describe the court) obtained in … (describe the cause of matter) and dated the …day of ….20….”

If the court orders that the judgment debtor should be put on notice, the application shall be served on the judgment debtor in the same manner as a writ of summons. The judgment debtor shall not be required to enter any appearance at this stage. Where the court grants leave to the judgment creditor to register the judgment, the court’s order shall state the time within which the judgment debtor shall apply to set aside the registration. Such time shall be 14 days if the judgment debtor is resident within the jurisdiction of the court and when the judgment debtor is resident outside the jurisdiction of court, the time to be given to the judgment debtor to apply to set aside the registration shall be determine by the distance between the judgment debtor’s residence and the jurisdiction of the court. The register of judgments registered under the Ordinance shall be kept in the High Court Registry under the direction of the Chief Registrar.

b. Enforcement by an action at common law

If for any reason, the judgment debtor cannot register the judgment, he may do so by commencing an action upon the judgment. This also applies to judgments from countries without reciprocal treatment with Nigeria. The foreign judgment constitutes a cause of action upon which the judgment creditor will commence a summary judgment proceeding to recover the judgment debt thus avoiding the process of adducing evidence and calling witnesses to prove its case. This is because the judgment debt constitutes a liquidated sum and ordinarily the judgment debtor does not have a defence on the merit against it.

c. By operation of Section 10 (a) of Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act, CAP F 35, LFN, 1990

Section 10 (a) of the 1990 Act provides that;

“Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act—

      a. a judgment given before the commencement of an order under section 3 of this Act applying Part I of this Act to the foreign country where the judgment was given may be registered within twelve months from the date of the judgment or such longer period as may be allowed by a superior court in Nigeria”

In Teleglobe America Inc v Century Technologies Ltd (2009) CLRN 9, 32, the Court of Appeal, per Regina Obiageli Nwodo JCA who read the lead judgment found that;

”  The Learned Trial Judge in his ruling found that there is nothing before the court to show that the Minister of Justice has exercised his powers under S3 of the Foreign Judgment Act in favour of the United States of America and proceeded to rely on S10(a) of the Foreign Judgment (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act. The Learned Trial Judge interpreting the provision and relying on the case of Andrew Mark Macaulay v. R. Z. B. Austria (2003) 18 NWLR (Pt. 18) 282 at 298 rightly made the following pronouncement:

“There is nothing placed by this court to show that there is an Order by the Minister of Justice extending the provision of part 1 of the Reciprocal Act to Judgments given in United States. The applicant therefore has twelve months from the date of the Judgment within which to register it in Nigeria”.

The lower court rightly found that S10 of the Foreign Judgment Act was relevant in the determination of when an application can be made once the Minister has not made an Order. S10 stipulates as follows:

10(a): a judgment given before the commencement of an order under section 3 of this Act applying Part I of this Act to the foreign country where the judgment was given, may be registered within twelve months from the date of the judgment or such longer period as may be allowed by a superior court in Nigeria”

It is undisputable that the application for registration was filed within 12 months which period is covered under S10 (1) of the Foreign Judgment Act in the absence of a Minister’s Order. The Learned Trial Judge on his judgment as reflected on page 103 of the record of appeal held:

“It has been shown that final judgment was entered in favour of the Applicant by the CIRCUIT COURT OF FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA on 2nd December 2004. This ORIGINATING MOTION was filed in this court on 25th October, 2005. The originating motion was therefore filed within twelve months from the date of the Judgment. The question is whether the judgment of the said CIRCUIT COURT should be registered by this court. Under Section 4 of the Reciprocal Act, such a judgment is registerable subject to proof of the prescribed matters and to other provisions of the Act provided at the date of the application the judgment has not been wholly satisfied or it could not be enforced by execution in the country of the original court. It is averred in the Supporting Affidavit that the Judgment has not been satisfied in whole or in part. This fact has not been controverted. The position of the Respondent however is that it was not served with the originating processes of the aforesaid CIRCUIT COURT OF FAIR FAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA in accordance with the applicable Nigerian Law. The issue therefore turns on whether service of the originating processes of the aforesaid CIRCUIT court on the Respondent which is a company incorporated under the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria carrying on business within the jurisdiction of this court, was to be effected in accordance with the Law of Virginia or in accordance with Nigerian Law”.

From the Learned Trial Judge’s findings above, one would have expected the court below to proceed and register the foreign Judgment since the prerequisites for registration were present. Unfortunately the Learned Trial Judge did not fail to realize that the issue of service of process having been considered and determined by the foreign court cannot be relitigated again except by way of appeal. Clearly the issue of service was responsible for the lower court derailing from the right track and delving into the merits of the Judgment” (Emphasis supplied)

This means foreign judgments from countries which are not listed in the 1958 Ordinance and cannot be recognized under the Ordinance may be recognized under Section 10 (a) of the 1990 Act as long as the application for recognition and registration of the judgment is brought within 12 months from the date in which the foreign court delivered the judgment. This opens the door wide open for Nigeria’s recognition of the judgments of superior courts of all countries of the world. 

Author

Find the right Legal Expert for your business

The premier guide to leading legal professionals throughout the world

Specialism
Country
Practice Area
LAWYERS RECOGNIZED
0
EVALUATIONS OF LAWYERS BY THEIR PEERS
0 m+
PRACTICE AREAS
0
COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD
0

Join

who are already getting the benefits
0
Sign up for the latest legal briefings and news within Global Law Experts’ community, as well as a whole host of features, editorial and conference updates direct to your email inbox. Naturally you can unsubscribe at any time.

Online Casino Reviews

  • Freeroll Poker Tournaments For Real Money
  • Australian Online Casino Real Money
  • Best Slot App To Win Real Money
  • Online Casino Real Money Australia
  • Best Paying Online Pokies
  • Wizard Of Oz Online Slots
  • All Slots Casino Mobile
  • Best Online Poker App Real Money
  • Best Online Casino To Play Roulette
  • Is Online Casino Legal
  • Online Casino That Accepts Paypal
  • Play Roulette For Real Money
  • Slot Apps To Win Real Money
  • Real Money Slots Online Usa
  • Safe Online Casino
  • Wizard Of Oz Slots
  • Real Online Pokies Nz
  • Biggest Online Casino In The World
  • Online Casino Pay With Paypal
  • Online Casino That Accept Paypal
  • Online Casino Canada Real Money
  • 3 Card Poker Online Real Money
  • Online Slots Real Money Canada
  • Best Online Poker Sites For Real Money
  • Real Money Poker App Android Usa
  • How To Make Money From Online Casino Bonuses
  • Real Money Poker App Iphone
  • How To Play Blackjack Online For Real Money
  • Best Slots To Play
  • Top 10 Online Pokies
  • Best Poker Apps Real Money
  • Online Casino Legal
  • Best Payout Online Casino Uk
  • Win Money Online Slots
  • Online Poker Nj Real Money
  • How To Win Online Slots
  • Casino Gaming License
  • Play Real Pokies Online
  • Blackjack Sites For Real Money
  • Real Money Casino Games For Android
  • Best New Online Slots
  • Flaming 777 Slots Games
  • Online Blackjack With Live Dealers
  • How To Play Online Slots
  • Facebook Casino Games Real Money
  • Online Casino With No Minimum Deposit
  • How To Beat Online Slots
  • Online Casino License
  • The Big Payback Slots
  • Royal Vegas Online Casino Withdrawal
  • Online Casino Minimum Deposit 5
  • Online Pokies Real Money Australia
  • Las Vegas Usa Online Casino
  • Real Money Poker App Android
  • Wheel Of Fortune Slots
  • Game Of Thrones Slots
  • Online Poker Real Money Usa Legal
  • Best Online Casino European Roulette
  • Blackjack Online Real Money Paypal
  • Online Video Poker Real Money Usa
  • How To Create An Online Casino
  • Lucky Nugget Online Casino Mobile
  • How To Withdraw Money From Online Casino
  • Platinum Play Online Casino Download
  • Online Casino For Usa Players
  • Best Online Casino Usa Real Money
  • Online Roulette Real Money Usa
  • Best Real Money Poker Sites
  • Android Slots Real Money
  • How To Start An Online Casino Business
  • How To Start An Online Casino
  • How To Start An Online Gambling Site
  • Best Online Casino For Blackjack
  • Play Baccarat Online For Money
  • Online Pokies New Zealand
  • Best Slots To Play At Golden Nugget
  • Slots Of Vegas Online Casino
  • Best Online Pokies Site
  • How To Beat Online Roulette
  • New Zealand Online Pokies
  • Online Poker Mobile Real Money
  • Which Online Slots Payout The Most
  • Is Online Casino Legal In India
  • Online Casino Software For Sale
  • Best Online Casino For Craps
  • Hard Rock Casino Slots
  • Win Real Money Online Pokies
  • Online Casino With Highest Payout Percentage
  • Poker Apps With Real Money
  • Online Roulette Real Money Review
  • Full Tilt Poker Real Money
  • Online Casino 5 Dollar Minimum Deposit
  • Online Roulette With Real Money
  • Best Online Roulette For Real Money
  • I Migliori Casino Online Italiani
  • Best Payout Online Slots
  • How To Play Baccarat Online
  • Play Casino Card Game Online
  • Play Blackjack Online For Real Money
  • Best Paying Online Slots
  • Casino License Cost
  • Online Poker Real Money California
  • Safe Online Casino Australia
  • Online Roulette Australia Real Money
  • Online Poker Real Money Texas
  • Online Roulette Real Money Paypal
  • Online Slots Australia Real Money
  • Golden Nugget Online Casino Review
  • Casino Games To Win Real Money
  • Online Pokies Australia Real Money
  • Online Gambling Blackjack Real Money
  • Win Real Money Playing Slots
  • How To Win Roulette Online
  • Aristocrat Pokies Online Real Money
  • Hollywood Casino Online Slots
  • Play Online Keno For Real Money
  • What's The Best Online Casino
  • Triple Double Diamond Slots
  • Play Roulette Online With Real Money
  • Roulette Online For Real Money
  • Play Roulette Online Real Money
  • Best Online Pokies Real Money
  • Big Red Pokies Online
  • How To Win At Online Blackjack
  • What Is The Best Online Roulette Site
  • Real Money Online Pokies
  • Spin To Win Slots
  • Ruby Slots Online Casino
  • Wheel Of Fortune Online Casino
  • Spin Palace Flash Casino Online
  • Online Poker Real Money App
  • Online Casino With Paypal Deposit
  • How To Win At Online Roulette
  • Can You Win Real Money On Slot Apps
  • Is Ignition Casino Safe
  • Online Casino Blackjack Real Money
  • Online Casino Win Real Money Usa
  • How To Make Money Online Casino
  • Online Casino Real Money Reviews
  • Slot Games To Win Real Money
  • Jackpot City Online Casino Download
  • Online Pokies Real Money
  • Casino War Online Real Money
  • Online Casino No Minimum Deposit
  • Play Wheel Of Fortune Slots Online
  • Best Online Casino Game To Win Money
  • Online Casino Without Wagering Requirements
  • Online Slots For Real Money Usa
  • Legal Online Casino Australia
  • How Do Online Slots Work
  • Best Online Casino For Us Players
  • Online Play Casino Roulette Game
  • Online Blackjack Real Money Australia
  • Real Casino Games Real Money Online
  • Online Slot Machines Real Money Paypal
  • The Best Online Casino For Roulette
  • What Online Casino Pays Out The Most
  • Start Your Own Online Casino
  • Legal Online Casino
  • Online Live Roulette Casino Game
  • Playing Blackjack Online For Real Money
  • Online Penny Slots Real Money
  • Best Online Blackjack For Money
  • How To Win Online Roulette
  • Real Money Poker Sites Usa
  • Best Time To Play Slots
  • Online Keno For Real Money
  • Best Payout Online Slots Uk
  • Online Slots Real Money Reviews
  • Best Online Pokies Nz
  • What States Allow Online Gambling
  • Best Real Money Poker App
  • Online Slots To Win Real Money
  • Real Money Slots App Iphone
  • Jackpot City Flash Casino Online
  • Ignition Casino Legit
  • All Star Slots Casino
  • How To Play Online Casino
  • Real Time Gaming Slots
  • Online Video Poker Real Money
  • How To Play Roulette Online For Money
  • How To Win On Online Slots
  • Age Of Gods Slots
  • Online Real Casino Money Games
  • Best Online Slots To Play
  • Online Poker California Real Money
  • Is Jackpot City Casino Legit
  • How To Win At Online Slots
  • Play Poker For Real Money
  • Safe Online Pokies Australia
  • Best Way To Play Slots
  • How To Play Casino Online
  • Play Online Roulette For Money
  • Online Casino Australia Real Money
  • Which States Allow Online Gambling
  • Play Keno Online Real Money
  • How To Win Online Blackjack
  • Online Blackjack With Real Dealers
  • How To Open Online Casino
  • What Are The Best Online Slots To Play
  • Big Win Casino Slots
  • Spin Palace Online Casino Australia
  • Best Slots To Win On
  • Casino Slots Win Real Money
  • Slots Magic Online Casino
  • Blackjack Online For Real Money
  • Slot Machine App Win Real Money
  • Online Casino Not Paying Out
  • Slots That Pay Out Real Money
  • Online Pokies Australia Reviews
  • Online Casino Minimum Deposit 1
  • Jackpot City Online Casino Review
  • Live Dealer Baccarat Online Casino
  • Online Casino Apps For Android
  • Online Casino Paypal Deposit Australia
  • Online Casino With Live Dealer
  • How To Play Blackjack Online
  • Slots To Win Real Money
  • Wheel Of Fortune Online Slots
  • Play Quick Hit Slots Online
  • Can You Count Cards In Online Blackjack
  • Palace Of Chance Online Casino
  • How To Play Roulette Online
  • Good Slots To Play
  • Which Online Casino Pays Out The Most
  • Heart Of Vegas Casino Slots
  • Best Online Casino For Canadians
  • Australian Online Pokies Real Money
  • Mohegan Sun Online Casino Nj
  • Online Casino Live Games Best Uk
  • Best Online Casino Australia Reviews
  • Play Pokies Online Real Money
  • Best Online Casino For Usa Players
  • How To Win Online Casino
  • Play Blackjack For Real Money
  • Best Slots On Bovada
  • Online Keno Real Money Usa
  • Online Slots Real Money Paypal
  • Best Poker Sites For Real Money
  • Safe Casino Sites
  • The Best Online Slots
  • Play Keno For Real Money
  • Real Online Pokies Australia
  • Queen Of The Nile Slots
  • Mummys Gold Casino Online Casino
  • Play Keno Online For Real Money
  • Best Poker Websites Real Money
  • Lucky Nugget Online Casino Download
  • Best Online Casino For Roulette
  • Play Roulette For Money Online
  • Video Slots Mobile Casino
  • Best Time To Play Online Slots
  • Best Real Money Online Poker
  • Play Blackjack Online With Friends
  • Play Baccarat Online For Real Money
  • Is Silver Oak Casino Legit
  • Big Fish Casino Real Money
  • Can You Win Real Money On Caesars Slots
  • Game Of Thrones Slots Casino
  • Best Online Slots Payout Percentage
  • Play Online Pokies For Real Money
  • Play Pokies Online Australia
  • High 5 Casino Real Slots
  • The Best Online Pokies
  • Online Pokies That Accept Paypal
  • Heart Of Vegas Slots
  • How To Play Online Roulette
  • Best Poker App Real Money
  • Best Online Casino Fast Payout
  • Best Slots At Wind Creek Casino
  • Online Casino 10 Minimum Deposit
  • Play Roulette Online For Money
  • Us Real Money Poker Sites
  • How To Win In Online Casino
  • Best Online Pokies Australia Review
  • Where To Play Roulette Online For Real Money
  • How To Beat Online Casino Slot Machines
  • Highest Payout Online Slots
  • Best Paying Online Casino Slots
  • Golden Tiger Online Casino Review
  • Online Casino With Live Dealers
  • Play Roulette Online For Real Money
  • Best Slots To Play At Casino
  • Slot Machine Games Win Real Money
  • Most Popular Online Casino Games
  • Casino Slots App Real Money
  • Online Casino Real Money Canada
  • Online Real Money Pokies
  • Online Roulette Game Real Money
  • Online Casino Roulette Real Money
  • Best Place To Play Roulette Online
  • Online Casino Book Of Ra Paypal
  • Online Blackjack With Real Money
  • Play Online Blackjack For Real Money
  • Is There A Slot Machine App For Real Money
  • Royal Vegas Online Casino App
  • Best Casino Slots To Play
  • Most Popular Online Slots
  • Best Way To Win At Slots
  • Slots You Can Win Real Money
  • Play Roulette Online Real Money Usa
  • Online Casino Real Money Paypal
  • Online Casino Australia Legal
  • Treasures Of Troy Slots
  • Online Casino For Us Players
  • Where Can I Play Blackjack Online For Real Money
  • Online Casino Paypal Book Of Ra
  • Online Roulette For Real Money
  • Best Online Blackjack Real Money
  • Poker App For Real Money
  • Jackpot Magic Slots Facebook
  • Best Online Casino Real Money Usa
  • Best Online Casino New Zealand
  • The Four Kings Casino And Slots
  • How To Play Slots Online
  • Best Online Pokies Australia
  • Usa Online Slots Real Money
  • Real Money Casino Android App
  • Online Slot Machines That Pay Real Money
  • Online Pokies Real Money Nz
  • Online Pokies Real Money App
  • Play Igt Slots Online
  • Best Casino Slots To Win Money
  • Online Casino Business For Sale
  • Play N Go Slots
  • Poker Apps For Real Money
  • Lucky Slots Real Money
  • All Slots Online Casino
  • Best Online Pokies Real Money Australia
  • Online Pokies Win Real Money
  • Best Online Casinos For Roulette
  • Pay Slots For Real Money
  • Best Online Poker Real Money
  • Slots App Win Real Money
  • Play Online Roulette For Real Money
  • Is Ignition Casino Legit
  • Wheel Of Fortune Slots Online
  • Lotsa Slots Real Money
  • Video Poker Online Real Money
  • Online Slots Usa Real Money
  • Play Blackjack Online Real Money
  • Jackpot City Online Pokies
  • Video Slots Online Casino
  • Is 888 Casino Legit
  • Online Slot Games That Pay Real Money
  • Prepaid Visa Card Online Casino
  • How To Stop Online Gambling
  • Best Slots To Play Online
  • Online Blackjack For Real Money
  • Slot Apps For Real Money
  • Mobile Slots Win Real Money
  • Newsletter Sign Up

    About Us

    Global Law Experts is dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to clients around the world. With a vast network of highly skilled and experienced lawyers, we are committed to delivering innovative and tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of our clients in various jurisdictions.

    Social Posts

    See More:

    Contact Us

    Stay Informed

    Join Mailing List

    GLE