On 19 May 2025, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, Partner at ALP NG & Co, was a distinguished speaker at the NBA Bwari Branch Law Week, where she contributed to a critical panel discussion on “Impediments to Enforcing Judgments and Arbitral Awards.”
Drawing from her extensive experience in dispute resolution, Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya identified numerous challenges that hinder the enforcement of both domestic and foreign judgments, as well as arbitral awards.
She pointed to procedural bottlenecks, public policy limitations, and deliberate strategies employed by parties and their legal representatives as significant barriers that often frustrate enforcement efforts.
While acknowledging that achieving a favorable judgment or arbitral award is a significant achievement, Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya emphasized that the true measure of justice lies in effective enforcement.
She highlighted the unfortunate reality that many successful litigants encounter substantial obstacles that can lead them to abandon enforcement altogether due to systemic inefficiencies and legal hurdles.
In her remarks, she advocated for a comprehensive overhaul of the enforcement framework, aiming to minimize technicalities and excessive costs that only delay justice.
Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya also criticized the dilatory tactics employed by some lawyers, quoting Shakespeare’s *Julius Caesar*: “The fault is not in our stars but in us.”
This resonated with the audience as she called for a transformative shift in mindset toward upholding the finality of judgments and awards.
Her insights sparked a robust dialogue among attendees, reinforcing the urgent need for practical reforms in Nigeria’s dispute resolution system.
The discussion focused on the necessity of facilitating the effective enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards, arguing for a process that is streamlined and free from unnecessary complications.
Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya’s contribution not only illuminated the pressing issues in enforcement but also rallied support for a collective resolve to enhance the integrity and functionality of the legal system in Nigeria.
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