Overview
For decades, garnishee proceedings have been the go-to enforcement mechanism for Nigerian judgment creditors. Yet for those seeking to attach government funds, the path from judgment to satisfaction is rarely straightforward.
The obstacle? Section 84 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act 2004, which mandates the Attorney-General's consent before public funds can be garnisheed. Designed to protect public finance, this provision has increasingly been criticised as a shield that delays - or outright defeats - the enforcement of legitimate judgments.
Continue reading to examine how this provision operates in practice, the controversies it has generated, and its implications for creditors navigating the Nigerian enforcement landscape.
