In law, evidence is king. A court does not care about how beautifully written a document is or how weighty the words may sound.
If a document not signed is brought before a judge, it is legally useless. It carries no single weight, no authority and no value.
An unsigned document is like a letter without a sender. There is no way to trace it, no way to confirm its authenticity and no proof that the supposed maker actually approved or endorsed it.
For that reason, Nigerian court have been clear and firm: an unsigned document is worthless and not allowed to be presented in evidence.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has described an unsigned document as a worthless piece of paper.
That blunt description perfectly captures the reality. No matter how impressive the contents look, if the document does not bear the proper signature of all parties, it is legally empty.
Legally, a signature is what breathes life into a document. It is the evidence of ownership, consent, and responsibility. It confirms that the maker stands by the words and agrees to be bound by them.
Without that mark of approval, the document is simply paper and ink with no force of law.
So if you want a document to pass the legal validity test, make sure it is properly signed.
Without a signature, it is of no use.
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APEX CHAMBERS, Law Firm of Property/Real Estate and Business/Corporate/Commercial Lawyers, Attorneys, Barristers, Solicitors Advocates, Legal Practitioners rendering legal services, Legal Consultants and Notary Public with Law Office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
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