Expert Review
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Fundbox
Legality of the Agreement
Under Nigerian Civil Law, particularly in the context of money lending and microfinance banking, a contract may be considered invalid, unenforceable, or void in the following situations:
1. Illegal or Unlicensed Money Lender
According to the Money Lenders Act, any money lender operating without a valid license from the relevant state authorities or the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is illegal, making contracts with them unenforceable
2. Unconscionable or Exploitative Terms
Contracts with excessive interest rates or hidden fees may be deemed unconscionable and unenforceable under consumer protection laws.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) caps interest rates for microfinance banks and regulates fair lending practices.
3. Fraud, Misrepresentation, or Coercion
A contract is voidable if the lender used deception, misleading statements, or threats to force a borrower into signing.
Section 19 of the Money Lenders Act states that fraudulent or deceptive lending practices can make a loan agreement unenforceable.
4. Breach of Privacy & Harassment by Loan Apps
Loan apps that invade borrowers’ privacy by sending defamatory messages to contacts violate the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
FCCPC has declared harassment by loan apps as illegal, and contracts based on such practices can be challenged as invalid.
5. Absence of a Proper Written Agreement
Under the Money Lenders Act, any loan exceeding ₦20,000 (varies by state) must have a written agreement signed by both parties.
If there is no signed agreement, the lender may not be able to enforce repayment legally.
6. Violation of Loan Tenure & Repayment Rules
CBN guidelines on microfinance lending specify minimum and maximum repayment tenures.
A contract that violates these guidelines may be challenged.
7. Duress or Undue Influence
If a borrower is forced to sign under threats, blackmail, or undue influence, the contract is invalid under Section 20 of the Contract Law of Nigeria.
8. Lending to a Minor
A loan contract with anyone under 18 years old is automatically void under the Nigerian Contract Law.
Step by step guide to break free from loan apps
What you should know
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Any loan sharks that defame are never linked to the credit bureau in anyway and all they say to you are lies.
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Loan shark money cannot help solve anybody matter to better 40% - 70% in 7 days, they are simply misery compounders!! Do away with them.
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Loan Apps major aim is to make outrageous profit from people and render people bankrupt. Dont be a victim
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