Unpaid legal fees: Lawyer sues National Arts Theatre

A Lagos-based lawyer has sued the National Theatre and the National Troupe of Nigeria board and its Artistic Director, Comrade Tar Ukoh, over alleged failure to pay his legal fees amounting to N5.7 million.

Mohammed Adamu who filed the suit before a Federal High Court in Lagos in his statement of claim said that since 2013, he served as the retained solicitor to the National Theatre and the National Troupe of Nigeria board.

He stated that he rendered legal services to the defendants for legal fees, adding that he has not received any letter or notice terminating his legal relationship with the defendants.

He stated further that he performs the services of prosecuting and defending cases for and against the defendant and equally renders legal services including drafting of agreement and attending matters of mediation and arbitration under the period of the legal relationship between him and the defendant. He said he represented the defendant from appearance to final determination of 11 cases.

However, despite service of demand notice of his legal fees the defendants failed and refused to pay till date despite several meetings between the two parties.

Mr Adamu averred that the refusal of the defendants to pay his legal fees for the services he rendered is unlawful and illegal.

Consequently, the plaintiff is urging the court to declare that he is entitled to his legal fees.