THE FIRM
The Law Office is a full-service law firm situated at Yaba, Lagos.

THE POSITION
Managing Counsel

QUALIFICATIONS
10 years post-call

SKILLS
The candidate must possess excellent litigation skill, but will also be required to do solicitor’s work

SALARY
N300,000 monthly

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should email info@ambersolicitors.com

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Second Vice President, Mr. Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka has disagreed sharply with NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN on the choice of venue for NBA National Executive Council (NEC) meetings.

In a post on his verified Facebook handle, Chukwuemeka decried what he termed as “Northernization” of NEC meetings, adding that hosting the meetings in states that lack airports lead to increased risks and cost for NEC members.

According to Chukwuemeka, “I am not against any branch of the northern extraction witnessing and or hosting the NEC meetings but we must take note and appreciate the financial implication and risk attached to branch reps to NEC when they travel to some states that do not have direct flights from their base.”

The fiery Bar Leader stated that he is “of the firm view that NEC meetings should be spread across regions or held in Abuja if there is no fund or held virtual in worst case scenarios,” adding that “North can not continue to host NEC meetings to the exclusion of other regions. I understand the powers of the president and GS in fixing meetings of such nature hence they can fix meetings at the River Niger and no one will question them, but I am pleading that meetings for the remaining days in the office should be spread to other regions other than North including this present alleged YOLA emergency meeting. Where we do not have sponsors, 100% virtual should be encouraged to save funds for the association as our president has always advocated.”

He alleged that NEC hosting is being used to ‘appease’ states, adding that the NBA leadership “put money first” in its choice of NEC venue.

CITY LAWYER gathered from an unimpeachable source that the NBA Second Vice President had raised the matter within the NBA Executive Committee, though there are strong indications that his veiled protest did not yield fruit.

Aside from Abuja which is the headquarters of the association, past NEC meetings seem to have held exclusively within the Northern Zone, including meetings at Kebbi, Jos and the forthcoming meeting in Yola.

Below is the full text of his post.

The emergency NEC meeting is contained in our NBA constitution as amended, but must we have same physical?

Does the agenda for the Presentation of Report/Budget By the AGCPC and ECNBA report qualifies (sic)  as emergency in this context?

Can we handle the two agendas via virtual to save money and precious time?

I am not against any branch of the northern extraction witnessing and or hosting the NEC meetings but we must take note and appreciate the financial implication and risk attached to branch reps to NEC when they travel to some states that do not have direct flights from their base.

It is very important to remind us that we operate a regional style of NBA, where the constitution recognizes The North, The East and the West. But in the secular national terrain , we have North and South.

I have equally realized that the president in trying to appoint members of the profession in various committees despite ignoring the exco inputs in most cases has consistently followed the regional spread in doing so. That I must applaud.

I am of the firm view that NEC meetings should be spread across regions or held in Abuja if there is no fund or held virtual in worst case scenarios .

This will encourage participation and attendance.

North can not continue to host NEC meetings to the exclusion of other regions , I understand the powers of the president and GS in fixing meetings of such nature hence they can fix meetings at the River Niger and no one will question them, but I am pleading that meetings for the remaining days in the office should be spread to other regions other than North including this present alleged YOLA emergency meeting, where we do not have sponsors , 100% virtual should be encouraged to save funds for the association as our president has always advocated.

Attendance and quality of discussion especially the state of the nation remains the major credit of successful NEC meetings and can only be encouraged by hosting same in assessable and flight friendly states where one can have easy and choice of flight daily.

Our far North, west and eastern NEC members that may not have direct flights may likely travel 2 days to YOLA , those that must use flight may likely spend so much to attend the NEC and such inconveniences will discourage and affect the output of NEC robust discussions . Count me out when ever NEC hosting rights will be for highest bidders.

Must state governors sponsor our programs? Why are we disgracing this lovely BAR? why are we accepting funding from the problem of this country?

Please GS and Mr President, both of you that have mandate of convoking a meeting by the constitution of NBA, should be interested in the welfare, life, health and attendance of our NBA NEC Members first before appeasing state apparatus of choice for a selfish cleansing gains. NBA as a body is a proud organization which its brand architecture can never be assuaged financially. We must take note of this. Because it pains me that we put money first in every of our discussion in choice of venue for our meetings. This need to stop. I am proud of NBA and I love her.

The horrific life threatening journey of our members to and fro YOLA from all 128 plus two branches should make us rethink and retrace our steps no matter the benefits of same . We have witnessed how a whole NEC meetings can no more attract any past President , elders , and core bar men in attendance , this is because our administration have turned NEC Meetings into a slaughter ground against any perceived enemy of the bar rather than its purpose . History of the Bar will never forgive this tenure which I am part of.

The branch chairmen and secretaries of NBA across Nigeria lives MATTERS! and I shall join many that may wish to opt out of the NEC because of the distance and risk associated to such journey as well as other reasons if other exco decides to withdraw their voices and support this exclusion of other regions from hosting NEC Meetings .

Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka Democrat detest anything that will affect the Bar Unity as well as progress, and I am totally against the monetization and Northernization of the NEC meetings, my northern friends will agree with me that , it is fair and equitable to move round for them to socialize with other regions as recognized by the NBA constitution as amended. But if every one will support same , who am I ? But let it be on record that leadership should spread the love to encourage brotherhood and love amongst the Bar. I am not against the north, but north should join the East and West in advocating for shift in this administration which has witnessed only Northern meetings since inception .

Clems
#Democrat2030

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More aspirants have taken to social media to issue disclaimers against electoral campaigns and visits in compliance with the latest notice by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA).

CITY LAWYER had yesterday chronicled the first set of aspirants to issue declaimers in line with the ECNBA warning against campaign visits and posts.

An aspirant stated that he was issuing the notice to the entire world since his disclaimer was not included in the CITY LAWYER publication, saying: “It has become important that I issue the above since the writer didn’t include my own disclaimer.”

The Committee had warned aspirants against embarking on campaigns and “campaign visit under any guise,” noting that it would disqualify any candidate found culpable.

In a notice made available to CITY LAWYER, the committee wrote: “Until the ECNBA declares campaigns open and set out the limited scope of such a campaign as provided in our Constitution, and relevant guidelines, no prospective candidate nor his/her supporters shall post, issue, print, publish, or display any campaign material, nor embark upon a campaign visit under any guise. Where evidence of such infraction is provided to the ECNBA, such a candidate shall be disqualified forthwith and shall not participate in the elections.”

CITY LAWYER however notes that issuance of disclaimers is not new to NBA Elections. Such disclaimers often follow warnings by the electoral body to mete out sanctions against aspirants or candidates in NBA Elections.

CITY LAWYER recalls that incumbent NBA General Secretary, Mr. Adesina Adegbite had issued a disclaimer on the eve of the 2022 NBA Elections. The notice reads:

NOTICE OF DISCLAIMER
Good evening, my respected colleagues

We are all aware that by the electoral guidelines put in place by the ECNBA, campaigns are to come to an end by 12 midnight today, 13/7/2022.

Accordingly, I take responsibility for all campaigns, literature, posts, etc that are made in my name or concerning my aspirations to be your General Secretary, _as at_ _11.59pm today,_ _13/7/2022._

Thereafter, any of such *campaigns, literature, posts, etc do not emanate from me or my teeming *supporters or my associates.

For the benefit of doubt and for emphasis, I hereby disclaim any campaigns, literature, posts, etc made in my name or concerning my aspirations to be your next General* *Secretary of NBA as from* 11.59pm today , 13/7/2022.

Thank you
Adesina Adegbite, Esq.,FICMC
Candidate for the position of the General Secretary of the NBA.
#nbadecides2022

Compliance Notice with ECNBA Directives Regarding Campaigning for NBA 2024 Elections

To All Concerned Parties,

I, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, a prospective candidate for the upcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2024 Elections, hereby issue this statement to affirm my commitment to adhering strictly to the directives issued by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA).

In Notice No. 5 of April 1, 2024, the ECNBA has unequivocally banned any form of campaign activities by candidates and their supporters for the NBA 2024 Elections. In line with this directive, I urge all my esteemed supporters to refrain from engaging in any campaign efforts on my behalf, including but not limited to posting campaign materials or publications in my name, making donations, or any other form of promotional activities.

I wish to emphasize that I do not authorize or endorse any campaign activities undertaken on my behalf that contravene the directives of the ECNBA. As a prospective candidate for the NBA 2024 Elections, I am fully committed to upholding the principles of fairness and transparency in the electoral process, and I respect the authority of the ECNBA in regulating campaign activities.

Therefore, I call upon all my supporters to demonstrate their commitment to these principles by refraining from engaging in any form of campaigning on my behalf. Let us abide by the directives of the ECNBA and ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process for the NBA 2024 Elections.

Thank you all.

Signed:

Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN

Important Notice to Supporters and Well-Wishers of Joyce Oduah
DISCLAIMER!

Distinguished Colleagues and Friends,

I wish to bring to your attention the recent circular released by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) on April 1st, 2024, which strongly warned that no form of campaign is allowed except officially authorized by the ECNBA.

I deeply appreciate your invaluable support and enthusiasm for my aspirations. However, in strict compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Electoral Committee, I urge you to refrain from sharing any campaign materials or posts related to me — Joyce Oduah — until further notice.

I hereby disclaim any campaign materials or posts that may circulate in my name prior to official authorisation by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association. Such materials are unauthorised and do not emanate from me. I urge my supporters to be vigilant and to await official communication from me regarding the commencement of the campaign.

Your cooperation and understanding in this matter are greatly appreciated, as it reflects your commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process. Together, we can ensure a fair and just campaign environment for all candidates.

Thank you

Joyce Oduah FICMC
Principal Partner, Joyce & Okey Oduah LP
Vice President West Africa Pan African Lawyer’s Union (PALU)
Imm. Past General Secretary NBA
Council Member, Commonwealth Lawyers Association
Fmr. Council Member International Bar Association
Principal Partner Joyce & Okey Oduah LP

NOTICE OF DISCLAIMER
Learned Seniors, Colleagues and Gentlemen of the Bar.

Sequel to the Notice No. 5 and warning issued by ECNBA, Mohammed I Tsav is hereby issuing a Notice of Disclaimer that he has not given consent or authorised any one to consult, post, campaign and solicit for vote or support under any pretext or guises or by any means that may undermine or breach the guidelines of ECNBA relating to 2024 NBA Election.

Therefore, M I. Tsav abides by the guidelines, notices and instructions of ECNBA and dissociates himself completely from publications by individuals or groups.

Thanks.

Friends of M. I. Tsav.
Olalekan I. Oladapo Esq.

Notice to all Supporters and Well-Wishers Of  Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop

DISCLAIMER!

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

New Month blessings to you and all yours.

I bring to your attention the recent circular released by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) on April 1st, 2024, which strongly warned that no form of campaign is allowed except officially authorized by the ECNBA.

Iam deeply thankful for your invaluable support and enthusiasm for my aspirations. However, in strict compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Electoral Committee, please kindly refrain from sharing any campaign materials or posts related to me —Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop— until further notice.

I hereby disclaim any campaign materials or posts that may circulate in my name prior to official authorisation by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association. Such materials are unauthorised and do not emanate from me. I urge my supporters to be vigilant and to await official communication from me regarding the commencement of the campaign.

Your cooperation and understanding in this matter is greatly solicited and appreciated, as it reflects your commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process. Together, we can get it right.

Thank you

Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop AICMC
NBA National Treasurer.

Compliance Notice with ECNBA Directives Regarding Campaigning for NBA 2024 Elections

Learned Silk, Seniors and Distinguished Colleagues,

I, Michael O Olorunmola Esq , an Aspirant in the upcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2024 Elections, hereby issue this statement to affirm my commitment to adhering strictly to the directives issued by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA).

The ECNBA, in its Notice No. 5 published on 1st April, 2024, has expressly banned any form of campaign activities by Aspirants and their supporters for the NBA 2024 Elections.
In line with the said directives, I wish to implore all my esteemed supporters to refrain from engaging in any campaign activities on my behalf, including posting campaign materials or publications in my name, or any other form of promotional activities.

It needs be emphasized that I do not authorize or endorse any campaign activities undertaken on my behalf that contravene the directives of the ECNBA as I am fully committed to upholding the principles of fairness and transparency in the electoral process with absolute regard to the authority of the ECNBA in regulating campaign activities.

I, therefore, call upon all my supporters to abide by the directives of the ECNBA and ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process for the NBA 2024 Elections.

Thank you all.

Signed:

Michael O. Olorunmola Esq

ECNBA Notice No 5 : Disclaimer by Bridget Ijeoma Edokwe Esq
In compliance with the guidelines set forth by the ECNBA in Notice Number 5 which prohibits Campaign under any guise, I wish to categorically State that I, Bridget Ijeoma Edokwe Esq, hereby pledge to abide by the said Notice.

I hereby disclaim and disassociate myself from any publication in whatsoever form, that will contravene the ECNBA Directive on election. Any such material does not have my authority nor the Authority of my Leaders, Learned Friends and Supporters.

I humbly plead with all my Leaders, Learned Friends, and supporters to respect ECNBA Ban on Campaign and adhere strictly to the ECNBA’s Notice Number 5 while we wait for the campaign period as will be allowed by the ECNBA.

I am grateful for the overwhelming encouragement, support and prayers that I have received in my quest to serve the Bar.

May God’s blessings Continue to abide with us always.

Bridget Ijeoma Edokwe Esq
Publisher, barristerng.com law and politics news blog

DISCLAIMER!!! ⚠️

I, LAWRENCE AYEWA Esq after carefully going through ECNBA NOTICE NO 5, hereby unequivocally state that:

I will abide by the warning, advice and directive contained in the said Notice.

I have not and will not authorise any body, individual or body corporate to issue any statement, publication, hashtag or use my image as emoji in any WhatsApp group.

I have not given or authorised any body, individual or corporate to place any good will message for me in any Law Week Magazine of any branch.

Nobody should hashtag any publication with my name or mention the word Assistant Publicity in the same sentence with my name or image!

Any person doing so, is STRICTLY on his or her own and would be adjudged as my enemy working to get ECNBA to slam its harm on me!

It has become important that I issue the above.

Since the writer didn’t include my own disclaimer

Lawrence Shegun Ayewa

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All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has warned aspirants against embarking on campaigns and “campaign visit under any guise,” warning that it would disqualify any candidate found culpable.

In a notice made available to CITY LAWYER, the committee wrote: “Until the ECNBA declares campaigns open and set out the limited scope of such a campaign as provided in our Constitution, and relevant guidelines, no prospective candidate nor his/her supporters shall post, issue, print, publish, or display any campaign material, nor embark upon a campaign visit under any guise. Where evidence of such infraction is provided to the ECNBA, such a candidate shall be disqualified forthwith and shall not participate in the elections.”

A press statement made available to CITY LAWYER reads:

NBA 2024 ELECTIONS: ECNBA BANS CAMPAIGN BY CANDIDATES AND SUPPORTERS

Distinguished Colleagues,

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has issued ECNBA Notice No. 5 reiterating the ban on campaign by candidates and supporters in the forthcoming elections of National Officers and NBA Representatives to the General Council of the Bar.

The Notice states that “…persons who have been issuing online posts, and messages with subtle campaign themes and innuendos are hereby warned to desist immediately.”

According to the ECNBA, until the Electoral Committee declares “…campaigns open and set out the limited scope of such a campaign as provided in our Constitution, and relevant guidelines, no prospective candidate nor his/her supporters shall post, issue, print, publish, or display any campaign material, nor embark upon a campaign visit under any guise. Where evidence of such infraction is provided to the ECNBA, such a candidate shall be disqualified forthwith and shall not participate in the elections.”

The ECNBA Notice is attached.

Thank you, and do have a restful holiday.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary

To read the full text of the ECNBA Notice, click here.

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• JUSTICE UWA, NGIGE, USORO NOW LIFE BENCHERS

Eminent Bar Leader, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN has assumed leadership of the Body of Benchers as its Chairman. This came on the heels of today’s meeting of the body which coincided with the end of the tenure of Justice Mary Odili as chairman of the elite body.

Meanwhile, the body has appointed six of its members as Life Benchers including Justice C. N. Uwa of the Supreme Court; Chief Emeka Ngige SAN, Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN. 

Two members including Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and Mr. Mela Nunghe SAN were also appointed as Benchers, even as the Appointments Committee bemoaned the fact that it could not treat 17 nominees for appointment as Benchers due to a legal cap of 20 members for that category. The committee noted that unless the Body of Benchers Regulations are amended, it would continue to be hamstrung in recommending more aspirants for appointment as Benchers.

In an acceptance speech obtained by CITY LAWYER, Awomolo stated that “Today’s honour is not by my learning, might or strength as an individual but the goodwill of all you the noblest in the legal profession and importance attached to the letters of law, respect for the rule of law as opposed to the rule of might.”

While commending Justice Odili for her “inclusivity” and consensus building, the Bar Leader stated that the body has a huge task ahead of it especially in light of proposed amendment of Nigeria’s Constitution and the Legal Practitioners Act.

His words: “There was reported in the media yesterday of the proposed alteration of the Constitution which would make appointment, discipline and removal of judicial officers in the States the prerogative of the Governors. This move is alarming and will creates (sic) a threat to the independence of the Judiciary. The Body cannot be passive or ‘siddon’ look. The danger in this move is to take the Judiciary back to pre-1999.”

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Tobenna Erojikwe Announces NBA-ICLE Partnership with Global Law Firm, Mischon de Reya for Arbitration Mentorship Scheme

The Nigerian Bar Association Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE) has entered into a strategic partnership with the leading global law firm Mischon de Reya to provide mentorship opportunities for Nigerian lawyers in the field of international commercial arbitration.

This announcement was made by Tobenna Erojikwe, Chairman of the NBA-ICLE Board, in an email to colleagues. The mentorship scheme will be led by Greg Folkof of Mischon de Reya and aims to contribute to the career growth and advancement of the selected mentees.

Following a highly competitive process that saw over 300 applications, six lawyers representing the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria have been chosen to participate in the inaugural phase of the mentorship program. The successful applicants are:

1. Prof. Abdul Hamid Oba Yusuf (North Central – Ilorin Branch);
2. ⁠Dr. Joy Akighbe (South-South – Benin Branch);
3. ⁠Samuel Atilade (South West – Lagos Branch);
4. ⁠Abubakar Sadiq Usman (North East – Damaturu Branch);
5. ⁠Tukur Badamasi Dabai (North West – Kaduna Branch); and
6. ⁠Chinedu Okoro (South East – Onitsha Branch)

In his email, Erojikwe expressed hope that this mentorship initiative will be beneficial to the mentees and contribute to their respective career growth and advancement. He also revealed that the NBA-ICLE is actively pursuing similar opportunities with other organisations and will announce them in due course.

The partnership with Mischon de Reya is a significant development for the NBA-ICLE, as it provides Nigerian lawyers with access to global expertise and resources in the field of international commercial arbitration. This aligns with the NBA-ICLE’s mission to promote continuing legal education and professional development for its members.

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I have carefully analysed the reports of events coming out since the gruesome Murder of our Learned Colleague and Brother – Barr Elias Ugwu by the Police at Anyigba Kogi State and hereby unequivocally call for a special investigation into the events leading to the bizarre and inhumane annihilation of a brave lawyer by the same Police who ordinarily ought to have prevented the kidnapping or even midwifed all processes leading to the release of the victims but instead, has chosen to willfully, brutally and recklessly reward a brave Innocent Lawyer with certain death.

I say without equivocation that the acts of the Police and their press release is insensitive to the feelings of the bereaved and the Bar and a deliberate mockery at our collective sense of reason and justice.

I join all men of goodwill to call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, the Senator representing Nsukka Senatorial district to urgently wade into this matter and set up a high-powered inter-agency committee made up of the Army, the DSS and the Police to unravel the mystery and the true circumstances leading to this wanton execution of an innocent citizen who only erred in his bid to save life, a function largely abdicated by the State.

Dr. Gerald Abonyi
Pioneer Chairman, NBA Obollo-Afor Branch

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• Afam Osigwe, SAN Mourns the demise of John Mbaisaga, Esq (Past Chairman, NBA Gboko Branch) and Alhaji Waziri Hibatullahi Salako (Past President of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria and Chairman, NBA Ota Branch).

I received with shock the news of the the passing of two of our esteemed colleagues, John Mbaisaga, Esq (Past Chairman, NBA Gboko Branch) and Alhaji Waziri Hibatullahi Salako (Past President of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria and Chairman, NBA Ota Branch).

Mr. John Mbaisaga Tyokegh, our beloved colleague, and compatriot, departed after a courageous battle with illness. His unwavering dedication to justice, his exemplary integrity, leadership, and his profound commitment to serving others have touched the lives of countless individuals. Mr. Tyokegh’s legacy will continue to inspire us and guide our path forward.

Alhaji Waziri Hibatullahi Salako, a distinguished leader who served as President of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) and Chairman of the NBA Ota Branch. His leadership, wisdom, and tireless advocacy have left an enduring impact on us and the broader legal community. Alhaji Waziri Hibatullahi Salako’s legacy will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, NBA Gboko Branch, MULAN and NBA Ota branch during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the fond memories shared and strength in the enduring impact of our colleagues’ lives.

Rest in peace, dear colleagues. You will be deeply missed, but your spirit will continue to live on in our hearts.

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JEE NKEOMA COMRADE, EVANGELIST, DR. D.O.C. EZEIGWE

Dear D.O.C,

Last Friday, the 15th day of March, 2024, I joined the legal family and your family to commit the remains of your body to mother earth. As I was watching your casket being lowered, I began to cogitate on your life and time while you were with us. Your approach to life and issues were quite easy. To me, you were a jolly good fellow.

Thank you for your SMS dated 28th July, 2020 that gave me words of encouragement. I had ran NBA election for the office of Welfare Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association against my good friend, Kunle Edun Esq. and I lost the election to him. On the 28th day of July, as early as 5:00am I got an SMS from you, (our father, mentor and a true bar man, D.O.C). The content reads: “Anyia, be courageous. You have done your best. It may not be your turn now, but certainly your turn will come one day. We know you as a true bar man. Keep your ambition alive.”

These words of encouragement endeared you more to my heart as your words gave me additional strength and belief that there are people out there who still believe in my ability to serve the Bar. To be honest, I am finding it difficult to believe that you are no more alive. I will miss your calls, where each call always ended with “by His Grace”. I will miss your fairness to issues. You were always quick with your praise as you were with any disapproval. I will truly miss the fatherly love, gestures and words of encouragement you have offered me.

I thank God for giving me the opportunity to get to know you. I thank God for the gift of your life and for the legacy you left behind in the legal profession. You were never afraid to speak out your mind on burning issues. You never discriminated, you took everyone as one. That explains why your friends cut across the entire nation. You were a very straight-forward man. I tell you most solemnly, you will never be forgotten easily in the legal palace.

David Obideje Chukwudilim Ezeigwe had made indelible strides as a lawyer and as a bar man for the enrichment of the legal profession. He was a tireless leader in law, very pleasant in disposition and great in discipline. A worthy elder in the profession. I will miss you immeasurably.

Sabastine Anyia Esq.
Former Chairman, NBA Aguata Branch & former Chairman of Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of NBA, Anambra state.

NLS MOURNS THE LOSS OF SENATOR SODANGI ABUBAKAR, ESQ.

Abubakar Danso Sodangi born 31 January 1954 was elected Senator for the Nasarawa West constituency of Nasarawa State, Nigeria, taking office in May 1999, and was reelected in 2003 and 2007.

The late Senator Abubakar worked as a preventive Officer with the Department of Customs & Excise (1974–1977). He then attended the school of Preliminary Studies, Keffi (1977–1979) and the University of Sokoto (1979–1983) were he gained an LLB (Hons).

He attended the Nigeria Law School, Lagos, becoming a Barrister at Law in May 1984.

He was a member of several professional bodies including Commonwealth Lawyers Association, African Bar Association, International Bar Association and the Nigerian Law Society before his passing on at the early hours of today 11th March 2024 at the age of 70 years old

He served as a Member of the Board of Directors of PRTV, member of the National Human Rights Commission and Assistant Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Judiciary.

Sodangi was one of the founding members of the PDP who later join the APC. He was elected to the Senate seat in 1999, and was re-elected in 2003 and 2007. After resuming his seat in 2007, he was appointed to committees on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters, Interior Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Federal Capital Territory.

He also served as chairman NBA Abuja Branch and thereafter as National Legal Adviser of NBA before joining the NLS

The late Senator Abubakar was also before his death the Chairman of the Board of trustees of Human Rights Radio, established to promote respect for Human Rights in Nigeria.

We at NLS condole with his family as we mourn this great loss.

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Solar For All: Olivia Ngozi Nwachukwu Esq Mrs [NBA Lagos Branch] is our “Star Client of the week”

This Lawyer/Entrepreneur of great repute is a Notary Public and a gender advocate, with special interest in mediation, property, and family law practice of close to 20 years post-call expertise.

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Other beneficiaries from whom the efficiency of delivery can be verified include: Chief James Ogu Onoja SAN (Ofante Kogi State); Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye [the Soun of Ogbomoso]; Mrs. Ezinwa Nwanyieze Okoroafor Esq.; Dr. Chike Okogwu; Mr. Stephen Arubuike Esq. of G. Elias SAN &Co; Chief Solomon Umoh SAN; Alhj. Ohio Abdullahi; Amb. Gen. Tukur Burutai (COAS Rtd); Chief S. I. Ameh SAN; Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani Esq; Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; Sir Ebun Olu Adegboruwa SAN; Dr. Anthony Ani (Federal Medical Center Cooperatives); Mr. Lawrence Nwaketi; Mrs. Amina Agbaje Esq (FIDA Nigeria CVP); Prof. Dr. Olusola Oke (UNILAG COLLEGE OF MEDICINE); Dr. Muiz Banire SAN; Chief Jude Onwuharonye Esq.; High Chief Emeka J-P Obegolu SAN; Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN; Chief J-K Gadzama SAN; Hon. Justice George Oguntade (Justice of the Supreme Court Rtd); Sir James Ononiwu (NBA Ikeja); Chief Ejiofor Onwuaso (Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja); Hon. Sir. Ebuka Igwe (Anambra State House of Assembly); Prince Adetosoye Adebiyi Esq.; Mr. Paul Daudu Esq (J.B Daudu SAN & Co); Mr. Benedict Daudu Esq; Chief Peter Ilegogie Esq; Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN; Aare Isiaka Olagunju SAN; Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN (SPA Ajibade SAN & Co); FIDA Nigeria (FIDA House Abuja); Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN; Dr. Mrs. Ayorinde (Ayorinde SAN & Co); Mrs. Mariam Agbaboka; Barr. Mrs. Rachel Ebun Akerele; Mr. Anthony Malik SAN; Chief Tawo E. Tawo SAN; Chief Kemi Pinheiro SAN; Mr. I. M. Dikko SAN (Liman, Liman SAN & Co); Hon. Justice Emeka Nriezedi (Anambra State Judiciary); Dr. Hassan Liman SAN; Chief J. U. K. Igwe SAN; Mr. Chike Ekeocha, Esq. (Alex Izinyon SAN & Co/SUEX Nig. Ltd); Mummy Sylvia Okoregbe Esq; John Ochogwu, Esq; Hon. Rodrich Ugwu Esq; Prof. Godson Ogbonna (Abia State University, Uturu); Sir Austin Mwana Esq; Mr. Thony Lyiod Onyemaizu Esq; Dr. Agada Elachi Esq; Mr. Zach Akubo (S. I. Ameh SAN & Co); Mr. Ime Edem-nse Esq; Mr. Edafe Mrakpor Esq. (Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development); Ebedebiri Cottage Hospital, Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State; Federal College of Education, Warri; Nigerian Agricultural Seeds Council; Institute Of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC); Chief R. N. Okeke and Sons Ltd, Wukari, Taraba State; Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu (Trademoore Estate), among many others.

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Mrs. Titi Ogunbanjo, wife of deceased former Chairman of Nigeria Exchange (NGX) Group, Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo clocked a new age yesterday.

However, the death of her husband in a helicopter crash in the United States last Friday night has thrown the family into mourning and ensured that the family did not roll out drums to mark her birthday.

Ogunbanjo died alongside Dr. Herbert Wigwe, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, when the helicopter went down. Wigwe’s wife, Chizoba and first son, Chizi also died in the air crash.

In an Instagram post on Monday, the chief executive officer of UBA Foundation, Ms. Bola Atta asked the public to pray for the bereaved.

She wrote: “Titi darling, it’s your birthday today and even though you are not celebrating, I hope everyone who sees this post will say a prayer for you and remember the deep love you and Bimbo share ❤️❤️ May he rest in God’s bosom until you both meet again.” 

Writing @karenkoshoniinteriors, Ms. Karen Koshoni said: “Happy Birthday Titi, may God’s love surround you today and always , we grieve with you and hold you and the children up in prayers ❤️”

G. Aminah wrote: “Happy Birthday and God’s speed always to our beautiful Sis.”

Meanwhile, Beta Glass, a subsidiary of Frigoglass Group, says it will communicate its board’s succession plan after the demise of Ogunbanjo, its chairman.

In a corporate filing on Monday, Beta Glass said its board of directors will continue to provide support, in the meantime. “In due time Beta Glass and the Frigoglass Group will communicate the board’s succession plan. In the interim, the Company will continue to receive support from its Board of Directors,” the company said.

Ogunbanjo was the chairman of NGX Group, the non-operating holding company that emerged from the demutualisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from 2021 to 2022.

Born in Nigeria to the family of the Doyen of Corporate Law in Nigeria, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo and wife Hilda, Ogunbanjo continued in the family’s tradition by studying to become a lawyer. Until his death, he was the Managing Partner of Chris Ogunbanjo LP, an upscale commercial law firm.

MEDIA ROOM HUB reports that on October 11, 2022,  former President Muhammadu Buhari conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) on him for his contributions to the development of the capital market and corporate law.

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Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata has been dismissed as a member of the influential National Judicial Council (NJC), CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

CITY LAWYER gathered from unimpeachable sources that the decision to terminate Akpata’s membership of the elite body was conveyed to incumbent NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN.

The letter which was signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola who also doubles as the NJC Chairman, urged the lawyers’ body to nominate another representative to replace Akpata on the basis that he has joined ‘partisan politics.’

The former NBA President has not hidden his quest to contest the governorship of Edo State in the forthcoming election.

CITY LAWYER however gathered from an impeccable source who is familiar with the matter that Akpata “is highly worried by the CJN’s decision.”

According to the source, the thinking in the Akpata camp is that the Chief Justice of Nigeria lacks the power to dismiss a member of the NJC especially on the basis of joining partisan politics. 

The source cited an example of former Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar who voluntarily quit the NJC to focus on his political quest, saying the prerogative is that of the member to weigh his options. Abubakar was appointed member of the NJC in June 2013 and elected Bauchi State Governor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on 11th April, 2015.

According to the source, while Akpata is highly distraught by the turn of events, “He has been restrained by his enormous respect for the CJN, and would want to explore all possible avenues to amicably redress this grievous injustice.”

He however warned that “this matter may ultimately be resolved by the courts should everything else fail. Rest assured that this decision cannot stand.”

Though CITY LAWYER sought the views of NJC spokesman, Mr. Soji Oye on the matter, he had not responded at press time.

CITY LAWYER recalls that as NBA President, Akpata had a running battle with the leadership of the Body of Benchers. He also tackled the leadership of the Court of Appeal over appointment of justices of the appellate court. Akpata is believed to belong to the ‘progressive and reformist bloc’ within the NJC.

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Nigeria’s Body of Benchers has set up a committee to investigate the incidence of conflicting judgements and media trial.

In a notice obtained by CITY LAWYER, the body urged members “to kindly forward memorandum and presentations on the subject to the Body of Benchers Secretariat or via email (bodyofbenchersnigeria@gmail.com) within one week of receipt of this notice for consideration by the Committee.”

Signed by Mr. Daniel Tela, Secretary to the Body of Benchers, the elite group recalled that it had after its November 30, 2023 meeting “constituted an Extra-Ordinary Committee on Judicial Matters to look into the issues of conflicting judgments from superior courts and media trial plaguing the legal profession.”

The notice is dated 18th January, 2024 and titled “REQUEST FOR MEMORANDUM AND PRESENTATIONS ON CONFLICTING JUDGEMENTS OF SUPERIOR COURTS AND MEDIA TRIAL.”

It was unclear when the committee is expected to submit its report.

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NEWS RELEASE

REGISTRATION OF NLS: PROMOTERS OF THE NIGERIAN LAW SOCIETY WIN COURT CASE AGAINST CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION

On Friday, 15th December, 2023, the Federal High Court sitting at Abuja coram Hon. Justice G. K. Olotu delivered its judgment in favour of the Plaintiffs in Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN & 5 ORS V. Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) (FHC/ABJ/CS/482/2023).

The Plaintiffs (Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN, Audu Mela Nunghe, Ambassador Garba Gajam and Ors.), represented by Mr. Clement Onwewunor SAN and Mr. Kingdom Okere, a human rights lawyer, argued in their Originating Summons that the Plaintiffs submitted two separate applications to the Defendant for registration as an incorporated trustee but the Defendant, under the leadership of the former Registrar General, Mr. Garba Abubakar, refused to approve any of the names proposed, claiming that the names are similar to that of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and would be misleading. The Defendant also claimed lack of spread and national character.

The Plaintiffs on their part contended that the actions of the Defendant violated their right under section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, Article 10 of the African Charter, and Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Right (UDHR).

The Court, in its judgment rejecting the argument of the CAC in both the Preliminary Objection and the substantive Suit, held that the right to peaceful assembly and association guaranteed under Section 40 of the CFRN 1999 covers the kind of association the Plaintiffs intend to register, likewise Article 10 of the African Charter and Article 20 of the UDHR.

The Court also stated that it cannot find anywhere under sections 823, 824 and 825 of CAMA where spread and national character was stated as pre-conditions for registration of an incorporated trustee by the Defendant.

On the issue of similarity with NBA , the court stated that the name ” Society of Nigerian Lawyers” does not share any similarity with the Nigerian Bar Association and that ” Nigerian Law Society” (NLS) only shares one word with the NBA, which is “Nigerian”.

The court further held that “Association of Legal Practitioners” only shares one word with the NBA, which is “Association” but does not mean that the names stated above are identical to that of the NBA and capable of misleading the public. Hence, there is no iota of justification for the Defendant’s rejection of any of the proposed names on the grounds that the names are identical to the NBA and are capable of misleading the public and so should not be registered.

On the issue of the Plaintiffs seeking approval from the NBA, the court further held that NBA is not a government department or body but just an incorporated trustee and cannot change its status from an incorporated trustee to government department/body. Therefore, the contention of the Defendant in this regard cannot hold water. Accordingly, the court found in favour of the Plaintiffs.

NLS has since notified the CAC which is expected to register the name under the leadership of the new Registrar General, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, SAN, to formally register same.

The year 2024 promises to be a wonderful one for the legal profession and the Judiciary as many radical, dynamic and impactful changes appear to be on the front burner.

Bayo Akinlade Esq
Publicity Secretary NLS

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A legal practitioner known for his oratorical deftness and prowess, Mr. Victor Ugwuezumba Opara SAN was born in Owerri, Imo State to a lawyer-father, Mr. Nathan Anamelechi Opara and Mrs. Joy Opara, both deceased.

An alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Opara was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. He again earned an LLM degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in 1991.

He is currently the Principal of Victor Opara’s Chambers, a litigation-oriented law firm. Opara is an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

He has a bias for criminal litigation, and has participated actively in several criminal cases at all levels of court up to the Supreme Court. He has worked in various capacities including being Managing Counsel, S. O. Aoko & Co.; Managing Partner, K. C. Ikonne & Co.; Editor, Laws of Nigeria Project, anchored by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), University of Lagos Campus, and Research Assistant, Center for African Law and Development Studies.

Opara is the incumbent Chairman of the Continuing Legal Education & Practice Development Committee, NBA Ikeja Branch, Lagos State, a position he has held for an unbroken period of about 20 years. He also has numerous published legal articles to his credit.

His other professional affiliations include Fellow, Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management of Nigeria; Fellow, Certified Institute of Auctioneers, Nigeria; Fellow, Institute of Strategic Customer Service and Trade Management of Nigeria (FCSTM); Member, Nigerian Bar Association; Member, International Bar Association; Member, Institute of Management Consultants (MIMC), and Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria (ACIArb).

‘Opara is the incumbent Chairman of the Continuing Legal Education & Practice Development Committee, NBA Ikeja Branch, Lagos State, a position he has held for an unbroken period of about 20 years.’

Others are Member, Institute of Chartered Mediators & Conciliators (ChMc); Senior Member, Institute of Public Management Nigeria; Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACTI); Associate Member, Certified Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (ACIS), and Member, Lagos Court of Arbitration.

Opara is on the Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Multi Door Courthouse (LMDC). He is reputed as a public commentator and human rights activist.

PUBLICATIONS

i. Default Judgments of Court: what are they? Published in Daily Independent of Thursday, June 16 2005.

ii. My Lord, I am speaking from the Bar, published in Daily Independent in 2005.

iii. What manner of Marriage is yours? Published in PUNCH, of October 13 2003.

iv. Fundamental Rights – need for the Chief Justice of Nigeria to make rules for Enforcement, published in PUNCH, September 29 2003.

v. Discharging Ex-parte Interim Injunctions; published in PUNCH of Monday, August 18, 2003.

vi. Utility of Hearing Notices, published in PUNCH, on August 4, 2003.

vii. The Doctrine of Non-Disclosure in Nigerian (Non-Marine) Insurance Law (Unpublished LL.M Dissertation) submitted to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State in 1991.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

 Fellow, Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management of Nigeria
 Fellow, Certified Institute of Auctioneers, Nigeria
 Fellow, Institute of Strategic Customer Service and Trade Management of Nigeria (FCSTM)
 Member, Nigerian Bar Association
 Member, International Bar Association
 Member, Institute of Management Consultants. (MIMC)
 Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria (ACIArb)
 Member, Institute of Chartered Mediators & Conciliators (ChMc)
 Senior Member, Institute of Public Management Nigeria
 Associate Member, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (ACTI)
 Associate Member, Certified Institute of Shipping of Nigeria (ACIS)
 Member, Lagos Court of Arbitration

POSITIONS HELD 

• Member, Annual Committee for Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Lecture [Gani Fawehinmism] 2020 – 2021
• Member, Pro bono Committee for Defence of EndSARS Protest Suspects, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch [2020]
• Member, Caretaker Committee, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch [(2020) [appointed by the National Body of Nigerian Bar Association under the Olumide Akpata led command]. The Committee successfully conducted elections into various positions and posts in the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch on 11th day of December 2020 and later swore in successful candidates on the said dates
• Member, Section on Public Interest and Development Law, Nigerian Bar Association [SPIDEL]
• Active Participant in Pro bono Scheme/Partner with Lagos State Ministry of Justice
• Chairman of the Continuing Legal Education Committee, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch, Lagos State; 2004 – 2018
• Chairman of the Continuing Legal Education & Practice Development Committee, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja

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Solar For All: Sir.Stephen Chima Arubuike Esq (NBA Lagos] is our “Star Client of the week”.

It is the the second bite on the cherry for this astute Legal Practitioner cum Partner at G. Elias SAN & Co, having been enjoying our Solar Energy Solutions in his Abia State home.

To get an efficient Solar system anywhere in Nigeria with 25 years warranty and “Pay Small Small,” call/chat Solar For All Ltd: 08060266163.

Visit: SolarForAll.ng
(Abuja) Suite A8, Kenuj O2 Mall ,Behind Games Village.
(Lagos) No 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.
(Enugu State) Ehalumona Junction, Nsukka.

The Solar For All Lagos/South-West team are grateful to have been hosted at the Lagos home of the distinguished Sir. Arubuike. He assists multinationals, indigenous start-ups, and private equity firms to organize their businesses in Nigeria to reduce their tax burden and to comply with other Nigerian laws and regulatory requirements.

He also represents their businesses before the tax and arbitral tribunals and superior courts on Nigerian law issues arising from their corporate and commercial transactions.

It was a Solar System which carries all the basics in the home, ensures steady power supply and a reduction of the power cost to less than half.

Other beneficiaries from whom the efficiency of delivery can be verified include Amb. Gen. Tukur Buratai (COAS Rtd), Hon. Justice Oguntade (Justice of the Supreme Court Rtd), Sir James Ononiwu of NBA Ikeja, Chief Ejiofor Onwuaso of Otu Oka-iwu Abuja, Hon. Sir Ebuka Igwe of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Sir Ebun Olu Adegboruwa SAN, Mrs. Amina Agbaje Esq (FIDA Nigeria CVP), Prof. Dr. Olusola Oke (UNILAG COLLEGE OF MEDICINE), Dr. Muiz Banire SAN, High Chief Emeka J-P Obegolu SAN, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN; Chief J-K Gadzama SAN; Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; Prince Adetosoye Adebiyi Esq; Mr. Paul Daudu Esq of J.B Daudu SAN & Co; Mr. Benedict Daudu Esq; Chief Peter Ilegogie Esq; Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, Aare Isiaka Olagunju SAN, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN of SPA Ajibade SAN & Co; FIDA Nigeria (FIDA House Abuja); Prince Adetokumbo Kayode SAN; Dr. Mrs Ayorinde of Ayorinde SAN & Co; Mrs. Mariam Agbaboka; Barr. Mrs Rachel Ebun Akerele; Mr. Anthony Malik SAN; Chief Tawo E. Tawo SAN; Chief Kemi Pinheiro SAN; Mr. I. M. Dikko SAN of Liman, Liman SAN & Co; Hon. Justice Emeka Nriezedi of the Anambra State Judiciary; Dr. Hassan Liman SAN; Chief J. U. K. Igwe SAN; Mr. Chike Ekeocha, Esq. of Alex Izinyon SAN & Co/SUEX Nig. Ltd; Mummy Sylvia Okoregbe Esq; John Ochogwu, Esq; Hon. Rodrich Ugwu Esq; Prof. Godson Ogbonna of Abia State University, Uturu; Sir Austin Mwana Esq; Mr. Thony Lyiod Onyemaizu Esq; Dr. Agada Elachi Esq; Mr. Zach Akubo of S. I. Ameh SAN & Co; Mr. Ime Edem-nse Esq; Mr. Edafe Mrakpor Esq; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ebedebiri Cottage Hospital, Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State; Federal College of Education, Warri; Nigerian Agricultural Seeds Council; Institute Of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC); Chief R. N. Okeke and Sons Ltd, Wukari, Taraba State; Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu of the Trademoore Estate, among many others.

Some of the distinguishing benefits of Solar/Inverters include:
*Solar is cheaper at long-run!

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

* Your current Power cost will drop by at least 50% after we install.

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Cells Solar panels.

To view the November price list, click here

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Retired Justice Muhammad Dattijo’s official quarters at the Supreme Court were burgled during the Christmas holidays in December 2023. The quarters for Supreme Court justices are in Maitama in Abuja.

Sources privy to the incident said that the home was stripped bare as the burglars “took everything from the house”. “The burglary took place at the quarters for Supreme Court justices in Maitama. It occurred over the Christmas holidays and Dattijo was travelling out of the country at the time,” one of the sources told SaharaReporters.

Dattijo, who retired from the Supreme Court on October 27, 2023, knocked his colleagues on his way out. He described the apex court as rotten and characterised by filth.

He lamented that the apex court had been pervaded by bribery and perversion of justice, adding that it was dangerous for two out of the six geopolitical zones of the country to be excluded from the bench of the Supreme Court hearing appeals on the presidential election.

Lamenting that the appointments of judicial officers have been political, selfish and sectional interests, he said, “It is asserted that the process of appointment to judicial positions is deliberately conducted to give undue advantage to the children, spouses and mistresses of serving and retired judges and managers of judicial offices.

“At the Court of Appeal, it is asserted, presiding justices are now being appointed out of turn. And there is the further issue of the unpredictable nature of recent decisions of the courts as well.

“A number of respected senior members of the bar inter alia, citing Ahmed Lawan, the former President of the Senate and Imo governorship appeals, claim that decisions of even the apex court have become unpredictable.

“It is difficult to understand how and where, by these decisions, the judicial pendulum swings. It was not so before, they contended.

“In some quarters, the view is strongly held that filth and intrigues characterise the institution these days. Judges are said to be comfortable in companies they never would have kept in the past. It is being insinuated that some judicial officers even campaign for politicians. It cannot be more damnifying.”

According to him, some years ago, “appointment to the bench was strictly on merit. Sound knowledge of the law, integrity, honour and hard work distinguished those who were elevated”.

He continued, “Lobbying was unheard of. I never lobbied, not at any stage of my career, to secure any appointment or elevation. As much as possible, the most qualified men and women were appointed. That can no longer be said about appointments to the bench.

“The judiciary must be uniquely above board. Appointments should not be polluted by political, selfish and sectional interests. The place of merit, it must be urged, cannot be overemphasised.

“Public perceptions of the judiciary have over the years become witheringly scornful and monstrously critical,” he lamented and called for urgent reform in the judiciary to correct the alleged anomalies.”

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Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, fiery human rights activist Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, and justice reform advocate Mr. Emeka Nwadioke have been listed among Nigeria’s top 100 legal personalities.

THE SUN newspaper reports that the honorees were named among the “Top 100 exceptional and outstanding Nigerian legal personalities with significant contributions to legal education and practice.”

Other honorees include former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, SAN; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor, Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN; former NBA General Secretary, Mr. Emeka Obegolu, SAN; leading chartered arbitrator, Mrs. Dorothy Ufot SAN, and acclaimed tax expert and University of Lagos (UNILAG) teacher, Prof. Abiola Sanni, SAN.

Also listed among the Top 100 Legal Personalities are Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN; Mrs. Folashade Alli, SAN; Mr. Adeyinka Kotoye, SAN; Prof Ukooh Ikoni (Benue State University); Prof. Mojeeb Alabi (Osun State University); Prof. Omoniyi Akinola (Redeemer’s University), and Prof. Nimah Abdulraheem (University of Ilorin).

Unveiling the honorees at the weekend, the organisers, Legal Eagles Initiatives and LMT Academy, stated that the awards are “based on proven track record of excellence and performance.”

The organisers noted that the awards were aimed at “celebrating hard work and rewarding consistency,” adding that “This Award is a product of our organisational commitment to rewarding hard work and promoting excellence. It seeks to honour personalities and institutions who have distinguished themselves and have made measurable impact within and outside the legal profession under the year in review.

“Since the maiden edition which was held in 2021, the LIFIN Excellence Awards has earned the reputation of being one of the most prestigious Award within the legal industry and beyond. Here’s an opportunity to recognise and celebrate distinguished personalities whose immeasurable achievements inspire hope.”

Voting for the awards commenced on December 26, 2023 and ended on December 29, 2023 while the honorees were announced the next day.

• Culled from THE SUN Newspaper

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An Enugu-based lawyer and rights activist, Ikechukwu Maximus Ugwuoke has sued the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) over alleged defamation of character by the association.

The suit numbered E/1109 2023, which is currently pending at Enugu State High Court, has seven Defendants listed including the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Uche Rowland Ojinmah, President of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) against himself and representing NMA, as defendants.

Others joined in the suit are “Dr. Osahon Enabulele, Chairman, NMA Disciplinary Committee, against himself and representing the members of NMA Disciplinary Committee; Dr. Paschal Chime (Purported Coordinator NMA Enugu West Zone); Dr. Uzoma Ossai (Purported Secretary, NMA Enugu West Zone); 6th Defendant, Dr. Sunday Okafor, Secretary, NMA, Enugu State and Dr. Celestine Ugwuoke, Chairman, NMA, Enugu State, representing the Executive Members of NMA Enugu State.”

The writ of summons shows that the suit was filed on December 20, 2023.

Meanwhile, the lawyer as the sole Plaintiff, sought among other reliefs: “A DECLARATION that the Plaintiff being a legal practitioner in Nigeria has a duty to accept briefs and instructions from his clients and to carry out the instructions in a professional manner without let, blackmail, castigation, intimidation, hindrance, victimization, vituperation, or hindrance in any form by the Defendants or any person whosever.

“A DECLARATION that the Plaintiff was duly briefed and mobilized by his client Dr Victor Nnaemeka Nnamchi, a medical practitioner in Nigeria to commence a suit against Care Taker Committee of NMA Enugu West Zone and the purported excos that emerged in a kangaroo election conducted by the committee for the zone, which suit the plaintiff duly prepared and filed with his client’s name Dr Victor Nnaemeka N as suit No HAGB/26/2022 at Enugu State High Court Agbani Judicial Division, in the exercise of his professional duty as a Legal Practitioner in Nigeria.

“A DECLARATION that identity of the plaintiff’s client Dr Victor Nnaemeka N has never been in doubt nor raised as an issue before the Agbani High Court where the said suit HAGB/26/2022 was filed nor questioned before the Plaintiff as his counsel by any of the Defendants in the said suit or any of the Defendants in this suit as not being one and same person as Dr Victor Nnaemeka Nnamchi.

“A DECLARATION that the write-up and publication made by the 4th and 5th Defendants on or about 4th November 2023 tagged ‘ATTENTION NMA ENUGU WEST ZONE’ inferring that the Plaintiff was engaged by Dr Chibuzo Ndiokwelu and co, to fraudulently file a suit Suit No HAGB/26/2022 using an unknown and a nonexistent name Dr Victor Nnaemeka N and that Dr Chibuzo Ndiokwelu along with his gang funded the suit directly from NMA Enugu West account with a total of N250,000.000 paid to the Plaintiff on same day November 24th that the suit was filed and served, was false damages the reputation of the Plaintiff and therefore defamatory.

“A DECLARATION that the findings made by the 3rd Defendant to the NEC meeting of the 1st Defendant held from 10th November 2023 to 17th November 2023, presided by the 2nd Defendant wherein the 3rd Defendant stated that the name Dr Nnaemeka Victor N which was used to drag NMA before Enugu State High Court is a pseudo name which led to the 3rd Defendant’s recommendation adopted by the 1st Defendant that ‘all lawyers involved in this case’ (obviously referring to the plaintiff) should be reported to Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigerian Legal Counsel, for professional investigation and discipline, impinges on the image and reputation of the plaintiff and therefore defamatory against the Person of the Plaintiff.

“AN ORDER of the Honorable Court compelling the Defendants jointly or severally to pay the Plaintiff the sum of N1,000,000,000.00 (One Billion Naira) as damages in compensation for defamation, mental stress and psychological injuries occasioned to the Plaintiff by Defendant’s defamatory actions in this case.”

Narrating the facts of the case in his Statement of Claim, the Plaintiff stated that as a result of the fame, reputation, integrity and good image he had built over the years, he maintained a long-standing professional relationship amongst different associations of medical practitioners in Nigeria.

“That on 19th November 2022, he was duly briefed and mobilized by Dr Victor Nnaemaka Nnamchi, a medical practitioner in Nigeria to file a suit for him and other persons that elected the excos of his Zonal NMA, the Enugu West Zone against Care Taker Committee of NMA Enugu West Zone and the purported excos that emerged in a kangaroo election conducted by the committee for the zone.

“That in the discharge of his professional duty as a Legal Practitioner in Nigeria he accepted the said brief and issued the client a Schedule of his fees based on his agreement with his Client. That his said Client proceeded to fulfill his own side of the obligation by making 50% cash deposit of the agreed fees which the Plaintiff duly receipted. And the Plaintiff proceeded to file the said suit at Agbani Division of the Enugu State High Court seized with the jurisdiction over the case in Suit No: HAGB/26/2022.

“That the identity of his said client Dr Victor Nnaemeka N. has never been in doubt or being an issue as it was never questioned before the Agbani High Court where the said suit HAGB/26/2022 was filed nor questioned before the Plaintiff as his counsel by any of the Defendants in the said suit and in this suit as being one and same person as Dr Victor Nnaemeka Nnamchi.

“That to his greatest shock his attention was drawn to a write-up and publication made by the 4th and 5th Defendants on or about 4th November 2023 tagged “ATTENTION NMA ENUGU WEST ZONE.”

In the said write-up, the Defendant allegedly inferred and alleged that the Plaintiff was engaged by Dr. Chibuzo Ndiokwelu and Co. to fraudulently file Suit No: HAGB/26/2022 using an unknown and a non-existent name – Dr. Victor Nnaemeka N – and that Dr. Chibuzo Ndiokwelu along with his collaborators funded the suit directly from NMA Enugu West account with a total of N250,000.000 paid to the Plaintiff on the same day, November 24th that the suit was filed and served.

The Plaintiff described the allegation of the Defendants as false, stating that he was never briefed by the said Dr. Chibuzo Ndiokwelu to file the said suit, and was never paid any money in respect of the suit by the said Dr. Chibuzo Ndiokwelu.

“These false allegations of the said Defendants portrayed the Plaintiff as being ‘fraudulent’ without any justification, damages the reputation of the Plaintiff and is therefore defamatory,” it said.

Meanwhile, the Plaintiff, in a statement on Sunday, revealed that in a related suit he was handling for some doctors that were earmarked for witch-hunt by the Association through its Disciplinary Committee, despite securing a valid court order and serving the same to the Defendants that directed all parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of a motion on notice, the order was violated.

According to him, Dr. Uche Ojinma-led NMA President proceeded to entertain the subject matter of the suit and suspended his clients from the Association at its last NEC meeting held from December 10 – 17, 2023.

“There is no better demonstration of brazen lawlessness and lack of respect to the Rule of Law than this,” the lawyer said.

He revealed that he had initiated contempt proceedings against the President of the Association and all those involved in the alleged violation of the Court Order, asserting that nobody is above the law.

He said that one day, the current leadership of NMA shall have their day in Court to account for their actions.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters states that no date has been fixed for both cases.

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DR. JUDE EZEGWUI SENDS HIS NEW YEAR WARM WISHES

As the sands of time turn, we greet 2024 with open arms and a steadfast resolve.

My warmest wishes to you, my esteemed seniors and colleagues.

Let us join hands, our efforts echoing as one, to build a society where fairness rings true and justice stands tall.

May perseverance pave the path for each of your endeavours, and accomplishment crown your every stride. Though challenges may loom, let unwavering commitment to justice be our compass, guiding us through the maze of legal complexities. Together, we shall carve a path of legal excellence, forge bonds of brotherhood, and offer unwavering support to one another.

So, step into this new year with hearts full of hope and minds set on triumphs! May growth bloom from our endeavours, and collective success be our shared harvest.

Happy New Year!

~ Dr. Jude Ezegwui ( MCIArb, NP, JP)
Immediate past Chairman NBA Enugu & Council Member, NBA-Section on Business Law

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FEATURED

Solar For All: Mrs. Ezinwa Okoroafor (Past National President, FIDA Nigeria] is our “Star Client of the week”

For this gorgeous Amazon, a darling of both the NBA and FIDA Nigeria, it is her third bite on the cherry, having been enjoying for years our Solar Energy Solutions in her Abuja Office, Abuja Home and now her Abia State Home.

To get an efficient Solar system anywhere in Nigeria with 25 years warranty and “Pay Small Small”, call/chat Solar For All Ltd: 08060266163.

Visit: SolarForAll.ng
(Abuja) Suite A8, Kenuj O2 Mall ,Behind Games Village.
(Lagos) No 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.
(Enugu State) Ehalumona Junction, Nsukka.

The Solar For All South-East/South-South team are grateful to have been hosted at the Arochukwu, Abia State home of the distinguished Okoroafors.

A gender, good governance and sustainable development advocate, Ezinwa is a Nigerian legal practitioner with over 30 years experience. She holds a Master’s degree (1989) in law. She was the International Secretary (previously Regional Vice President for Africa) and National President (Nigeria) of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA),a women lawyers’ association devoted to protecting, promoting and preserving the rights and interests of women and children.

She was an Inaugural Faculty Member of the UNDP co-supported Corruption Risk Assessment Programme Nigeria and Team Lead for Corruption Risk Assessment exercise in an Agency within the Education Sector in Nigeria; Member, 100-Women Group, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Nigeria; National Chairperson of the Society of Women in Taxation of Nigeria, and a Delegate to the Nigeria National Conference 2014, a conference organised by the Nigerian government across multiple sectors and interest groups to deliberate on and make recommendations for Nigeria’s political, social, and economic pathways. She has participated in and coordinated workshops on gender and corruption at the IACC.

It was a Solar System installation which carries all the basics in the home, ensures steady Power Supply and a reduction of the power cost to less than half.

Other beneficiaries from whom the efficiency of delivery can be verified include Amb. Gen. Tukur Buratai (COAS Rtd), Hon. Justice Oguntade (Justice of the Supreme Court Rtd), Sir James Ononiwu of NBA Ikeja, Chief Ejiofor Onwuaso of Otu Oka-iwu Abuja, Hon. Sir Ebuka Igwe of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Sir Ebun Olu Adegboruwa SAN, Mrs. Amina Agbaje Esq (FIDA Nigeria CVP), Prof. Dr. Olusola Oke (UNILAG COLLEGE OF MEDICINE), Dr. Muiz Banire SAN, High Chief Emeka J-P Obegolu SAN, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN; Chief J-K Gadzama SAN; Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; Prince Adetosoye Adebiyi Esq; Mr. Paul Daudu Esq of J.B Daudu SAN & Co; Mr. Benedict Daudu Esq; Chief Peter Ilegogie Esq; Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, Aare Isiaka Olagunju SAN, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN of SPA Ajibade SAN & Co; FIDA Nigeria (FIDA House Abuja); Prince Adetokumbo Kayode SAN; Dr. Mrs Ayorinde of Ayorinde SAN & Co; Mrs. Mariam Agbaboka; Barr. Mrs Rachel Ebun Akerele; Mr. Anthony Malik SAN; Chief Tawo E. Tawo SAN; Chief Kemi Pinheiro SAN; Mr. I. M. Dikko SAN of Liman, Liman SAN & Co; Hon. Justice Emeka Nriezedi of the Anambra State Judiciary; Dr. Hassan Liman SAN; Chief J. U. K. Igwe SAN; Mr. Chike Ekeocha, Esq. of Alex Izinyon SAN & Co/SUEX Nig. Ltd; Mummy Sylvia Okoregbe Esq; John Ochogwu, Esq; Hon. Rodrich Ugwu Esq; Prof. Godson Ogbonna of Abia State University, Uturu; Sir Austin Mwana Esq; Mr. Thony Lyiod Onyemaizu Esq; Dr. Agada Elachi Esq; Mr. Zach Akubo of S. I. Ameh SAN & Co; Mr. Ime Edem-nse Esq; Mr. Edafe Mrakpor Esq; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ebedebiri Cottage Hospital, Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State; Federal College of Education, Warri; Nigerian Agricultural Seeds Council; Institute Of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC); Chief R. N. Okeke and Sons Ltd, Wukari, Taraba State; Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu of the Trademoore Estate, among many others.

Some of the distinguishing benefits of Solar/Inverters include:
*Solar is cheaper at long-run!

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

* Your current Power cost will drop by at least 50% after we install.

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Cells Solar panels.

To view the November price list, click here

To join our CITY LAWYER platform on WhatsApp, click here

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COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on “X” (TWITTER) at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER or for Special Features, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083.

All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

Former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Supo Shasore is now a free man, as the last of the troika of court cases levied against him by Federal Government agencies was today struck out by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

CITY LAWYER gathered that this followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Prosecutor Bala Sanga.

With the matter struck out, the defence team led by Wale Akoni, SAN and Chijioke Okoli, SAN applied for the release of Shasore’s international passport. The application was granted by the court.

CITY LAWYER recalls that two charges brought against Shasore on similar set of facts had earlier been struck out by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting at Abuja and Justice Mojisola Dada of the High Court of Lagos State.

Reputed for his candour, Shasore was recently exonerated of complicity by Justice Robin Knowles of the Commercial Courts of England and Wales in the shenanigans that bedeviled by controversial Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited contract. The judgment was delivered in favour of the Federal Government after five years of legal frameworks which saw the court quash the $11 billion arbitration award in favour of P&ID.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Shasore last October before Justice Aneke over alleged money laundering to the tune of $200,000.

Shasore was arraigned on a four-count charge before Justice Aneke with a four-count charge marked FHC/L/447C/2022.

At the resumed hearing, the anti-graft agency counsel, led by Sanga, prayed the court to accept the information filed against the defendant and asked the defendant to take his plea.

Shashore, however, denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty to all the charges. His defence team, led by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Yemi Candide-Johnson prayed the court to grant the defendant bail on liberal terms and on self-recognisance, saying that Shasore is not a flight risk and that the alleged offences are available. The prosecution counsel, Bala Sanga, did not oppose the request, saying that the prosecution was only interested in the merit of the case.

In his ruling, Justice Aneke admitted Shasore to bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum. The judge also directed that one of the sureties must be a permanent secretary or director in Lagos State civil service. He had then adjourned the case till November 24, 2022, for the commencement of the trial.

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The National Judicial Council (NJC) is set to investigate the issues surrounding the certified true copy (CTC) of the Kano State governorship election appeal at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

Officials of the NJC disclosed this during a visit to the headquarters of the Media Trust Ltd in Abuja.

There has been confusion and widespread condemnation of the CTC of the judgment of the Friday, November 17 judgment of the appellate court which sacked Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Yusuf Gawuna on the ground of not being a member of the party.

However, the Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, Umar Mohammed Bangari, in a statement on Wednesday, November 17 admitted clerical errors in the document, while insisting that the court’s judgment remains valid.

But speaking with Daily Trust, an unnamed leader of the NJC delegation disclosed that petitions have been received, adding that the council will treat them according to the rules.

“The petitions that have been written would not be taken immediately, they would have to go through the preliminary complaint assessment, those people would look at it, then send to the plenary, then plenary would look at it and they would set up a committee to look into and the judge and the petitioner would come with their lawyers,” he said

The senior official said although counsel to Governor Yusuf had opted to make the CTC part of the subject of the appeal before the Supreme Court, that would not prevent the NJC’s investigation.

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Solar For All: The Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (UNITY BAR), ably led by the pragmatic, innovative and cerebral Mr. Afam Okeke, is our “Star Client of the week”.

The Nigerian Bar Association Abuja Branch [Unity Bar] stands out tall as a Bar of giants; making great impacts and grooming some of the best Legal minds in the Legal profession.

To get an efficient Solar system anywhere in Nigeria with 25 years warranty and “Pay Small Small,” call/chat Solar For All Ltd: 08060266163.

Visit: SolarForAll.ng
(Abuja) Suite A8, Kenuj O2 Mall ,Behind Games Village.
(Lagos) No 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.
(Enugu State) Ehalumona Junction, Nsukka.

The Solar For All Abuja/Northern team are grateful to have been hosted by one of the most outstanding Bar of Northern Nigeria at the Wuse 2 office of the NBA Abuja Unity Bar.

Being the Mother-Branch of all other Branches of the NBA in Abuja, the NBA Abuja Unity Bar has remained the standard bearer of what the Bar should be.

It was the installation of the 4 batteries, 9 Panels Solar System which caters to all the basics in the office, ensures steady Power Supply and a reduction of the power cost to less than half.

Other beneficiaries from whom the efficiency of delivery can be verified include Amb. Gen. Tukur Buratai (COAS Rtd), Hon. Justice Oguntade (Justice of the Supreme Court Rtd), Sir James Ononiwu of NBA Ikeja, Chief Ejiofor Onwuaso of Otu Oka-iwu Abuja, Hon. Sir Ebuka Igwe of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Sir Ebun Olu Adegboruwa SAN, Mrs. Amina Agbaje Esq (FIDA Nigeria CVP), Prof. Dr. Olusola Oke (UNILAG COLLEGE OF MEDICINE), Dr. Muiz Banire SAN, High Chief Emeka J-P Obegolu SAN, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN; Chief J-K Gadzama SAN; Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; Prince Adetosoye Adebiyi Esq; Mr. Paul Daudu Esq of J.B Daudu SAN & Co; Mr. Benedict Daudu Esq; Chief Peter Ilegogie Esq; Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, Aare Isiaka Olagunju SAN, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN of SPA Ajibade SAN & Co; FIDA Nigeria (FIDA House Abuja); Prince Adetokumbo Kayode SAN; Dr. Mrs Ayorinde of Ayorinde SAN & Co; Mrs. Mariam Agbaboka; Barr. Mrs Rachel Ebun Akerele; Mr. Anthony Malik SAN; Chief Tawo E. Tawo SAN; Chief Kemi Pinheiro SAN; Mr. I. M. Dikko SAN of Liman, Liman SAN & Co; Hon. Justice Emeka Nriezedi of the Anambra State Judiciary; Dr. Hassan Liman SAN; Chief J. U. K. Igwe SAN; Mr. Chike Ekeocha, Esq. of Alex Izinyon SAN & Co/SUEX Nig. Ltd; Mummy Sylvia Okoregbe Esq; John Ochogwu, Esq; Hon. Rodrich Ugwu Esq; Prof. Godson Ogbonna of Abia State University, Uturu; Sir Austin Mwana Esq; Mr. Thony Lyiod Onyemaizu Esq; Dr. Agada Elachi Esq; Mr. Zach Akubo of S. I. Ameh SAN & Co; Mr. Ime Edem-nse Esq; Mr. Edafe Mrakpor Esq; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ebedebiri Cottage Hospital, Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State; Federal College of Education, Warri; Nigerian Agricultural Seeds Council; Institute Of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC); Chief R. N. Okeke and Sons Ltd, Wukari, Taraba State; Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu of the Trademoore Estate, among many others.

Some of the distinguishing benefits of Solar/Inverters include:
*Solar is cheaper at long-run!

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

* Your current Power cost will drop by at least 50% after we install.

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Cells Solar panels.

To view the November price list, click here

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COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on “X” (TWITTER) at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER or for Special Features, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083.

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NOTICE OF MONTHLY MEETING

EGBE AMOFIN O’ODUA GENERAL MEETING FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, 2023.

1) ARRIVAL OF MEMBERS/COCKTAIL/ASUN NIGHT: 8TH DECEMBER,2023.

2) EGBE AMOFIN OODUA MEETING/DEPARTURE: 9TH DECEMBER, 2023.

VENUE: AARE AFE BABALOLA NBA AKURE BAR CENTRE, OKE-EDA, AKURE.

AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Opening Praying
3. President’s Remarks
4. Reading/Adoption of Minutes of last meeting.
5. Matters Arising
6. Report on Exco Activities.
7. Any Other Business (A.O.B)
8. Adjournment.
9. Closing Prayer

Adetunji OSO, Esq.
General Secretary,
EGBE AMOFIN O’ODUA

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The Presiding Judge, Lagos Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court, Hon Justice Maureen Esowe has awarded the sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira only) as damages against Abraka Company Ltd for negligence and failure to forward Mr. Felix Esuturie’s necessary paperwork to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund to aid in the processing of his claim for compensation in line with the Employee’s Compensation Act, 2010.

The Court also ordered Abraka Company Ltd to pay Felix Esuturie the sum of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira only) as general damages for financial hardship and socio-economic discomfort suffered, with the sum of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) Cost of action.

Justice Esowe held that the Court is satisfied with the evidence before it that Felix lost his entitlement to statutory compensation for the disability he suffered following an accident in the course of his employment owing to the firm’s conduct.

From facts, the Claimant- Felix Esuturie had submitted that sometime on 20th October 2015, while in the course of his employment, he suffered a fracture on his right ankle following an industrial accident at his workplace which left him with permanent injury.

He contended that the firm initially paid for treatment of the injury sustained but failed to forward and submit to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) the required paperwork to give room for the assessment and processing of his compensation for the injury sustained at work under the Employee’s Compensation Act, 2010.

However, the defendant- Abraka Company Ltd failed to file any defence despite receiving the court’s processes and hearing notices.

Delivering the judgment, the presiding Judge, Justice Maureen Esowe held that when a party fails or neglects to utilize the opportunity afforded it by the Court to put up its case, such party cannot later be heard to complain of denial of fair hearing.

The Court held that the evidence of the accident that led to Felix Esuturie sustaining a fracture to his leg is unchallenged and the legal standard of care was for the firm to have furnished the NSITF Board with the required documentation to look into and process the victim compensation claims.

Justice Esowe held that the Court is satisfied with the evidence before it that Felix Esuturie lost his entitlement to statutory compensation for the disability he suffered following an accident in the course of his employment with the Defendant owing to the company’s conduct.

The Court held that company’s lack of diligence in pursuing Felix Esuturie’s statutory compensation claim with the NSITF Board can not be justified by the alleged reason it gave for the delay in forwarding to the Board outstanding documents.

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FEATURED

Dr. Chike Okogwu, an Alumna of the John Kennedy School and the St. John University, Yorkshire UK, is a prominent national voice in the advocacy for Persons with Disability [PWD] and a loud evidence of “Ability in disability”.

To get an efficient Solar system anywhere in Nigeria; with 25years warranty and “Pay Small Small”, call/chat Solar For All Ltd: 08060266163.

Visit: SolarForAll.ng
(Abuja) Suite A8, Kenuj O2 Mall ,Behind Games Village.
(Lagos) No 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.
(Enugu State) Ehalumona Junction, Nsukka.

The Solar For All Abuja/Northern team are grateful to have been hosted by this eminent Nigerian of many parts.

Chike is the Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer at The Centre for Ability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment (CARE). He has advocated for policy changes in the aviation, public transport, medical, financial inclusion, education sectors and political space for the betterment of the Disability Community in Nigeria.

Dr. Chike Okogwu (aka The Lion) is a Disruptive Innovator and Development Expert and a first class media, policy development and implementation consultant. Chike was former Nigerian Coordinator (Abuja) of the CNN/Multichoice African Journalists of the Year Awards alongside providing both commercial and editorial contents for CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera and other international Networks.

He became a paraplegic from spinal cord injuries due to a ghastly car crash on December 15, 2006.

Other beneficiaries from whom the efficiency of delivery can be verified include Amb. Gen. Tukur Buratai (COAS Rtd), Hon. Justice Oguntade (Justice of the Supreme Court Rtd), Sir James Ononiwu of NBA Ikeja, Chief Ejiofor Onwuaso of Otu Oka-iwu Abuja, Hon. Sir Ebuka Igwe of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Sir Ebun Olu Adegboruwa SAN, Mrs. Amina Agbaje Esq (FIDA Nigeria CVP), Prof. Dr. Olusola Oke (UNILAG COLLEGE OF MEDICINE), Dr. Muiz Banire SAN, High Chief Emeka J-P Obegolu SAN, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN; Chief J-K Gadzama SAN; Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; Prince Adetosoye Adebiyi Esq; Mr. Paul Daudu Esq of J.B Daudu SAN & Co; Mr. Benedict Daudu Esq; Chief Peter Ilegogie Esq; Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, Aare Isiaka Olagunju SAN, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN of SPA Ajibade SAN & Co; FIDA Nigeria (FIDA House Abuja); Prince Adetokumbo Kayode SAN; Dr. Mrs Ayorinde of Ayorinde SAN & Co; Mrs. Mariam Agbaboka; Barr. Mrs Rachel Ebun Akerele; Mr. Anthony Malik SAN; Chief Tawo E. Tawo SAN; Chief Kemi Pinheiro SAN; Mr. I. M. Dikko SAN of Liman, Liman SAN & Co; Hon. Justice Emeka Nriezedi of the Anambra State Judiciary; Dr. Hassan Liman SAN; Chief J. U. K. Igwe SAN; Mr. Chike Ekeocha, Esq. of Alex Izinyon SAN & Co/SUEX Nig. Ltd; Mummy Sylvia Okoregbe Esq; John Ochogwu, Esq; Hon. Rodrich Ugwu Esq; Prof. Godson Ogbonna of Abia State University, Uturu; Sir Austin Mwana Esq; Mr. Thony Lyiod Onyemaizu Esq; Dr. Agada Elachi Esq; Mr. Zach Akubo of S. I. Ameh SAN & Co; Mr. Ime Edem-nse Esq; Mr. Edafe Mrakpor Esq; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ebedebiri Cottage Hospital, Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State; Federal College of Education, Warri; Nigerian Agricultural Seeds Council; Institute Of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC); Chief R. N. Okeke and Sons Ltd, Wukari, Taraba State; Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu of the Trademoore Estate, among many others.

Some of the distinguishing benefits of Solar/Inverters include:
*Solar is cheaper at long-run!

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

* Your current Power cost will drop by at least 50% after we install.

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Cells Solar panels.

To view the November price list, click here

To join our CITY LAWYER Channel on WhatsApp, click here

To join our Telegram platform, click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on “X” (TWITTER) at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER or for Special Features, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083.

All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

Baze University, a leading private university in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been barred from admitting students into its Law Programme for the next five years. The ban may be renewed by the Council of Legal Education (CLE) if the infractions noted by its Visitation Panel is not remedied within the period.

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER and signed by Ms. Aderonke Osho, Ag. Secretary & Director of Administration, this decision was made by the Council after its meeting held last Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Council will take steps within the five-year moratorium period to deal with the backlog of over 347 Baze University Law graduates waiting to be admitted into the Nigerian Law School.

Below is the full text of the press statement.

COUNCIL OF LEGAL EDUCATION
(NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL)

PRESS STATEMENT ON THE ACCREDITATION STATUS OF FACULTY OF LAW

BAZE UNIVERSITY, ABUJA.

At its Quarterly Meeting held on November 23, 2023, the Council of Legal Education (CLE) presided over by its Chairman, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN, OFR considered the report of the Accreditation panel to the Faculty of Law, Baze University, Abuja.

It emerged from the findings by the Panel led by the Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Prof Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN that:

(1) Baze University consistently and most flagrantly had contravened its admission quota of 50 students per session as approved by the Council of Legal Education with the result that the Faculty is currently having a backlog of over 347 law students waiting to be admitted into the Nigerian Law School.

(2) Since 2017 the Council of Legal Education had grappled with the excesses of Baze University by admitting over 750 law students which ordinarily would have taken about 15 years of admission based on the quota allotted to the University.

(3) Baze University runs a three (3)-year LL.B programme for some UTME candidates without the approval of National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB and Council of Legal Education. Under the NUC Minimum Benchmark Academic Standard (BMAS) for law degree programme in Nigerian Universities, Law is a five (5)-year programme for UTME candidates and four (4)-year for Direct Entry students.

The Council of Legal Education after thorough consideration of these infractions resolved as follows:

(i) The imposition of a moratorium on admission of law students to the Faculty of Law, Baze University Abuja with immediate effect;
(ii) The moratorium will last in the first instance for a period of 5 years and may be renewed if no satisfactory action is taken to remedy the situation.
(iii) The Council in the interest of the innocent students, parents and guardians will use the 5 year period to find ways to deal with the backlog of law students admitted by Baze University in excess of its admission quota.
(iv) Follow-up visits will be paid to the University to ascertain the extent of the measures it has taken to remedy the anomalies observed during the accreditation visit.
(v) The National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Parents, guardians, prospective applicants and members of the public are hereby put on notice on the status of Baze University Abuja and its faculty of Law.

Dated at Abuja this 23rd of November 2023.

….…………………………
Ms Aderonke Osho
Ag. Secretary & Director
Of Administration.

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With over 30 years of his life spent in Canada, Itebu [The Protocol] is a Philanthropist, a distinguished son of Evu in Ethiope East LGA of Delta State, and a Lifter of many youths

To get an efficient Solar system anywhere in Nigeria with 25 years warranty and “Pay Small Small”, call/chat Solar For All Ltd: 08060266163.

Visit: SolarForAll.ng
(Abuja) Suite A8, Kenuj O2 Mall ,Behind Games Village.
(Lagos) No 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.
(Enugu State) Ehalumona Junction, Nsukka.

The Solar For All South-East/South-South team are grateful to have been hosted in Ovu, Ethiope East LGA of Delta State, the ancestral home of the global Earnest Itebu. He is a man cherished by his people and whose kindness knows no bound.

It was a Solar system that powers all essentials in the home, ensures steady power supply and reduces power cost by at least half, such that within the first two years of installation, he would have recovered his total cost of installation from his savings.

Other beneficiaries from whom the efficiency of delivery can be verified include Amb. Gen. Tukur Buratai (COAS Rtd), Hon. Justice Oguntade (Justice of the Supreme Court Rtd), Sir James Ononiwu of NBA Ikeja, Chief Ejiofor Onwuaso of Otu Oka-iwu Abuja, Hon. Sir Ebuka Igwe of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Sir Ebun Olu Adegboruwa SAN, Mrs. Amina Agbaje Esq (FIDA Nigeria CVP), Prof. Dr. Olusola Oke (UNILAG COLLEGE OF MEDICINE), Dr. Muiz Banire SAN, High Chief Emeka J-P Obegolu SAN, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN; Chief J-K Gadzama SAN; Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; Prince Adetosoye Adebiyi Esq; Mr. Paul Daudu Esq of J.B Daudu SAN & Co; Mr. Benedict Daudu Esq; Chief Peter Ilegogie Esq; Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, Aare Isiaka Olagunju SAN, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN of SPA Ajibade SAN & Co; FIDA Nigeria (FIDA House Abuja); Prince Adetokumbo Kayode SAN; Dr. Mrs Ayorinde of Ayorinde SAN & Co; Mrs. Mariam Agbaboka; Barr. Mrs Rachel Ebun Akerele; Mr. Anthony Malik SAN; Chief Tawo E. Tawo SAN; Chief Kemi Pinheiro SAN; Mr. I. M. Dikko SAN of Liman, Liman SAN & Co; Hon. Justice Emeka Nriezedi of the Anambra State Judiciary; Dr. Hassan Liman SAN; Chief J. U. K. Igwe SAN; Mr. Chike Ekeocha, Esq. of Alex Izinyon SAN & Co/SUEX Nig. Ltd; Mummy Sylvia Okoregbe Esq; John Ochogwu, Esq; Hon. Rodrich Ugwu Esq; Prof. Godson Ogbonna of Abia State University, Uturu; Sir Austin Mwana Esq; Mr. Thony Lyiod Onyemaizu Esq; Dr. Agada Elachi Esq; Mr. Zach Akubo of S. I. Ameh SAN & Co; Mr. Ime Edem-nse Esq; Mr. Edafe Mrakpor Esq; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ebedebiri Cottage Hospital, Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State; Federal College of Education, Warri; Nigerian Agricultural Seeds Council; Institute Of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC); Chief R. N. Okeke and Sons Ltd, Wukari, Taraba State; Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu of the Trademoore Estate, among many others.

Some of the distinguishing benefits of Solar/Inverters include:
*Solar is cheaper at long-run!

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

* Your current Power cost will drop by at least 50% after we install.

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Cells Solar panels.

To view the November price list, click here.

To join our CITY LAWYER Channel on WhatsApp, click here

To join our Telegram platform, click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on “X” (TWITTER) at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER or for Special Features, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083.

All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

A Farewell To Professor Ben Obi Nwabueze, SAN, 1932-2023, a true titan of the law and a beacon of wisdom.

Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, OON

Today, I feel a profound sadness as I receive the news of the passing of a mentor and an extraordinary man, Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN.

His departure leaves another void in my world, and I cannot help but gather my thoughts to pay tribute to his remarkable life, his immense contributions, and the profound impact he had on the legal profession, Nigerian society, and the entire world as a whole.

Professor Ben Nwabueze was not merely an attorney or an academic; he was a force of nature—a versatile attorney, a cerebral academic, an authority, and a Professor of Professors in constitutional law.

His brilliance and expertise in his field were unparalleled, making him a colossus among his peers. His deep understanding of the intricacies of the law and his unwavering commitment to justice were the hallmarks of his illustrious career.

I had the privilege of crossing paths with Professor Nwabueze as an undergraduate at the University of Jos, where I came across some of his works. I instantly became his shadow mentee without any introduction or prompting.

His works greatly influenced me, to the point where I breathed and spoke of his indelible thoughts and teachings. However, I had a near falling out with him during the reign of President Goodluck Jonathan. I vividly recall the moment when he made a suggestion, calling for a Kamal Ataturk-like revolution in Nigeria. In my youthful enthusiasm, I demanded that he be sanctioned for his audacity as I can’t juxtapox his various thesis in constitutionalism to his new found application of Ataturk Revolution to resolve Nigeria issues.

However, it was Chief E.K. Clark who reprimanded and brought me back from my wilderness, revealing that Professor Nwabueze had been his lecturer in London. It was a powerful reminder of the profound respect and admiration that his peers and student held for him—a testament to his intellectual prowess and his enduring impact on the legal community.

One of the indelible moments etched in my memory is Professor Nwabueze’s appearance at the 2019 Presidential election tribunal in a petition between Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Gen Muhammadu Buhari. Despite his frailty, he made a surprise entrance, seated in a wheelchair. It was a poignant and powerful sight—a symbol of his unwavering dedication to upholding justice, even in the face of personal challenges. His presence in that courtroom spoke volumes about his commitment to the principles he held dear and his resolute belief in the power of the law to create a just society.

Professor Ben Nwabueze’s influence extended far beyond his legal career. Born on December 22nd, 1932, in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, his academic journey began at a young age. He pursued his education with diligence and determination, attending renowned institutions such as the London School of Economics and Political Science and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. He excelled in his academic pursuits, earning his Doctor of Laws (LL.D) at the University of London in 1978, becoming the second Nigerian and African to hold a higher doctorate degree in Law based on published works.

Throughout his illustrious career, Professor Nwabueze authored over thirty books and treatises, covering a wide range of legal subjects. His publications, including “Constitutionalism, Presidentialism, and Judicialism,” became essential references in the legal community, and his scholarly contributions shaped the discourse on constitutional law in Nigeria. His dedication to publishing and his commitment to sharing his knowledge and insights were unparalleled.

Beyond his academic achievements, Professor Nwabueze was actively involved in university administration, serving in various leadership roles in universities across Nigeria and beyond. He held professorial chairs in esteemed institutions and played a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of the country. His impact as a teacher and mentor cannot be overstated, as he inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in law and to embrace the pursuit of knowledge as a lifelong endeavor.

Professor Ben Nwabueze’s commitment to the Igbo cause was unwavering. He co-founded Ohaneze Ndigbo, a non-partisan Pan Igbo pressure group, and served as its Secretary-General for over two decades. His advocacy for the rights and welfare of the Igbo people earned him the respect and admiration of many. He was a true patriot, dedicated to the advancement of his people and the unity of Nigeria as a whole.

Today, as I reflect on the remarkable life of Professor Ben Nwabueze, I salute him as an academic giant, a legal luminary, and a true role model. His contributions to the Nigerian legal system and his tireless efforts to promote justice and constitutionalism will forever be remembered. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of lawyers, academics, and advocates for years to come.

I humbly extend my deepest condolences to Professor Nwabueze’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.

May his soul rest in eternal peace, knowing that he has left an indelible mark on our hearts, our legal system, and our nation. Farewell, Professor Ben Nwabueze, SAN, a true titan of the law and a beacon of wisdom.

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COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on “X” (TWITTER) at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER or for Special Features, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083.

All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

The Limits of the Sub Judice Rule

Definition of Sub Judice
Lately, the term ‘Sub judice’ has been flying around. It is actually pronounced ‘sub-joo-di- see’, and not ‘sub-joo-diss’ as Nigerians love to mispronounce it! It’s a Latin term which simply means, ‘under judgement’. Black’s Law Dictionary defines the term as, “Before the Court or Judge for determination”.

The First Leg of the Definition
The concept of sub judice has at least two legs to it (possibly more). Firstly, it prohibits the filing of a multiplicity of suits between the same parties on the same subject-matter – aka Forum Shopping! That is, when a matter is already before a court, the same matter should not be filed in another court, since it’s already sub judice. For one, it could result in conflicting decisions, which will do nothing more than cause confusion. This is an abuse of court process. In Okorodudu v Okoromadu 1977 3 S.C. 21, the Supreme Court cited the institution of a multiplicity of actions on the same subject-matter, against the same opponents on the same issues before one or more courts of competent jurisdiction, as an abuse of court process. Also see the case of Minister for Works v Tomas (Nigeria) Ltd 2002 2 N.W.L.R. Part 752 Page 740. Since the clamp down on forum shopping closer to the end of the tenure of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, GCON, the incidence of forum shopping seems to have reduced. The LPPC also sanctioned some Senior Lawyers, for partaking in forum shopping. During the season of the last general elections in 2019, the sub judice rule in that regard was breached with reckless abandon, as forum shopping was the order of the day.

The Second Leg of the Definition
Another leg of the concept of sub judice has to do with commenting on a case in court, in a manner that will either bring the court into disrepute or prejudice or undermine the court proceedings. See the case of Bello v AG Lagos State & Ors (2006) LPELR-7585(CA) per Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, JCA (as she then was). This other concept of the sub judice rule was formulated in 1742 by Lord Chancellor Hardwicke in the St James’s Evening Post case, in which two newspapers that published libellous articles claiming that a witness in an active case committed perjury, their action was described as a contempt of court “in prejudicing mankind against persons before the cause is heard”.

Our Own Sub Judice Rule: Section 33 of the Rules of Professional Conduct
Last week, we published a news story in which learned Senior Advocate and former NBA President, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, urged Lawyers to refrain from conducting media trials on ongoing cases, particularly President Bola Tinubu’s CSU matter which is now before the Supreme Court. However, contrary to Dr Agbakoba’s admonition, it appears that our own sub judice rule which is covered by Section 33 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023 (RPC), is only directed at restricting Counsel who are trial Lawyers in the matter being publicised, and not all Lawyers or the general public, and prohibiting them from making extra-judicial statements “calculated to prejudice or interfere with, or is reasonably capable of prejudicing or interfering with the fair trial of the matter or the judgement or sentence”. The purport of this is that, fair comments by all, including trial Counsel, are allowed on an ongoing case, and what is not permitted is when trial Counsel make prejudicial or harmful extra-judicial statements, or those that can interfere with the fair trial of the matter, or are untoward like in the St James’s Evening Post case or in the current case of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi & Ors v Bola Ahmed Tinubu & Ors. In Akomolafe v Guardian Press Ltd 2004 1 N.W.L.R. Part 853 Page 1 at 17-18 per Aderemi, JCA, the Court of Appeal stated that fair comments are simply opinions on matters of public interest, but for it to be a viable defence they must be correctly and fairly stated, based on truth. If we were in the UK, Commentators would possibly have faced ex facie curiae contempt charges, while many Lawyers would have faced sanctions from their Disciplinary bodies for many of their unacceptable extra-judicial statements bringing the courts into disrepute, as well as contempt charges. In Nigeria, aside from trial counsel, there doesn’t seem to be much control on extra-judicial statements made by others, whether prejudicial, damaging (to the Judiciary) or even false.

The case of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi & Ors v Bola Ahmed Tinubu & Ors, is obviously a matter of serious public interest, and if my memory serves me right, the Petitioners’ Counsel had applied that the court proceedings be broadcasted live, an application which was refused by the PEPT. Nevertheless, the Petitioners’ Counsel still held press conferences after every Tribunal sitting, publicising the court proceedings, and also those pertaining to the CSU matter in USA even before any documents were obtained, thereby inviting Lawyers and the public to open debates and discussions on the case, and at the same time heating up the polity. One doesn’t have to be Einstein to conclude that, all this was orchestrated to prejudice and prejudge the matter, and put the Judiciary under pressure.For good measure, one of the authorities stating the conditions under which fresh evidence can be introduced on appeal, to create the wrong impression in the public eye that a court ‘has to’ admit fresh evidence (to obviously aid the Petitioner’s position in the CSU matter) was also circulated, that is, the case of Uzodinma v Izunaso (No. 2) 2011 17 N.W.L.R. Part 1275 Page 37. The actions of the Petitioners’ Counsel appear to be a breach of Section 33 of RPC, and by virtue of Section 74(1) thereof, amounts to professional misconduct punishable under Section 11 of the Legal Practitioner’s Act (LPA) (also see Sections 12 & 13 of the LPA). Additionally, the Petitioners’ legal team, even if it’s indirectly, have in more ways than one, facilitated the undermining of the PEPT proceedings, by enabling supporters and even the Petitioners themselves in making prejudicial statements and inciting the public against the Judiciary, as if to constrain the PEPT and now the Supreme Court to find for them, whether or not there are grounds to do so, now using this new American angle which appears to have no leg to stand on in our own jurisprudence as their weapon, and seems to be more like a tool of scandal and spreading odium and opprobrium instead. They really opened the doors, to the desecration of the Judiciary. Last Friday, former USA President, Donald Trump, in his civil fraud case, was held in contempt and fined $5,000 for violating a gag order by insulting a court staff on social media. In his upcoming trial for conspiracy to upturn the 2020 election, the trial Judge in that case has also placed gag order on Trump, ordering him not to publicly attack Prosecutors, court staff or potential witnesses ahead of the trial. We have had many attacks on the credibility of our Judiciary, since the inception of the Presidential Election Petitions case.

Our own sub judice rule appears to be a derogation provided for in Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023)(the Constitution), from the right to freedom of expression (Section 39(1) of the Constitution), but only pertaining to trial Lawyers handling the cases making prejudicial extra-judicial statements. Also see Section 39(3) of the Constitution.

How Necessary is the Second Leg of the Sub Judice Rule in Nigeria?
How necessary is the sub judice rule pertaining to comments on an ongoing case, in a country like ours where we have trained judicial officers to hear and determine cases, as opposed to countries that have Jurors who are laymen untrained in the law, and can easily be swayed by public opinion? The fact that laymen make judicial decisions as Jurors, may be the reason why the sub judice rules in those climes are more expansive than ours. One definition of sub judice which I found in the Oxford Reference seems to point to the fact that the sub judice rule may be more geared towards a jurisdiction with a jury setting, as it states thus: “A rule limiting comment and disclosure relating to judicial proceedings, in order not to prejudge the issue or influence the jury”. In Nigeria the words have to be prejudicial, that is, harmful, in other climes, even if it is the correct position, as long as it prejudges the matter or influences the Jury, it appears that it is not permitted. In fact, in USA, sometimes Juries are sequestered during the trial, and not allowed access to any form of media.

Some may also argue that the rule is unnecessary, because any judicial officer worth his/her salt knows that there are laid down rules for delivering a good judgement; and so, whatever the public or even Lawyers who make a habit of conducting media trials on matters of public interest say, or even extra-judicial statements by trial Lawyers doubling as media trial Lawyers, should not matter. Truth be told, only a Lawyer having a bad day in court, particularly in a public interest case, would probably want to make harmful extra-judicial statements, to try to garner support from the unknowing public, knowing that they do not have the support of the law. It s trite law that a court can only decide a matter based on the admissible evidence placed before it, and not what media trial Lawyers or others say. In Mbani v Bosi & Ors (2006) LPELR-1853 (SC) per Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, JSC (later CJN), the Supreme Court held that the important element of a good judgement, is that it is a correct judgement based on the law and fact. Issues must be well distilled, evidence adduced properly evaluated, clear findings of facts made, and the law properly applied to arrive at the correct decision. See the case of NEPA v Ososanya 2004 5 N.W.L.R. Part 867 Page 601. Pleadings, and not the half truths that the public, including media Lawyers run with, should be the first port of call for a judicial officer on the road to handing down a good decision. The principle of ‘Stare Decisis’ is also there, as a guide.

Conclusion
My point? A good Judge who follows the laid down rules for delivering a good judgement, would not let external media trials prejudge a matter he/she is adjudicating upon or prejudice the judgement. However, I am sure that many of us will agree with that, in the present case of Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi & Ors v Bola Ahmed Tinubu & Ors, whether the 1748 British sub judice rule or our own Section 33 of the RPC version, the rule has been breached in all its ramifications – with gusto, aplomb and relish. Caution has been thrown to the wind, and all kinds of comments, whether from the Petitioners’ Counsel or their proxies, or other Lawyers or the general public, or even the Petitioners themselves, whether appropriate and inappropriate, have been made concerning this matter that is now before the Supreme Court or under judgement.

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Fiery human rights activist, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN has urged Ondo State Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola not to constitute a panel to investigate the State Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

In a letter made available to CITY LAWYER, the senior lawyer argued that the matter is subjudice due to two pending lawsuits, saying: “In line with the valid and subsisting order of the Federal High Court, Abuja and in the best traditions of due regard for due process of law and respect for the authority of the Court, WE HUMBLY URGE MY LORD TO DISREGARD ANY MOTION, LETTER, APPLICATION OR REQUEST FROM THE ONDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, FOR THE CONSTITUTION OF ANY PANEL OF INVESTIGATION IN RESPECT OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE, until the two pending cases are fully decided by the various courts with jurisdiction over them.”

Below is the full text of the letter.

Our Ref: A&C/RC/L-05/10/2023

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

The Hon The Chief Judge of Ondo State,
Ondo State Judiciary,
High Court Complex,
Hospital Road,
Akure, Ondo State.

My Lord,

RE: WHY ONDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY CANNOT PROCEED WITH REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE
1. SUIT NO. AK/348/2023 – AIYEDATIWA V. ONDO STATE GOVERNMENT & 5 ORS AND
2. SUIT NO. FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023 – AIYEDATIWA V. INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE & 5 ORS.

The above matter refers. We are solicitors to His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa (“our Client”) on whose behalf we write this letter on the above subject matter. We refer to our letter dated September 25, 2023 written to My Lord on this matter, regarding the suit filed by our Client before the High Court, Akure in respect of the unlawful attempts of the Ondo State House of Assembly to conduct proceedings for his removal from office. The court processes in the said Suit No. AK/348/2023 have now been duly served on My Lord and all the defendants in the said suit, including the House of Assembly.

We will like to draw the attention of My Lord to the following undisputed facts:

1. On September 25, 2023, our Client filed a Motion on Notice for various orders of interlocutory injunction against his planned removal from office by the Ondo State House of Assembly. The said application has been served on ALL the defendants in the suit, including the House of Assembly.

2. Realizing that our Client had filed a suit before the Akure High Court, the Ondo State House of Assembly claimed to have served a Notice of acts of gross misconduct on some persons different from our Client in the late afternoon of September 25, 2023, after Suit No. AK/348/2023 had been filed, against the said removal proceedings. The said Notice is required by law to be served on our Client personally, for it to be effective.

2. On September 26, 2023, our Client filed a Motion on Notice before the Akure High Court, for an order to stay further proceedings on the said Notice by the Ondo State House of Assembly and indeed all the defendants in Suit No. AK/248/2023 supra. The said application has been served on all the defendants in the suit.

3. On September 26, 2023, it became a matter of public knowledge that the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1294/2023, per Emeka Nwite, J., granted an order, RESTRAINING ALL THE DEFENDANTS IN THE SAID SUIT, INCLUDING THE ONDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, FROM PROCEEDING WITH THE PLANNED REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST OUR CLIENT.

My Lord is a defendant in the said suit upon whom the order of the Court has been duly served.

In particular, the Federal High Court granted an order, restraining My Lord from constituting any panel of investigation at the instance of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

4. The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, also restrained by the Order of the Federal High Court, issued a statement openly castigating the Court and vowing to disregard the said order by proceeding with the removal proceedings. The Speaker arrogantly described My Lord of the Federal High Court as “a certain judge”, threatening with reckless abandon, to deal with the judge.

WHY ODSHA CANNOT PROCEED WITH REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS
A. Section 188 (2) of the 1999 Constitution makes it mandatory that the holder of the office SHALL be served with the notice before the House of Assembly is conferred with jurisdiction to sit on the removal proceedings. The House is in flagrant violation of this section when it convened its plenary proceedings on September 20, 2023 before the holder of the office was served, in breach of the constitutional and fundamental right to fair hearing of our Client, the Deputy Governor.

B. Service of the Notice is personal, which was not done in this case. The Notice being paraded by the House of Assembly was not served on the Deputy Governor personally.

C. Under section 188 of the Constitution, the Assembly is authorized to sit for only two times in the course of removal proceedings; first under section 188 (3) when it convenes to move a motion to call upon the Chief Judge to constitute a panel of investigation and secondly under section 188 (9) when it convenes to deliberate upon the report of the panel set up by the Chief Judge. In this case, the Assembly has already convened its full plenary and conducted proceedings on the Notice at least twice, in respect of the planned removal of the Deputy Governor; first on 20th September 2023 and again on 3rd October 2023. That being the case, the House has no jurisdiction to convene any further proceedings in respect of the planned removal, having exhausted the two sittings allowed under section 188 of the Constitution.

D. There is presently no valid Notice of acts of gross misconduct in existence to ground any removal proceedings against the Deputy Governor. First, the Notice presently in circulation was not served on the Deputy Governor in line with section 188 (2) before the Assembly convened its plenary session on 20th September 2023, to deliberate on the said Notice. Second, the Notice was not personally served on the Deputy Governor. Thirdly, upon proper examination, the Notice presently in circulation is not a document of the House of Assembly of Ondo State, properly so called. When My Lord probes the said Notice, it will be discovered that only the cover letter from the Speaker of the Assembly and the signature page bears the insignia and authority of the Ondo State State House of Assembly. The alleged Notice itself is not a document emanating from the House of Assembly of Ondo State, being a document foreign to the said Assembly.

WHY THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR CANNOT RESPOND TO THE “NOTICE”
A. Under and by virtue of section 287(3) of the Constitution, “all persons and authorities in Nigeria” are to obey and give effect to the orders of the Federal High Court. Our Client swore on oath to defend the Constitution and he cannot act against the said Constitution to disobey the valid and subsisting order of the Federal High Court of Nigeria which has halted the removal proceedings.

B. Our Client has not been personally served with any valid Notice of acts of gross misconduct as required by law.

C. Our Client is not in receipt of any valid Notice of acts of gross misconduct properly so issued and bearing the authority of the House of Assembly of Ondo State to which he can respond.

D. Our Client has filed and served two separate applications upon the Ondo State House of Assembly, seeking orders of interlocutory injunction against the removal proceedings and also to stay further proceedings in respect of the invalid Notice, which was illegally issued and improperly served.

JURISDICTION OF THE COURT TO INQUIRE INTO REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS
My Lord, it has now been settled beyond controversy, by the Supreme Court in the case of Inakoju v Adeleke, (2007) 4 NWLR (Pt.1025) 474, that the Court possesses the requisite jurisdiction to inquire into whether there is strict compliance with section 188 (1) – (9) of the Constitution before invoking the provisions of section 188(10). The House of Assembly, being an agency created by law, should join our Client to defend all its illegal actions and proceedings before the Court.

“The entire section 188 sub-sections 1-11 must be read together. And a proper reading of the whole section will reveal that the ouster clause in subsection (10) can only be properly resorted to and invoked after due compliance with sub-sections (1)-(9) that preceded it … Failure to comply with any of the provisions of subsections (1)-(9) will mean that the ouster clause of subsection (10) cannot be invoked in favour of the House of Assembly.” Inakoju v. Adeleke (supra).

STAY OF FURTHER PROCEEDINGS
In line with the valid and subsisting order of the Federal High Court, Abuja and in the best traditions of due regard for due process of law and respect for the authority of the Court, WE HUMBLY URGE MY LORD TO DISREGARD ANY MOTION, LETTER, APPLICATION OR REQUEST FROM THE ONDO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, FOR THE CONSTITUTION OF ANY PANEL OF INVESTIGATION IN RESPECT OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE, until the two pending cases are fully decided by the various courts with jurisdiction over them.

“The Chief Judge can only invoke his constitutional powers under section 188 (5) if the provisions of section 188 (2), (3) and (4) are complied with. Putting it in a negative language, the Chief Judge will not invoke his constitutional powers under section 188 (5) if the provisions of section 188 (2), (3) and (4) are not complied with.” Inakoju v. Adeleke (supra).

The House of Assembly having submitted to the jurisdiction of the Court by filing processes in Suit No. AK/348/2023 pending before the High Court in Akure and also purporting to file a complaint before the National Judicial Council in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1249/2023 before the Federal High Court Abuja, is fully aware of and cognizant of the authority of the Court over the subject matter of the removal proceedings against our Client. Consequently, it is our considered view that the matter of the planned removal of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State is now subjudice. Parties should follow the due process of law, the House of Assembly itself being a creation of law, seeking to implement the provisions of law, rightly or wrongly. It cannot and should not be allowed to take the law into its own hands by openly disregarding a subsisting order of court and other court processes duly served upon it.

While thanking My Lord for the kind considerations, we extend the best assurances of our warmest regards, always.

Yours faithfully,

EBUN-OLU ADEGBORUWA, SAN

CC:
1. Ondo State House of Assembly
c/o Its Solicitors,
Femi Emmanuel Emodamori & Co.,
Suites 28 & 29, Yafrato House,
Alagbaka G.R.A. Akure,
Ondo State.
femiemmanuelemodamori@yahoo.com

2. Governor of Ondo State,
The Governor’s Office,
Government House,
Akure, Ondo State.

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The Federal Government last week in Lagos continued stakeholder’s consultations across the six geo-political zones to collate information for Nigeria’s National Report pertaining to the United Nations Fourth Cycle Universal Periodic Review.

In her welcome address to delegates at the South-West engagement session in Lagos, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, represented at the event by the Secretary to the Inter-Ministerial Committee, Princess F. Frank Chukwuani, called on stakeholders in the justice and human rights sector to participate in meaningful and productive consultations in a bid to generate accurate and up to date information for the 4th Cycle of the United Nations Human Rights Universal Periodic Review of Nigeria (UPR).

She said: “Today’s stakeholders’ engagement is part of the work plan for collating information and useful data from various stakeholders in the South Western geopolitical zone of the country. This is in line with the United Nations (UN) guidelines on national reporting, which stipulates that a country’s national report should be independent, objective, transparent, and inclusive. “Therefore I enjoin all stakeholders to please engage in meaningful and productive consultations in a bid to facilitate an efficient, reliable and accurate data/information collation process for our National Report to the United Nations.

“The IMC is tasked with the mandate of overseeing preparation of Nigeria’s National report to the UNHRC and has set in place modalities in the preparation of Nigeria’s report among which are stakeholders’ engagement throughout the six geo-political zones of the country. The consultations were convened by the Government for purposes of collating information which will be used in the preparation of our national report.”

The event was attended by relevant stakeholders from the public sector(MDAs), Non- Governmental Organisations, and Civil Society Organisations in the South-West Zone including members of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Lawyers from the States Ministries of Justice across the South-West zone and other stakeholders knowledgeable on Human Rights issues. Stakeholders and participants alike made valuable and meaningful contributions on the subject, especially regarding implementation of government policies aimed at addressing the concerns raised in the UN recommendations to Nigeria during its 3rd Cycle review in 2018.

Nigeria’s Fourth (4th ) review process commenced in September 2022, and in line with its workplan, Nigeria is expected to prepare and submit her National Report to the United Nations Human Right Council (UNHRC) in October 2023 for its review during the 45th Session of the UPR Working Group Session in Geneva scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2024.

In driving the UPR process nationally, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, inaugurated the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC). The Committee is co-chaired by the Solicitor General of the Federation/Permanent Secretary (SGF/PS), Federal Ministry of Justice (FMoJ), Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba and the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, with Princess F. Frank-Chukwuani as the Secretary.

The United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. It is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the United Nation’s Human Right Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare actions taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfill their human rights obligations.

The objectives of the UPR are to review the fulfillment of the human rights commitments and obligations of all UN members states (as set out in the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all Human Rights Instruments to which the state is a party); and to improve the human rights situation in all countries and address human rights violations wherever they occur, among others.

Nigeria has been involved in the past UPR process and was reviewed in the First Cycle which was held in 2009, the Second and Third Review Cycles were in 2013 and 2018 respectively. Preparations are ongoing for the Fourth Review Cycle in 2024 and the Federal Government of Nigeria constituted the Inter-Ministerial Committee for this purpose.

“The aim of the Stakeholders engagement is to collect and collate information on the human right situation in Nigeria for the Fourth Cycle Review,” Princess Frank-Chukwuani stated.

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There was wild jubilation yesterday on the streets of Lafia, Nasarawa State capital, following the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal judgment which nullified the declaration of Governor Abdullahi Sule as winner of the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial poll.

The three-man panel of the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had earlier declared David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, winner of the election. The development has sparked widespread jubilation among residents of the state, especially Ombugadu’s supporters.

The three-man Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lafia had sacked Governor Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared Dr. David Ombugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as winner of the majority votes in the governorship election.

Justices Chiemelie Onaga and Ezekiel Ajayi (chairman) held that while the petitioners presented valid subpoenaed evidence such as the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to prove their allegation of over-voting, the respondents only provided photocopies of results as evidence. The panel held that the decision of the two judges was based on the merit of the case as argued, and was in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

However, a dissenting judgment by Justice Ibrahim Mashi held that Ombugadu and the PDP did not prove that they won the election. He, therefore, ruled that the petitioners’ prayers should be dismissed.

Meanwhile, in Adamawa State, the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Yola declared Governor Ahmadu Fintiri as the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship poll conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The governorship candidate of Social Democratic party (SDP), Dr. Umar Ardo, is seeking the nullification of the poll, alleging corrupt practices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act by INEC.

While delivering judgment, yesterday, the panel of three justices headed by Justice Theodora Uloho dismissed the petition on the grounds that it lacked merit. Uloho, in her 51-page lead judgment that lasted two hours and forty-eight minutes, described Ardo’s petition as a skeleton without flesh.

Citing Section 4(1)d of the 2022 Electoral Act, the panel pointed out that the petitioner failed woefully to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act. The tribunal held that the petitioner was generic and speculative, pointing out that there were no documents attached to the petition to support the claims.

Justice Uloho said the petitioner lumped together the claims of corrupt practices and non-compliance without substantiating who committed the infractions. According to the panel, the petitioner did not submit any document or oral witness to prove that the election was marred with crisis, corrupt practices and non-compliance.

Citing Section 137 of the Electoral Act 2022, the tribunal stated that the burden of proof was solely on the shoulders of the petitioner. It also noted that no witness list or particulars of evidence were attached to the petition in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, saying that it rendered the petition impotent. The tribunal awarded N800,000 damages to the four respondents in the case.

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A CHECKLIST EVERY LAWYER MUST HAVE BEFORE TAKING A CLIENT’S CASE TO COURT

I am asking myself whether our lawyers involved in election petition cases and other cases are doing anything to secure a better future for our justice system.

I would think that all cases start or doesn’t start with the advice given by a lawyer. Just like I know that every litigation is commenced by the lawyer who thinks that taking his client’s case to court will not only bring about justice for the client but will add to the jurisprudence of the justice system.

As for me, I have created a checklist for taking a case to court and they are:

1. Is it the only way of getting justice for my client?

2. Will this case improve our justice system?

3. Can the court infrastructure handle the Dispute?

4. Is the judge worth bothering with the dispute?

5. Can I be humble enough to call the other party to seek mediation and redress out of court?

If I can’t, in good conscience answer these questions positively, I simply advice my client not to go to court and tell the client pointblank that I cannot waste the court’s time with his case.

• Bayo Akinlade is the Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Law Society

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NEWS RELEASE

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN, was in London to attend the 2023 Opening of the Legal Year for England and Wales.

The event commenced on Sunday, 1 October with a Bar Leader’s Discussion organised by the Law Society of England and Wales and the Bar Council of England and Wales, that took place at Grey’s Inn. The Discussion which had the NBA President as one of the panelists, explored the topic: How best to consolidate the independence of the legal profession in international – and domestic – law? Should there be a binding legal instrument protecting the independence of the legal profession? If so, what should it say? The other panelists were Panagiotis Perakis, President CCBE; Sheila Webster, President, Law Society of Scotland; Victor Dawes SC, Chairman Hong Kong Bar Association.

The discussion was chaired by Nick Vineall KC, President of the Bar Council of England and Wales, while Lubna Shuja, the outgoing President of the Law Society of England and Wales, delivered the final remarks.

In his intervention, Mr Maikyau noted the very important place that legal practitioners occupy in the society as underscored in the profound words of a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, CJN, who posited that “The respect in which the Bar in any county is held is the best indicator of the freedom in that country”.

He also noted that the recent increased agitations in various countries to regulate the Bar is an indication that the Bar may have lost some of its respect and this may not be unconnected to the way we have carried ourselves ethically over the years. The Discussion was followed by a formal dinner at the Law Society Hall.

The Opening of the Legal Year Service took place on Monday, 2 October 2023 with a Church Service at the Westminster Abbey, followed by Lord Chancellor’s reception and a Seminar with the Judiciary. This year’s event coincides with the swearing-in of Dame Sue Lascelles Carr, DBE as the Chief Justice in England and Wales; the first lady Chief Justice since the creation of the office in the 13th century. There were several networking events on the sidelines, with beneficial discussions of possible collaborations and partnerships.

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A United States Court has ordered the Chicago State University (CSU) to complete all filings relating to the order to release President Bola Tinubu’s academic records latest by 5 pm on Tuesday.

In a ruling obtained by CITY LAWYER in the contentious legal tussle between Tinubu and Nigeria’s former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Judge Nancy Maldonado of the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago held that “Respondent CSU is directed to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents in response to Requests for Production Nos. 1 through 4 (as narrowed by Judge Gilbert and adopted by the District Court in its opinion) in Mr. Abubakar’s subpoena, by 12:00 p.m. (noon) CDT, on Monday, October 2, 2023.

“The Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of CSU’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.”

CITY LAWYER had reported that Judge Maldonado had dismissed Tinubu’s objection, issuing a two-day ultimatum to CSU to release the documents to Atiku.

She also upheld the September 20 ruling of US Magistrate Judge, Jeffery Gilbert, who ordered the CSU to release Tinubu’s academic records as requested by Atiku, stressing that the PDP candidate Atiku had the right to have access to the records.

“For the reasons stated in the Court’s accompanying Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Court overrules President Tinubu’s objections (44] and adopts Judge Gilbert’s recommended decision [40] in full.

“The Court therefore grants Mr. Abubakar’s application under 28 U.S.C. § 1782. [1],” Justice Maldonado of the Northern District of Illinois ruled.

The memorandum opinion and order read in part, “Atiku’s application is therefore granted. In light of the pending Supreme Court of Nigeria deadline. represented to the Court as October 5, 2023, and based on CSU’s representations that it is ready to comply with the discovery requests and produce a witness, the Court sets an expedited schedule for completion of discovery. Respondent CSU is directed to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents.

“The Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of CSU’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Given the October 5, 2023, filing deadline before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the Court will not extend or modify these deadlines.”

Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had approached the US District Court in Northern Illinois to compel the university to release Tinubu’s academic records, arguing that it would boost his suit challenging the President’s election in the February 25 presidential poll.

The PDP candidate had requested the documents for use in Nigerian courts to support his argument that Tinubu forged a certificate he claimed to have obtained from CSU in 1979 and submitted to Nigeria’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the 2023 presidential election.

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Law Department of a reputable Company operating in the Downstream and Midstream Sector of the Oil & Gas Industry

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A lawyer with 10 – 12 Years professional experience in legal practice of the Oil & Gas Industry
• Experience in litigation from a Law Firm having reputable Oil & Gas and Corporate Organisations as clients or
• A lawyer who has worked or is working as an In-House Counsel at an Oil & Gas Organisation, possessing the ability to provide legal advisory, draft commercial and industry contracts and conduct functional legal reviews, will be a valuable advantage.

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HOW TO APPLY
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VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that the SUBJECT reads “OIL FIRM TO HIRE LAWYER”

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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The immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC), Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN has urged members of the Borno State House of Assembly to commit to the fight against corruption.

He spoke at a workshop in Abuja organized by Talbash Chambers in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Borno State House of Assembly.

Meanwhile, Gadzama, who is also the Founding Principal Partner of J-K Gadzama LLP, has expressed “sadness and shock” over the demise of his mentor, Khadi Kaka Shehu Imam.

Gadzama SAN urges members of the Borno state House of Assembly to choose between fighting corruption and promoting corruption

Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, Founding Principal Partner of J-K Gadzama LLP, made this statement when addressing the members of the Borno State House of Assembly in a workshop organized by Talbash Chambers in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Borno State House of Assembly, which held on Tuesday 26th September, 2023 at The Palms Hotel, Abuja.

The workshop aptly titled the Role of the EFCC and Legislature on Blockage, Prevention of Financial Crime and Money Laundering in Public Sector through Enactment, Domestication of Relevant Laws and Oversight Functions of the Legislators had distinguished speakers like Mr Oshodi Johnson, the North East Zonal Commander of the Commission; Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, the Founding and Principal Partner of J-K Gadzama LLP; Dr. Kyari Mohammed of the African Union and honourable members of the Borno State of the House of Assembly led by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan in attendance.

Chief Gadzama SAN as one of the Speakers at the event, delivered a paper on the “Role of the Borno State House of Assembly on Blockage, Prevention of Financial Crimes and Money Laundering in Public Sector: Enactments and Oversight Functions”

According to Chief Gadzama SAN, “… from the smallest unit of the society, which is the family, to the larger society, corruption does not attract enough societal condemnation as it should. The need to get rich by all mean s has become a laudable goal. The community, family and close relatives of persons in positions of power see the public officer in power as a means for the family and their community to get rich.”

While applauding the Borno State House of Assembly for the initiative stating that the sensitization of members was the first step in preventing financial crimes, he reminded them that in their capacity they have the powers to curb financial leakages in the state by enacting the right laws as well as being consistent and without bias in their application of their oversight functions over the activities of state government agencies.

He admonished the honorable members that the options available to them as public officers are to choose to fight corruption, or to further entrench corruption, or to stay aloof and do nothing.

Gadzama SAN Mourns his Mentor, Khadi Kaka Shehu Imam

Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN has expressed sadness and shock over the demise of his mentor, Khadi Kaka Shehu Imam and extends his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the elder statesman, the Limanti Dynasty and the good people of Borno State over this painful loss.

According to the Learned Silk, the late Khadi was a father to him and imparted so many virtues on him, especially during the early days of his career as a legal practitioner even before he took Silk. The Learned Silk narrated that their paths crossed when the deceased was a Khadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Maiduguri in the early 90’s. The late Khadi adopted the Learned Silk as his first son and the duo remained father and son even after he retired from the Bench and until his eventual demise on 25/9/23. May Allah have mercy on his soul and grant him Aljannah Firdausi.

Khadi Kaka Shehu Imam who died on 25th September, 2023 at 100 years of age has been credited to be an elder statesman in Borno State and one of the founding fathers of the modern Yerwa.

Chief Gadzama, SAN, who is the Shettima Ilmuye of Borno and the Sardauna of Uba, has described the late Khadi as one who was “committed to fairness, justice and compassion for all irrespective of tribe, religion and socio-economic class” during his lifetime. For the Learned Silk, the demise of this icon of inestimable value is a great loss to him and the good people of Borno State whose legacy will live on and continue to inspire generations to come. The best way to honour him is to continue with his legacies of fairness, good leadership and uniting the people.

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The Chairman of the 2023 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference Planning Committee, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN has expressed “shock” on the “allegations by our colleague Douglas Ogbankwa about the assault and threat to shoot him by some officers of the State Security Service in Benin, Edo City.”

Meanwhile, the senior lawyer has felicitated with Muslims on the “auspicious occasion of Eid El Maulud.” He stated that “Eid El Maulud is a time of both celebration and contemplation. It marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, the epitome of compassion, wisdom, and guidance for humanity. His life serves as a beacon of light, guiding my Muslim brothers and sisters toward the path of righteousness, tolerance, and peace.”

Turning to the reported attack on Ogbankwa, Osigwe demanded that the perpetrators must be brought to justice, saying: “No law enforcement agent or agency should be allowed to brazenly violate the fundamental rights of Nigerians and indeed lawyers. Something must be done about this. This ugly trend MUST stop. Lawyers must be allowed to practice with dignity and respect.”

DOUGLAS OGBANKWA: LAWYERS AS ENDANGERED SPECIES!!

I read with shock the allegations by our colleague Douglas Ogbankwa about the assault and threat to shoot him by some officers of the State Security Service in Benin, Edo City. It is worrisome that law enforcement agents would not only prevent a lawyer from exercising a statutory power to be present while his/her client is interrogated but reportedly assault him and threaten to shoot him.

No lawyer should be made to face such humiliation and intimidation. It is unbecoming of law enforcement agents to put weapons bought by taxpayers to wring use or to abuse their power by trampling on the rights of citizens. Offices of such agencies should not be places people with approach or enter with trepidation because of fear that illegalities may be deployed against them.

The story yet again brings to the fore the emerging reality that lawyers have indeed become endangered species in Nigeria. Many law enforcement agents can scarcely conceal their hostility to lawyers. They are very intolerant of lawyers performing their duties. They do not want the lawyers to be present while they do their work and it does not matter that these lawyers do not interfere with the investigations. Lawyers must be respected and allowed to represent their clients.

No law enforcement agent or agency should be allowed to brazenly violate the fundamental rights of Nigerians and indeed lawyers. Something must be done about this. This ugly trend MUST stop. Lawyers must be allowed to practice with dignity and respect.

I therefore lend my voice in urging the Director General of the State Security Service and the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to cause a detailed investigation to be carried out in respect of the complaint of by Douglas Ogbankwa. Any person found to have engaged in the assault and threat to Mr Ogbankwa should be brought to book.

Happy Eid el Maulud.

Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN

HAPPY EID EL MAULUD

Dear colleagues,

On this auspicious occasion of Eid El Maulud, I extend my warmest felicitations to our Muslim colleagues. May this day be filled with joy, blessings, and profound reflection on the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him).

Eid El Maulud is a time of both celebration and contemplation. It marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, the epitome of compassion, wisdom, and guidance for humanity. His life serves as a beacon of light, guiding my Muslim brothers and sisters toward the path of righteousness, tolerance, and peace.

As we celebrate this day, let us remember the profound messages embedded in the life of the Prophet: compassion for the less fortunate, forgiveness in the face of adversity, and a commitment to justice and equality. These timeless teachings continue to inspire and unite Muslims across the globe.

In these challenging times, let Eid El Maulud also be a reminder of the strength and resilience that your faith instills in you. The Prophet Muhammad faced numerous trials and tribulations during his life all in a bit to bring the religion of Allah to stay, yet his unwavering faith and determination brought about monumental change. Similarly, your unswerving faith can help you overcome any challenges that come your way.

May this Eid El Maulud renew your faith, strengthen your bonds with family and community, and inspire you to follow the righteous path that the Prophet Muhammad set forth. As you celebrate, may your homes be filled with love, laughter, and the warmth of togetherness. I pray that Allah’s blessings be upon you and your loved ones today and always.

Once again, I extend my heartfelt wishes for a joyous Eid El Maulud. MAY PEACE AND BLESSINGS OF ALLAH BE UPON THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD.

With warm regards,
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN

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Text writer and legal scholar, Prof. Yemi Oke has fought back over what he termed “unfounded allegations” made against him by Venerable B. O. Okunuga.

The clergyman had penned a petition which was published by a blog with the title, “Clergyman Call on LPPC to Disqualify Law Professor from SAN Rank alleging Fraudulent and Sharp Practices.”

But Oke, a Law teacher at the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, University of Lagos, is not amused by the allegations. He has described the petition as not only baseless but a “cheap and desperate” attempt to thwart his long-standing ambition to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Okunuga had previously submitted a similar petition against Oke’s earlier application in October 2020. This resulted in the suspension of his eligibility pending the resolution of the matter. Oke unsuccessfully appealed the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) decision.

Despite the ongoing legal tussle over properties between the petitioner and the Ogunade Family, Oke has maintained that the allegation of collusion against him was unjust and malicious.

He bemoaned the fact that his quest for the coveted rank had been repeatedly impeded by the unresolved Suit. No. LD/2437LM/2019 which was only dismissed in 2022 after the shortlisting of applicants for SAN Awards that year.

Oke expressed confidence in the fairness of the award process and the ability of the LPPC to differentiate between valid concerns and what he described as “transferred aggression.”

He also indicated that he would continue to follow due process and restated his commitment to defend his professional reputation, even as he had engaged his solicitors to squarely address the matter.

The full text of his rebuttal is below.

REJOINDER TO THE UNFOUND ALLEGATIONS OF A DESPERATE “CLERGYMAN” VENERABLE OKUNUGA AND HIS SOCIAL MEDIA “PROSECUTION”

(1) My attention has been drawn to yet another desperate moves by Venerable O. Okunuga to frustrate my long-held dream, desire and aspiration to becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) through an on-line document captioned: “Clergyman Call on LPPC to Disqualify Law Professor from SAN Rank alleging Fraudulent and Sharp Practices” published on September 23, 2023 by Halima Abiola at: loyalnigerianlawyer.com.

(2) I have never met or set my eyes on Venerable Okunuga till date. While I appreciate the fact that, in line with the tradition of Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) to invite comments on suitability of applicants, comments may be made, but certainly gallery-dancing on social media over a private communication with the LPPC is, to say the least cheap and desperate of Venerable Okunuga.

(3) Venerable Okunuga had earlier submitted the same petition against my application for SAN on 7th October, 2020. My confirmation had to be put on hold for the LPPC to thoroughly look into the misplaced allegations.

(4) I appeared before the LPPC in respect of the earlier petition of Venerable Okunuga. The LLPC ruled that Suit. No. LD/2437LM/2019 filed by Venerable Okunuga raised an allegation against my person and that my eligibility to proceed will be put on hold until the suit is finally determined.

(5) I filed an appeal against the decision but my appeal was not successful.

(6) While the case was pending, I made attempts to apply for SAN again in 2021. The LPPC wrote that I will not be eligible to apply until the suit was determined.

(7) I applied again in the year 2022 in the hope that the suit would have been determined. I continued to pray to God for victory. The suit, Suit. No. LD/2437LM/2019 was dismissed in 2022 after names of applicants for SAN in 2022 had been shortlisted.

(8) I contacted the LPPC through a letter. The LPPC wrote that, unfortunately, applications and processing for the year 2022 SAN was almost concluded and that I can only apply for the next edition in 2023.

(9) I applied for the 2023 edition and was shortlisted only for the “Clergyman” to repeat the same malicious petition with minor additions.

(10) The issue of Ogunade Family over Nos. 366 and 368 Muritala Mohammed Way dates back to1991. The Head of the Ogunade Family filed a suit in 2000, before I was called to the Nigerian bar in January 2001. The suit, No. ID/198/2000 – Prince Ogunade & Ors vs Venerable Okunuga & Ors has continued till date. Parties are now on appeal.

(11) We became a tenant in No. 366 Muritala Mohammed Way through the Landlord, Prince Ogunade. We handled some matters for the landlord.

(12) The unfounded, malicious allegation of “collusion” with Prince Ogunade simply because our firm is a Counsel is, to say the least, most wicked.

(13) Ours is a Partnership. I do mostly advisory, research and consultancy. I’m not the Counsel on record in the matter but the wicked Venerable Okunuga has mindlessly singled me out because of my aspiration to be made a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

(14) If he has criminal allegations against Prince Ogunade or my person, he knows where to pursue same. I’d refrained from taking out suits against him for defamation to avoid beclouding the sense of judgement of the LPPC in respect of his earlier application of 7th October 2020.

(15) There is no truth in the misplaced, wicked and most malicious allegations of Venerable Okunuga. The Ogunade family and its headship have been fighting over Nos. 366 and 368 since 1991 being the properties of their daughter, Late Mrs Morgan (Nee Ogunade). Family dispute over land should ordinarily not be taken personally against a Counsel.

(16) I’m very sure the LPPC is a fair professional institution and will not allow the desperate Venerable Okunuga to again “re-litigate” his misplaced grievances for which I’d been cleared by the LPPC after rigorous scrutiny.

(17) The ethics of the legal profession will not allow me to say or write beyond debunking the unfound allegations of Venerable Okunuga. His transferred aggression is misplaced and had better been directed at the Ogunades.

(18) I remain an applicant before the LPPC. I’ll be unable to say or volunteer further facts or vital documents or exhibits on social media just to show that the allegations of Venerable Okunuga are baseless.

(19) By rules, if the LPPC deems it necessary, I will be contacted to make a formal response to Venerable Okunuga’s renewed allegations for the second time.

(20) In view of the fact that my image and professional reputation is being unjustly maligned publicly, I have contacted my lawyers to do the needful.

Thank you.
Prof. Ganiu Adeyemi Oke, Ph.D, FCArb, FCTI

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FEATURED

SOLAR FOR ALL: CHIEF S. I. AMEH SAN, FCIARB, FICMC IS OUR “STAR CLIENT OF THE WEEK”

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A law firm based in Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos is seeking to hire a Legal Practitioner with core litigation experience.

The suitable candidate must not be above 35 years and must have at least 5 (five) years post-Call experience in litigation.

For details, please see the flyer below.

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Embattled applicant for the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Benedicta Daudu admitted the offence of examination misconduct in Terms of Settlement signed by her and filed in court, her former employer, the University of Jos (UNIJOS) has stated.

Daudu, formerly an associate professor of Law and head of the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law at the UNIJOS Faculty of Law, has come under renewed scrutiny following her shortlisting by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) for the final phase of the 2023 conferment exercise. The committee has invited petitions against the shortlisted applicants in line with its rules.

In a disclaimer by the university obtained by CITY LAWYER, it denied apologizing to Daudu over the examination misconduct scandal, adding that the embattled SAN applicant was barred from returning to the university as a staff but permitted to return as a student “having served her punishment of suspension” for the offence.

According to the statement by UNIJOS Registrar, Chief Monday M. Danjem, the Terms of Settlement agreed between the university and Daudu stated that “The University will allow Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu to return to the University as a Student (not as a Staff). This is having served her punishment of suspension for one Academic Session for Examination Misconduct.”

In return, “Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu undertook not to pursue the Appeal filed at the Court of Appeal against the Judgment delivered in favour of the University by the National Industrial Court, Abuja.”

In the clearest indication that the SAN applicant admitted guilt for examination misconduct, UNIJOS stated that “The Terms of Settlement was agreed upon and executed by both Parties and their Counsel and filed in Court while awaiting the Court to adopt same as its Consent Judgment.”

The disclaimer arose following newspaper reports that the university authority had cleared the embattled Law teacher of any culpability in the examination misconduct saga.

The UNIJOS Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU had also weighed in on the scandal, aligning with the position of the university authority.

Its Chairperson, Dr. Lazarus Maigoro, had stated that ”Our position is based on the fact that Daudu appeared before the university Senate Committee on examination misconduct and accepted committing the misconduct and was punished accordingly.

“On July 13, 2016, the then Registrar of the University, who was the secretary to Senate, conveyed to Daudu via a memo, the Senate decision suspending her as a student from the institution for one academic session.

“Examination misconduct whether it is a lecturer or a student that is involved is a serious breach of examination ethics that cannot go unpunished.

“Therefore, to say that UNIJOS cleared her of examination misconduct as captured in media publications is not true, and as major stakeholders, our union felt obliged to present the true position.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that Daudu was forced out of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) when the examination misconduct scandal first emerged. Following her forced disengagement from UNIJOS, she moved to Taraba State University where she was appointed Dean, Faculty of Law.

Below is the full text of the UNIJOS disclaimer.

UNIVERSITY OF JOS
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

REJOINDER ON NEWS PUBLICATIONS TITLED “EXAM MALPRACTICE: UNIJOS CLEARS LAW PROF. 5 YEARS AFTER” PUBLISHED IN VANGUARD NEWSPAPER OF TUESDAY MAY 11, 2021 AND “UNIJOS CLEARS, REINSTATES PROFESSOR DAUDU” PUBLISHED IN THE GUARDIAN OF SUNDAY, MAY 16, 2021.

The attention of Management of the University of Jos has been drawn to a misleading report that has gone viral in the social media and was published in the Vanguard Newspaper of Tuesday May 11th, 2021 on page 6 captioned “Exam Malpractice: UniJos clears Law Prof. 5 years after” and the Guardian of Sunday, May 16th, 2021 captioned “UniJos Clears, Reinstates Prof. Daudu”.

The reports carried a distorted account of a matter that transpired between the University of Jos and one of its former employees, Dr (Mrs) Benedicta Daudu, formerly of the Department of International Law and Jurisprudence, Faculty of Law which the University had amicably settled out of Court. Management wishes to state categorically that the information contained in the said publications are false, baseless and very likely, a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the issues with the intent of embarrassing the University.

The University vehemently dissociates itself from statements from the said publications claiming that Dr (Mrs.) Daudu had been absolved of the allegations of Examination Misconduct earlier preferred against her by the University.

Had the Reporters exercised greater diligence in gathering their information, they would have discovered that the claim that “After five years, the Management of the University of Jos has absolved Professor Benedicta Daudu of the institution’s Faculty of Law from wrongdoing saying the allegation of examination malpractice levelled against her was unfounded” is a complete misrepresentation of the facts of the matter. Indeed, the premise on which the entire report is based is patently deceptive and appears to have been done purposely with the intent of misleading members of the public regarding what had actually happened.

The Reporters, contrary to the ethics of professional journalism, chose to base their entire reports on a document purportedly emanating from the office of the University Registrar, Chief Monday Danjem without the courtesy of giving him an opportunity to respond. Furthermore, whereas there are a number of other documents that contain additional facts on the matter, it appears they either did not want to further interrogate those available facts, or may have kept the full picture from the knowledge of their Editors for reasons best known to them. Whatever their reasons for writing such a one-sided and obviously misleading report, the University wishes to state as follows:

That Dr. (Mrs.) Benedicta Daudu, formerly of the Department of International Law and Jurisprudence, University of Jos enrolled for a Master’s Degree Programme in Research and Public Policy (MRPP) in the 2014/2015 Academic Session, in the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences. It was alleged that Dr. Daudu had brought in foreign unauthorized material into the Examination hall which constitutes an act of serious examination misconduct in line with Section 3 of the University of Jos Students’ Handbook. She appeared before the Senate Examination Misconduct Committee and accepted committing the misconduct.

Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu was suspended as a Student for one academic session by the University Senate. She was also suspended as a member of Staff of the University. Consequently, the matter was referred to the Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee for further investigation. However, Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu filed a matter against the University challenging the commencement of disciplinary proceedings against her in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja. As a result, the Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee could not proceed with its investigations until the final determination of the matter in Court. Judgment was delivered on the 17th October, 2019 in favour of the University.

After the Judgment was delivered, Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu was invited to appear before the Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee for her involvement in examination misconduct as a Staff of the University. Instead of honouring the said invitation, she tendered her resignation of Appointment as a Staff of the University dated the 28th November, 2019 and filed another Suit in the same NICN challenging the University’s Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee’s powers to invite her to appear before it, having resigned her appointment. The Court delivered its Ruling in favour of Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu, declaring that, having resigned her appointment as a Staff of the University, the University can no longer subject her to its disciplinary procedures.

Meanwhile, being dissatisfied with the initial Judgment of the NICN Abuja, which upheld her suspension as Staff of the University for Examination Misconduct, Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu appealed against the said Judgment delivered in favour of the University. While her Appeal was still pending, both the University and Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu decided to explore the option of settlement. Consequent upon which Terms of Settlement were drawn up among which it was agreed that;

The University accepts Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu’s resignation and withdraws the Letter of Invitation directing her to appear before the Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee

The University will allow Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu to return to the University as a Student (not as a Staff). This is having served her punishment of suspension for one Academic Session for Examination Misconduct.
Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu undertook not to pursue the Appeal filed at the Court of Appeal against the Judgment delivered in favour of the University by the National Industrial Court, Abuja.

The University agreed to pay Dr. (Mrs.) Daudu all her withheld half salaries that accrued to her while serving her suspension as a Staff.
The Terms of Settlement was agreed upon and executed by both Parties and their Counsel and filed in Court while awaiting the Court to adopt same as its Consent Judgment. Find attached a copy of her Resignation Letter, Certified True Copy of NICN Judgement and the Terms of Settlement between both parties.

From the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, Dr (Mrs) Benedicta Daudu was never absolved of wrongdoing regarding the allegation of Examination Misconduct, an allegation which she never challenged in Court and for which she served a period of Suspension as a Student. As the facts would bear out, Dr (Mrs) Daudu only challenged her suspension as a Staff and the invitation to appear before the Council/Senate Disciplinary Committee as a Staff.

Again, there was never a time that the University apologized to Dr (Mrs) Daudu for lawful steps it had taken following her act of serious Examination Misconduct. It is worth noting that Dr (Mrs) Daudu was free to return as a Student of the University’s Master’s Degree Programme in Research and Public Policy (MRPP) having served her Suspension for Two (2) Semesters. Any claims that she was reinstated as a Staff is untrue since she had voluntarily tendered her resignation from the University. This fact was properly captured in the Terms of Settlement between both parties.

In light of the above, the University demands as follows:

The Vanguard and Guardian Newspapers should also as a matter of urgency publish this rejoinder in response to their Newspaper Publication of Tuesday, May 11, 2021 and Sunday May 16, 2021 respectively.

Thank you.

Chief Monday M. Danjem
Registrar

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NEWS RELEASE

Police and the Abuse of Power, Indiscriminate Arrests and Illegal Detention : Renewed Calls on Lawyers to Volunteer as Duty Solicitors Under PDSS

Bayo Akinlade, the then Chairman of NBA Ikorodu Branch speaks more about the initiative:

His words: “PDSS is a unique and effective tool in not only dealing with Indiscriminate arrest and unlawful detention but also in ensuring that the right people are charged, arraigned before the appropriate court and duly prosecuted without violating their personal rights as provided for in the constitution.

“In achieving this, we need Lawyers to take up their roles as protectors of the weak to stand in the gap and rescue vulnerable citizens falling victim to the extortive behaviour of some Police Officers”.

Akinlade, who is the current Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Law Society, goes on to state that “The Scheme itself is codified in the internal rules of the Nigeria Police called “Force Orders”. The Police itself signed up to this initiative as partners with the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria to implement provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and other local and international laws dealing with the Human Rights.”

Akinlade is the convener of the Duty Solicitors Network (DSN), a group established to support the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria in promoting PDSS and providing support to Magistrates visiting police detention facilities under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Law.

He notes: “In my many years of looking at reforms within the Administration of Criminal Justice, I have come to understand that one of the major causes of abuse of police power is the ignorance of the people themselves. In many cases of illegal detention, it is citizens with money and power that use the police to oppress others. These complainants use the appalling financial situation of the individual police officer to induce these police officers to abuse their powers. What we now hope to do through PDSS is to protect both the suspect and the integrity of the Police by having lawyers visit the police detention facilities unannounced.

On how PDSS is funded, Akinlade states that “This is one of the reasons we are now advocating for the provision of the legal aid fund which are monies due to the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria to provide probono legal services for indigent citizens.

“At the moment, DSN gets it’s support from private individuals and other organizations through our direct ‘Donor to Volunteer’ support mechanism. In this regard I am grateful to people like Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, Prof. Isabella Okagbue, Afolabi Balogun, Justice Reform Project (JRP) and many individuals and organisations for supporting volunteers visiting Police Detention Facilities across the Country.”

On the way forward with PDSS, Akinlade reveals that the Scheme is undergoing a review while it continues to engage with the police to deliver justice to the people.

According to him, “We need the Police to honour their part of the agreement under the scheme by allowing volunteers access to the suspects. While I give kudos to some police officers who honour the agreement, most senior police officers claim they are not aware of the scheme

“It is my hope that our principal actors and stakeholders in the Administration of Criminal Justice will collaborate to make this scheme work to the benefit of all.”

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NEW RELEASE

The Nigerian Law Society (NLS) and law based civil society group, Duty Solicitors Network (DSN) has called on the National Assembly to make provision for the funding of legal aid for the poor in Nigeria.

In the same vein, the two groups also call on the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN to ensure the establishment of the legal aid fund that will cater for the poor in the society.

In their joint statement signed by spokesperson, Bayo Akinlade, the two groups said that “it is the duty of the National Assembly to set aside funds for the provision of Legal Aid to deserving citizens”, adding that they are ready to fight for what is due to the people and to ensure access to justice.

They stated further:

“With the level of injustice and abuse of power in Nigeria today, many are suffering and do not have access to justice through the courts. This situation has made the poor utterly helpless and even more vulnerable leading to an increase in crime within our communities;

The Courts being the last hope of the common man has become an illusion, nobody believes this anymore hence the new phrase “go to court” if you feel aggrieved because we know you may not even get through its gates talk less of walking within its corridors;

I ask: is this new administration really ready to empower the people as it promises? Is the National Assembly serious about letting the “poor breathe”? Is the Attorney General of the Federation going to live up to his reputation as a man of honour and a protector of the weak? Then let me remind them of what the Law says;

The Legal Aid Act 2011, in line with international standards, provides for the establishment of the legal aid and access to justice fund into which financial assistance would be made available to the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON) on behalf of the indigent citizens to prosecute their claims in accordance with the Constitution and further to empower the existing Legal Aid Council to be responsible for the operation of a scheme for the grant of legal aid and access to justice in certain matters or proceedings to persons with inadequate resources in accordance with the provision of this Act. (See Part 3 of the Legal Act 2011);

The mandate of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria is enormous and robust. Established to serve more than 80% of Nigerians living in poverty but guess what? The Council cannot do this job effectively and why? Because it has no funds! There are States in Nigeria for instance that have less than five LACON staff yet they are to serve the legal needs of millions of indigent citizens;

What is the House of Representatives doing, what are our Senators doing that they cannot earmark funds to the Legal Aid Fund that will be used to provide probono legal services to their own constituencies? Why are they focused on palliatives that have no lasting value? Why cant they give our people access to justice by adequately funding and supporting our Justice delivery sector;

The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria is no doubt well placed to deliver justice to the people and it is this belief that the Nigerian Law Society in collaboration with Duty Solicitors Network will initiate a campaign to establish this legal aid fund;

We therefore appeal to our leaders and especially to the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN to ensure that the Legal Aid Fund is set up and running. We also appeal to well-meaning Nigerians and other Human Rights groups to demand that the Legal Aid Fund is activated and utilized”.

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