EXCLUSIVE: BODY OF BENCHERS ‘STEPS DOWN’ AKPATA’S RETURN AS MEMBER

* DEMANDS CURRICULUM VITAE

* REJECTS MAIKYAU’S PLEA

* ‘MULLS’ NBA-NEC APPROVAL

The Body of Benchers, Nigeria’s elite regulatory authority for the legal profession, has “stepped down” consideration of the nomination of the immediate past Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata as an NBA representative to the body, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

This is coming against the backdrop of the approval of two other NBA nominees, Mr. Solomon Umoh SAN and Mr. Sule Usman Ogwu SAN, by the body. While Umoh is returning to the elite body, Ogwu joins the body as a new member. The duo were among the three names forwarded by NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN to the Body of Benchers for approval as NBA representatives.

CITY LAWYER gathered from unimpeachable sources that trouble started for Akpata when the retired Justice Umaru Abdullahi-led Appointments Committee noted that his curriculum vitae was not submitted alongside the Letter of Nomination as required by the Body of Benchers.

Sources told CITY LAWYER  that Maikyau, at the last pre-Call to Bar meeting held penultimate Monday, took responsibility for the omission and noted that it had been corrected, while urging the benchers to approve Akpata’s nomination.

Following interventions on both sides, CITY LAWYER gathered that the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN stated that the procedure must be rigorously applied, even as he hinted at an additional hurdle of seeking NBA National Executive Committee (NEC) approval for Akpata’s nomination. Olanipekun had added that that was the procedure during his tenure as NBA President.

Sources who spoke to CITY LAWYER however stated that NBA-NEC approval is not statutorily required for nomination as NBA representative to the Body of Benchers. According to a CITY LAWYER source who was at the meeting, “Any suggestion that NBA-NEC approval is required for Body of Benchers appointment is, with respect, totally misconceived. It is only appointment to the National Judicial Council (NJC) that must be subjected to NBA NEC approval. I believe that Akpata’s predicament is more political than otherwise.”

The source wondered why the nomination of a former NBA President would be put in abeyance on the basis that his curriculum vitae was not attached, adding that his pedigree both as an erstwhile member of the Body of Benchers and an immediate past NBA President “are notorious facts.”

It was unclear whether Maikyau would request NBA-NEC approval at tomorrow’s meeting for Akpata’s nomination.

Though CITY LAWYER sought a response from Body of Benchers spokesman, Mr. Daniel Tela on whether the body actually requested an NBA-NEC approval prior to confirming Akpata’s nomination, he was yet to respond at press time.

The NBA and Body of Benchers have been at loggerheads over a call by the lawyers’ body for Olanipekun to recuse himself as the benchers’ chairman following an allegation of solicitation by his co-partner, Ms. Adekunbi Ogunde.

CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report cited a complaint by former Minister of Energy and Petroleum ministries, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia SAN over an email from Ogunde, a Partner in Wole Olanipekun & Co, allegedly soliciting to take over a brief his law firm was handling from his client, SAIPEM SPA. Following his demand for an apology, Wole Olanipekun & Co apologized for the debacle and disowned the Partner. NBA has since filed a petition against the embattled senior lawyer at the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), an arm of the Body of Benchers.

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NBA SPLITS, AS LAW SOCIETY OF NIGERIA EMERGES

Some Bar Leaders seem to have made good their threat to form a parallel lawyers’ association to assuage perceived wrongs within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

This comes against the backdrop of the re-emergence of erstwhile Lawyers Society of Nigeria (LSN), originally registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on 28th December, 1994.

With leading insolvency practitioner, Mr. Kunle Ogunba SAN as President, the new association has former NBA General Secretary, Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack as Vice President and Abdulqadir Alhaji Sani as Secretary.

A key promoter of the new association had told CITY LAWYER about a fortnight ago that there was no going back on the move, noting that accountants and other professionals have multiple unions to choose from.

He vowed that while LSN would not antagonize NBA, “it will aggressively pitch its programmes with lawyers and vigorously canvass membership.”

Meanwhile, the new body has written to the Body of Benchers intimating the Benchers of its existence.

CITY LAWYER recalls that a similar move to break the NBA on the heels of the 2020 NBA Elections was doused by the Olumide Akpata Administration.

The NBA leadership is yet to respond to the re-emergence of the lawyers’ association at press time.

A copy of the letter made available to CITY LAWYER reads:

LSN/BOB/C/2022/Vol. 1/001.

Monday, October 24, 2022

The Chairman,
The Body of Benchers, Plot 688,
Institute & Research District FCC, Phase 111,
Federal Capital Territory,
Abuja.

Attention: Mr. Daniel Tela
(Secretary, Body of Benchers)

Dear Sir,

LAW SOCIETY OF NIGERIA: NOTICE OF EXISTENCE AND NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

The pro tem National Executive Committee of the Law Society of Nigeria presents its compliments to the Chairman and distinguished members of the Body of Benchers as we write to formally notify our revered Body of Benchers of the existence of the Law Society of Nigeria, and its protem National Officers.
The Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) was founded and registered as a national organization of Lawyers admitted to practice law in Nigeria. The LSN, with membership, spread all over Nigeria, exists to empower the legal profession with quality member services (high standards of learning, competence, and professional conduct); facilitate access to justice; maintain and advance the cause of justice; and promote the rule of law, through advocacy and good governance. Please find attached a copy of the Certificate of Registration of the LSN by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The following are protem National Officers of the Law Society of Nigeria:

a. Kunle Ogunba, SAN – President
b. Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack – Vice President
c. Abdulqadir Alhaji Sani – Secretary
d. Olasupo Ojo – Welfare Secretary
e. Chioma Ferguson – Treasurer
f. Douglas Ogbankwa – Publicity Secretary
g. Zara Umar Yakub – Financial Secretary
h. Alice Ogaku Awonugba – Assistant Secretary
i. Hassan Sherif – Assistant Publicity Secretary

As a Society of lawyers in Nigeria, called to the Nigerian Bar under the auspices of the Body of Benchers, the Law Society and its members are subject to the authority of the Body of Benchers and other regulatory organs as established by the Legal Practitioners Act. We commit ourselves to work with the Body of Benchers to ensure quality legal service delivery.

We would like to use this medium to express our appreciation and congratulate the Body of Benchers on the industry of the BOB and the remarkable progress you have made to strengthen the regulation of the Bar and the activities of our members. Of particular mention is the recent commissioning of the BOB Hall, which is a milestone in the history of both the BOB and the legal profession. In the same vein, the LSN heartily congratulates the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Oluwole Olanipekun, SAN, CFR as well as several other distinguished members of the Body of Benchers that were recently deservedly conferred with National Honours by his Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.

May we also extend the warm felicitations of the LSN to this foremost august body whose advanced efforts at a harmonized Bill proposing reforms to the Legal Practitioners’ Act must be taken into cognizance and firmly applauded. It is on the verge of these uncommon and necessary reforms in our legal annals and the ageless egalitarian posture on freedom to lawfully associate, that the LSN also writes your distinguished body introducing herself.

We count on the Body of Benchers, as the sole statutory body responsible for the admission of persons to the legal profession in Nigeria, to provide a level playing field for all Lawyers in Nigeria, irrespective of the national organization we decide to operate in the exercise of our constitutional right to freely associate and assemble.

We use this opportunity to convey to Mr. Chairman and the distinguished members of the BOB, the warm assurances of our high consideration.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,
PP: LAW SOCIETY OF NIGERIA

Kunle Ogunba, SAN.                                      Abdulqadir Alhaji Sani, Esq.
President                                                                  Secretary

The Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) promises to up the ante , in matters that have been ignored in the Legal Profession in Nigeria , prominent of which are premium on Members’ Welfare and an open and transparent system in choosing leaders of the Legal Profession at the National Level , which have been indicated by the New Association of Lawyers , as the fulcrum of their activities.

Already Members of the Legal Profession in Nigeria have been following the twitter handle of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) , @ lawsocietyofnig, in a frenzy that indicates the general acceptance of the new Professional Association of Lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar , that will take the Legal Profession in Nigeria , to greater heights in the new mellieu of an ever changing world.

Statement Issued by:

Douglas Ogbankwa Esq.,
Publicity Secretary ,
Law Society of Nigeria (LSN),
WhatsApp:08065193188, twitter:lawsocietyofnig

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‘OLANIPEKUN, BODY OF BENCHERS CHAIR PRIVY TO PACT TO BOYCOTT NBA,’ SAYS AKINTOLA

• SAYS ‘SORO SOKE BOYS AND GIRLS’ BETRAYED PACT

The Deputy Leader of Egbe Amofin O’odua, Chief Adeniyi Akintola SAN has said that Body of Benchers Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN was privy to a pact to boycott Nigerian Bar Association activities while the immediate past NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata held the reins.

Responding to the allegation that some NBA Annual General Conference (AGC) delegates stole conference bags and phones during the fracas that attended distribution of conference materials, Akintola also stated that “Chief Olanipekun and I have religiously kept to that position,” accusing some Egbe Amofin members who he called “Soro Soke boys and girls” of betraying the pact.

Akintola, who was speaking in an interview on FRESH 105.9 FM, Ibadan, also hinted that some NBA Branches were given specific directions on what to do at the AGC, adding that it was unclear whether they followed the instructions.

CITY LAWYER recalls that the AGC held against the backdrop of the demand by NBA for Olanipekun to recuse himself as the Chairman of the Body of Benchers over the Ms. Kunbi Ogunde professional misconduct saga. Ogunde is a Partner in Wole Olanipekun & Co.

Though NBA had urged the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to punish the partners in the firm if found complicit in the debacle, the committee had in an initial review stated that it was not interested in probing the partners of the law firm.

Said Akintola: “Let me take the last question first. Felt very very sad about what happened. And we saw it coming. Ademola (Babalola) is here. When that boy Akpata came on board, we the Yoruba leaders, the Efgbe Amofin, we took the unified position that we will not dignify that boy with our presence at any of his Bar gathering. Unfortunately, some of our people who took that decision alongside with us betrayed that trust.

“Coming from the background that I have, being a progressive, when I take a decision, when I say this is what I am going to do, even at the risk of my life, I stick to that.

“We took that decision in Ibadan here. Chief (Wole) Olanipekun happened to be the Leader of Egbe Amofin in Nigeria. I happen to be his Deputy. And we took that decision. Chief Olanipekun and I have religiously kept to that position. But unfortunately, some of our boys and girls felt otherwise because they wanted to be in office – one office or the other.”

Continuing, Akintola said: “I never attended the meeting (AGC) because I said I will never dignify him with my presence. Of course, the NBA Oyo, Ogbomosho came to me for my support before going. And we told them what to do and what not to do. But the question is, when they get there, what they do? We don’t know.”

Olanipekun is yet to speak on Akintola’s statement.

To view the full interview, click here.

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‘NBA CAN’T REMOVE OLANIPEKUN AS BENCHERS’ CHAIR,’ SAYS OJO

Former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Constitution Review Committee has stated that the NBA has no power to remove any member of the Body of Benchers (BoB) including its embattled Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the fiery Bar Leader said that “The NBA has no power to remove any member of the Body of Benchers (including those nominated by the NBA) under any guise,” adding that “The manipulators of the NBA cannot stoke rebellion within or decimate the Body of Benchers by attacking its Chairman.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata had in a letter to the Olanipekun, asked him to recuse himself from the seat pending investigation of a Partner in his law firm over alleged professional misconduct.

Ojo stated the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee “has been existing under the Body of Benchers from time immemorial,” adding that its procedure “is not the true reason for the current truancy.”

Taking a swipe at the “Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) cubicle politicians” for “plan to hijack and destroy the legal profession in Nigeria,” Ojo alleged that NBA Treasurer Mercy Agada “exposed their plan to stoke rebellion among Body of BENCHER (sic)” and to employ the NBA in “scattering the table.”

According to Ojo, Agada referred to “we” several times and threatened that “NBA AGC will witness daily protest.” CITY LAWYER recalls that Agada had debunked the allegation.

Said Ojo: “It is very unfortunate that the hirelings are blinded by their inordinate greed. Destruction is in their DNA hence nothing is sacred to them. They are bent on further desecrating the Legal Profession in Nigeria more than they have done already. The conversion of the NBA to their platform to wage war against leaders of the Bar in Nigeria is most unfortunate and conclusive proof that the NBA is being used by the destructive clique as a front to further their mission to decimate the Bar in Nigeria. The veil is already removed and the face of NBA political masquerades and their supporters are being further exposed.”

The full text of the statement is below.

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‘WE ARE NOT PROBING NJC SCRIBE,’ SAYS BODY OF BENCHERS

The Body of Benchers (BoB) has stated that it is not investigating the Secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Mr. Ahmed Gambo Saleh for alleged payment to a contractor.

Citing a CITY LAWYER report on the issue, the BoB stated that “at no point did the Body of Benchers cause an investigation to be carried out against the Secretary of the National Judicial Council as reported,” adding that “Indeed the Body of Benchers does not have the jurisdiction to carry out such an investigation.”

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER and signed by its Secretary, Mr. Daniel Tela, the apex regulator of the legal profession added that “the statement to the effect that the Body of Benchers will, at its meeting slated for 29th September, 2022 discuss the report of a Committee on the subject is unfounded and incorrect.”

The full text of the statement reads:

RE: BODY OF BENCHERS PROBE NJC SCRIBE OVER N800M PAYMENT

The attention of the Body of Benchers has been drawn to an online publication by the CITY LAWYER alleging that the Body of Benchers is investigating the Secretary of the National Judicial Council, Ahmed Gambo Saleh, Esq on payments made to a Contractor.

Consequently, I am directed to make necessary clarification to the effect that at no point did the Body of Benchers cause an investigation to be carried out against the Secretary of the National Judicial Council as reported. Indeed the Body of Benchers does not have the jurisdiction to carry out such an investigation.

Furthermore, the statement to the effect that the Body of Benchers will, at its meeting slated for 29th September, 2022 discuss the report of a Committee on the subject is unfounded and incorrect.

Thank you.

Signed:

Daniel M. Tela
Secretary, Body of Benchers

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‘I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH BENCHERS’ BUILDING PROJECT,’ SAYS NJC SCRIBE

The Secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Mr. Ahmed Gambo Saleh has told CITY LAWYER that he has no connection whatsoever with the building of the recently commissioned national headquarters of the Body of Benchers (BoB).

CITY LAWYER had reported that a three-man panel was set up by the Body of Benchers to probe the allegation by former Court of Appeal President and Member of the BoB Building Committee, Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi concerning payment of N800 million to Boygues (now BGL Nigeria Limited) without following due process.

In a telephone conversation with CITY LAWYER, Saleh stated that he was not under any probe, adding that “I have absolutely nothing to do with the (Body of Benchers) project.”

Saleh stated that the NJC only made disbursement to the Body of Benchers in line with its approved budget by the National Assembly, adding that while the project was initially billed to cost N13 billion, it was pruned down through due diligence.

He noted that every court and judicial body prepares and defends its budget at the National Assembly, adding that “the project had its own personnel. I do not disburse money on projects. I am not a part of the project. I did not administer the project. I only disburse funds to courts and judicial bodies based on budgets approved by the National Assembly.”

In a veiled confirmation of the probe, Saleh told CITY LAWYER that a report on the investigation had been submitted to the Body of Benchers in plenary, adding that he was not indicted by the report.

He said that his travails were being orchestrated by a “sponsor.” He warned CITY LAWYER to either retract the report and apologise “or I will report you to LPDC or EFCC.” The apparently angry NJC scribe also said that he would not hesitate to explore a legal action in the matter.

Though the Secretary of Body of Benchers, Mr. Daniel Manasseh Tela said that he would get back to CITY LAWYER “with the facts” of the matter, a source who was at the BoB meeting told CITY LAWYER that the probe report generated serious controversy during deliberation in plenary, “especially as it related to conflict of interest regarding a member of the probe panel.”

CITY LAWYER gathered that the report determined that there was no case of culpability against any official, and was eventually adopted by the general meeting.

CITY LAWYER had reported that the Body of Benchers had on February 24, 2022 set up an investigative committee headed by Senator Mike Ajegbo SAN to investigate the disbursement of the N800 million. Other members of the probe panel are former Chief Judge of FCT High Court and current Chairman of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), Justice Ishaq Bello and Mr. Adeniji Kazeem SAN.

Saleh joined the Supreme Court in 2008 as a Special Assistant to the Chief Justice of Nigeria. Between 2010 and 2014, he was the Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation Department). He was elevated to the position of Chief Registrar in 2014, until July 1, 2017 when he was appointed Secretary of the National Judicial Council.

He was recently accused of involvement in a N10 billion “bribe and federal racketeering” allegedly being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The report was promptly dismissed by NJC spokesman, Mr. Soji Oye who stated that the allegation was aimed to “smear the good image of Ahmed Gambo Saleh at all cost.”

According to Oye, “It is imperative for the members of the public to be aware that before his emergence as the secretary of the NJC, some forces who tried to scuttle his appointment as the secretary of the council have re-emerged with antics aimed at tarnishing his image and bringing his good name to disrepute.”

He said that “It is on record that these forces, in a bid to stop his emergence as the NJC Secretary after the interview to consider his appointment, came up with false allegations in the media alleging that he had diverted N2.2 billion from the Supreme Court from 2009 to 2016 on the day the council meeting was to hold.”

The NJC also dismissed the charges filed against Saleh by the Federal Government in November 2016, saying the case was withdrawn by the Attorney-General of the Federation because “the charges could not be substantiated”. It added that “It should be noted that there has never been a time when Mr. Saleh admitted committing any crime before anybody or law court.”

The NJC stated that “The sponsors of these malicious allegations believe they own the Judiciary and nobody can become anything within the Judiciary without their approval.

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EXCLUSIVE: BENCHERS PROBE NJC SCRIBE OVER N800M PAYMENT

The Body of Benchers (BoB) has set up a three-member committee to investigate the payment of about N800 million to a contractor by the Secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Mr. Ahmed Gambo Saleh, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

Impeccable sources told CITY LAWYER that the probe was as a result of an “alarm” raised by former Court of Appeal President and Member of the BoB Building Committee, Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi concerning payment of the money to the contractor “without following due process.”

One of the sources told CITY LAWYER that the former Court of Appeal helmsman has a “prominent role in monitoring and payments.” The Building Committee is chaired by Mrs. Hairat Balogun, unanimously elected the first female Chairman of the Body of Benchers in 1998.

Appointed on February 24, 2022, the investigative panel is headed by Senator Mike Ajegbo SAN. Other members are former Chief Judge of FCT High Court and current Chairman of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), Justice Ishaq Bello and Mr. Adeniji Kazeem SAN.

The payment was made in respect of the Body of Benchers building which was funded by the NJC, with Saleh as the “Accounting Officer,” said the source.

CITY LAWYER gathered that a crisis of confidence may also be rocking the committee as a member of the investigative panel is alleged to be a Director in the beneficiary company.

There are strong indications that the committee’s report will be presented by the committee at the next meeting of the Body of Benchers scheduled for September 29, 2022.

CITY LAWYER was unable to reach the former Supreme Court Chief Registrar for comments, as repeated calls to his verified telephone number returned the message that the telephone was “switched off.” A text message to the telephone number did not receive any response at press time.

Saleh joined the Supreme Court in 2008 as a Special Assistant to the Chief Justice of Nigeria. Between 2010 and 2014, he was the Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation Department). He was elevated to the position of Chief Registrar in 2014, until July 1, 2017 when he was appointed Secretary of the National Judicial Council.

He was recently accused of involvement in a N10 billion “bribe and federal racketeering” allegedly being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The report was however promptly dismissed by NJC spokesman, Mr. Soji Oye who stated that the allegation was aimed to “smear the good image of Ahmed Gambo Saleh at all cost.”

According to Oye, “It is imperative for the members of the public to be aware that before his emergence as the secretary of the NJC, some forces who tried to scuttle his appointment as the secretary of the council have re-emerged with antics aimed at tarnishing his image and bringing his good name to disrepute.”

He said that “It is on record that these forces, in a bid to stop his emergence as the NJC Secretary after the interview to consider his appointment, came up with false allegations in the media alleging that he had diverted N2.2 billion from the Supreme Court from 2009 to 2016 on the day the council meeting was to hold.”

The NJC also dismissed the charges filed against Saleh by the Federal Government in November 2016, saying the case was withdrawn by the Attorney-General of the Federation because “the charges could not be substantiated”. It added that “It should be noted that there has never been a time when Mr. Saleh admitted committing any crime before anybody or law court.”

The NJC stated that “The sponsors of these malicious allegations believe they own the Judiciary and nobody can become anything within the Judiciary without their approval.

“It is important to reiterate that there is no iota of credibility in the petition as they are not after the truth but are out to smear the good image of Ahmed Gambo Saleh at all cost.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) had, while speaking at a recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Justice Sector Summit in Abuja, taken a swipe at the Judiciary for lack of transparency and accountability, asking why the N104 billion provided for the Judiciary in the 2021 Budget was insufficient. He stated that the Executive was not in a position to answer “because their (judiciary’s) books are not open.”

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LPDC: ‘AKPATA IS FIGHTING PROXY WAR WITH OLANIPEKUN,’ SAYS OLASUPO OJO

Fiery senior lawyer, Mr. Olasupo Ojo has alleged that the demand by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN to step aside from the seat is a proxy war being waged by NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, Ojo, a former Secretary of the NBA Constitution Review Committee, also alleged that the demand for Olanipekun’s recusal is a “propaganda war” “being sponsored by a clique,” urging lawyers not to be hoodwinked by the alleged plot.

Noting that those gunning for Olanipekun to recuse himself “are opportunists stoking the matter beyond its scope and trying to use the NBA to drag the BOB Chair down with it at all cost,” Ojo urged “discerning” lawyers “not to join a facade wagon whose true destination is hidden.”

According to Ojo, “Those gunning for chairmanship of the BOB should come out openly and tell the truth about what transpired at a recent meeting of the BOB where the NBA President read out his memo on the proposed amendment to the LPA during which he spoke rudely to the BOB and he was roundly lambasted by members of the BOB. The next shot to be fired was to exploit the issue of the letter written by a lawyer in the office of the Chairman of the BOB to get at him in retaliation.”

He wondered what “hidden personal axe” those who are pushing the recusal demand have with Olanipekun, warning that “The NBA is not the only Association of Lawyers registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria hence the false impression should not be given that the NBA letter for recusal has the backing of all Association of Lawyers in Nigeria.”

CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report cited a complaint by former Minister of Energy and Petroleum ministries, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia SAN over an email from Ms. Adekunbi Ogunde, a Partner in Wole Olanipekun & Co, allegedly soliciting to take over a brief his law firm was handling for SAIPEM SPA. Following his demand for an apology, Wole Olanipekun & Co apologized for the debacle and disowned the Partner.

Below is the full text of the statement.

STILL ON THE NBA LETTER OF RECUSAL TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BODY OF BENCHERS.

I have this morning read the statement credited to a group called Justice Reform Project, (JRP), an NGO like the NBA, formed by some senior lawyers. I also had the benefit of reading the statement issued by Oluwemimo Ogunde SAN, a member of the JRP and father of the lawyer who wrote the letter in issue.

Based on the two statements, it is now obvious that this whole issue is being sponsored by a clique. They are opportunists stoking the matter beyond its scope and trying to use the NBA to drag the BOB Chair down with it at all cost.

I find it difficult that I should be choked because of a letter written by a lawyer in my firm without my authorisation and who has claimed responsibility for same.

Those gunning for chairmanship of the BOB should come out openly and tell the truth about what transpired at a recent meeting of the BOB where the NBA President read out his memo on the proposed amendment to the LPA during which he spoke rudely to the BOB and he was roundly lambasted by members of the BOB. The next shot to be fired was to exploit the issue of the letter written by a lawyer in the office of the Chairman of the BOB to get at him in retaliation.

I am just looking and laughing at those screaming their heads off in support of the recusal letter. You are all victims of social media trial. They are using you all as mobs to shout-out their cause in the market place. I advise you to be circumspect and not continue to fall prey to the antics of an exploitative clique.

Why are they using the NBA to cry more than the bereaved who has already filed his process with the LPDC on the same matter?

Why are they throwing stones as if they are saints?

Is the Chairmanship of the BOB an issue in the substantive matter?

Why is the NBA now being used as their platform to launch a propaganda war against the person of the BOB chair who is a former NBA President?

What is the hidden personal axe they have to grind with him as the BOB chair?

Why did they wait until now to seize on the issue of a letter wrongly written by a lawyer in his law firm without his knowledge or authorisation as admitted by the same lawyer who wrote the letter?

How many of us have been crucified just because a lawyer in our firm wrote an unauthorised letter and is this the first or last time such will happen in our law firms?

Can you hold the principal partner of a law firm vicariously liable for an unauthorised letter written by a lawyer in the firm under the Rules of Professional Conduct?

Why are they unable to cite just a rule of the RPC that has been breached by the BOB chair?

I URGE ALL MATURE AND DISCERNING LAWYERS NOT TO JOIN A FACADE WAGON WHOSE TRUE DESTINATION IS HIDDEN.

WHY CANT THEY WAIT FOR THE ALREADY IGNITED LPDC DUE PROCESS TO BE FOLLOWED TO LOGICAL CONCLUSION AT THE SUPREME COURT?

SINCE THERE IS NOW A DIVISION, WHO IS THEIR CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF THE BOB CHAIR AND WHY CAN’T THEIR CANDIDATE AWAIT HIS OWN TIME?

AT OUR LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE, WE SHOULD NOT BE AMONG THE MOBS.

The NBA is not the only Association of Lawyers registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria hence the false impression should not be given that the NBA letter for recusal has the backing of all Association of Lawyers in Nigeria.

THANKS.

OLASUPO OJO ESQ.
July 30, 2022.

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OLANIPEKUN SURVIVES, AS BENCHERS FAIL TO DEBATE NBA’S RECUSAL DEMAND

The Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN has survived a move by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to have him step aside from the seat following a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) seeking sanctions against partners in his law firm for alleged professional misconduct.

Though CITY LAWYER gathered that NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata had sent an email to the BoB asking that the recusal matter should be tabled for discussion, an impeccable source who attended today’s Body of Benchers meeting told CITY LAWYER that the issue did not receive any attention during the meeting. “There was absolutely no mention of the matter during the entire duration of the meeting,” said the source. Akpata’s email was copied to all BoB members.

CITY LAWYER had predicted that the issue may not be debated at today’s meeting as it was not listed on the agenda. Sources however said that this may not be unexpected given that the agenda for today’s meeting had long been drawn up. The non-receipt of the recusal letter until yesterday may also have made it practically impossible to include the issue on the agenda.

The source told CITY LAWYER that the meeting was delayed for about 30 minutes as the chairman took turns to felicitate with members, even as the meeting witnessed massive attendance by many BoB members, some attending after a prolonged absence.

Though at least two national newspapers reported that NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata shunned the meeting, CITY LAWYER gathered from unimpeachable sources that Akpata attended the meeting virtually and was signed on throughout the deliberations as he is overseas.

The source said that while the only opportunity to include the recusal issue on the agenda was during debate on “Adoption of Agenda,” Olanipekun side-stepped the item by stating that his “Chairman’s Address” would cater for that.

This paved the way for a discussion of only issues relating to tomorrow’s Call to Bar ceremony following a committee report on the subject. Other reports were deferred to the body’s next meeting on September 29, 2022, moreso as the reports were not circulated to members.

CITY LAWYER however gathered that this has been the tradition, as the body’s meetings on the eve of Call to Bar ceremonies often focus exclusively on preparations for the event.

Aside from the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kayode Ariwoola, two past Chief Justices of Nigeria also attended the meeting. They are Justice Mahmud Mohammed and Justice Walter Onnoghen as well as retired Justice Mary Peter-Odili who doubles as the Vice-Chairman of the Body of Benchers. Also in attendance was Justice Helen Ogunwumiju of the Supreme Court.

The NBA was also well represented at the meeting which held at the Body of Benchers Complex in Jabi, Abuja by Akpata and its statutory representatives as well as seven past presidents including Messrs Onomigbo Okpoko SAN, O. C. J. Okocha SAN, Joseph Daudu SAN, Augustine Alegeh SAN, Okey Wali SAN, Abubakar Mahmoud and Paul Usoro SAN. Daudu, Alegeh and Wali signed on virtually.

It remains to be seen whether the matter will be raised at the next meeting of the Body of Benchers in September.

CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report noted the petition by NBA to the LPDC where it not only demanded sanctions against Ms. Adekunbi Ogunde, a Partner in Wole Olanipekun & Co, for alleged solicitation of briefs from Saipem SPA, but invited the Committee to “consider whether the Partners of the Firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co. are not liable to be disciplined by this august body seeing that the Respondent has the ostensible authority to act as a Partner and indeed acted for and on behalf of the said Firm.” Olanipekun is the Founding Partner of the law firm. The LPDC is a committee of the Body of Benchers.

In a letter personally signed by Akpata following the filing of the petition, NBA had urged Olanipekun “to recuse yourself from chairmanship of the BOB henceforth and to allow for the emplacement of an interim leadership of the BOB, in order to enable the LPDC carry out this particular assignment, amongst others, without coming under an undue suspicion of impartiality.”

But Olanipekun, a former NBA President, had expressed anger against the association for allegedly making its demand public without communicating the recusal letter to him, saying it appeared there was an ulterior motive behind the action. His words: “As we talk, I am yet to get a copy of the letter. People have been calling me but I can’t react to a document that I have not seen.”

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INVESTIGATION: HOW NBA’S RECUSAL LETTER TO OLANIPEKUN WAS ‘LEAKED’

The letter by Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata to the Chairman of Body of Benchers (BoB), Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN asking him to recuse himself from the seat was not leaked to the public, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

Meanwhile, an impeccable source at the NBA HOUSE told CITY LAWYER that the recusal letter was today emailed to all BoB members by the NBA.

It is recalled that Olanipekun had in an interview with a national daily protested that he was not officially issued with a copy of the letter even though it had been trending on social media.

But an unimpeachable source at NBA HOUSE told CITY LAWYER that an attempt was made last Friday to deliver a copy of the letter to Olanipekun through the Body of Benchers office in Abuja but the office had closed before the courier got there.

According to the source, on the presumption that the recusal letter had been delivered to the BoB Office, the letter was posted on the National Officers’ WhatsApp platform, adding that in line with the clamour by NBA Branch Chairmen to be carried along in the association’s affairs, the letter was also posted on the branch chairmen’s WhatsApp forum. CITY LAWYER gathered that it was from one of these platforms that the letter got into the social media.

The source said it was “regrettable” that the letter went viral before a copy was delivered to the BoB chieftain, but added: “Let it be clear that there was no intention to keep the letter private in the long run.”

The source also dismissed the charge of the alleged leakage being propelled by ulterior motive, saying: “There is nothing ulterior about what the President did. The only motive is that everyone should be above board, do the right thing. It is all about perception. You will recall that two members of the Body of Benchers are due for replacement, given that two members resigned alongside the Chairman who has been replaced. Apparently, the BoB Chairman will be highly influential in the replacement process. If we want to maintain standards, stepping aside remains the desirable standard.”

CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report noted the petition by NBA to the LPDC where it not only demanded sanctions against Ms. Adekunbi Ogunde, a Partner in Wole Olanipekun & Co, for alleged solicitation of briefs from Saipem SPA, but invited the Committee to “consider whether the Partners of the Firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co. are not liable to be disciplined by this august body seeing that the Respondent has the ostensible authority to act as a Partner and indeed acted for and on behalf of the said Firm.” Olanipekun is the Founding Partner of the law firm. The LPDC is a committee of the Body of Benchers.

In a letter personally signed by Akpata following the filing of the petition, NBA had urged Olanipekun “to recuse yourself from chairmanship of the BOB henceforth and to allow for the emplacement of an interim leadership of the BOB, in order to enable the LPDC carry out this particular assignment, amongst others, without coming under an undue suspicion of impartiality.”

But Olanipekun, a former NBA President, had expressed anger against the association for allegedly making its demand public without communicating the recusal letter to him, saying it appeared there was an ulterior motive behind the action. His words: “As we talk, I am yet to get a copy of the letter. People have been calling me but I can’t react to a document that I have not seen.”

In the letter to Olanipekun dated July 22, 2022 and titled “RE: PETITION AGAINST MS. ADEKUNBI OGUNDE BY THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION FOR ALLEGED PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT,” the NBA stated that it had petitioned the LPDC to penalize Ogunde “for engaging in conduct incompatible with her status as a legal practitioner and in flagrant disregard of our Rules of Professional Conduct which both the NBA and the Body of Benchers (BOB) are by their respective mandates bound to enforce as part of the disciplinary objectives of the legal profession. (Please find enclosed the Petition dated 19 July 2022).

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LPDC PETITION: BENCHERS MEET TOMORROW, SHUN NBA ‘QUIT’ LETTER TO OLANIPEKUN

The Body of Benchers (BoB), Nigeria’s regulator of the legal profession, may not discuss the demand by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for its Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN to step aside when the elite statutory group meets tomorrow.

The agenda for the meeting obtained by CITY LAWYER shows that NBA’s demand is not listed as one of the issues for discussion. The agenda was emailed to member today as a reminder for tomorrow’s meeting. The body adjourned from its last emergency meeting which held on June 21, 2022 to tomorrow.

But CITY LAWYER gathered that tomorrow’s meeting may be feisty, as some BoB members are bent on ensuring that the recusal letter is given a pride of place during the meeting.

Aside from consideration of minutes of its last meeting in June, other items listed for deliberation tomorrow under “Matters Arising” are receipt of reports from several committees including Report of the Body of Benchers Prayer Drafting Committee, Report of the Regulations Committee, Report of the Judiciary Advisory Committee and Report of the Ad-hoc Advisory Committee on amendment of the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA).

Other items listed for consideration at tomorrow’s meeting are “Report from the Screening Committee,” “Arrangements for Call to Bar Ceremony” and “Any Other Business.” The Call to Bar ceremony is scheduled to hold on Wednesday.

It was unclear at press time whether NBA’s demand for Olanipekun to recuse himself from chairmanship of the Body of Benchers will be raised before commencement of the meeting or under “Any Other Business,” even as CITY LAWYER gathered from an unimpeachable source at NBA HOUSE that NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata will “definitely” bring up the recusal matter during the meeting.

Olanipekun, a former NBA President, had expressed anger against the association for making its demand public without communicating the recusal letter to him, saying it appeared there was an ulterior motive behind the action.

His words: “As we talk, I am yet to get a copy of the letter. People have been calling me but I can’t react to a document that I have not seen.”

CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report noted the petition by NBA to the LPDC where it not only demanded sanctions against Ms. Adekunbi Ogunde, a Partner in Wole Olanipekun & Co, for alleged solicitation of briefs from Saipem SPA, but invited the Committee to “consider whether the Partners of the Firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co. are not liable to be disciplined by this august body seeing that the Respondent has the ostensible authority to act as a Partner and indeed acted for and on behalf of the said Firm.” Olanipekun is the Founding Partner of the law firm. The LPDC is a committee of the Body of Benchers.

In a letter personally signed by Akpata following the filing of the petition, NBA had urged Olanipekun “to recuse yourself from chairmanship of the BOB henceforth and to allow for the emplacement of an interim leadership of the BOB, in order to enable the LPDC carry out this particular assignment, amongst others, without coming under an undue suspicion of impartiality.”

In the letter to Olanipekun dated July 22, 2022 and titled “RE: PETITION AGAINST MS. ADEKUNBI OGUNDE BY THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION FOR ALLEGED PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT,” the NBA stated that it had petitioned the LPDC to penalize Ogunde “for engaging in conduct incompatible with her status as a legal practitioner and in flagrant disregard of our Rules of Professional Conduct which both the NBA and the Body of Benchers (BOB) are by their respective mandates bound to enforce as part of the disciplinary objectives of the legal profession. (Please find enclosed the Petition dated 19 July 2022).

“Ms. Ogunde, the subject of the Petition, as it turns out, is a Partner at the Law Firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co. where you are a Founding Partner and remain involved in the day-to-day running of the Firm. This dynamic creates an undeniable shared and intertwined professional relationship between your goodself and the said Ms. Ogunde. Indeed, in the said Petition, we have also asked the LPDC to “…consider whether the Partners of the Firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co. are not liable to be disciplined by this august body seeing that the Respondent has the ostensible authority to act as a Partner and indeed acted for and on behalf of the said Firm.

“As you know, the LPDC is a Standing Committee of the BOB whose processes come under the supervision of the Chairman of the BOB – an office which you currently occupy.

“Against the backdrop of your partnership relationship with Ms. Ogunde, vis-a-vis the prosecution of the petition by the LPDC, it is clear, albeit unfortunate, that you have been put in a situation where your continued occupancy of the office during this period would conflict, or be reasonably interpreted to conflict, with or influence the processes of the LPDC, by fair-minded observers and right thinking members of the public, both within and outside our profession. By reason of your close professional ties and involvement with Ms. Ogunde, it would be an infraction of the salutary principles of natural justice for the said Petition to be heard by the LPDC while you continue as Chairman of the BOB, of which the LPDC is a committee.”

Quoting Lord Denning, Akpata noted that justice must be rooted in confidence and that confidence is destroyed when right-minded people go away thinking that the Judge is biased, adding: “Consequent upon the above, I am constrained to invite you to recuse yourself from chairmanship of the BOB henceforth and to allow for the emplacement of an interim leadership of the BOB, in order to enable the LPDC carry out this particular assignment, amongst others, without coming under an undue suspicion of impartiality.

“As a beacon of Rule of Law and due process, the NBA must continue to demonstrate that it is committed to the vision of its founding fathers, especially in its internal affairs. This situation, therefore, puts our foundational ethos as an Association on the line, and I trust that as a former President of the NBA and a very respected senior member of the Bar, you will take the honourable path of stepping-aside in the interest of justice, fairness, and posterity.

“I am pained that I have to make this call, but in the circumstance, it is in the best interest of our Association and of the legal profession in Nigeria.”

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NBA ASKS OLANIPEKUN TO ‘STEP ASIDE’ AS BENCHERS CHAIR OVER LPDC PROBE

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asked its former President and current Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN to step aside from the office following a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) demanding sanctions against him and partners in his law firm over alleged professional misconduct.

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee is an organ set up by the Body of Benchers to discipline legal practitioners.

In a statement personally signed by NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, the association urged Olanipekun “to recuse yourself from chairmanship of the BOB henceforth and to allow for the emplacement of an interim leadership of the BOB, in order to enable the LPDC carry out this particular assignment, amongst others, without coming under an undue suspicion of impartiality.”

CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report noted the petition by NBA to the LPDC where it not only demanded sanctions against Ms. Adekunbi Ogunde, a Partner in Wole Olanipekun & Co, for alleged solicitation of briefs from Saipem SPA, but invited the Committee to “consider whether the Partners of the Firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co. are not liable to be disciplined by this august body seeing that the Respondent has the ostensible authority to act as a Partner and indeed acted for and on behalf of the said Firm.” Olanipekun is the Founding Partner of the law firm.

In the letter to Olanipekun dated July 22, 2022 and titled “RE: PETITION AGAINST MS. ADEKUNBI OGUNDE BY THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION FOR ALLEGED PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT,” the NBA stated that it had petitioned the LPDC to penalize Ogunde “for engaging in conduct incompatible with her status as a legal practitioner and in flagrant disregard of our Rules of Professional Conduct which both the NBA and the Body of Benchers (BOB) are by their respective mandates bound to enforce as part of the disciplinary objectives of the legal profession. (Please find enclosed the Petition dated 19 July 2022).

“Ms. Ogunde, the subject of the Petition, as it turns out, is a Partner at the Law Firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co. where you are a Founding Partner and remain involved in the day-to-day running of the Firm. This dynamic creates an undeniable shared and intertwined professional relationship between your goodself and the said Ms. Ogunde. Indeed, in the said Petition, we have also asked the LPDC to “…consider whether the Partners of the Firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co. are not liable to be disciplined by this august body seeing that the Respondent has the ostensible authority to act as a Partner and indeed acted for and on behalf of the said Firm.

“As you know, the LPDC is a Standing Committee of the BOB whose processes come under the supervision of the Chairman of the BOB – an office which you currently occupy.

“Against the backdrop of your partnership relationship with Ms. Ogunde, vis-a-vis the prosecution of the petition by the LPDC, it is clear, albeit unfortunate, that you have been put in a situation where your continued occupancy of the office during this period would conflict, or be reasonably interpreted to conflict, with or influence the processes of the LPDC, by fair-minded observers and right thinking members of the public, both within and outside our profession. By reason of your close professional ties and involvement with Ms. Ogunde, it would be an infraction of the salutary principles of natural justice for the said Petition to be heard by the LPDC while you continue as Chairman of the BOB, of which the LPDC is a committee.”

Quoting Lord Denning, Akpata noted that justice must be rooted in confidence and that confidence is destroyed when right-minded people go away thinking that the Judge is biased, adding: “Consequent upon the above, I am constrained to invite you to recuse yourself from chairmanship of the BOB henceforth and to allow for the emplacement of an interim leadership of the BOB, in order to enable the LPDC carry out this particular assignment, amongst others, without coming under an undue suspicion of impartiality.

“As a beacon of Rule of Law and due process, the NBA must continue to demonstrate that it is committed to the vision of its founding fathers, especially in its internal affairs. This situation, therefore, puts our foundational ethos as an Association on the line, and I trust that as a former President of the NBA and a very respected senior member of the Bar, you will take the honourable path of stepping-aside in the interest of justice, fairness, and posterity.

“I am pained that I have to make this call, but in the circumstance, it is in the best interest of our Association and of the legal profession in Nigeria.”

It was unclear at press time whether Olanipekun has received the letter from NBA.

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‘ATTEMPT BY BODY OF BENCHERS TO CONTROL NBA WILL SPELL DOOM,’ SAYS TAIDI

ATTEMPT BY THE BODY OF BENCHERS TO CONTROL THE NBA THROUGH THE BACKDOOR; A RECIPE FOR UTTER CHAOS

By Jonathan Gunu Taidi

The proposed amendment to the timeworn Legal Practitioners Act came as soothing news to progressive minds within the bar; finally we were going to do away with those inhibiting provisions which have outlived their usefulness.

Our joy was however cut short by the shocking revelation that the pristine bill intended for the National Assembly’s passage into law had been doctored with a view to circumventing, clandestinely, the sacrosanct powers and authority of the NBA. Some powers that be within the Body of Benchers had surreptitiously inserted a clause in the said bill, manifestly tampering with the descriptive standpoint of the NBA. The smuggled provision describes the NBA as follows:

“The Registered Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association, and any other body incorporated for the governance and management of the Legal Profession”

Meanwhile, in the original bill the “NBA” was simply defined as the “Nigerian Bar Association”. The way it has always been.

This attempt by the Body of Benchers to hoodwink the NBA and forcefully take control of the NBA by doctoring the letters of the law is to say the least evil, by every standard. I make bold to state that this attempted coup is not unconnected to the emergence of a non- SAN as president of the NBA. Apparently, many oxen that were gored as a result, as well as sundry deflated bloated egos, remain wounded and unforgiving. This is an attempt to hold lawyers to ransom so that whenever certain powers-that-be are dissatisfied with the outcome of any NBA election, they can easily invoke this very divisive provision.

It is a recipe for anarchy, a foundation for complete uncertainty and distortion of established practices within the bar. It is mind-boggling trying to imagine a scenario where the doctored bill is passed into law and a furious NBA protests that same does not represent what was sent to the National Assembly even as the overlords within the Body of Benchers insists on the flawed bill – effectively dragging the legal profession to utter disrepute.

My question is; where would such an imbroglio leave young lawyers who are still trying to gain their footing in the profession, if they get caught up in such a web of authority tussle between the NBA and the Body of Benchers? Indeed, the possible number of bizarre eventualities that will confront us, where this evil provision to sail through, are endless. It is a good thing that the fraud was discovered and nipped in the bud.

May we never see the day where the collective will and progress of a collection of learned and noble minds are sacrificed on the altar of selfish and egoistic practices.

Long live the NBA.

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AJUMOGOBIA ACCUSES OLANIPEKUN’S LAW FIRM OF MISCONDUCT; FIRM APOLOGIZES, DISOWNS PARTNER

Former Minister for Energy and Petroleum ministries, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia has accused the law firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co of professional misconduct in the $130 Million Rivers State Government vs Saipem SPA, Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited and Ors case.

In an email dated June 23, 2022 and obtained by CITY LAWYER, the senior lawyer stated that he was “shocked and appalled” at the contents of a letter written by one Adekumbi Ogunde, a Partner in the law firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co to his firm’s clients, Saipem SA and Saipem Nigeria Limited.

In the email addressed to the Body of Benchers Chairman, Ajumogobia wrote: “I must also express my extreme disappointment and utter disillusionment, that a letter of this nature should emanate from your chambers, given your stature at the bar generally and as the current Chairman of the body of benchers, in particular.

“My sentiments about the unfortunate but unmistakable allusion to ‘influence’ with “Justices of the Supreme Court, Presiding Justices of the Court of Appeal and Chief Judges” with whom you happen to serve on certain bodies in the legal profession, with regard to a matter before a Court, is better left unsaid.

“Suffice it to say that the attached letter is in my opinion tantamount to gross misconduct of the worst kind.

“For the record, our mandatory Rules of Professional Conduct expressly prohibit self-advertising and solicitation by Nigerian legal practitioners!

“Rule 39 expressly provides that “A lawyer shall not engage or be involved in any advertising or promotion of his practice of the law which …..makes comparison with or criticizes other lawyers …..or includes any statement about the quality of the lawyer’s work, the size or success of his practice or his success rate.

“The email from your firm could not be more egregious in its breach of this essential mandatory rule, especially in its acknowledgment that the defendant companies had already retained counsel. That I and my firm of Ajumogobia & Okeke were retained in the matter, was a matter of public record and was personally known to you and your firm, since you had asked me about the matter during our Unilag Law Faculty Alumni dinner at Harbour point in February.

“The attached email from your firm also contains false and misleading statements with several defamatory imputations of and concerning myself and my firm.

“In the circumstances we demand within 7 days of the date of this letter, a written apology to the firm of Ajumogobia & Okeke from Wole Olanipekun & Co, for this most deplorable conduct of Adekumbi Ogunde and your firm.

“In addition we demand that Wole Olanipekun & Co sends a letter to Saipem the top management to retract your said letter….”

He warned that the retraction and a copy of the apology to his firm “must be copied to the top management of Saipem SA and the same recipients as the original email,” adding that “I trust that your firm will comply with our demand forthwith.”

However, Olanipekun’s law firm has washed its hands off the controversial letter, vowing that it was written without its consent and authority.

In a prompt reply dated June 24, 2022 and titled “DISCLAIMER,” the leading law firm stated that “the writer of the letter under reference was on her own, and we do wholly dissociate ourselves from the letter and its contents.”

The law firm vowed that “internal measures would immediately be taken to address and redress this very unfortunate situation,” adding that “Our Principal, without being immodest, has never been known to indulge himself in the type of practice portrayed in the letter under reference. He is a very sober and humble person, and we believe learned Silk, H. Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, OFR can attest to this. He stands for the best in the profession, in terms of ethics, honour, integrity, discipline, character and carriage.”

The disclaimer was signed by Messrs James Adesulu and Quam Owolabi Bisiriyu, both Associate Counsel at Wole Olanipekun & Co and copied to Ajumogobia.

In the additional note to the former Petroleum Minister, the law firm said that “we apologize for this very unfortunate incident , which was unauthorized,” adding that the letter was “neither initiated, prompted, encouraged nor approved by our chambers.”

The disclaimer noted that Olanipekun “values and covets the very cordial professional and friendly relationship between both of you, a relationship that has stood the test of time for over three decades, where both of you have mutually and reciprocally shared and exchanged thoughts on some highly confidential issues and subjects.”

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BODY OF BENCHERS WADES INTO SUPREME COURT CRISIS

The Body of Benchers has waded into the crisis rocking the Supreme Court of Nigeria, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

Rising from its emergency meeting yesterday, multiple sources told CITY LAWYER that the body set up an Advisory Committee on the Judiciary towards resolving the sensational face-off between the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad and about 14 justices of the apex court who penned a damning protest letter against Muhammad.

The Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN also told a national newspaper that “We held an emergency meeting today (Tuesday) and for now, we have set up a Body of Benchers Judiciary Advisory Committee. It will be a standing committee of the Body of Benchers and the Chair of the committee is Justice Mahmud Mohammed, former Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“I am a member and the Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers is a member and four others. We are swinging into action. We are talking to parties concerned, individually and collectively.

“For now, we are advising that they should sheath their swords. The immediate objective of the committee is to resolve the impasse while the ultimate objective is to work out an acceptable package for judicial officers all over the country, particularly judicial officers in superior courts.”

He added, “The committee has also been mandated to compare and contrast what the judicial officers take as their remuneration among others with what is obtainable in other parts of the world.

“The committee will confront the executive with what we derive as the best condition of service, remuneration, among others, as obtained by other countries of the world. The CJN cannot do this; the organogram tilts against the independence of the judiciary as we want it.”

Speaking on the debacle, Olanipekun said: “For now, we want them (Supreme Court justices) to sheath their sword. The committee will swing into action immediately.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that in a protest memo, the justices had demanded an explanation on their entitlements under Muhammad, saying that their annual foreign training had been blocked by the CJN.

They also protested over poor welfare packages which they claimed had hindered their jobs. The apex court, they said, has been receiving N110 billion yearly since 2018, even as they raised issues of non-replacement of poor vehicles; accommodation problem; lack of drugs at the Supreme Court clinic; epileptic electricity supply to the Supreme Court; increase in electricity tariff; no increase in the allowances for diesel, and lack of internet services to residences and chambers.

Others are non-signing of amended Rules of Court for almost three years; sudden stoppage of two to three foreign workshops and training per annum for Justices, and absence of qualified legal assistants.

The jurists accused Muhammad of junketing abroad with his wife, children, and cronies while denying them similar perquisites of office, adding that “In the past, justices were nominated to attend two to three foreign workshops or training per annum with accompanying persons for reasons of age. Since your Lordship’s assumption of office, Justices only attend two workshops in Dubai and Zanzibar. They were not accorded the privilege of travelling with accompanying persons as was the practice.

“Your Lordship totally ignored this demand and yet travelled with your spouse, children, and personal staff. We demand to know what has become of our training funds, have they been diverted, or it’s a plain denial.”

The justices stated that “Your Lordship may also remember that the National Assembly has increased the budgetary allocation of the judiciary. We find it strange that in spite of the upward review of budgetary allocation, the court cannot cater for our legitimate entitlement. This is unacceptable.”

The justices berated Muhammad, saying his alleged weak leadership had drastically lowered the standards for which the nation’s highest court was known.

But in his response, the Chief Justice of Nigeria in a scarcely veiled chastisement of his colleagues, described the escalation of their grouse into the public space as “akin to dancing naked at the market square by us with the ripple effect of the said letter.”

Titled “Re: State Of Affairs In The Supreme Court And Demand By Justices Of The Supreme Court,” the rebuttal stated that “When a budget is made, it contains two sides, that’s the recurrent and the capital, yet all the two are broken down into items. The Federal Government releases the budget based on the budget components. And it’s an offence to spend the money meant for one item for another.

The response noted that infrastructural work is ongoing in the Supreme Court as budgeted, adding that “security and water supply are adequately provided for his brother Justices in their offices and residences. During the period of pandemic, a profound and extra-care was maintained to avoid causalities among them as well as the staff generally. It would have amounted to an act of irresponsibility to divert money meant for the above for otherwise.”

According to the CJN, “The accusation so far, in summary is that more or all ought to have been done and not that nothing has been done; which is utopian in the contemporary condition of our country.”

He countered the allegation of lack of legal assistants, saying that “All the Justices of this Court has (sic) at least a legal assistance, except some may opt for more.” He added that “Generally the Judiciary is looking up to recruitment of more legal assistance and other supporting staff this year.”

He stated that aside from the death of two Supreme Court Justices and the retirement of four staff which “cost the court some funds in the forms of gratuities and allowances,” “Two weeks ago, eight Supreme Court Justices were nominated for a workshop in London as the court cannot take all of them there at once otherwise the job would suffer. They would be going in batches. Accommodations are being gradually provided for the few that are yet to get. There is none of the Apex Court Justices without SUV and back up cars. If any of them were purchased but refurbished, the external and internal auditors are here in the court to take those that bought them up over it.

“The high cost of electricity tariff and diesel are national problem. The Chief Registrar might have budgeted for N300 per litre but diesel is now selling for over N700 per litre and therefore has to find a way around it without even bringing it to the attention of the CJN. But there is no way the generator would be put off if the Court is sitting.

“The amendment of court rules is on the process, it has to be critically reviewed to avoid conflict with the constitution and other extant laws. Not all the CJN has reviewed the rules in the past. Within the three years his brother Justices mentioned came the pandemic and the judiciary workers’ strike.

“The internet services have been restored to Justices’ residences and chambers, just as some allowances have been paid to them. The CJN held a meeting with his brother Justices last Thursday and another one is due to hold this week.

“The general public should be rest assured that there’s no hostility or adverse feelings amongst the Justices of the Supreme Court, as everyone is going about his normal duty.” The CJN’s statement was issued by Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, his Senior Special Assistant (on Media}.

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BODY OF BENCHERS APPOINTS ISHAQ BELLO AS LPDC CHAIR AMID CONCERNS

There is palpable unease within the ranks of the Body of Benchers (BoB) as former Chief Judge of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Ishaq Bello has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC). He replaces Mr. Emmanuel Ukala SAN who sensationally resigned from the position recently.

Members of the Body of Benchers who spoke to CITY LAWYER at the weekend on the emergence of Justice Bello argued that due process was not followed in the appointment, saying that the immediate past BoB Chairman, Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour merely announced the appointment of the jurist towards the end of the last meeting of the body.

They said that not only was the Bar not consulted in the process leading to the appointment but that there was no opportunity given to BoB members during plenary to ratify Bello’s nomination.

A BoB member told CITY LAWYER that the practice had been that while the headship of the LPDC rotates between the Bar and Bench, both groups must reach a consensus on the choice of the candidate to head the all-important Body of Benchers committee.

“Sadly, that did not happen this time,” said the member. “Due process was not followed; instead, a fait accompli was foisted on the body. That is not the precedent we are used to. The appointment is inchoate.

“I do hope that the new chairman of the Body of Benchers will seek the earliest opportunity to present the nomination of Justice Bello for ratification at the plenary. Otherwise, it will be a bad signal for both the committee and the Body of Benchers.”

Although CITY LAWYER contacted the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata on the controversy, he had not responded at the time of filing this report. The Body of Benchers is yet to comment on the matter.

Following his retirement as Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Bello made an unsuccessful attempt to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) bench, having been nominated by the Federal Government.

CITY LAWYER recalls the LPDC has been in the news lately following the resignation of Ukala and two other members of the committee over alleged interference in its work by the Body of Benchers. The two members that also threw in the towel were current Chairman of the NBA Section on Legal Practice, Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) and Boma Ayomide Alabi (SAN).

Ukala had in his resignation letter dated 22nd February, 2022 cited the complaint by recently deceased senior lawyer, Mr. Lucius Nwosu SAN over a prima facie finding by the committee, noting that most members who spoke on the subject “were against the intervention of this august body (benchers) in the matter for very sound and obvious reasons including the fact that the matter was subjudice and that this august body has no jurisdiction to review any matter including the issue of prima facie finding which is already before the LPDC.

“Surprisingly however, the Chairman, the Honourable Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, ruled against the overwhelming views of the majority in favour of the minority views of mainly three members – the retired Justice James Ogenyi Ogebe, the Honourable Justice Ejembi Eko and R. A. Lawal-Rabana SAN, thus inadvertently opening up judicial proceedings before LPDC to the administrative review of the Body of Benchers. This singular move portends grave danger to the maintenance of discipline in the Legal Profession.”

Other members of the committee are Daniel M. Tela (Secretary); Justice M. B. Dongban-Mensem; Ahmed Mustapha Goniri, Esq., Eyitayo Jegede, SAN; Ebenezer Obeya, Esq.; Justice Marshal Umokoro, Chief Judge of Delta State; Justice Hussein Mukhtar, Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Kaduna; Justice Rabi Umar, Chief Judge, Bauchi State; Uju Nwogu, Hon. Attorney General, Anambra State; Suleiman Usman, SAN, Hon. Attorney General, Sokoto State, and H. A. Turaki.

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Lucius Nwosu SAN (middle), after one of his successful legal tussles

‘HOW LUCIUS NWOSU, SAN DIED’ – BY FAMILY

Leading oil and gas lawyer, Mr. Lucius Ezeakamadu Nwosu SAN “passed onto glory peacefully in his sleep” in Abuja last Tuesday, his family has said. He was aged 69 years. The announcement confirms CITY LAWYER exclusive report that the leading lawyer has passed on.

Announcing the passing of the foremost oil pollution and environmental rights lawyer in a trending post titled “Transition Announcement” obtained by CITY LAWYER, a family representative, Mr. Akandu Emmanuel Nwosu wrote: “With hearts filled with grief but with gratitude to God for a purpose-driven and impactful life, we announce the death of our dear father, husband, brother, uncle, cousin, confidant and family head, Lucius Ezeaka Nwosu, SAN, who passed onto glory peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday the 6th of April, 2022 in Abuja FCT at the age of 69.

“We request prayers for his family and ask that their privacy be respected at this time. Burial arrangements will be announced by the family.”

A post on his University of Nigeria Enugu Campus 1976 alumni platform obtained by CITY LAWYER read: “BREAKING… Am distressed and in tears. Why do such things happen?! Can’t still believe it that Papa Doc is gone to the great beyond. He passed this morning. Hate to be a bearer of bad news. Na so we see am.”

Another post read: “LUCIOUS (sic) NWOSU SAN, may your soul rest in peace.” It would seem that his classmates nicknamed him “Papa Doc.”

A source who is a classmate of the fiery lawyer had confirmed the sad news to CITY LAWYER, saying the news was originally broken by a judge who is also a classmate of the foremost oil pollution claims expert allegedly nicknamed “Lucifer Nwosu” by international oil companies for being a thorn in their flesh in his many legal battles for compensation for polluted oil-bearing communities. He stated that three members of the class have been mandated to visit his wife.

Nwosu was lately entangled in a face-off which wrought a crisis within the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), leading to the resignation of its chairman and two members due to alleged meddlesomeness by the Body of Benchers.

This also led him to petition the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata in a letter dated February 17, 2022 urging him to impress on leading lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN “to refrain from bidding for the Chairmanship of the Body of Benchers failing which, the Bar should politely withdraw his candidacy.”

Continuing, he wrote in the four-page letter: “Mr. President, I do not have anything to gain or lose personally by Chief Olanipekun SAN remaining in or becoming Chairman of the Body of Benchers, but I would rather not be your goodself as president and alter ego of the Nigeria Bar Association, when this tragic circumstances will be ascribed to your tenure. Hence this urgent note of caution.”

It was unclear whether Akpata responded to Nwosu’s petition. However, the Body of Benchers brushed aside the controversy to elevate Olanipekun to the position of Chairman of the elite body.

Born on January 30, 1953 into the Nwosuagwunwanguma Family of Uhuala, Udo in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, he studied law at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, graduating in 1980.

Listed in NIGERIA’S TOP 100 LAWYERS compendium, Nwosu was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. He took silk in 2004 and was a member of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) between 2005 and 2011.

He was the Principal Partner of Messrs Lucius Nwosu (SAN) & Partners, a Port Harcourt based full-service law firm. Prior to the establishment of his law firm, Nwosu had a stint with the Chambers of Dr. J. I. J. Otuka, formerly a UNN law teacher.

Nwosu has been involved in many high stakes and complex oil pollution cases. As Lead Counsel to some Ogoni communities, he secured N45.9 Billion compensation from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). He also secured N37.6 Billion award against the Federal Government in a lawsuit instituted by the Odi community of Bayelsa State for victims of the military invasion of the community on November 20, 1999. Nwosu also secured N81.9 billion oil pollution compensation for some oil-bearing communities in Akwa Ibom against Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited.

He was Counsel to the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu in the headline-grabbing lawsuit brought by erstwhile President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami challenging his suspension by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

According to his profile in NIGERIA’S TOP 100 LAWYERS, “Nwosu has several legal publications to his credit. He is the author of Litigation: Useful Tips on Effective Case Management (2003). He had been invited by the Council of Legal Education (CLE) to develop a position paper on Oil and Gas Law as part of the activities marking its 10th anniversary.”

Nwosu was married to his wife, Nneka. The marriage was blessed with children.

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OLANIPEKUN EMERGES 50TH CHAIR OF BODY OF BENCHERS

Leading litigator and senior lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN has emerged the new Chairman of the embattled Body of Benchers, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

Olanipekun assumed leadership of the august body following the completion of tour of duty by the immediate past chairman, retired Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour.

In an acceptance speech obtained by CITY LAWYER , Olanipekun said that “it will be an understatement to posit that I am humbled, honoured and ecstatic at the matchless and remarkable opportunity afforded me to lead and pilot the affairs of the Body of Benchers for the next one year, having been elected as the Vice-Chairman on 25th March, 2021.”

The fiery litigator noted that since November 27, 1971 when the body was inaugurated, “the transition to either the office of the Vice-Chairman or Chairman has always been smooth, seamless, straightforward, rancour-free and unwrinked,” adding that “Here, we do not mount the soap box or campaign for elections.”

Perhaps in a veiled reference to the controversy that has dogged the body over its alleged meddlesomeness in the affairs of one of its committees, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) leading to the resignation of its chairman and two other members, Olanipekun said: “Without being immodest, but for the sake of emphasis and record purposes, as well as the present exigencies, I have always given my all to the legal profession, whether as a practicing lawyer in court rooms across the length and breadth of the country; or as Secretary and later Chairman of a branch of the NBA; or as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the old Ondo State ….” He reeled out more positions held by him in the legal profession.

He pledged “to continue to give my all to the services of the Body of Benchers as Chairman for the next year and, in doing so, I will be calling upon you all for your cooperation, understanding, assistance, advice and counsel.”

Saying that the legal profession “is under aggression and attack, both from within and without,” Olanipekun stated that it behoves the members “to rejig, redefine and reorientate our profession in order to restore its cherished nobility and glory.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that leading oil and gas lawyer, Mr. Lucius Nwosu SAN had in a February 17, 2022 petition asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to restrain Olanipekun, himself a former NBA president, from bidding for the chairmanship of the Body of Benchers.

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BOMA ALABI, ANOTHER LPDC MEMBER RESIGNS

Another member of the troubled Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has resigned, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

In a resignation letter obtained by CITY LAWYER and dated March 29, 2022, Boma Ayomide Alabi SAN stated that she has resigned from the LPDC “effective immediately.”

Alabi said that she was “utterly dismayed” by the outcome of the November 22, 2021 meeting of the Body of Benchers where the body directed that the LPDC “suspends sitting” while a petition to the body was being “investigated.”

Saying that she awaited the outcome of the investigation initiated by the Body of Benchers, Alabi noted that a report was circulated at the last meeting of the body titled, “Report of the meeting of the Elders Committee held on the 25th of January 2022.”

Her words: “After some debate, the recommendations contained therein appear to have been adopted in totality, much to my consternation.”

She noted that the report recommended that “The matter before the LPDC should be terminated on the ground that no prima facie case has been made. If the complainant feels strongly about his claims, he should go to a formal court and pursue him (sic) claims.”

The former LPDC member stated that she “made enquiries with the LPDC Registry and confirmed that the Elders Committee did not request the case file in question from the Registry, neither did the Secretariat of this august Body.” Querying the mode of investigation done by the Body of Benchers, Alabi said: “It begs the question – does this mean that the Elders Committee, acting in an overtly appellate capacity in reviewing and rejecting the finding of a prima facie case by the LPDC, as set out in paragraph 5.3 of their report and quoted above, did so, without the benefit of a review of the casefile?”

Noting that the Elders Committee may have held that Section 12(7) of the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA) did not apply to the case it investigated, Alabi said: “I humbly and respectfully beg to dissent from the wisdom of the Elders on this occasion. Section 12(7) of the LPA provides, quite unambiguously, that appeals in respect of decisions of the LPDC can only be entertained by the Supreme Court.”

Alabi stated that the decision of the Body has compelled her to resign her position as LPDC member. The letter was addressed the “The Body of Benchers” and “Attention” to the chairman of the body, past chairmen, Life Benchers and Benchers.

It is recalled that CITY LAWYER had exclusively reported the resignation of Chief Ferdinand Orbih SAN as an LPDC member. This came on the heels of the resignation of the LPDC Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala SAN.

Other members of the committee are Daniel M. Tela (Secretary); Justice M. B. Dongban-Mensem; Ahmed Mustapha Goniri, Esq., Eyitayo Jegede, SAN; Ebenezer Obeya, Esq.; Justice Marshal Umokoro, Chief Judge of Delta State; Justice Hussein Mukhtar, Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Kaduna; Justice Rabi Umar, Chief Judge, Bauchi State; Uju Nwogu, Hon. Attorney General, Anambra State; Suleiman Usman, SAN, Hon. Attorney General, Sokoto State, and H. A. Turaki.

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SCANDAL ROCKS LPDC AS ANOTHER MEMBER QUITS

More crisis has rocked the embattled Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), an organ of the Body of Benchers, as another ranking member, Chief Ferdinand Orbih SAN has resigned from the august body.

In a resignation letter obtained by CITY LAWYER, Orbih stated that “My resignation stems from the events that took place at the meeting of the Body of Benchers on the 22nd November 2021, wherein, the Honourable Body assumed jurisdiction over the Petition of Lucius E. Nwosu SAN. Lucius Nwosu SAN in his Petition complained about the finding of the LPDC that a prima facie case had been made against him.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that the LPDC Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala SAN had sensationally resigned as Chairman of the LPDC, citing the same reason for his action.

Continuing, Orbih, the fiery Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP), said: “It is my humble view that by assuming jurisdiction over the said Petition, the Body of Benchers was in clear breach of Section 12 (7) of the Legal Practitioners Act, which provides that appeals in respect of decisions of the LPDC, can only be entertained by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Clearly, that section did not vest on the Body of Benchers, the power to seat as an appellate body over decisions of the LPDC.”

According to the respected senior lawyer, “The lawmaker gave the LPDC a great measure of independence because of the vital role it plays to ensure that the highest form of discipline is maintained amongst Legal Practitioners in Nigeria. That independence is obliterated when the Honourable Body brings the LPDC under its control and direction in clear violation of due process.”

“In the above circumstances, my continued membership of the LPDC has become untenable, as I can no longer in good conscience serve in that committee.

“I am therefore left with no other option, than to resign my membership of the LPDC. I am grateful to the Honourable Body of Benchers for the opportunity given to me, to be of service to the legal profession.”

Titled “NOTICE OF RESIGNATION AS MEMBER OF LEGAL PRACTITIONERS DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE” and addressed to the Secretary of the Body of Benchers, the letter was copied to the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, past Chairmen, Life Benchers and Honourable Benchers. Dated February 24, 2022 the resignation also became effective from yesterday.

It remains to be seen how this gale of resignations will affect the operations of the troubled Committee.

 

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EX BODY OF BENCHERS CHAIR, ABDULLAHI IBRAHIM IS DEAD

Foremost senior lawyer and former Chairman of Body of Benchers, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim SAN is dead. CITY LAWYER can authoritatively confirm that the leading lawyer died this afternoon.

Confirming the incident, a Partner in his law firm told CITY LAWYER thus: “He’s gone. He died this afternoon.” Alhaji Ibrahim is suspected to have died in Abuja from heart complications. A trending online post stated: “Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun the death of Abdullahi Ibrahim SAN has just been announced right now in Abuja from a heart ailment. May Allah swt forgive his indiscretions and grant him jannatul firdaus.” A former Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice in one of the South West states had also posted thus: “May Allah grant Alhaji Abdullahi Ibraheem, SAN aljannah fridaus. Ameen.”

Ibrahim was a Commissioner, International Boundary, National Boundary Commission from 2000 to 2006. He was a member of the Nigerian team that successfully negotiated the Maritime Boundary Treaty between Nigeria and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and also the Unitization Agreement of the Zafiro/Ekanga oil fields. He was Nigeria’s Agent and later Co-Agent in the dispute between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Cameroon at the International Court of Justice, the Hague Netherlands. He also led the Nigerian delegation to the United Nations conference on the establishment of the International Criminal Court.

Below is his biography as posted on his law firm’s website:

Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, CON, FCIArb, FINALS, SAN.

Our founding Partner; he was called to the English Bar in 1963 where he practised in chambers for a while before returning to Nigeria. He was later called to the Nigerian Bar in 1964. He was at different times legal adviser at the then Ministry of Finance, Northern Nigeria and New Nigeria Development Company; a one-time Senior State Counsel and head of prosecutions at the Ministry of Justice, Kano State; Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim has since 1973 remained in active private legal practice.

He was admitted into the Inner Bar as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) (equivalent of a QC in England) in 1982. He is a Notary Public, a Life member of the Body of Benchers and was the Body’s Vice Chairman and Chairman between 1999 and 2001. He was a member of the National Judicial Council (NJC) between 2004 and 2008; Chairman, Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee between 2001 and 2006 and also Chairman, Legal Aid Council from 1990 to 1994.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Nigeria (FCIArb) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (MCIArb), he is also a Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Nigeria (FINALS).

Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim served the nation at various times in several capacities as Commissioner for Education in the old Kwara State, Nigeria, Federal Minister of Education, Science and Technology; Minister of Transport and Aviation and as the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

He was a Commissioner, International Boundary, National Boundary Commission from 2000 to 2006. He was a member of the Nigerian team that successfully negotiated the Maritime Boundary Treaty between Nigeria and the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and also the Unitization Agreement of the Zafiro/Ekanga oil fields. He was Nigeria’s Agent and later Co-Agent in the dispute between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Cameroon at the International Court of Justice, the Hague Netherlands. Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim also led the Nigerian delegation to the United Nations conference on the establishment of the International Criminal Court.

In acknowledgement of his contribution to the Nation he was conferred with the National honour/Award of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) and later Commander of the Order of Niger (CON). He was also conferred with the honours/Award of Gran Cruz de la Orden de la independencia de Guinea Ecutorial by the Government of Equatorial Guinea for his service to the country and Nigeria.

Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim was Chairman Nigerian Stock Exchange, Kaduna Branch and as a member of the National Stock Exchange he was the first Vice President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1989. He was Chairman, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs from 1988 to 1994 and also Chairman of New Nigeria Development Company between 1992 and 1998.

Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim has acted as Amicus Curiae in several contentious matters before the Supreme Court of Nigeria. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of the Nigerian Law and legal System, he was conferred with an honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (LLD, Honoris Causa) by the University of Kogi, Nigeria in 2008.

Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim is a seasoned Arbitrator; he once sat and he is currently a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague, Netherlands. He has chaired and sat as a member of several Arbitration panels. He is very much interested in International law, Taxation/Revenue Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Investment Law and core litigation.

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BREAKING: BODY OF BENCHERS OKAYS NOUN GRADUATES FOR LAW SCHOOL

BY EMEKA NWADIOKE

Nigeria’s Body of Benchers has approved admission of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) graduates into the Nigerian Law School, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

The decision by the apex regulator of the legal profession in Nigeria was taken at its meeting held today.

There has been a cat-and-mouse tussle between the Benchers and the NOUN graduates, as the body had insisted that NOUN graduates did not meet the requirements for admission to the Law School.

Before now, all pleas to the Body of Benchers to resolve the impasse met a brickwall until today’s breakthrough.

More details shortly.

Guy Ikokwu Wants NBA Election Cancelled

Veteran politician and senior lawyer, Chief Guy Ikokwu has called for the cancellation of the controversial Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Election.

In a statement titled “TO BE FOREWARNED IS TO BE FOREARMED,” Ikokwu who has clocked 56 years at the Bar, stated that the election was “fraught with problems which had not been resolved even as at the date of the voting exercise.”

The vocal lawyer urged the Body of Benches to “fashion a more credible system for a new voting exercise for the BAR to regain its honour which is currently being subjected to unnecessary disdain and ignominy.”

Mr. Paul Usoro SAN was declared winner of the election while the defeated presidential candidates, Chief Arthur Obi Okafor SAN and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN poked holes in the exercise.

The statement reads:

20th August, 2018

TO BE FOREWARNED IS TO BE FOREARMED

We all know and realize that computer systems have always been faulted or manipulated if they are left unchecked. The usual saying in reference to computers is “Garbage in Garbage out”

In the United States today the issue of computer hacking is having monumental effect on the relations between America and Russia. In America itself there is a dysfunctional relationship between the Presidency and the Senate and the House of Representatives (Congress) which has been investigating the issue of hacking of the2016 USA elections by Russian Agents. Even in the United States they have both electronic and manual voting systems. Where there is a dispute, a losing candidate can request a recount of the votes cast manually to have an exact result not subject to further disputation.

The election result of the Premier Branch of Lagos with thousands of accredited lawyers have not been subjected to any dispute in the last 10 years, because of our system of accreditation, verification and voting at the same venue, same date, and same hours with representatives of the contestants and elected experienced supervisors of the exercise.

The system is such that eligible legal voters are not disenfranchised by any system unless the lawyer does not want to vote or is not available in person.

The last NBA election 2 years ago was also fraught with e-voting problems which led to a High Court pending litigation. This current election exercise was also fraught with problems which had not been resolved even as at the date of the voting exercise which is a real shame for the legal profession in Nigeria.

I saw the dangers ahead in this exercise and had to post a warning that the BAR must utilize a system that is full proof no matter who the contestants are. The current failed system has to be challenged effectively so that we can have a credible system which combines electronic and manual accreditation of voting no matter whose ox is gored.

The current National Executive should therefore suspend any further declaration through the current malfunctioning system which may have been systematically hacked for the endorsement of the National Conference holding in Abuja. The body of benchers can be entrusted to fashion a more credible system for a new voting exercise for the BAR to regain its honour which is currently being subjected to unnecessary disdain and ignominy.

The member of lawyers disenfranchised is far greater than the merging of votes between the contestants! It must be cancelled for a proper election machinery to be set up and salvage the reputation of Nigerian lawyers! I am not bordered about who wins but about the probity of the system, its transparency and lack of manipulation and inordinate disenfranchisement.

* Chief Ikokwu, a member of NBA Lagos Branch, was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1962