LAW SCHOOL 1995 CALL SET HAILS MALGWI, OKORO ON SAN RANK

The Nigerian Law School Call Set of 1995 (NLS1995) felicitates with and celebrates its esteemed members, Andrew Mwajim Malgwi SAN, Deputy Head of Chambers in the renowned Law Firm of Rickey Tarfa & Co. and Damian Ohakwe Okoro SAN, Managing Solicitor of the acclaimed law firm of D. O. Okoro & Associates, on their well deserved conferment with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). 

The new SANs with Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri SAN, Secretary of Board of Trustees, NLS 1995.

* The new SANs with Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri SAN, Secretary of Board of Trustees, NLS 1995

The Set is proud of their achievement and happy to be associated with them as our members. 

We wish the new Silks well in their new rank and we are confident that the elevation will spur them to further rededicate themselves to the service of humanity, the legal profession and our dear Association.

Once more, hearty Congratulations!!!

Signed

Eleleri Otahagwa Esq.

PRO/Organising Secretary, NLS 1995.

LAW SCHOOL 1995 SET MOURNS PROF. AKANBI

The Nigeria Law School 1995 Call Set has commiserated with the family of their classmate, Prof. Muhammed Mustapha-Akanbi SAN on the passing of the legal scholar.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the Class President, Cordelia Uwuma Eke, described Akanbi as “one of the founding members of the Nigeria Law School 1995 Call Set. He was popularly called MM by many of his class mates.”

Continuing, Eke who is also the Secretary to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Electoral Reform Committee, stated that the law teacher and former Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University (KWASU) “will be remembered for his humility, gentle disposition, smooth and cordial relationship with his Call mates, commitment to the Association and much more.”

Concluding, Eke declared that Akanbi “was indeed an Achiever and will be greatly missed by us,” adding: “We condole with his family, relatives and close associates, and pray God to grant his soul eternal rest.”

In a flyer sighted by CITY LAWYER, the Class had stated that “The Nigerian Law School 1995 Call Set (NLS 1995) mourns the sad and painful demise of its very noble and distinguished member, Prof. Muhammed Mustapha-Akanbi SAN, on Sunday, 20th November, 2022. Until his death, Prof. was the Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University. His remains will be laid to rest according to Muslim rites.” Akabi was interred last Monday in Ilorin, Kwara State.

He served as a Legal Assistant in the Legal Unit of the Central Bank of Nigeria in Lagos. He practiced in the Law Firms of Wole Bamgbala & Co, Lagos, Olawoyin and Olawoyin, Lagos and Ayodele, ‘Gafar & Co, Ilorin between 1996 and 1998.

In 1998, Akanbi proceeded to the University of Lagos, Akoka where he bagged a Masters Degree in Law (LLM) and obtained a Doctorate Degree in Law (Ph.D.) from the King’s College, University, London in 2006.

In August 1998, Akanbi joined the service of University of Ilorin as the Lecturer 2 in the Department of Business Law at the University’s Faculty of Law. In his over two decades career period at the University Prof. Akanbi held several administrative positions, chief of which were; Sub-Dean, Head of Business Law Department, Postgraduate Representative, Senate Member, Dean of Law, Deputy Director of the Centre for Research Development and In-House Training (CREDIT) and Director, School of Preliminary Studies, Fufu Campus, University of Ilorin, he rose through the ranks and was appointed a Professor of Law in the Department of Business Law in October, 2012.

Akanbi also served as the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch between 2007 and 2009. He was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2018.

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GADZAMA PENS FOREWORD TO LAWYERS’ COMPANION

FEATURED

PRECEDENTS DRAFTS AND FORMS FOR LAWYERS: “I FEEL PRIVILEGED AND HONOURED TO HAVE WRITTEN THE FOREWORD OF THE TEXT WHICH I BELIEVE SHOULD BE EVERY LAWYER’S COMPANION…” – CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA, SAN

Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN recently congratulated foremost Nigerian Law School Lecturer, Dr. Oluwafemi Emmanuel Olowononi and his counterpart, Dr. Akin Olawale Oluwadayisi, an astute Lecturer in Faculty of Law, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, for the successful publication of their Text: Precedents Drafts and Forms for Lawyers.

Chief Gadzama, SAN lauded the authors for providing legal precedents and drafts befitting of the modern practice of law in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. In his words, ‘the Text is a masterpiece that could not have been published at a better time.’

Furthermore, Gadzama, SAN expressed his immersed delight at writing the Foreword of the Text. He remarked, “I feel privileged and honoured to have written the Foreword of the Text which I believe should be every lawyer’s companion and I recommend it to every legal library in firms, institutions and legal departments.”

While presenting a copy of the Text to Chief Gadzama, SAN, Dr. Emmanuel O. Olowononi thanked him for accepting to write the Foreword in the Text, describing the learned silk as a Father and Mentor every young lawyer aspires to be like.

The Text is a collection of legal drafts designed to assist lawyers in the art of drafting court processes, applications, written addresses, writing of briefs, filing of forms, and legal opinion writing. The Text presents virtually all forms of drafts a legal practitioner may come across while engaged in litigation, corporate and property practice and general solicitor’s work.

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LAW SCHOOL CLASS ’86, NBA OWERRI HOST GADZAMA

FEATURED

FRIENDS OF CHIEF JOE KYARI GADZAMA, SAN HOST THE MONTHLY MEETING OF THE NBA OWERRI BRANCH, THE HEARTLAND BAR.

At the beautiful city of Owerri, Imo State, members of the NBA Owerri branch, the Heartland Bar gathered at the NBA House Owerri for their monthly meeting ably hosted by the friends of Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, which was described by many in attendance as the second coming of the man they fondly called J-K Gadzama in a short period.

At the meeting of the branch, members in attendance deliberated on the business of the day as it affects the branch within the State and metropolis of Owerri.

The friends of Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama, SAN, who was ably represented by Chief Prince Chukwudi Oli, the Director-General of Vox Populi and other great bar men of the Owerri branch including Victor Nwogu, Esq., Mr Ezeala Esq. and Mr Nwakaeti Esq., lighted up the venue of the meeting with an appearance of sort to add to the creme de la creme of personalities of the Heartland Bar.

During the deliberations of the meeting, members were greeted to the Goodwill messages from the friends of Chief J-K Gadzama SAN which they received with interest and rapt attention as if they were listening to the voice of Chief J-K Gadzama, SAN in person.

At the end of the branch meeting, members were treated to a variety of delectable meals ranging from local delicacies to varieties of continental dishes. As part of fun at the event, members danced to the tune of different musical tones and had a lot to drink to the satisfaction of the members who stayed till the very end of the occasion.

Members gave their different testaments to the true character and personality of the learned Silk, Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama SAN whose array of personalities was a projection of his social capital.

Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama SAN is a consummate and quintessential Bar Man and a true Nigerian. He holds the traditional title of “Okwuluora of Ukpo” which means the mouthpiece of the people in Igbo language, which is a honour well deserved.

Also in attendance at the meeting of the heartland bar were revered members and elders of the bar such as Messers’ Onochie Onwuegbuna Esq., Principal Partner ( Zeran Legal), M. O. Nlemedum Esq, and Soronnadi Njoku, both former Attorneys General of Imo State, and other very senior lawyers. In attendance equally are Chief C.U. Ekomaru and J.C. Uwazuronye both of whom spoke glowingly of the person of Chief J-K Gadzama SAN.

Others in attendance at the meeting were the Chairpersons of FIDA Owerri branch and Young Lawyers Forum (YLF), Owerri branch.

CLASS OF 86 FRIENDS OF CHIEF JOE KYARI GADZAMA, SAN HOST THE MONTHLY MEETING OF THE NBA OWERRI BRANCH, THE HEARTLAND BAR.

At the beautiful city of Owerri, Imo State, members of the NBA Owerri branch, the Heartland Bar gathered at the NBA House Owerri for their monthly meeting ably hosted by the friends of Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, which was described by many in attendance as the second coming of the man they fondly called J-K Gadzama in a short period.

At the meeting of the branch, members in attendance deliberated on the business of the day as it affects the branch within the State and metropolis of Owerri.

The friends of Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama, SAN, who was ably represented by Chief Prince Chukwudi Oli, the Director-General of Vox Populi and other great bar men of the Owerri branch including Victor Nwogu, Esq., Mr. Chukwuma Ezeala Esq. and Mr Lawrence Nwakaeti Esq., lighted up the venue of the meeting with an appearance of sort to add to the creme de la creme of personalities of the Heartland Bar.

The class of 1986 of the Nigerian Law School, friends of Chief J-K Gadzama of the heartland bar include: Leslie Njemanze, Esq., A.C.Mezu., Esq., Charles Onyeagbako., Esq., E.C.Mere., Esq., Emeka Ibeziako., Esq., Don Oweregbulam., Esq., Obi Anyanwu., Esq. Malachy Nadu., Esq., Chinedu Shuts., Esq., C.J.Ihemedu., Esq., Julius Onyenucheya., Esq., M.O. Over., Esq., and M.R.Udom., Esq.

During the deliberations of the meeting, members were greeted to the Goodwill messages from the friends of Chief J-K Gadzama SAN which they received with interest and rapt attention as if they were listening to the voice of Chief J-K Gadzama, SAN in person.

At the end of the branch meeting, members were treated to a variety of delectable meals ranging from local delicacies to varieties of continental dishes. As part of fun at the event, members danced to the tune of different musical tones and had a lot to drink to the satisfaction of the members who stayed till the very end of the occasion.

Members gave their different testaments to the true character and personality of the learned Silk, Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama SAN whose array of personalities was a projection of his social capital.

Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama SAN is a consummate and quintessential Bar Man and a true Nigerian. He holds the traditional title of “Okwuluora of Ukpo” which means the mouthpiece of the people in Igbo language, which is a honour well deserved.

Also in attendance at the meeting of the heartland bar were revered members and elders of the bar such as Messers’ Onochie Onwuegbuna Esq., Principal Partner ( Zeran Legal), M. O. Nlemedum Esq., Former Attorney General of Imo State, Serennadi Njoku SAN., Chukwuma Ekomaru SAN., Eze Duru Ihuoma SAN., Emeka Nwagwu SAN., Njamanze SAN., Mr Uwazuruonye Esq ( Former Resident Electoral Commissioner)., Some of whom are members of the NLS Class of 1986 and avid members of the Heartland Bar.
Others in attendance at the meeting were the Chairpersons of FIDA Owerri branch and Young Lawyers Forum (YLF), Owerri branch.

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GADZAMA LLP HOLDS ANNUAL MOCK TRIAL FOR LAW SCHOOL EXTERNS

The J-K Gadzama LLP has held its annual mock trial for Nigerian Law School externs. The event held at the Justice Niki Tobi, CON (RTD) Moot Court, J-K Gadzama Court.

A statement on the annual showpiece reads:

On Wednesday, May 25, 2022, J-K Gadzama LLP held its annual mock trial for Externs from the Nigerian Law school at the Justice Niki Tobi, CON (RTD) Moot Court, J-K Gadzama Court.

The annual mock trial has been a long standing tradition of the firm. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the firm was unable to hold this event in 2020 and 2021. Indeed, the firm was thrilled that the event took place and was a success this year.

While the annual mock trial for externs from the Nigerian Law School did not hold last year, the firm organized a mock trial for selected faculties of law from universities in Nigeria in honor of Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN during his weeklong 60th birthday celebration. The participating universities were Nile University, Baze University and Nasarawa State University. The mock trial which was successfully conducted was presided over by Hon. Justice A.I Kutigi.

As part of the firm’s contribution to the training of aspirants to the Nigerian Bar and in line with the principal partner’s vision of developing and mentoring young lawyers, the externs were made to participate in the make-believe court session in various capacities. Christian Elozona Nzekwe and Vivian Okadigbo acted as counsel to the prosecution, Asma’u Buba Mustapha, Wisdom Obioma, Victor Esifa Okon, Naankiel Esther Dati, Sadiq Ibrahim Mohammed, Saki Abdulmuizz Amoto, andUdueze Micheal Nnamdi, acted as counsel to the defendants while Bawa Dakingari Ahmed Rufa’i, Akintola Oluwapelumi Deborah, acted as witnesses in the trial and Osademwingie Nosa Obaizamomwan played the part of the defendant. The mock trial was presided over by Mr. Jerry Ombugadu Musa, a Junior Partner at J-K Gadzama LLP.

Eminent guests who were in attendance at the mock trial include: Professor Ernest Ojukwu, SAN, former DDG, Nigerian Law school, (Enugu Campus) and the President of the Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI), Mr. Mohammed Monguno, former Attorney-General of Borno state and Mr. Sam Osamolu, Director for Academics, Nigerian Law School (Headquarters).

The event also witnessed the presence of the Founding Principal Partner of the firm, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN as he attended this mock trial in person. The Managing Partner, Mr. Francis Oronsaye, Miss Rashidat Banke Obamojure, Mr. Mark Chidi Agbo and a host of others who contributed to the success of the event were also at the event.

The externs were commended by Mr. Sam Osamolu, the Director for Academics, Nigerian Law School (headquarters) for a job well done. He expressed his gratitude to the principal partner and the firm at large for organizing the mock trial year after year. He noted that the mock trial plays a relevant role in advancing the legal profession in Nigeria and urged the firm to keep up the good work.

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KAYODE BELLO’S PETITION: ‘MY HANDS ARE CLEAN,’ SAYS MAIKYAU

One of the leading aspirants for the post of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Presidency, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN has said that he is not guilty of any misconduct as alleged by embattled Bar aspirant, Mr. Kayode Bello.

Though Maikyau is yet to respond to the current petition by Bello urging the Electoral Committee of the NBA to bar him from participating in the poll for alleged disobedience of court order among others, an earlier response by Maikyau obtained by CITY LAWYER showed that the fiery litigator had denied any misconduct.

In a detailed response to two petitions by Bello dated 13th April, 2018 and 18th May, 2018 urging the Disciplinary Committee of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) to among others withdraw the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria from the prominent lawyer, Maikyau had urged “that the petition be dismissed as lacking merit and a mere calculated attempt to smear my reputation as a member of the Inner Bar.”

Addressed to the secretary of the Disciplinary Committee Patricia Orhomuru, Maikyau traced the genesis of his firm’s representation of the Council of Legal Education (CLE) to 2016. He said that it was not until 2017 that Bello’s file was handed to his firm following his filing of a lawsuit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/717/2017 against the Council of Legal Education and the Inspector General of Police. He wrote: “Thus, when the suit which gave rise to these petitions was filed by Kayode Bello, it was forwarded to us and we immediately took steps to put up representation on behalf of the CLE.”

He stated that the facts leading to the institution of the lawsuit by Bello took place on March 15, 2017 when the petitioner had an altercation with a female Nigerian Law School student over a preferred seat in the lecture hall, adding that “All entreaties by the Auditorium Marshall and Chairman of the Students’ Representative Council for the Petitioner to give up the seat for the initial occupant fell on deaf ears.”

Continuing, Maikyau stated that “Consequently, the CLE issued a query to the Petitioner dated 15th March, 2017. Rather than respond to the query, the Petitioner made allegations against the Staff and threatened in a letter dated 16th March, 2017, to petition the SDA to the CLE to the Public Complaints Commission.”

According to Maikyau, “The Petitioner also petitioned the Head, Control Room to the SDA to the CLE, which petition was widely circulated on the Nigerian Law School, Abuja campus by the Petitioner. The Petitioner thereafter, paraded himself on the campus with T-shirts bearing inciting inscriptions such as “Onadeko Must Go”. This resulted in other queries to the Petitioner.

He stated that while the Students’ Representative Council issued a disclaimer and dissociated itself from the conduct of the Petitioner, Bello was duly invited to defend himself before the Students’ Misconducts Committee. “Premised on the above queries and invitation, all of which the Petitioner refused to respond to, the CLE took a decision to evict the Petitioner from the Students’ hostel in order to avoid further breach of peace by him (the Petitioner),” wrote Maikyau. “The letter requesting the Petitioner to vacate the Hostel and attend lectures from outside the School dated 21st March, 2017 is attached as Annexure 12. Owing to the Petitioner’s unrepentant conduct, the CLE took the decision to expel the Petitioner from the Nigerian Law School by a letter dated 17th July, 2017.” He noted that the Petitioner commenced the lawsuit, apparently aggrieved by his expulsion from the school.

Tracing the history of the lawsuit and the aborted settlement between the parties in his response dated March 14, 2019, Maikyau concluded: “The foregoing are the facts and circumstances of our encounter thus far as an office with the Petitioner. I, as counsel and indeed the lawyers in my Firm in the execution of our instruction, deny conducting ourselves in any way or manner to frustrate the admonition by the Court to pursue an out of Court settlement. My colleagues and I have with all due respect, conducted ourselves with the highest level of professionalism and deference for the ethics of our noble profession. I have not in any way scuttled the reconciliation process in the above-named case and neither did I abuse the privilege conferred on me as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. On the contrary, I have striven to uphold the dignity of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria by insisting on due observance of our Rules of Professional Conduct which behoove Counsel to show respect while dealing with colleagues. We offered professional advice to the CLE and the decision not to settle this matter out of Court was entirely that of the CLE. As would be seen in the petitions and in the proceedings of Court (Annexure 32), I have had no personal interactions with the Petitioner in the course of this matter.”

Maikyau then urged the Disciplinary Committee to dismiss the petitions “as lacking in merit” and a plot to smear his reputation as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

It was unclear at press time whether Bello’s latest petition has been delivered to Maikyau for his response, even as the ECNBA has assured that the petition would be decided on its merit.

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NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL PORT HARCOURT GETS DDG

The Council of Legal Education (CLE), the proprietor of the Nigeria Law School, has appointed a Deputy Director-General (DDG) to head its newly created campus at Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The new appointee is Mr.  Chinonso Uzodinma  Mmuozoba, a renowned author, teacher and current Director of Academics at Bwari campus of the institution.

CITY LAWYER gathered that the Council at its recent meeting presided over by its Chairman and respected Bar Leader, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) “unanimously approved the recommendation of Prof.  Isa Chiroma led management that Mr. Mmuozoba be appointed as a DDG and posted to Graham Douglas campus.”

The multi-billion naira Port Harcourt campus with state-of-the-art facilities is named after late Dr. Nabo Graham Douglas (SAN) and is being constructed by Rivers State Government under the leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike, a Life Bencher. The commissioning of the campus is projected to hold in June.

CITY LAWYER gathered that construction work at the campus is ongoing on a 24-hourly basis and has reached advanced stage. When commissioned, about 1500 Bar Part II students for the 2022/2023 academic session  would be posted to the brand new campus.

Mmuozoba, reputed as a Bar-man par excellence, was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1995. He was a member of the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Awka Branch. He joined the Nigeria Law School in 2001 and has held the positions of Director and Head of Academics, Dr. Augustine Nnamani Campus, Enugu as well as Head, Department of Civil Litigation, Professional Ethics & Legal Skills, Corporate Law Practice respectively.

The erudite law teacher popularly called ‘Onyenkuzi Mmuozoba’ is married with children.

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VACANCIES IN A LAGOS LAW FIRM

A reputable law firm based in Surulere, Lagos requires urgently the services of:

1) LEGAL PRACTITIONER with minimum 5 (five) years post-call experience.

The ideal candidate must have 2:1 grade at the Nigerian Law School or University, possess core litigation experience, and should be able to work without supervision.

2) LITIGATION ASSISTANT

 

The salary is competitive and in accordance with industry standards.

Interested candidates should email legaljobs77@gmail.com.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

BREAKING: BUHARI REAPPOINTS CHIROMA AS LAW SCHOOL DG

President Muhammadu Buhari has reappointed Prof. Isa Chiroma SAN as the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School for another term of four years effective January 10, 2022.

CITY LAWYER gathered that news of Chiroma’s reappointment was broken to members of the Council of Legal Education (CLE) by its Chairman, Chief Emeka Ngige SAN at the council’s extraordinary quarterly virtual meeting last Tuesday.

A source at the meeting told CITY LAWYER that Ngige congratulated the renowned scholar on his reappointment, urging him to use his second tenure to consolidate on his achievements and take the Nigerian Law School to the next level of development. Members of the council then took turns to congratulate Chiroma while praying for his success.

It is recalled that Chiroma was in 2017 appointed by Buhari for an initial four-year term, replacing former Director-General, Mr. Olanrewaju Onadeko SAN following his retirement. He is a Professor of Law and was until his initial appointment the Deputy Director in-charge of the Yola Campus of the Nigerian Law School.

The respected jurist was born on 13th April, 1963 in Mubi, Mubi North Local Government of Adamawa State. He attended Mubi I Primary School from 1970-1976, Government Secondary School/Government Technical School, Mubi from 1976-1981. He holds LL.B. (Hons.) Degree, Second Class (Upper) from University of Maiduguri (1986), LL.M. (1991) and Ph.D. in Law (2005) from University of Jos.

Chiroma was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in March 1988 and joined the Faculty of Law, University of Maiduguri same year as Assistant Lecturer. He rose through the ranks to the rank of a Professor of Law in 2005. He was at various times Head of the Department of Shari’ah, Public Law, Deputy Dean, Dean of Law and Director, Consultancy Services Centre, University of Maiduguri. He was the Founder and Coordinator, Clinical Legal Education Programme as well as member of the University Senate and various standing and ad hoc committees at various times.

While in the university, he taught Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Islamic Jurisprudence, and Islamic Family Law at the undergraduate level. He also taught Human Rights, Environmental Law and Policy and Humanitarian Law at the postgraduate level. He has supervised a substantial number of Masters and PhD candidates. His research interest includes Human Rights, Humanitarian Law, Environmental Law and Policy, Access to Justice, Ethics in the teaching and practice of Law and Law and Development.

Chiroma is a member of many professional bodies including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Bar Association (IBA), African Law Association of Germany, Society for Corporate Governance, Global Alliance for Justice Education (GAJE), and Nigerian Institute of Mediators and Conciliators. He is a Fellow of the Institute Management Consultants and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is also a Notary Public.
Chiroma has attended several trainings and conferences including Intensive Training Course on Environmental Law and Policy organized by Centre for Environmental Management and Planning held at Aberdeen, Scotland (1997); The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Training Programme in Environmental Law and Policy held at the United Nations Environment Programme Headquarters, Nairobi, Kenya (1997); the University of IOWA WiderNet Project (Technician Training Workshop) for National Universities Commission, organized by the University of IOWA WiderNet Project, Abuja (2001); First African Clinical Law Teachers Training Workshop organized by University of Kwazulu-Natal, Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) and Open Society Institute (2004); Workshop on Management and Leadership Development for Good Governance of Nigerian Universities (2006); Third African Clinical Legal Education Teacher Training Workshop organized by University of Kwazulu-Natal and Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), held at Durban South Africa from 20th -24th November 2006.

Others are the 1st All African Clinician Round Table held in Cape Town, South Africa (2007); Conference on Human Rights organized by the Danish Institute of Human Rights in Rwanda; Commonwealth Legal Education Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, (2007); World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Regional Workshop on Intellectual Property and Technology Management for Universities, organized by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in collaboration with National Office of Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) and Federal Ministry of Science and Technology of Nigeria, held at (2008); All African Course on International Humanitarian Law (IHL), organized by International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Pretoria, and Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria (2009); Certificate Course in Basic MS Office 2010 Application and Internet Productivity Tool organized by the African Centre for ICT Innovation and Training, American University of Nigeria (AUN), 2013 and Certificate Course in Research Paper Writing, organized by the African Centre for ICT Innovation and Training, American University of Nigeria (AUN), 2014.

He also attended a Certificate Course in IPad Basics organized by the African Centre for ICT Innovation and Training, American University of Nigeria (AUN), December 2014; Legal Writing Course (Learned Writing) organized by the Write House (Legal Writing Consultants & Trainers), 2015; Executive Certificate in Information Management (Information Project Management, Computer Application for Managers and Executives, System Dynamics, Internet and E-Commerce organized by the African Centre for ICT Innovation and Training, American University of Nigeria (AUN), 2015; Global Alliance for Justice Education (GAJE) Conferences and Trainings in India, Philippines and Turkey.

Chiroma is a member of Editorial Boards of many peer review academic journals and has served on accreditation teams of both National Universities Commission (NUC) and Council of Legal Education (CLE) to many universities. He has also served as External Examiner and Professorial Assessor to many Universities within and outside Nigeria. He has published widely; he is a co-author of Handbook on Prison Pre-Trial Detainee Law Clinic; a contributor of “Islam, Islamic Law and Human Rights in the Nigerian Context” in Islam and Human Rights, published by Peter Lang, Frankfurt, Germany, and “Making Justice Available to the Poor through Development Cooperation: A Case Study of University of Maiduguri Law Clinic,” published in Administration of Justice in Africa: Effectiveness, Acceptance and Assistance by Rudger Koppe Verlag Koln, Deutschland; Human Rights under the Military Rule in Nigeria, published in the Review of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights by the African Society of International and Comparative Law among others.

In addition to his teaching and scholarly activities, he served as a Legal Consultant to the Federal Ministry of Environment on Integrated Ecosystems Management Project in the Trans-boundary Area between Nigeria and Niger Republic (Legislation); United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Environmental Law and Policy; Legal Research and Resource Development Centre (LRRDC) on Reproductive Health and Rights; National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Review of NAFDAC Laws on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Products Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2010, and Consultant to the Nigerian Law School on Legal Education Capacity Building Projects (IT Infrastructure Standards Assessment of the Campuses). He was a member of Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy from 2005-2009; Member, Council of Legal Education; Member, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), and Member, Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee for the Selection of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from academics. He was a member of Committee for the review of Legal Education in Nigeria, Commonwealth Legal Education Representative in Nigeria, and member of Vision 20: 2020. He is currently a Member of the Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Mubi.

Chiroma was the founding Deputy Director-General and Head of Yola Campus of the Nigerian Law School from 2011-2016. He is happily married with children.

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OSINBAJO TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT CLASS ’91 REUNION

The Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN will deliver the Keynote Address at the reunion and 30th anniversary of the Nigerian Law School Class of 1991.

A press release made available to CITY LAWYER by Mrs. Joyce Oduah, General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Chairlady of the Publicity and Mobilisation Sub-committee, noted that Osinbajo “has confirmed his attendance at the Class of 91 Reunion,” adding that the event will hold on December 10, 2021 at the Nigerian Airforce Mess, Kado District, Abuja.

Below is the full text of the statement.

PROF YEMI OSINBAJO TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL CLASS OF 91 30TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION

The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof Yemi Osinbajo has confirmed his attendance at the Class of 91 Reunion. Prof Osinbajo is to deliver the Keynote Address and declare the 30th Anniversary celebration open.

The event details are as follows;

Date: 10th of December, 2021
Time: 10 am
Venue: Nigerian Airforce Mess, Kado District, Abuja

Joyce Oduah, FICMC
Chairlady Publicity and Mobilisation Subcommittee.

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SENATORS, NBA, NGIGE, FALANA DISAGREE ON NEW LAW SCHOOL CAMPUSES

The Council for Legal Education, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Body of Benchers and some Senators have rejected a proposal by the Senate to create additional six Nigerian Law School campuses in the country.

They made their views known during a public hearing on a bill that seeks to establish one campus of the school in each geopolitical zone of the country organised by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, in Abuja.

The Bill titled: “Legal Education (Consolidated etc, Amendment) Bill 2021,” was sponsored by Senator Smart Adeyemi, representing Kogi West.

The Senators that opposed the Bill were Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West) and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West).

However, Senators that supported the Bill include Smart Adeyemi, Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti South) and Kashim Shettima (Borno Central).

They argued that the establishment of the proposed six law schools will greatly enhance access to legal education in the country.

While Ekweremadu warned against any attempt to politicise the establishment of Law School campuses in Nigeria, Dickson urged his colleagues to tread cautiously.

Ekweremadu said: “The establishment of new campuses or Law Schools should be left at the discretion of the Council for Legal Education that is empowered by the Act that established it in 1962”.

On his part, NBA President Olumide Akpata (SAN) said the move was unnecessary as the existing six campuses of the school were grossly underfunded before the intervention of the Rivers State Government that built a well-equipped campus in Port Harcourt.

“With required infrastructure, the existing law schools across the country are enough to accommodate thousands of law students graduating from the various universities.

The Chairman of the Council for Legal Education, Emeka Ngige SAN, said the council is 100 per cent opposed to the move to create the six additional law schools.

Ngige said the position of the Council was informed by the deplorable condition of most of the existing ones due to gross underfunding.

“For instance, the deplorable condition in which students at the Yenagoa law campus are studying is worse than what prisoners in Ikoyi Prison are experiencing,” Ngige said.

He told the lawmakers that they will shed tears if they visit some of the existing campuses and see the deplorable conditions in which students and lecturers are living.

“The move by the Senate through this bill is more or less subtle usurpation of the functions of the Council for Legal Education.

“Any need for establishment of a new law school campus, is by law, to be routed through the Council for Legal Education as exemplified by the Rivers Model,” he stressed.

But activist-lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, supported the establishment of additional six law school campuses in all the geopolitical zones.

THE NATION reports Falana as saying: “It is important to clarify certain facts: the Council for Legal Education Act, was enacted in 1962 for the creation of one law school.

“Nowhere in the Act was it provided that we are going to have a multi-campus institution; it is important for our colleagues to realise that in 1999, we had six batches of students who had no place to go, they contacted me and I had to go to court.

“The law building of the law school in Lagos had already been sold to a businessman who wanted to turn it into a hotel when the school moved to Abuja.

“It was only one campus not until I went to court and we got an injunction restraining the government from selling the law school in Lagos.”

Copyright 2020 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

LAW SCHOOL: WIKE TAKES NGIGE ON TOUR OF P/H CAMPUS

Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike recently led the Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) on a guided tour of the Graham Douglas Campus of Nigerian Law School being constructed by the Rivers State Government. Chief Ngige was accompanied by the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Chiroma, SAN.

Below are photos from the inspection tour.

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GLITZ, GLAMOUR AND NAIRA RAIN, AS NGIGE TURNS 60

The Chairman of Council of Legal Education (CLE), Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN recently celebrated his 60th birthday anniversary. Organised by his Committee of Friends led by Mr. Chijioke Okoli SAN, he used the occasion to launch his pet project, the “Nigerian Law School Support Initiative” aimed to revamp the decaying infrastructure at the Nigerian Law School. The event turned out a naira rain for the initiative, even as Ngige encouraged more donors to commit to the project by paying into the “Council of Legal Education” account on REMITA platform.

CITY LAWYER recalls that among those who felicitated with Ngige, fondly called IKEMBA n’ALOR, were President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim T. Muhammad; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; Attorney-General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN and many of Ngige’s classmates and alumni associations.

The colourful ceremony which was heralded by a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba was witnessed by the cream of Nigeria’s political class and Bar and Bench. Below are some of the faces at the events.

 

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.

NGIGE, AJIBADE, LAW SCHOOL DIRECTOR X-RAY ALUMNI IMPACT ON LEGAL PROFESSION, YOUNG LAWYERS

Top Bar leaders will on Saturday discuss the role of alumni networks on the legal profession.

Organised by the Nigerian Law School Class of 1989, an accredited NBA CLE Service Provider, the virtual conference is part of a series of webinars designed to highlight trends in continuing legal education, mentorship for young lawyers and the role of alumni in catalyzing growth in the legal industry.

The theme of the conference which holds at 2 pm is “NLS Alumni Networks and the Development of the Legal Profession.”

Listed as one of the discussants is prominent Bar Leader and Chairman of Council of Legal Education (CLE), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN). Another key discussant is leading Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential candidate, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade (SAN).

Other panelists are Mrs. Elizabeth Max-Uba, Secretary of Council of Legal Education & Director of Administration, Nigerian Law School and Mr. AbdulHakeem Mustapha (SAN), Principal Partner in A.U. Mustapha [SAN] & Co. He was Chairman of the Audit Committee of FINBANK PLC and is currently the President of the Business School Netherlands Alumni Association, Nigeria.

The conference will be moderated by Chief Osuala E. Nwagbara, General Secretary of the Class of 1989 and Managing Partner at Maritime and Commercial Law Partners.

According to a statement by top justice sector consultant and the Chief Editor of LEGALPEDIA, Mr. Emeka Albert, “the third in a series of webinars aimed at opening up vital conversations among lawyers on mentoring, CLE and support to the Nigerian Law School. Dr. Ajibade, being a strong supporter of the cause of our Class, is expected to provide uncommon insights on the subject consistent with his experience and track record.” Albert also doubles as the Chairman of the Nigerian Law School Class of 1989.

The class has recently held webinars on “Online Continuing Legal Education (e-CLE) in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond: Challenges, Benefits and Prospects” and “e-Mentoring for young lawyers: A paradigm shift.”

Prospective participants are required to register for the free virtual conference at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ocOCqqjotHdZDEe3ITruE-8nn59KWDEDG. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Ajibade has gained renown as a cerebral lawyer and leading facilitator of continuing legal education in the legal industry. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in December 1989 and elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in December 2007. He obtained a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1988. He obtained a Master of Laws degree in Corporate and Commercial Law from King’s College, University of London in 1990 and a Doctorate Degree in Private International Law from the same university in 1996.

Ajibade is a Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London, an International Practice Fellow of the International Bar Association (IBA) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom. He combines the roles of advocate, a corporate/commercial solicitor, an administrator and a reformer and is reputed to have excelled in each of these areas.

The Nigerian Law School Class of 1989 donated an e-platform to its alma mater as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations. The facility is aimed to support quality training and retraining of Law School students and young lawyers. The electronic platform is reputed as a first in Africa aimed at transforming legal education and legal practice.

Copyright 2020 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL DEBUNKS ALLEGED N70M SCAM

BY EMEKA NWADIOKE

* SAYS: ‘WE HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE’

The Nigerian Law School has described as misleading, the report that it approved the payment of N32 million to an unnamed cleaner over a period of 12 months. The school also denied giving out an alleged N36 million as a dressing allowance to an individual against Nigeria’s extant laws.

Secretary of the Council and Director of Administration, E. Max-Uba, said in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday that the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Isa Hayatu-Chiroma, (SAN), was wrongly quoted when he appeared at a public hearing.

The public hearing was conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts (SPAC), in connection with the annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation on the Accounts of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for the year ended December 31, 2015.

NLS STATEMENT

The institution admitted that queries were raised from the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation with regard to the payment of N36 million as dressing allowance and N32 million as payment to an unnamed cleaner over a 12-month period. It also said explanations were given on how the funds were spent without violation of extant laws.

It said: “The payments of N401,000 (Four Hundred and One Thousand Naira), N413,600 (Four Hundred and Thirteen Thousand Naira ) respectively were travelling expenses of the Nigerian Law School Pension Board of Trustee (BOT) members to visit the Chairman of the pensioners association who was terminally ill. N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) was the benefit for the next of kin of the deceased Chairman of the pensioners association.The institution said traditionally there is a dress code for its staff and students as part of its work ethics.”

On the allegation that sum of N34,330,500 (Thirty Four Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand Five Hundred Hundred Naira) was at several times paid to members of staff as provision and cleaning allowance, the school sadi: “The payments were not personnel cost and so did not require the approval of NSIWC. These were overhead cost items for telephone bills, toiletries, cleaning and related items. The payments were on mandates into individual bank
accounts of staff and not to a single person. The documents evidencing these payments are still available.”

“ln furtherance of this tradition, the council approved a scheme and condition of service on March 10, 2009, that provides in part, the payment of 10 per cent dressing allowance to its staff. The payments were made into the individual bank accounts of staff and not a single person as erroneously reported.”

She assured Nigerians that there was no fraud in the Nigerian Law School and also that the school would appear before the Senate this week to make further explanations on other queries.

Copyright 2020 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

BREAKING: Tension Rocks Law School over Blasphemy Claims

There is tension in the Lagos campus of the Nigerian Law School as one of the Christian students, Madu Vitrus Sunday, sent alleged blasphemous posts in several WhatsApp groups within the campus on Sunday. Continue Reading