OSINBAJO, AKPATA, AFE BABALOLA SEEK LEGAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM OVERHAUL

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Nigerian Bar Association President, Mr. Olumide Akpata and founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, have canvassed an overhaul of the curriculum for legal education to reflect contemporary reality.

The legal giants and senior advocates identified an obsolete curriculum as one of the biggest challenges confronting the development of legal education in Nigeria.

Osinbajo and Babalola spoke during the 2022 Legal Education Summit organised by the Nigerian Bar Association in collaboration with ABUAD with the theme, ‘Reimagining legal education in Nigeria’ holding at ABUAD. While Babalola spoke in Ado Ekiti, the vice president addressed the gathering through virtual mode.

Osinbajo, who said the Nigerian law schools were producing lawyers who could not measure up to contemporary benchmarks and the global best practices in the legal profession, said that a well-articulated review of the obsolete curriculum would ensure the Nigerian Law graduates acquired qualitative legal education and compete favorably with their contemporaries.

He stressed the need for law graduates to be subjected to intense practical training rather than theoretical aspects with a view to exposing them to the mastery of intricacies of the legal profession.

In the keynote address, Babalola, who said the proliferation of law school campuses would not solve the problem of access to legal education, said, “It is common knowledge today that there is not a single one of all the existing law school campuses in the country that has modern equipment, libraries, internet facilities, E- libraries and modern ICT infrastructures.

“For me, what we need is a central law school. The law school, which should be a regulatory body will provide curricula for training for law graduates, supervise the university which will train graduates for the law school examination, set final examinations for students who would be called to the Bar.

“It would also accredit universities which have law colleges to train the graduate lawyers for 12 months after which they will take a common examination which would be moderated by the central law school.

“So, with these proposed arrangements, the law graduates will proceed to these reputable colleges/faculties of law with up-to-date facilities and faculty members of international repute for their post-LL.B training and only to write their ‘Call to the Bar Examinations’ without having to be a residential student in any law school as is currently the case.

“This way, the hydra-headed problems of the paucity of funding, derelict facilities and inadequate accommodations space would have been solved”, he said.

The NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, who corroborated Osinbajo and Babalola on the need to review the curriculum, said experience with fresh law graduates had shown that they lacked the requisite knowledge to fit into today’s law practice.

Akata, who said the curriculum being used in the universities and the Nigerian Law School had hardly changed over the years, said there was an urgent need to revise the present curriculum to meet the global developmental challenge.

“It is a truism that quality legal education is an essential element and ingredient to legal professionals who are competently representing clients and contribute to the establishment of the rule of law. But, our country’s legal standard has declined in all its measure.

“This is as a result of the general decline in Nigeria’s educational standard which has played role in undermining our ailing system of legal education and training of law graduates that can compete with their contemporaries,” a PUNCH newspaper report quoted Akpata as saying.

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OSIBANJO, GBAJABIAMILA, OLANIPEKUN TO STORM UNILAG LAW ALUMNI REUNION

Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN and other dignitaries have been slated to speak on “Stare Decisis and the Future of Legal Practice” in Nigeria at the maiden Alumni Reunion of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos. Also expected at the ceremony is Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker, House of Representatives, among others.

The Chairman of the Faculty of Law Alumni Relations Committee, Professor Taiwo Osipitan SAN, who disclosed this while briefing journalists, noted that the reunion tagged ‘The great homecoming’ was aimed to sensitise the alumni of the faculty and provide a platform for bonding among the past and present students. 

Osipitan noted that the five-day event starting on February 7 to February 12, 2022, would have Prof. Fidelis Oditah (SAN) as the Keynote Speaker at the colloquium. 

He said: “The faculty is one of the first faculties when the University of Lagos was established in 1962 and it has over the years produced some of the best lawyers and legal minds in the country.

“This year, the university and the faculty would roll out the red carpet to celebrate the university diamond jubilee anniversary.

“Our alumni have continued to give a good account of themselves in ivory towers, on the bench and bar, in the corporate world, politics and public service.

“A colloquium is scheduled for Thursday, February 10 at 9am with distinguished alumni in the persons of Senator Bashir Ajibola and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ade Ipaye, amongst others speaking on stare decisis and the future of the legal practice.”

Speaking further, Osipitan noted that “The great homecoming will be a five-day event which will kick off at 9 am of February 7 with a formal opening ceremony at the Faculty of Law.

“Thereafter, invited alumni among whom are judges, Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), private legal practitioners and those in the corporate business world will serve as guest lecturers on that day and the two subsequent days, February 7 to 9.

”Justice Helen Ogunwunmiju (JSC), Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the High Court of Lagos and Justice Oyejoju Oyewunmi of the National Industrial Court are among our guest lecturers.”

The committee chairman further noted that other events that would mark the occasion would be a colloquium, scheduled for Feb. 10.

He added that the high-point of the event would be a dinner with Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) as well as Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in attendance.

Mrs. Funke Agbor (SAN), Deputy Chairperson of the association said it was the beginning of good things to come to their Alma Mata.

She further assured of improved teaching and learning environment for the faculty, noting that the association was working on plans to donate a befitting structure that would serve purposes, for both the students and members of staff.

UNILAG LAW ALUMNI COLLOQUIUM

STREAM SCHEDULE
Thursday 10th February 2022 | 9:00 AM West Central Africa

Please click the link below to join the event via Zoom Streaming
https://bit.ly/unilaglawalumnicolloquium

Or use the Webinar ID:
870 1022 4582

You can also watch the UNILAG LAW ALUMNI DINNER

STREAM SCHEDULE
Saturday 12th February 2022 | 5:00 PM West Central Africa

Please click the link below to join the event via Zoom Streaming
https://bit.ly/unilaglawalumnidinner

Or use the Webinar ID:
820 7998 9213

NOTE: You will need to download and install the Zoom app on your mobile device or your PC to access this Livestream.

Both events will be streamed on YouTube via the link below:
https://bit.ly/unilaglawalumnievents

Copyright 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on 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.

BOSAN HOLDS DINNER, TO REVIEW SAN RANK, LPA BILL REPORTS TOMORROW

The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) will tomorrow hold its 2021 Annual Dinner and meeting to review the report of its committee on award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Among the reports also scheduled to be presented to the influential body are the report on review of the harmonized Legal Practitioners Bill and Legal Profession Regulatory Bill as well as a report on the public hearing on amendment of the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA) held on 15th November, 2021. The reports will be presented by BOSAN’s longstanding Secretary, Mr. Seyi Sowemimo SAN and Chief Anthony Idigbe SAN.

Scheduled for 11 am at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, Victoria Island, the meeting will also receive another report from its Committee on the Reform of the Supreme Court alongside a paper presented by former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Chief Thompson Okpoko SAN.

According to a notice of meeting obtained by CITY LAWYER, the body will again receive an update on the implementation of the BOSAN Leadership Committee including arrangements for its Annual Lecture, Annual Dinner, presentation of the BOSAN Law Practice Journal, Induction Programme and Scholarship Awards.

Meanwhile, the association will tomorrow at the Grand African Ball Room of Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island hold its 2021 Annual Dinner & Scholarship Awards.

The Special Guest of Honour is Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN while the Chairman of the occasion is Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad. The Guest Speaker is former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Copyright 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on 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.

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.

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.

OSINBAJO, CJN, USORO, AKPATA, OTHERS FOR LEGAL TECH CONFAB

FEATURED

Virtual LegalTech Conference unveils New Ecosystem for Client/Lawyer Engagement and Administration of Justice in Nigeria Post COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage economies all around the world, there has been an increased pivot in the use and adoption of technology across several industries, where hitherto technology was a mere tool and not a driver of day to day operations. The world as we knew it has changed forever and it is imperative that this paradigm shift is accentuated by current realities of how individuals, organizations, institutions and governments work and interact.

The realization that the operation of businesses and delivery of services cannot go back to pre COVID-19 ways of providing goods and services has motivated putting together the first Legal Technologies Virtual Conference, by Nigeria’s foremost LegalTech company, LawPavilion Business Solutions Limited, in conjunction with Telnet Group, Nigeria’s leading digital transformation company, to be held on August 13-14, 2020.

The conference which will be available to participants from all around the world through Zoom video conferencing app features a line-up of erudite judges and legal practitioners in both public and private sectors. The Keynote Address will be delivered by His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Other dignitaries expected at the virtual conference include His Lordship, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed CFR, Chief Justice of the Federation of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council; the Honorable Senate President, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan; Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; the President of the Nigerian Bar Association and other captains of industry and legal luminaries.

Briefing the press in Lagos, the Managing Director of LawPavilion Business Solutions, Mr. Ope Olugasa remarked that for almost 2 decades, LawPavilion has been at the forefront of providing and improving access to digital tools for the legal services industry. It has become imperative to leverage technology to accelerate access to justice for Nigerians and organizations interested in doing business in Nigeria.

Speaking further, Olugasa stated that while the general public tends to think of the judiciary as the least visible or important arm of government, the role of the judiciary comprising of judges, lawyers, arbitrators, mediators and legal institutions in economic growth and development is so critical, that where the justice system is fraught with inefficiencies and inadequacies, economic growth is stunted. He pointed out that for example, in today’s global market, true wealth is no longer in only expansive real estate or tangible cash, but in holding intangible intellectual property. Thus, economies that do not accord enough recognition and protection of law to intellectual property stand a genuine risk of not being at par with other economies.

The conference, which will span over 2 days comprise of a keynote lecture and panel discussions on the role of an efficient justice system in driving the wheel of innovation and economic growth, with panelists such as Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola (JSC), Hon. Justice Amina Augie (JSC), Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN, Mr. Wale Fapohunda, AG Ekiti State, Mr. Folorunsho Aliu, Group MD of Telnet Nigeria Ltd and Mr. Gbenga Sesan, CEO Paradigm Initiatives. There will also be breakout sessions focusing on seamless court integration as well as tools and resources to run an efficient law firm post COVID-19 using technology.

Some of the discussants at the breakout sessions will include Hon. Justice Kashim Zannah, Chief Judge of Borno State and Chairman of National Judicial ICT Committee; Hon. Justice Olutoyin Akeredolu, the Chief Judge of Ondo State; Dr. Ayodele Akenroye, Judge of Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada; Mr. Dapo Akinosun of SimmonsCooper Partners; Mr. Sesan Sobowale, Head of Legal, Union Bank of Nigeria; Mr. Raymond Mgbokwere, Head of Legal, First Bank of Nigeria and Mr. Seun Abimbola, Former AG of Oyo State and Chairman of NBA Section on Legal Practice.

Commenting further, Olugasa pointed out that there has been a significant revolution of the banking industry through the introduction and adoption of FinTech in Nigeria, which has exponentially raised the profile of Nigeria’s banking industry. There has been significant collaboration between banking institutions, stakeholders and government agencies to consolidate and rapidly enhance banking operations, irrespective of location or time.

Accordingly, the legal services industry is also ripe and well primed for such technological transformation and the virtual Legal Technologies Conference being hosted by LawPavilion, in conjunction with Telnet Group, will showcase the unveiling of an enterprise solution for the judiciary,  LawRights App (for the general citizenry), Lagos State Laws in E-book version integrated into LawPavilion’s award-winning legal research software, all of which constitute parts of a new ecosystem, seeking to institutionalize legal-technology in Nigeria’s justice sector.

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