SECRETARY

NBA-SPIDEL LAUDS UBANI AS HE CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY TODAY

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) wishes its indefatigable Chairman, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani a very happy birthday as he adds another year today.

Dr. Ubani is a relentless human rights crusader, an unrepentant good governance advocate, an activist and social critic of note, a painstaking public interest litigator, a committed community leader and philanthropist, and an endearing family man.

He showed his mettle as a former NBA 1st Vice President, a trait he has carried into his current role as NBA-SPIDEL Chairman.

Dr. Ubani is a trailblazer and a visionary leader whose daring and can-do spirit is matchless.

The NBA-SPIDEL Council applauds you and especially your uncommon track record in the public interest and development law sphere.

Your landmark cases have opened new frontiers in public interest matters and fostered the entrenchment of human rights in Nigeria.

As you celebrate today, we pray for God’s continued guidance and protection on you. We are confident that posterity will be kind to you in your relentless pursuit of the public interest.

We wish you many more years of happiness and service to humanity.

SIGNED:

Dr. Princess Frank-Chukwuani (FICMC),
Secretary, NBA-SPIDEL
PP: NBA-SPIDEL COUNCIL

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‘WHY WE DISQUALIFIED FELIX ASHIMOLE FROM NBA ELECTION’ – ECNBA

* I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICE FROM ECNBA – ASPIRANT

An aspirant for the position of Publicity Secretary in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections, Mr. Felix Ashimole has been disqualified, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

The Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) however dismissed a petition by embattled Bar aspirant, Mr. Kayode Bello, saying that he “failed to provide sufficient evidence” in support of his petition.

However, there is a cloud of uncertainty on whether the aspirant actually received the notice of disqualification from the ECNBA. The aspirant vigorously denies receiving any email from the electoral committee.

CITY LAWYER investigation indicates that while the ECNBA actually dispatched an email to the aspirant, there may have been an error in the email address.

It was gathered that while the aspirant’s correct email is oyimnatumba92@yahoo.com, the Notice of Disqualification was actually sent to oyimnatumba29@yahoo.com.

A source at ECNBA headquarters vowed that the error was “an honest mistake,” adding that “There is no foul play. Our Secretary is trying her best in dispatching correspondence. A mistake can happen.”

Giving reason for disqualifying the aspirant, ECNBA had stated that Ashimole’s Nominator did not provide evidence of payment of his Branch Dues for 2021, even as CITY LAWYER gathered that the aspirant failed to provide a satisfactory answer to the irregularity at the further screening interview with the electoral committee.

It was unclear at press time whether the aspirant would appeal his disqualification.

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  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Sep 29, 2020
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  • Comments Off on CONTROVERSY, AS JUDICIAL BODY SHUNS NBA, APPOINTS SCRIBE

CONTROVERSY, AS JUDICIAL BODY SHUNS NBA, APPOINTS SCRIBE

Barring any last-minute hitches, the Secretary of Nigeria’s Body of Benchers, Hajia Sadiya Turaki will tomorrow assume duties as the new scribe of the influential Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

Multiple and unimpeachable sources told CITY LAWYER that Turaki has been appointed by the commission chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad as the new Secretary to replace Mr. Bassey E. Bassey who retired on September 23, 2020.

Turaki’s appointment is coming on the heels of allegations that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) may have been shut out of the appointment process, contrary to the provisions of Section 153(2) and 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution as well as Paragraph 12 Part 1 of the Third Schedule to 1999 Constitution. 

While Paragraph 12 (6) Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution stipulates that the membership composition of the FJSC shall include “Two persons, each of whom has been qualified to practice as a Legal Practitioner in Nigeria for a period of not less than fifteen years, from a list of not less than four persons so qualified and recommended by the Nigerian Bar Association,” CITY LAWYER gathered from impeccable sources that NBA has not participated in the decision-making process of the commission for over two years since the tenure of its former representatives ended.

Paragraph 13(c), Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution empowers the commission to “Appoint, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over the Chief Registrars and Deputy Chief Registrars of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court and all other members of the staff of the Judicial Service of the Federation not otherwise specified in this Constitution and of the Federal Judicial Service Commission.”

CITY LAWYER investigation shows that the last set of NBA representatives at the commission were Mr. Olumuyiwa Akinboro SAN and Hajia Fatima Kwaku (MFR) whose names were forwarded by then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar to former President Goodluck Jonathan for transmission to the Senate for confirmation. Their five-year tenure ended on 3rd July, 2018.

A source who is familiar with the matter told CITY LAWYER that though the immediate past NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN made spirited efforts to ensure NBA’s representation at the commission, such efforts did not yield fruits. The source stated that though Usoro had on at least three occasions submitted the list of NBA nominees to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, there are strong indications that the list was not transmitted to the Senate through the President for approval. CITY LAWYER also gathered from unimpeachable sources that the names of two NBA nominees are still currently pending at the all-important commission.

Though CITY LAWYER sought the views of NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata on the development through a short messaging service and WhatsApp message to his verified telephone number, he promised that “I will call you back shortly” but was yet to do so at press time. 

Aside from NBA representatives, the commission’s membership comprises of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who shall be the Chairman; President of the Court of Appeal; Attorney-General of the Federation; Chief Judge of the Federal High Court; President of the National Industrial Court, and “Two other persons, not being Legal Practitioners, who in the opinion of the President are of unquestionable integrity.” The non-lawyers are Senator Abba Ali and Malam Mohammed Sagir. However, only NBA is currently unrepresented in the 9-member commission.

The commission’s Secretary doubles as its Chief Executive and Accounting Officer.

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VERIFICATION: ECNBA EXTENDS DEADLINE, CITES MASSIVE LAWYERS’ INTEREST

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has extended the deadline for lawyers verify their profiles for the forthcoming NBA Elections.

In an ECNBA Statement No. 015 titled “Extension of verification exercise” and signed by the committee Secretary, Mrs. Cordelia Eke, the electoral body stated that the verification exercise will now end barely three days to the election on Sunday, July 26, 2020.

Though the electoral committee had initially extended the deadline to yesterday, it stated that the latest extension was informed by “a huge increase in the number of Lawyers seeking to carry out their verification on the NBA Portal.”

According to the ECNBA, “The deadline for verification of Voters is now extended to 6.00PM on Sunday 26th July 2020. Eligible Voters are advised to take advantage of this further extension to get verified. Previously verified voters are required to log in to their portals and update their information, especially their contact details to ensure they have smooth access to the portal and are able to receive important information pertaining to the Voting exercise.”

Though the NBA Constitution (as amended) mandates the ECNBA to publish the voters’ register and deliver same to branches latest 28 days to the election, the register has been beset by several challenges, even as some names were duplicated. This has necessitated a clean-up of the register alongside the verification exercise.

While the committee had earlier set a deadline to end the verification exercise, this became untenable due to several complaints regarding the cumbersome nature of the process.

Below is the full text of the ECNBA statement.

EXTENSION OF VERIFICATION EXERCISE

The ECNBA has observed that in the wake of the publication of its Statement No.14 extending the date of verification of Voters, there has been a huge increase in the number of Lawyers seeking to carry out their verification on the NBA Portal. The ECNBA has therefore decided to give a further extension of the date for verification of Voters.

The deadline for verification of Voters is now extended to 6.00PM on Sunday 26th July 2020. Eligible Voters are advised to take advantage of this further extension to get verified. Previously verified voters are required to log in to their portals and update their information, especially their contact details to ensure they have smooth access to the portal and are able to receive important information pertaining to the Voting exercise.

The NBA Help desks are still available to provide support for the verification exercise for those who require same.

Thank you all for your continued cooperation.

Dated this 20th day of July 2020.

Cordelia U. Eke (Mrs.)
Secretary, ECNBA

 

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