SENIOR ADVOCATE

SENIOR ADVOCATE TACKLES ECNBA OVER DISQUALIFICATION OF VP ASPIRANT

A senior lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Ndayako, SAN has disagreed with the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) over its disqualification of NBA First Vice President aspirant, Mr. Muhammad Idris Doko from contesting the forthcoming NBA National Officers election.

Doko was disqualified from participating in the election because “your Seconder being a member of a political party in Nigeria is not qualified like you in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.” Ndayako is Doko’s seconder.

But in a response to the disqualification made available to CITY LAWYER, Ndayako described the turn of events as “rather unfortunate,” arguing that membership of political party was never raised as an issue in the nomination form.

He also berated the electoral committee for not contacting him to provide evidence of his membership of the NBA National Executive Committee (NBA-NEC), adding that his branch Executive Committee was also not contacted to provide the information.

His words: “This is rather unfortunate. I commend M D Idris for taking this decision in a sportsmanship way.

“However, for the records, I was one of the nominators of M. D. Idris for the position of 1st Vice President of NBA, filled and submitted the form by ECNBA. There was no where in the form where membership of political party was raised.

“I was the Chairman of NBA Minna branch between June, 2016 to June, 2018.

“I was the NEC Rep, member, the only one from Minna branch, between June, 2018 to June, 2020.

“Evidence of membership of NEC can easily be found in the minutes of NEC meetings. Meanwhile, I was never contacted to provide my Evidence of NEC membership, which I stated the relevant period in the form.

“My branch EXCO were not also contacted on my membership of NBA (NEC) between 2018 and 2020.

“I am not yet aware of any law, rule, guidelines of NBA placing restrictions on Members of the Bar from belonging to or actively participating in politics, when political office holders are considered worthy of being made Members of Body of Benchers.”

He urged Doko not to relent in his quest, adding that “we shall continue to support you in your future endeavors, particularly, in NBA politics.”

It was unclear at press time whether Doko plans to appeal his disqualification. The NBA Election is scheduled to hold on July 16, 2022.

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  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Dec 11, 2021
  • 942
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  • Comments Off on OTU OKA IWU LAUDS NEW SAN MEMBERS

OTU OKA IWU LAUDS NEW SAN MEMBERS

Otu Oka Iwu, the apex law society for lawyers of Igbo extraction, has congratulated three of its members who were recently elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In a statement signed by Bar. Joy Nzube-Uzoeghelu and Bar. Obinna Okereke, respectively President and General Secretary of the association, the respected association prayed God to “bless you with wisdom and grace to continue to excel in our noble profession.”

Among the Otu Oka Iwu members elevated to the coveted rank are former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary, Chief Philip Ndubuisi Umeh (SAN); Mr. Ikenna Okoli (SAN) and Dr. Charles Dumbiri Mekwunye (SAN).

It is recalled that two Otu Oka Iwu members, Messrs Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN) and Lotanna Okoli (SAN) were equally elevated to the new rank during the penultimate edition.

Below is the statement.

CONGRATULATIONS! 

The Executive Committee of OTU Oka Iwu (Law Society) on behalf of members of the Association congratulate our esteemed members who were conferred with Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 8th December, 2021. We extend our best wishes and congratulations to you all:

1. Chief Philip Ndubuisi Umeh SAN
2. Mr. Ikenna Okoli SAN
3. Dr. Charles Dumbiri Mekwunye SAN

We pray that God will bless you with wisdom and grace to continue to excel in our noble profession.

Okereke Obinna, Esq.                                                                               Joy Nzube-Uzoeghelu, Esq.
General Secretary                                                                                       President

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  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Mar 22, 2021
  • 1.38k
  • 1
  • Comments Off on ENCOMIUMS, AS ODUBELA IS BURIED WEDNESDAY

ENCOMIUMS, AS ODUBELA IS BURIED WEDNESDAY

• BOSAN, AMOSUN, DINO MELAYE, OTHERS MOURN HIM
• VALEDICTORY COURT SESSION HOLDS TODAY

Leading lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. John Olusegun Odubela who died last Monday will be buried on Wednesday at his Ikenne, Ogun State country home. He was aged 55 years.

Meanwhile, a Valedictory Court Session organised by the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) will be held today at the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja by 2 pm in honour of the deceased. The hybrid event will be beamed to a global audience via ZOOM. The Meeting ID is 821 1756 0781 while Passcode is 337059.

While the Service of Songs holds tomorrow in Lagos at 5 pm (Meeting ID: 889 3896 7924; Passcode: 459997; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeL_EiiPuJg), the burial service holds on Wednesday at 11 am at the Methodist Church, Ikenne, Ogun State (Meeting ID: 847 7681 6053; Passcode: 138208; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbEG-1AGY7U).

Several jurists and politicians have also been extolling the virtues of the senior lawyer since his passing. Odubela was until his death the longstanding Head of Chambers at the leading law firm of Rickey Tarfa & Co. A former Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ogun State, Odubela took silk in 2017.

According to THE PUNCH, “Odubela was lawyer to several VIPs, such as former Kogi-West lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio; and the All Progressives Congress candidate in the last Edo State governorship election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.” He was pivotal to the electoral petition victory of former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole among several others. He was the Director-General of Prince Dapo Abiodun Governorship Campaign Committee.

Odubela graduated from Ogun State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1990. He also received a Master of Laws degree from the University of Lagos in 1995. A Notary Public of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the seasoned jurist was an active member of the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Odubela was survived by a wife and three daughters.

Tributes have been pouring in celebration of the late senior lawyer who many describe as a humane and excellent lawyer and gentleman. Below are some of the tributes.

BODY OF SENIOR ADVOCATES OF NIGERIA (BOSAN)
‘Kindly be informed that the Valedictory Session in honour of Late Mr. John Olusegun Odubela SAN is scheduled for Monday, March 22, 2021 at 2 pm prompt at the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja.

The esteemed presence of the distinguished members of the Inner Bar will be highly appreciated’, the statement reads in part.

The Late Mr. Olusegun Odubela, SAN, served as the head of chambers/Managing Partner in the law firm of Messrs Ricky Tarfa & Co. He was also a Notary Public of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Mr. Odubela graduated from Ogun State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1990, He obtained a Masters of Law degree from the University of Lagos, in 1995.

He was a member of the International Bar Association and Nigerian Bar Association.

EDO STATE GOVERNOR, MR. GODWIN OBASEKI
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and brother, John Olusegun Odubela, SAN, a great compatriot, who toiled till his last days in defence of justice and truth.

“Odubela was a fine gentleman, intelligent and committed to the fine ethos of democracy, working earnestly to defend the people against the excesses of their oppressors.”

“He was a brilliant lawyer, who was always on the path of justice and honour. Since 2007, Odubela has been active in the fight to protect the people’s right to choose their leaders. When circumstances caused a reenactment of the same battle, he threw his legal prowess into the ring to ensure that this legacy is upheld. He remains a shinning light in efforts at consolidating democracy in our dear state.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Edo State, I send heart-felt condolences to his immediate family; the people of Ogun State, who he served as Commissioner; his friends and associates and pray that God will grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

SENATOR IBIKUNLE AMOSUN
Former Ogun State Governor

“As a Commissioner for Education in Ogun State, Barrister Odubela gave a good account of himself as a brilliant, hardworking, dependable and highly resourceful person. He exuded an unparalleled passion for the progress of Ogun State and Nigeria, and most particularly at the bar where he had an accomplished career and attained the prestigious rank of SAN,” Amosun stressed.

“Odubela, my dear Odubela. How can I be writing about my Commissioner One, our Commissioner One, the Commissioner One of the Ogun State Executive Council Class of 2011-2015 in the past tense?

“Excellency, I will go to court, let me challenge that in court” – this was your usual phrase. Who will now be going to court on our behalf? How could the cold hands of death snatch Odubela away so suddenly and in such a cruel way.

“Alas, at around 10.32pm on Monday night, 15th March 2021, I was informed that the worst had happened, Segun Odubela had gone to his creator.

“It saddens my heart that his life, dreams and blossoming legal career had to end abruptly at this time. J.O. Odubela, as he was fondly called, was a dutiful, loyal, ever joyful and smiling, and above all, an embodiment of what we called “Ogun Standard”. He will be sorely missed by all of us in Ogun State and beyond.

“As painful as his death could be, I enjoin the Odubela family, the Ogun State Executive Council Class of 2011-2015, members of the inner bar, the people of Ikenne and indeed Ogun State to take solace in the fact that Barrister Olusegun Odubela lived a fulfilled life and left behind enduring legacies. I pray that Almighty God will grant him eternal rest and give all of us the fortitude to bear the pain of his loss.

“Adieu Segun Odubela, my dear Commissioner One!”

SENATOR DINO MELAYE
In his tribute, Melaye wrote: “I am saddened and pained to hear the demise of my beloved friend and lawyer, John Olusegun Odubela, SAN. Someone I can call a brother and friend any time, any day. Though I know that death is inevitable as the Holy Bible tells me, but, why must it be you, my friend? I am yet to come to terms that you are no more. Oh death! What have you done?

John Olusegun Odubela, SAN was one of those who championed my cause and was there for me in almost all my legal battles. A man who truly believed that where there is a wrong, there is a remedy. A man who would not be bought or sold, who in his innermost soul is true and honest and will stand for what is right though the heaven falls. A fine and brilliant senior advocate per excellent. His death is indeed a great and devastating loss to me, the legal profession, Ogun State and our dear nation.

My friend, I will sorely miss you for your exemplary life of service and strong commitment to the course of justice, good conscience and equity. It is very dishearten that your dreams, aspirations and good life had to end unexpectedly without any formal notice. Nevertheless, with a great sense of gratitude to God for the good life you lived and the lives of so many you touched and imparted. There is no doubt that the rich memories of official and humanitarian services to the legal profession, Ogun State and our nation would keep endearing you for a remarkable reckoning.

I’m also sending my condolences to Ricky Tarfa, SAN who mentored John Olusegun Odubela, SAN and was before his death, the Managing Partner and Head of Chambers of Ricky Tarfa & Co.

I pray God Almighty to grant those you left behind the fortitude to bear this loss, fill the gaping hole your demise had left in our hearts and grant you eternal rest. Amen.

Adieu my Friend.

ODUBELA_1

ODUBELA_2

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