VISIT

MAIKYAU VISITS MALAMI, VOWS OVERSIGHT OF JUDGES’ SALARY REVIEW

PRESS RELEASE

NBA-AGF EFFORTS YIELD RESULTS: RMFAC TO IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENT ENHANCED PAY FOR JUDICIAL OFFICERS, CALLS FOR MEMORANDUM FROM THE NBA

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN yesterday, 21 November, 2022 reiterated the approval of President Muhammad Buhari for the immediate implementation of enhanced salaries and allowances for Nigerian judicial officers. The Minister of Justice who had earlier announced the president’s approval at the commissioning of the Graham-Douglas campus of the Nigerian Law School in Port Harcourt last Friday, restated this during a courtesy call on him by the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) led by the NBA President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN.

Recall that since the inception of the Maikyau-led administration of the NBA, the NBA has stepped up her campaign for the improvement in the welfare of Nigerian judicial officers. The NBA President had committed to working with the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure that this is achieved immediately.

In his Inaugural Address on 26 August 2022, the NBA President laid down the marker for this mission when he decried the fact that “an action had to be filed in court to compel the government to look into and improve the welfare of Judges and Justices…” Also, while delivering his address at the annual legal year ceremony of the Court of Appeal on 12 September 2022, Mr. Maikyau stated that “one demonstrable way by which the Government will show sincerity in the bid to recover and develop this nation, is to deliberately invest in the welfare of Judges and Justices by strengthening the human capital within the justice sector and meeting all infrastructural needs of the judiciary.” Furthermore, the Mr Maikyau reiterated in his address at the valedictory court session held on 15 September 2022 at the Supreme Court in honour of Hon. Justice Abdu Aboki (retired) , the unequivocal commitment of the Bar “to support all efforts necessary to ensure that adequate measures are put in place to guarantee the welfare of judges and justices while in service and for their comfort upon retirement.”

This consistent campaign by the NBA leadership has evidently complemented the efforts of the office of Attorney General of the Federation. In his remark during the courtesy call, the NBA President lauded the AGF for his sense of service and disclosed that the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has recently communicated to him that it has commenced the process of reviewing the remuneration of judicial office holders to reflect the present socio-economic realities in the country. The commission had accordingly requested a memorandum from the NBA in this respect.

The salaries of judicial officers have remained the same for over 14 years. This present review by RMFAC is the first since 2008 and it is not unconnected to the vigorous campaign by the Maikyau-led NBA. The NBA President emphasised that “the NBA would keenly monitor the ongoing process for the enhanced review of salaries of judicial officers while also ensuring that the judiciary remain accountable to the Nigerian people for whom justice is being dispensed by the courts.”

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary

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  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Jun 03, 2022
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  • Comments Off on ‘LAGOS HIGH COURT IS TAKING ACTION ON MY FACE-OFF WITH TOP COP,’ SAYS ‘DETAINED’ CHIEF MAGISTRATE

‘LAGOS HIGH COURT IS TAKING ACTION ON MY FACE-OFF WITH TOP COP,’ SAYS ‘DETAINED’ CHIEF MAGISTRATE

  • NBA WADES INTO DEBACLE

The Lagos State Chief Magistrate who was reportedly arrested and incarcerated by a senior police officer has given a blow-by-blow account of her face-off with the top cop.

In a voice note obtained by CITY LAWYER, the judicial officer, Mrs. S. K. Matepo who is the Chief Magistrate at Court 1, Mushin debunked news reports that she was arrested and detained while on a routine oversight visit to a police cell in Mushin.

It is recalled that several news outlets (not CITY LAWYER) had yesterday reported that the Area Commander of Area D Police Command, Lagos, ACP Aliko Dankoli had last Monday ordered the arrest and detention of the Chief Magistrate who, in line with the provsions of the Adminsitration of criminal Justice Act, went to the command to see the interview detainees. The reports had alleged that ACP Dankoli was angry because the Chief Magistrate did not seek his permission before speaking with the suspects.

This led several lawyers including the Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN-led Nigerian Bar Association Security Agecnies Realtions Committee (NBA-SARC) to wade into the debacle, even as the Lagos State Police Command debunked the reports.

But in the voice note reviewed by CITY LAWYER, Chief Magistrate Matepo stated that while she had a heated argument with the top police officer, it did not degenerate to her arrest or detention. She also added that not only did she complete her assignment by interviewing the suspects, the senior police officer was reprimanded while a formal apology from him is pending.

The full transcript of the recording by CITY LAWYER is below:

“Good afternoon, my colleagues, Magistrates of Lagos State.

“Thank you everybody for the calls and love. This is Mrs. Matepo, the concerned magistrate, Chief Magistrate Court 1 Mushin.

“I just want everybody to know that, yes, something happened but not as bad as it was narrated. I went on the police visit to Mushin and the Area Commander insisted that I must take his approval or permission before I interrogate the suspects in the cell.

“I explained to him that, having seen his senior officers who led me to the cell, I don’t think I need to see him first. I might come back to him after interrogating the suspects – if need be.

But he kept on and insisted that it shouldn’t have gone that way. But I put it to him that that is the way I do my job – I need not visit him in his office. I stood my ground and insisted that I must complete my job and his officers might report to him after I might have finished, or if there is any need for me to see him, that is when I will see him, and that I’m not supposed to see him first.

“Though he (got) agitated and shouted; Anyway, I put it to him. And immediately the second day, I came to the High Court to report him to Mr. Fadeyi who called him and put him to order. He warned him and told him that he would make arrangement for him to apologize.

“So, that was the situation before all this news that went viral this morning (yesterday) about this situation. There was no arrest or detention. Mrs. Matepo is fine and everything is in order. I think the High Court is taking proper step on the issue. Thank you very much.”

STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN, NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION – SECURITY AGENCIES RELATIONS COMMITTEE (NBA-SARC), CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA OFR, MFR, SAN, ON THE UNLAWFUL ARREST AND DETENTION OF A MAGISTRATE BY THE AREA D POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN MUSHIN LAGOS STATE

1. It has come to the notice of the NBA-SARC via a series of online publications by media outlets, accessed today, Thursday, June 2, 2022, that a magistrate, whose name was withheld, had on Monday, May 30, 2022, during a routine check of suspects in cells at the Area D Police Headquarters, Mushin, Lagos State, been arrested and detained on the orders of the Area Commander, ACP Dankoli over the allegations that the Magistrate went to check suspects detained in the Command’s cell without his permission.

2. Indeed, it is preposterous to think that a Magistrate will be humiliated and even detained for carrying out one of the statutory responsibilities of her office as obligated by the Lagos State Judiciary and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State.

3. In line with the NBA-SARC’s mandate, our Committee is presently making urgent efforts at verifying the facts and circumstances surrounding the instant report especially as it relates to the arrest and detention of the magistrate in question. This is to inform further steps, actions and/or decisions made from the standpoint of knowledge and information.

4. In the interim, we call for calm from the legal community and further reassure that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring the justice of this instant case and that whoever is found wanting faces the music in the present investigative efforts by the NBA-SARC. We continue to condemn, unreservedly, all forms of unlawful arrest and detention and the instant case, if verified, is no different. We are making efforts to reach the said Magistrate, her aides and eyewitnesses, if any, to ascertain the extent, and/or nature of confrontation with the Police on that the said day.

5. We remain ever committed to the safety and welfare of all members of the Nigerian Bar Association and its me.

6. I remain yours in this lofty struggle.

Signed: Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, OFR, MFR SAN (Chairman, NBA–SARC)

RE: HOW AREA COMMANDER LOCKED UP LAGOS MAGISTRATE INSIDE CELL AT AREA D COMMAND

The Lagos State Police Command is aware of a June 02, 2022 news story by one Michael Akintola of PM Express titled ‘How Area Commander Locked Up Lagos Magistrate Inside Cell at Area D Command.’

The Command wishes to state clearly that the story is nothing but fiction. At no time did the Area Commander detain or attempt to detain the magistrate, who was at the Area Command for Cell Inspection exercise. The Police will never engage in such disrespect to the Judiciary.

The writer referring to a serving magistrate as ‘the innocent woman’ says a lot about his objectivity/bias and contrived efforts at sensationalism. Also, it is suspicious that the writer could not provide the name of the magistrate, who is a public officer. It is equally suspicious that the writer made no attempt to contact the judiciary to verify the purported detention.

The Lagos State Police Command did the needful and contacted the judiciary. The Lagos State Judiciary confirmed that there was no such thing and neither was the magistrate prevented from carrying out her Cell Inspection exercise. We hereby state it unequivocally that any attempt to cause disaffection between the Police and the Judiciary will be fiercely resisted. We remain worthy partners in the justice sector.

The Lagos State Police Command enjoins Lagosians to disregard the story as officers and men under the stewardship of CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc will continue to be professional and uphold the rule of law at all times.

SP BENJAMIN HUNDEYIN, anipr, mipra
Police Public Relations Officer,
Lagos State Command,
Ikeja-Lagos.

June 02, 2022.

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GADZAMA ASSURES LAWYERS OF OPEN-DOOR POLICY

The Chairman of the Body of Benchers Mentoring Committee for Young Lawyers, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN has assured the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) members that he would operate an open-door policy if elected President.

Gadzama made this promise while addressing NBA Sokoto Branch members at the Amma Hall, Dankani Guest Inn, Sokoto on Friday, May 20, 2022.

A statement on the visit reads:

The learned silk while recounting his vast experiences, said he is more morally, mentally, physically, psychologically and professionally qualified to be the next NBA President. He stated that the Profession of Law made him what he is and that he is ready to give back to the Bar. “I will listen to you, I will give you your dues, I will carry everyone along. I only fear God, I fear no man, I respect every man and I will rebrand the sleeping Giant”. He said.

His Excellency, Alh. Garba Gajam, former Nigerian Ambassador to Kuwait and a two-time Attorney-General of Zamfara state, while giving his speech stated that the only person capable of sustaining what the Current NBA President, Olumide Akpata has done or even better is J-K Gadzama, SAN. He talked about the competence, capacity and capability of JK Gadzama, SAN to be the next NBA President as well as the importance of ensuring J-K Gadzama’s success in the election.

In her welcome address, Soffyah Mohammed Esq., Chairperson, NBA Sokoto Branch, welcomed the Learned silk and his esteemed entourage.

In his goodwill message, The Hon. Attorney-General of Sokoto State, Mr. Suleiman Usman, SAN, stated that Chief J-K Gadzama is a man of many facets, a Bar man who has gained experiences in all areas of Law within and outside of Nigeria and advised Sokoto Lawyers to do the needful in the coming NBA election.

Chief Jacob Enunwe Ochidi, SAN, former Chairman of the Caliphate Bar, while giving his goodwill message, stated that he regretted not voting for J-K Gadzama in times past but said he will do the needful this time around. “I present to you J-K Gadzama, I commend him to you, vote with your conscience and I assure you he will not disappoint us.” He said.

In their individual goodwill messages, Prof Ibrahim Abdulahi, SAN and A. Y. Abubakar Esq. pledged their support and wish J-K. Gadzama, SAN success in the forthcoming 2022 NBA National Election.

Lastly, Junaidu Abubakar Esq. Chairman, NBA Gusau Branch, thanked the Governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and the Hon. Attorney-General of Sokoto State, Suleiman Usman, SAN for hosting J-K Gadzama and his entourage.

In Attendance were: The Governor of Sokoto State, H.E Aminu Tambuwal, ably represented by the Hon. Attorney-General, Sokoto State, Suleiman Usman, SAN; Jacob Ochidi, SAN, former Chairman NBA, Sokoto Branch; Prof. Ibrahim Abdulahi, SAN; His Excellency, Ambassador Garba Gajam, former Nigerian Ambassador to Kuwait; Safiyyah Mohammed Esq, incumbent Chairperson NBA Sokoto Branch; S.S. Auta Esq, Secretary, NBA Sokoto Branch; Dr. Kayode Ajulo, Principal Partner, Castle of Law and Human Rights Activist; Mr. A. Y. Abubakar Esq; Barr Aisha Ka’oji, Director Public Prosecution, Sokoto State Ministry of Justice; Barr Zainab Gandi, FIDA Chairperson and Zonal Head, Federal Ministry of Justice; Mohammed Adeleke Esq, MULAN Chairman, Sokoto; Solomon Alimosunya Esq; Abdulhamid Zubairu Esq.; B. M. Jodi Esq; Sokoto State APC Legal Adviser; Barr Shafa Mujtaba Ahmad, Treasurer, NBA Sokoto Branch; Kelechi D. Ogobunna Esq., Former Head of Chambers, Y. C. Mai-Kyau & Co., Sokoto office; Abdulraham Dahiru Esq. and a host of others.

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  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • May 21, 2022
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NLC PRESIDENT, WABBA VISITS GADZAMA

The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba has paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Security Agencies Relations Committee, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN.

A statement on the visit reads:

PRESIDENT OF NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS, MR. ALIYU WABBA PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO JOE-KYARI GADZAMA, SAN

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is the umbrella organization for trade unions in Nigeria. The NLC is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring better working conditions and treatment of employees from their employers and the implementation of labour and employment laws promulgated by the government.

On Wednesday, April 27, the esteemed President of the NLC, Comrade Aliyu Wabba paid a visit to the Joe-Kyari Gadzama, OFR, MFR, SAN in his office at J-K Gadzama Court, Abuja.

The Learned Silk and the NLC President had a closed door interactive session. The Learned Silk who is an adept professional in the Nigerian Labour Sector must have cross-fertilized ideas with the NLC President and harmonize efforts towards achieving and improving the Nigerian Labour Sector.

After the meeting, the NLC President took courtesy photos with Counsel in J-K Gadzama LLP and the Learned Silk.

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  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • May 14, 2022
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  • Comments Off on ‘WHY PEOPLE CALL ME HAKUNA MATATA,’ UGWUOKE REVEALS, HAILS ABUJA BAR

‘WHY PEOPLE CALL ME HAKUNA MATATA,’ UGWUOKE REVEALS, HAILS ABUJA BAR

Mr. Ikechukwu Maximus Ugwuoke, Nigerian Bar Association Welfare Secretary aspirant, recently visited NBA Abuja Branch to felicitate with members.

A statement on the visit reads:

Mr. Ikechukwu Maximus Ugwuoke, Nigerian Bar Association Welfare Secretary aspirant, received a thunderous ovation from members of the Unity bar, the Abuja Branch of NBA when he informed them that he is also known as “Hakuna Matata” during his introduction and greetings to the bar at the branch meeting held on 12th May 2022 .

Fielding answers to the questions from newsmen who interviewed him on why he is called Hakuna Matata after the meeting Ugwuoke said:

“Well, the words ‘Hakuna Matata’ are etimologically Swahili language which means ‘no worries; be happy’.

“Hakuna Matata seems to have taken over my proper names amongst my friends and acquaintances. It all started about ten years ago when the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka delivered one of his sermon titled ‘Hakuna Matata’ during one of his ministry’s programme in Enugu in 2012. That year, I was to contest the office of the social secretary of the NBA of my branch , the Enugu Branch. I so much cherished the title and content of the sermon that I used it as the heading of the Campaign poster I printed for the election. On the day of the election I also came to the branch election venue with a box that has the inscription ‘Hakuna Matata’ on its sides. During my introduction before the voting started, I informed the members of the branch that all I wanted to achieve if elected as the social Secretary of the branch then was to make them happy and forget their worries and that the packages I have for this were inside the Hakuna Matata box I was holding. Of course, it was fun and the mother of my manifesto that made me win the election. From that point on, all the lawyers in the branch who didn’t know me before then started calling me Hakuna Matata. Initially I was worried that it was taking over my proper name such that if someone is asking most lawyers about me in Enugu and you mention my proper name Ikechukwu Maximus Ugwuoke only few lawyers would agree they know me, but just mention Hakuna Matata and almost all will tell you ‘yes we know him’. Fr Mbaka seems to have popularized the name the more as he too has continued to address me as Hakuna Matata till date instead of my proper name.

My regime as social secretary of the branch was really an Hakuna Matata regime for the lawyers with lots of stress- relieving programs we had then for lawyers some of which included, walk for life, getting comedians to liven the branch dinner etc.

‘Originally the name of the lawfirm I founded about that time was ‘El-Maximus Ugwuoke & Co, breakthrough Partners ‘. But due to my popularity with the name Hakuna Matata, I had to add ‘Hakuna Matata Chambers’ to the firm’s name during it’s registration to reflect my identity.

Ugwuoke further narrated. ” At the last Enugu monthly Bar meeting when I informed the branch of my submission of Nomination form for the position of the National Welfare Secretary of NBA, one senior lawyer Okwuliehe Esq asked me about the Hakuna Matata Box. I simply told him that the content of the box has been reviewed to encapsulate the Maximum Welfare which is my vision for the NBA that will be unsealed at National level of the bar when the time comes. He could not contain his laughter”

Ugwuoke commended the unity bar for the privilege they give him during the meeting to address them and interact with the members of the branch who gave him a good treat during the meeting.

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ISAAC OGBAH STORMS NBA IJEBU-ODE BRANCH

The immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ota Branch and Editor-in-Chief of EJSC, Mr. Isaac Omuta Ogbah has visited NBA Ijebu-Ode Branch to felicitate with the executives and members.

He thanked the Branch Chairman, Mr. Bisi Abdulazeez and the entire leadership and members of the Branch for the open arms and hands of fellowship extended to him during his visit on 5th May, 2022.

Ogbah praised the branch for taking the lead in Ogun State and in Nigeria as a whole in producing great and erudite legal luminaries.

  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Sep 01, 2021
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GADZAMA VISITS UNIMAID VC, URGES YOUNG LAWYERS TO SPECIALIZE

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees, University of Maiduguri Alumni Association, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN and Executives of the association have visited the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba.

During the visit, Gadzama praised Prof. Shugaba for his quality leadership at the institution and reiterated that the alumni association will continuously support the university.

The National Secretary of the Association, Mrs. Afiniki Hananiyah thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the entire management for restoring the glory of the university especially as it relates to the empowerment of the female gender.

The Association presented an award of service to the Vice-Chancellor in recognition of his meritorious service to the University. The delegation also made a stop-over at the Faculty of Law of the university among others, and were by the Dean of Law, Prof. B. A. Bukar.

Gadzama and Hananiya who are both graduates of the faculty pledged to galvanize all law alumni as well as their friends and well-wishers to contribute towards repositioning the Faculty for greater performance and sustenance of its pride of place in the academic community.

Meanwhile, Gadzama has urged lawyers to specialize and do what is best for their careers.

Speaking at the recent Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch, the leading lawyer who is also the Chairman of the Mentoring Committee of the Body of Benchers, advised young lawyers to decide what they want to do early on in their careers.

Gadzama who was Chairman of the Young Lawyers’ Session of the Law Week said it was imperative for a lawyer in the new age to specialise in a particular area and pursue whatever goals the practitioner has set out in life notwithstanding the obstacles that may present itself.

Held at the Abuja International Conference Centre, the session’s topic was “The making of a successful legal practitioner.” The panelists included Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN, Oyetola Muyiwa Atoyebi SAN, Dr. Agada Elachi, Prince Chukwudi Oli and Dr. Sunny Kayode.

The panelists made crucial interventions which anchored on the need for young lawyers to be industrious and imbibe the culture of hard work, passion and continual self-development. Oli, in his remarks, emphasized the need for mentorship, adding that Gadzama provided the much required mentorship which he needed in his career to succeed when he worked in his law firm.

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‘NNAMDI KANU WEPT OVER MY TREATMENT BY DSS,’ SAYS LAWYER

A lawyer to the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has told CITY LAWYER that Kanu broke down in tears over his alleged humiliation by the Department of State Services (DSS) during his visit to his client at DSS Headquarters, Abuja.

Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the secret service agency, Mr. Maxwell Opara told CITY LAWYER that he was almost stripped naked while attempting to have an audience with the self-determination activist.

According to Opara, “When MNK (Kanu) saw me (his lawyer) looking like awaiting trial inmate he felt so bad and started shedding tears, ‘that his lawyer is subjected to such degrading treatment simply because he came to visit him.’”

The fiery lawyer said that he had to console Kanu, adding: “I calmed him down and told him that I will personally narrate this to the whole world and as well address court on this issue in next court sitting. This is a country that claimed to practice democracy.”

The full text of the experience as sent to CITY LAWYER is below.

“It’s good I narrate this ugly incident to everyone to hear and circulate.

“Yesterday being 30th August, 2021, at about 3 to 4pm Nigerian time, I Maxwell Opara Esq went to DSS Headquarters Abuja to visit Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in line with the order of court that gave directives to some members of his legal team and family members to be visiting him every Monday and Thursday.

“Though I have been going there but yesterday after the normal screening, I was taking to another office where I was forced to remove my suit jacket, shoes & stockings, belt, medicated eyeglass, wedding ring, pen and plain sheet of paper which I wanted to use to record some of information MNK will give in preparation of his defense and applications we may be filing in court.

“I asked the officers who issued this order that lawyers should be subjected to this level, he said that the order is from above. I told them that I will never subject myself to that, they said then I am not ready to see MNK. Then due to the necessary need for me to see MNK, I had no option than to comply. I was given an ordinary slippers with my hands holding my trousers because my belt has been taken away from me.

“When MNK saw me (his lawyer) looking like awaiting trial inmate he felt so bad and started shedding tears, ‘that his lawyer is subjected to such degrading treatment simply because he came to visit him.’

“I calmed him down and told him that I will personally narrate this to the whole world and as well address court on this issue in next court sitting. This is a country that claimed to practice democracy.

“We shall continue to fight against injustice. I believe order lawyers in the legal team will narrate the same experience. Ahead ahead unstoppable!!! God is in control and in him we trust.”

The DSS is yet to respond to the lawyer’s claims.

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.

  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Aug 14, 2021
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GADZAMA VISITS SOLANKE, UNVEILS FIRM’S Q3 NEWSLETTER

Pioneer Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has paid a courtesy visit to foremost lawyer and first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Olufolake Solanke (CON) at her residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Gadzama stated that it was “a rare privilege to have visited the matriarch and tapped from her enriching experiences and insights,” describing Solanke as “an icon even among learned silks – one who inspires many within and without the legal practice.”

According to Gadzama, “her infallible strides in politics and law are beyond excellence and her growth trajectory is perfect proof that it is possible to grow through the echelons in career, politics and social status even as an African woman.”

He stated that Solanke “should no longer be referred to as the Matriarch of the Bar but ‘Grand Matriarch’ of the Bar,” while appreciating the eminent and vocal senior lawyer for honouring the invitation to be the Guest Lecturer at the 10th J-K Gadzama LLP Public Lecture Series in 2017 “where she did justice to the topic, ‘Whistle Blowing Policy: People’s Power and Corruption in Nigeria.’ ”

Thanking Gadzama for the visit, Solanke presented him with a copy of her autobiography, “Reaching for the Stars.”

Meanwhile, J-K Gadzama LLP has released the 3rd Quarter Newsletter for the year 2021. According to the leading law firm, “This edition captures the erudite lecture delivered by former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, GCON at the 13th J-K Gadzama LLP Lecture Series on the crucial and all-important theme of Redefining Democracy: Yearnings of the Minority in a Democratic Setting.”

Also featured in this edition is a lecture delivered by Gadzama at the NBA Kaduna Branch Law Week “on the vital and high-priority topic of ‘Mentorship and Ethics: What Lawyers Need to Know.’

“Readers will be entertained with sights from several events the firm was involved in during the months covered. The contents of this edition are informative, entertaining and insightful.”

To access the publication, please click on https://j-kgadzamallp.com/publications/newsletters/45-vol-32-jul-sep-2021.

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