BREAKING: ECNBA Issues Wrong DND Codes for Verification

Barely an hour to the commencement of the long-awaited verification exercise for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Election, there are strong indications that the Prof. Auwalu Yadudu SAN-led Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) may have thrown spanner in its own works. Continue Reading

AGC: Early Bird Ends in 12 Hours

The early bird window for this year’s Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference will be shut at 11:59 pm today. Continue Reading

‘We are studying ECNBA’s Revised Time Table,’ Says Osigwe

• Hints at Constitutional Crisis
• INJUNCTION: ‘I’m not Disappointed by September date,’
• Election without Prior NEC Approval Unconstitutional – Ukiri

The last may not have been heard on the much revised election time table rolled out by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA). This is because some lawyers contend that the new time table is fraught with constitutional challenges, given that the NBA leadership did not obtain an approval of the National Executive Committee (NBA-NEC) prior to release of the revised time table. Continue Reading

Breaking: New NBA President to Emerge August 4

• ECNBA Okays New Time Table
• To embark on “further” testing of portal
• Decision Throws Up Constitutional Issues
• NBA-NEC to Ratify Decisions at AGC

A new president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will emerge on August 4, 2018 following the release of new election time table by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA). Continue Reading

New Election Timetable Out Today, Says ECNBA

• ‘CRENET Is Having Challenges’
• Why Accreditation Cannot Start Now

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has stated that CRENET Techlabs Limited, its ICT Partner for the verification exercise, is having “a number of challenges” in cleaning up the voters’ register. Continue Reading

INVESTIGATION: Unmasking CRENET Techlabs

CRENET TechLabs Limited, the ICT company hired by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) for its voter verification exercise, prides itself as “a technology & communications agency with vast expertise in utilizing technology for digital transformation and business growth.” Continue Reading

BREAKING: ‘CRENET is Not Ready for Verification ’

• Stakeholders to Meet Today
• Exercise May Commence Soonest
• ‘Clean up’ of Voters’ List Causes Delay

A key member of the team midwifing the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) electoral process has told CITY LAWYER that the verification exercise failed to commence yesterday because CRENET TechLabs Limited, the ICT Partner, was not ready for the exercise. The source said that the delay is due to the inability of the ICT Partner to clean up the database of eligible voters. Continue Reading

Restore COSON’s Licence Now, MPAN Urges NCC

The Music Publishers Association of Nigeria (MPAN) has urged the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to restore the suspended licence of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON). Continue Reading

NBA ELECTION: Mahmoud Queries Yadudu

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud SAN has queried the embattled Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), Prof. Auwalu Yadudu SAN over a trending article on the NBA election, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report. Continue Reading

Verification Starts Today, Says ECNBA

• Uncertainty over weblink for verification exercise
• Accreditation, Voting Dates Unknown
• Lawyers Seek More Time for ECNBA, ICT Partners
• Stakeholders Mull NBA-NEC Emergency Meeting

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has announced today as the new date for the commencement of verification for the NBA National Officers Election. The new date replaces the earlier date of July 26, 2018 announced by the ECNBA for the take-off of the exercise. Continue Reading

ECOSOC RIGHTS: UNILAG Law Holds Colloquium July 31

The Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos will on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 hold a colloquium on social, economic and cultural rights. Continue Reading

Uncertainty, as ECNBA Keeps Mum on Fresh Verification

Palpable uncertainty pervaded the legal industry yesterday as the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) failed to issue guidelines on the verification exercise which commences today. Continue Reading

Agbakoba Backs Ojukwu for NBA Presidency

The quest by Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN to clinch the coveted presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association has received a major boost with his endorsement by former NBA President, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN. Continue Reading

Egbe Amofin Crisis: Olagunju Has no Hand in My Adoption – Alabelewe

• He was Shocked at my Withdrawal Offer
• My Adoption Cannot be Impeached
• Murray is Not My Godfather
• Rivalry between Ojibara and Baloo age-old Continue Reading

ECNBA, Candidates, ICT Experts Agree Modalities for Election

The stage is now set for commencement of activities leading to this year’s Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Election as the ECNBA has agreed modalities for the election with the stakeholders. Continue Reading

BREAKING: ECNBA Scraps CHAMS Verification, Appoints New ICT Partner

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has agreed to scrap the verification exercise done by CHAMS Plc and start on a clean slate. Continue Reading

NBA ELECTION: Crisis Rocks Egbe Amofin Over Adoption

• Ojibara, Balogun Reject Adoption Exercise
• ‘It is a joke carried too far,’ says Balogun
• Olagunju threatened to disqualify me – Ojibara

The resurgent pan-Yoruba lawyers’ association, Egbe Amofin O’dua has been thrown into a crisis following its recent adoption of candidates for the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Election. Continue Reading

NBA ELECTION: Clean-up of Voters’ Register Gets Underway

• ECNBA, Candidates, ICT Experts Parley
• Fresh Verification Exercise Doubtful

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has about now commenced a “clean-up” of the recently released final voters’ list in line with resolutions reached at the meeting of the NBA leadership with past NBA presidents and secretaries. Continue Reading

Ojibara Rejects Adoption by Egbe Amofin

Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara has rejected the adoption of Mr. Mas’ud Alabelewe as the candidate of Egbe Amofin Ood’ua for the post of General Secretary in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar association (NBA) Election. Below is the full text of his statement as sent to CITY LAWYER. Continue Reading

BLASPHEMY: Army, Police Storm Law School

Troops of the Nigerian Army, the police and operatives of the State Security Service have been deployed to the Lagos campus of Nigerian Law School to avert break down of law and order over alleged blasphemy. Continue Reading

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

CHAMSGATE: The ABC of NBA’s Latest Election Rigging Scandal, By Odinkalu

Around July 28, 2018, eligible members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) should vote to elect a new leadership for another two years in a ballot that has become mired in hydra-headed scandals, redolent of the kind of heavily rigged elections for which Nigeria is a global prize winner. Continue Reading

NBA Lagos Holds AGM Today

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch will today hold its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) under the chairmanship of Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom. The meeting is coming against the backdrop of the demise of Pa Tunji Gomez, a consummate Bar-man who was a constant feature at virtually all the branch’s meetings even in the twilight of his life. Continue Reading

CHAMSGATE: Mahmoud Speaks, Reassures Lawyers

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has stated that the 2018 NBA National Officers election will be shifted by a few days. Also, CHAMS Plc will provide the e-voting platform while other ICT firms will conduct the pre-election and post-election verification and audit respectively. Continue Reading

A Duty to Save NBA, by Afam Osigwe

I have watched the unfolding developments in NBA with a lot mixed feelings and dread. A part of me wanted to laugh at those (including a Presidential candidate) who colluded to secure my unlawful disqualification from contesting for NBA Presidency in the forthcoming election, who are now screaming blue murder over the choice of Chams City Plc to provide the e-voting platform for the election. Despite the urge to give in to ‘I have the last laugh’, I am rational enough to fear for the future of our great Association. Edmund Burke warning that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing strengthened my resolve, not to keep silent. Continue Reading

BREAKING NEWS: CHAMSGATE – NBA Election Must Be Postponed, Say Past Presidents

• Olanipekun, Daudu, Wali Present at Parley
• CHAMS Remains ICT Partner
• Candidates’ ICT Experts to Oversight CHAMS
• Election to Be Shifted by 2 Days
• Fresh Verification Exercise May Ensue

CHAMS Plc will remain the ICT Partner for the 2018 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Election earlier slated for July 27 and 28, 2018, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report. An announcement to this effect will be made soon by either the NBA leadership or the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA). Continue Reading

More Tributes Pour in For Pa Gomez

Lawyers queued up yesterday to pay homage to the legacy of Nigeria’s oldest practicing lawyer, Pa Tunji Fortunatus Gomez, popularly called “It’s a matter of conscience.” Continue Reading

CHAMS Knows Fate Tomorrow, as Meeting Deadlocked

• Conducts Test Run for Mahmoud, ECNBA
• Presidential Candidates Absent
• 36,000 on Voters’ List
• 12, 000 Voters Verified

The fate of CHAMS Plc as the ICT Partner for the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Election may be decided tomorrow following a deadlocked meeting today. Continue Reading

CHAMSGATE: What NBA Can Learn from ICAN

By Our Correspondent

The Nigerian Bar Association is set to hold its National Officers election on July 27 and 28, 2018. Controversies have however trailed preparations for the election, not least being the functionality and fidelity of the electronic voting system slated for the election. Continue Reading

Pa Tunji Gomez is Dead

Pa Tunji Fortunatus Gomez, Nigeria’s oldest practicing lawyer is dead. This announcement was made at exactly 3:51 pm today by Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom on the branch whatsapp platform. Continue Reading

CHAMS, ICAN Election and e-Rigging

The credibility of last year’s Council election of the Institute of Chartered Accountants is brought to question as two panel reports reveal evidence of electronic rigging

In May 2014, 28 members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, ICAN, were voted into the Council of the institute. The election and previous others conducted by the electoral body of the institute was by all standard unique. While some experts are clamouring for the adoption of the electronic system of voting in the country, ICAN is already ahead of the game. On more than four occasions, the institute has conducted its council elections through the electronic voting system. Through the system, members of the institute residing within and outside the country are able to exercise their franchise by using a dedicated Personal Identification Number, PIN, to vote. Most of the votes are cast in block as members group themselves and vote for their choice candidate. A renowned information technology firm, Chams Plc, is responsible for the E-voting while the IT unit of the institute oversees the running of the platform. Continue Reading

CHAMS Bids for E-voting 31 Days Before ECNBA Inauguration

The scandal rocking the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Election has taken another dimension as facts have emerged that CHAMS Plc submitted its bid to provide electronic voting services for the elections at least 31 days before the inauguration of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA). Continue Reading

CHAMSGATE: Mahmoud Summons Crisis Meeting

• Invites Presidential Candidates
• High-level Parley Holds Thursday
• NBA Writes CHAMS for Full Disclosure
• CHAMS to Know Fate Soon

The crises rocking the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Election has compelled NBA President, Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud SAN to summon a meeting of key stakeholders to find ways to save the elections.

Impeccable sources told CITY LAWYER that emails were sent to the presidential candidates inviting them to the high-profile crisis management meeting scheduled to hold by 2 pm on Thursday in the President’s Conference Room. Other candidates are not invited to the high stakes meeting.

Signed by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Agoro, sources told CITY LAWYER that the letter did not disclose any agenda for the meeting.

However, NBA sources told CITY LAWYER that perhaps the only item on the agenda is to decide the fate of CHAMS Plc whose selection as the ICT Partner for the elections has raised serious dust among stakeholders. Continue Reading

ECNBA Bars Proxy Verification, Extends Deadline to July 17

* Threatens to Drag Defaulters to Disciplinary Committee

* Bars Further Extension

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has warned that it would drag to the NBA Disciplinary Committee, any lawyer caught updating the election portal for others.

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SCANDAL: ‘NBA’ SENDS SCAM ELECTION EMAIL

The controversies trailing the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Elections inched up a notch higher at the weekend due to a phishing email to members allegedly emanating from the lawyers’ body. Continue Reading

75 Lawyers Fail SAN Test

No fewer than 75 lawyers who sought to take the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) have had their hopes dashed, even as 31 others smile home with the sought-after trophy

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CHAMSgate: Odinkalu Chides Olagunju, Carpets ECNBA

By Our Correspondent

·        Says ECNBA Not Independent, ‘has not done its homework’

·        Demands Full Disclosure

·        Raps NBA GenSec for ‘excess of eagerness’

Human rights czar and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu has taken a swipe at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) leadership for meddling in the affairs of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA).
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NBA Hires Usoro’s Co-Director’s Firm as ICT Partner for Elections

By Our Correspondent

The ICT Partner selected by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to anchor the forthcoming general elections of the association has as its Chairman, a co-director with one of the leading presidential candidates, CITY LAWYER MAGAZINE can authoritatively reveal. The role was performed by Grace Infotech Limited, owners of the Law Pavillion trademark, during the 2016 NBA Elections.
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NJC Recommends 21 Judges for Appointment

PRESS RELEASE
11th May, 2018
The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, at its 86th Meeting, which was held on 8th and 9th May, 2018, recommended the under-listed names of twenty-one (21) successful candidates as Heads of Courts and Judicial Officers for the Federal/State High Courts and the Code of Conduct Tribunal:
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Cost, Compensation, Damages and Restitution Under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015; A Commentary

By Anderson Ogaga Djegbada
In Nigeria, it is axiomatic that when an accused person is found guilty of a crime, he is convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment and/or fined. In the end, one realizes that the main victor is the state, as one more criminal is taken off the street, while she, the state, is further “compensated” with the fine handed down against the accused person. Unfortunately, the victim of the offence, who suffered financial loss, injuries and/or psychological trauma, is only “compensated” with the fact that the accused person has been convicted and punished. The only option left for the victim was either to file a civil suit to claim for damages, or take solace in the cliché, “let the will of God be done”.
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