November 2020

  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Nov 26, 2020
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  • Comments Off on BREAKING: BODY OF BENCHERS OKAYS NOUN GRADUATES FOR LAW SCHOOL

BREAKING: BODY OF BENCHERS OKAYS NOUN GRADUATES FOR LAW SCHOOL

BY EMEKA NWADIOKE

Nigeria’s Body of Benchers has approved admission of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) graduates into the Nigerian Law School, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

The decision by the apex regulator of the legal profession in Nigeria was taken at its meeting held today.

There has been a cat-and-mouse tussle between the Benchers and the NOUN graduates, as the body had insisted that NOUN graduates did not meet the requirements for admission to the Law School.

Before now, all pleas to the Body of Benchers to resolve the impasse met a brickwall until today’s breakthrough.

More details shortly.

  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Nov 26, 2020
  • 3
  • Comments Off on VACANCY: LEADING V/I LAW FIRM NOW HIRING

VACANCY: LEADING V/I LAW FIRM NOW HIRING

                                                     LITIGATION ASSOCIATE
A leading full service law firm renowned for expertise in litigation is seeking an experienced Litigation Associate to join its team of excellent lawyers who pride themselves in providing top notch legal services. This role is for the Lagos office.

                                                         REQUIREMENTS
• 5 to 7 years core litigation experience in a reputable law firm in Nigeria
• Proficient in business development and client management
• Strong verbal and written communication, research, organizational and analytical skills
• Familiarity with the court systems, filing and procedure, rules of various courts and the drafting of court processes
• Must have experience appearing at the High Court and Court of Appeal
• Ability to write articles, newsletters and other thought leadership publications on topics relevant to the practice areas of the firm
• Prior exposure to commercial and corporate practice is an advantage
• Ability to identify key legal issues quickly and efficiently
• Extremely detail-oriented and results-driven
• Conversant with criminal and civil litigation
• Ability to work independently and supervise junior lawyers
• Excellent computer skills, including a high degree of proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Internet and Social Media savvy
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to multi-task and prioritize work
• Strong organizational and planning skills in a fast-paced environment
• A creative mind with an ability to suggest improvements

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to legalvacancy2020@gmail.com

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. 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.

  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Nov 26, 2020
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  • Comments Off on EKWEREMADU TO TACKLE LAWMAKING DYNAMICS, AS UWECHUE CLOCKS 82

EKWEREMADU TO TACKLE LAWMAKING DYNAMICS, AS UWECHUE CLOCKS 82

BY EMEKA NWADIOKE

Former Deputy Senate President, Prof. Ike Ekweremadu (PhD, CFR) will deliver the Keynote Address at the virtual birthday celebration of respected former Chairman of Nigeria’s Body of Benchers, Chief George Uwechue SAN, FNIALS who clocks 82 years on Monday.

The event which is aimed to honour Chief Uwechue, a former Speaker pro Tempore of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, has as its theme “The lawyer in Parliament: A catalyst in the legislative process.” The birthday lecture is billed as a tour de force between politics, lawyering and lawmaking. Chief Uwechue was the Deputy Leader of the Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) Caucus and Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee.

A statement by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN which was made available to CITY LAWYER noted that “As Owelle was a lawyer-member of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic, we consider the topic apposite for the occasion, moreso as Senator Ekweremadu is not only the immediate past Deputy Senate President but is also a lawyer and has been in the Senate for unbroken 17 years.”

The event which kicks off at 4:30 pm will be chaired by renowned senior lawyer, Senator Onyeabo Obi. It will witness goodwill messages from political leaders and foremost jurists. It will also be streamed on several social media channels as well as feature sensational saxophonist, BeeJay Sax who is billed to thrill the global audience.

Chief Uwechue is adjudged one of Nigeria’s foremost jurists, with many leading precedents to his credit. These include Magnusson v Koiki; NAS LTD v BA PLC; Ashibuogwu v AG Bendel State, and the regularly referenced Adeniyi v Governing Council of Yabatech which concurrent verdicts of the trial court and Court of Appeal he upturned at the Supreme Court upon being hired by the appellant.

A longstanding Faculty member at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Chief Uwechue was appointed as a Member of the Rules of Court Advisory Committee of the Supreme Court between 1985 and 1986. He produced a draft review of the rules which was later subsumed into the Supreme Court Rules 1999 (as amended).

Chief Uwechue, the “Owelle of Ogwashi Uku,” was born on 30th November, 1938. He was a two-time member of the House of Representatives, representing Aniocha Federal Constituency of former Bendel State on two different party platforms. He rose to the pinnacle of the House leadership following his assumption of office as the Speaker pro Tempore.

Following the interruption of civil rule by the military, he returned to law practice and again rose to the apogee of the legal profession with his admission into the Inner Bar and his election as Chairman of the Body of Benchers, the apex body that regulates the profession in Nigeria.

He was admitted into the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, Inns of Court School of Law for the English Bar in February 1961 and passed the “British Constitution” with distinction at the North Western Polytechnic, London. He repeated this uncommon feat at the Holborn College of Law, Languages and Commerce where in 1962 he again earned Distinction in “Constitutional Law.” His teacher and one of the world’s foremost constitutional lawyers, Prof. Ben Nwabueze SAN once described Chief Uwechue as unarguably the best among his classmates. This was during the launch of a compendium written by leading Nigerian jurists in Uwechue’s honour.

Chief Uwechue enrolled at the London School of Economics and Political Science courtesy of his mentor, Prof. Nwabueze, and in 1965 received his Bachelor’s Degree in Law, graduating with Second Class Honours. He returned to Nigeria the same year and enrolled at the Nigerian Law School. Having passed the Bar Finals, Chief Uwechue was admitted to the Nigerian Bar on January 21, 1966 – almost 55 years ago.

To register for the virtual event, click
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_19N9qdSbTXaheLKZBsZ-Pw OR https://bit.ly/OwelleAt82

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. 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.

  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Nov 25, 2020
  • 0
  • Comments Off on NBA-SPIDEL ANNUAL CONFAB HOLDS FEB. 17

NBA-SPIDEL ANNUAL CONFAB HOLDS FEB. 17

The popular Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) will hold between February 17 and 20, 2021 in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State. The theme of the conference is “The Role of Public Interest in Governance in Nigeria.”

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER by the Planning Committee headed by fiery human rights activist and former NBA Vice President, Mr. Monday Ubani, the conference will hold at the prestigious Jogor Centre, Off Liberty Road, Ibadan.

Below is the full text of the statement:

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF SECTION OF PUBLIC INTEREST AND DEVELOPMENT LAW (SPIDEL) OF NBA 2021

The National Conference of Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) is billed to hold between the 17th and 20th of February, 2021 at Ibadan in Oyo State.

Recall that the last Conference of the Section took place in Aba, Abia State and was a tremendous success as everyone that participated attested to the richness of the Conference that was clinically executed by the Chairman of the Section, Mr Paul Ananaba SAN and the Conference Planning Committee headed by Mr Chibuike Nwokeukwu SAN. Next year’s conference with the central theme of “The Role of Public Interest in Governance in Nigeria” promises to be an earthquaking event that will attract the creme de la creme of the noble profession and the political class in Nigeria.

The three day event will be enriching with various sub topics like “Public interest and the respect of the rights of citizens to protest against certain policies of government, The legality of Commission of Inquiry of the State Government over Police Brutality, Enforcement of Judgement that has become burdensome in our jurisprudence and the matter of Locus Standi in the light of the recent Supreme Court case of Centre for Oil Pollution Watch Vs NNPC amongst other topics.

The event taking place in the ancient city of Ibadan in the South West promises to be an experience every lawyer whose interest is geared towards serving the cause of the masses will treasure for a long time. The various speakers that will be Resource Persons for the Conference will include the best array of experts on Public interest litigation, top political decision makers and the shakers and movers of the Nigerian Economy.

The Conference shall be declared open by the hardworking Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Mr. Seyi Makinde who has in his cabinet two active members of the Bar that were recently elevated to the rank of Silk. We are talking about the Chairman of the Local Conference Planning Committee, Mr Abiola Olagunju who is heading the State Independent Electoral Commission and Professor Oyelowo Oyewo (SAN designate), the current Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the State. These two men will be pivotal for the successful hosting of the Conference next year in Oyo State.

The indomitable President of the Nigerian Bar Association Mr Olumide Akpata, the Head of the Secretariat Mrs Joyce Oduah, and the entire National Officers, including the National Executive Committee of the Bar have expressed their support to the forthcoming conference that promises not to be forgotten in a hurry for a long to come in the annals of NBA. The following are the Chairman, Secretary and Members of the Conference Planning Committee that was approved by the National Executive Committee in a meeting held sometime in 2020. They are:

1. Mr. M. O. Ubani – Chairman (08033019746)
2. Mr. Israel Usman – Alternate Chairman,
3. Mr. Wole Jimi-Bada – Secretary
4. Mr. Abdul Fagge – Member
5. Mr Abiola Olagunju (SAN Designate) Chairman LOC
6. Ms Ada Nwafor – Member
7. Mr Adamu Barde – Member
8. Mr Kunle Adegoke (SAN Designate) – Member
9. Ms Agi Anne – Member
10.Ms Aisha Mohammed
11.Mr Ayo Ademuliyi Member
12.Mr Edmund Biriomoni – Member
13.Mr. Emeka Nwadioke – Member
14.Mr Frank Agbaedo – Member
15.Mr. G. R. Ayuba – Member
16. Mr Ibrahim – Member
17.Mr Kola Omotinugbon – Member
18.Ms. Nkem Agboti – Member
19.Dr. Paul Ebiala – Member
20.Mr President Aigbokhan – Member
21.Ms Princess Chukwuani – Member
22. Ms Queendaline Ubani – Member
23.Mr Stainislaus Mbaezue – Member
24.Mr Sylvester Udemezue – Member
25. Mr Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN Designate) – Member
26. Mr. Kunle Edun – Member
27. Ms Otti Edah – Member
28.Mr Osita Okoro – Member
29. Mr. Paul Ananaba SAN, Chairman of SPIDEL – Member.
30.Mr Aliyu Binali – Member
31.Mr Abdullahi Karaye – Member
32.Mr Umar Isa Sulaiman – Member
33.Chimezie Iroka – Member
34. Sunday Abednego – Member
35.Jesse Nwaenyo.
36. Okechukwu Barrah
37. Daniel Asomeji

Of interest is the venue of the Conference which is at palatial Jogor Centre, Off Liberty Road, Ibadan with a capacity for 3000 (Three thousand) persons. It is a well air-conditioned environment with a vast parking space for guests. Every lawyer with flair for public interest litigation should endeavour to be at Ibadan next year. Ibadan is one of the ancient cities in Nigeria with so many monumental sites, scenes and tasty meals for those who love their stomach. Mark your diary now, 17th to 20th of February, 2021. Details of Registration shall soon be published from the National Secretariat in Abuja. Let us make this conference one to treasure for a long time to come.

M. O. Ubani,
Chairman, Conference Planning Committee.

Wole Jimi-Bada
Secretary, Conference Planning Committee.

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. 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.

  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Nov 25, 2020
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  • Comments Off on OBI, OLANIPEKUN, OTHERS CELEBRATE EX-NBA SPOKESMAN AT 60

OBI, OLANIPEKUN, OTHERS CELEBRATE EX-NBA SPOKESMAN AT 60

Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong and his Benue counterpart, Dr. Samuel Ortom are among dignitaries expected to participate in an online colloquium that would discuss law and technology.

The theme of the webinar is “The COVID-19 new normal: leveraging law and technology to promote good governance; ensure food security in a sustainable environment.”

The colloquium is in commemoration of the 60th birthday anniversary of Mr. John Echezona Unachukwu, (John Austin), former National Publicity Secretary of the NBA and the unveiling of John Austin Unachukwu and Associates Law and Media Centre. The event will hold today by 1 pm.

While Mr. Obi will present the Keynote Address, the Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Lanre Fagbohun (SAN) would be the 6th speaker.

The chief host, according to The Guardian, would be the pioneer chairman of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), while the former Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), Chief Sebastine Hon (SAN), Chief Arthur Obi-Okafor (SAN), among others would host the event.

To register, click here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_294c3EnXQ2KGI78hBKuf5Q

  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Nov 24, 2020
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  • Comments Off on CJN TO CHAIR 12TH GADZAMA ANNUAL LECTURE TODAY

CJN TO CHAIR 12TH GADZAMA ANNUAL LECTURE TODAY

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad will today chair the 12th edition of the popular “J-K Gadzama LLP Annual Public Lecture” which holds from 3 pm to 6 pm.

The theme of the lecture is “Rebuilding the nation post COVID-19 outbreak: the judicial, economic and political perspectives.” The lecture which is being held virtually for the first time has renowned jurist, Dr. Mahdi Shehu, Chairman of Dialogue Groups as the Keynote Speaker.

The discussants include Nella Andem-Rabana SAN, Principal Partner, Lexglobal Partners; Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN, Professor of Law, University of Jos; Dr. Sam Amadi, former Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and Mr. Akinlabi Akingbade, Partner/Head of Chambers, J-K Gadzama LLP.

Mr. Madu Joe-Kyari Gadzama, Junior Partner, J-K Gadzama LLP will compere the lecture.

To register, click on https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0qde6qrz8iGtW_Oz4A8BoXUEdIj20VwWp3

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. 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.

AELEX LECTURE HOLDS TODAY

The 14th Annual Lecture of ǼLEX will hold today, Wednesday, November 18, 2020. This year’s edition of the popular lecture will hold virtually with the theme, “Illiteracy, Migration and Insecurity: Nigeria’s Population Time Bomb.”

Among the Speakers for today’s lecture are:

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa – Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission; Mr. Mohamed Yahya – Resident Representative, UNDP Nigeria, and Ms. Nyma Akashat-Zibiri – Founding Partner, Cynosure Practice, Barristers and Solicitors and Co-host of TVC’s “Your View.”

The lecture will be moderated by foremost broadcaster, Channels Television Judiciary Correspondent and lawyer, Shola Soyele.

To register, please use the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/AELEXLECTURE2020

ǼLEX is a full service commercial & dispute resolution law firm. It is one of the largest law firms in West Africa with offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja in Nigeria, and Accra, Ghana. ǼLEX was established in 2004. It has a reputation for impacting the development of both legal and social changes through our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Pro Bono services.

To commemorate the establishment of the firm in July of 2004, ǼLEX held a lecture which drew from the experience of leaders in government, education, business and economy. The first edition of the lecture which held in July 2005 was very well received, and the lecture has since become one of the most insightful and educational projects to look forward to in the firm’s calendar of yearly events.

ǼLEX Lecture topics cover contemporary issues relevant to the legal
and business world which are delivered in a relaxed and professional manner. Speakers are invited from all parts of the world to speak on a variety of topics relating to the theme of each year.

ǼLEX believes that an important aspect to being able to deliver comprehensive legal services to its clients involves steering the conversations that can stimulate positive changes in Africa’s
economic, educational, political and social circumstances.

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. 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.