GADZAMA TO CHAIR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYERS’ FORUM LAUNCH

The Association of Environmental Lawyers of Nigeria (AELN) will hold its inauguration of Chapters/Clubs today at 3 pm at the Faculty of Law Auditorium, Rivers State University.

The event, billed to be attended by the cream of environmental law practitioners, will be chaired by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, who is also the Chairman of the Advisory Council of the association.

The ceremony will feature a number of programmes including the inauguration of Chapters/Clubs, Seminars and panel discussion on plastic waste management, launching of waste collection bins, tree planting exercise, and recognition/awards.

Among those expected at the event are Prof. N. S. Okogbule, Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University who is the Special Guest of Honour; Prof. O. V. C. Okene, Dean of Law, Rivers State University and Dr. S. C. Dike, president of the association.

The event is scheduled to start immediately after the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Meeting.

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.

LAW SCHOOL CLASS ’91 OPENS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

In fulfillment of its pledge to award 30 scholarships to indigent students of the Nigerian Law School in celebration of its 30th anniversary, the Nigerian Law School “Class of 1991” has invited applications from prospective beneficiaries.

A statement signed by foremost litigator and Chairman of the 30th Anniversary Planning Committee, Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN indicated that the application window closes on November 20, 2021. All applications are to be emailed to nls1991anniversary@gmail.com.

According to the eligibility criteria, each applicant must

1) be admitted to the Nigerian Law School for the 2021/2022 academic year and must be able to take up the admission;

2) be able to demonstrate a need for financial assistance by submitting a short essay of not more than 250 words explaining why he/she deserves this scholarship.

3) be able to demonstrate a career plan;

4) have earned a minimum of Second Class Honours degree.

According to Ananaba who is also the immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), “The scholarships are designed to assist indigent Law School students and to ensure that impecuniosity does not stand in the way of a Bar aspirant becoming a member of the noble profession.”

Speaking further on the forthcoming anniversary which has the Dinner & Awards Night holding on December 10, 2021 at Nigerian Air Force Mess, Kado District, Abuja as one of its highlights, Ananaba said: “It is our way of giving back to the society. Many of our class mates have made their marks in several fields of endeavour. Some of the alumni are governors, jurists, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, just name it! Ours is one of the most successful classes that the Nigerian Law School has ever produced. We are grateful to God for this uncommon grace upon our members. Another highlight of the red-carpet Dinner & Awards Night is a ‘Special Recognition Award’ to a deserving honores.”

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.

EXCLUSIVE: DROPPED SAN-DESIGNATE SPEAKS

Mr. Chidi Nworka, the aspirant for the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who was sensationally replaced by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has told CITY LAWYER that he is “taking my time to digest it.”

It is recalled that the LPPC had admitted an error while announcing the list of successful applicants for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, blaming the incident on a “mix-up.”

Said the committee: “In the press release issued by this office yesterday, 21st October 2021 announcing the list of successful applicants for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Nworka, Chidi Benjamin Esq. listed as No. 43 was mistakenly included in the list of Advocate Appointees. The actual successful applicant that ought to be in the said list is OSAKA, BENJAMIN NWORA, ESQ.

Continuing, the LPPC said: “The mix-up is highly regretted and we apologise to all persons affected by it. A corrected version of the list in the order (sic) seniority at the outer Bar is hereby is hereby listed below for record purposes.”

The incident had generated heated reactions in legal circles, with many lawyers expressing shock at the mix-up.

When contacted, the embattled SAN aspirant told CITY LAWYER that he would “prefer” not to speak on the controversial saga. He said that he is “still watching events unfold,” adding that the incident is “still fresh and emotions are still high.”

According to him, “I am taking my time to digest it and let it simmer down. You will recall that as lawyers, when some judgements come, we say, ‘Let’s take our time and digest it.’ That is my attitude presently. I would prefer not to speak about the incident for now. Please bear with me.”

CITY LAWYER gathered that Nworka also went all the way with his last year’s application but was unable to scale the last screening hurdle.

Although the influential Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) had mounted a strident campaign to compel the LPPC to suspend the awards and revamp its guidelines, the committee brushed aside the call to elevate 72 senior lawyers to the coveted rank.

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. The assertions and opinions expressed in articles, announcements and/or news on this website reflect the views of the author(s) and do not (necessarily) reflect the views of the webmaster, the internet provider or CITY LAWYER. CITY LAWYER can in no way whatsoever be held responsible for the content of such views nor can it be held liable for any direct or indirect damage that may arise from such views. CITY LAWYER neither guarantees nor supports any product or service mentioned on this website, nor does it warrant any assertions made by the manufacturers or promoters of such products or services. Users of this website are always recommended to obtain independent information and/or to perform independent research before using the information acquired via this website.

 

SAN AWARDS: ‘PROF. TORIOLA OYEWO IS A CEREBRAL LAWYER,’ SAYS EX A-G

In this moving tribute, former Oyo State Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo goes down memory lane and submits that the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) could not have been bestowed on a more endearing and deserving person than 91-year-old Professor (Chief) Toriola Ajagbe Oyewo 

In my early years at the Bar, precisely in 1995, I was doing my pupillage in the commercial law firm of Dele Akinmusuti & Co, then situated at 23, Mogaji Are Street, Off Ring Road , Ibadan, Oyo State of Nigeria.

A notable client of the law firm referred a brief to me and I was paid a very handsome professional fee which was then the equivalent of my 7 (seven) months salary . I put in my very best into the drafting of the certorari process that I filed before the High Court of Justice, Ibadan.

The person who referred the case and the client to me is a very wealthy client who had confided in me that the client was a very dear side-kick of his and that I must do all within my capacity to render useless and ineffectual the kangaroo customary court judgement obtained by her landlord to eject her from a coded property he got for the pretty damsel at Iyaganku GRA in Ibadan. The case financier also warned me that my Principal who is his friend must not know about the relationship between him and the beautiful client. That I so much understood because Mr. Dele Akinmusuti is a born-again Christian who will not tolerate such unholy escapade.

Faithfully, I kept that secret pact because the brief was very fat.

Professor Toriola Oyewo represented the party interested/respondent, the landlord in the case which was assigned to Hon. Justice John Olagoke Ige, of blessed memory. My Lord Ige was one of the finest Judges that had presided on the very rich and resourceful judiciary of Oyo State which bench is unarguably the best in the whole federation till date.

After we were granted leave to quash the judgement of the inferior court and the order of court together with the motion on notice was served on the landlord, the services of Professor Oyewo was retained to represent my Client’s adversary .

We were served with a counter-affidavit and we promptly responded by way of further affidavit.

On the 14th day that the matter was to be heard, Professor Oyewo applied to withdraw his counter-affidavit and same was struck out without any opposition by me. The court asked me to move my certiorari application , which I did and I also addressed the court extensively by citing several decided authorities in support of client’s case. That period was good years of oral advocacy because the present front-loading system of written addresses were not in use then.

“Besides being a cerebral and brilliant legal practitioner, he is an erudite teacher and a repository of political history, economics, localities, events and people. Professor Oyewo is also a first class Socialite who, till today, enjoys life to the fullest. The grace of God in his life is manifest in his good look and his good health. At 91 years of age, he still drives himself around till date. His memory of cases, history and anything under the sun is superb and second to none.”

When it got to the turn of Professor Oyewo, the learned Senior counsel informed the court, expectedly, that he was replying on points of law only. He attacked my case from the angle that the judgement of the inferior court could not be quashed by the high court on the ground of lack of jurisdiction upon which our case was not apparent on the face of the record of the customary court. The erudite Professor submitted further that the court could not take judicial notice that Iyaganku GRA is within the 10km radius of Mapo in the absence of expert evidence to that effect and that it is not a matter of assumption or conjecture by the court.

Mapo in Ibadan is accepted to be the centre of Ibadan and any property within its 10 kilometres radius is held to be within the urban area of Ibadan. Prof. Oyewo asked the Judge rhetorically if the court would allow me to turn My Lord into a land surveyor overnight. Furthermore, that I did not exhibit my Client’s rent receipt for the court to be satisfied and convinced that the rental value of the property was outside the jurisdiction of the customary court.
The court adjourned the matter for ruling after the addresses of both of us had been taken.

In a well considered ruling delivered by the court, my certiorari application was dismissed as the court agreed entirely with Professor Oyewo. I became devastated the following day when my client and her financier came to meet me in the chambers that the lady had been ejected from the premises by the Bailiffs of the Oke-Are Grade C Customary Court, thus bringing to an abrupt end my fat retainership.

I took the aftermath of the case too personal because I refused to greet or acknowledge the greetings of the eminent Senior counsel whenever we met at any of the numerous clubs that he also frequented. I was always, politely, turning down Prof’s offer, politely though, to pay for my meals and or drinks whenever we met. He was fond of telling me jokingly that my behaviour was strange to both the traditions at the Bar and Ibadanland, yet I didn’t yield my ground due to my youthful exuberance at that time.

There was a thaw in our relationship in 2001 when some colleagues and myself met the learned Professor at a popular restaurant in Basorun, Ibadan. My friends had accompanied me there to woo a lady who had became a nut too hard to crack for me. The lady snubbed us that evening and insulted us to the hearing of Chief. I was more than surprised when Prof beckoned to the lady to come over and told her that she cannot get a better suitor anywhere in Nigeria than this promising and brilliant colleague of his (he referred to me as his colleague). As if we were all dreaming, the lady melted immediately and agreed to follow us to a night club that day. Lo and behold, she did. What followed thereafter is best left for my readers’ imagination.

That singular act endeared me to Professor Oyewo and we became very close thereafter to the extent that he gave me complimentary copies of the numerous books that he wrote and he still does that till date.

Besides being a cerebral and brilliant legal practitioner, he is an erudite teacher and a repository of political history , economics, localities, events and people . Professor Oyewo is also a first class Socialite who, till today, enjoys life to the fullest. The grace of God in his life is manifest in his good look and his good health. At 91 years of age, he still drives himself arround till date. His memory of cases, history and anything under the sun is superb and second to none.

My joy knew no bound when I was asked by Senator Abiola Ajimobi of blessed memory, the former Governor of Oyo to represent him and the state at Prof’s 80th birthday on which occasion that I narrated the story of the case highlighted above for the first time. The learned Professor, his bosom friend, High Chief Akinnola (now of blessed memory), the Lisa of Ondo Kingdom and all the guests at the event rolled in laughter on hearing the account.

Professor has since become a father-figure to me, a mentor, a role model and a great teacher. Chief M.K. Amusan-Awolesu, a big brother to me and one of the bosom friends of Senator Abiola Ajimobi later informed me that Professor Oyewo had been his mentor since his childhood and that no week will pass without Prof personally checking on him and his family till date.

The news of Professor Toriola Oyewo being one of the recipients of the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria at advanced age of 91 along with my Partner, Kazeem Adekunle Gbadamosi Esq. who, perhaps, was a toddler when Prof was called to the Nigeria Bar, did not come as a surprise to me because Ebenezer Obey had long predicted in one of his evergreen musical albums in the 1970s, https://youtu.be/GOUOJeL4VGI where he sang of Chief that “Eye adaba wa gbe ire wa ko wa o”.

The award to Papa at 91 is the Privileges Committee of giving Prof his due , meritorious and well-deserved honour (ire and eye) in his ripe old age while still alive.

May the good Lord continue to preserve a legal encyclopedia, a quintessential gentleman and a Teacher of Teachers, Professor Toriola Ajagbe Oyewo of the Erunmu fame and a devoted Seventh Day Adventist for us all for many more purposeful years.

Even at 91 years, it is still appropriate for me to greet you Good morning, Professor Toriola Ajagbe Oyewo, SAN-Designate.

Dated this 22nd October, 2021

Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo Esq.
Asiwaju of Ita-Ege & Idi-Aro, Ibadan,
Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oyo State of Nigeria 2011 -2015

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. The assertions and opinions expressed in articles, announcements and/or news on this website reflect the views of the author(s) and do not (necessarily) reflect the views of the webmaster, the internet provider or CITY LAWYER. CITY LAWYER can in no way whatsoever be held responsible for the content of such views nor can it be held liable for any direct or indirect damage that may arise from such views. CITY LAWYER neither guarantees nor supports any product or service mentioned on this website, nor does it warrant any assertions made by the manufacturers or promoters of such products or services. Users of this website are always recommended to obtain independent information and/or to perform independent research before using the information acquired via this website.

GADZAMA WINS “BEST WALKER” PRIZE AT NBA-AGC

Pioneer Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN has taken home the “Best Walker” prize at this year’s NBA Annual General Conference “Health Walk” in Port Harcourt.

The Health Walk which kicked off at 7 am from the Yakubu Gowon Stadium is part of the activities lined up to herald this year’s AGC which is holding in the “Garden City” of Port Harcourt between October 22 and 29, 2021.

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, “In total compliance with this year’s theme: ‘Taking the Lead,’ Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN who partook in the walk, took the lead and was awarded the Best Walker. The prize was presented by Mrs. Mbamalu of Jumbo Sports with the NBA President, Olumide Akpata and the Chairman Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP), Mr. Victor Frank-Briggs all in attendance at the Real Madrid Academy, off Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt.”

The statement added that Gadzama “appreciated the Chairman of TCCP and his team for a wonderful start to the AGC yesterday (Friday) and that the Health Walk program today was thoughtful and timely. The Learned Silk further appreciated the President of the NBA, the coordinator, Mrs. Miannaya Aja Essien SAN, the Organizer, Mrs. Mbamalu of Jumbo Sports and all senior and junior colleagues present, thanking God that he won this year’s coveted prize for the Best Endeavored Walker. Gadzama also humorously noted that he had also participated at the Uyo SLP Walk early this year but was far from winning but he has used that experience to walk harder and win the AGC Health Walk, this year. Gadzama, SAN dedicated the prize to all junior colleagues, those who physically participated and those who could not for good reasons.”

According to the statement, among those who participated in the Health Walk were Messrs Roland Otaru SAN, Godwin Omoaka SAN, Y. C. Maikyau SAN, Sam Atunga SAN-designate, Monday Ubani, Okey Ohagba, and Long Williams among others.

Meanwhile, Gadzama has also felicitated with players at the ongoing 2021 NBA-AGC Football Tournament. A statement by his media aide noted that “Gadzama, SAN in his usual nature and enthusiasm for the game of football identified with various teams,” adding that “although he is a keen lover of golf, he also loves the highly exciting game of football which he was on ground to watch and support the players who came out. The learned Silk also had pre-match photos with the teams.”

The football tournament witnessed teams from various NBA branches including Aba, Abuja, Benin, Effurun, Isiokpo, Jos, Kano, Lagos, Minna, Onitsha, Osogbo, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Udu and Yenagoa.

At the close of Day 2 fixtures, Lagos Branch edged Yenagoa Branch with a 1:0 win while Isiokpo Branch toppled Owerri Branch with a 3:0 victory. Onitsha Branch whitewashed Udu Branch by a 5:0 win, posting the highest goal margin. Aba Branch narrowly beat Minna Branch with a 2:1 margin while Jos Branch was deflated by Benin Branch through a 3:0 win. On its part, Effurun Branch lost to Osogbo Branch by a 1:2 margin while the match between Port Harcourt Branch and Abuja Branch was stalemated at 0:0. Kano Branch secured a 1:0 narrow victory against Makurdi Branch.

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.

BREAKING: ANXIETY, AS LPPC PLEADS ‘MIX-UP,’ REPLACES SAN-DESIGNATE

There is anxiety within legal circles as the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) today admitted an error in its listing of newly designated Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

In a press release obtained by CITY LAWYER, the committee stated that there was a “mix-up” in the list issued yesterday, saying: “In the press release issued by this office yesterday, 21st October 2021 announcing the list of successful applicants for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Nworka, Chidi Benjamin Esq. listed as No. 43 was mistakenly included in the list of Advocate Appointees. The actual successful applicant that ought to be in the said list is OSAKA, BENJAMIN NWORA, ESQ.”

Continuing, the LPPC said: “The mix-up is highly regretted and we apologise to all persons affected by it. A corrected version of the list in the order (sic) seniority at the outer Bar is hereby is hereby listed below for record purposes.”

Worried by this development, a senior lawyer-turned-broadcaster wrote: “So the LPPC made one lawyer, his family and friends to celebrate in vain yesterday! I’m still in shock that this error happened.”

However, a leading lawyer who is familiar with the process told CITY LAWYER that it is a “Genuine error,” adding: “They mixed up two names : OSAKA, BENJAMIN NWORA and NWORKA, BENJAMIN CHIDI. The former is the successful candidate. When they were typing out the names they picked the latter. I think it’s a genuine mistake, particularly for people who are not familiar with Igbo names.”

It is recalled that the committee yesterday brushed aside the call by the influential Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) to elevate 72 senior lawyers to the coveted rank. BOSAN had, as exclusively reported by CITY LAWYER, called for a suspension of the awards for three years in order to enable a holistic reform of the award process.

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.

J-K GADZAMA LLP APPOINTS MANAGING PARTNER, OTHERS

J-K Gadzama LLP has appointed Mr. Francis Oronsaye as the new Managing Partner of the firm. According to a press release made available to CITY LAWYER, “The appointment is geared towards the efficient management of the Firm.”

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Oronsaye had served as the firm’s Deputy Managing Partner.

He took over from Mrs Geraldine Mbah, who served the firm exceptionally and was celebrated with a sendoff party earlier this year. She is currently in the United States of America to further her legal education.

Meanwhile, the leading law firm has also announced the promotion of Mr. Darlington Onyekwere and Mr. Madu Joe-Kyari Gadzama from Junior Partners to Partners. “Similarly, Mr Oluniyi Adediji and Mr Jerry Ombugadu Musa were admitted into the firm’s partnership as Junior Partners,” the statement said. “The firm wishes them the best as they assume their new positions.”

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.

HISTORY, AS LPPC SHUNS BOSAN, APPOINTS 72 SANS

• PROMISES TO REFORM SAN RANK

• NEW GUIDELINES FOR 2023 AWARDS

The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) has brushed aside a strident call by the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) to appoint 72 senior lawyers as Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

History was made today following release of list of newly appointed senior advocates of Nigeria by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC).

The committee bestowed the coveted rank on the first clergy man as well as a serving senior police officer. These are Rev. (Dr.) Edwin Sunday Chukwujekwu Obiora (Anambra State) and Simon Asember Lough (Benue State), a Deputy Commissioner of Police serving at Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Meanwhile, the LPPC which has the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tank Muhammad as its chairman, has set up a sub-committee to review the guidelines for the award of the rank. This may not be unconnected with the damning indictment of the award process by the influential Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) as reported exclusively by CITY LAWYER.

According to the press release issued today by Hajo Sarki Bello Esquire, Acting Chief Registrar of Supreme Court and LPPC Secretary, 72 lawyers were elevated to the new rank, comprising 62 advocates and 10 academics. The appointees would be sworn-in on December 8, 2021 at the Supreme Court premises, Abuja.

The application for the 2022 exercise would open in January, said the committee, adding: “In the meantime, the Legal Practitioners Privileges committee wishes to notify the general public that it has set up a sub-committee to review the 2018 Guidelines for the award of the rank effective from 2023 award year.”

It is recalled that BOSAN had expressed worry over the huge number of applicants recently shortlisted for award of the rank, warning that unless a holistic review of the award process is undertaken by the LPPC, the rank risked losing its prestige and standing among stakeholders.

Saying that it was gladdened by the receipt of a letter from the LPPC to its earlier complaint, BOSAN however expressed disappointment at the recent turn of events, saying: “However, following the recent announcement of the shortlisting of 130 candidates shortlisted in the process for conferment with the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, we are of the considered opinion that the concerns raised in our earlier referenced letter have not been addressed.”

Pledging its support of the reform process “in any way possible” and as a “dominant stakeholder” in the entire exercise, the body advised that the review process “should re-evaluate the criteria, guidelines and administrative processes leading to the selection, including the personnel at the SAN/LPPC Administrative Secretariat/Department, proper pre-screening of applicants, competitive processes and independent assessment free of lobbying, all geared towards attaining and sustaining continuous improvements and retaining the dignity, respect and reverence of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the legal profession in general.”

Below is the list of the SANs-designate.

ACADEMIC appointees:

1. Prof Bankole Akintoye Sodipo

2. Prof Christian Chizundu Wigwe

3. Prof Ajagbe Toriola Oyewo

4. Prof Rasheed Jimoh Ijaodola

5. Prof Oluyinka Osayame Omorogbe

6. Dr Josephine Aladi Achor Agbonika

7. Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi

8. Prof Edoba Bright Omoregie

9. Prof Abiola Olaitan Sanni

10. Dr Anthony Ojukwu Okechukwu

ADVOCATES appointees

11. George Audu Anuga

12. Simon Asember Lough

13. Eko Ejembi Eko

14. Ayo Abraham Olorunfemi

15. Reuben Okpanachi Atabo

16. John Ogwu Adele

17. Shaibu Enejoh Aruwa

18. Eyitayo Ayokunle Fatogun

19. Jacob Johnson Usman

20. Tajudeen Olaseni Oladoja

21. Salman Jawando Ayinla

22. Adeola Rasaq Omotunde

23. Mathew Gwar Bukka

24. Mohammed Ndayako

25. Hassan Usman El-Yakub

26. Ishaq Magaji Hussaini

27. Samuel Atung

28. Mohammed Abdulhamid

29. Kabiru Aliyu

30. Mohammed Abdulaziz Sani

31. Uche Sunday Awa

32. Uchenna Chinyere Ihediwa

33. Philip Ndubuisi Umeh

34. Peter Aguigom Afuba

35. Felix Anayo Onuzulike

36. Benjamin Chukwudi Uzuegbu

37. Benjamin Nworah Osaka

38. Ikenna Okoli

39. Edwin Sunday Chukwujekwu Obiora

40. Emeka Jude-Philip Obegolu

41. Clement Onwuenwunor

42. Chijioke Ogugua Precious Emeka

43. Anthony Obinna Mogboh

44. Victor Ugwuezumba Opara

45. Kamasuode Wodu

46. Charles Udoka Ihua-Maduenyi

47. Sammie Abiye Somiari

48. Ogaga Ovrawah

49. Charles Dumbiri Mekwunye

50. Ikeazor Ajovi Akaraiwe

51. Marcellous Eguvwe Oru

52. Mark Okebuinor Mordi

53. Ehiogie West-Idahosa

54. Fredricks Ebos Itula

55. Ibrahim Idris Agbomere

56. Anthony Ademuyiwa Adeniyi

57. Bolarinwa Olotu

58. Adekola Olawale Fapohunda

59. Adekunle Akanbi Ojo

60. Olaotan Olusegun Ajose-Adeogun

61. Rotimi Sheriff Seriki

62. Olukayode Oluwole Adeluola

63. Adeyinka Moyosore Kotoye

64. Oluwasina Olanrewaju Ogungbade 65. Afolabi Fatai Kuti

66. Francis Omotosho

67. Ayodeji Adedipe

68. Adeleke Olaniyi Agbola

69. James Akingbola Akinola

70. Muritala Oladimeji Abdul-Rasheed

71. Dauda Adekola Mustapha

72. Kazeem Adekunle Gbadamosi

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.

130 ‘SANS’: AGAIN, BOSAN WRITES CJN, CARPETS LPPC

• WANTS AWARD OF SAN RANK PAUSED
• WORRIES ABOUT DILUTION, LOBBYING
• SEEKS MORE STRINGENT RULES FOR ACADEMICS

The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has again expressed worry over the huge number of applicants recently shortlisted for possible award of the rank of senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In a later obtained by CITY LAWYER and addressed to the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) and to the attention of its Chairman/Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, BOSAN warned that unless a holistic review of the award is undertaken by the LPPC, the rank risks losing its prestige and standing among stakeholders.

Dated September 21, 2021 and signed by Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN), Chief Folake Solanke (SAN) and BOSAN’S longstanding Secretary, Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN), the letter is titled “RE: LEGAL PRACTITIONERS PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE’S LISTING OF 130 LAWYERS AS SHORTLISTED IN THE PROCESS FOR CONFERMENT WITH THE RANK OF SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA FOR THE YEAR 2021: REITERATION OF THE BODY OF SENIOR ADVOCATES OF NIGERIA’S (BOSAN) STRONG NOTE OF CONCERN ON THE QUALITY OF THE PROCESS AND PROCEDURE FOR THE CONFERMENT OF THE RANK.” It was copied to all LPPC members and the Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).

BOSAN referred to the response to its earlier letter signed by LPPC Chairman, Justice Muhammad and noted that “Upon receipt of the letter from the Committee, we were hopeful that necessary changes as conveyed in our letter would be implemented to preserve the dignity of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.”

The body expressed disappointment at the recent turn of events, saying: “However, following the recent announcement of the shortlisting of 130 candidates shortlisted in the process for conferment with the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, we are of the considered opinion that the concerns raised in our earlier referenced letter have not been addressed.”

Lampooning the shortlist, BOSAN said that “It is not willy-nilly that all candidates that meet the set criteria should be appointed in any given year, as such an approach cannot but result in the degradation of the rank. It is those that prove to be outstanding within the shortlist that should be conferred with the rank. This is the time honoured rule applied in relation to admissions to all reputable institutions in situations where competition is high and spaces are limited and where it would be inappropriate to accommodate all those persons who appear to have met the criteria.”

Turning to the conferment of the rank to academics, BOSAN warned that “There is even a greater need for more stringent approach in cases where appointments are to be made on the basis of academic accomplishments.”

Noting that “It has now become necessary that we reiterate, respectfully, the concerns raised in the body’s earlier letter, BOSAN said: “The members of the Inner bar are concerned that the current procedure and criteria for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria would result in a watered-down perception of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. We are also of the considered opinion that it is imperative that the Committee pauses and reassesses the procedure and criteria for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria as we fear that that (sic) the process could be reduced to a ‘mere compilation and submission of the listed documentation’ in the next few years, with no attention to excellence or distinction in the practice of law.”

Insisting that the award of the rank should be suspended to allow for a holistic appraisal, BOSAN said: “In light of this, we write to reiterate our earlier recommendation that the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria be put on hold to enable the Committee to conduct and publish a credible and comprehensive review of the process for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.”

Pledging its support of the review process “in any way possible” and as a “dominant stakeholder” in the entire exercise, the body advised that the review process “should re-evaluate the criteria, guidelines and administrative processes leading to the selection, including the personnel at the SAN/LPPC Administrative Secretariat/Department, proper pre-screening of applicants, competitive processes and independent assessment free of lobbying, all geared towards attaining and sustaining continuous improvements and retaining the dignity, respect and reverence of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the legal profession in general.”

Noting the urgency of its Save-Our-Soul letter, BOSAN said: “We would like to point out that a comprehensive review of the screening process is an urgent and necessary step to retain the dignity, respect, and reverence of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the legal profession in general. The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria is still committed to providing its expertise and support at every stage of the review process and we are anticipating a positive feedback and implementation of the recommendations in this letter.”

It is recalled that CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report noted BOSAN’s blistering condemnation of the 2020 award process which threw up 72 senior advocates, saying: “BOSAN struggles to understand the rationale for the over 100% increase from the previous year and a 600% increase from a 45-year average. We are dismayed at this out-stepping from the norms and standards established over nearly five decades of our legal history.”

Delivering its final verdict on the exercise, BOSAN said: “We are of the strong and painful view, and it would appear to many, that the criteria have been whittled down and the bar/benchmark lowered to the extent of defeating the description of excellence as a sine qua non for attaining the prestigious rank.”

This is notwithstanding that Justice Muhammad had in LPPC’s response assured BOSAN that the Committee had considered BOSAN’s concerns “in detail,” adding that a review would be undertaken to strengthen the conferment process.

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.

USE TECHNOLOGY TO TACKLE COURT DELAYS – TAIDI

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Taidi has advised stakeholders in the justice sector to deploy technological tools to combat delay in the hearing of cases.

Speaking at the recent Law Week of NBA Ota Branch with the theme, “Technology & Administration of Justice: Present Day Realities,” Taidi noted that the coronavirus pandemic has wrought a new way of doing things especially in the administration of justice.

His words: “Sadly, the poor state of infrastructure, such as the deplorable state of our roads, epileptic electricity supply, and the inhuman sanitary condition across the country has imposed upon us the urgent need to embrace technology in order to enhance the administration of justice.

“Our political leaders use scarce resources as excuse to justify their inability to provide the much needed infrastructure. This is unacceptable in the face of the huge recurrent expenditure expended on the political class to the detriment of the vast population.

“Before the Covid-19 pandemic we were all witnesses to how long it took to conclude cases in our courts. Timeliness has been imposed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as part of the culture of dispensation of justice. Let us fashion out a way to commence and conclude cases speedily not through constitutional amendments, but by deploying technology.

“While the pandemic has brought great challenges to our practice, the Ota Law Week is proof that as a body we are determined to rise to these challenges.”

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.

 

WHY I DONATED OFFICE, OTHER FACILITIES TO SPIDEL, BY GADZAMA

In a speech delivered today at the unveiling of office space and other facilities he donated to NBA-SPIDEL, CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA SAN says he will continue to support the Section of which he was the pioneer Chairman

Speech delivered by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN on the occasion of the commissioning of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) Office in Abuja by the President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata.

PROTOCOL

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the commissioning ceremony of the new office space of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL); I feel even more honoured by your distinguished presence at this project commissioning. It is indeed a privilege to welcome you all.

The NBA SPIDEL office space project being commissioned today is among the very many humble initiatives towards supporting the NBA’s desire of ensuring the maintenance of public law and order. This is the fulcrum upon which societal development, innovations and economic prosperity are built, nourished and sustained.

As the Pioneer Chairman of the NBA SPIDEL, it is my continued pleasure and singular honour to aid the development and growth of the NBA SPIDEL. More so, if donating an office space will further the gospel of the NBA SPIDEL on maintaining public law and order, then why not?

The NBA SPIDEL as you all may know was established by the NBA following approval for its establishment at her NEC meeting held on November 30, 2006 in Bauchi State, and was officially inaugurated on the December 19, 2006 by the then President of NBA, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, OON, with me appointed as the pioneer Chairman.

Just like every other body or organization in its infancy, my team and I experienced challenges in designing a structure for the NBA SPIDEL, preaching its vision to members of the Bar, as well as instituting it as a key facet of the NBA. Though enormous, these steps positively impacted the membership and activities of the NBA SPIDEL, and in good time, it rose to reckoning within and outside the NBA.

SPIDEL has come a long way in actualizing the purpose for its establishment. This, in no small measure, was facilitated through conferences, seminars, workshops and several other platforms. All this has set the NBA SPIDEL towards public interest lawyering by which the development of law in Nigeria has been significantly bolstered.

To the glory of God, the NBA SPIDEL now has an office in Abuja. This is to further encourage the commitment of the NBA SPIDEL in continuing to be at the forefront in the fight for justice and the development of law in Nigeria.

As many may already be aware, I had donated two office spaces to SPIDEL, with all complimentary facilities, in the year 2019 with effect from 1st November, 2019 during the tenure of Dr. Paul Ananaba, SAN as Chairman, but SPIDEL did not take over and occupy the spaces at the time. These office spaces lay fallow and unutilised until one of them was donated to an organisation – Vox Populi Foundation. Now that SPIDEL is ready to commence operations from the office, the second office space will be vacated by Vox Populi Foundation next year and additionally handed over to SPIDEL to enlarge the current office.

The office space is one that can be used ex-gratia for as long as the NBA SPIDEL has need for it. In addition to this, the NBA SPIDEL will have access to our S.M.A Belgore Conference Hall on the ground floor which has over 300 sitting capacity; Chief F.R.A Williams SAN Board Room on the 3rd Floor; our eatery – U.M. Jawur Lounge (The Dome) on the 1st floor, Hon Justice M.L. Uwais GCON, CJN (RTD) Library on the 1st floor; HON Justice Niki Tobi Moot Court on the 4th floor; Pent Floor Terrace for social events and our spacious parking lot.

Distinguished gentlemen and invited guests, I pledge to continue remaining in the forefront of propelling the lofty vision of the NBA SPIDEL to greater and better heights. There is also a need for collaboration between the SPIDEL and other Sections (SBL/SLP) of the NBA, wherein I was opportuned to have served as a Pioneer Council Member and Pioneer Vice-Chairman respectively, so that the members of the bar will benefit maximally from their various activities.

Thank you for listening, for your presence, and welcome.

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.

 

NBA TO SUE EFCC FOR ASSAULT ON LAWYER

Barring any last-minute agreement, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has resolved to file at least two lawsuits against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the alleged assault on its Makurdi Branch Chairman, Mr. Justin Gbagir.

Fiery human rights lawyer and Chairman of the NBA Human Rights Committee, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN has been directed by NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata to file the main lawsuit seeking redress for the alleged assault on Gbagir by EFCC operatives at their Makurdi Office.

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER by the victim, “The first suit is for the assault. The NBA has briefed Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN who is the Chairman of NBA Human Rights Committee to file the suit. I have had two interviews with Chief Ozekhome SAN and lawyers in his office and I am currently putting together my documents including medical records to enable them proceed.”

Gbagir also said that he had undergone eye surgery to correct the injury inflicted on him by the EFCC operatives, adding that “I can now see clearly with the eye except the occasional pains I experience.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

UPDATE ON ASSAULT ON ME BY OPERATIVES OF THE EFCC ON THE 8/6/2021.

On the 8/6/2021, the operatives of the EFCC assaulted me in their Makurdi Zonal office in the presence of the Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Director of Public Prosecution and other lawyers.

On the 8/7/2021, 8/8/2021 respectively, I gave updates of what transpired during the intervening periods. On the 8/9/2021 however, I was preparing for an Eye Surgery and there was also not much to update on.

Today been 4 months since the assault, I wish to give an update regarding the following:
1. Engagement with the EFCC
2. Legal Actions
3. My Health Condition

1. ENGAGEMENT WITH THE EFCC

The NBA President has been engaging with the EFCC Chairman on the issue with a view to finding an amicable settlement. The EFCC Chairman has consistently maintained that since the operatives in Makurdi have denied assaulting me, there is nothing he can do.

At one of the meeting with the NBA President, the EFCC Chairman suggested that they will have to subject me, the AG, and other lawyers who were present when the assault took place to a polygraph test to determine who is telling the truth.

When the NBA President related this to me, I consulted with the AG and other lawyers who were present when the assault took place and we vehemently refused to submit to the said polygraph test.

Our reasons for the refusal were:
a) The said polygraph test is to be conducted by the same EFCC who carried the assault.

b) The same EFCC had issued a press statement on the 9/6/2021 denying that I was assaulted and alleging that I hired thugs to release suspects in their custody.

c) EFCC sent the Director of Internal Affairs who came to Makurdi to allegedly investigate the matter and took my written statement. Result of that investigation is not made available to us.

d) The EFCC Chairman who visited Makurdi on the 15/7/2021 and had interface with me and the AG clearly adopted the position of the Commission as contained in the EFCC press statement of 9/6/2021.

Our conclusion there is that the EFCC has not given us any reason to trust them but to feel that consistently, they are doing everything to support the position they took in their press statement of 9/6/2021.

We have decided therefore to approach the courts to seek redress.

THE COURT ACTIONS.

We have decided in the meantime to file two suits against the EFCC with a possibility of more.

The first suit is for the assault. The NBA has briefed Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN who is the Chairman of NBA Human Rights Committee to file the suit. I have had two interviews with Chief Ozekhome SAN and lawyers in his office and I am currently putting together my documents including medical records to enable them proceed.

The second suit is for defamation of myself and the other lawyers EFCC referred to as thugs in their press statement of 9/6/2021 and the defamation contained in their press statement of 15/8/2021. The suit is been handled by a Legal Team put together by NBA Makurdi Branch headed by T.D Pepe, SAN. A letter of Demand has already been served on the EFCC. They have not responded till date. Paperwork is currently ongoing and the suit will be filled soon.

CONDITION OF MY HEALTH

On the 15/9/2021, I had a successful Eye Surgery in Abuja and I am currently recuperating in Makurdi. I am scheduled for a check up on the 13/10/2021.

I can now see clearly with the eye except the occasional pains I experience.

CONCLUSION

I wish to thank the NBA President and the entire Bar for standing by me in this travail, Chief Ozekhome SAN, T.D Pepe SAN and all the lawyers working on the cases. I also thank those who have supported me financially to foot the bills and take care of my needs during this trying period I am not productive

Thank you and God bless us all.

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.

 

‘LADI ROTIMI-WILLIAMS: A BOSS LIKE NO OTHER’

In this moving tribute, KEHINDE AKEREMALE, ESQ. goes down memory and asserts that Mr. Ladi Rotimi-Williams, the late scion of the legendary Chief FRA Williams QC, SAN was an endearing boss and mentor who had a premonition of his own death.

Our hearts are still heavy but we must thank God for a life of impact that you led for humanity.

I used to call you “the repository of Nigeria history”; and “a legal historian”, for I’m always in awe of your seeming inexhaustible storehouse of diverse knowledge and legal experience. I always admired the way you articulate your legal thinking with clarity and gravitas at the weekly Chambers meetings or be it at case strategy meetings. The “small points” sessions with you at Chambers meetings were always memorable. Chief would often remind us: “know your judge and their background” and at the relevant time, warning us to beware that “fair hearing is an opportunity to be heard; and not an absolute right” or “a magic wand to upset every unfavourable ruling”. We will miss your fatherly presence in particular and how you used to regale us with tales of your legal exploits during your active years. A consummate luminary, cosmopolitan and cultured with class and panache.

A boss of uncommon grace, kindness and compassion. Thank you for a rare privilege of being mentored under your tutelage and unique culture, conceived and nurtured in the best traditions of the Bar, some of which I resent for being too conservative for present day practice. For instance, you declined every move to mount a small name plate on your perimeter fence on Victoria Island as notice of your presence and law practice to the world. Chief’s rich and iconic background of being raised and legally trained by his own father, the legendary Chief FRA Williams, SAN, CFR clearly rubbed off on him. I couldn’t thank you enough for litigation exposure. You were a good boss by every standard, you never discriminated between us and your children in assigning case files or while constituting a legal team to handle a particular case (high profile or otherwise) but did so based on each lawyer’s core competence and unique skill sets. This makes for team cohesion, harmony and the friendly atmosphere in the chambers. I guess you must have had a premonition of your impending departure for barely two months ago, you called me and mooted the idea of your testamentary arrangements and disposition, which assignment I cleverly avoided for I saw it as being too big for me. You gave us the best platform and facilities any lawyer could wish for in practice. You taught us the importance of adequate and timely chambers preparation for court and to always have a back up copy for every court processes so as to outsmart the venality and sharp practices of the system.

Also, your liberality is equally demonstrated by your open library policy. Your library remains open to all chambers alumni, including law school externs; despite that some abuse your generosity by poaching your precious books. I was once there when you called the Chambers book vendor to supply a replacement for a missing book – Gaitley on Libel – since you needed it urgently then, at the cost of N150k only to find the missing copy abandoned inadvertently in one of the lawyers’ offices. My only regret is the wealth of knowledge you took to the grave and my inability to tap enough thereof.

We all knew that once Chief believed in a cause, he would pursue it tenaciously to a logical end without minding whose ox is gored and sometimes even staking his personal liberty in defence of victims of the oppressive system. A voice to the cheated and downtrodden; the oil-spill impacted community of Gbaraun Kingdom whom you tried to save, through a legal tussle with Agip for damages/compensation claims, till your last moment, have been left devastated since the shocking news of your passing broke out. You won the first round of the legal battle for them at the Federal High Court, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, but which case is now languishing on appeal no thanks to our sluggish civil justice system.

Your practice life was particularly distinguished and significant for a number of precedent-setting decisions and milestones, one of which had even inspired a legislative intervention with respect to admissibility of computer generated statement of account under the repealed Evidence Act. See FRN V. FANI KAYODE & 2010, 14 NWLR (Pt.1214). You have contributed your own bit in advancing the frontiers of our civil jurisprudence and development of the law. Now do have a well deserved rest in the Lord, Sir.

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. The assertions and opinions expressed in articles, announcements and/or news on this website reflect the views of the author(s) and do not (necessarily) reflect the views of the webmaster, the internet provider or CITY LAWYER. CITY LAWYER can in no way whatsoever be held responsible for the content of such views nor can it be held liable for any direct or indirect damage that may arise from such views. CITY LAWYER neither guarantees nor supports any product or service mentioned on this website, nor does it warrant any assertions made by the manufacturers or promoters of such products or services. Users of this website are always recommended to obtain independent information and/or to perform independent research before using the information acquired via this website.

SANWO-OLU SIGNS NEW CRIMINAL JUSTICE LAW

The Lagos State Government has amended its Administration of Criminal Justice Law in a bid to promote justice delivery.

Signed into law by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the new law aims to foster the fundamental rights of suspects and constitutional provisions.

According to a statement by Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, “The provisions include conducting criminal proceedings through audio and video conferencing platform, powers of Chief Magistrate to visit Police Stations, prohibition of media parade of suspects, compensation to victims of crime, protective measures for victims and witnesses as well as the Establishment of a Crime Data Register and the Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee to monitor the implementation of this Law.”

The full text of the statement reads:

GOVERNOR BABAJIDE OLUSOLA SANWO-OLU SIGNS ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (AMENDMENT) LAW OF LAGOS STATE,2021

Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on the 30th of September 2021 assented to the Administration of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Law [ACJL] of Lagos State, 2021. The ACJL was first passed in Lagos State in 2007 and amended in 2011 (more than ten (10) years ago) to ensure the Fundamental Rights of suspects and persons that come into contact with the justice system, as enshrined in the Constitution are protected.

In a bid to further strengthen the justice system, promote the rights of victims and suspects as well as address the issue of delay in the Administration of Criminal Justice in Lagos State, key innovative provisions have been introduced as amendments to the Law.

The provisions include conducting criminal proceedings through audio and video conferencing platform, powers of Chief Magistrate to visit Police Stations, prohibition of media parade of suspects, compensation to victims of crime, protective measures for victims and witnesses as well as the Establishment of a Crime Data Register and the Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee to monitor the implementation of this Law.

This further reinforces the commitment of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the promotion of Law & Order, Protection of rights of Citizens, decongestion of our Correctional Facilities and ensure a crime-free society in Lagos State.

The Ministry of Justice through collaborative effort with Stakeholders in the Administration of Criminal Justice will ensure the provisions of this law are enforced.

Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN
Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
5th October 2021

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.

AUDACITY OF AKPATA’S WELFARIST STRIDES, BY OGAGA

In this article, OGAGA EMOGHWANRE, Secretary to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Welfare Committee x-rays the interventions of NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata in the area of lawyers’ welfare and argues that the reforms are evident for most lawyers to see

In a little over one year since the Olumide Akpata-led National Executives of the Nigeria Bar Association was inaugurated, there’s a sense of unanimity within the Bar, of the Administration’s various interventions aimed at repositioning the Bar, to its full stature. For a man whose audacity to aspire to lead the Bar was questioned by too many a critic, in the period leading to the historic election, it is gratifying that Olumide Akpata has arguably exceeded the expectations of members, and have restored hope and confidence, where doubt and disillusionment once thrived.

While some Lawyers; obviously in the minority, still beg to be proved beyond reasonable doubt of the giant strides of the Administration though, suffice it, to articulate, brevi manu some of these unprecedented interventions which is borne out of Olumide Akpata’s promise to leave the Bar much better than he met it on the night of his inauguration. I’m particularly concerned here with the aspects of his program relating to the welfare of members.

In my capacity as the Secretary of the Welfare Committee of the Association, ably led by the indefatigable Y.C Maikyau, SAN, I have had the privilege of being involved in the very tedious and arduous processes that have crystalised into a basket of welfaristic program, and should know.

Apparently guided by his “Making the Bar Work for All” vision, it is safe to say that Olumide Akpata has been burning both ends of the proverbial candle in delivering the popular mandate of Nigerian lawyers so much so that Nigerian Lawyers can now boast that the Association is alas, working for them.

From the fulfillment of his promise of two free pack of stamps to every financial member; to the health insurance package with Leadway Assurance which saw an increment of One Million to Two Million Naira to beneficiaries of deceased colleagues; to the ground breaking partnership with the National Health Insurance Scheme; the rejigging of the institute of continuing Legal Education to keep the list short, Olumide Akpata’s implicit commitment in the welfare of all category of lawyers within the Bar, is unassailable.

As laudable as these initiatives are, however, there’s a great concern around how many Lawyers have availed themselves of the opportunities inherent in some of them. A rather disturbing case of such apathy is the Law Pavilion-NBA partnership that is geared at providing legal resources to members in one suite, at incredibly affordable rates. This much, came to the fore, at the recently held Young Lawyers Summit in Ogun State, where yours Truly, had the privilege of addressing the audience on the diverse welfare program of the Olumide Akpata-led NBA.

It is indeed imperative I state that the recently concluded Young Lawyers Summit can be ranked as one of the most successful summit in recent times.

It may be recalled that the NBA recently entered into a highly negotiated partnership with Law Pavilion; the leading tech-driven legal solutions company to provide access to legal resources to various categories of legal practitioners in Nigeria through its Primsol app. The Primsol app, is a web-based legal archive which aggregates all Law Pavilion Legal contents and also gives access to external contents in the form of texts and journals that allows for a robust research experience within the legal system in Nigeria.

Courtesy of that partnership, all members of the Association who are between 1 to 7 years post-call (“Young Lawyers”) who had paid their bar practicing fees on or before 31st March 2021, will enjoy free access to primsol Law Pavilion Legal Search engine for one year while members of the Association from 8 years post-call and above who paid their Bar practicing fees on or before 31st of March 2021 will enjoy highly discounted subscription for one year.

There is however indications that the full benefit of this partnership have not been explored by members. This revelation came to light during the technical session on the Law Pavilion/Primsol partnership during the just concluded Young Lawyers Summit.

A situation where only about 7,942 Lawyers is said to have on-boarded as at 4th of October, 2021 certainly leaves much to be desired.
For a partnership billed to lapse on the 6th of October, 2022 the collective need to latch onto the opportunities provided by same, cannot be overemphasized. The place of research and learning in the work of any lawyer cannot be overstated. Indeed, a lawyer is as good as how much he is able to find the Law and deploy it in the interest of his/her client.

While we can expect even more value-adding welferistic programs from the Olumide Akpata-led NBA, within the remainder of its term, Lawyers; particularly young Lawyers cannot afford to isolate themselves from the huge benefits inherent in the various welfare undertakings made by the Administration. It does not only encourage it to explore more options of membership-reward, it drives the Association closer to Its commitment to its members and society at large.

Regards,

Ogaga Emoghwanre, Esq
Secretary, NBA National Welfare 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. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. The assertions and opinions expressed in articles, announcements and/or news on this website reflect the views of the author(s) and do not (necessarily) reflect the views of the webmaster, the internet provider or CITY LAWYER. CITY LAWYER can in no way whatsoever be held responsible for the content of such views nor can it be held liable for any direct or indirect damage that may arise from such views. CITY LAWYER neither guarantees nor supports any product or service mentioned on this website, nor does it warrant any assertions made by the manufacturers or promoters of such products or services. Users of this website are always recommended to obtain independent information and/or to perform independent research before using the information acquired via this website.

 

SPIDEL: AKPATA TO UNVEIL OFFICE SPACE GIFTED BY GADZAMA

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata will on Friday unveil the new NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) office in Abuja.

Donated by the pioneer Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, the office is located at the J-K Gadzama Court, Damaturu Crescent, Abuja.

According to a statement by the Publicity Secretary of NBA-SPIDEL, Mr. Godfrey Echeho made available to CITY LAWYER, the event will kick-off at 12 noon. The statement noted that NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Dr. Monday Ubani eulogized Gadzama for the gesture, describing it as “an exemplary demonstration of your commitment to the public interest.”

Ubani reaffirmed the commitment of NBA-SPIDEL to the public good, adding that the Section “will continue to be at the fore-front in fighting for justice and the development of law in Nigeria.”

He noted that among the dignitaries expected at the epoch-making event is the immediate past Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN.

Meanwhile, Gadzama has felicitated with teachers on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day.

Noting that he not only trained as a teacher but taught for some years before venturing into the legal profession, the respected chartered arbitrator said: “The influence of a teacher extends well beyond the classroom, and into the future. You have brightened our lives with so much knowledge and propelled us to greater heights. We can never thank you enough for your dedication, wisdom and utmost sense of responsibility.

“We can only continue to appreciate you all, as teachers, mentors, molders and shapers of great persons and future. The society at large owes great appreciation to you all for such dedication to molding people by impacting them with the requisite knowledge as well as skills to sail through life.”