WE WILL NOT EXTEND VOTER VERIFICATION – ECNBA

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has foreclosed reopening of the verification process for eligible voters in the forthcoming NBA Elections, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

Some stakeholders including one of the leading candidates for the position of General Secretary, Mr. Desmond Yamah, had called on the committee to extend the exercise to enable some eligible voters who are having challenges to verify their data.

But an unimpeachable source told CITY LAWYER that the verification exercise has been foreclosed, adding that the committee has moved on to the next stage of the electoral process.

Said the source, “No extension. We are in another phase of (verifying) accuracy of phone numbers and emails.”

It is recalled that the committee had in its last notice urged eligible voters to verify their details on the database, saying, “As a matter of urgency and importance, we are enjoined to make out time to get verified to enable us cast our votes at the upcoming National Elections of the NBA. The deadline for the Verification is today 27/6/2022.”

The election of NBA National Officers and representatives to the General Council of he Bar is scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

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PORT HARCOURT CRISIS: APPEALS C’TE REVERSES SELF, AKPATA WASHES HANDS OFF VERDICT

The Nigerian Bar Association Branch Election Appeals Committee (East) has sensationally reversed itself in a decision disqualifying NBA Port Harcourt chairmanship aspirant, Mr. Viktor Benibo. The committee has now returned Benibo to the ballot in the election which holds tomorrow.

Meanwhile, NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata has brushed aside claims that he influenced the decision of the committee, saying he only acted according to the demands of his office.

CITY LAWYER recalls that the committee had disqualified Benibo for allegedly carrying out a campaign of calumny against his only opponent, Mr. Romeo Isokariari, saying: “It is the decision of this Appeals committee that the respondent Victor Benebo is hereby disqualified from contesting for the post of Chairman Port-Harcourt branch.”

In a decision obtained by CITY LAWYER, the 9-member Nnenna Uko-led Appeals Committee further held that “The unpalatable bullying through a campaign of calumny was linked to the respondent and his supporters and so it would be a disservice to the association to allow such odious precedent to show up in our Association without calling it out fully.”

But the committee has now reversed its decision following a petition to it by Benibo. The chairmanship candidate said that the committee was “unanimous” in reversing his disqualification. Benibo told CITY LAWYER that unknown to him, Isokariari was forwarding additional documents to the Appeals Committee after his petition to the committee, adding that the documents were not brought to his notice for his response.

His words: “It was not until around 12 noon or 1 pm yesterday that those documents were made available to me for the first time. As it turned out, a message titled ROMEO ESQUIRE also emanated from the telephone number in question. I believe my opponent contrived the entire scheme to achieve a desired result to wit, have me disqualified.”

He however said that he wrote to the committee and not to Akpata, adding that he never interfaced with the NBA President. Mr. Reginald Ugwuadu, the Director-General of VikBee Campaign Organisation and Integrity Group Media 2022, had stated in a public notice before the reversal that “In the light of the foregoing, Viktor Benibo and his campaign organisation, being law abiding and sticklers for due process, have approached the Appeal Panel for a review of the decision and have also called for the intervention of the National President and NEC, to redress this injustice.”

Isokariari told CITY LAWYER that he was surprised that the Appeals Committee reopened the matter after it had rendered its decision, describing it as “curious.” He noted that the latest Supreme Court decision on the Bayelsa State Governorship Election is clear on the point that the committee became functus officio after its decision, adding that “it cannot sit on appeal on its own decision.”

He also queried the presence of members of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch Electoral Committee and the Branch Chairman among others during the virtual hearing, saying that he “did not think they ought to be there as they are not parties in the matter.”

On the allegation by some critics that the Appeals Committee may have been pressured to review its decision and deliver a specific outcome, the chairmanship candidate said that “I cannot impugn her (Uko’s) character. I will not allude to that or take that to bank.”

Akpata however debunked the allegation that he brought undue influence to bear on the committee to reverse itself due to pressure from some of his allies. He told CITY LAWYER that he merely sent a petition to the Appeals Committee for its attention.

His words: “I did not do anything to influence the process. But I had a responsibility to discharge as NBA President. I received a petition and sent it to Appeals Committee. The members of the appeals committees were carefully chosen. The calibre of people in the Appeals Committee are persons of impeccable character; you dare not tell them what to do.”

On her part, Uko also debunked the allegation of bowing to pressure to upturn the committee’s earlier verdict. She told CITY LAWYER that there was no truth in the claim, saying: “This is a false assumption and almost uncharitable as it does not represent the person and character of the NBA President Olumide Akpata who has worked tirelessly to institute a transparent, effective and well respected Association. Furthermore, it is a disservice to the work our committee has done for anybody to suggest that we may have been teleguided or railroaded into rescinding the Decision.

“May I suggest you request the petitioner or the respondent to furnish you with a copy of the NBA Branch Election Appeals Committee Decision dated 25th June, 2022, the Response to Mr. Viktor Benebo’s request dated 27th June, 2022 for the Appeals Committee to review and rescind the decision and the letter written by the Appeals Committee dated 29th June, 2022. These documents will give you an unbiased assessment of the position. Thank you for your kindness in reaching out to hear from us.”

The branch election holds tomorrow with only the positions of Chairman and Secretary being voted for, as the other posts are unopposed.

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AKWA IBOM AG ENDORSES GADZAMA, AKPABIO FETES HIM

FEATURED

ATTORNEY-GENERAL, AKWA IBOM STATE ENDORSES JOE-KYARI GADZAMA, SAN AS THE BEST CHOICE FOR THE NBA

During his stay in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN; Hon. Nimi Walson Jack, past general secretary of the NBA; Kunle Ogunba, SAN; Raphael Udoh; Hillary Ojeke and Blessing Eyibio joined members of the NBA, Uyo branch for a sit out. Mr. Uko Essien Udom, SAN (Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Akwa Ibom State) was also present at the sit out which was organized by members of the branch for the Learned Silk.

The leadership and other members of the branch who were at the event welcomed and thanked the Learned Silk for gracing their town with his presence. Past chairmen of the NBA, Uyo branch, Aniekan Akpan and Ekanem Ekanem noted that the Learned Silk is a consummate Bar man who has diligently served the NBA in various capacities. Furthermore, the incumbent chairman of the branch, Ememobong Nicholas remarked that the Bar is in need of a leader who is ready and willing to take the Bar to its final destination. He informed all present that the Learned Silk is the change needed to redeem the Bar and he assured the Learned Silk of his support towards his presidential ambition.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Akwa Ibom State who was also at the sit out noted that the Learned Silk is the most qualified candidate in terms of capacity and experience. He emphasized on the fact that the Learned Silk is presently the best choice for the Bar. Mr. Ndifreke Peter, YLF chairman of NBA, Uyo branch; Mrs. Maria Edet, Treasurer of NBA, Uyo branch and other members of the branch were also on ground to receive the Learned Silk.

The Learned Silk lauded the efforts of the branch towards his presidential ambition. He informed all that his presidential ambition was born out of his need to serve the Bar as he owes his success in life to God and the NBA. Also, he noted that in his capacity as the Chairman of the Mentorship Committee of the Body of Benchers, he will keep driving the need for adequate mentorship of young lawyers as it plays a significant role in the advancement of the legal profession.

Hon. Nimi Walson Jack and Kunle Ogunba, SAN urged all present to promote the presidential ambition of the Learned Silk and deliver the NBA presidency to him. They both noted that the Learned has played a great role in championing the affairs of the NBA and as such, it is only necessary that members of the Bar support his presidential ambition.

It was indeed an exciting evening as members were seen with radiant smiles on their faces while interacting amongst themselves and with the Learned Silk.

ANIEDI AKPABIO, ESQ. TREATS CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA, SAN AND HIS ENTOURAGE TO A FEAST

On Tuesday, June 28, 2022, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN arrived the beautiful city of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State with his entourage comprising of Hon. Nimi Walson Jack, past Secretary General of NBA; Kunle Ogunba, SAN; Raphael Udoh; Blessing Eyibio and Hillary Ayebaifie Ojeke.

Upon his arrival, the renowned Aniedi Akpabio, Esq. and his lovely wife, Mrs. Emem Akpabio heartily welcomed the Learned Silk and his guests to his private residence in Essien Udim LGA. Mr. David Ekpo, chairman of the NBA, Ikot Ekpene branch; Dame Helen Egube; Hon. Akan Udo; Mr. Nkereuwen Akpabio; Mr. Nsikan Ukpong; Ubong Atang, Publicity secretary of the branch and Albert Umoh, YLF secretary of the branch were also present to welcome the Learned Silk at the residence of Aniedi Akpabio, Esq.

The Learned Silk utilized this opportunity to reconnect with his friend and also, express his gratitude to other members of the Bar who have been the foot soldiers piloting and projecting his NBA presidential ambition. Mr. David Ekpo, the chairman of the NBA, Ikot Ekpene branch assured the Learned Silk of his undying support and noted that action plans have been drawn out to ensure that the Bar is delivered to the Learned Silk. While commenting on the good deeds of the Learned Silk, Hon. Akan Udo expressed his allegiance to the Learned Silk.

The Chief Host, Aniedi Akpabio, Esq. noted that the Learned Silk is a credible and detribalized Bar man with a proven track record of excellence. He urged all present to make the right decision by supporting the Learned Silk. Also, Hon. Nimi Walson Jack and Kunle Ogunba, SAN spoke to the integrity and dedication of the Learned Silk. They implored all present to make a smart choice by supporting the Learned Silk as he has been and is still a solid pillar behind activities of the Bar.

In the course of the evening, there were loud chants of “JKNOWNOW” initiated by Kunle Ogunba, SAN and chorused by others present. It was indeed a beautiful evening which came to an end with the Learned Silk and his guests being treated to both local and continental dishes prepared specially by Mrs. Emem Akpabio.

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‘ATTEMPT BY BODY OF BENCHERS TO CONTROL NBA WILL SPELL DOOM,’ SAYS TAIDI

ATTEMPT BY THE BODY OF BENCHERS TO CONTROL THE NBA THROUGH THE BACKDOOR; A RECIPE FOR UTTER CHAOS

By Jonathan Gunu Taidi

The proposed amendment to the timeworn Legal Practitioners Act came as soothing news to progressive minds within the bar; finally we were going to do away with those inhibiting provisions which have outlived their usefulness.

Our joy was however cut short by the shocking revelation that the pristine bill intended for the National Assembly’s passage into law had been doctored with a view to circumventing, clandestinely, the sacrosanct powers and authority of the NBA. Some powers that be within the Body of Benchers had surreptitiously inserted a clause in the said bill, manifestly tampering with the descriptive standpoint of the NBA. The smuggled provision describes the NBA as follows:

“The Registered Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association, and any other body incorporated for the governance and management of the Legal Profession”

Meanwhile, in the original bill the “NBA” was simply defined as the “Nigerian Bar Association”. The way it has always been.

This attempt by the Body of Benchers to hoodwink the NBA and forcefully take control of the NBA by doctoring the letters of the law is to say the least evil, by every standard. I make bold to state that this attempted coup is not unconnected to the emergence of a non- SAN as president of the NBA. Apparently, many oxen that were gored as a result, as well as sundry deflated bloated egos, remain wounded and unforgiving. This is an attempt to hold lawyers to ransom so that whenever certain powers-that-be are dissatisfied with the outcome of any NBA election, they can easily invoke this very divisive provision.

It is a recipe for anarchy, a foundation for complete uncertainty and distortion of established practices within the bar. It is mind-boggling trying to imagine a scenario where the doctored bill is passed into law and a furious NBA protests that same does not represent what was sent to the National Assembly even as the overlords within the Body of Benchers insists on the flawed bill – effectively dragging the legal profession to utter disrepute.

My question is; where would such an imbroglio leave young lawyers who are still trying to gain their footing in the profession, if they get caught up in such a web of authority tussle between the NBA and the Body of Benchers? Indeed, the possible number of bizarre eventualities that will confront us, where this evil provision to sail through, are endless. It is a good thing that the fraud was discovered and nipped in the bud.

May we never see the day where the collective will and progress of a collection of learned and noble minds are sacrificed on the altar of selfish and egoistic practices.

Long live the NBA.

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ISAAC OGBAH LAUDS NEW NBA OTA CHAIR, SECRETARY

FEATURED

ISAAC OGBAH (FICMC) CONGRATULATES HIS HOME BRANCH NBA OTA FOR THE HITCH FREE ELECTION HELD ON THE 28TH OF JUNE, 2022.

The Nigerian Bar Association Ota Branch aka “Utter Bar” conducted its election for the new sets of executives to run the affairs of the branch from July 2022 to July 2024. The election led to the emergence of Mr. Adewale Adegoke as the chairman elect and Mrs. Funmi Ajele as the Secretary.

Mr. Isaac Ogbah, a former Chairman and the branch’s current NEC representative; who is vying for the post of the Third National Vice President of the NBA aknowledges the sacrifices and feats achieved by the outgoing executives that is being distinguishingly led by Joseph Taiwo Ogunniyi Esq. for the remarkable feats being recorded during their tenure.

He admonishes the incoming executives to keep the flag flying and not rest on their oars. He has no doubt that the Chairman elect, who coincidentally is the current Vice Chairman of the branch will maintain and increase the pace set by past chairmen and leaders of the branch.

The “Utter Bar” election has always been a family affair and this recently conducted one is not an exception. It was rancour free. Held in an atmosphere of merrimen-cum-joviality.

He congratulates all members of the branch for the success of this election. He admonishes them not to relent in their renown personal sacrifices and commitments to further advancement of the branch.

Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown they say, Mr. Adewale Adegoke and his team of seasoned legal practitioners assembled by the electorates of the branch should be be ready to weather any any storm that may come their way.

Congratulations to the “Utter Bar.”

ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH FICMC

The firm of Ogbah Isaac & Co and the entire team of Legal Jurisprudence Ltd rejoice with our Head of Chambers/Head of Publication, Funmilayo Ajele, Esq on her emergence as the Secretary-elect of the NBA, Ota Branch (the Utter Bar).

Funmi is the incumbent welfare officer of the Branch under the led J.T Ogunniyi, FICMC administration and we are indeed proud to see her add another feather to her cap.

We celebrate you and pray for more grace as you discharge your duties and uphold the honour of the Utter Bar.

Congratulations.

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FUNMI ADEOGUN PLEDGES 10% REMITTANCE TO BRANCHES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

INCREASE OF N1.5 BILLION CASH COLLATERAL TO N3 BILLION

AS THE NATIONAL TREASURER FUNMI ADEOGUN PLEDGES TO ADVOCATE FOR AN INCREASE TO N3BILLION THE N1.5 BILLION CASH COLLATERAL TO ENABLE LAWYERS ACCESS N4M CREDIT FACILITY INSTEAD OF THE CURRENT N2M CREDIT FACILITY

VOTE ! VOTE!! VOTE!!! ADEOGUN FUNMILOLA OLUWATOSIN AS YOUR TREASURER
JULY 16, 2022
# Financial Prudence of the Bar

10% REMITTANCE TO ALL BRANCHES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVITIES

FUNMI ADEOGUN PLEDGES TO ADVOCATE FOR 10% REMITTANCE TO ALL BRANCHES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVITIES. VOTE ADEOGUN FUNMILOLA OLUWATOSIN FOR TREASURER.# FINANCIAL PRUDENCE OF THE BAR

‘ISAAC OGBAH IS PASSIONATE ABOUT YOUNG LAWYERS’ WELFARE,’ SAYS CHRISTIANA DADA

I Mrs Christiana Dada Endorse Isaac Omuta Ogbah as the best candidate for the post of the 3rd vice president of NBA.

I have known Isaac Omuta Ogbah for well over 3 years and when I just joined NBA Ota branch in 2019, he Isaac Ogbah was still the chairman of the branch.

Isaac Ogbah is a good, credible and detribalized leader who passionately contributed to the welfare of the Young lawyers and elderly lawyers alike.

Isaac Ogbah has a great passion for leadership.

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GADZAMA DELIVERS PSN LECTURE, LAWYERS LAUD HIM AT SIT-OUT

FEATURED

LEGAL LUMINARY, JOE-KYARI GADZAMA, SAN DELIVERS A LECTURE AT THE 2022 MID YEAR MEETING/PUBLIC LECTURE AND PLENARY SESSION OF THE BOARD OF FELLOWS, PHARMACEUTICALS SOCIETY OF NIGERIA

The Board of Fellows of the PCN held their 4th Public Lecture themed “HARNESSING THE POTENTIALS OF FELLOWS OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES IN NIGERIA FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT: PHARMACISTS’ PERSPECTIVE” on 28th June, 2022.

The Lecture, which was chaired by the Hon. Minister of State for Budget & National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, featured a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama as the Guest Speaker.

The Learned Silk, ably represented by a Partner in the law firm of J-K Gadzama LLP, Madu Joe-Kyari Gadzama delivered a rich and insightful paper which was well received by the Fellows who paid rapt attention.

The Chairman, organizing committee Pharm. Ibrahim Tanko Ayuba Fpsn spoke highly of Chief Gadzama and expressed gratitude to him for honouring the Board’s invitation.

In the same vein, the Chairman, Body of Fellows, PSN, Pharm. Dr. Joel E. B. Adagadzu, FPSN, FPCPharm commended the Learned Silk.

The Learned Silk received a standing ovation from members of the high table at the end of the interesting lecture.

The Chairman, Body of fellows Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm. Dr. Joel E.B. Adagadzu FPSN FPCPharm in his vote of thanks, appreciated Chief Gadzama while stating that the body is grateful that the Learned Silk could find time in his busy schedule to honour their invitation. He prayed for the Learned Silk and wished him well in his aspiration.

A President aspirant in the just concluded PDP presidential primaries, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, while presenting an award on behalf of Board, commended the Learned Silk and his representative for an insightful lecture.

FRIENDS OF CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA SPEAK ON HIS CREDIBILITY AT A SIT-OUT SESSION WITH NBA BRANCHES OF KOGI STATE

On Sunday, June 26, 2022, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN and his friends including His Excellency, Alhaji M.A. Abubakar, (Former Governor of Bauchi State), Mr. Mela Audu Nunghe, SAN, (Former Chairman, NBA Unity Bar), Mr. Mohammed Monguno, (Former Attorney-General of Borno State, Former Chairman, NBA Maiduguri Branch), Chief C.P. Oli (Director-General Vox Populi Foundation for Leadership), Mr. Rex Uzoegbu, Miss Blessing Eyibio, Mr. Martin Kalu, Mr. Hassan Sheriff, (Counsel, J-K Gadzama LLP and Member Young Lawyers’ Group of J-K Gadzama LLP), Mr. Victor Onyekachukwu Ehiosun, (Counsel, J-K Gadzama LLP and Member Young Lawyers’ Group of J-K Gadzama LLP), Miss Farida Lanre-Ipinmisho (Counsel, J-K Gadzama LLP and Member, Women’s Group of J-K Gadzama LLP) and Miss Roseline Ogwuche (Counsel, J-K Gadzama LLP and Member, Women’s Group of J-K Gadzama LLP) were hosted to a sit-out session with members and executives of the NBA Okene, Kabba and Lokoja Branches of Kogi State.

The session kick-started officially with opening remarks being led by Mr. I.O AlHassan (Chairman, NBA Lokoja Branch) who stated that the Bar Patriot, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN was someone who had made laudable contributions to the NBA. “Your contributions precede you. Even before becoming a lawyer, I had always heard of your name and have come to realize and admit that you’re a great man by all standards”, he said, speaking to the Learned Silk. He welcomed all the attendees and members of the Learned Silk’s entourage, reassuring that NBA Kogi State would support the candidacy of the Learned Silk and continue to make efforts towards spreading the news of the Learned Silk’s good aspirations for the Nigerian Bar.

Mr. C.O. Daniel, (Chairman, NBA Kabba Branch) also addressed the attendees saying he was impressed with the contributions of the Learned Silk, Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN to the Nigerian Bar. He referred to the Learned Silk as a renowned Patriot of the Nigerian Bar whose commitments spoke volumes.

Mr. Simon Musa welcomed the Learned Silk and addressed attendees on the importance of supporting him. According to him, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN had been a household name and his contributions to the Nigerian Bar; especially the positive inputs made towards improving manner in which the NBA National Executive Council conducts it’s affairs were remarkable.

Mr. Siaka Odege, (Former Chairman, NBA Okene) speaking on behalf of the Okene Branch, thanked the attendees for taking time out to listen to the good aspirations of the Learned Silk for the NBA. He promised to support the cause of Learned Silk and urged everyone to do the same because the Learned Silk was one of them.

Thereafter, His Excellency, Former Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji M.A Abubakar addressed the attendees. Speaking to them, His Excellency gave an excerpt of his profile saying. He explained that having been called to the Nigerian Bar in 1979 he had not seen anyone who’d given selflessly to the Nigerian Bar like Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN. He said, “…because of this, we fondly call him Mr. Mentorship. The office of J-K is like a mini Nigeria. He is a man who believes in capacity-building and gives everyone equal opportunities”.

Speaking on the credibility of the Learned Silk’s character, a Judge from the High Court of Kogi State refered to him as a colossus; a man of integrity, competence and high professional acumen and discipline.

Mr. Mela Audu Nunghe, SAN speaking on liberating the Nigerian Bar, stated that J-K Gadzama, SAN was a man whose will cannot be bent by political influence or monetary gains. He urged attendees to support the aspirations of J-K Gadzama, SAN because he was the best man for the job.

Mr. Mohammed Monguno, buttressed further on the character of Learned Silk, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN. He said, “…having known J-K for about 40 years, attended the same primary school, university, and then being called to the Nigerian Bar together, I can attest to his impeccable character. J-K. In his office, 65% of lawyers are women and 70% are young lawyers. He is one who has passion to serve, I implore you to please give him the opportunity”.

Chief C.P Oli addressing the gathering asked the young lawyers to vote for someone who had their best interest at heart and had proven himself through impactful contributions overtime. He said, “I worked in the office of J-K as a young man from the South-East, he gave me an opportunity regardless I wasn’t from the North. I grew under his office and today I have my own office with about 20 lawyers working for me. Let us give quality leadership a chance”.

Mr. John Adele, SAN speaking to his colleagues and fellow members of the Lokoja Branch of the NBA explained that being a member of the committee which registered the NBA Lokoja Branch he could attest to the contributions of J-K Gadzama, SAN to NBA Lokoja. He urged the attendees to support him and then ceded the floor to Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN.

Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN thanked all the attendees for coming. He recounted his relationship with the NBA Branches in Kogi State and Kogi State generally; explaining how he started his my primary school education in Kainji, New Busa now in Niger State but Formerly in old Kwara State including Kogi and how his cousin Late Col. Bzigu Lassa Afakirya was became their Military Administrator. According to him, he was back home to ask for the blessings and support of all the members and executives of the NBA Branches. He promised to serve passionate without fear or favour and give equal access to opportunity, participation and continue the good works of Mr. Olumide Akpata.

Closing remarks were given by Mr. Sanusi Liman and closing prayers by Mr. Hassan Sheriff.

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CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA UNVEILS CAMPAIGN VIDEO

FEATURED

Mr. Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka (Democrat), the immediate past Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bwari Branch, Abuja, the sui generis Bar Leader and a candidate for the office of NBA 2nd Vice President in the forthcoming National NBA Election 2022, has launched his core 2 mandates video manifesto in a superb and apt manner.

Click here to watch: https://fb.watch/dYmNMmc5Fk/ 

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‘A WOMAN OF ZEAL AND INTEGRITY, AMANDA ASAGBA MADE AWLA HOUSEHOLD NAME,’ SAYS FALILAT

Distinguished Learned Silks, Erudite Learned Seniors and my Esteemed Learned Colleagues,

Please kindly support and vote Amanda Demechi- Asagba for NBA 3rd Vice President.

Amanda Asagba is a woman of character and integrity and an excellent team player. Her popular slang: “No excuse for failure- get the job done.”

I have served with her in AWLA Nigeria as AWLA Kwara State Coordinator for 4 years and I’ve found her to be an excellent leader, very passionate, productive and impactive. She’s a visionary leader and a go-getter. She leads by example, a servant-leader per excellence. She made AWLA a household name – walking the talk. She is a workaholic and very result oriented.

A vote for Amanda Asagba is a Vote for Excellence!!!

Awlan Falilat Orire

AWLA Kwara State COORDINATOR and Treasurer AWLA Nigeria

FEATURED PHOTO: Hon. Justice Harriman of the Delta State High Court, a colleague and Amanda Asagba at NBA Effurun Branch AGM, Elections, Commissioning of their Bar Centre and Swearing-in of their New Exco on 26/6/2022

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EDE ASENOGUAN LAUDS NBA WARRI, EFFURUN ON SMOOTH TRANSITION

ASENOGUAN OSAMUEDE ISOBOMUWA CANDIDATE, FOR NBA GENERAL SECRETARY CONGRATULATES NBA WARRI AND EFFURUN BRANCHES ON THE SMOOTH CONDUCT OF THEIR BRANCH ELECTIONS

Among the recent NBA branches that have conducted elections to usher in new branch executives are Warri and Effurun. Mr Asenoguan, a prominent candidate for NBA general secretary has congratulated the stated branches for smooth transitioning. He stated as follows:

“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate the Warri and Effurun branches of the NBA on the successful conduct of their branch elections, bringing to fore fresh set of minds to consolidate on the gains of the past administration.

Smooth transitioning is a sign of unity and progress for branches. It equally engenders a sense of belonging for every member of the branch. It is on this note that I enjoin the new branch executives to carry everyone along in administering the affairs of the branch; by this, they too would be setting a solid foundation for future smooth transitioning.

May the Effurun and Warri branches of the NBA always prosper in their endeavours.

Thank you and God bless.”

Asenoguan Osamuede Isobomuwa
Candidate for the position of General Secretary of the NBA 2022-2024

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‘IN CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA YOU’LL FIND A TRUE LEADER,’ SAYS MOHAMMED

CLEMENT UGO CHUKWUEMEKA: A MAN OF IMPECCABLE CHARACTER WORTHY TO BE ENTRUSTED WITH LEADERSHIP ROLE

My first encounter with Mr. Clement was at MOHAMMED NDARANI MOHAMMED SAN & CO., SOLACE LAW CHAMBERS, ABUJA. Precisely on the 18th, Day of April, 2022. The occasion was a courtesy visit to Learned Silk, MOHAMMED NDARANI MOHAMMED SAN, principal partner of NDARANI SAN & CO SOLACE LAW CHAMBERS ABUJA.

In my wildest dreams, I thought seeing the Learned Silk will not be a walk in the park. Lo and behold, the presence of Mr. Clement demystified the whole process and eliminated the protocol that would have caused much delay.

Mr. Clement engaged us in conversation. I quickly, on behalf of my colleagues, laid bare the reasons for our visit which was to intimate the learned Silk of the resolution by the National Association of Niger State Law Students (Naniglaws) NHQ to organize a national moot competition in his honor wherein States within the North Central region of Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi and Niger will participate.

Mr. Clement Ugo Esq. played a significant role that saw to the huge success of the national moot competition.

All through the period of preparations to the event, Mr. Clement demonstrated the qualities of a leader – honesty, tolerance and selflessness.

In Mr. Clement you will find all a leader needs to propel any organisation/association.

It is my wish that people believe and entrust him with leadership position and I urge all lawyers, especially young lawyers, to support him by voting him as the next 2nd Vice President of NBA.

MOHAMMED AWWAL,
NATIONAL PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGER STATE LAW STUDENTS (NANIGLAWS) NHQ.

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ISAAC OGBAH FELICITATES WITH NEW NBA IBADAN CHAIR, ASSURES PROGRESS

ISAAC OGBAH FELICITATES WITH THE IBADAN BRANCH ON ITS AGM AND HANDING OVER CEREMONY, CONGRATULATES MRS. FOLASHADE BOSEDE ALADENIYI FOR RECORD BREAKING EMERGENCE AS THE FIRST FEMALE CHAIRMAN OF THE BRANCH

Mr. Isaac Omuta Ogbah, an aspirant for the post of 3rd Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) heartily congratulates the entire members and outgoing executives of Ibadan Branch of the NBA ably led by Mr. Olayinka Abiodun Esan, for the success of its Annual General Meeting held on 27th June, 2022 at the Afe Babalola (SAN) Bar Center, Iyanganku, Ibadan, Oyo State.

He commended the outgoing executives for the laudable achievements recorded during their time.

The NBA Ibadan Branch is one of the oldest and foremost branches in the country. Its members at various times are leaving and have left their indelible marks on the sands of time in advancing legal practice across Nigeria and beyond.

He also extols the courage and persistency of Mrs. Folashade Bosede Aladeniyi who emerged as the 34th Chairman and first-ever lady to emerge as the helmsman – or better still if the English grammar will indulge one “helmswoman” – to pilot the affairs of the branch from 2022 to 2024.

She is an astute legal practitioner who has proven her mettle in the legal landscape with unblemished record. It goes beyond doubt that her tenure will lead Ibadan branch to enviable heights following in the footsteps of those who have occupied the office before her. With foreseeable cooperation of other executive members, and the entire members of the branch, one does not need a crystal ball to know that the next two years will be momentous in the history of the branch.

Congratulations!

ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH, FICMC

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‘ISAAC OGBAH IS A MAN OF CHARACTER,’ SAYS NWAMAKA

When knowledge transcends merely knowing to emotional intelligence, its application forms the character of a person.

For several years, I have watched Isaac Ogbah, FICMC live this character effortlessly because he believes in the efficacy of “a bundle of many broomsticks” working for the same goal.

If given your mandate as the 3rd Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association, we all will be lending our voices to the strength of oneness and collective growth.

I am Nwamaka Lilian Anyaegbunam and I stand with Isaac Ogbah, FICMC.

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DESMOND YAMAH HAILS ECNBA, WANTS VOTER VERIFICATION EXTENDED

Desmond Yamah, candidate for the office of the General Secretary, has appealed to the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) to extend the date for verification of eligible voters.

Yamah observed that many of the eligible voters are still struggling to verify their data on the NBA website after several attempts.

His words: “We appreciate the enormous responsibilities and the challenges of the ECNBA but the verification exercise is a test of the level of preparedness for the elections.

“I sincerely thank the ECNBA for a great job thus far.”

Desmond Yamah Esq.

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NBA APPEALS C’TE DISQUALIFIES PORT HARCOURT CHAIR ASPIRANT

The Nigerian Bar Association Branch Election Appeals Committee (East) has disqualified NBA Port Harcourt chairmanship aspirant, Mr. Viktor Benebo, paving the way for his erstwhile opponent, Mr. Romeo Isokariari to emerge unopposed as the branch chairman.

In a decision obtained by CITY LAWYER, the 9-member Nnenna Uko-led Appeals Committee upheld the contention of Isokariari that Benebo and his supporters carried out a campaign of calumny against him, saying: “It is the decision of this Appeals committee that the respondent Victor Benebo is hereby disqualified from contesting for the post of Chairman Port-Harcourt branch.

“The branch Electoral committee is hereby directed to remove the name of Victor Benebo on the list of those qualified to contest as chairman.”

The committee held that “The unpalatable bullying through a campaign of calumny was linked to the respondent and his supporters and so it would be a disservice to the association to allow such odious precedent to show up in our Association without calling it out fully.”

According to the Appeals Committee, “The Appeals Committee frowns at the campaign of calumny carried out against the petitioner. This attitude does not represent the noble ideals of the Nigerian Bar Association. Every member or aspirant to serve in an elective position has the right to be heard or considered without damaging their reputation or robbing them of their self-respect.”

It also threw out the decision of the Branch Electoral Committee which held that Isokariari’s petition was time barred.

Below is the full text of the decision.

APPEAL_PH branch

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‘MY PRESENCE THREW SUPREME COURT JUSTICES OFF BALANCE,’ OMIRHOBO REPLIES OKUTEPA,

Activist-lawyer, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo has chided fiery senior lawyer, Mr. Jibrin Okutepa SAN for upbraiding him over his sensational appearance at the Supreme Court in religious attire laced with lawyers’ paraphernalia.

Reacting to a CITY LAWYER interview where Okutepa lampooned the human rights activist as a mere attention seeker, Omirhobo berated the former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Prosecutor at the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for finding fault with his veiled protest, adding that “It is not true that the Supreme Court Justices did not notice me as Mr. Jibrin said.”

Giving a blow-by-blow account of what transpired on that day, Omirhobo also said that “it would have been contemptuous of me to stand up to address the court as suggested by Mr Jibrin without first seeking the permission of the court or without being called upon by the justices to speak.”

The full text of his response as posted on his Facebook page reads:

MY APPEARANCE AT THE SUPREME COURT AND JIBRIN OKUTEPA SAN CONCERNS. BY CHIEF MALCOLM EMOKINIOVO OMIRHOBO.

Kindly share :

My attention has been drawn to the post of Mr. Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, SAN concerns on my appearance at the Supreme Court of Nigeria making the rounds in the social media and consequently it is important that I clear the air .

I attended the supreme court as a legal practitioner as of right to observe proceedings and not to appear for any party . In the circumstance it would have been contemptuous of me to stand up to address the court as suggested by Mr Jibrin without first seeking the permission of the court or without being called upon by the justices to speak.

On whether the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), can or will sanction me for dressing and appearing in the mode and manner prescribes by my religion before the Supreme Court? The answer is NO because according to the Supreme court of Nigeria by virtue of section 38 of the Nigerian constitution every Nigerian is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and freedom (either or in community with others, and in public or in privacy) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance. This my right cannot be wished away just because some other persons feel uncomfortable with it.

The way I dressed to the Supreme court constitutes an act of worship, hence the refusal to allow me to put on my traditional outfit on my lawyers uniform will be a clear infraction of my constitutionally guaranteed right .

On that faithful day , I arrived the Supreme Court Complex at about 9am and by the time I finished addressing a press conference it was about 11 am . I then proceeded to enter the court room . By the time I got there the justices of the Supreme Court were on recess . As I made my way into the court room , the policemen and other security operatives at the entrance of the court tried to stop me but I refused and forced my way in and sat down at the bar on the third roll because the first two rolls were already occupied. When the justices reconveyed (sic) they saw me and were discomfited and had to abruptly rise after hearing an application which they struck out .

It is not true that the Supreme Court Justices did not notice me as Mr . Jibrin said . They did . Every lawyer knows that the bench from their vantage position in courts are able to view the bar and the gallery as well as monitor the activities in their courts . On this occasion I was sitting at the third roll dressed with painted face , feathers in my wig , tying a red cloth , with beads and calabash around my neck and cowrie’s on my wrist and jibrin say that the justices did not see me ? Haba! There is God oooo.

Practicing lawyers and litigants will bear me witness that no composed judge not to talk of the justices of the apex court will spare an improperly dressed lawyer that enters their court not to even talk of sitting at the bar . The reaction of the justices after seeing me goes to show that they were taken aback if not three things would have happened , the first is that they would have stood me up and lambasted me after which they will throw me out of their court . The second is that they would have cited me for contempt and the third thing is that the justices would have ordered that I be sent to a Psychiatric Hospital to check my mental state . But none of these happened .Feeling my presence in their court , the justices read the handwriting on the wall and let me be . I must however commend them for their maturity and discernment .

Granted without conceding that the justices of the supreme court did not see me, the question now is what did the learned silk that saw me do ? Nothing because he too like the justices was discomfited . As a member of the inner bar ranking higher than myself in the legal profession, what is expected of him with the other four Senior Advocates of Nigeria that he claimed were present in court was for any of them to approach me to find out what the problem was and if my responses are not satisfactory then they
would have asked me to leave with support of the other members of the bar . Mr. Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, SAN did nothing, only for him to go to the social media to seek relevance .

I am not in anyway introducing religion in our profession as suggested by the learned silk but helping to develop it. Importantly too I did not attend the supreme court to make trouble but to celebrate with the justices of the supreme court for their recent judgement permitting every Nigeria to dress in public places as prescribed by their religion .

I shall continue to exercise my fundamental rights to freedom of thought , conscience and religion as enshrined and guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution and as affirmed by the decisions of the Supreme court of Nigeria by appearing the way I did at the Supreme Court in other courts . Nobody can deprive me of my fundamental rights because it will be illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional to do so .

I advised the learned silk to save his Bible verses until he sees the Daniel in me in no distant time because I believe that action speaks louder than words.

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‘AN INSIGHT INTO THE REAL JUSTICE ARIWOOLA, ACTING CJN,’ BY LAWYER

By Ibrahim Lawal

My life as a student activist in University of Ibadan exposed me to all kinds of experience particularly brushes with authorities about objectionable policies aimed at stiffening Independent Unionism. I joined Democratic Student Movement (DSM) with the likes of Babatunde Oluajo a.k.a Sankara and other left wing students movements to champion the course of independent Unionism.

I was elected the Speaker of the Students’ Union Parliament while Solomon Ben Olonade was the president of the Students’ Union. We made no pretence about independent Unionism as we took over everything that belongs to the students. Contrary to the practice of the students’ union account being co-signed by the Students Affairs officers, we stood our grounds that the student union must be allowed to run their affairs without interference from the authority.

These decision did not go down well with the authority particularly our resolve to operate the campus cab through the office of the Vice President, Osazere who doggedly operated the campus cab without let or hinderance.

The University authority having sensed our resolve as a union leader, dissolved the union by a release and ordered that the management and control of the union is now in the hand of the Students’ Affairs Officer.

The Union under our leadership resolved to challenge the dissolution of the union by filing a fundamental right proceedings in court. On the day of the hearing of the case, we mobilised greatest UI to the Oyo State High Court presided by Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola now the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria. I remember vividly that some Zikites came to court with ordinary towel wrapped in their waist while some appeared with nickers without cloth.

We were represented in court by Mr. Kunle Sobaloju while the University was represented by Late Ladosu Ladapo SAN. Mr. Sobaloju powerfully submitted before the court the illegality inherent in the decision of the university authority to dissolve our union without affording us a hearing. Late Ladosu Ladapo SAN on the other hand emphasized the need for discipline as a justification for the dissolution. He even told the court to see the way some of our colleagues appeared in court and the unruly manner we conducted ourselves.

His Lordship while delivering his ruling not only declared the action of the UI management on the dissolution of the union as null and void, he went further to commend the students on their peaceful conduct in court. I was personally impressed with the decision of my Lord as it restates the fact that the judiciary is indeed the last hope of the common man.

It is therefore a thing of joy to me that His Lordship is sworn in today as the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, and I pray that may Almighty Allah spare his Lordship life and enable my Lord to make positive impact in the judiciary.

Congratulations my Lord.

Ibrahim Lawal is the Head of Chamber, Olujinmi & Akeredolu.

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‘LAWYERS WILL GET N4M LOAN UNDER MY WATCH,’ SAYS FUNMI ADEOGUN

FEATURED

AS THE NATIONAL TREASURER FUNMI ADEOGUN PLEDGES TO ADVOCATE FOR AN INCREASE TO N3 BILLION THE N1.5 BILLION CASH COLLATERAL TO ENABLE LAWYERS ACCESS N4M CREDIT FACILITY INSTEAD OF THE CURRENT N2M CREDIT FACILITY

VOTE ! VOTE!! VOTE!!! ADEOGUN FUNMILOLA OLUWATOSIN AS YOUR TREASURER
JULY 16, 2022

# Financial Prudence of the Bar

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AJUMOGOBIA/OLANIPEKUN ROW: ‘I ACTED IN GOOD FAITH,’ SAYS PARTNER

Adekunbi Ogunde, the senior lawyer in the centre of an allegation of influence peddling and professional misconduct levied by former Minister for Energy and Petroleum ministries, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia SAN, has expressed “great perplexity and utter bewilderment” at the “grossly inaccurate headlines and comments” that have trailed the controversy.

In a response to the CITY LAWYER report where Ajumogobia expressed “extreme disappointment and utter disillusionment” at the alleged attempt to hijack a $130 Million SAIPEM Contracting Nigeria Ltd brief from his law firm, Ajumogobia & Okeke, Ogunde, a Partner in Olanipekun’s law firm, blamed “exuberance” for the fiasco, adding that she sent the controversial email to SAIPEM “without the consent or knowledge of either the founding partner or the managing partner of the firm, Mr Bode Olanipekun SAN.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that her law firm had disowned her on the matter, saying that she acted “without the instruction, authority, mandate, approval, or consent of Wole Olanipekun & Co.” Olanipekun had also personally apologized to Ajumogobia, saying he held the former minister in high esteem.

Ogunde who described herself as having been “consistently commended” for her “ability to analyze complex issues and proffer solutions that are commercially viable,” wrote: “I found out about the Saipem matter through an online article, and I unilaterally reached out to Saipem about the said matter, which unknown to me, was no longer before the court.

“My limited knowledge about the litigation space came to bare because had I consulted with other persons conversant with the recent happenings in the litigation circles, I would have been informed that the matter between Saipem and the Rivers State Government had been settled out of court about two (2) months prior to my email of 20th June 2022. Therefore, as at the time of writing the said email, there was no such pending matter before the court.”

She admitted making “certain careless representations and inferences in my email of 20th June 2022, that could have been easily interpreted to mean that the firm could help secure some advantage in the court for Saipem.

“I must therefore retract such representations and state categorically that, since joining the law firm in December 2021, I have never seen any person at the firm (including its founding and managing Partners), engage in any unwholesome or unethical practice, in the manner that will suggest that the firm can somehow ‘influence’ judicial outcomes by improper means.

“My email of 20th June 2022 (although done in exuberance, but in good faith and with altruism) has caused great distress, embarrassment and trauma to the people I hold and will continue to very dearly – the founding partner of the firm, chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, OFR, the managing partner of the firm, Mr. Bode Olanipekun SAN, and my dearest parents, Mr. Oluwemimo Ogunde SAN and Mrs. Yinka Ogunde.

“In order to remedy the situation, I reached out personally to H. Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, OFR, via email and WhatsApp messages sent to the learned silk on 24th June 2022, to apologize to him for this error of judgment.”

She noted that apart from the apology issued by the firm, her father, a senior advocate, also reached out to Ajumogobia to apologise on her behalf.

Below is the full text of her statement.

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HIJAB JUDGEMENT: ‘MALCOLM OMIRHOBO IS IMPUGNING SUPREME COURT,’ SAYS LAWYER

SUPREME COURT AND THE HIJAB JUDGMENT

By Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, Notary Public

At last the Supreme Court of Nigeria has laid to rest the controversy over whether a female Muslim Student in public primary or secondary school has the right to adorn her hijab over her school uniform. The Apex Court on 17th June 2022 affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal stating that it is part of her constitutional right to the freedom of thought, conscience and religion to adorn it whether in private or in public without being harassed or discriminated against. This case was between a female Muslim minor and the Lagos State Government who through her father instituted the action at the High Court of Lagos State in 2014 seeking to know under the law whether she is entitled to that right or not. When the High Court answered the question in negative and she was aggrieved by that decision, she proceeded to the Court of Appeal to exercise her appellate right which right the appellate court gave her by setting aside the decision of the Lagos State High Court taking away that right. The Lagos State Government on equally being dissatisfied proceeded to the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of Court of Appeal recognizing that right. The Supreme Court in its majority decision affirmed the position of the Court of Appeal that the female Muslim student is entitled to that right.

The reaction to this latest the Supreme Court Judgment (Lagos State Government Vs. Abdulkareem) by some lawyers who ought to know better has been very astonishing. The camp being led by Chief Malcolm Omirhobo who claims to be a human rights lawyer has not only condemned the judgment and the Justices of the Supreme Court for performing their judicial duties, he has also displayed a kind of comedy within the Supreme Court premises in Abuja where he put on what he called his spiritual mode of dressing combined with the lawyer’s outfit. The lawyer in his earlier condemnation of the Supreme Court judgment stated as follows among others:

“….It is sad and disturbing that the Justices of the Supreme Court failed to see how our public schools will look if students from white garment Church family background like Celestial Church of Christ and Cherubim and Seraphim Church sew their uniform in sutana style covering all their bodies from the neck to toe with cap to march and go to school barefooted because it is a Christian injunction and an act of worship required of them?….I appreciate the fact that the judgment of the Supreme Court is final and must be complied with nevertheless I find solace in the fact that the Supreme Court do reverse her decisions when it finds it expedient to do so especially after it has erred in an early decision and this case is one of such occasion…. ”

From Chief Omirhobo’s above assertion, he claims not only to be more knowledgeable than the learned Jurists of the Supreme Court but that he possesses the unseen knowledge of what the judgment could lead to in the public schools? Every lawyer that has serious knowledge of law will agree that it is part of our jurisprudence that it is not the duty or business of the court to go outside the facts and issues place before it to resolve. This self- styled human right activist needs to be asked whether (to borrow from his words) any member of “white garment Church family background like Celestial Church of Christ and Cherubim and Seraphim Church” has approached any court in the land to complain of being denied or disallowed to wear “their uniform in sutana style covering all their bodies from the neck to toe with cap to march and go to school barefooted because it is a Christian injunction and an act of worship required of them ” ? It is not the business of any court of competent jurisdiction including the Supreme Court to deal with issues that are not placed before it. If there was no such complaint before the Supreme Court, why did the Chief Omirhobo expect the Apex Court to deal with the issue not before it? I dare say that Chief Omirhobo’s assertion is nothing but an argument that does not hold water. To further demonstrate his sentiment and hypocrisy, he resorted to playing to the gallery by walking into the Supreme Court premises few days later barefooted and in lawyer outfit combined with juju worshipper’s attire and went to sit alone in the courtroom seeking for media attention.

If the scenario he displayed was truly to make the Supreme Court to reverse its decision that was not the best way to achieve that. He should have done that when he actually has a case listed on the cause list of the Supreme Court or any other court in the country to announce his appearance with such attire and see whether he will be granted audience by the court. In the alternative, he should have arranged some of his children or grand children or some of his clients’ children to put on traditionalists’ attires and proceed to school to see if the school authorities will allow them into the school premises or be allowed into the classrooms. If they are disallowed, he can easily file action in court ( as done the young Muslim lady whose right to wear hijab has been affirmed by the Apex Court), then Chief Omirhobo and his clients can travel along the same route so as to prove a strong point that their children equally have the constitutional right to wear such attires to the school since he has asserted that the Supreme Court must reverse itself. Chief Omirhobo needs to make a move to develop our law on the rights of the traditionalists to where their attires with their school uniform. If the late Alhaji AbdulganiyAdetola Kazeem (SAN) of blessed memory could set the ball rolling to achieve this on behalf of female Muslim students, I see no reason why Chief Malcolm Omirhobo cannot initiate similar move on behalf of the traditionalists willing to exercise their fundamental rights under the law.

When Chief Omirhobo was enacting his drama at the Supreme Court and was being praised, clapped for by some lawyers while at the same time getting the attention of the media including that of the social media, while the same media had earlier downplayed and remained mute on the hijab’s Supreme Court judgment, my reaction to the drama was as follows:

“I am of the view that the lawyer got it wrong in the sense I once expressed somewhere that a Muslim woman that adopts hijab as part of her dressing does not make it strictly ceremonial or worship attire as she adorns it anywhere she goes. She uses it to pray, to the school, market, office or work place. I believe the lawyer will be making a very good point if he makes it an habit henceforth to adorn this his religious dressing anywhere he goes as Muslim lady that adorns it does and that he should not restrict it to the court as he does here.”

As if the TVC News caster at 10 got my position right, similar question was put to Chief Omirhobo in an interview that same night on the television where he has done away with his earlier juju attire, but his response was more of incoherence than being rational. The question I have been those that are opposed to the hijab was to show me how did the women during the biblical time dressed, but am yet to get any response to that. We now live in a country where the religious tolerance has gone on flight and unfortunately those human rights activists in the legal profession that ought to promote mutual understanding and respect are the ones beating the drum of conflict and confusion. Why must some people develop unnecessary headache and high blood pressure merely because a citizen is granted the right to adorn her simple head cover as part of her fundamental rights? How does allowing a female Muslim student the right to use her hijab by virtue of Section 38 extend to the spurious argument being canvassed by the self-styled human rights activists that the Supreme Court has gone against Section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by adopting Islam as a state religion? The incessant and loud attack on Hijab or anything Islamic is one of the great proofs of the authenticity of Islam as clearly states in its scripture that certain groups of people will never be pleased with Muslims until they abandon their faith and follow the way of those other people. The scriptural position in Islam is that many attempts will be made to put off the light of Islam, but the Almighty Allah that sent His Messenger (Muhammad) to deliver that message will not allow that to happen.

Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which provides that: “The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion” remains one of the Constitutional provisions that has been grossly misinterpreted even by lawyers as related to the true meaning of the word “Secular or Secularism” as often canvass by some people as if the country should have nothing to do with religions where many of them exist. If that position is valid, why do we have religious organizations of various sects springing up here and there even taking over premises and properties of collapsed industries and companies? If Nigeria is truly a secular state, why are the Nigerian governments at various levels spending heavily on religious activities including building of Mosques and Churches or Chapels in various governments houses and equally sponsor both Christians and Muslims to the pilgrimage in Israel and Saudi Arabia? Why do the governments declare public holidays for the celebration of the religious ceremonies and official government ceremonies are commenced with religious opening prayers? Does government allowing all these mean that it is given priority to some religions than other religions in a country which is multi-religious in nature? The Constitution does not say religions should not exist but that the Federation or a State should not adopt a particular religion as State religion. Those self-styled human rights activists need to tell us where the Supreme Court in the judgment under review declared Islam as the State religion simply because the Apex Court has affirmed the rights of an individual under the Section 38 of the Constitution.

Despite their alarming insistence of Nigeria being a secular state, it is the same set of the self-styled human rights activists that would maintain that the political parties must balance the equation of Muslim/Christian ticket in their search for the political power and that any attempt to bring about a Muslim/Muslim ticket will amount to another form of “Jihad” to use their own words. Since the return to democracy in 1999, the equation has been Muslim/Christian or Christian/Muslim, but where has that taken the country to? Has that solved the nation’s economic and security problems? To what extent have those leaders protect the lives of the Christians and Muslims talk less of the traditionalists against the menace of Boko Haram, Bandits, Kidnappers and other criminals? Patriotic Nigerians regardless of their tribal and religious affiliation should be clamouring and praying for good leaders that are upright, competent and have the foresight to turn round what this nation is blessed with to the advantage of Nigerians rather buying into the spurious propaganda of the religious chauvinists.

Multi-tribal and multi-religious nature of a nation should always be to the advantage of such nation but unfortunate in this part of the world such is used to her disadvantage. For instance the countries like the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK) from where we borrowed some of the political and constitution system have to some extent gone beyond most of the things our so-called human rights activists here are using to create confusion among the populace. If those countries have changed their attitude to the use of hijab and have recognized it as the fundamental rights of those that desire it, why must our self-styled human rights activists here behave as if Nigeria is still in the Stone Age? The opposition on their part to hijab did not start today but it reached the peak during the Call to the Bar ceremony of a female Muslim lawyer, Amasa Firdaos who insisted on adorning her hijab for the ceremony and in that struggle she lost that year of call until the wisdom prevailed and she eventually had her way.

Similar scenario repeated itself in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital where in violation of court order that the female Muslim students have the rights to wear hijab on their school uniform, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that was a party in the suit mobilized it members against the order of the court by disallowing the students entry into the public school rather than trying to pursue their appeal against the Court of Appeal decision at the Supreme Court. In a civilized nation, party that is aggrieved by a judgment of the court will appeal against it rather than taking law into their hands. In the latest judgment under review, the Supreme Court is the final court in the land. It should be the duty of every serious lawyer to advise people to respect that verdict rather than what the likes of Chief Malcolm Omirhobo are doing by going about disparaging the Justices of the Apex Court after discharging their judicial duties which to me amount nothing but gross indiscipline and disrespect to the Supreme Court as an institution. I hereby challenge Chief Omirhobo to again appear in such attire before any court of competent jurisdiction in the country one of these days. Since another lawyer has boastfully said he would appear in his Juju attire before a court, I will be very glad to see him doing that as our law needs to be developed. The challenge still stands and let them bell the cat!

NOTE: Anyone is at liberty to disagree with my above submissions as I will surely appreciate a balanced, fair and objective rebuttal.

27th June 2022

  • Abdulrasheed Ibrahim is a Notary Public

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AKEREDOLU ENDORSES GADZAMA FOR NBA PRESIDENCY

FEATURED

Past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN drums support for the man of the people, J-K Gadzama SAN to become the next NBA President.

#JKNOW
#ANALLINCLUSIVEBAR
gadzama.com

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EDE ASENOGUAN HAILS NBA EKPOMA, EFFURUN, OTUKPO ON PARLEY

GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM ASENOGUAN ISOBOMUWA OSAMUEDE, CANDIDATE FOR NBA GENERAL SECRETARY TO THE NBA, OTUKPO BRANCH AS THEY CONDUCT MONTHLY MEETING.

Mr. Asenoguan’s message to the NBA, Otukpo branch as they conduct their monthly meeting today, 26th June, 2022 reads:

“It is with great regards that I convey my thoughts to the distinguished leadership and members of the NBA, Otukpo branch on account of their monthly meeting holding today, 26th June, 2022.

It is my wish that as you conduct your monthly meeting today, your great branch will record greater heights even as you swear in the newly elected members of your branch executive committee, on whose shoulders lie this responsibility and whose capacity is undoubtedly profound.

I wish you the very best as a branch.

Thank you and God bless.”

Asenoguan Osamuede Isobomuwa
Candidate for the position of General Secretary of the NBA 2022-2024

EFFURUN BRANCH MEETING: ASENOGUAN ISOBOMUWA OSAMUEDE, CANDIDATE FOR NBA GENERAL SECRETARY SENDS GOODWILL MESSAGE

The goodwill message from Mr Asenoguan to the NBA, Effurun branch on account of their monthly meeting today 26th June, 2022 reads as follows:

“Profound greetings to the leadership and members of the NBA, Effurun branch.

I am delighted to commune with you as you conduct your monthly meeting today. Your branch is notable for everything progressive that the NBA stands for. You have a long history of excellence and avenues such as this afford us the opportunity to extol you.

I must not forget to once again acknowledge the hospitality you have always accorded me each time I have cause to visit. May your meeting today and every of your endeavour as a bar be ever fruitful.

Thank you and God bless”

Asenoguan Osamuede Isobomuwa
Candidate for the position of General Secretary of the NBA 2022-2024

ASENOGUAN ISOBOMUWA OSAMUEDE, CANDIDATE FOR NBA GENERAL SECRETARY LAUDS NBA, EKPOMA BRANCH AS THEY CONDUCT THEIR MONTHLY MEETING

Below is Mr. Asenoguan’s message to NBA, Ekpoma branch on the occasion of their monthly meeting holding today, 26th June, 2022.

“The distinguished Chairman, Executives and Members of the NBA, Ekpoma branch,

Permit me to most humbly convey my regards to your great branch on the occasion of your monthly meeting holding today, 26th June, 2022. Being one of the five branches that make up the NBA in Edo state, you have exhibited robust capacity in championing the cause of your branch and that of the larger NBA.

As you conduct your monthly meeting today, I remain confident that same will further strengthen the foundations of that capacity for even greater heights.

I wish you a successful meeting.
Thank you and God bless.”

Asenoguan Osamuede Isobomuwa
Candidate for the position of General Secretary of the NBA 2022-2024

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SAFIA BALARABE HAILS NBAWF CHAIR, OTUKPO, EKPOMA, JOS, EFFURUN BRANCHES

SAFIYA BALARABE CELEBRATES HER CHAIRPERSON ON THE OCCASION OF HER BIRTHDAY

Today, 26th June, marks the birthday of a notable personality in the person of the Chairperson, NBA Women Forum, Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgboye, SAN, consequent upon which Safiya Balarabe, the current Treasurer of the Forum and a candidate for the position of the NBA Treasurer, penned down a heartwarming birthday message extolling the Learned Silk for her endearing qualities and leadership skills.

Her words are reproduced below:

“Today, I am full of joy in celebrating a highly distinguished Silk, a legal Amazon; leadership, excellence and humility personified, my own distinguished Chairperson, Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgboye, SAN on account of her birthday anniversary.

Dear learned silk, to know you is likened to a free course on excellence and purposeful leadership. You have bonded our dear Forum by your example of love. I am very elated to pen down this birthday message to you.

My heartfelt wish for you this day is that the Almighty grants you your innermost desires, long life and take you to even greater heights.

Happy birthday Learned Silk”.

Regards,

Safiya Balarabe,
Treasurer, NBA Women Forum
Candidate for the office of the NBA
Treasurer 2022-2024

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO NBA JOS BRANCH ON EMERGENCE OF NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, BY SAFIYA BALARABE

The Jos Branch of the NBA held its election yesterday, 24th June, 2022 wherein Mr. Izang Aware emerged as Chairman of the branch. Consequently, Mrs. Safiya Balarabe, candidate for the position of NBA Treasurer has sent in a congratulatory message to the branch, the new and old executives .

Her message reads:

“I felicitate the Jos Branch on the occasion of their election held yesterday and the emergence of a new Chairman, Mr. Izang Aware.

It is indeed a thing of joy to be able to win the hearts of people and emerge winner but this feat comes along with great responsibilities.

As you step into this new office as executives, I wish you a great tenure. I am very optimistic that you will use your good office to bring developmental strides to the branch and consolidate on the good work left behind by the past administration, while carrying along every member of the branch.

I equally commend the past executives for a job well done for the past two years.

Once again, a big congratulation to the Jos branch”.

Regards,

Safiya Balarabe
Candidate for the position of the NBA Treasurer 2022-2024

NBA EFFURUN BRANCH MONTHLY MEETING: SAFIYA BALARABE SENDS GOODWILL MESSAGE

The Effurun Branch of the NBA holds its monthly Meeting today, 26th June, 2022 , sequel to which a leading candidate for the office of the NBA Treasurer, Safiya Balarabe has sent a goodwill message to the branch.

Her message reads thus:

“Respected Chairman, Executives and members of the Effurun branch,

I am delighted to send you this message as you hold your monthly meeting today.

Your branch is notable for developmental strides. This is a record that has been kept by you by means of the insightful gatherings you have had such as this one.

Consequently, I am positive that the outcome of today’s meeting will as usual lead to the advancement of your dear branch and our association at large.

I wish you a successful meeting even as I participate in same”.

Regards,

Safiya Balarabe
Candidate for the office of the NBA Treasurer, 2022-2024

SAFIYA BALARABE, CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF THE NBA TREASURER GREETS THE OTUKPO BRANCH ON THE OCCASION THEIR MONTHLY MEETING

The Otukpo branch of the NBA will today the 26th of June, 2022 be holding their monthly meeting.

On the occasion of the above scheduled meeting, Safiya Balarabe has sent greetings to the branch as follows:

“The Chairman, executive and branch members of NBA, Otukpo branch.

I’m delighted to send you greetings on the occasion of your monthly meeting for the month of June. Branch meetings being the most effective means of convoking to rub minds towards achieving success, I am optimistic of the positive results this meeting shall produce.

I enjoin you to keep up the good work in advancing the course of our dear profession even as you strive to take it to greater heights. I wish you fruitful deliberations.

Thank you and God bless.”

Regards,

Safiya Balarabe
Candidate for the position of the NBA Treasurer 2022-2024

NBA EKPOMA BRANCH MONTHLY MEETING: SAFIYA BALARABE SENDS GOODWILL MESSAGE

The monthly meeting of the NBA, Ekpoma branch holds today, 26th of June, 2022. Consequently, Safiya Balarabe, a leading candidate for the office of the NBA Treasurer has sent in a goodwill message to the branch. Same reads as follows:

“The distinguished Chairman, executives and members of the Ekpoma branch, as you conduct your monthly meeting today, I look forward to the profound capacity your branch is reckoned with.

To this end, I am positive that today’s meeting will as usual be characterized by sound reasoning for the advancement of your branch and the NBA at large.

I wish you a resoundingly successful meeting.

Thank you and God bless.”

Regards,

Safiya Balarabe
Candidate for the office of the NBA Treasurer, 2022-2024,

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AJUMOGOBIA ACCUSES OLANIPEKUN’S LAW FIRM OF MISCONDUCT; FIRM APOLOGIZES, DISOWNS PARTNER

Former Minister for Energy and Petroleum ministries, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia has accused the law firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co of professional misconduct in the $130 Million Rivers State Government vs Saipem SPA, Saipem Contracting Nigeria Limited and Ors case.

In an email dated June 23, 2022 and obtained by CITY LAWYER, the senior lawyer stated that he was “shocked and appalled” at the contents of a letter written by one Adekumbi Ogunde, a Partner in the law firm of Wole Olanipekun & Co to his firm’s clients, Saipem SA and Saipem Nigeria Limited.

In the email addressed to the Body of Benchers Chairman, Ajumogobia wrote: “I must also express my extreme disappointment and utter disillusionment, that a letter of this nature should emanate from your chambers, given your stature at the bar generally and as the current Chairman of the body of benchers, in particular.

“My sentiments about the unfortunate but unmistakable allusion to ‘influence’ with “Justices of the Supreme Court, Presiding Justices of the Court of Appeal and Chief Judges” with whom you happen to serve on certain bodies in the legal profession, with regard to a matter before a Court, is better left unsaid.

“Suffice it to say that the attached letter is in my opinion tantamount to gross misconduct of the worst kind.

“For the record, our mandatory Rules of Professional Conduct expressly prohibit self-advertising and solicitation by Nigerian legal practitioners!

“Rule 39 expressly provides that “A lawyer shall not engage or be involved in any advertising or promotion of his practice of the law which …..makes comparison with or criticizes other lawyers …..or includes any statement about the quality of the lawyer’s work, the size or success of his practice or his success rate.

“The email from your firm could not be more egregious in its breach of this essential mandatory rule, especially in its acknowledgment that the defendant companies had already retained counsel. That I and my firm of Ajumogobia & Okeke were retained in the matter, was a matter of public record and was personally known to you and your firm, since you had asked me about the matter during our Unilag Law Faculty Alumni dinner at Harbour point in February.

“The attached email from your firm also contains false and misleading statements with several defamatory imputations of and concerning myself and my firm.

“In the circumstances we demand within 7 days of the date of this letter, a written apology to the firm of Ajumogobia & Okeke from Wole Olanipekun & Co, for this most deplorable conduct of Adekumbi Ogunde and your firm.

“In addition we demand that Wole Olanipekun & Co sends a letter to Saipem the top management to retract your said letter….”

He warned that the retraction and a copy of the apology to his firm “must be copied to the top management of Saipem SA and the same recipients as the original email,” adding that “I trust that your firm will comply with our demand forthwith.”

However, Olanipekun’s law firm has washed its hands off the controversial letter, vowing that it was written without its consent and authority.

In a prompt reply dated June 24, 2022 and titled “DISCLAIMER,” the leading law firm stated that “the writer of the letter under reference was on her own, and we do wholly dissociate ourselves from the letter and its contents.”

The law firm vowed that “internal measures would immediately be taken to address and redress this very unfortunate situation,” adding that “Our Principal, without being immodest, has never been known to indulge himself in the type of practice portrayed in the letter under reference. He is a very sober and humble person, and we believe learned Silk, H. Odein Ajumogobia, SAN, OFR can attest to this. He stands for the best in the profession, in terms of ethics, honour, integrity, discipline, character and carriage.”

The disclaimer was signed by Messrs James Adesulu and Quam Owolabi Bisiriyu, both Associate Counsel at Wole Olanipekun & Co and copied to Ajumogobia.

In the additional note to the former Petroleum Minister, the law firm said that “we apologize for this very unfortunate incident , which was unauthorized,” adding that the letter was “neither initiated, prompted, encouraged nor approved by our chambers.”

The disclaimer noted that Olanipekun “values and covets the very cordial professional and friendly relationship between both of you, a relationship that has stood the test of time for over three decades, where both of you have mutually and reciprocally shared and exchanged thoughts on some highly confidential issues and subjects.”

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GADZAMA HOSTS NEW NBA ABUJA EXCO

THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE, J-K GADZAMA SAN HOSTS THE NEWLY ELECTED EXCOS OF THE NBA-ABUJA BRANCH

On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, the amiable J-K Gadzama SAN hosted the members of the newly elected executive committee of the NBA-Abuja branch. The Excos were led by the indefatigable Afam Okeke Esq who previously worked and cut his teeth under Chief Gadzama’s tutelage.

The hosting was not a surprise as the Learned Silk had continually hosted all elected Excos of the NBA-Abuja branch since 2005.

At the event which took place at the Learned Silk’s Asokoro residence, the past Chairman of the branch, Chief Gadzama stated that it had become a tradition for him to host all Excos of the NBA-Abuja branch. According to him, it was important to continually interact with colleagues and provide motivation for the executives of the branch who he humbly described as his ‘bosses’.

After the remarks by the Learned Silk, senior members of the Bar such as Chief Patrick Okolo SAN – Past Chairman of the NBA-Abuja branch, Chief Ikechukwu Ezechukwu SAN – Past Chairman of the NBA-Abuja branch, Mela Audu Nunghe SAN – Past Chairman of the NBA-Abuja branch and Mohammed Monguno, Esq. – Past Attorney-General of Borno & Chairman of NBA-Maiduguri branch gave short speeches wherein they narrated the history and unity of the branch. They also hailed Chief Gadzama for his magnanimity and constant availability to respond to the needs of the branch.

In response, the Chairman of the branch, Afam Okeke, Esq. thanked Chief Gadzama who he described as a key supporter of the bar for always assisting the branch in all its endeavours. He recounted how the Learned Silk hosted the branch executives while he was the Secretary under the leadership of Desmond Yamah, Esq. He also stated that Chief Gadzama loved the branch and appreciated him for the kind gesture shown towards the newly elected Excos.

It is interesting to note that the newly elected and immediate past chairmen of the branch had worked under Chief Gadzama and enjoyed his revered mentorship at different points in their careers.

As the event went on, the guests ate, dined and relaxed at the event. Incidentally, it was the birthday of Funso Odebode, Esq., the vice-chairman of the branch who was celebrated by the Learned Silk.

Present at the event were the following officers of the NBA-Abuja branch: Funso Odebode, Esq. – Vice Chairman, Isiaka Musa, Esq. – Secretary, Oluwatosin F. Emmanuel, Esq. – Assistant Secretary, Adamma Isamade, Esq. – Welfare Secretary, Michael Awo Ejeh, Esq. – Publicity Secretary, Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam, Esq. – Treasurer, Farida Usman, Esq. – Financial Secretary, Simon Kanshio, Esq. – Social Secretary and Emmanuel Utomi, Esq. – Provost. Also present were Francis Oronsaye, Esq. – Managing Partner of J-K Gadzama LLP, Darlington Onyekwere, Esq., Madu Gadzama, Esq., Jerry Musa, Esq., Mark Chidi Agbo, Esq. and Lamar Gadzama, Esq., amongst others.

Other Past Chairmen like Chief Karinya Tunya SAN, Chief Ola Olanipekun SAN, Mr Patrick Ediale, High Chief Muyiwa Akinboro, SAN, and Abimbola Kayode, Esq. sent their apologies.

VERIFICATION: DESMOND YAMAH ROUSES ELIGIBLE VOTERS

HAVE YOU BEEN VERIFIED?

TAKE NOTE!!!

The deadline for verification is Monday, June, 27th, 2022.
Two days to go.

HOW TO VERIFY:
Log into; https://nigerianbar.org.ng/nba/bpfv2/check_status to access and validate your details on the NBA site.

*STEP 1
Click on the link

*STEP 2
Input your Supreme Court number beside ‘SCN’ for example SCN 055555

*STEP 3
Click Verify

*STEP 4
Check your mail or text message, copy the OTP sent and paste it on the column provided and click validate.

TEAMDESMONDYAMAH 4 General Secretary.

NBA – Membership

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AS TREASURER, WHO REALLY IS FUNMI ADEOGUN?

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‘WHY EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS PERSIST IN NIGERIA,’ BY ISAAC OGBAH

PAPER PRESENTED BY ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH, FICMC, CANDIDATE FOR THE 3rd VICE PRESIDENT OF NBA AT THE JUST CONCLUDED NBA BADAGRY LAW WEEK

TOPIC: “Extra Judicial killings in Nigeria; any justification”?

Presented by: Isaac Omuta Ogbah, Esq.

Introduction

There is an upsurge in the rate of extra judicial killings in Nigeria. Thus there is a need to look into this. The authorities have either turned deaf ears to these happenings and by necessary implications promoted the breakdown of law and order in Nigeria.

Definition of Extra-judicial killing

Extra-judicial killings is said to be a killing done by government officials without judicial or legal process.

This happens when someone in an official position deliberately kills a person without any legal process.

Its a violation to right to life, designating killing of an individual by State agent without a judicial process.

This is because the law sees every human life to be a precious thing that needs to be cherished, even though the law gives exceptions to right to life, there’s still no justification for extra judicial killings.

There are several instances where extra judicial killings has taken place in Nigeria. For example police brutality on peaceful protesters.

The noxious trend recurred at Ota-Efun, Osogbo, the Osun State capital, early in December when a police sergeant, Moses Samuel, killed a rig operator, Kabiru Babai, during an altercation. The same officer, who is reportedly undergoing orderly room trial, also injured a truck driver, Harisu Musa. The real tragedy of that story is that Babai was protesting the shooting of Musa when he was killed by the officer.

Early in November 2021 a police officer that has yet to be named, killed a tricycle operator in Meiran, Lagos State, triggering the mayhem that eventually claimed three lives. That incident was sparked by a demand for a measly N100 bribe. In September, another officer reportedly shot dead a 29-year-old father of one identified only as Gift, who was marking his birthday in Obinomba, in the Ukwani Local Government Area of Delta State.

While engaged in extortion, power-drunk police officers kill innocent civilians with reckless abandon during disagreements over paltry sums. Rogue officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, especially under its current Comptroller-General, Hameed Ali, also kill recklessly. In July 2021, Customs officers invaded Igangan, Igboora, Ayete, and Tapa communities in the Ibarapa LGA of Oyo State. When the dust settled, three people lay dead. The NCS spokesman, Theophilus Duniya, alleged that the deceased were smugglers. This tenuous claim was dismissed by a federal lawmaker representing Ibarapa Central/North Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Muraina Ajibola, who argued that the communities were over 200 kilometres away from the nearest border post. In May, Customs officers had killed five people at Iseyin, in the same state. No law authorises the summary killing of smuggling suspects.

Killings that should qualify as crimes against humanity have also been perpetrated by the military. The massacre of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria by the Nigerian Army in December 2015, where no fewer than 347 persons were killed, is unforgettable. Not only were the Shiites killed, but they were also buried in mass graves. The recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Garba-led panel that those responsible for the killings should be prosecuted have been ignored. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, other NGOs and nations have continued to call for justice to no avail.

In the South-East, the military has been reportedly killing citizens on the pretext of waging war against the Indigenous People of Biafra separatists. Many residents have reportedly been murdered by bloodthirsty soldiers without any consequence. AI reported in August that 115 people were killed in four months by security forces across Imo, Anambra, and Abia states. Another gory report in The PUNCH detailed how corpses of victims of extrajudicial killings were piled on each other at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State.

From January 2021, gunmen suspected to be ESN militants launched a series of attacks on government infrastructure, including prisons and public buildings, killing several police officers. Amnesty International, in their report, condemned these attacks and called on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Amnesty International in its report in 2021 stated that Nigerian security forces launched security operations in June, 2021, primarily targeting ESN militants or those perceived as such to decimate the group.

Amnesty International documented at least 115 persons killed by security forces between March and June 2021. Many relatives of the victims told Amnesty International that they were not part of the militants that were attacking security agents.

Many of the victims were deposited at government hospitals in Imo and Abia state. According to several hospital sources all the victims deposited by the police had bullet injuries.

For instance, in two of the cases documented by Amnesty international, the victims were targeted with no apparent justification:

Uguchi Unachukwu, a German-based businessman was killed by soldiers on 31 May 2021, at a checkpoint near Owerri airport on his way out of the country. The police are yet to investigate the crime.

Mathew Opara, a 45-year-old businessman, was shot by soldiers on 25 May 2021 in Orji, near Owerri. Witnesses told Amnesty International that he was returning from work when he ran into a team of soldiers in armoured vehicle and Hilux vans shooting at residents. He was shot in the chest and could not receive immediate medical help because of the violence. His family said the military acknowledged the killing but did not launch an investigation or offer any apology.

Certainly extra judicial killings are unlawful and should be condemned in all ramifications

Under the law there are exceptions to when an individual life can be taken and it won’t amount to unlawful killing.

According to Section 33 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria , these are the exceptions to right to life; self defence, execution of a court sentence, to effect a lawful arrest, to suppress a riot, mutiny and insurrection.

However, it should be noted that under the law there is no justification for extra-judicial killing.

Unfortunately, it seems the political and security leadership in Nigeria think nothing of the high rate of killings by state actors.

It is on record that 99% of these unlawful killings go largely unpunished, thanks in part to Nigeria’s Force Order 237, which allows officers to use lethal force in ways that contravenes international law, and because of government corruption and a prevailing culture of impunity.”

Ordinarily Force Order 237 ought only to be applied when the life of a Police officer is in danger

Section 3 states as follows: A Police officer may use firearms under the following circumstances:
A. When attacked and his life is in danger and there is no other way of saving his life;

B. Where defending a person who is attacked and he believes on reasonable grounds, that he cannot otherwise protect that person attacked from death

C. Where necessary to disperse rioters to prevent them from committing serious offense

D. If he cannot by any other means arrest a person WHO BEING IN LAWFUL CUSTODY ESCAPES AND TAKES TO FLIGHT IN ORDER TO AVOID REARREST.

It partly explains the #EndSARS protest of 2020.

In Nigeria, security agents compete with blood tasty non-state actors like Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist, bandits, and Fulani Herdsmen in massacring Nigerians.

Lawmakers have a crucial role to play. Where there are killings, the House of Representatives members and senators from the affected constituencies should take the heads of the concerned security units to task.

NBA AT BOTH NATIONAL, STATE AND BRA CH LEVELS SHOULD RISE TO THE DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

By regularly interrogating service chiefs and the police hierarchy, and ensuring proper accountability, sanity might return to the system. UNFORTUNATELY IN TODAYS NIGERIA THE LAW MAKERS WOULD INVITE THE SERVICE CHIEFS AND THEY WOULD REFUSE TO HONOR SUCH INVITATIONS AND NOTHING IS DONE AS A DETERRENT ON SUCH OBVIOUS MALADMINISTRATION.

The state governors have been negligent and uncaring. They rarely follow up when security agents kill people extra judicially in their domain.

This must change. In their utterances and interactions, governors must demonstrate that they value the lives of citizens.

A governor could demand the removal of a commissioner of police under whose watch there are extrajudicial killings.

For instance, the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, should lead protests against the high rate of killings by Customs officers in Ogun.

Nigerians must also stand for their rights. Peaceful protest is a constitutional right of every Nigerian and must be responsibly deployed to decry the highhandedness of security agencies. Civil societies and rights groups should mobilize the citizenry to demand punishment for killer security personnel.

Aside from the dismissal and prosecution of the culprits, their supervising and commanding officers must not be spared.

The United States of America 🇺🇸, United Kingdom and European countries’ citizens stage civil protests, sit-ins, petitions, and lawsuits to press for justice.

Liberty must be defended to be enjoyed.

The participation of the military in civil security in Nigeria is doing more harm than good. Therefore, the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), should restrict the military to its primary constitutional role of fighting external aggression and reform the Customs.

Extrajudicial killings persist because there is little deterrence or consequence.

For a start, Nigerians must demand the implementation of the recommendations of the judicial panels of inquiries set up in the wake of the #EndSARS protest.

The security agents recommended for trial must be prosecuted.

Affected communities, individuals and families of victims should also seek justice through litigation.

An international Human Right non-governmental organization, has disclosed that not fewer than 122 cases of extra judicial killings were recorded in Nigeria between January and October 4, 2020.

We have international laws which kick against extra-judicial killings includes;

A. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

B. African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR)

C. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

D. Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firms by Law Enforcement Officials (BPUFF).

E. United Nations Code of Conducts for Law Enforcement Officials (CLEO)

F. Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions, UN Model Protocol for a Legal Investigation of Extra -Legal, Arbitrary and summary execution.

In Nigeria we also have laws that kick against extra-judicial killings and they are;

1. The 1999 Constitution

2. Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Act (both applicable in th Southern States in Nigeria),

3. Penal code and Criminal Procedure Code (both applicable in the Northern States in Nigeria),

4. Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA) and

5. Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL),

6. Nigeria Police Act and

7. Police Force and

8. Police Order 237.

Curbing extra judicial killing would be made easier if the revised force order 237 is effectively implemented.

The 2009 Amnesty report “killing at will: Extra-Judicial executions and other unlawful killings by the Nigerian Police” has given different areas that needs to be looked into when curbing extra-judicial.

A. The weak oversight mechanisms of the Nigeria Police force and

B. chronic lack of resources are some of the areas the 2009 Amnesty report.

General Legal Framework for Human Rights Protection The Chapter IV of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which Is a supreme law, sets out the fundamental human rights of the citizens of the Nigeria. The provisions of the Constitution are clearly against torture and killing and promote the right to life.

The Federal Government also established the National Human Rights Commission which is charged to deal with matters relating to the protection of human rights as guaranteed by the Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and other International Treaties on human rights to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Although Nigeria has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1993, the Convention against Torture (CAT) in 2001 and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) in 2009 they have not been integrated into the local laws.

Nigeria is also, yet to recognize the competence of the Committee against Torture to receive communications from individuals under article 22 of CAT.

Nigeria has established a National Committee on Torture as its National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) for the prevention of torture at the domestic level in accordance with the obligations of OPCAT.

The committee is charged with the duty to receive and consider complaints on torture; conduct visits to places of detention and examine allegations of torture, prevent torture by reviewing the treatment of persons.

Section 5 (a) National Human Rights Commissions Act put in place, a national anti-torture policy.

Nigeria is also a State Party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR).

Though there are presently no legal provisions criminalizing torture or providing compensation to victims of torture in accordance with the UN Convention against Torture and extra judicial killings, it is believed that Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution is encompassing, a notion that has been disproved by the prevalence of torture.

In March 2011, PRAWA carried out a research and monitoring exercise on cases of torture, cruel and inhuman and degrading punishment committed by law enforcement agents in Enugu state, Eastern part of Nigeria. This was done with a team of lawyers, psychologists and medical practitioners trained under the Torture Documentation and Redress Scheme (TDRS) Project.

The findings are as follows:

1. Statistics of the research indicated that out of the 176 victims interviewed, victims of torture ranged between the ages of 13 to 54 years, with young people between the ages of 26- 30 as the most frequent victims of torture in the state.

2. Out of 176 victims interviewed only 1 female was identified and interviewed. This was because the other female victims were not willing to reveal their ordeal in police custody.

3. Method of torture on the victims include prolonged detention in police custody, gunshot wounds 24.71%, severe beatings with police baton and other dangerous objects 36.21%, burning with hot objects 8.05%, squeezing of testicles and inserting objects into the penis, insertion of nails on feet 1.72%, electric shock, suspension on the tree in different positions 13.22%, cutting with cutlass 12.64% and other forms of torture. •

4. The Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) have police officers who are specially designated to torture crime suspects. Such police officers have an unofficial designation like “OC Torture” (Officer In Charge of Torture), and they have special skills in infringing various methods of torture on their victims.

The reason they were tortured was to obtain information or confessional statement from them before their trial.

Extrajudicial executions, other unlawful killings and enforced disappearances in Nigeria are not random.

In a country where bribes guarantee safety, those who cannot afford to pay are at risk of being shot or tortured to death by the police. The family of the victims often cannot afford to seek justice or redress, because they cannot pay for a lawyer or the court charges. In many cases, they cannot even afford to retrieve the body. In many cases, detainees wait for weeks or months in police custody to be charged and brought before a court.

Amnesty International recorded 29 cases of victims of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions who had never appeared before a judge.

Key issues of concern

a) Systematic torture in police and other centre of detention.

(b) Lack of adequate documentation and tracking of all tortured suspects upon reception in prison (from the police).

c) Lack of institutionalization mechanism for compulsory autopsy of all deaths in custody.

d) Lack of comprehensive database of all places of detention, their locations, addresses and the total number of persons in detention.

(e) Lack of adequate institutional process of internal and external monitoring and oversight of all detention facilities in Nigeria

(f) Torture and inhumane treatment of Mentally disabled person within the criminal justice delivery system including the detention and lack of psychiatric/medical treatment and review of the mentally disabled prisoners (including the ‘civil lunatics’ who have committed no crime and are only detained because of their mental state rather than being taken to mental health institutions).

g) Lack of provision of adequate rehabilitation services, care and treatment for torture victims by the State.

(h) Lack of reporting and documentation of all cases of Torture and Extra Judicial Killings.

There is no mechanism in place in the constitution or any other law to check and monitor the law enforcement agencies.

The absence of CCTV in the ‘questioning room’ has afforded the law enforcement agencies the luxury to get away with extra judicial killings and torture.

i) External Oversight of the Nigeria Police Force The NPF’s myriad failings—to prevent crime, to solve crime, to punish police.

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‘PROMOTE WELFARE OF MEMBERS,’ EDE ASENOGUAN URGES MIDWEST BAR FORUM

GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM ASENOGUAN OSAMUEDE ISOBOMUWA, CANDIDATE FOR NBA GENERAL SECRETARY TO THE MIDWEST BAR FORUM ON ACCOUNT OF THE FORUM’S QUARTERLY MEETING

Read below the goodwill message from Asenoguan Osamuede Isobomuwa to the Midwest Bar Forum on account of the Forum’s quarterly meeting held in Ughelli on 25th June, 2022.

“Distinguished Chairman, Executives and Members of the Midwest Bar Forum,

Permit me to convey my regards to you on the occasion of the quarterly meeting holding in Ughelli.

In our quest to greatly advance the cause of the NBA, it is always a praiseworthy gesture to regularly convoke to rub minds on the best way forward.

With the array of notable personalities that make up the Midwest Bar Forum, I am confident that the meeting will as usual in no small measure consolidate on the gains of previous gatherings to ensure the welfare of members for the overall benefit of the Bar.

Thank you and God bless.”

Asenoguan Osamuede Isobomuwa
Candidate for the position of NBA General Secretary 2022-2024

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SAFIYA BALARABE: A LIFE OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE TO THE BAR

BULLET POINTS ON SAFIYA BALARABE’S SERVICE TO THE BAR

SAFIYA BALARABE is currently the Treasurer, NBA Women Forum.

She is a candidate for NBA Treasurer, 2022-2024 and below are bullet points of her service to the NBA.

☑️Member, NBA Technical Committee On Conference Planning 2013-2016

☑️ Member, NBA Property and Building Development Committee 2015-2016

☑️ Secretary, Electoral Committee Of NBA 2014

☑️ Member, Electoral Committee Of NBA 2016

☑️ Vice Chairperson, NBA Lafia Branch 2014-2016

✅ Treasurer, Arewa Lawyers Forum 2012-2018

✅Financial Secretary, NBA Lafia 2008-2010

✅Treasurer, NBA Lafia 2010-2012

☑️ Welfare Secretary, NBA Lafia Branch 2012-2014

☑️Member, National Executive Committee Of NBA 2012-2017

☑️ NEC Representative, NBA Lafia Branch 2016-2018

☑️Member, NBA Transition Committee 2018

☑️Secretary, NESIS Panel (NBA Representative) 2019 to date

☑️Co-opted NEC Member 2012-2016 and 2018-2020

☑️Treasurer, Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum 2019 to date.

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‘CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA IS A CHARISMATIC SERVANT-LEADER,’ SAYS AHMED YUSUF

I hereby declare my unalloyed support for Chukwuemeka Clement Ugo (Servant Chairman) aka Democrat who’s vying for the post of 2nd Vice President of the NBA.

My official and personal relationship with Chukwuemeka Clement Ugo dates back to 2019 – 2021 when he was the Chairman of Bwari Branch and I was then the Publicity Secretary. I dare say that he is a gentleman to the core and a consummate Bar Man with class and panache.

While he was Chairman, both of us had cordial and robust relationship; he was very passionate about the Branch. He exhibited exemplary and all-inclusive leadership; his administration brought about various positive reforms that made Bwari Branch the darling branch as far as FCT is concerned.

Clement is NOT a greenhorn as far as NBA politics is concerned. I have no doubt in my mind that if given the opportunity to serve as the 2nd Vice President of the NBA, he will bring his vast experiences to play and set fantastic precedents for his successors.

Gentlemen, I present to you, the charismatic Chukwuemeka Clement Ugo as the right man for the job.

AHMED TIJANI YUSUF, ESQ
FORMER PUBLICITY SECRETARY, NBA BWARI BRANCH

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ISAAC OGBAH HAILS TALABI, OTHERS AS NEW NBA ILARO EXCO

Isaac Omuta Ogbah, FICMC, heartily congratulates Chief Israel Oluwatowo Talabi and other newly elected officials of NBA ILARO Branch on their electoral victory. Of a truth the victory belongs to all the members of the NBA Ilaro Branch.

I have no doubt whatsoever about the wealth of leadership experiences that this new team of leaders is endowed with.

I therefore urge you all to join hands together in unity in making the ILARO Branch of the NBA the Branch to be most talked about in terms of your accomplishments.

Once again we celebrate you all now and always.

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‘I’M EAGER TO HEAR FROM YOU,’ ISAAC OGBAH TELLS STAKEHOLDERS

Good afternoon learned silks, distinguished learned seniors and fellow colleagues of this noble legal profession.

My name is Isaac Omuta Ogbah, a candidate for the 3rd Vice President of the NBA in the forthcoming July 16th NBA National elections.

And as a precondition for campaign, all candidates for the various elective positions were mandated to submit their respective CV’s as well as their manifestos to ECNBA for approval and which have been since uploaded into the ECNBA official website.

Kindly use the above link to access all relevant information about myself and manifesto as published by ECNBA, while we look forward to ECNBA publishing other campaign materials that I submitted to them for necessary publication.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding any question, suggestion and enquiry regarding my 3rd Vice President of the NBA candidature. I solicit your support in every way possible towards making me the next 3rd Vice President of the NBA come the 16th day of July, 2022.

I celebrate you now and always. God bless you all.

Isaac Omuta Ogbah

https://www.ecnba.ng/ogbah-isaac-omuta 

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NBA-SBL TO SPONSOR YOUNG LAWYERS TO CONFAB VIA CONTEST

16th Annual International Business Law Conference of the NBA SBL presents Young Lawyers Trivia Questions

Are you a Young Lawyer of 0-7 years post call?

GOOD NEWS: You are eligible to apply for sponsorship to attend the 16th NBA SBL Conference

Please see details below.

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‘IMPUNITY, MY EFCC TRAVAILS AND ROLE AS NBA SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR,’ BY UBANI

KEY NOTE ADDRESS PRESENTED BY CHAIRMAN, NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION SECTION ON PUBLIC INTEREST AND DEVELOPMENT LAW (NBA-SPIDEL) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF NBA BADAGRY BRANCH LAW WEEK HELD ON 22ND JUNE, 2022.

LAWLESSNESS AND QUEST FOR NATIONHOOD: WHITHER NIGERIA? – My EFCC experience and my task of investigating the invasion of the home of Hon. Justice Mary Odili JSC (Rtd.)

Protocols!

Having suffered military rulership for great number of years after independence, Nigeria under civilian regime is yet to imbibe the basic principles of democracy. Despite returning to democratic governance, rule of law and rights of citizens are still being breached at will and often with impunity.

If the military regimes before our nascent democracy were regarded as bad, our experience under our present democracy is worse than what was obtainable under the military regime.

The signs for such brazen disregard to the rule of law and rights of the citizens were quite early under this present regime of President Muhammadu Buhari. As lawyers we could recall the first NBA conference that took place in Abuja after President Buhari became president in 2015. He came in person with his Attorney General Mr Abubakar Malami SAN and when given the opportunity to speak did not hide his feelings in letting the whole world know the direction of his government whenever the rule of law clashes with an alleged national security.

According to him the rule of law and the rights of the citizens will be subsumed to the notorious national security whose description and meaning are known only to those at the helm of affairs of the State.

To the amazement of some of us in that Hall in Abuja, we were shocked to see some lawyers in the hall gave the President a standing ovation for such a dangerous statement that eventually became the fulcrum of his governance.

Rule of law took a terrible back seat under this present democracy.

It is very painful for me as a person because I was one of those who marketed the candidacy of President Buhari for solid 3 years under several platforms including a well known radio station in Lagos before he was chosen as a candidate of APC in 2014.

The present lack of observance of rule of law and the trampling of the citizens’ rights have taken us several years backwards for a nation that is in quest of nationhood.

We have advanced to nowhere, and even the little progress made by the judiciary during the military regime have been wiped away by the reign of pervasive lawlessness all over the place.

My experience with EFCC under Mr. Ibrahim Magu, then Chairman of the Agency is apposite here.

My patriotic zeal to see that an accused person is given a fair hearing having being accused of taking so much out of the system landed me into efcc cell for 23 days without any trial or conviction. What happened is like those fairy tales you watch in Nollywood. A certain lady who was part of President’s Jonathan’s regime was accused of taken 69 billion and later reduced to 1 billion from the Nigerian Social InvestmentTrust Fund NSITF while she was the Chairman of the Agency. She screamed that she was innocent but was abroad while claiming innocence. She was introduced to me as one seeking for a human rights lawyer for her defence. I convinced her to come back from abroad and she did and I presented her to efcc for inestigation and prosecution. Instead of investigation and prosecution, efcc was interested in intimidation, detention and harassment. Having detained her for 14 days without any charge, I proceeded to court to enforce her fundamental human rights against unlawful detention without a charge. They reluctantly agreed to grant her administrative bail on the grounds that since i was the person that brought her back I was in a better position to stand surety for her temporarily pending her formal arraignment.

I felt obliged to her, having been the one that convinced her to come back to face her trial in Nigeria. Secondly since she was to to be arraigned shortly, my suretyship will be discharged and she will get her reliable surety while I will defend her during the trial.

All these permutations did not materialise as Efcc and Magu had a different sinister agenda. Instead of arraigning her as agreed, the agency was interested in tormenting and engaging in psychological warfare. From December to May no charge until one day I learnt that efcc invaded her home, searched the whole house for a period of 12 hours, harassing and intimidating the woman to confess to a crime that was purely a civil issue and which was not the reason why she came back. The new matter which arose from Enugu was that she borrowed money from a fellow politician who felt that he has long legs with efcc and used them to intimidate the poor lady. When she got a reprieve from the invasion she bolted out of the country back to her base abroad citing the fact that the agency was no longer interested in investigation but to eliminate her. I have no reason to doubt such assertion as their search for 12 hours corrobated that fact.

Having driven her back abroad, Efcc suddenly woke up one day that they were ready to charge her. They demanded her from me as her surety. I made them realise that (1) they were the one that drove her back to abroad without letting me know the reason why they did that (2) the matter for which they came for her was a purely civil case for which they had no reason to meddle into and (3) they had over 5 months to have charged her but was foolishly delaying the charge purely out of malice and sheer intimidation to satisfy their overbloated ego and evil machinations.

Despite what I consider EFCC stupidity, I still went after the woman through INTERPOL and got the woman to be placed on Red Alert, meaning that she can be arrested anywhere she is seen in any of the countries that have mutual covenant on INTERPOL matters with Nigeria.

Having discharged my obligation as a surety to show cause why I cannot be held liable for her disappearance, efcc in their lawlessness and brigandage felt otherwise. I was hurled into their cell for clear 23 days despite a court order obtained on my behalf by my lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN that I should be charged for offence, if any, or be released from detention.

Notorious with disobedience to lawful court orders, Mr Ibrahim Magu refused to accept the order let alone obey it. Magu in his glory felt that he was above the law especially when he knew that he was kept as Acting Chairman for years despite non-confirmation by the Senate as required by the constitution and Efcc Act. He felt untouchable as he knew his master, the President does not believe in the rule of law and has no respect to the rights of the citizens.

To cut a long story short. After my release I went back to court and sued the Agency for violating my right as a patriotic citizen who did no wrong. Recently the judgement was delivered in which I was awarded the sum of 12 million for the wrongful detention. Up till now the said sum has not been paid but I am believing that the last has not been heard about that case. The day of reckoning is coming especially when a government that respects the rule of law is enthroned.

My second experience with this government which I am asked to share is my investigation of the invasion of the home of Hon Justice Mary Odili, the just Retired Justice of the Supreme Court.
Recall that NBA appointed me as the Sole Special Investigator of that invasion that got the entire nation infuriated because of the brazen manner of the said invasion by alleged security agents of the present government. On October 30, 2021, security operatives made up of soldiers and police officers had stormed the Abuja residence of the Supreme Court Justice over an allegation that illegal activities were going on there.

Hon Justice Mary Odili, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and a wife of former Rivers State governor had her Abuja residence raided by a team of security agents headed by one Lawrence Ajodo, a fake police officer.
Amid the outrage triggered by the raid on Mrs Odili’s abode in the upscale Maitama area of Abuja , the Supreme Court condemned the incident which it said “depicted a gory picture of war”, *appearing like a mission to kill or maim the jurist”

NBA condemned the brazen raid and appointed me as the SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR to unravel the circumstances that led to the incident and which government officials authorised it.

Even though my report exonerated the government officials for lack of verifiable evidence linking them directly to the invasion, there is an aspect of my findings that were not emphasized and brought to the attention of the members of the public. In that report I said this and I quote ” Persons in the Federal Ministry of Justice have an inkling of the illegal activities of Mr Lawrence Ajodo(the fake policeman) and his collaborators and perhaps they have one way or the other consented or collaborated with him in some of his illegal activities”. I revealed further ” Some persons in the Federal Ministry of Justice may have benefited directly or indirectly from the illegal activities of this syndicate that hangs around the Ministry while using its name to create an official toga in their nefarious activities. The Federal Ministry of Justice officials cannot completely deny that they do not know some members of the syndicate”. However the absence of any shred of documentary or oral evidence linking the culprits exculpated the initial suspects like Abubakar Malami SAN and the Efcc officials. Even if Abubakar Malami SAN was exonerated, the officials of the Ministry were not exculpated. They were implicated by implied evidence generated from my findings.

RECOMMENDATIONS

My Recommendation therein were emphasized. Having interfaced with several persons and institutions in the cause of the elaborate investigation, I came up with some of the recommendations which if applied or enacted into law will go a long way in the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria.

1. I suggested that substantive and procedural laws with elaborate processes and procedures for the issuance of search warrants, arrest warrants, detention orders, extension of detention orders amongst others be enacted into law for the States and the Federal Government.

2. The independence of the Judiciary should not be a matter for negotiation. It is either we have an independent judiciary or we choose not to have it. The advantages of an independent judiciary cannot be over emphasized. The independence of the Judiciary should not be only on paper but should be practicalised. The administrative, operational and financial autonomy of the judiciary should be total and exhaustive. The Federal and State Government should not be allowed to pay lip service to the independence of the Judiciary and the welfare of the members of the Bench.

3. Government Agencies or Security Agencies that tolerate or harbour criminal gangs, touts, or law-breakers in and around their offices should be made to answer to their illegal activities by being summoned by the various committees that superintend over them in the legislature.

4. Ensuring obedience to Court Orders and respect for the rule of law should remain the eternal pursuit of NBA and other professional bodies until these become principles by which every government in Nigeria should abide.

For me the last recommendation makes the day for me. Obedience to court orders and rule of law should be a directive principle of state policy.
Absence of law is anarchy and no meaningful development will ever take place in Nigeria if the government derives pleasure in encouraging lawlessness and wanton disregard to the rule of law and rights of the citizens.

CONCLUSION

NIGERIA quest for nationhood must be one based on respect to rule of law and enthronement of democratic principles in the polity. As we approach the 2023 General Election, Citizens are urged to participate in the civic responsibility of choosing their leaders who they know will pursue the primary purpose of government which is the protection of lives and property and the provision of welfare services to the entire citizenry. Observance of rule of law and respect to rights of citizens come with good governance. Good governance is a product of good and quality leadership and quality leadership can only be given by leaders carefully chosen by the people who know the antecedent of these leaders before voting them in.

It is a foundational issue. Except the foundation is right, we will continue to doubt the soundness of the building. If the foundation be destroyed what can the righteous do? I am afraid not much!

I want to thank the Chairman, the Executives and the entire members of the Badagry Branch for this great opportunity to share this brief thought on this topical issue in our nation today. I am grateful.

Dr. M. O. Ubani
Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL

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PROVEN FACTS ABOUT ISAAC OGBAH (PART 1)

FEATURED

PROVEN FACTS ABOUT THE MAN, ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH, 3RD VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NBA CANDIDATE. Part 1.

  • He hails from Delta State, particularly from Emevor in Isoko North LGA, with his mum being from Edo State.
  • He is married to his lovely wife, Bukky, who is from Ekiti State.
  • He attended Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in 1999 where he graduated with Second Class Upper Division from there he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School in 1999 and was called to the Bar on 23rd January, 2001.
  • Upon completion of the compulsory NYSC program in Ekiti State in the year 2002 he practiced with the late Learned Silk, A. O. Akanle, SAN, of blessed memory, until relocated to Lagos in 2004 where he joined the Law Firm of Anthony Idigbe, SAN (PUNUKA CHAMBERS and thereafter worked with the late Mr. Ugerah Abalu of Abalu, Bobga & Co until he resigned to established his law firm in June, 2006.
  • His law firm, OGBAH ISAAC & CO, since it’s establishment in 2006 has had over 40 lawyers practiced and well trained under him over the years with the law firm employing as much as 15 legal practitioners at a time.
  • Mr. Isaac Ogbah, as a matter of practice, pays all his junior colleagues in his Law Firm their annual Bar Practicing Fees on a yearly basis.
  • Mr. Isaac Ogbah also ensures that all his lawyers attends the NBA AGC on a yearly basis with him being responsible for their NBA AGC registration, transportation and accommodation in addition to allowances given to each lawyer.
  • Mr. Isaac Ogbah has been a great mentor to young lawyers generally and members of YLF in several branches of the NBA.
  • It was under his watch as the Chairman of NBA Ota Branch (The Utter Bar) that the YLF was formally established in the Branch where he gave the leadership and members of YLF the maximum support under the leadership of Mr. Jola Kehinde, with several
  • Mentorship programs held in addition to sponsorship of several members of YLF to NBA AGC conferences.
  • Mr. Isaac Ogbah is a 100 % bar man to the core as he has proven over time to have the interest of the NBA at heart, both in his local chapter, The NBA Ota branch( The utter bar) and the National level.

#DidYouKnow

#FunfactsaboutOGnahisaac

#isaacogbahyou shouldknow

#teamisaacogbah #ogbahforvp3 #naijalawyer #lagoslawyer #otalawyer #ogunlawyers #lawyerlife

#iSupport #isaacogbah

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‘YOUR BRAVE SUMMT IDEAS EXCITE ME,’ EDE ASENOGUAN TELLS KADUNA YOUNG LAWYERS

ASENOGUAN ISOBOMUWA OSAMUEDE, CANDIDATE FOR NBA GENERAL SECRETARY FELICITATES THE YOUNG LAWYERS’ FORUM, KADUNA BRANCH ON THEIR SUMMIT AND AWARD NIGHT

Mr. Asenoguan Osamuede Isobomuwa has sent a message of felicitation to the Young Lawyers’ Forum, Kaduna branch as they conduct their summit and award night today 24th June, 2022. While the Summit is themed: “Opportunities for Young Lawyers in the Digital Age” the award night is themed: “Setting the Pace”.

Read below the consummate Bar Man’s message.

“It is cheering and reassuring to see the young lawyers of this generation constantly putting forward brave feet as it relates to creating a cynosure of self-belief and determination to excel regardless of our difficult legal -cum- economic environment.

The Young Lawyers’ Forum, Kaduna branch through its programs today, 24th June, 2022 has demonstrated this bravery with its summit themed ‘Opportunities for Young Lawyers in the Digital Age’ and dinner night themed ‘Setting the Pace’. Both themes being vividly reflective of the bravery and ingenuity described above, have by every means attracted my admiration and commendation for them; same is rife and unfettered.

I wish you resounding success at these events. Thank you and God bless.”

Signed:
Asenoguan Osamuede Isobomuwa, Esq.,
Past Chairman NBA Benin,
Candidate for NBA General Secretary

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‘YOU BOOSTED MY FAITH IN THE FUTURE BAR,’ EDE ASENOGUAN TELLS NBA IJEBU-ODE YLF

ASENOGUAN OSAMUEDE ISOBOMUWA, CANDIDATE FOR NBA GENERAL SECRETARY LAUDS THE YOUNG LAWYERS’ FORUM, IJEBU ODE BRANCH ON ITS FIRST INAUGURAL LECTURE

The first Inaugural Lecture of the Young Lawyers’ Forum, Ijebu Ode branch had the theme, “The Influence of Justice and Order in a Developing Society.” Notable members of the bar were selected as speakers and panelists.

Mr. Osamuede Asenoguan was a panelist at the event, and has hailed the Forum for prioritizing resourceful activities within the branch.

His words:

“Whenever young lawyers put together thought provoking programs, my confidence in the prosperous future of our dear profession and association is further strengthened.

The young lawyers of Ijebu Ode branch have shown capacity to be an integral part of that prosperous future. They have assembled very notable personalities of the NBA to share their thoughts on the topic ‘The Influence of Justice and Order in a Developing Society’ which is the center-point of their first Inaugural Lecture.

I was more than glad to be a panelist at this event wherein I had yet another opportunity to harp on the undeniable link between the rule of law and progress of a nation.

I commend the leadership and members of the Young Lawyers’ Forum, Ijebu Ode branch for this feat.

Thank you and God bless.”

Signed:
Asenoguan Osamuede Isobomuwa, Esq.,
Past Chairman NBA Benin,
Candidate for NBA General Secretary

 

‘WE WILL MAKE YOU NBA PRESIDENT,’ FALANA TELLS GADZAMA

Leading human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana SAN has endorsed Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN for the position of NBA President in the run-up to the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association Elections.

In a viral video seen by CITY LAWYER, the fiery senior lawyer is seen extolling the virtues of Gadzama, adding that he remains unblemished.

Countdown to July 16, 2022 
#JKNOW
#ANALLINCLUSIVEBAR
www.gadzama.com

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‘YOU ARE ONE OF US,’ NBA MINNA CHAIR EXTOLS GADZAMA

FEATURED

JOE-KYARI GADZAMA, SAN HOSTED TO LUNCH TREAT BY THE NBA MINNA BRANCH

On Monday, June 20, 2022 the Learned Silk Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN and his entourage including Mr. Mohammed Monguno, (Former Attorney-General, Borno State, Former Chairman NBA Maiduguri), Rt. Hon. Adamu Usman, (Former Attorney-General, Niger State and Former Speaker Niger State House of Assembly), Chief Oluwale, Mr. Sunusi Musa, Mr. Nasiru Usman (Chairman, NBA YLF), Mr. A.H Mohammed, Mr. Mark Chidi Agbo, (Junior Partner, J-K Gadzama, LLP), Rashidat Obamojure, Esq. (Senior Associate, J-K Gadzama, LLP, Chairperson, J-K Gadzama LLP Women’s Group), Mr. Hassan Sheriff (Associate J-K Gadzama, LLP) Miss Farida Lanre-Ipinmisho (Counsel, J-K Gadzama LLP), Miss Magai Magaji Aji (Counsel, J-K Gadzama LLP), Miss Rachel Jonathan and Mr. Anthony Ibe paid a courtesy visit to the NBA Minna Branch and had a sit-out session with Young Lawyers, Members and Executives, and FIDA Members at the NBA Minna Branch.

The opening remarks were rendered by Mr. Mohammed Waziri, (Chairman Elect of NBA Minna Branch). In his address the Chairman Elect welcomed the Learned Silk, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN and his entourage. He commended the impeccable personality of the Learned Silk, saying that the Learned Silk has remained a true Patriot of the Nigerian Bar and had come not just as a visitor but as one of them to share his ideas with the NBA Minna Branch.

Thereafter, he ceded the floor to the anchor who introduced Mr. Mohammed Monguno to address the attendees. Mr. Mohammed Monguno speaking passionately about the Learned Silk Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN said he had known the Learned Silk for a long time; since they were students. He said, “I have known Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN and I still know him. He is someone who is resolute hardworking and God-fearing. I believe he can take the NBA to greater heights because I have watched him through the help of God advance his career from the lowest point without the advantage of a silver spoon to the peak of professional achievements. That is why I can speak on his behalf. I urge you all to give him your utmost support”.

Addressing the attendees, Mr. Mark referred to the Learned Silk as one who was not just interested in the professional growth of lawyers under his employment but was also concerned about personal development. He said, the Learned Silk had overtime ensured that his Counsel in the office were sponsored from time to time to take several certifications. He also referred to the Learned Silk as a quintessential Bar Patriot and a father not just to his biological children but his professional children.

Rashidat Obamojure, Esq. buttressed the Learned Silk’s ingenuity and fairness in handling issues in the office, (J-K Gadzama LLP). She described the Learned Silk as one who was fair to all regardless of religion, tribe or gender. According to her, about 65% of the Counsel in his office were female lawyers and the office had a women’s group known as Women’s Group of J-K Gadzama LLP. She urged the members of FIDA to support the Learned Silk in charting the course of the NBA.

Rt. Hon. Adamu Usman addressing the attendees, referred to J-K Gadzama, SAN as a true friend who always provided assistance when beckoned on. He recounted how he had been assisted several times by the Learned Silk. In his words, “J-K Gadzama, SAN is someone you all can trust and I believe he is most qualified for the job”.

Finally, the Learned addressed the attendees thanking them for their patience and kind gesture in hosting and accepting him as one of them. He said the meeting was not one for many speeches and as such he would adopt his manifesto and curriculum vitae as uploaded and shared on the website gadzama.com whilst mentioning a few things. He explained that there were no constraints on his ability to serve having amassed several achievements and gained experience through relentless service to the Nigerian Bar. In his words, “…the Nigerian Bar made me, I want reciprocate by serving the Bar in the highest possible capacity, give back to my colleagues and take the Nigerian Bar to higher heights by implementing new initiatives while continuing the good work of Mr. Olumide Akpata”. He thanked the audience for their rapt attention and prayed for God’s blessings for the Nigerian Bar.

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GADZAMA FRIENDSHIP CENTRE OPENS IN LAGOS

FRIENDS OF J-K GADZAMA SAN SET UP FRIENDSHIP CENTER FOR LAWYERS IN LAGOS

Friends of J-K Gadzama SAN have set up a friendship center for lawyers in Lagos which will be in place daily from Mondays to Fridays effective from Thursday, 23rd June, 2022 from 6pm – 8:00pm at the J-K GADZAMA LLP Lagos office located at No. 2 Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi. A similar friendship center was recently set up at the Hon Justice SMA Belgore Hall, J-K Gadzama Court, Abuja.

The Friendship Centre is free and open to all lawyers. It is designed to create a daily avenue for lawyers to network, relax, unwind and enjoy themselves in a convivial atmosphere as there promises to be light music,, finger foods, drinks etc to aid relaxation and ease stress for the day’s job.

The initiators have also confirmed that there will be free body/health checks like blood pressure, blood sugar level, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), temperature etc. for lawyers.

Lawyers in Lagos are enjoined to indulge, network and socialize maximally as the Friendship Centre kicks off by 6:30pm on Thursday, 23rd June, 2022 at J-K GADZAMA LLP Lagos office located at No. 2 Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi. It promises to be fun all the way.

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GADZAMA HAILS NBA BARNAWA FOR ACCEPTING HIM

FEATURED

JOE-KYARI GADZAMA SAN ALONGSIDE EMINENT ENTOURAGE ATTENDS NBA BARNAWA 2022 LAW WEEK, DELIVERS GOODWILL MESSAGE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY

On Monday, June 20, 2022, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN attended the Opening Ceremony of the NBA Barnawa Branch (Model Branch) 2022 Annual Law Week, themed: Understanding the Electoral Act, 2022, held at the Jay Hiltin Hotel, 37 Libya Street, Barnawa, Kaduna State.

The Chairman of the Opening Ceremony was Muhammad Tukur Muazu Aliyu, the Acting Chief Judge of Kaduna State. Chief Gadzama delivered a Goodwill Message immediately after the Welcome Address by the Chairman of the Branch, Mr. Abdullahi Yahaya SAN.

Chief Gadzama appreciated the Branch for accepting him, and further commended the theme for the Law Week “Understanding the Electoral Act, 2022” as being very apt and relevant, considering the electioneering period the country is presently in and the attendant intrigues that come with it.

Accompanying Chief Gadzama to the NBA Barnawa Branch 2022 Law Week were Mr Mohammed Mongonu, the former Attorney-General of Borno State and Former Chairman Maiduguri Branch, Senior Lawyer Sunusi Musa of NBA Kano Branch, Hassan Sherif Esq of the NBA Abuja Branch, and an active member of the NBA SPIDEL and majority leader of the Democracy Africa Youth Parliament, Mr. Nasir Saidu Esq.

From the NBA Suleja Branch were Mr. Muhammad Hassan Adamu Esq, Mr Nasiru Usman Esq (YLF Chairman NBA Suleja Branch), Sagir Salisu Esq, and Abraham Favour Esq from the NBA Minna Branch. There was also Jummai Musa Esq of the NBA Kaduna Branch amongst a host of others.

Present at the event were the Hon. Justice A. M Talba JCA of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division. Hon Justice Abdulrahman Umar Abubakar, the Grand Khadi Kaduna State Sharia Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Danlami Garba, the President, Customary Court of Appeal, Kaduna State. And the representative of the Keynote Speaker, Mr. Elisah Kurah, SAN amongst a host of other eminent personalities.

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‘YOUR INAUGURAL LECTURE IS A BOLD STEP TO REJIG OUR PYSCHE,’ SAFIYA BALARABE TELLS NBA IJEBU-ODE YLF

SAFIYA BALARABE, CANDIDATE FOR NBA TREASURER SENDS GOODWILL MESSAGE TO THE YOUNG LAWYERS’FORUM, IJEBU ODE BRANCH AS THEY HOLD THEIR FIRST INAUGURAL LECTURE

Safiya Balarabe has delivered a goodwill message to the Young Lawyers’ Forum, Ijebu Ode branch on the occasion of their first Inaugural Lecture taking place today, 23rd June, 2022. The topic for the event is “The Influence of Justice and Order in a Developing Society”.

“My regards for the leadership and members of the Young Lawyers’ Forum, Ijebu Ode branch remains firm and same is further strengthened by the boldness and capacity with which this set of young lawyers operate.

It is indeed laudable to begin a venture, especially one which houses a bag load of resourcefulness. The Forum’s Inaugural Lecture with the topic ‘The Influence of Justice and Order in a Developing Society’ and its array of notable NBA personalities as speakers fits the above description.

You have coined a topic that touches on the very soul of the Nigerian state at present. Our major setback as a nation is the willful failure to apply the tenets of the rule of law. It is my sincere prayer that this program and others like it would go a long way to rejig our mentality as a people.

I wish the Forum a successful event tomorrow.

Thank you.”

Signed:

Safiya Balarabe

Treasurer, NBA Women Forum and Candidate for the position of NBA Treasurer 2022-2024

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ECNBA HOLDS STAKEHOLDERS’ PARLEY TOMORROW

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) is set to hold its second “ECNBA Stakeholders’ Briefing and Press Conference” tomorrow at 4 pm.

A notice made available to CITY LAWYER by the committee reads:

Learned Colleagues,

We invite you to the ECNBA Stakeholders’ Briefing and Press Conference on Friday, 24 June 2022 by 4pm to discuss important electoral matters including the electronic magazine and campaign regulations amongst others. We look forward to interacting with you.

Kindly click on the link below to register and attend the conference.

https://tinyurl.com/ECNBA-Press-Briefing

PS – After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar

#nbadecides2022 #nba #election #2022 #ecnba 

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‘YOUR LAW WEEK WAS A GREAT SUCCESS,’ ISAAC OGBAH TELLS NBA BARNAWA

ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH CONGRATULATES NBA BARNAWA (THE MODEL BRANCH ON THE SUCCESS OF 2022 LAW WEEK

Mr. Isaac Omuta Ogbah, the Editor-In-Chief of Erudite Judgments of the Supreme Court have sent congratulatory messages to the Chairman, the leadership and the entire members of the NBA Barnawa (The Model Branch) on the success of its 2022 Law Week events.

Mr. Isaac Ogbah, who is equally a candidate for 3rd Vice President of NBA in the July 16th 2022 elections, informed the MODEL BRANCH of Kaduna state that successive editions of their Law Week activities shall attract dignitaries from far and wide to join them to celebrate the various achievements of the leadership and members of the Branch.

He stated further thus: ”Now that this year’s Law Week has been a great success we have no doubt that subsequent events shall surely be greater than ever imagined, with us all from far and wide coming to celebrate with you all. We celebrate you all now and always”.

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CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA LAUDS EKET BAR ON LAW WEEK

FEATURED

2022 LAW WEEK: CLEMENT UGO CHUKWUEMEKA, A CLEARED CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF 2ND VICE PRESIDENT IN JULY 16, 2022 NBA NATIONAL ELECTION, FELICITATES WITH EKET BAR

A frontline bar leader and cleared candidate for the position of 2nd National Vice President in the forthcoming NBA general elections, Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka, Esq has felicitated with the leadership and members of the Eket Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association on the occasion of her 2022 Law Week.

Mr. Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka is greatly delighted to reckon with the monumental achievements of the Gloria Etim led Eket Bar Branch that has continued to be a shining star in the legal circles.

Clement Chukwuemeka notes with exhilaration that the theme of the 2022 Law Week “NIGERIAN STATE AND THE CRISIS OF GOVERNANCE: WHAT HOPE FOR 2023 AND BEYOND” is properly etched and adequately timely, considering the electioneering at hand and the need to advance competent leadership for the nation at all levels.

I urge the leadership of the branch to translate the theme of the law week towards NBA election hence the need for branches to eschew dignity and leadership, not to arrogantly and disgraceful adopting two candidates of same position with a primary aim of extorting money. Branches of NBA must look beyond 2022 – 2024 and elect competent and selfless leaders that will serve and not those that will want to recover their expenses before serving us .

Wishing the branch a blissful law week.

Mr. Chukwuemeka wishes the Eket Bar a fruitful week of inspiring activities that will leave indelible marks on the hearts of participants.

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HIJAB: ‘WHY LPDC CAN’T SANCTION OMIRHOBO,’ BY OKUTEPA

• HE DIDN’T DISRUPT PROCEEDINGS, JUSTICES DIDN’T NOTICE HIM

• HE IS MERE PUBLICITY SEEKER ….

One of the longest serving Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) prosecutors at the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), Mr. Jibrin Okutepa SAN has said that the committee cannot not punish activist-lawyer, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo for the manner he dressed before appearing at the Supreme Court today.

In a post he made on a CITY LAWYER WhatsApp forum, the fiery senior lawyer said that contrary to some comments on Omirhobo’s appearance in court, he also did not disrupt proceedings at the Supreme Court. Some reports had stated that the Supreme Court was discomfited and rose abruptly upon sighting the activist-lawyer.

Said Okutepa: “I was in the Supreme Court. Dapo Akinosun SAN and Chief Philip Ndubuisi Umeh SAN and Attorney General of Enugu State were (also) in Court. While I salute his desire to pass a message that we need to be careful how we introduce religion in our profession it will be wrong to say he disrupted proceedings. He did not.

“He appeared dressed like as shown above but he did not disrupt the proceedings or announce appearance for any party in any of the cases listed on the cause list for today. The Supreme Court Justices did not even notice him. He only came in and sat down.”

The senior lawyer however said that Ormihobo failed to earn his respect by not confronting the Supreme Court justices on the hijab ruling, adding that he is merely a publicity seeker. His words: “He would have earned my respect if he had stood up to announce appearance and appear in any of the cases or if he has a case there and he appeared like that and draw the attention of their lordships to his presence. I think he just came to seek for social media publicity. He did not confront those who delivered the judgment.”

When CITY LAWYER asked the former LPDC prosecutor whether Ormihobo could face disciplinary proceedings for his action, Okutepa said: “For what? Those who think he has done the wrong thing should complain. He just dressed as he liked. He did not appear in a case to conduct proceedings.”

Pressed on whether the dressing did not breach the lawyers’ code on dressing, he said: “This man did not appear in Court as lawyer. He just dressed like that. He should have been bold enough to stand up and announce himself as lawyer in Court. Until he does that, all he did was just to attract media attention. When Daniel wanted to let Nebuchadnezzar know that he served in living God, he confronted the king personally and was firm in his stand that the king was wrong. Those kings were sitting. He did not confront them. He has not done anything for him to be sent to the den of lion or fiery furnace as Nebuchadnezzar did to Daniel.”

He again noted that the situation may be different if Ormihobo were to appear in the same attire to argue his case in court. His words: “Let him first exercise his right of dressing as he likes in his religious attires in court proceedings. It is then we can think of whether he breached the rules of professional conduct. Mark you the judgment of the Supreme Court on hijab is not a license for lawyers to dress anyhow.”

Ormihobo has vowed to appear in court and argue cases in the same attire.

While several lawyers’ platforms on social media have been buzzing with the dramatic appearance, with lawyers sharply divided on the fate that should befell Ormihobo, the Supreme Court, NBA and Body of Benchers are yet to comment on the issue.

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ACTIVIST-LAWYER CAUSES STIR AT SUPREME COURT WITH ‘CROSS DRESSING’

Human rights activist, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo has appeared at the Supreme Court in lawyers’ robes garnished with traditional embellishments.

In trending videos sighted by CITY LAWYER, the lawyer cited a Supreme Court judgement delivered last Friday as having given him “licence” to dress in that manner, noting that he appeared without wearing shoes.

This is coming against the backdrop of a query given to a Bar aspirant by the Nigerian Law School for drinking water during Bar dinner without the use of a glass cup.

According to Omirhobo, “This is how I will be coming (to court). By the Supreme Court judgement we have been given licence to dress in our religious attire because it will be an infringement or a flagrant violation of my fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion for anybody to stop me.

“You saw, I went into the Supreme Court and we have been given the licence. Even my children will dress like this to the Supreme Court and I will encourage my fellow traditionalists, those who are serving Olokun, and Sango and Sopano, God of Thunder, God of Iron, I will encourage them to dress like this because it is always good to be religious. We need to be close to the spirits.

“You can see, I am not wearing any shoes. Ifa has told me that if I wear shoes, I will be dead. So what will I do? I have to obey the spirits. By the Supreme Court judgement on Friday we have been given licence to dress in our religious attire because it is the mood of our worship.”

Asked whether he could be arrested by security operatives for dressing in that manner, he stated that not even President Muhammadu Buhari can arrest him for that, adding that “It is my fundamental right.”

He vowed to appear in court and present his case in the same outfit, saying the Nigerian Constitution did not bar him from doing so.

It was unclear at press time the judgement the activist was referring to. CITY LAWYER however recalls that the Supreme Court had last Friday given approval to female Muslim students to wear hijab to school in Lagos State.

Watch video here:

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NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL QUERY TO STUDENT ON DINNER SURFACES (DOWNLOAD)

The Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School is currently investigating a student for drinking water from a bottle at a law dinner.

The query, sighted by CITY LAWYER and signed by one Fagbemi Charles-Titilayo for the Director and Head of Academics, reads: “It has been reported to the director and head of academics on June 16, 2022 that while Law Dinner was ongoing in the Dinning Hall, you were found putting a bottle of water in your mouth when a glass cup was on your table.”

“Consequently, you are requested to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for violating Rule 6 (29) of the Code of Conduct for Students of the Nigeria law school on dinner etiquette and manners.

“Your explanation, of any should be forwarded to the Director and Head of Academics within 24 hours on receipt of this letter.”

It was unclear at press time whether the student has responded to the query.

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FUNMI ADEOGUN ON FINANCIAL INVESTMENT: THREE SERVANTS (Part 22)

ADEOGUN, FUNMILOLA OLUWATOSIN LECTURES ON FINANCIAL INVESTMENT TITLED: THREE SERVANTS ( Part 22)

Remember the lesson in part 21 is THE THREE SERVANTS are only stewards of the master’s investment

The THREE SERVANTS give account of their stewardship which is financial reporting.

They report the financial position and result of the investment to the Master so that He can analyze about the safety and security of the investment they made and it is a very important and critical task for the Master as a single mistake in presentation may lead to loss of investment by the Master. There is nothing of which you can say, “Well, it doesn’t really matter.” There is no talent you possess, no time that you have, no possession that you have which is something that you may squander. You should not slouch or slack.

You may have thought that it does not matter what you do with those talents of mind, time, money, children, etc.
After reading this article know that it matters a lot.

Lesson: The person you want to commit your Treasury must know how to give Financial Report 

FUNMI ADEOGUN
* has applied SKILLS in
* Corporate and Business Law (LW)
* Reporting (FR)
* Performance Management (PM)
* Financial Management (FA)
* Audit and Assurance (AA)
* Taxation (TX)

* she has applied KNOWLEDGE IN
* Business and Technology (BT)
* Financial and Accounting (FA)
* Management Accounting (MA)

Stay tuned with

FUNMI ADEOGUN, FIMC, FIMS(UK), MCIArb (UK), CMC, CMS
CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL TREASURER

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BODY OF BENCHERS WADES INTO SUPREME COURT CRISIS

The Body of Benchers has waded into the crisis rocking the Supreme Court of Nigeria, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

Rising from its emergency meeting yesterday, multiple sources told CITY LAWYER that the body set up an Advisory Committee on the Judiciary towards resolving the sensational face-off between the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad and about 14 justices of the apex court who penned a damning protest letter against Muhammad.

The Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN also told a national newspaper that “We held an emergency meeting today (Tuesday) and for now, we have set up a Body of Benchers Judiciary Advisory Committee. It will be a standing committee of the Body of Benchers and the Chair of the committee is Justice Mahmud Mohammed, former Chief Justice of Nigeria.

“I am a member and the Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers is a member and four others. We are swinging into action. We are talking to parties concerned, individually and collectively.

“For now, we are advising that they should sheath their swords. The immediate objective of the committee is to resolve the impasse while the ultimate objective is to work out an acceptable package for judicial officers all over the country, particularly judicial officers in superior courts.”

He added, “The committee has also been mandated to compare and contrast what the judicial officers take as their remuneration among others with what is obtainable in other parts of the world.

“The committee will confront the executive with what we derive as the best condition of service, remuneration, among others, as obtained by other countries of the world. The CJN cannot do this; the organogram tilts against the independence of the judiciary as we want it.”

Speaking on the debacle, Olanipekun said: “For now, we want them (Supreme Court justices) to sheath their sword. The committee will swing into action immediately.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that in a protest memo, the justices had demanded an explanation on their entitlements under Muhammad, saying that their annual foreign training had been blocked by the CJN.

They also protested over poor welfare packages which they claimed had hindered their jobs. The apex court, they said, has been receiving N110 billion yearly since 2018, even as they raised issues of non-replacement of poor vehicles; accommodation problem; lack of drugs at the Supreme Court clinic; epileptic electricity supply to the Supreme Court; increase in electricity tariff; no increase in the allowances for diesel, and lack of internet services to residences and chambers.

Others are non-signing of amended Rules of Court for almost three years; sudden stoppage of two to three foreign workshops and training per annum for Justices, and absence of qualified legal assistants.

The jurists accused Muhammad of junketing abroad with his wife, children, and cronies while denying them similar perquisites of office, adding that “In the past, justices were nominated to attend two to three foreign workshops or training per annum with accompanying persons for reasons of age. Since your Lordship’s assumption of office, Justices only attend two workshops in Dubai and Zanzibar. They were not accorded the privilege of travelling with accompanying persons as was the practice.

“Your Lordship totally ignored this demand and yet travelled with your spouse, children, and personal staff. We demand to know what has become of our training funds, have they been diverted, or it’s a plain denial.”

The justices stated that “Your Lordship may also remember that the National Assembly has increased the budgetary allocation of the judiciary. We find it strange that in spite of the upward review of budgetary allocation, the court cannot cater for our legitimate entitlement. This is unacceptable.”

The justices berated Muhammad, saying his alleged weak leadership had drastically lowered the standards for which the nation’s highest court was known.

But in his response, the Chief Justice of Nigeria in a scarcely veiled chastisement of his colleagues, described the escalation of their grouse into the public space as “akin to dancing naked at the market square by us with the ripple effect of the said letter.”

Titled “Re: State Of Affairs In The Supreme Court And Demand By Justices Of The Supreme Court,” the rebuttal stated that “When a budget is made, it contains two sides, that’s the recurrent and the capital, yet all the two are broken down into items. The Federal Government releases the budget based on the budget components. And it’s an offence to spend the money meant for one item for another.

The response noted that infrastructural work is ongoing in the Supreme Court as budgeted, adding that “security and water supply are adequately provided for his brother Justices in their offices and residences. During the period of pandemic, a profound and extra-care was maintained to avoid causalities among them as well as the staff generally. It would have amounted to an act of irresponsibility to divert money meant for the above for otherwise.”

According to the CJN, “The accusation so far, in summary is that more or all ought to have been done and not that nothing has been done; which is utopian in the contemporary condition of our country.”

He countered the allegation of lack of legal assistants, saying that “All the Justices of this Court has (sic) at least a legal assistance, except some may opt for more.” He added that “Generally the Judiciary is looking up to recruitment of more legal assistance and other supporting staff this year.”

He stated that aside from the death of two Supreme Court Justices and the retirement of four staff which “cost the court some funds in the forms of gratuities and allowances,” “Two weeks ago, eight Supreme Court Justices were nominated for a workshop in London as the court cannot take all of them there at once otherwise the job would suffer. They would be going in batches. Accommodations are being gradually provided for the few that are yet to get. There is none of the Apex Court Justices without SUV and back up cars. If any of them were purchased but refurbished, the external and internal auditors are here in the court to take those that bought them up over it.

“The high cost of electricity tariff and diesel are national problem. The Chief Registrar might have budgeted for N300 per litre but diesel is now selling for over N700 per litre and therefore has to find a way around it without even bringing it to the attention of the CJN. But there is no way the generator would be put off if the Court is sitting.

“The amendment of court rules is on the process, it has to be critically reviewed to avoid conflict with the constitution and other extant laws. Not all the CJN has reviewed the rules in the past. Within the three years his brother Justices mentioned came the pandemic and the judiciary workers’ strike.

“The internet services have been restored to Justices’ residences and chambers, just as some allowances have been paid to them. The CJN held a meeting with his brother Justices last Thursday and another one is due to hold this week.

“The general public should be rest assured that there’s no hostility or adverse feelings amongst the Justices of the Supreme Court, as everyone is going about his normal duty.” The CJN’s statement was issued by Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, his Senior Special Assistant (on Media}.

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NBA ELECTIONS: EBONYI LAWYERS ENDORSE GADZAMA

FEATURED

GADZAMA, SAN CAMPAIGN RECEIVES A BOOST AS ASSOCIATION OF EBONYI STATE LAWYERS IN LAGOS ENDORSED HIS CANDIDACY, PROMISED TO WORK FOR HIM

The campaign trail of Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN received an impetus on Saturday, June 19, 2022 when the Association of Ebonyi State Lawyers in Lagos State endorsed Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN as the best and preferred presidential candidate for the forthcoming NBA election. This decision was arrived at when members of the Association present at the meeting took turn to apprise the pedigree and records of Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN.

It was said that many young lawyers have benefitted from the professional training and mentorship programmes which Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN has been relentlessly carrying on over the years, this records clearly show that J-K Gadzama is passionate about the growth and development of young lawyers in Nigeria. There is therefore no doubt that Joe-Kyari Gadzama is pro young lawyers and has the competence and capability to continue from where Mr. Akpata led Administration stops.

Sharing the antecedents of the Association, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Agbafo Ogbonnaya narrated how the Association endorsed the candidacy of the present President of the NBA Mr. Olumide Akpata in 2020 and Mr. Akpata has not disappointed them. He said having assessed the all the candidates vying for the NBA presidency, Chief Gadzama, SAN stands tall and above others and it is clear that he is the only one with competence and capability to lead the Bar at this critical moment.

After deliberations, it was unanimously agreed and resolved that every member of the Association will not only vote for Chief Gadzama, SAN but will also work for his victory in the forthcoming election.

In confirmation of the resolution, members present at the meeting sang a special song which Mr. Kunle Ogunba, SAN crafted for Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN.

J-K Now, J-K Now Now!!!

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‘ISAAC OGBAH IS BOSS LIKE NO OTHER,’ SAYS AJELE

I have known Isaac Ogbah for many years. In fact I started my legal practice at his law firm 15 years ago when I relocated back to Nigeria from the UK and I am still with him today as Head of Chambers Ogbah Isaac & Co as well as Head of publication, Legal Jurisprudence Ltd, publishers of Erudite Judgment of the Supreme Court (EJSC).

He was instrumental to my taking the activities of the NBA seriously and I cannot talk about my appointment as Notary Public as well as becoming the Welfare Secretary of NBA Ota without a mention of him.

In my 15 years of Practice at Ogbah Isaac & Co. not once have I or any lawyer in the firm been responsible for the payment of our practicing fees both at the national and local levels. My boss, Isaac Ogbah makes payment for every lawyer in the firm before 31st of March annually.

Worthy of note is the fact that as lawyers in his firm you are sure of attending the NBA conference annually with all cost being borne by this man.

I cannot find the right words to describe him. Irrespective of the state of the nation attending NBA AGC is a must for all lawyers in his Law Firm, and with the attendant cost borne by him, and this comes with cash allowances for all lawyers in the firm after sorting out conference fees, transportation and accommodation. I am certain we have few bosses like the man, Isaac Omuta Ogbah in this legal profession today.

The young lawyers, both in the firm and even those not working with the firm, particularly those in the NBA Ota Branch, well referred to as the Utter Bar, have also enjoyed this benevolence from Isaac Ogbah.

My boss, Isaac Omuta Ogbah, You are the perfect candidate and person for the position of NBA 3rd Vice President.

Your dedicated and inspirational work over the years as Vice Chairman, NBA Ota 2016-2018; Chairman, NBA Ota 2018-2020 and Member NBA AGC 2019 planning committee has been with the aim to ensure inclusion and diversity. It is my prayer that come July 16th, 2022 you will emerge victorious at the polls, God helping us all.

Isaac Ogbah has energy, passion and drive. I know he will give this role his all.

You have many qualities that will enhance the role of 3rd Vice President of the NBA and assist the legal profession to keep the Nigerian Bar Association at the forefront of the legal world. Your energy, enthusiasm and leadership experience deserve to be recognized.

I wish you every success going forward and encourage my fellow learned friends to show their support and vote for Isaac Ogbah.

O. T. Ajele, Esq.

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KADUNA BAR QUAKES OVER GRAND DINNER FOR GADZAMA

FEATURED

THE PRIMUS INTER PARES AMONGST CONTESTANTS FOR THE NBA PRESIDENCY, JOE-KYARI GADZAMA SAN, HIS EMINENT ENTOURAGE, DINE AND PARTY WITH THE KADUNA BAR IN GRAND STYLE

On Sunday, June 19, 2022, the Friends of Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN organized a Dinner Party which hosted the members of the Kaduna Bar, alongside the amiable Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, and the teeming members of his eminent entourage some of whom are from the NBA Abuja Branch, the NBA Kano Branch, the NBA Kafanchan Branch, the NBA Zaria Branch, the NBA Funtua Branch, the NBA Katsina Branch and the NBA Suleja Branch, amongst others.

Also in attendance were eminent members and Bar leaders from the Kaduna Bar such as Ustaz Yunus Usman, SAN, Mr. Sani Katu SAN and Mr Tajudeen Oladoja SAN. Others were Mr. M.T Muhammed (the Chairman NBA Kaduna Branch), Ms Julie Ariahu Esq, Ms. Juliet Agada Esq, Mr. Musa Kakaki Esq, Mr. Maxwell Kyon (Secretary, Kaduna Branch), Mr. Ahmed Abdulrazaq Idowu Esq, Mr. Mustapha Haruna (the PRO NBA Kaduna Branch).

The entourage from the NBA Kano Branch included the amiable Mr. Sunusi Musa Esq, Mr. A.A. Sani Esq. Miss Hadiza Nasir Ahmed Esq. Mr. Adamu Ishaq Esq, Mr. Nura Yusuf Garba, amongst others. Mr. Hassan Sherif Esq, a young lawyer from the NBA Abuja Branch was also a part of the Chief Gadzama’s entourage.

Some of the Members of the Chief Gadzama ’s entourage from the NBA Zaria Branch, include Ms. Aisha Ismail Damisa Esq, A.Y Mohammed Esq, Sani Musa Esq, Abigail Daniel Esq, Umma Sani Salihu Esq, Hajara Adamu Esq.

The entourage from the NBA Funtua Branch included: Lawal Amah Esq, B.F Abdullahi Esq, Tijanni Magagi Esq (the Secretary NBA Funtua Branch), Anas Aminu Esq, Zainab Abdulrahim, Mahadi Abdul Salam, Umar Hassan, Nazir Suleiman, Isah Haruna, Ibrahim Saidu, Ahmed Abubakar, Abubakar Abdul Salam.

From the NBA Katsina Branch, was Mr. S.Y Wurma (the Past Secretary). From the NBA Suleja Branch were Mr. Muhammad Hassan Adamu Esq, Mr Nasiru Usman Esq (YLF Chairman NBA Suleja Branch), Sagir Salisu, Abraham Favour Esq and Nasiru Saidu.

Some of the Members of the NBA Barnawa Branch were: Mr. Alhassan Aliyu Esq. (Provost), Halima Sadiya Shabi Esq, Jane Dike, Cynthia C. Cypriot Esq., D.I Audu Esq., Emmanuel Ejim Esq, Lawrence Otaha, Esq.

Members of the NBA Kafanchan Branch present include Mr. W.D. Kadina (a Bar Leader), Adams Nathan, C. Abba Esq, Luka Maza Junior, Audu Bobra, N. R. Yam, Ankuma Yem.

Speaking at the Events was Uztaz Yunuz Usman SAN who noted that Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama is “totally qualified” and that “Kaduna is known for always choosing the best” and that if Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama becomes the next President, he “should continue to be a Leader and not a Ruler”. Mr. Mohammed Sani Katu SAN gave a remark welcoming the Chief Gadzama and his entourage to Kaduna State and its branch of the NBA. Mr. Tajudeen Oladoja SAN also extended his felicitations and was ever happy to offer words of advice and encouragement to especially the younger members of the Bar present, thereafter welcoming Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN. The Chairman NBA Kaduna Branch, Mr. M.T Muhammed also gave his remark, welcoming the Chief Gadzama amiably to the Kaduna Bar.

Members of the Chief Gadzama’s entourage also gave their remark. Mr. Mohammed Monguno, the Former Attorney-General Borno State and former Chairman of NBA Maiduguri Branch emphasized that J-K has a track record of consistent service to the Bar, having served in numerous capacities, including as Pioneer Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL (2006-2010), Pioneer Vice-Chairman NBA SLP, Pioneer Council Member, NBA-SBL, Former Chairman, NBA- Abuja [Unity Bar] (2002-2004), Pioneer Chairman and the NBA- Security Agencies Relations Committee amongst several others.

Senior lawyer Mr. Sanusi Musa noted that Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN is a prepared candidate. Mr Sunusi advised in his ever-charismatic manner that members of the Branches present should “follow person wey sabi road” that of all candidates, “na J-K sabi road pass” and that his antecedents speak for him. Mr. Sunusi further urged that at such a critical time as this, the NBA cannot afford to have leaders that do not know what Bar leadership is all about.

Mr. A. A. Sani, Esq. a senior lawyer from the NBA Kano Branch enumerated the numerous selfless contributions of Chief Gadzama to the development of the legal profession in Nigeria. He cited that Chief Gadzama had over the years been consistent in his quest at improving the capacity of lawyers through continuing legal education, especially for the young lawyers through his Annual Lectures currently in its 13th Edition and Mentoring Programs currently in its 7th edition.

Mr. Samson Audu, the immediate Past Chairman of the NBA Kaduna Branch was especially emphatic in his remarks about Chief Gadzama. He noted that the Chief Gadzama had paid his dues and was especially a friend of the NBA – Kaduna Branch having actively participated consistently in the Branch’s previous activities over the years.

Ms. Julie Ariahu Esq, the Vice-Chairperson, Kaduna Branch, International Federation of Women Lawyer (FIDA), also appreciated Chief Gadzama, and thereafter welcomed him and his entourage.

Just before addressing the gathering, Chief Gadzama took a bow, felicitated and appreciated everyone for such a warm reception and thereafter gave a remark which earned him several ovations, cheers and applauses from the members of the NBA Branches present. Chief Gadzama particularly noted that though other candidates for the position of the NBA- Presidency may be qualified, he was the prime candidate for the job and the candidate to beat being the primus inter pares amongst his other fellow contestants.

Chief Gadzama thereafter treated everyone present to prime vintage dance steps much to the amazement of all. “Young at heart”, he called himself. He dance for hours tirelessly and far into the night with everyone and anyone, male and female, old and young, entrenching further, even on a lighter note, the mantra he preaches: “An All-Inclusive Bar”.

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‘SULEJA FRIENDS OF JK’ HOST GADZAMA TO LUNCH

FEATURED

SULEJA FRIENDS OF GADZAMA HOST CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA SAN AND ENTOURAGE TO AN INTERACTIVE LUNCH SIT-OUT

On June 19, 2022, Suleja Friends of Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN hosted Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN and members of his entourage to lunch at Yankee’s Hotel, Suleja, Niger State. This afforded an interactive platform between members of the NBA-Suleja Branch, the Young Lawyer Forum (YLF) of the NBA Suleja Branch and the Niger Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) all on the one hand, and the ever amiable Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN and members of his entourage,m on the other hand, at the Yankee’s Hotel, Suleja, Niger State.

The Learned Silk had amongst his entourage, Mr. Muhammad Mongonu, the former Chairman NBA Maiduguri Branch and Former Attorney-General of Borno State, Mr. Sanusi Musa Esq, the Senior Lawyer, Mr, Nasir Saidu and Mr Hassan Sherif, Esq, amongst a host of others.

Speaking at the event organised in honour of Chief Gadzama, Mr Mohammed Tanko Zakari, a Bar leader of the NBA Suleja Branch welcomed the Learned Silk. Mr. E U Iorna, a former NEC Member for the NBA Suleja Branch, offered the opening prayer.

Speaking further during his welcome remarks, Mr. Mohammed Tanko Zakari noted that the Learned Silk is well represented in the Branch and that there was no doubt that “J-K is a household name and the right candidate to lead the Bar”. He emphasized that the Learned Silk was not at the Branch for the campaign but for an interactive session. He concluded that “With J-K, NBA Suleja is in safer hand”.

Thereafter the Learned Silk introduced the members of his entourage which included the Former Chairman NBA Maiduguri Branch and Attorney-General of Borno State, Mr. Muhammed Monguno Esq, Senior Lawyer and Lead Coordinator, Northwest, Vox Populi Foundation, Mr Sanusi Musa Esq and Mr. Hassan Sherif, Esq amongst others.

Speaking to the members of the NBA- Suleja Branch, Mr. Mohammed Mongonu, Esq, the Former Attorney General of Borno State narrated that the Learned Silk’s several selfless instances of service to the bar. He stated that Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN is a man who stands for fairness, and professional excellence and was supremely ready to serve the Bar. He further stated that the Learned Silk is recognized and honoured in all parts of Nigeria; in the Western part as the Bobajiro of Akure Kingdom, in his hometown as the Sardauna of Uba, And more recently as the Shettima of Borno, and in the Eastern region as the Okwuluora of Ukpo. He further stated that the Learned Silk has been recognized even by the Federal Republic of Nigeria having been honoured with the title of OFR and MFR and that the Learned Silk’s accomplishments and qualifications are unquestionable, same as his unwavering commitment to the development of the legal profession.

Mr. Sanusi Musa urged the members of the NBA Suleja Branch to “follow person wey sabi road” that of all candidates, “na J-K sabi road pass” and that his antecedents speak for him. Mr. Sanusi noted that at such a critical time as this, the NBA cannot afford to have leaders that do not know what Bar leadership is all about.

Also addressing the gathering, Mr. A. M Idris, the former Chairman of NBA Suleja Branch noted that “the best man for the job now …is J-K “. E.U Iorna, described the Learned Silk as an “Abraham Lincoln” and “John Cena”, due to his never-say-die attitude, doggedness and tireless nature.

Mr. Ibrahim Bako, a chairmanship candidate for the NBA Suleja, noted that people should not catapult themselves into positions of authority without adequate and necessary preparations. He stated that Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN’s antecedents show that he is indeed a prepared candidate. He passionately noted that “we must look at pedigree, in 2016, when I was the NBA Suleja Branch Secretary, J-K requested that the NBA Suleja Branch send 10 lawyers for mentorship ” this according to Mr. Bawa shows that Chief Gadzama is a mentor, adequately prepared to take up the role of leadership. “If you want a Bar you will be proud of, vote for a prepared candidate, J-K Gadzama is a prepared candidate” he concluded.

A representative of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Niger Branch, Sadiya Muhammed spoke, praising the Learned Silk for his efforts and strides. Mrs Fatimah Muhammed, a member of the NBA Suleja Branch and FIDA stated that she was privileged to read the Learned Silk’s manifesto, especially the part that pertains to the remuneration for young lawyers, she appreciated the learned silk for making the young lawyers a priority,

Mr. Buhari Saidu Adamu, also of the NBA Suleja Branch noted that “J-K is not only ready to lead the Bar, but lead the Bar successfully and competently”. And that the members of the NBA- Suleja Branch will kowtow and vote for the Learned Silk.

The Vote of Thanks was given by an active member of the NBA SPIDEL and majority leader of Democracy Africa Youth Parliament, Mr. Nasir Saidu, who appreciated M. T Zakari And the NBA Suleja Branch, the YLF NBA Suleja Branch, for finding J-K worthy. Mr Muhammed Auwal thereafter offered the closing prayer.

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ISAAC OGBAH THANKS SUPPORTERS

ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH FICMC Candidate for office of NBA 3rd Vice President sends special thanks to all supporters for the Journey so far

This is to specially thank you with all my heart for all your efforts, support and prayers and reaching out to as many lawyers nationwide towards ensuring that I become the next 3rd Vice President of the NBA come 16th July, 2022.

I celebrate you and will always celebrate you now and always’

Isaac Omuta Ogbah, FICMC

Editor-In-Chief (EJSC); Candidate for the position of 3rd Vice President of the NBA

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‘YOU’LL TAKE NBA ENUGU TO NEW HEIGHTS,’ ISAAC OGBAH TELLS NWAGBARA, EXCO

Isaac Omuta Ogbah, FICMC, 3rd Vice President Candidate of the NBA heartily congratulates the newly elected Chairman of the NBA Enugu Branch Sir. C. N. N. Nwagbara and his newly executive Committee members of the NBA Enugu Branch on their electoral successes in the just concluded Branch elections.

Destiny has bestowed on you and your team of executives the mantle of leadership. And God helping you all you shall surely take the foremost coal city NBA Enugu Branch to heights never imagined.

Be rest assured that we shall support you in every way possible to see to it that all your lofty promises made to the legal community in Enugu come to fruition.

Once again we celebrate you all now and always.

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FUNMI ADEOGUN ON FINANCIAL INVESTMENT:THE THREE SERVANTS (PT. 21)

ADEOGUN, FUNMILOLA OLUWATOSIN LECTURES ON FINANCIAL INVESTMENT TITLED THE THREE SERVANTS ( Part 21)

Remember the lesson in part 20 is Don’t bury your Assets.

It should be noted that the money that is given to the servants is not their own. The money they earn with the capital is not theirs to keep. The servants are only stewards of the master’s investment, and it is the quality of their stewardship that the master seeks to measure.

We should maximize the use of our talents not for our own selfish purposes, but to honour the master. We know that we work in a fallen world. Because of the curse of sin, our work will be difficult. But we should feel satisfaction and joy from doing our best with what master has given us in the place where his providence puts us, seeking to succeed in order to honour him.

Lesson: THE THREE SERVANTS are only stewards of the master’s investment 

FUNMI ADEOGUN
* has applied SKILLS in
* Corporate and Business Law (LW)
* Reporting (FR)
* Performance Management (PM)
* Financial Management (FA)
* Audit and Assurance (AA)
* Taxation (TX)

* she has applied KNOWLEDGE IN
* Business and Technology (BT)
* Financial and Accounting (FA)
* Management Accounting (MA)

Stay tuned with

FUNMI ADEOGUN, FIMC, FIMS(UK), MCIArb (UK), CMC, CMS

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‘ISAAC OGBAH IS A BRIDGE BUILDER, TEAM WORKER,’ SAYS NNADI

FEATURED

SIMON NNADI, ESQ. URGES LAWYERS IN NIGERIA TO OVERWHELMINGLY ENSURE THAT ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH BECOMES THE NEXT 3RD VICE PRESIDENT OF NBA

A legal practitioner based in Kaduna state has urged lawyers to see to the project that Isaac Omuta Ogbah emerges as the 3rd Vice President of NBA come July 16, 2022.

In a message he made to the legal community, he stated as follows: “Gentlemen, I humbly welcome all of you to this project of helping our own, Isaac Omuta Ogbah, realise his selfless dream of becoming the 3rd Vice President of Nigerian Bar Association .

Isaac Omuta Ogbah is the Publisher of the Erudite Judgements of the Supreme Court (EJSC). He was the immediate past Chairman of NBA Ota Branch (The Utter Bar)”

“I knew Isaac Ogbah since 1993 in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka where we met as students of Law Faculty. Isaac was friendly and helpful to all who knew him or needed his help. He was not tired of making himself available for any task in the interest of his classmates, hostel and school Fellowship. He is a detribalised Nigerian to the core.

I am therefore not surprised that he is successfully climbing the ladder of leadership of our great NBA today.
I testify that Isaac is a man of unquestionable character, brilliant, selfless, bridge builder, team-worker, humble, prudently generous, God-fearing and highly unassuming.

Let us join hands together and make this project happen. The cap of VP3 fits him. Let us help him to wear it.

Thank you all for your patience and understanding” .

@I humbly remain
Yours sincerely”

Simon Nnadi
(NBA KADUNA BRANCH)

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