CONTROVERSY, AS CAC REJECTS ‘LAW SOCIETY OF NIGERIA’

  • BAR LEADERS BEHIND NEW BODY REVEALED

More facts have emerged on how the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) rejected registration of the new lawyers’ union, citing conflict with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

In a document obtained by CITY LAWYER, the CAC had refused to approve the name “Law Society of Nigeria” among two others, stating that the “name is closely similar to Nigerian Bar Association and will mislead.”

As an additional reason for its refusal to register the new body, the CAC claimed that “It also lacks the spread and National Character.”

However, the promoters of the new association fought back through a protest letter by their solicitor and former NBA General Secretary who now doubles as LSN’s Vice President, Mr. Nimi Walson-Jack, saying that the promoters are “victims of patent error, probable administrative inadvertence, and oversight.”

Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the arrow-heads of the new association are Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN, Mr. Mela Audu Nunghe SAN and Amb. Garba Gajam among others. The Bar Leaders are listed as Trustees of then proposed association.

The Publicity Secretary of LSN, Mr. Douglas Ogbankwa told CITY LAWYER that it was when the CAC refused to register the proposed name notwithstanding the petition that the promoters opted for a recourse to a similar name earlier incorporated by the CAC.

Meanwhile, another Bar Leader, Prince Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, SAN had challenged the new body for going public with its existence, saying that the protem Executive Committee is “unknown to the Law Society of Nigeria (NLS), and should be disregarded by all Nigerian Lawyers and the Distinguished Body of Benchers of Nigeria to whom the letter dated 24th October, 2022, was written.”

This was however countered by the nascent association which argued that it has the consent of the sole surviving trustee of LSN.

 

Disclaimer of the purported Pro Tem National Executives of the Law Society of Nigeria (NLS).

1. My attention has just been drawn to the purported Executive Committee of the Law Society of Nigeria (NLS) and hereby wish to assure all Legal Practitioners in Nigeria that the purported Executive Committee are unknown to the Law Society of Nigeria (NLS).

2. The Law Society of Nigeria (NLS) was incorporated on 28th December, 1994, by my goodself, Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, as Convener and as Secretary with Mr. Charles I. Idehen as Chairman.

3. The idea was to save the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) from self-destruction after the 1992 Port Harcourt crises and we have over the years reviewed the need to keep the Nigerian Lawyers under the main umbrella of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

4. Recent events in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have led to an increasing agitation for the full commencement of activities of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) for which some representatives of the persons now claiming to be Executives of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) held a meeting with me and one of the promoters of the Law Society of Nigeria on 6th October, 2022, in Lagos, where thier appeal for the commencement of full activities was tabled, considered and deferred for further consultations with some of the other key promoters and the sole surviving Trustees.

5. That consultation is ongoing and the hasty announcement by the said letter with reference number LDN/BOB/C/2022/Vol. 1/001 , on the indicated subject
‘LAW SOCIETY OF NIGERIA:
NOTICE OF EXISTENCE AND NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE’ to the Body of Benchers of its pro tem National Executives of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN), namely :
a. Kunle Ogunba, SAN – President
b. Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack – Vice President
c. Abdulqadir Alhaji Sani – Secretary
d. Olasupo Ojo – Welfare Secretary
e. Chioma Ferguson – Treasurer
f. Douglas Ogbankwa – Publicity Secretary
g. Zara Umar Yakub – Financial Secretary
h. Alice Ogaku Awonugba – Assistant Secretary
i. Hassan Sherif – Assistant Publicity Secretary;
are with respect to them unknown to the Law Society of Nigeria (NLS), and should be disregarded by all Nigerian Lawyers and the Distinguished Body of Benchers of Nigeria to whom the letter dated 24th October, 2022, was written.

6. The logo and Motto – Justice For All on the purported letter claiming to be that of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) are alien to the Law Society of Nigeria (NLS) and amounts to the tort of passing-off.

7. That the offices known to the Law Society of Nigeria (NLS) as provided for in Article 6 of the Constitution of the Law Society of Nigeria dated 10th February, 1994, and submitted to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) are as follows:
a. PRESIDENT
b. PRESIDENT-ELECT
c. CHAIR OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
d. SECRETARY
e. TREASURER
f. SECRETARY-ELECT
g. TREASURER-ELECT
h. EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT

8. In conclusion on behalf of the Promoters of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) and as Founding Secretary, I hereby state categorically that NO EXECUTIVE has been appointed for the Law Society of Nigeria as at today, Sunday 30th October, 2022, and that the purported notice should be disregarded.

Thank you.

Regards.

Prince (Dr.) Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, SAN
CONVENER AND FOUNDING SECRETARY
LAW SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (LSN)

No Cause for Alarm: Law Society of Nigeria (LSN ) is Alive and Kicking

The attention of the Protem National Exco of the Law Society has been drawn to a comment from Prince (Dr.) Richard Oma Ahonarurogho, SAN, on the publication by the Protem National Executives of the Law Society of Nigeria. Prince Richard Ahonaruogho is a respected Member of the legal profession in Nigeria.The Law Society of Nigeria wishes to respond on the above indicated issue as follows :

1.The Law Society of Nigeria duly consulted with a sole surviving Trustee of the Society and current Exco obtained all the necessary consents and approvals before going public even as further consultations shall be intensified to carry the past and current stakeholders along in the hardous journey ahead

2.The Law Society of Nigeria is indeed alive and here to stay .We are glad it is receiving rave reviews and this indicates the frenzy with which the resuscitation of the LSN is being accepted.

3. It is not a walk in the park to create a change and we have factored this in as we continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders in ensuring that we make the necessary in roads to give our dear Society all the supports required for its success.

4. It is important to state that Prince (Dr.) Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, SAN has not claimed to a Trustee nor a current Exco Member of the Law Society of Nigeria (since membership of an exco cannot be in perpetuity and the current National Exco as constituted is properly constituted following due process and notwithstanding his lack of capacity to issue such a disclaimer, the Pro Tem Executives will leave no stone unturned to address all issues that our publication has generated particularly his friendly rejoinder and assure him of an enduring partnership with the collective interest of all practitioners in view.

5. We shall, in the coming days release more information on the activities of LSN.We thank you all for your overwhelming emails, calls and messages and we promise give you the best of leadership expected of an innovative and trail blazing organisation like ours.

It is indeed a new beginning.

E-Signed :Douglas Ogbankwa Esq.,
Publicity Secretary ,
Law Society of Nigeria (LSN).

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NBA SPLITS, AS LAW SOCIETY OF NIGERIA EMERGES

Some Bar Leaders seem to have made good their threat to form a parallel lawyers’ association to assuage perceived wrongs within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

This comes against the backdrop of the re-emergence of erstwhile Lawyers Society of Nigeria (LSN), originally registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on 28th December, 1994.

With leading insolvency practitioner, Mr. Kunle Ogunba SAN as President, the new association has former NBA General Secretary, Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack as Vice President and Abdulqadir Alhaji Sani as Secretary.

A key promoter of the new association had told CITY LAWYER about a fortnight ago that there was no going back on the move, noting that accountants and other professionals have multiple unions to choose from.

He vowed that while LSN would not antagonize NBA, “it will aggressively pitch its programmes with lawyers and vigorously canvass membership.”

Meanwhile, the new body has written to the Body of Benchers intimating the Benchers of its existence.

CITY LAWYER recalls that a similar move to break the NBA on the heels of the 2020 NBA Elections was doused by the Olumide Akpata Administration.

The NBA leadership is yet to respond to the re-emergence of the lawyers’ association at press time.

A copy of the letter made available to CITY LAWYER reads:

LSN/BOB/C/2022/Vol. 1/001.

Monday, October 24, 2022

The Chairman,
The Body of Benchers, Plot 688,
Institute & Research District FCC, Phase 111,
Federal Capital Territory,
Abuja.

Attention: Mr. Daniel Tela
(Secretary, Body of Benchers)

Dear Sir,

LAW SOCIETY OF NIGERIA: NOTICE OF EXISTENCE AND NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

The pro tem National Executive Committee of the Law Society of Nigeria presents its compliments to the Chairman and distinguished members of the Body of Benchers as we write to formally notify our revered Body of Benchers of the existence of the Law Society of Nigeria, and its protem National Officers.
The Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) was founded and registered as a national organization of Lawyers admitted to practice law in Nigeria. The LSN, with membership, spread all over Nigeria, exists to empower the legal profession with quality member services (high standards of learning, competence, and professional conduct); facilitate access to justice; maintain and advance the cause of justice; and promote the rule of law, through advocacy and good governance. Please find attached a copy of the Certificate of Registration of the LSN by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The following are protem National Officers of the Law Society of Nigeria:

a. Kunle Ogunba, SAN – President
b. Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack – Vice President
c. Abdulqadir Alhaji Sani – Secretary
d. Olasupo Ojo – Welfare Secretary
e. Chioma Ferguson – Treasurer
f. Douglas Ogbankwa – Publicity Secretary
g. Zara Umar Yakub – Financial Secretary
h. Alice Ogaku Awonugba – Assistant Secretary
i. Hassan Sherif – Assistant Publicity Secretary

As a Society of lawyers in Nigeria, called to the Nigerian Bar under the auspices of the Body of Benchers, the Law Society and its members are subject to the authority of the Body of Benchers and other regulatory organs as established by the Legal Practitioners Act. We commit ourselves to work with the Body of Benchers to ensure quality legal service delivery.

We would like to use this medium to express our appreciation and congratulate the Body of Benchers on the industry of the BOB and the remarkable progress you have made to strengthen the regulation of the Bar and the activities of our members. Of particular mention is the recent commissioning of the BOB Hall, which is a milestone in the history of both the BOB and the legal profession. In the same vein, the LSN heartily congratulates the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Oluwole Olanipekun, SAN, CFR as well as several other distinguished members of the Body of Benchers that were recently deservedly conferred with National Honours by his Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.

May we also extend the warm felicitations of the LSN to this foremost august body whose advanced efforts at a harmonized Bill proposing reforms to the Legal Practitioners’ Act must be taken into cognizance and firmly applauded. It is on the verge of these uncommon and necessary reforms in our legal annals and the ageless egalitarian posture on freedom to lawfully associate, that the LSN also writes your distinguished body introducing herself.

We count on the Body of Benchers, as the sole statutory body responsible for the admission of persons to the legal profession in Nigeria, to provide a level playing field for all Lawyers in Nigeria, irrespective of the national organization we decide to operate in the exercise of our constitutional right to freely associate and assemble.

We use this opportunity to convey to Mr. Chairman and the distinguished members of the BOB, the warm assurances of our high consideration.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,
PP: LAW SOCIETY OF NIGERIA

Kunle Ogunba, SAN.                                      Abdulqadir Alhaji Sani, Esq.
President                                                                  Secretary

The Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) promises to up the ante , in matters that have been ignored in the Legal Profession in Nigeria , prominent of which are premium on Members’ Welfare and an open and transparent system in choosing leaders of the Legal Profession at the National Level , which have been indicated by the New Association of Lawyers , as the fulcrum of their activities.

Already Members of the Legal Profession in Nigeria have been following the twitter handle of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) , @ lawsocietyofnig, in a frenzy that indicates the general acceptance of the new Professional Association of Lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar , that will take the Legal Profession in Nigeria , to greater heights in the new mellieu of an ever changing world.

Statement Issued by:

Douglas Ogbankwa Esq.,
Publicity Secretary ,
Law Society of Nigeria (LSN),
WhatsApp:08065193188, twitter:lawsocietyofnig

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* Alleged fake lawyer, Mr. David Adesanya aka "Davido"

CONVICTED FAKE LAWYER RESURFACES, RESTARTS ‘LAW PRACTICE’

There are concerns in legal circles that a convicted fake lawyer, one David Adesanya may have gone back to carrying on the illegal practice of law.

In a “Notice to Divorce” sighted by CITY LAWYER and dated 11th October, 2022 Adesanya had given one Mr. Seun Ayantunde, husband to Mrs. Omobake Ayantunde, “another 7 days to comply or apologise to your wife or if any complain (sic), the case of Divorce will take action and file (sic) to Court.”

Signed by “DAVID ADESANYA, ESQ” the letterhead also bore “DAVID ADESANYA ESQ.” with office address at Suite 26A, Omorilewa Office Complex, Iwo Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

CITY LAWYER recalls that one David Adesanya aka Davido was arrested at the Magistrate Court 2, Iyaganku, Ibadan in March 2017 after announcing his appearance as a lawyer on a watching brief. He was reportedly nabbed by then Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan Branch and Chairman of its Anti-touting Committee, Mr. Adekola Kareem.

CITY LAWYER investigation showed that the branch began to beam its searchlight on “Davido” after one Akpan Osagie Hope, a detainee at Agodi Prisons, petitioned the branch on how Adesanya received “appearance” and sundry payments from him and allegedly fleeced his bank accounts without delivering the agreed ‘legal’ services.

When CITY LAWYER contacted Kareem, he stated that Adesanya was sentenced to three years imprisonment “with hard labour” for illegal practice of law, adding that he confessed in court that he never trained as a lawyer.

“He was arraigned in the same court where he had appeared to hold ‘watching brief.’ As a result, he had no room to maneuvre,” said Kareem. “He was unable to process bail and was tried speedily. He must have completed his prison term, given the prison calendar.”

CITY LAWYER gathered that Adesanya was sentenced by Magistrate F. Richards (now deceased), and was originally attached to one Mr. Attach, a lawyer, as a Litigation Clerk.

There has been heightened concern in legal circles that the legal market is increasingly shrinking due to the unchecked activities of quacks and liberalisation of the market by regulatory agencies.

Adesanya could not be reached for comments at press time.

Below is the full text of Akpan’s petition.

The Chairman,
Nigeria Bar Association
Ibadan Branch.

Dear sir,

Criminal Breach of Trust and stealing

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I came to draw your attention over the professional misconduct, breach of trust, stealing and abuse of office of Barr. David ADESANYA aka DAVIDO.

Sir, I came to court on the 15th of March, 2017. My bail was cut short by my surety and I was approached by Barr David for his service. I was charged N35,000.00 as legal fees and appearance. I gave him the cash instantly inside the courtroom. And he further demanded another money for surety to be produced. Nothing was done by him before I was remanded in prison at Agodi, Ibadan. He came to the prison and demanded for money which he told me was N50,000. He signed for the collection of my 5 ATM cards with (Access Bank, Zenith Bank, First Bank, Skye Bank and GT Bank) and my mobile phone with balance of N1,800 on my mobile line. I gave him the pin to my Access Bank account (0040235646) which I told him to withdraw the sum of N55,000 only, that he should bring the additional N5000 to me at Agodi prison, Ibadan for my upkeep and feeding which he did not. I gave him my phone to contact Mr. Muhammed to hand over my properties, so Mr. Mohammed can help me contact my family and friends as I do not have anybody close at Ibadan. He used my mobile phone for his own purpose by contacting (08071584034, 09057588552,09061143316, ) and many more. He used my mobile balance to N0.22k. He further demanded N30,000 from my elder brother that the given amount with him could not perfect my bail condition, while I was still at Agodi Prison, Ibadan. From the 16th of March Barr David Adesoyan performed various debit transaction on my account unknowingly to me and reduced my Access balance to N528. The total balance on my Access Bank Account 0040235646 as at when I handed the ATM card to him was N175,185 and from my account statement a family friend sent me N37,500 in two different days 16th and 17th of March 2017= #75000, totaling my new account balance to N250,185. He later went ahead and withdrew N3000 from my Zenith Bank on the 25th of March 2017 at Mokola Branch ATM, which I never authorised him to use. I spent 12 days at Agodi prison, Ibadan because of this dubious act he carried out on my accounts. I attach the statement of my Zenith and Access Bank accounts which shows all my transaction history until 27th March 2017 when I was released from Agodi prison, Ibadan. At the time of this writing Barr David Adesonyan is still in possession of my ATM cards.

Yours faithfully,
Akpan Osagie Hope
07037853865

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SENIOR LAWYER, STELLA OFOKANSI JOINS ‘SOLAR FOR ALL’ LEAGUE

FEATURED

SOLAR FOR ALL: Chief Mrs. Bolanle Ayorinde of Ayorinde SAN & Co joins list of beneficiaries (in partnership with NBA Abuja, NBA Lagos, BOSAN Abuja, Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja, NBA Kano, NBA Gwagwalada, Medical Doctors at FMC Cooperative, FCT Pharmacies, and UNILAG College of Medicine Alumni among others).

To get an efficient Solar/Inverter system for 24 hours electricity supply and save at least half of your current power cost while you “Pay Small Small” for up to Six Months, call Solar For All Ltd: 08060266163.

Visit: (Abuja) Suite A8, Kenuj O2 Mall (Behind Games Village).
(Lagos) No 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.

As Electricity continues to be an issue in the country and diesel/fuel gets more expensive Solar For All Ltd was at the descent Ibadan home of Mrs.Ayorinde, where it installed a Solar System that powers all the essentials in the home, ensures 24-hour power supply and a reduced power cost of at least 50%.

Other beneficiaries from whom the efficiency of delivery can be verified include: Ebun Olu Adegboruwa SAN, Dr.Muiz Banire SAN, High Chief Emeka J-P Obegolu SAN, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN; Chief J-K Gadzama SAN; Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; Prince Adetosoye Adebiyi Esq; Mr. Paul Daudu Esq of J.B Daudu SAN & Co; Mr. Benedict Daudu Esq; Chief Peter Ilegogie Esq; Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, Aare Isiaka Olagunju SAN, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN of SPA Ajibade SAN & Co; FIDA Nigeria (FIDA House Abuja); Prince Adetokumbo Kayode SAN; Mrs. Amina Agbaje Esq (FIDA Nigeria CVP); Dr. Mrs Ayorinde of Ayorinde SAN & Co; Mrs. Mariam Agbaboka; Barr. Mrs Rachel Ebun Akerele; Mr. Anthony Malik SAN; Chief Tawo E. Tawo SAN; Chief Kemi Pinheiro SAN; Mr. I. M. Dikko SAN of Liman, Liman SAN & Co; Hon. Justice Emeka Nriezedi of the Anambra State Judiciary; Dr. Hassan Liman SAN; Chief J. U. K. Igwe SAN; Mr. Chike Ekeocha, Esq. of Alex Izinyon SAN & Co/SUEX Nig. Ltd; Mummy Sylvia Okoregbe Esq; John Ochogwu, Esq; Hon. Rodrich Ugwu Esq; Prof. Godson Ogbonna of Abia State University, Uturu; Sir Austin Mwana Esq; Mr. Thony Lyiod Onyemaizu Esq; Dr. Agada Elachi Esq; Mr. Zach Akubo of S. I. Ameh SAN & Co; Mr. Ime Edem-nse Esq; Mr. Edafe Mrakpor Esq; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ebedebiri Cottage Hospital, Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State; Federal College of Education, Warri; Nigerian Agricultural Seeds Council; Institute Of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC); Chief R. N. Okeke and Sons Ltd, Wukari, Taraba State; Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu of the Trademoore Estate, among many others.

Some of the benefits of Solar/Inverters include:
*Solar is cheaper at long-run!

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

* Your current Power cost will drop by at least 50% after we install.

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Solar panels.

* In case of any issue with the Inverter Machine, another Inverter is deployed before we take the one that needs attention for troubleshooting/repairs.

“To get an efficient Solar/Inverter system for 24hours Light, while you “Pay Small Small” for up to Six Months; Call Bricks and Castles Energy-Tech Ltd: 08050489622, 08060266163

Visit: (Abuja) Suit A8 Kenuj O2 Mall Kaura District Abuja (Behind Games Village).

(Lagos) No 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.

mni among others).

To get an efficient Solar/Inverter system for 24 hours electricity supply and save at least half of your current power cost while you “Pay Small Small” for up to Six Months, call Bricks and Castles Energy-Tech Ltd on 08050489622; WhatsApp 08060266163.

Visit: (Abuja) Suite A8, Kenuj O2 Mall (Behind Games Village).
(Lagos) No 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.

With the worsening Power situation in the country and a skyrocketing cost of diesel, Bricks and Castles Energy-Tech Ltd was at the decent Onitsha home of the distinguished Bar Leader, Mrs. Stella Ofokansi where it installed a Solar System that powers all the essentials in the home, ensures 24-hour power supply and a reduced power cost of at least 50%.

Other beneficiaries from whom the efficiency of delivery can be verified include: Ebun Olu Adegboruwa SAN, Dr. Muiz Banire SAN, High Chief Emeka J-P Obegolu SAN, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN; Chief J-K Gadzama SAN; Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; Prince Adetosoye Adebiyi Esq; Mr. Paul Daudu Esq of J.B Daudu SAN & Co; Mr. Benedict Daudu Esq; Chief Peter Ilegogie Esq; Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, Aare Isiaka Olagunju SAN, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN of SPA Ajibade SAN & Co; FIDA Nigeria (FIDA House Abuja); Prince Adetokumbo Kayode SAN; Mrs. Amina Agbaje Esq (FIDA Nigeria CVP); Dr. Mrs Ayorinde of Ayorinde SAN & Co; Mrs. Mariam Agbaboka; Barr. Mrs Rachel Ebun Akerele; Mr. Anthony Malik SAN; Chief Tawo E. Tawo SAN; Chief Kemi Pinheiro SAN; Mr. I. M. Dikko SAN of Liman, Liman SAN & Co; Hon. Justice Emeka Nriezedi of the Anambra State Judiciary; Dr. Hassan Liman SAN; Chief J. U. K. Igwe SAN; Mr. Chike Ekeocha, Esq. of Alex Izinyon SAN & Co/SUEX Nig. Ltd; Mummy Sylvia Okoregbe Esq; John Ochogwu, Esq; Hon. Rodrich Ugwu Esq; Prof. Godson Ogbonna of Abia State University, Uturu; Sir Austin Mwana Esq; Mr. Thony Lyiod Onyemaizu Esq; Dr. Agada Elachi Esq; Mr. Zach Akubo of S. I. Ameh SAN & Co; Mr. Ime Edem-nse Esq; Mr. Edafe Mrakpor Esq; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ebedebiri Cottage Hospital, Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State; Federal College of Education, Warri; Nigerian Agricultural Seeds Council; Institute Of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC); Chief R. N. Okeke and Sons Ltd, Wukari, Taraba State; Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu of the Trademoore Estate, among many others.

Some of the benefits of Solar/Inverters include:
*Solar is cheaper at long-run!

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

* Your current Power cost will drop by at least 50% after we install.

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Solar panels.

* In case of any issue with the Inverter Machine, another Inverter is deployed before we take the one that needs attention for troubleshooting/repairs.

“To get an efficient Solar/Inverter system for 24hours Light, while you “Pay Small Small” for up to Six Months; Call Bricks and Castles Energy-Tech Ltd: 08050489622, 08060266163

Visit: (Abuja) Suit A8 Kenuj O2 Mall

OLAR FOR ALL: Chief.Mrs.Bolanle Ayorinde of Ayorinde SAN & Co joins list of beneficiaries (in partnership with NBA Abuja, NBA Lagos, BOSAN Abuja, Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja, NBA Kano, NBA Gwagwalada, Medical Doctors at FMC Cooperative, FCT Pharmacies, and UNILAG College of Medicine Alumni among others).

To get an efficient Solar/Inverter system for 24 hours electricity supply and save at least half of your current power cost while you “Pay Small Small” for up to Six Months, call Solar For All Ltd: 08060266163.

Visit: (Abuja) Suite A8, Kenuj O2 Mall (Behind Games Village).
(Lagos) No 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.

As Electricity continues to be an issue in the country and diesel/fuel gets more expensive Solar For All Ltd was at the descent Ibadan home of Mrs.Ayorinde, where it installed a Solar System that powers all the essentials in the home, ensures 24-hour power supply and a reduced power cost of at least 50%.

Other beneficiaries from whom the efficiency of delivery can be verified include: Ebun Olu Adegboruwa SAN, Dr.Muiz Banire SAN, High Chief Emeka J-P Obegolu SAN, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN; Chief J-K Gadzama SAN; Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; Prince Adetosoye Adebiyi Esq; Mr. Paul Daudu Esq of J.B Daudu SAN & Co; Mr. Benedict Daudu Esq; Chief Peter Ilegogie Esq; Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, Aare Isiaka Olagunju SAN, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN of SPA Ajibade SAN & Co; FIDA Nigeria (FIDA House Abuja); Prince Adetokumbo Kayode SAN; Mrs. Amina Agbaje Esq (FIDA Nigeria CVP); Dr. Mrs Ayorinde of Ayorinde SAN & Co; Mrs. Mariam Agbaboka; Barr. Mrs Rachel Ebun Akerele; Mr. Anthony Malik SAN; Chief Tawo E. Tawo SAN; Chief Kemi Pinheiro SAN; Mr. I. M. Dikko SAN of Liman, Liman SAN & Co; Hon. Justice Emeka Nriezedi of the Anambra State Judiciary; Dr. Hassan Liman SAN; Chief J. U. K. Igwe SAN; Mr. Chike Ekeocha, Esq. of Alex Izinyon SAN & Co/SUEX Nig. Ltd; Mummy Sylvia Okoregbe Esq; John Ochogwu, Esq; Hon. Rodrich Ugwu Esq; Prof. Godson Ogbonna of Abia State University, Uturu; Sir Austin Mwana Esq; Mr. Thony Lyiod Onyemaizu Esq; Dr. Agada Elachi Esq; Mr. Zach Akubo of S. I. Ameh SAN & Co; Mr. Ime Edem-nse Esq; Mr. Edafe Mrakpor Esq; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ebedebiri Cottage Hospital, Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State; Federal College of Education, Warri; Nigerian Agricultural Seeds Council; Institute Of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC); Chief R. N. Okeke and Sons Ltd, Wukari, Taraba State; Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu of the Trademoore Estate, among many others.

Some of the benefits of Solar/Inverters include:
*Solar is cheaper at long-run!

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

* Your current Power cost will drop by at least 50% after we install.

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Solar panels.

* In case of any issue with the Inverter Machine, another Inverter is deployed before we take the one that needs attention for troubleshooting/repairs.

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Visit: (Abuja) Suit A8 Kenuj O2 Mall Kaura District Abuja (Behind Games Village).

(Lagos) No 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.

To view the price list, click here.

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FAGBEMI, LEADER OF LAW SCHOOL CLASS ’85, LOSES MUM

The Leader of the Nigerian Law School Class of 1985, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN has lost his mother. The deceased is scheduled to be buried tomorrow in accordance with Islamic rites.

Former Oyo State Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo told CITY LAWYER that the foremost senior lawyer informed him about the sad incident today.

CITY LAWYER gathered that Fagbemi has cut short his scheduled participation at the forthcoming International Bar Association (IBA) Conference to be a part of tomorrow’s interment ceremony.

A trending notice by Adebayo reads: “With the total submission of the will of Allah, the Fagbemi Royal family of Ijagbo, Kwara State of Nigeria announces the passing unto the world beyond of the matriarch of the Fagbemi family who is also the mother of our revered Trustees, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN and Hon. Kamal Fagbemi.

“The janazat of our Mama takes place at Ijagbo Palace, Kwara State tomorrow, Saturday the 29th day of October, 2022.

“May Allah accept Mama’s homecoming, forgive her shortcomings, grant her aljannah fridaus and uphold and sustain all that Mama left behind. Ameen”

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DOPING: NIGERIAN ATHLETE WINS, LOSES AT COURT OF ARBITRATION

It was a bitter-sweet experience for a Nigerian athlete, Mr. Clement Krobakpo as The Court of Arbitration for Sport sitting in Lausanne, Switzerland upheld his four-year ban for doping, even as it backdated the commencement of the sanction.

In an award sighted by CITY LAWYER, the arbitral panel refused to disturb the finding of guilt by the sole arbitrator in a Notice of Charge brought by Badminton World Federation (BWF).

Krobakpo had suspended himself from further participation in the Africa Games held in Rabat, Morocco following an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) on a urine sample collected during the competition showing the presence of Clenbuterol, a banned substance.

Though the BWF had accepted that the presence of two specified substances had arisen from Krobakpo’s ingestion of “Freedom Juice” and “that the presence of these substances was unintentional,” the federation nonetheless levied a Notice of Charge against Krobakpo for violation of the WADA Clenbuterol Guidelines.

While the Sole Arbitrator who constituted the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) Anti-Doping Division slammed a four-year ban on Krobakpo on 2nd January, 2021, the appellate arbitral court however held that Krobakpo could not suffer doubly for trial delays occasioned by the regulatory authorities.

In an appeal brought against the Badminton World Federation by Krobakpo and argued by senior lawyer, Mr. John Duru of Rose Chambers, Lagos, Nigeria, the appellant argued that because of the undue delay in processing his case within the BWF, he was entitled to as early a start date as possible (date of sample collection) under the BWF ADR.

Though the BWF argued that it was not responsible for the about 11-month delay, the arbitral panel noted that the BWF ADR “provide in its Article 10.13.1 that substantial delays not attributable to the athlete in the processing of his case permit the Panel to backdate the start of the period of Ineligibility to as early as sample collection.

“Put simply, athletes should not be subject to the risk of serious harm occasioned by anti-doping authorities’ failure to function effectively at a high level of performance.”

Quoting an early CAS panel “populated by esteemed arbitrators,” the arbitral panel said: “The fight against doping is arduous, and it may require strict rules. But the rule-makers and the rule-appliers must begin by being strict with themselves. Regulations that may affect the careers of dedicated athletes must be predictable.”

The arbitral panel therefore “conceded there was substantial delay in resolving this dispute that was not attributable to the Athlete.”

In resolving the issue in favour of Krobakpo, the panel held as follows: “As a result, the Panel is of the view that the period of Ineligibility should commence on the date of his sample collection. In other words, the Panel is of the view that the Appellant should receive a four-year period of Ineligibility commencing on the date of this Award, with credit for the time from the date of the commencement of his sample collection, 25 August 2019, to the present, resulting in a forward period of Ineligibility equal to the difference between 4 years and the time from 25 August 2019, until the date of this Award.”

The Court of Arbitration for Sport was constituted by Mr. Jeffrey Benz, admitted to practice in England and the United States, as President while Washington DC-based attorney, Dr. Ucheora Onwuamaegbu and China based lawyer, Dr. Shouzhi An acted as the arbitrators. Aside from Duru, BWF was represented by Thomas Delaye Fortin, its Head of Legal and Governance in Canada.

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EXCLUSIVE: NEW SAN GUIDELINES ‘EMERGE,’ PEG AWARD TO 1 ACADEMIC

• FAR-REACHING REFORMS, TOUGH SANCTIONS IMMINENT

* BOSAN, NALT MAY GET SCREENING ROLES

* N1 MILLION APPLICATION FEE

Only the best applicant in the Academic Category will be conferred with the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in the 2023 preferment exercise, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

CITY LAWYER gathered that the decision is in line with the intendment of the original drafters of the Guidelines that the award to academics should be made only in “exceptional cases.”

According to documents obtained by CITY LAWYER, aside from showing evidence of full-time teaching and research in a faculty of law in a reputable university duly accredited by both the National Universities Commission and the Council of Legal Education, a recognized legal research institute or the Nigerian Law School for at least 10 years immediately preceding the application, the applicant must be a professor in such institution, and must have been so for at least two years preceding the application, except if applicant is a Director-General of the Nigerian Law School.

Though controversy is trailing a purported ‘gazetted’ copy of the eagerly awaited 2022 Guidelines to be issued by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) of the Body of Benchers, multiple sources told CITY LAWYER that a whopping N1 Million is the new application fee for applicants seeking to be conferred with the rank, up from N300,000 in 2013 and N600,000 in the 2018 Guidelines. This is aside from a N200,000 “processing conferment fee” for successful applicants in the last exercise. Unlike the 2013 and 2018 Guidelines, the new rules may be silent on the exact amount to be paid as application fee.

Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the LPPC has cut the period for which applicants must have attained partnership in their law firms from five to two years preceding the application.

CITY LAWYER gathered that applications may now close on January 31 of every year, even as applicants may be required to provide the exact number of judgments required by the Guidelines and list the judgments in order of significance, unlike previously when applicants were allowed to dump as many cases as possible on the LPPC. The number of “final judgments” to be submitted by each applicant under the Advocates Category however remain unchanged at 20 judgments at the trial court level, five Court of Appeal judgments and four Supreme Court judgments.

However, in a move said to be designed to aid decongestion of court cases and ameliorate lengthy adjournments at the appellate courts, the Guidelines may provide that applicants who have valid pending appeals before the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court of Nigeria in which briefs have been settled prior to the making of the Guidelines and which appeals have been pending before the Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court of Nigeria for a minimum of 7 (seven) years, and who are able to settle such appeals amicably by entering into terms of settlement and by submitting to consent judgments, will be permitted to count a maximum of 2 (two) such consent judgments as part of their cases. Aside from other criteria, this requirement will operate for only five years in the first instance.

The new Guidelines may contain an elaborate sanctions and disciplinary regime which bar provision of false and misleading information as well as lobbying by applicants. Defaulters will be “blacklisted” and barred from applying for the rank for three to 10 years. Accomplices who are already Senior Advocates of Nigeria may have their rank withdrawn aside from possible prosecution.

CITY LAWYER also gathered that the Guidelines may also codify both physical and virtual inspection of applicants’ chambers, even as the LPPC may co-opt Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) and National Association of Law Teachers (NALT) members in the screening of final judgments and articles submitted by the advocates and academics respectively.

CITY LAWYER recalls that the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria & Secretary to LPPC, Hajo Sarki Bello had in a press statement dated 29th September, 2022 noted that “The meeting (of LPPC) further approved a new Guidelines for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all matters pertaining to the rank to guide future exercises.”

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MAIKYAU UNVEILS PINHEIRO’S LAWYERS’ LOUNGE

PRESS RELEASE

NBA President commissions NBA Ikeja Branch’s ‘KP Lawyers’ Lounge’ in honour of Dr. Kemi Pinheiro, SAN

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, OON yesterday commissioned the NBA Ikeja Branch’s ‘KP Lawyers’ Lounge’ in honour of Dr. Kemi Pinheiro,SAN.

A magnificent building had been erected by the Bartholomew Aguegbodo led Executives beside the Bar Centre building designated as the Lawyers’ lounge. A place strictly for lawyers and their guests. It is to operate as a Restaurant, Bar and Lounge with a conducive environment for lawyers to relax before or after their business within the Court premises.

The Chief Judge of Lagos State who was represented by Hon. Justice R.I.B Adebiyi showered encomium on the branch and commended them for the thoughtful venture. The NBA President during the Tape Cut eulogized the branch and commended them for having the welfare of lawyers at heart. He noted the selfless nature of the honouree and congratulated him for being honoured in his life time.

In attendance were the honouree; Dr. Kemi Pinheiro,SAN, Wemimo Ogunde,SAN, Kayode Enitan,SAN, Dr. Fred Odutola, Dr. Monday Ubani, Mr. Alex Muoka, Mr. Yemi Akangbe and Mr. Adebola Lema among others. Also in attendance were National Officers of the NBA including the 3rd Vice President, Mrs. Mandy Asagba, the Secretary, Mr. Adesina Adegbite and the Assistant Publicity Secretary, Charles Ajiboye.

Members and guests thereafter took a tour around the facility and sat to experience the services.

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NBA SEEKS COMMENTS ON CCA PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS

PRESS RELEASE

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL OF THE FCT: REQUEST FOR COMMENTS

Distinguished Colleagues,

Kindly find attached the statement of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN requesting for comments of members on the suitability for appointment as President, Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja the following judges:

i. Hon. Justice Stanley Adekunle Lawal;

ii. Hon. Justice (Dr) Ngozika Uwazunrunonye Okaisabor and;

iii. Hon. Justice Istifanus Gandu.

Further attached for your consideration is a short profile of the judges.

Thanks and have a great day.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary

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VACANCY: LITIGATION LAWYER NEEDED IN IKOYI LAW OFFICE

THE FIRM
The Law Office is a full-service law firm situated at Ikoyi, Lagos.

THE CANDIDATE
• 5-10 years post call
• Litigation practice skill
• Self-driven

QUALIFICATION
Admitted to the Nigerian Bar.

SALARY
The salary is competitive and in accordance with industry standards.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should email legaljobs77@gmail.com.

SPECIAL NOTE: The SUBJECT of the email should read: LITIGATION LAWYER NEEDED IN IKOYI LAW OFFICE

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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OGUNWUMIJU, IBIDAPO-OBE, OTHERS FOR NBA LAW AND RELIGION CONFAB OCT. 31

Supreme Court jurist, Justice Helen Ogunwumiju and former Dean of Law, University of Lagos, Prof. Ibidapo-Obe are among the top jurists billed to speak at the 2022 ACLARS/WARCLARS CLE conference on Law and Religion.

The conference is organized by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos and Ikeja Branches in collaboration with the West African Regional Centre for Law and Religion Studies (WARCLARS), Nigeria; African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ACLARS), South Africa, and International Centre for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS), USA.

Billed to hold at the J. F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos on October 31 and November 1, 2022, the conference has as its theme, “Law and religion: The role of the state.”

Among the 13-member faculty of international scholars are Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Development Services), University of Lagos; Prof. Wahab Egbewole SAN, Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin; Prof. Rosalind Hackett (USA); Prof. David Moore (USA); Prof. Mark Hill, Kings Counsel; Prof. Kofi Quashigah (Ghana); Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun, Vice-Chancellor, Kola Daisi University; Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi (UNILAG); Dr. Habibat Oladosu-Uthman (Dept. of Religion, University of Ibadan).

To register for the in-person conference, click on https://www.aclars.org/2022-aclars-warclars-cle-program-registration/ to complete the form by October 30, 2022. Registered conferees will qualify for course materials, certificate and souvenir.

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AGOMOH, TOP RIGHTS ADVOCATE, BAGS UN C’TE MEMBERSHIP

Foremost human rights advocate and Executive Director of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), Dr. Uju Agomoh has been elected as a member of the United Nations Sub-Committee on Prevention of Torture (UN SPT). The election was held at Geneva, Switzerland on 20th October, 2022.

The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) is the international body established by the OPCAT. Consisting of 25 independent experts, the body has a preventive mandate focused on a proactive approach to preventing torture and ill treatment.

The SPT has a dual mandate to monitor conditions in detention and treatment of persons deprived of their liberty through country visits, and to advise on OPCAT implementation, in particular support the establishing and functioning of National Preventive Mechanisms.

Agomoh is the Founder and Executive Director of PRAWA, a Nigerian civil society organisation which promotes human rights especially of persons in prison and helps those who have survived prison to successfully integrate into the community.

She holds degrees in Law, Criminology, and Psychology which makes her strongly positioned to contribute to the work of the SPT through a holistic and multidisciplinary outlook.

Over the past 20 years, Agomoh has held key positions in global, regional and national institutions working to prevent torture through detention monitoring, security sector reform and support to survivors of torture. These include serving on the Executive Committee of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT); the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), Global SOS-Torture Covid 19 Crisis Action Group, and the Independent Investigation Panel of Inquiry on the Nigeria Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The highly decorated rights activist has personally carried out over 1000 prison monitoring visits covering about 150 prisons in 32 countries, providing her with extensive expertise in detention monitoring methodologies and engagement with detention authorities and detainees.

She is also a Council Member of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission and the Special Rapporteur on Police, Prisons and Centers of Detention (2001 – 2008); Co-Chair of Development Law Group (DLG) of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (2021 – 2023), and Co-Lead in the development of the harmonized curriculum for security agencies training institutions in Nigeria including thematic areas of Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Civil -Military Relations. She led the development of National Legal Aid Strategy of Nigeria 2016-2022.

Agomoh has conducted visits to places of detention in more than 32 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. She is a Fellow of the International Penal and Penitentiary Foundation (IPPF) with a specific focus on overuse of imprisonment and fairness and consistency in administrative and judicial decisions (2017 to present); Expert, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) on development of guidelines on rehabilitation of prisoners (2017); Visiting Expert on treatment of women prisoners, United Nations Asia and Far East (UNAFEI, 2015); Member, Executive Committee (Representing Sub Saharan Africa), International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT, 2012-2016), and Member, World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) Global SOS-Torture Covid 19 Crisis Action Group (September 2021-December 2022).

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VACANCY: LEKKI LAW FIRM NEEDS YOUNG LAWYERS

THE FIRM
The Law Office is a full-service law firm situated at Lekki, Lagos.

THE POSITION
Counsel

THE CANDIDATE
• 3-5 years post call
• Corporate practice skills
• Computer literate
• Must have research skills
• Must be resident along the Lekki axis

  • Male candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

QUALIFICATIONS
Admitted to the Nigerian Bar.

SALARY
The salary is competitive and in accordance with industry standards.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should email legaljobs77@gmail.com.

SPECIAL NOTE: The SUBJECT of the email should read: LEKKI LAW FIRM HIRING: COUNSEL

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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FLOODS: NBA TO OFFER PALLIATIVES TO AFFECETD LAWYERS

                                                                                                   PRESS RELEASE

NBA TO INTERVENE IN FLOOD DISASTER

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, OON has sympathised with Nigerians and members of the NBA who were affected by floods in numerous towns and villages of Nigeria.

In a letter dated 24th October 2022 addressed to the chairmen of the 125 branches of the NBA, Mr Mr Maikyau SAN OON acknowledged that many Nigerians, including lawyers have been affected by the floods and directed the chairmen of the 125 branches to compile the list of NBA members directly affected by the flood so that NBA can offer some help and bring succour to them and their families.

In his words, “Nothing will ever replace the lives that have been lost, but we can help by joining hands with the relevant authorities to see that some form of material aid is made to alleviate the sufferings of the people, most especially our colleagues.”

As the government, aid agencies and well-meaning Nigerians continue to find ways to bring relief to affected persons, the NBA calls on the relevant authorities to look into the planning of all Nigerian towns and cities with a view to creating or implementing the plan for natural waterways which serve as precautionary measures against flooding. We also implore all Nigerians to keep following the weather updates and flood alerts published by NEMA and other agencies while ensuring compliance with recommended safety precautions provided therein.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary, NBA

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LGA AUTONOMY: ‘WHERE ANANABA GOT IT WRONG,’ BY ADEBAYO

BY MUTALUBI OJO ADEBAYO

I just watched and listened to Professor (Paul) Ananaba, SAN on CHANNELS TV (a repeat broadcast of Sunrise Daily). All that he said were just not a gross misconception of the law but he indeed turned the law on its head with respect to the subject of the discourse.

We are talking of the local government autonomy in Nigeria because that phrase strayed and or was smuggled into the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria when it was not meant to be there in the first instance at all. It was a very wrong and misplaced insertion in the Constitution by those who hurriedly prepared and drafted the Constitution.

There is nothing like Local Government autonomy in any federalism because the component units of a federation are just 2(two) namely- (1) the Central or the National Government which we called the Federal Government in Nigeria.

In a true federalism, the appropriate name is the National Government and (2) The State Governments and or the regional governments as the case may be.

Indeed, it is the federating units or the component units in the country or in the federation that agree to come together to form a union and thus create a government at the Centre or at the National level.

“Local government autonomy was a phrase that was smuggled into the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria”

Suffice to say that in any Federation, there are just 2(two) tiers or levels of government and they are just the National/Central/ Federal Government and the State Governments.

There is nothing known as the third tier of government and there cannot be any 3rd tier or level of government known as the local government because the local government are just or mere creation of the state government for ease of governance. They merely exist at the pleasure of the state government.

Another contraption in our Constitution is the recognition given by the Constitution to the local governments which are absolutely unnecessary and anti- federalism.

State Governments have absolute and exclusive rights and prerogative to create as many local governments as they may deem fit to have within their respective states without any recourse at all to the Federal or Central or National Government.

It is the state government who is entitled and has the responsibility exclusive responsibility to administer, run and manage those local governments as they like.

I am ready to make myself available to do a further conversation on this issue which is basically the issue of federalism and not an issue of constitutionalism.

Thank you.
25th October,2022

JCI Senator Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo,
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,
Oyo State of Nigeria (2011 -2015)
Email- adebayoojo90@gmail.com

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FOI COUNSEL HAILS NEW ZAMBIA DPP

FEATURE

FOI COUNSEL FELICITATES WITH NEWLY APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTION OF ZAMBIA

18th October 2022

GILBERT ANDFORD PHIRI, ESQ
Director of Public Prosecution
Federal Ministry of Justice,
Fairley Road, Lusaka,
Republic of Zambia

My dear friend,

LETTER OF FELICITATION
The above subject matter refers.

I am delighted to hear of your appointment as the Director of Public Prosecution of the Republic of Zambia.

I know you as a discipline, strategic and proactive public interest lawyer and now a senior public officer. I confirm you have whatever positive endowments the institutions of Africa desire of its men. My sincere wish is that this message motivates you to reinvigorate the architecture of criminal investigation and prosecution as it arises in Zambia and position it for a crime free one.

Similarly, I hope you will use this new office to support the enforcement/passage of digital rights and open government legislations (particularly access to information law) in the country. This has a soft influence on criminal investigation and litigation and it can also deter young persons from crimes owing to the avalanche opportunities in these laws.

As you await the ratification of the National Assembly, I wish you the best of tenure as I cannot wait to see your contribution to the government of Zambia under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema

Yours faithfully,

President Aigbokhan, LL.B, LLM (AAU), BL, ACI. Arb
Lead
FOI COUNSEL

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SENIOR ADVOCATE AT ETI OSA LAWYERS’ FORUM, CITES RISING MISCONDUCT CASES AT LPDC

The Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law, Mr. Lotanna Okoli SAN has decried rising cases of professional misconduct among lawyers.

In a paper titled “LEGAL PRACTICE IN AN AILING ECONOMY: BETWEEN PERSONAL SURVIVAL AND PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY, DO WE HAVE A CHOICE?” Okoli noted that many lawyers have hinged these malpractices on the need to “survive.” He spoke at the monthly General Meeting of Eti Osa Lawyers Forum chaired by Mr. MMA Sanni.

In his words, “Cases involving dishonest and sham lawyers are now rampant before the Legal practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and laymen are already questioning the integrity of the once revered and prestigious noble profession.”

He observed that “Very often, a friend or a colleague will ask a lawyer to use his official stamp and/or seal to certify a document to appear as though it was prepared by a lawyer. And some lawyers paying no heed to important provisions like Rule 3 of the RPC, which provides for aiding a non-lawyer in the unauthorized practice of the law, will end up ‘doing favours’ and ‘earning easy cash’ forgetting that it is expected of them to uphold and maintain a high standard of professional conduct. A seemingly harmless gesture can have grave repercussions if made inappropriately.”

Continuing, he said: “Some lawyers have now turned the legal practice into a marketplace where they engage and liaise with non-lawyers to provide them with clients in return for a fee. They do this in flagrant disregard to Rule 5(1) of the RPC, which provides that a lawyer shall not form a partnership with a non-lawyer. These set of legal practitioners are ready to accept peanuts as remuneration. In their opinion, ‘It’s my practice and my integrity.’”

Okoli noted that “As essential agents of the justice system, we not only owe an ethical duty towards the court but are also required and expected to conduct our legal practice within the bounds of the law even if the heavens fall (Fīat jūstitia ruat cælum). So, in answering the question, between personal survival and professional integrity, Do we have a choice? I’d say we have just one choice which is to act with chivalry, honour and integrity.”

He observed that Part A of the RPC provides for “Practice as a legal practitioner,” adding that under the provision, “A Lawyer shall uphold and observe the rule of law, promote and Foster the cause of justice, maintain a high standard of professional conduct, and shall not engage in any conduct which is unbecoming of a legal practitioner.”

He however noted that “quite unfortunately, experience has proven that this is not always the case as some lawyers do not maintain integrity in the course of their practice. Money, greed, pressure and power have driven some legal practitioners into undermining their practice. They engage in actions that are unbecoming of a legal practitioner and typically adverse to what the legal profession stands for. Nowadays, legal practice is plagued with legal practitioners who engage in sham practices, violate ethical provisions and cut corners just to “survive” amongst other things. They blame it on the poor economy and use catchphrases like ‘No be me spoil Nigeria’, ‘If I don’t do it, another lawyer will.’ With this mindset, they keep conducting their practice in ways that derogate from their integrity, the legal profession and general good conduct. On its own part, the Law has put measures in place to curb these shady activities. However, rather than get deterred, they find other means to practice their dishonesty.”

He stated that “it is important for lawyers to bear in mind that they are first and foremost officers of the Court, subject to the duty of upholding justice without regards to their personal interests. Lawyers must be independent and speak truth to power, without fear or favour whilst engaging in their practice. The stereotypes of lawyers being untrustworthy and deceitful beings must be repaired and this repair will be done by no other than ourselves, in our daily practice, in the amount we charge as legal fees, in our dealings with clients, in our responsibility to uphold the standard of the profession.

“As essential agents of the justice system, we not only owe an ethical duty towards the court but are also required and expected to conduct our legal practice within the bounds of the law even if the heavens fall. (Fīat jūstitia ruat cælum) So, in answering the question, between personal survival and professional integrity, Do we have a choice? I’d say we have just one choice which is to act with chivalry, honour and integrity.”

The Knowledge Sharing Session witnessed animated Question & Answer interventions among others.

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LAWYER CRIES OUT, WADES THROUGH FLOOD IN ROBES, SHORTS (VIDEO)

A Bayelsa State based lawyer has cried out for an amendment of the dress code for lawyers to include the wearing of shorts and sandals to court in view of the ravaging floods across the country.

Wading through the flood in his lawyer’s robes but while wearing shorts and sandals, the lawyer urged that the rules should be amended to accommodate his unusual dress code.

To view the video, click here.

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AGAIN, EFCC TO ARRAIGN SHASORE ON FRESH CHARGES TODAY

These are not the best of times for embattled former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olasupo Shasore SAN as he would today be arraigned on fresh charges by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Lagos State High Court.

According to a news report, the new charge “essentially borders on the corruption of a public official.”

There are strong indications that Shasore will also face another set of charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Following a CITY LAWYER exclusive report, a four-man team of Senior Advocates battled yesterday to secure bail for Shasore as he was arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos on a four-count charge bordering on money laundering.

Leading the team is respected law reform advocate, Mr. Charles Candide-Johnson SAN. Others in the team were Dr. Muiz Banire SAN, Mr. Segun Ajibola SAN, and Mr. Chijioke Okoli SAN.

Shasore was the Chief Law Officer during the administration of former Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN.

The matter is filed as Charge No. FHC/L/447C/2022, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Olasupo Shasore, SAN.

CITY LAWYER recalls that the EFCC had filed a four-count charge against Shasore bordering on alleged money laundering among others.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N. on or about the 18th day of November 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court induced Olufolakemi Adelore to commit an offence, to wit accepting cash payment of the sum of US100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) without going through a financial institution which such exceeded the amount authorised by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 78(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 16(6) of the same Act.”

Count two reads: “That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N on or about the 18th day of November 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, in a transaction without going through a financial institution, made cash payment of the sum of USD 100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to Olufolakemi Adelore through Auwalu Habu and Wole Aboderin, which sum exceeded the amount permitted by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 1(a) and 16(1)(d) the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended) and punishable under section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

Count three reads: “That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N., on or about the 18th November, 2014, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, induced one Ikechukwu Oguine, to commit an offence, to wit: accepting case payment of the sum of USD100,000.00 (One Hundred thousand United States Dollars) without going through a financial institution, which such amount exceeded the amount permitted by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) Of the same Act.”

Count four reads: “That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N on or about the 18th day of November 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without going through a financial institution and made cash payment of the sum of USD100,000.00 (One Hundred thousand United State Dollars) to one Ikechukwu Oguine which sum exceeded the amount permitted by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary sections 1(a) and 16(1),(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act, as amended) and punishable under section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.”

It is recalled that Shasore was last January invited by the anti-graft agency to shed light on his involvement in the Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) case. The former Lagos attorney-general had represented Nigeria on the P&ID case.

The Federal Government had told a UK court that Shasore colluded with P&ID to pervert justice in the controversial gas supply purchasing agreement (GSPA) contract. Shasore denied the allegation in an interview.

The P&ID had won a $9.6 billion judgment against Nigeria in a British court, claiming that it entered a contract to build a gas processing plant in Calabar, Cross River State. The company stated that the deal collapsed because the Federal Government did not fulfil its side of the bargain.

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NNAMDI KANU: FG APPEALS JUDGMENT, SEEKS STAY OF EXECUTION

The Federal Government has appealed the judgment of the Appeal Court freeing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The government, in a motion for a stay of execution filed on Wednesday at the apex court, is asking the court to stay execution of the Appeal Court judgment of October 13. The Appeal Court had acquitted the IPOB leader and barred any lower court from entertaining further charges against him.

In a seven-ground Notice of Appeal filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Federal Government faulted the lower court’s decision and prayed that it should be set aside.

The Federal Government argued that the Court of Appeal erred when it faulted the manner by which Kanu was brought back to face trial after he allegedly jumped bail and fled the country.

It contended that the Court of Appeal also erred when it struck out the pending charges against Kanu on the ground that the trial court no longer possessed the requisite jurisdiction to continue the trial because of the manner by which Kanu was returned to the country after allegedly jumping bail.

CITY LAWYER recalls that a three-man panel of Appeal Court Justices led by Oludotun Adefope-Okojie had on Thursday, October 13, while delivering judgment in Kanu’s appeal on his extraordinary rendition, declared it as unlawful.

The court also quashed the charges bordering on terrorism and treasonable felony preferred against him by the Federal Government.

The Appeal Court held that the Federal Government breached all known local and international laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria, thereby making the terrorism charge against him incompetent and unlawful.

The judgment was marked CA/ABJ/CR/625/2022 and filed by Kanu’s lawyers against an earlier ruling by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Justice Adefope-Okojie while delivering judgment declared Kanu’s abduction from Kenya and his subsequent return to Nigeria as illegal and unlawful. The court proceeded to quash the seven counts left of the initial 15 counts filed by the Federal Government.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court had in an earlier ruling quashed eight out of the 15 counts, leaving seven for determination.

But the Appeal Court in its ruling held that the Federal Government violated all laws in the forceful rendition of Kanu to Nigeria, thus invalidating the charges.

“By the illegal abduction and extra-ordinary rendition of the appellant, there was a clear violation, by the respondent (Federal Government) of international treaties, conventions, as well as the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights,” the court held.

The court added that having flagrantly breached Kanu’s fundamental rights, the Federal Government lost the legal right to put him on trial, adding the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to try the appellant on the retained counts of the charge. “No court can try him going by the circumstances of the extraordinary rendition,” the court held.

Justice Adefope-Okojie declared that “having resolved issue one in favour of the appellant, which deals with jurisdiction, the appeal succeeds.

“The order of Justice Binta Nyako which ordered the appellant to answer to counts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 15 is set aside, terminated and dismissed. Appellant is accordingly discharged.”

The apex court is yet to fix a date for the hearing of the motion for stay of execution.

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LAWYER SEEKS COURT ORDER TO CARRY AK-47

Fiery human rights lawyer, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo, has sued the Federal Government at the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking an order of the court to bear AK-47 automatic rifle.

Omirhobo, who confirmed levying the suit to CITY LAWYER, also alleged in the suit that the Federal Government has refused to respect the right of Nigerians to keep and bear arms for the preservation of life, liberty and property.

Among the respondents in the suit is the president of Nigeria, the Attorney general of the federation and 74 others.

When the suit came up today, only Lagos, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom and Edo states were represented in court by lawyers while others sought adjournment of the hearing of the suit.

The judge, Justice Ahmed Mohammed, adjourned the suit to 24 January, 2023 for hearing. He also ordered that the processes including hearing notice be served on the respondents that were yet to be served.

In an originating summon marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1078/2021, Omirhobo stated that the plaintiff and Nigerian citizens are entitled to “right to life, right to dignity of human person, right to personal liberty, right to private and family life, right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, right to freedom of movement and to reside anywhere in Nigeria and right to own movable and immovable property in Nigeria except when these rights are being derogated or limited by law.”

He asked the court to say whether, by the combined interpretation and/or construction of Sections 3, 6(2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e) of the Fire Arms Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004 and sections 33(1)(2)(a)(b), 34(1)(a), 35(1), 36, 37, 43 of the 1999 Constitution; sections 281, 282, 286 and 287 of the Criminal Code Act and sections 40, 45, 46 and 47 of the Penal Code Act, it is lawful, legal and constitutional for the 2nd defendant to refuse, fail and/or neglect to grant the plaintiff license to possess and own an A6 147 premium, AK 47 Assault Rifle based on the plaintiff’s application of July 8, 2021, to enable him to exercise his constitutional right to self defence.

He stated that the suit is aimed to protect his life, family and property and also for the safeguard of his fundamental rights as enshrined and guaranteed by the constitution in the face of the high level of insecurity ravaging Nigeria and the inability of the defendants to meet up with their primary responsibility of protecting life and property from the attacks of heavily and well-armed criminals with AK 47, General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG) and other sophisticated weapons.

In a 123-paragraph affidavit, Omirhobo said the constitution guarantees every Nigerian citizen the fundamental rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, private and family life, peaceful assembly and association, freedom of movement and right to own moveable and immoveable property. He added that the constitution gives every Nigerian the right to defend his fundamental rights from unlawful violence.

He said: “In collaboration with the Nigerian constitution, both the Criminal Code Act and Penal Code Act gives every Nigerian citizen the right to self defence by applying the use of such force as they believe on reasonable grounds to be necessary to prevent their fundamental rights to life, the dignity of the human person, personal, liberty, private and family life, peaceful assembly and association, freedom of movement and right to own moveable and immoveable property from unlawful violence.”

Omirhobo prayed the court to declare that the killings, raping, sodomising, extorting, kidnapping, abduction brutalisation, dehumanisation, debasement, destruction of property, the restriction of the freedom of movement and right of residence, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, family and private life and the seizing of property of defenceless Nigerians by heavily armed criminals with unlicensed AK 47 Assault rifle, GPMG and other sophisticated weapons is a violation of these rights and therefore illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

He urged the court to declare that it is legal, lawful and constitutional for the 2nd defendant to revoke the gun licenses of Nigerians via proclamation and/or executive order in the face of the high level of insecurity in Nigeria and thereby depriving them of their rights to self-defence and in the process exposing them to the way of harms in the hands of heavily armed criminals with AK 47 Assault rifles GPMG and other sophisticated weapons.

The applicant, according to a news report, therefore asked the court for an order compelling the 2nd defendant and 4th defendant (Inspector General of Police with all the commissioners of police in Nigeria) to renew all expired gun licenses upon application of all Nigerians who are qualified to retain their gun licenses to enable them to exercise their rights to self-defence and safeguard their fundamental rights as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution from the attacks of heavily and well-armed criminals with sophisticated weapons.

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‘NIGERIAN JUDICIARY IS NOT CORRUPT,’ SAYS MAIKYAU

PRESS RELEASE

NBA PRESIDENT DECRIES THE NARRATIVE THAT THE NIGERIAN JUDICIARY IS CORRUPT, URGES IMPROVED WELFARE OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN OON has declared that the Nigerian judiciary is not corrupt and that the legal profession in Nigeria cannot be compromised. In his address at the valedictory court session held on 20th October, 2022 in honour of Hon. Justice Mojeed Adekunle Owoade, retired Justice of the Court of Appeal at the Court of Appeal, Ibadan, the NBA President decried the narratives that Nigerian judges are corrupt and can be compromised.

In his words, “The fact that there may be some bad eggs amongst us, and this I say for both the Bench and the Bar, does not justify the characterization of the entire judiciary and the legal profession as generally corrupt. The judiciary and indeed the legal profession in Nigeria consist of distinguished men and women that have worked and are still working honestly, sincerely and with integrity to contribute their quota to the development of this nation.”

He also stated that, “the fact that the toe in a body has turned gangrenous does not make the entire body rotten. And if the toe is so infected, the way to save the body is to amputate the toe. That is what we must do as members of the legal profession; either on the Bench or Bar and we must speak loudly to the nation about who we truly are, to correct that negative perception. If we do not do so, it will be an abdication of duty on our part, and if we completely lose the confidence of the public, resort to self-help and the attendant chaos will be inevitable. We must break the silence!”

While acknowledging that the challenges faced in the system of administration of justice in Nigeria include the issue of manpower at the Bench, the NBA President also urged for better Conditions of Service for judicial officers.

Mr. Maikyau described Hon. Justice Owoade (rtd) as one of the numerous examples of integrity, honesty and excellence in the legal profession and congratulated the jurist on the excellent service record and glorious exit from the Bench.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary

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EXCLUSIVE: ARRAIGNMENT – SHASORE HIRES 4 TOP SENIOR ADVOCATES TO BATTLE EFCC

Former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olasupo Shasore SAN has hired four leading senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) to lead his defence as he is set to be arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos today.

Leading the team is respected law reform advocate, Mr. Charles Candide-Johnson SAN. Others in the crack defence team are Mr. Olawale Akoni SAN, Dr. Muiz Banire SAN, and Mr. Chijioke Okoli SAN.

CITY LAWYER also gathered that another go-to senior lawyer may join and lead the defence team in court today, as Shasore battles to clear his name over a four-count charge levied against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Meanwhile, a bail application obtained by CITY LAWYER shows that the legal team for the embattled senior lawyer will be seeking for him to go home on bail on self-recognisance.

Dated 13th October, 2022 and filed the same day, the bail application is seeking “AN ORDER admitting the Applicant to bail on ‘self-recognisance’ and/or on such reasonable and liberal terms as the Honourable Court may determine pending the hearing and determination of this Charge.”

The application is supported by a 20-paragraph affidavit deposed by one Orji Agwu Uka, a legal practitioner and one of the defence lawyers.

The matter is filed as Charge No. FHC/L/447C/2022, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Olasupo Shasore, SAN.

CITY LAWYER recalls that the EFCC had filed a four-count charge against Shasore bordering on alleged money laundering among others.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N. on or about the 18th day of November 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court induced Olufolakemi Adelore to commit an offence, to wit accepting cash payment of the sum of US100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) without going through a financial institution which such exceeded the amount authorised by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 78(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 16(6) of the same Act.”

Count two reads: “That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N on or about the 18th day of November 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, in a transaction without going through a financial institution, made cash payment of the sum of USD 100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to Olufolakemi Adelore through Auwalu Habu and Wole Aboderin, which sum exceeded the amount permitted by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 1(a) and 16(1)(d) the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended) and punishable under section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”

Count three reads: “That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N., on or about the 18th November, 2014, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, induced one Ikechukwu Oguine, to commit an offence, to wit: accepting case payment of the sum of USD100,000.00 (One Hundred thousand United States Dollars) without going through a financial institution, which such amount exceeded the amount permitted by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) Of the same Act.”

Count four reads: “That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N on or about the 18th day of November 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without going through a financial institution and made cash payment of the sum of USD100,000.00 (One Hundred thousand United State Dollars) to one Ikechukwu Oguine which sum exceeded the amount permitted by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary sections 1(a) and 16(1),(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act, as amended) and punishable under section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.”

It is recalled that Shasore was last January invited by the anti-graft agency to shed light on his involvement in the Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) case. The former Lagos attorney-general had represented Nigeria on the P&ID case.

The Federal Government had told a UK court that Shasore colluded with P&ID to pervert justice in the controversial gas supply purchasing agreement (GSPA) contract. Shasore denied the allegation in an interview.

The P&ID had won a $9.6 billion judgment against Nigeria in a British court, claiming that it entered a contract to build a gas processing plant in Calabar, Cross River State. The company stated that the deal collapsed because the Federal Government did not fulfil its side of the bargain.

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YOUNG LAWYER NEEDED IN LEKKI, LAGOS LAW FIRM

THE FIRM
The Law Office is a full-service law firm that is based in the Lekki area of Lagos. The law firm is undergoing transformation to provide cutting-edge clientele services while deepening its commitment to public interest law, pro bono criminal litigation, and ICLE training.

THE POSITION
Associate Counsel

SELECTION CRITERIA
Ability to provide quality, skillful services to clients in a modern law firm that combines Corporate Law and Criminal Litigation services with Public Interest Litigation.

THE CANDIDATE
The candidate will straddle all aspects of the law, and will apply initiative while gaining broad perspectives of law practice in Nigeria.

QUALIFICATIONS
Admitted to the Nigerian Bar recently, the candidate will possess good Bachelor of Laws and Bar Finals results. The Young Lawyer must have good team work and writing skills, and should be able to work with minimal supervision.

SALARY
The salary is competitive and in accordance with industry standards.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should email legaljobs77@gmail.com.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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LEDAP, HURILAWS TASK FG ON USE OF DEATH PENALTY

PRESS RELEASE

LEDAP & HURILAWS URGE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY, AND REPLACE WITH LIFE IMPRISONMENT

As the world marks the 20th World Day against the Use of the Death Penalty with the theme “Death Penalty: A road paved with Torture”, two human rights NGOs, the Legal Defence & Assistance Project (LEDAP) and Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS) call on the Nigerian government to put an end to the use of death penalty or limit its use to the most heinous crimes.

Imposing the death sentence on offenders has not reduced violent crimes, but has rather exposed the State to the high possibility of convicting and executing innocent persons.

At the end of a virtual forum convened by LEDAP and HURILAWS in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission today, the participants urged government at federal and state levels, in the meantime, to urgently introduce official moratorium on death sentencing and execution, and improve the conditions of detentions of death row inmates. The conditions under which prisoners sentenced to death are kept in correctional centers are very deplorable, inhuman and degrading.

The imposition of death sentence and its execution involve processes that constitute torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. In nearly all jurisdictions of the common law world, the courts have found that use of the death penalty, and its method of execution, always amount to torture. According to Collins Okeke, Program Director of HURILAWS: ‘No one, not even the State, has the right to take life. There is no justification for continued use of death penalty in Nigeria, especially, when it has no deterrence effect on offenders’

In this year event marking the World Day against the use of death penalty, the theme focuses on the death penalty as torture. All aspect of the death sentencing and its execution, no matter how heinous the crime may be or the public outcry against violent crimes, are paved with torture.

Our findings revealed that death row prisoners are subjected to two distinct punishments: the death sentence itself and the prolonged years of living in inhumane conditions that include poor health care, overcrowding, poor feeding and poor medical attention. Prisoners on death-row live in a state of constant uncertainty over their possible date of execution. For some death-row prisoners, the anxiety results in a sharp deterioration in their mental and emotional wellbeing. This manifested in the case of Olatunji Olaide, who was exonerated by the Court of Appeal in 2018 after spending 24 years on death row. Olatunji died shortly after his release from prison due to his terrible ill health and untreated eye condition from prolonged detention. The case of Mr Samuel Adebayo (53) was exonerated in February 2022 after 15 years on death row, for an offence he didn’t commit. He is left without hope to restart his life having lost everything including his health and family. So are the over 1,300 death row prisoners in Nigeria.

LEDAP and HURILAWS are particularly worried that the appalling prison conditions have serious damaging effects on the mental and physical health of the inmates. These conditions further infringe on their constitutional rights, particularly right to human dignity and freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. LEDAP and HURILAWS believe that the human rights of death row inmates should be protected at all times. The dignity of the human person must be preserved, both within and outside the prison walls. According to Pamela Okoroigwe, Executive Program Director at LEDAP, ‘in so far as death penalty is disproportionately and discriminatorily applied mainly to the poor and disadvantaged people, it should be abolished. A federal government’s panel on death penalty stated in its report in 2004 that a justice system that cannot give justice should not take life. This conclusion is correct today as it was in 2004. There should be immediate moratorium on use of death sentence at federal and state levels’

LEDAP and HURILAWS therefore call on the Nigerian Government to respect the sanctity of life, by taking immediate steps to abolish death penalty and replace same with term of years or life imprisonment. In the meantime, the Government should provide the necessary infrastructure and facilities needed to cater for the welfare of death row prisoners.

Pamela Okoroigwe
Executive Programmes Director
For: Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP)

Collins Okeke
Program Director
For: The Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS)

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OZEKHOME WRITES MALAMI, SEEKS NNAMDI KANU’S IMMEDIATE RELEASE (LETTER)

The Lead Counsel to detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) has written to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) seeking the “immediate and unconditional release” of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a letter obtained by CITY LAWYER and dated October 17, 2022, Ozekhome said the application for Kanu’s release was based on the strength of the Court of Appeal decision which discharged Kanu, urging Malami to “immediately comply with the judgment of the Court herein attached.” The letter was received by Malami’s office the same day.

He also asked Malami to “order the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, now being illegally held in solitary confinement in State Security Service facility at the Abuja Headquarters.”

The full text of the letter is below.

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WHY COURT ANNULLED ADAMAWA APC GUBER PRIMARY (JUDGMENT)

A Federal High Court sitting in Yola recently nullified the Adamawa governorship primary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) which produced Sen. Aishatu Binani, as the party’s gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 election.

Ruling on the case filed by Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the court declared Binani’s candidature null and void. In his ruling, Justice Abdulaaziz Anka said the APC had no candidate for the 2023 governorship election in the state. He also ordered Binani, who was earlier declared winner of the election to stop parading herself as the party’s candidate for the 2023 governorship election.

The court held that the APC governorship primary election held on May 26, 2022, was marred with irregularities such as voting, and not being compliant with the 2022 Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.

Agency reports noted that Ribadu, a former Chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), filed a suit challenging the APC governorship primary over alleged irregularities. Binani scored 430 votes to defeat her closest opponent, Ribadu who polled 288 votes in the election.

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WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND PUSH TOWARDS GENDER PARITY IN NIGERIA

BY AMINA AGBAJE

Women’s Rights Movement in Nigeria – A Step Closer to Gender Parity and Abolition of Gender Discrimination!

FIDA Nigeria, a vanguard in the quest for gender parity, joins millions of others to celebrate the commendable bold move of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who ended the denial of women inheritance that was prevalent among cultures in Rivers State, when he signed into law on Thursday, 15th September, 2022, the Rivers State Prohibition of the Curtailment of Women’s Right to Share in Family Property Law No. 2 of 2022.

The passage of this law by the Executive Governor of Rivers State is a clear testament to the tenacity and resoluteness of his administration to eradicate and prohibit the restrictions that abound in Rivers state which restrictions, abrogate or curtail the rights of women to share in family property, or make it a taboo for female children to inherit property.

This law is one which FIDA Nigeria has consistently advocated for its passage, all over the country being that it reinforces the truism that Women’s rights are indeed Human rights and as such, MUST be safeguarded and protected at all cost! The Importance of this law cannot be over-emphasized as it will enable women in Rivers state to effectively actualize their potentials, and allow them to inherit their entitlements while paving the way for discrimination to be challenged in court, riding on the back of the new Law.

Certainly, it is mind boggling and beyond reasonable contemplation that, in view of all the giant strides recorded by mankind in the 21st Century, women in parts of Nigeria are still being subjugated based solely on their gender, sometimes leading to outright denial of their rights which the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) has already guaranteed.

It is sequel to the foregoing that, FIDA Nigeria in continuation of its commitment towards protecting, promoting and preserving the rights of indigent women and children, makes this Clarion call on all State Governors to emulate the exceedingly commendable step taken by the Executive Governor of Rivers State and ensure the passage of this law and similar other laws in their states, particularly for States that are yet to pass into law the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act; and the Child’s Rights Act, amongst others.

The above call by FIDA Nigeria extends to all stakeholders in the movement towards the eradication of bias and discrimination rooted in gender inequality. Together we can push for greater actualization for gender parity across all spheres of society as we remain resolute in ensuring a society free from all forms of gender-based discrimination.

#Womenrightsarehumanrights. #genderparity. #togetherwecan #FIDANigeria

* Amina Suzanah Agbaje is FIDA Nigeria Country Vice President/CVP

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CHALLENGES OF TAX EXEMPTIONS AND DUTY WAIVERS

BY AKINTAYO BALOGUN

Tax Exemptions, Duty Waivers and Zero Awareness on Taxation; A Great Disservice/Fraud to the Nigerian Economy

It was reported on several news media on and around the 19th of September 2022 that the Federal Government of Nigeria had foregone a mind-boggling sum totaling N16.76tn in revenue to tax reliefs and concessions to large companies doing business in Nigeria between 2019 and 2021 according to an analysis by the PUNCH. The tax exemptions and duty waivers were given to 46 companies currently doing business in Nigeria. It was also reported that another 186 companies currently doing business in Nigeria have also applied for tax exemption reliefs and duty waivers. These reports were contained in the tax expenditure statement (TES) reports in the Medium-Term Expenditure and Fiscal Strategy documents posted on the website of the Budget Office of the Federation. According to the report, most of these tax incentives were administered via Company Income Tax (CIT), Value Added

Tax (VAT), Petroleum Production Tax (PPT), and Customs Duty
It was further reported that during this period covering from 2019 to 2021, tax exemptions included imported goods covered by diplomatic privileges, military hardware, fuels and lubricants, hospital and surgical equipment, aircraft (their parts and ancillary equipment), plant and machinery imported for use by companies in export processing zones, health and medical supplies to abate the spread of COVID, reliefs on the presidential initiative on COVID-19 supplies, Import Duty and VAT on commercial airlines.

The Economic Free Trade Zone in Nigeria also falls under this category of exemptions. It is a geographic area where goods may be landed, stored, handled, manufactured, or reconfigured and re-exported under specific customs regulations. Generally, such goods are not subject to customs duty. Free trade zones are usually organized around major seaports, international airports, and national frontiers—areas with many geographic advantages for trade. This License is granted by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the required authority to an export-oriented manufacturing enterprise of over 75% of its production. The concept of these free trade zones is to ensure that at least 75% of the products of these companies operating in the free trade zones are being exported so as to boost the country’s exportation drive and to improve the value of the Nigerian currency through these trading.

It must be noted that Nigeria operates a decentralized tax system where each level of government is independently responsible for the administration of a particular class of tax within its jurisdiction. Collection of taxes in Nigeria falls under the concurrent list which gives access to both State and Federal Governments on issues bordering on taxes. However, the government at all levels has prioritized the allocations coming from the national purse as its only or major source of income at the expense and detriment of internally generated funds. it is believed that if Nigeria has a viable working tax regime, the funds pooled together at all tiers of government is enough to fund Nigeria’s budget and allow government at all levels to operate fairly independently.

Objectives of granting tax waivers
Over the years, the essence of granting tax exemptions and waivers is to help grow local companies, stimulate economic growth, and earn investors’ confidence. It is also aimed at building and strengthening bilateral relationships between Nigeria and other countries where Nigerian companies are also doing business. In a way, it reciprocates the gesture Nigerian companies are receiving from those other companies.

As part of the procedure to encourage investments, the Nigerian Government introduced the Economic Free Trade Zone, which was established for companies to do business within a confined area in the free trade zone and to export their product upon compilation in a bid to strengthen the exportation mechanism of Nigeria and to improve the value of the Nigerian currency through trading.

The disservice of tax exemption reliefs and duty waivers to Nigeria
It was reported by an online news media, Investors King that about five countries accounted for about 86 percent of total customs relief, with China accounting for nearly two-thirds of total relief granted. Netherlands, Togo, Benin, and India were the other top sources of supplies benefitting from the reliefs. It is not surprising that China accounted for nearly two third of the total relief that was granted. Both Nigeria and China have trade relations which had increased by 157 percent to N1.49 trillion in the first half (H1) of 2022 according to reports.

However, the mention of Nigerian companies like Dangote, Lafarge and Honeywell as well as some hotels on the list of companies that are already on the exemption list drew a lot of irk from Nigerians. Why would big companies making good profit refuse or request not to pay anything to the government? Worst still, it is shocking to know that we have as many as 186 companies doing business in Nigeria and probably making a good profit, yet they have applied for tax exemption reliefs and duty waivers. In other words, they are here to make money and not give anything in return to Nigeria. Meanwhile, 46 companies in Nigeria are already enjoying this privilege.

What are these companies offering to Nigeria in exchange for these exemptions? How is the government or Nigerian people benefitting from these waivers? Is it the constant gridlock caused by trailers on the Lokoja-Okene-Obajana expressway or the various ports in Nigeria caused by the zero-tax-paying companies that the country has benefitted from? Is it the constant damage to our roads by the heavy duties machines on our roads? How much community services have we enjoyed from these companies to compensate for the exemption? For the country to waive as much as 16 Trillion Naira for just 46 companies in 3 years shows the volume of net profits these companies are generating in Nigeria. What is the percentage of these taxes on the net profit of these companies that they cannot afford to “close eyes” and pay to Nigeria? Is this package not a daylight robbery on Nigeria?

It was reported that South Africa earned $107billion in tax revenue in 2021. In contrast, Nigeria earned $15bn, behind smaller countries like Kenya and Angola which have better tax management systems. As of 2017, Nigeria was saddled with one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios in the world, at 6 percent of GDP. This is while other countries of the world make a fortune from a well-organized tax regime. While Nigeria is exempting big names from paying taxes, Elon Musk, one of the richest men in the world has not been exempted from paying taxes in his country. He tweeted vide his verified Twitter account on 20th December 2021 that he’ll be paying $11bn in tax for the year early in 2022. He does not enjoy any exemption. As a matter of fact, many developed countries of the world make a larger part of their fortune from taxes.

In the current rage for relocation to other countries of the world, particularly the United Kingdom and the Canada, one of the biggest surprises that will greet Nigerians is the payment of tax on virtually everything including parking space. Taxes in these developed countries are paid in such a way that the worker is left with almost nothing, especially where such a person is involved in menial jobs. It is not wrong to conclusively state that there is obviously a conspiracy between these big companies to have their names on the exemption list while the pocket of government officers responsible are well-greased so as to have them orchestrate these negotiations in favour of these companies at the expense of a collapsing Nigerian economy.

Many of these companies particularly foreign ones dare not make this obnoxious application in their home countries. It is Nigeria that has been tagged a “Use and bribe and dump” country that these kinds of applications for exemption can be heard and granted once the persons in places of authority have been settled.

The intention of allowing companies to operate without paying tax might be good but the execution is destroying Nigeria. How do you explain a country that allows another country to do business within its borders free of charge yet the country is broke and living on borrowed resources? The calculation is erroneous. Nigeria should stop being a father Christmas to companies doing extremely well in business and other countries of the world that are ten times more economically viable and comfortable than Nigeria. Is it China recorded as the fastest-growing economies in the world that should be enjoying tax exemption?

Zero knowledge of tax payment among Nigerians
Aside from the above-stated issues of tax exemption in Nigeria, there is also the huge challenge of companies and individuals deliberately (fraudulently) plummeting accrual taxes or completely canceling the payment of taxes, (with the connivance of officers of the FIRS and States IRS), false deductions, claiming personal expenses as business expenses, as well as the absence of the knowledge and workings of a tax system among a majority of the Nigerian working class. Nigeria is one of the countries in its class of development with the worst tax monitoring and engagement system. There are Nigerians who have worked and done business in Nigeria for over 50 years and have become millionaires and some billionaires, yet have little or no knowledge of taxation, not even to talk of paying the same. Taxes are majorly paid by workers in the public service and some highly organized private sectors which form less than 30% of the workforce in Nigeria. This is a great disservice to the country.

At the “Public Presentation and Breakdown of the Highlights of the 2022 Appropriation Bill” held in October 2021, the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami, revealed that only 41 million out of 200 Million Nigerian citizens pay taxes in the country. He added that despite the 41 Million taxpayers in the country, Nigeria still generated less than what other African countries earned from Personal Income Taxes (PIT) only. He further stated thus; …“If you also compare that with South Africa where they have a total population of about 60million people, with just 4 million taxpayers, the total personal income tax paid in South Africa last year was about N13trillion. You can now see that these things are not adding up…“So if we don’t pay these taxes, there is no way the government will be able to provide the social amenities required, the critical infrastructure required for the wellbeing of the country,”…

The Current Economic Downturn in Nigeria vis a vis the Tax Exemption policy
Nigeria is broke. Our funds are not meeting our needs. Just in July 2022, the Minister of Finance reported that the debt servicing in Nigeria as of that day now exceeds the total revenue of the country. In other words, Nigeria is operating at a loss. There has also been an astronomic rise in the prices of goods and services and a galactic fall in the value of the Nigerian currency. It was reported also that the external reserves have plummeted to $15Billion contrary to the $36 Billion alleged by CBN. Based on the economic quagmire that Nigeria has found itself in the last few years, you would have expected that the government would do everything within its power to improve its finances rather than ride around with its flying sleigh and reindeers.

Recommendation on taxation
1. Every Nigerian who earns a living should be compelled to pay their Personal Income Tax (PIT). The Federal Government through the FIRS and States IRS should consider a downward review of taxes, particularly Personal Income Tax to encourage the greater and voluntary participation of Nigerians.

2. Payment of taxes should be according to earnings. The lower your earnings, the lesser the percentage paid. The more your earnings, the higher the taxes paid.

3. The awareness of the various classes of payment of tax is at its shallowest. The government at all levels needs to create a larger level of sensitization and drive on these issues. The Nigerians who flaunt their wealth and affluence on social media should be called upon to show evidence of tax payment in the proportion of the wealth they display.

4. Tax clearance certificates should be made mandatory for political aspirants and the political class, as well as those coming in and out of the country. The duty of the FIRS and the States IRS in Nigeria is enormous, particularly in awareness creation. Standing up to this task will ease the burden of total dependence on one lean dwindling source of income.

5. Payment of annual returns with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), for companies doing business in Nigeria should be accompanied by evidence of payment of Company Income Tax (CIT) and other taxes as may be required for its specific business and not just the TIN as currently required.

6. The government should do a massive review of its tax exemption policy and investigate possible compromises in the grant of these exemptions. The exemptions should be reviewed such that every company must be liable to pay taxes.

7. There should also be a review of the companies operating in the free trade zones in Nigeria. The concept of these free trade zones is to ensure that at least 75% of the products of these companies operating in the free trade zones are being exported so as to boost the country’s exportation drive and to improve the value of the Nigerian currency through these trading. However, it has been observed that the products of these companies operating under the umbrella of the free trade zone have flooded the Nigerian market rather than being exported as contemplated in the free trade zone agreement. This marketing should be checked. If they wish to sell their products in the Nigerian market, then they should be subjected to payment of taxes.

8. There is an Appeal Tax Tribunal operational in Nigeria, whose existence is unknown to a majority of Nigerians and particularly legal practitioners. The Tax Appeal Tribunal seats in only 6 states of the federation. The government can make efforts to have these Tribunals established in every state of the federation and same must be self-sufficient as its duty is to raise funds for the government through taxes and not to put more financial burdens on the government.

9. When there is a visible improvement in the payment of taxes by Nigerians, the government should ensure the utilization of these funds for meaningful and visible projects that directly affect the taxpayers such as good roads, education, provision of social amenities, and the various projects that affects the everyday life of Nigerians.

Conclusion
The payment of tax in Nigeria is backed up by section 24(f) of the 1999 Constitution. It provides that:
“It shall be the duty of every citizen to- Declare his income honesty to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly.”

In Nigeria today, with the number of person trading either in small or large-scale businesses, as well as those in salaried employment particularly the private sector (who earned well above the minimum wage of N30,000.00) , which are largely unmonitored and considering the number of businesses registered and still being registered in Nigeria, it is safe to say that a well-organized and properly managed/documented tax regime covering every sector in Nigeria, can fund the entire Nigerian budget and still have leftovers. In my personal opinion, I am not in support of an outright tax exemption or waivers for any organization doing business in Nigeria notwithstanding the bilateral relationship with the country source of the companies or the ethnic or socio-political status of the CEOs/Chairmen of the companies. The taxable amount might be reviewed downwards but not an outright exemption.

If just 46 companies out of nearly 2 Million registered companies in Nigeria (aside from business names), can be responsible for a whopping 16 trillion Naira in the last 3 years, how much more all registered companies paying their required taxes and all working-class Nigerians paying their Personal Income Tax (PIT). The tax exemption so far in the last three years is enough to fund the entire budget of Nigeria in one year. If you add this to creating awareness and all Nigerians pay their taxes as when due, then Nigeria would on a better financial footing. Nigeria is broke and needs these funds to remain afloat. The policy of tax exemption, tax evasion, and near zero awareness of tax payment is a brutal robbery and disservice to the Nigerian economy.

* Akintayo Balogun, a lawyer and public affairs analyst, can be reached at akinson6@gmail.com.

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NEW LEGAL YEAR AND URGENT REFORMS FOR OYO STATE JUDICIARY

BY MUTALUBI OJO ADEBAYO

2022/2023 LEGAL YEAR SERVICE IN OYO STATE – MATTERS ARISING

The celebration of the new legal year in Oyo State calls for a sober reflection in respect of some areas which require immediate and urgent attention.

A special court session is usually held after the mosque and the church services in some jurisdictions to mark the new legal year. The special court sessions are always used to review the outgone year and also to set agenda for the new legal year.

In Ogun State, keynote speaker or guest speakers are also invited during new legal year service week to discuss topical issues of law.

The leadership of the Ibadan Bar should please seek audience with the Bench to bring on board those great innovations. Setting aside 2 days for such programmes is not too much as same would add great colour to our perennial merry making and funfare we are noted for during our new legal year services.

Also, the leadership of the Bar should insist that the established convention and tradition of introducing our newly appointed Judges to the Bar must be respected by the Judiciary. Till date, the set of Judges that were from My Lords, Hon. Justices Adeeyo and Lajide are yet to be so introduced to the Bar. Ditto for all other Judges that were appointed after them into the High Court and the Customary Court of Appeal. All these omission are , to say the least , not commendable at all.

Also, the issue of the amendments to the Oyo State High Court Civil Procedure Rules, 2010 has been unduly protracted when one considers that we have not made any amendment to our Rules of court since it was enacted in 2010.

The amendment is not a rocket science and one keeps on wondering why the amendment procedure has been going on ad infinitum.

Some states have amended their rules several times since it was enacted. We can copy and paste the salutary amendments from other jurisdictions.

The best thing would have been for our Chief Judge to introduce to us an amended rules at today’s legal year services.

Since the able Committee saddled with that responsibility is yet to complete its assignment, it won’t augur well for the Bar and the Bench if my Lord, the Chief Judge of Oyo State fails , refuses and or neglect to hold all stakeholders interactive session or workshop to have a robust discussion on the draft of the proposed amendment to the rules before same is assented to by My Lord, the Chief Judge.

Furthermore, my Lord the Chief Judge should not make the same mistake made by a former Chief Judge who sent the Rules to the legislature for enactment because the Rules is my Lord’s Rules and not laws for enactment by the parliament. It is only the amendments to the High Court Law of Oyo State that the parliament can so enact and not the rules of court.

Finally, I am aware that Oyo State Government in 2013 or thereabout awarded the contract for the holistic and comprehensive revision of the Laws of Oyo State to the law firm of Muheez Banire & Associates.

“The publication and presentation of the revised Laws of Oyo State is long overdue in that the last time a review (only on monetary , currency denominations and other sundry matters) was done was in the year 2000 ( about 22 years ago).”

All hands must therefore be on deck to bring this law revision to a close as well. All our neighbouring states have done such a comprehensive revision and review of their laws.

Oyo State Government should also set up an efficient and effective Law Reforms Committee or even a Commission under the office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the State.

Very worthy of commendation is the contract awarded by the Oyo State Government for the rehabilitation and renovation of the decaying facilities and infrastructure at the High Court of Justice premises at Ring Road, Ibadan and Iyaganku. This laudable project or contract would greatly enhance the administration of justice in our state.

However, since Government is a continuity, the state government would have saved the state and the judiciary enormous sum of money if the extent and scope of the jobs to be done in the contract as already captured and mapped out by the Consultants engaged by the state government in 2014, Messrs Remi Osiberu & Associates were factored into this new contract. The said Consultant had already prepared the drawings and bills of quantities of the comprehensive rehabilitation for the Ring Road and Iyaganku premises which would have left the new Contractor to do just a revision of the said Bill of Quantity . It is not too late for the state government to liaise with Messrs Remi Osiberu & Associates over this to reduce cost and also for quality control.

I must not conclude this piece without congratulating the Ibadan Bar , all other Bar Associations in Oyo State – Oyo, Ogbomoso and Saki, the judiciary of Oyo State and indeed the Governor and the Government of Oyo State over the historic appointment of our own Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON as the Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari.

My Lord, the newly minted Chief Justice is a worthy and proud Ambassador of Oyo State Bar, Oyo State judiciary and Oyo State Government.

It is my fervent prayer that the good Lord shall make the tenure of the new CJN a new dawn of glorious era , unprecedented positive growth and developments for the judiciary, the legal profession in Nigeria and the entire mankind.

May the good Lord also endow My Lord, the CJN with the needed knowledge, wisdom, the best of health and abiding grace of God to discharge creditably and justly the enormous responsibilities of that exalted office, Amen.

Happy New Legal Year 2022/2023.

Dated this 17th day of October, 2002

JCI Senator Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo,
Asiwaju of Ita-Ege & Idi-Aro,
Ward 5,
Ibadan South-East Local Government Area,
Oyo State,
Nigeria.

* MUTALUBI OJO ADEBAYO is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria-designate and former Oyo State Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice. He can be reached at debayoojo90@gmail.com

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IS A PRESIDENT, GOVERNOR PROTECTED IF HE BREACHES CONSTITUTION?

BY JIBRIN OKUTEPA

MUST GOVERNORS, DEPUTY GOVERNORS, PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT ENJOY IMMUNITY IF THEY BREACH NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION?

It is not in dispute that section 308 of the Nigerian constitution 1999 as amended granted immunity to those named therein. The section provides that:

“Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, but subject to subsection (2) of this section –
(a) no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against a person to whom this section applies during his period of office;
(b) a person to whom this section applies shall not be arrested or imprisoned during that period either in pursuance of the process of any court or otherwise; and
(c) no process of any court requiring or compelling the appearance of a person to whom this section applies, shall be applied for or issued:

Provided that in ascertaining whether any period of limitation has expired for the purposes of any proceedings against a person to whom this section applies, no account shall be taken of his period of office.
(2) The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party.
(3) This section applies to a person holding the office of President or Vice-President, Governor or Deputy Governor; and the reference in this section to “period of office” is a reference to the period during which the person holding such office is required to perform the functions of the office”.

This section is the section that has castrated law enforcement agencies and other persons with good cause from filing and prosecuting some governors accused of or suspected of having abused their offices. In making the provisions for immunity as in the above section, it was the intention of the draftsman of our constitution that those who were granted immunity will be nationalistic and patriotic enough to pay due fidelity and undiluted respect for the constitution and will themselves not be agents that will violate the constitution with impunity.

The question I ask is, MUST A GOVERNOR, DEPUTY GOVERNOR, PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT ENJOY IMMUNITY IF ANY OF THEM DELIBERATELY BREACHED NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION? It is submitted that they should not. I do not see the basis to accord immunity protection to any of the beneficiaries of immunity if any knowingly breaches, violates or undermines the constitution.

Writing on the issue a retired jurist of our Apex Court opined to me that: “The Governor in his Oath of Office, consistent with Chapter II of the Constitution, undertakes to fight and eschew corruption in all its ramifications.

The oath is in the Schedule to the Constitution. The Code of Conduct for Public Officers is part of the Constitution, like s. 308 of the Constitution which must be read purposefully and holistically.

Can the Governor, reneging on his oath and violently violating other provisions of the constitution, plead the protection of s.308 of the same constitution? He who comes to equity must come with clean hands. Governor cannot, while violating the constitution seek protection of the same constitution. St. Paul: “He who does not acknowledge the law can be adjudged without it”

The learned jurist queried, “What’s the extent of immunity offered by s.308 of the Constitution? Can a Governor e.g. of Benue State who commits a crime or civil wrong in Kogi or Nasarawa State, or even FCT, plead the immunity extra territorially? Each State in a Federation is sovereign and autonomous of the other and the Federal Government. When a Governor is charged under a federal enactment for a federal offence, does s.308 immunity avail him?

We need to interrogate these questions. While it is true that time does not run against the state in criminal prosecution and that by the same section 308 of the constitution limitation law is put in abeyance for civil proceedings, it cannot be seriously argued that during the period these people enjoy immunity, they can do all to cover up and cause vital evidence to be unavailable when they no longer enjoy immunity.

I think given the docile nature of our legislative houses and the fact that in most cases, our legislative Houses are just stooges of the executive arm of government, time has come to have a second look at the immunity clause in our constitution.

In Nigeria those who violate the laws always claim protection of the law. I do not see why a governor who is in fragrant violation of the constitution should be accorded constitutional protection of immunity. We seem to have insatiable appetite to accommodate wrongs in the guise of paying fidelity and obedience to this constitutional provision and then accord immunity to those who enjoyed immunity under section 308 of the Nigerian constitution even in the face of their gross violation of the same constitution.

We need to interrogate the culture of legal practice in Nigeria. We seem to pursuing abstract justice at the expense of justice that serves the interests of the society and humanity. Why should we advocate and argue in favour of immunity for those who have no regards for our constitution in the manner they loot our treasuries dry?

Instead of using law and practice law that enhances and promote social engineering, we seem to encourage utopian theories of law and then undermine societal equilibrium in aiding and abetting those who ought to be in jail.

  • Mr. Jibrin Okutepa is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

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BANIRE JOINS ‘SOLAR FOR ALL’ LEAGUE

Dr. Muiz Banire SAN has joined the elite list of beneficiaries of the “Solar For All” project, a partnership with NBA Abuja, NBA Lagos, BOSAN Abuja, Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja, NBA Kano, NBA Gwagwalada, Medical Doctors at FMC Cooperative, FCT Pharmacies, and UNILAG College of Medicine Alumni among others.

To get an efficient Solar/Inverter system for 24 hours electricity supply and save at least half of your current power cost while you “Pay Small Small” for up to Six Months, call Bricks and Castles Energy-Tech Ltd on 08050489622; WhatsApp 08060266163.

Visit: (Abuja) Suite A8, Kenuj O2 Mall (Behind Games Village).
(Lagos) No 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.

With the worsening Power situation in the country and a skyrocketing cost of diesel, Bricks and Castles Energy-Tech Ltd was at the descent Abuja Office of the distinguished Learned Silk, Dr. Muiz Banire SAN where it installed a Giant Solar System that powers all the essentials in the office, ensures 24-hour power supply and a reduced power cost of at least 50%.

Other beneficiaries from whom the efficiency of delivery can be verified include: Ebun Olu Adegboruwa SAN, Mrs. Stella Ofokansi Esq, High Chief Emeka J-P Obegolu SAN, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN; Chief J-K Gadzama SAN; Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; Prince Adetosoye Adebiyi Esq; Mr. Paul Daudu Esq of J.B Daudu SAN & Co; Mr. Benedict Daudu Esq; Chief Peter Ilegogie Esq; Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, Aare Isiaka Olagunju SAN, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN of SPA Ajibade SAN & Co; FIDA Nigeria (FIDA House Abuja); Prince Adetokumbo Kayode SAN; Mrs. Amina Agbaje Esq (FIDA Nigeria CVP); Dr. Mrs Ayorinde of Ayorinde SAN & Co; Mrs. Mariam Agbaboka; Barr. Mrs Rachel Ebun Akerele; Mr. Anthony Malik SAN; Chief Tawo E. Tawo SAN; Chief Kemi Pinheiro SAN; Mr. I. M. Dikko SAN of Liman, Liman SAN & Co; Hon. Justice Emeka Nriezedi of the Anambra State Judiciary; Dr. Hassan Liman SAN; Chief J. U. K. Igwe SAN; Mr. Chike Ekeocha, Esq. of Alex Izinyon SAN & Co/SUEX Nig. Ltd; Mummy Sylvia Okoregbe Esq; John Ochogwu, Esq; Hon. Rodrich Ugwu Esq; Prof. Godson Ogbonna of Abia State University, Uturu; Sir Austin Mwana Esq; Mr. Thony Lyiod Onyemaizu Esq; Dr. Agada Elachi Esq; Mr. Zach Akubo of S. I. Ameh SAN & Co; Mr. Ime Edem-nse Esq; Mr. Edafe Mrakpor Esq; Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ebedebiri Cottage Hospital, Sagbama LGA, Bayelsa State; Federal College of Education, Warri; Nigerian Agricultural Seeds Council; Institute Of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC); Chief R. N. Okeke and Sons Ltd, Wukari, Taraba State; Alhaji Abdulrahman Adamu of the Trademoore Estate, among many others.

Some of the benefits of Solar/Inverters include:
*Solar is cheaper at long-run!

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

* Your current Power cost will drop by at least 50% after we install.

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Solar panels.

* In case of any issue with the Inverter Machine, another Inverter is deployed before we take the one that needs attention for troubleshooting/repairs.

“To get an efficient Solar/Inverter system for 24hours Light, while you “Pay Small Small” for up to Six Months; Call Bricks and Castles Energy-Tech Ltd: 08050489622, 08060266163

Visit: (Abuja) Suit A8 Kenuj O2 Mall Kaura District Abuja (Behind Games Village).

(Lagos) No 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi.

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BUHARI, BOSAN, CARDINAL HAIL NGIGE ON NATIONAL HONOUR

President Muhammadu Buhari has given reasons why he conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) on respected Bar Leader and Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN, OFR).

In an “Instrument of Conferment of National Honour” sighted by CITY LAWYER, Buhari stated that the honour was bestowed on the leading litigator “in recognition of your outstanding virtues and in appreciation of your services to our country, Nigeria.”

The honour coincides with the 20 years anniversary of Ngige’s conferment with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Meanwhile, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) and Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpareke are among several bodies and individuals who have commended Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN, OFR) on the award of national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Congratulating Ngige among other members who received national honours, BOSAN wrote: “The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) felicitates its eminent members on being conferred with the National Honour by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.”

On his part, Cardinal Okpareke, who is the Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese of the Catholic Church, stated that “This is a recognition, at the national level, of your contribution to humanity and to Nigeria in a special way.”

Okpareke, who was recently ordained a Cardinal by Pope Francis, stated that “You have contributed to the development of jurisprudence in Nigeria both in your professional career as a lawyer and in your administration of the Council of Legal Education,” adding that “Our prayer is that God who has sustained you and given success to your labors (Ps 90(89):17) will continue to bless you and inspire many more people to take after your example of service to humanity.”

Meanwhile, a group called “Friends of Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN” and comprising about 200 signatories 145 of whom are Senior Advocates of Nigeria, also felicitated with Ngige on the award. The group also donated sundry medical equipment worth millions of naira to support Ngige’s pet project targeted at revamping the moribund infrastructure at the Nigerian Law School.

Others who also commended Ngige on the award include the Council of Legal Education (CLE); Class of 1985 of the Nigerian Law School which is chaired by Ngige; Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC); Otu Oka Iwu (Law Society); Dominican University, Ibadan; former Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Fatai Owoseni; Mr. Samuel Zibiri, SAN; Mr. Rotimi Oguneso, SAN and Alor Dinma Initiative (ADI), to name a few.

More encomiums were poured on the respected Bar Leader and member of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) at a post-investiture reception which held at Gwarinpa, Abuja. The event was attended by many dignitaries especially judges of the Federal High Court, members and top management of the Council of Legal Education/Nigerian Law School, as well as senior lawyers and government officials.

Among those who attended the reception were former Transport Minister, Chief Chibuike Amaechi; the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu; Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity) to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Garba Shehu; Director-General of Nigerian Law School, Dr. Isa Hayatu Chiroma SAN; Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN; Chief (Mrs.) Victoria Awomolo, SAN; Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Mr. Emeka Obegola SAN; former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Mr. Chijioke Okoli SAN and his successor-in-office, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom SAN.

Others are HRM Igwe Ebubechukwuzo Collins Chukwumesili, the traditional ruler of Alor; Prof. Samuel Alege, Chairman of Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University; Mr. Chinedu Akubueze, Clerk of the Senate; Mr. Ahmed Al-mustapha, former Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), as well as members of the 1985 Nigerian Law School set and 1984 University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC) Law Class.

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LITIGATION LAWYER WANTED URGENTLY IN LAGOS LAW FIRM

A reputable law firm based in Surulere, Lagos requires urgently the services of legal practitioners with minimum 5 years post-call experience.

The ideal candidate must possess litigation experience and should be able to work without supervision.

The salary is competitive and in accordance with industry standards.

Interested candidates should email legaljobs77@gmail.com.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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INFRASTRUCTURE DISPUTE MANAGEMENT CONFAB HOLDS IN ACCRA OCT. 31

A two-day dispute management conference themed “Dispute management in Africa infrastructure projects” will hold at The Lancaster, Accra, Ghana on October 31 and November 1, 2022.

Tagged “DiMAP 2022,” the conference is organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC) and The Ghana Arbitration Centre in collaboration with Aluko & Oyebode; Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah among others. It is supported by African Arbitration Association (AAA) and The School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

The hybrid conference will witness an Opening Ceremony and Keynote Address, Plenary sessions, Breakout sessions, and Reception and Dinner among others.

Among the topics to be dissected at the first plenary session are “Identifying and Managing Risks: the Ideal Management Strategy/Plan,” “Nipping Disputes in the Bud: Strategies for Reducing the Risk of Disputes in Construction Projects,” and “Contractual Dispute Resolution Mechanisms.” The second plenary session will dwell on “Africa’s Infrastructure Gap, the Impact of Disputes and What African States Must Do.”

Dispute Management in Africa Infrastructure Projects (DiMAP) is an annual practical training workshop for persons involved in managing risks, claims and disputes involving infrastructure and construction projects in Africa. DiMAP is a programme of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC) and has often been arranged in collaboration with African representatives of the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC). The trainings focus on oil and gas, power and renewable energies and public infrastructure projects.

Click here to view the programme.

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OZEKHOME: THE ‘COMMANDER’ AS FIERY RIGHTS ADVOCATE

BY IGE ASEMUDARA 

When Vladmir Lenin first employed the phrase “Commanding Heights,” it was to describe the control of perceived key segments of a national economy as further espoused by Daniel Yergin and Joseph Stanislaw when they first published their book, “The Commanding Heights: The Battle Between Government and the Marketplace That Is Remaking the Modern World” in 1998. However, today I am employing the phrase in its metaphoric signification to access and situate the life, works, struggles and agitation of the Iviukwe-born Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome SAN who was just conferred with the national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger. The phrase is quite suitable especially in view of the original ideological history of Chief Ozekhome as a Leninist who has also struggled to rescue the commanding heights of the Nigerian economy from the forces that have held it back. Yes, on the 15th of October, 2022, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN will be Sixty-Five years of age; hale and hearty 65!

I first began to read and hear about Chief Mike Ozekhome about the year 1997 when I worked under my first employer and political tutor, Mr. Akin Ayebiwo, a school principal who in those days made it a point of duty to buy dailies daily. He would read them, give them to me and we would discuss the top political stories even late into the night whenever he was free. It was a time the struggle to unseat the military leaders and confine them to the barracks was climaxing under General Sani Abacha. I found the various protests; civil disobedience and litigations challenging the status quo intriguing. I also found a set of Nigerians featuring consistently in the fight very inspiring. I always looked forward to a day I would join them at the barricades on the street of Lagos. Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN, Olisa Agbakoba SAN (CLO), Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN (CLO/UDD), Mr. Femi Falana SAN (CDHR), Beko Ransome-Kuti (CDHR) and few others were always at the forefront. Back in Okitipupa, my boss would tell me of their glowing days at the University of Ife and how Ife shaped the life of most of the names in the forefront of the struggle and why the military must go. I took interest in all of them and their struggles to the extent that when in 1998 I took the JAMB form, I had no hesitation in filing Obafemi Awolowo University as my University of first and second choice. I also chose law as my first and second choice. For me, only a knowledge of law could empower me like these worthy and strong Nigerians and only the Obafemi Awolowo University could offer me the right spirit; and fire the ember of struggle in me. I had no second choice, my mind was made up. I got what I wanted.

I passed that University Matriculation Examination; I got admission into OAU on merit. The week of my resumption, I joined the CLO and the CDHR which I also later coordinated briefly on campus and remained a member till I graduated. When we were in the third year, I had the privilege of meeting Chief Mike Ozekhome in his chambers on Ogunlana Drive in Surulere, Lagos alongside few other law students. I got more interested in him because he was as brilliant as he was exciting and never letting any opportunity to be humorous and banterous slip away.

Chief Ozekhome is a repository of history, philosophy, politics, literature, economics and very sound knowledge of the law. His knowledge is not accidental. He was first admitted into the Department of English Language of the Faculty of Arts, University of Ife in 1977. He sought to cross to the Faculty of Law but was not allowed unless he could muster a benchmark performance, Ozekhome had an easy cross as he topped his class in the English Language Department. He graduated among the best at the faculty of law in 1980. He returned to obtain a Master’s degree of that university in 1983. As of today, Chief holds a Doctor of Law degree of the Alliance International University, Lusaka, Zambia with specialty in Constitutional Law. On the 20th of October, 2022, he will deliver the 10th Convocation Lecture of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) and the following day, he will be conferred with the Doctor of Laws degree (Honoris Causa). That will be the twelfth of such honourary doctorates he has received from different institutions which include International Biographical Centre, (IBC), Cambridge, England, American Heritage University, San Bernardino, California, USA, Edo State University, Uzairue, Edo State among others. He has received well over four hundred honours and awards locally and internationally including the UN Ambassador (Eminent Peace), honourary citizen and recipient of the keys to the cities of Atlanta Georgia, USA (2002) and Dallas, Texas, USA (2002).

Trained by the inimitable Chief Gani Fawehinmi SAN, SAM, GCON, Chief Ozekhome is a workaholic, a walking law library, an orator and a very creative law practitioner. In 2010, he was, alongside eighteen others, conferred with the prestigious rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Chief is driven, in his practice of law, by a need to subject everyone to the rule of law and afford everyone fair hearing whether high or low and this reflects in his cases and the varied statuses of his clients. To the poor, he appears as a poor, to the rich he appears rich and to those in captivity, he wears his shackles as bands. Although Chief Ozekhome can no longer, in my humble view, be strictly described as a Leninist or leftist as his ideology is more or less that of a very radical centrist, he is however a very passionate human rights activist who believes in equality and social justice and does everything within his capacity to engender a just society.

As a lawyer, I have had the privilege of closely working with Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN in not less than ten cases at the Federal High Court and at the Appellate Courts. I first worked directly with him in FRN V. Dudafa & others where we acted for different co-defendants together with the equally experienced Gboyega Oyewole SAN, a former Attorney-General of Ekiti State. We all also worked together in a number of cases including the case of Patience Jonathan v. EFCC where we also acted for different parties but as a team. Chief Ifedayo Adedipe SAN would also bring his leadership to bear in those cases just as our beloved but now deceased Glanville Abibo SAN brought knowledge, glamour and candour. Chief Ozekhome brought knowledge, strength and audacity to the team.

Chief Mike Ozekhome has through various cases and court verdicts written his name in gold. The law reports are awash of his Midas touch on law and legal works. He seems to be a reincarnate of King Midas in Greek mythology, his latest breakthrough being the victory recorded in the Nnamdi Kanu’s case at the Court of Appeal. Chief dazzles and dazes his opponents with law and some courtroom theatrics. You need to see him at some of his finest moments when he addresses the court. Telling can never equal seeing. Hey! He has a memory as green as spirogyra! It is a unique gift from God deliberately watered by Chief himself through avid reading and prolific writing.

In recognition of his works as an activist, he was in 2014 conferred with a national honour; Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. On 12th October, 2022, President Muhammadu Buhari who he has always publicly criticized awarded him a higher national honour than he previously had. He was awarded the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) as if the president just admitted that Ozekhome has always been right in his critique of his regime.

Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN remains in the vanguard of the struggle to free the Nigerian people from the shackles of oppression, poverty and economic suffocation and to hand over the commanding heights of the economy to the Nigerian people; the wretched of the earth. In doing this, he employs very strategic and dialectical approach to solve both legal and political problems. Just a few days ago, Chief Ozekhome followed the ideological prescription of Paulo Freire in recommending the dialogue option to President Muhammadu Buhari to resolve the IPOB’s Biafra secessionist impasse. Whilst that letter was pending on the President’s table and he had not taken action, the Court of Appeal discharged Nnamdi Kanu and struck out the charges against him. Freire had written in his Pedagogy of the Oppressed that “Leaders, who do not act dialogically but insist on imposing their decisions, do not organize the people – they manipulate them. They do not liberate, nor are they liberated. They oppress”. General Muhammadu Buhari may be adamant but he surely has learnt his lessons.

At 65, Chief Ozekhome SAN still fires on all cylinders, he soars like an eagle! He has done well in the classroom, in the courtroom and in the “other room”. Although he has every right to borrow the immortal words of the Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare through the character of Gratiano in his 1597 dramatic work, Merchant of Venice to gladly say “with mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come”, the Akpakpavighivighi of Edoland has rather chosen to typify the words of American writer Mark Twain that “age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” Little wonder no wrinkle has come at 65, it is youthfulness all round as the Commander still has many rivers to cross and so many fleets to command. At the commanding heights, Chief Mike Ozekhome still soars! Bravo!

Ige Asemudara is a lawyer and the Convener of Mission Against Injustice in Nigeria (MAIN).

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BUHARI DECORATES NGIGE, CLE CHAIR, WITH NATIONAL HONOUR

President Muhammadu Buhari has conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) on the Chairman of Council of Legal Education (CLE), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN).

Ngige, a foremost Bar Leader, was among the honorees who were bestowed with national honours yesterday by President Buhari at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

In a letter dated 19th September, 2022, the Minister of Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume informed Ngige that “I have the honour to formally inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the conferment of the National Honours on you, in the rank of OFR (Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic).”

Ngige is reputed to have had a stellar professional career which remains a benchmark for many lawyers. He was among the pioneer prosecutors engaged by the Federal Government to prosecute matters at the Failed Banks Tribunal (FBT) established in 1994. The Tribunals were set up to curb rising cases of malfeasance and corrupt practices in the banking industry. He secured convictions against many of the accused persons that he prosecuted.

He was also in the team of lawyers engaged by the Federal Government to defend various cases challenging the recovery of the ‘Abacha loot’ at various courts in Nigeria. The legal team was able to secure reversal of various orders and judgments obtained by the claimants which had impeded the recovery of the loot overseas.

For his contributions to the development of Nigeria’s jurisprudence, Ngige was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) in August 2002.

He was in 2019 appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the Chairman of Council of Legal Education (CLE), a body charged with the responsibility of regulating legal education in Nigeria and overseeing the management of the elite Nigerian Law School. His tenure has witnessed significant changes in the infrastructural development of the school in all the six campuses across the country, and relying mainly on support and funding from the private sector, State Governments, MDAs and the alumni classes in line with recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye Committee. His tenure has also witnessed the construction by the Rivers State Government of the state-of-the-art Port Harcourt Campus of the Nigerian Law School, acclaimed as the best centre for legal education in Africa.

Ngige is a member of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC), a body charged with the responsibility of bestowing the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on aspirants who have achieved distinction in the legal profession. He is also a member of the Body of Benchers, a body of legal practitioners with the highest distinction. Until May this year, Ngige was a Non-Executive Director at Air Peace Limited, one of Africa’s leading airlines.

Ngige has held many positions in the Nigerian Bar Association and Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), including being a representative of NBA at the Body of Benchers (BoB). He was elected Publicity Secretary (1995-1996) and Secretary (1996-1998) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch. From1991 to 2016, he served as a co-opted member of the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC). He was in 1990 appointed a Notary Public by then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Bello. He holds the chieftaincy title of Ikemba N’Alor.

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INT’L MEDIATION CAMPUS HOLDS 2-IN-1 COURSE NOV. 22

The International Mediation Campus, Germany will on November 22, 2022 commence a twice-a-week training leading to certification as an International Mediation Campus certified and International Mediation Institute (IMI) qualified mediator. The virtual training will hold on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 6 weeks.

Course participants will be trained by world-class faculty from different jurisdictions, and will obtain two certificates which are recognized anywhere in the world.

The course outline includes ADR Methods, Conflict analysis, Mediation skills, Emotional intelligence, Negotiation skills, Drafting settlement terms, intensive practical role-plays and assessment.

International Mediation Campus is a Europe-based leading global institute for international certified mediation, ADR, negotiation and conflict management skills training. Its 40 hours live online sessions cover different areas of mediation, negotiation and ADR, and is certified by the International Mediation Institute (IMI) and the International School of Management (ISM).

A 25% Early Bird discount is available for participants who register before October 14, 2022. To register, click on https://bit.ly/imcampus22. For enquiries, call 08056279400.

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BREAKING: LEGAL SCHOLAR, OKONKWO SAN IS DEAD

A legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor Cyprian Okechukwu Okonkwo is dead. He was aged 87 years.

Confirming the passing of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Law teacher, his colleague, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo (SAN-designate) told CITY LAWYER that Okonkwo died yesterday.

In a trending post signed by Ezeilo, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, she wrote: “AN ICON OF LAW PRACTICE IN NIGERIA HAS GONE TO MEET HIS CREATOR! I have just been informed by the family, of the passing of the great sage – and a doyen of legal education in Nigeria,- Emeritus Professor Cyprian Okechukwu Okonkwo, SAN! He died yesterday, 8th October 2022. Prof. Okonkwo was an extraordinary teacher and mentor. He was very cerebral and brilliant and can deconstruct any complex legal problem and effectively impart it to his students. We count ourselves lucky to have been tutored by him. We will surely miss him. He impacted his world and it pleases God to call him home at this time. May his soul find perfect peace in the bossom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Burial details are yet to be announced by the family.

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AKPATA CLOCKS 50, WEDS HEARTTHROB IN FAR-AWAY MAURITIUS (EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS)

The immediate past Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata is 50 years today. This is coming exactly five days after the senior corporate lawyer wed his heartthrob, Osayamon Michelle May Ogbebor at a lavish and exclusive nuptial on the beautiful island of Belle Mare in Mauritius.

The wedding was held at the Trou D’Eau Douce Catholic Church while the A-List guests were feted at the luxurious Longbeach Resort.

Akpata was born on 7 October, 1972. He had his early education in Warri, Delta State and thereafter attended King’s College, Lagos from where he proceeded to study Law at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). He graduated from UNIBEN in 1992, and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar on 15 December, 1993.

After his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kano State, he joined the law firm of Dr. Mudiaga Odje & Co. in Warri, Delta State where cut his teeth in legal practice under the tutelage of the late sage, Dr. Mudiaga Odje, SAN, OFR, who he describes as “the most seasoned litigator of his time.”

In 1996, he relocated to Lagos and teamed up with his cousin, Oghogho Akpata, who had in 1995 set up the law firm, TEMPLARS, after honing his skills in the firm of F. O. Akinrele & Co. under the leadership of the legendary Chief Frank Odunayo Akinrele, SAN.

In his words, “From 1996 to date (2020), I have worked with Oghogho, and our colleagues at Templars, in building and sustaining a world class, multi-sectoral and full-service law firm which is now in the 25th year of its existence and consists of over 100 fee-earners, including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria.”

Prior to ascending the coveted NBA Presidency, Akpata was the Senior Partner and Head of Corporate & Commercial Practice Group of TEMPLARS. The Group comprises Mergers & Acquisitions; Capital Markets; Corporate Law; Labour & Employment; Immigration; Telecommunications, Media, Entertainment and Technology; and Regulatory Compliance.

As a measure of his expansive scope, he notes that “in my over two decades at Templars, I have practised across the diverse areas in which we operate, and I have been privileged to lead or participate in some of the major groundbreaking transactions that have shaped commercial law practice in Nigeria and indeed the Nigerian economy.”

Reputed as a consummate Bar-man, Akpata began participating in NBA activities as a member of the NBA Warri Branch upon joining the law firm of Dr. Mudiaga Odje & Co. Upon relocating to Lagos in 1996, he joined NBA Lagos Branch.

He was a foundation member of the NBA Section on Business Law, and worked closely with the pioneer Chairman of the Section, Mr. George Etomi, and his team to operationalise the Section after its inauguration in December 2004 by then NBA President, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN.

His words: “I was also a member of the Planning Committee which organised the very first NBA-SBL Conference that was held in Abuja in March 2006 and which proved to be a transformational conference that set the NBA-SBL on its current trajectory.

In his 2020 NBA Manifesto, he stated that “My active participation in the NBA-SBL led to my election, in January 2012, as Secretary of the NBA-SBL Council. I was subsequently elected as Vice-Chairman in August 2014 and then as Chairman in August 2016, after which I handed over to the current Chairman, Seni Adio, SAN, in August 2018 albeit I remain a member of the Council. My two-year tenure as Chairman of the NBA-SBL was eventful and impactful.”

Akpata sits in non-executive capacity on the Boards of a number of private companies, some of which he chairs. He is a member of several think-tanks, including the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the United Nations Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (UN-NHF), of which he was a pioneer member.

Increasingly popular for his trademark dance steps, Akpata describes himself as “a gregarious person and when I am not advising on a transaction or attending a client meeting, I love to be in the company of my friends and family or attending social events. I also love travelling and reading the biographies of distinguished personalities. I am a devout Christian and a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.”

His tenure as NBA President was reckoned as one of the most proactive in tackling human rights and rule of law issues that confronted the Nigerian Bar as well as in pushing the frontiers of welfarism at the Bar.

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‘WOMEN IN THE PROFESSION’ FOR LAUNCH TOMORROW

The Nigerian Chapter of “Women in the Profession” (WIP) will be officially unveiled tomorrow in Lagos.

WIP Nigeria aims to serve as a learning and leadership resource centre for the development of the Nigerian female lawyer.

According to information made available to CITY LAWYER, the launch will witness a lecture with Felicia Djibo, Consulting Partner at Delloite as Keynote Speaker.

Panelists include Kofo Dosekun, Chairman, Aluko and Oyebode; Michelle Thompson, CEO Resistant Vision Coaching and Consulting, and Derin Adefulu, Executive Head of Governance at Old Mutual Nigeria. The session will be moderated by Dolapo Kukoyi, Managing Partner at Detail Commercial Solicitors.

The virtual launch will hold at 11 am. To participate, register at bit.ly/WIPNigeriaLaunch.

The launch is sponsored by Detail Commercial Solicitors, Acuity Partners, Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, Fiduciary Services Limited and Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice.

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EXCLUSIVE: ‘WHY NEW NBA BRANCHES HAVEN’T TAKEN OFF,’ BY AKPATA

Immediate past Nigerian Bar Assocaition (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata has declared that the three new branches created by the NBA National Executive Council last June could not take off due to technical issues.

Akpata told CITY LAWYER in an exclusive interview that the branches were approved “in-principle” by NBA-NEC and subject to the creation of judicial divisions in the domains by the Judiciary.

He stated that the new branches could not take off until incumbent NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN issues a directive to that effect.

According to the erstwhile NBA helmsman, “NEC approved the new branches subject to the creation of judicial divisions in those areas. The Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has delivered on his commitment in that regard. We are now waiting for the Chief Judge of Lagos State to fulfill his commitment, too.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that former NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN had on September 9, 2018 launched the Nyanya Judicial Division of the court, paving way for the take-off of the NBA Nyanya/Karu Branch. However, the new “branch” or Nyanya/karu Lawyers Forum has been embroiled in a leadership tussle between two factions.

Five members of the forum had dragged its factional Chairman, Mr. Austine Ibolo to Chief Magistrate Court Karu following a Direct Criminal Complaint application, accusing him of criminal Misappropriation contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code. The application was signed by Mr. Festus Osimhen and brought pursuant to Section 110(1)C, 88(1) and 89(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. It was unclear whether Ibolo was eventually arraigned following the complaint.

The members had also accused Ibolo of being a ‘sit-tight leader, adding that while he was elected as Chairman of the forum for 2019-2021 election cycle, he has refused to leave office, claiming that the tenure of NBA chairmen ends in September.

CITY LAWYER gathered that the fierce fire-fight between the factions may have discouraged Akpata from issuing the all-important letter to convoke the new branch.

It was also gathered that it was on the strength of the firm commitments by the respective chief judges to create the relevant judicial divisions that Akpata canvassed establishment of the new branches by NBA-NEC.

The Chief Judge of the High Court of FCT has now created the Garki Judicial Division of the court which is to be unveiled on October 6, 2022, paving the way for the take-off of NBA Garki Branch.

All eyes are now on the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba to also fulfill his commitment to create the Yaba/Surulere Judicial Division to enable take-off of the new NBA Surulere Branch. This will set the stage for NBA President to issue a directive for the inauguration of the branches.

It is recalled that the National Executive Council had during its quarterly meeting in Ilorin approved a split of the erstwhile NBA Abuja Branch or Unity Bar into two as well as the creation of a new branch in Surulere. While Abuja Branch was retained, two additional branches were created. Aside from Abuja, Bwari and Gwagwalada branches, the new ‘branches’ are Nyanya/Karu Branch and Garki Branch.

Speaking on the rationale for the creation of the branches, Akpata had said: “Two more branches were created in addition to Abuja, Bwari and Gwagwalada. The main faction of the old Abuja Branch was retained, as Abuja Branch. The second faction is now Garki, and a third was created to give an NBA forum in Nyanya the status of a Branch.”

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‘SAN RANK HAS BEEN DEVALUED, UNDERMINED,’ SAYS OKUTEPA

Against the backdrop of the raging debate over the quality of lawyers being conferred with the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), senior lawyer, MR. JIBRIN OKUTEPA SAN insists, in a post he made on CITY LAWYER platform, that “the (SAN) Rank is being devalued and its dignity undermined.”

There have been many reactions to the issues raised by my learned friend of the Inner Bar Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN and my support for his stand of a need to review the award of the Rank of SAN to our learned colleagues in the academics.

Many in the academics and some of legal practitioners see the arguments as needless and have held the views that myself and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN and others are generating needless controversies. Unfortunately, we are being misunderstood.

But is Adegboruwa SAN and myself wrong in the concerns we raised. I do not think so. Let us go to the place where we borrowed the concept of this Rank from. It is from UK. It is called QC there and now KC. Are academics and lawyers not in practice as Advocates awarded the Rank in Uk.

Yes. What name does UK call them. Let us see the 2022 UK Guidelines on this issue. In the Gazette, the Official Publication of UK in 2022 which you can Google and see, the following are decernable.

Those who are not Advocates in courts are awarded the Queen’s Counsel Honoris Causa. Let me quote the Gazette in extensio.

It reads: “Nominations open for the Queen’s Counsel Honoris Causa
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is inviting nominations for the Queen’s Counsel Honoris Causa award. The honorary award recognises those in the legal profession who have made a major contribution to the law of England and Wales outside the courtroom. Queen’s Counsel Honoris Causa Award”

“What is the Queen’s Counsel Honoris Causa? The Queen’s Counsel Honoris Causa (QC Honoris Causa) is an honorary award unique to the legal profession. Made by royal prerogative, the award recognises those in the profession who have made a major contribution to, and impact on, the law of England and Wales outside the courtroom. The award is not a working rank and is separate to substantive QC appointments administered by Queen’s Counsel Appointments.

Where someone is eligible to apply for substantive QC in their role, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) would not normally consider them for an Honorary QC award.

What is the QC Honoris Causa for? The QC Honoris Causa is awarded to those in the legal profession who have had a significant, positive impact outside the courtroom either on the shape of the law of England and Wales, or on the profession. According to the MOJ, this criterion can be interpreted broadly, either as: a major contribution to the development of the law of England and Wales – for example, by dedicated research, influencing case law/legislation and promoting initiatives to how it is advanced – for example, by positively impacting the shape of the profession. Examples Influencing legislation Making an impact on the law by influencing legislation or case law – for example, through outcome of research, creating awareness or campaigning, pro bono work or other advocacy outside the courtroom.

Social mobility and Diversity

Making a considerable impact on the legal profession – for example, through initiatives that have an impact on social mobility or diversity and increase the competitiveness of the sector.

Innovation: Making an impact through a standout achievement or through innovation – for example, by breaking through into new territory, such as making an impact through work on Lawtech, innovation in legal education, or that promote UK legal services overseas.

Academic work: Making an impact through outstanding academic work that makes a positive contribution to the law and/or legal system. You can see examples of previous successful nominees by viewing their case studies.

Who is eligible for the QC Honoris Causa award? To be eligible for the award, the individual must be a qualified lawyer or legal academic and the nomination must be for achievement outside practice in the courts. In other words, an award would be made for non-advocacy work. The award is open to foreign qualified professionals. There is no residency requirement. Examples of those eligible may include (but are not limited to): solicitors without higher rights of audience. legal executives in-house lawyers, including Counsel
non-practising lawyers, legal academics

Holding a fee-paid judicial office in addition to normal practice would not exclude lawyers who meet the eligibility criteria above. However, it should be noted that someone who has been honoured in the main honours system within the last two years, or who has been nominated for such an honour this year, would not be eligible to receive an Honorary QC award.

How are awards made? Nominations are considered against the criterion by a panel of representatives from the legal profession, civil service, judiciary, and academia, which is chaired by MOJ.

The panel of representatives provide the Lord Chancellor with recommendations of appointable nominees. The Lord Chancellor, whose role is to ensure that the process has been carried out in a fair, open and transparent way, will then consider and decide the final recommendations.

The recommendations are then referred to the Queen for agreement, who grants the awards under the royal prerogative.

How to nominate someone for the QC Honoris Causa award. Anyone can make a nomination. You do not need to have a legal background or reside in the UK and you may nominate as many people as you like”.

Find out more about the Honorary Queen’s Counsel Nomination Form (GOV.UK). Publication date: 29 June 2022.

The arguments or suggestions by myself and my learned friend of the Inner Bar, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN and others are not intended to undermine, denigrate, rubbish, abuse or belittle those Nigerian academics who had been awarded the Rank of SAN.

But we as well meaning legal practitioners are interrogating the appropriateness of awarding the Rank of SAN to law teachers who strictly speaking are not Advocates in the Court rooms.

My concern and others is that the present mode of giving the award to academics in some cases, is in not line with the provisions of the Guidelines for giving the award.

The Guidelines only empowers Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee ((LPPC) to confer the rank on academics in exceptional cases on academics who have made “substantial contributions to the practice of Law, through teaching, research and publications that have become major source of reference by Legal Practitioners’, Judges, Law Teachers and Law Students”.

Not only are most of the academics on whom the rank is conferred largely unknown, their publications are neither not well known nor have become major source of reference by Legal Practitioners’, Judges, Law Teachers and Law Students.

In violation of the provisions of the Guidelines, academics are appointed based on Point system. The points are given based on the quantity of publications submitted by the Applicant rather than on the requirement that the publications must be major reference material by legal practitioners, judges law teachers and students. So all an academic needs to do to qualify is to bring a bagful of publications and score more points than other Apolicants. This is totally unacceptable.

This explains why many of the academics as well as their publications are largely unknown. Of equal importance is the fact that even though the academics do not go through rigorous process advocates go through to take silk, they utilize the rank in court. If the LPPC must continue to approve the award of the rank on academics then it must be done honoris causa as done in UK as shown above.

I concede that there are great academics who met the criteria for the award. For instance, when we speak of great academics like Professor Ben Nwabueze SAN, Prof Sagey SAN, Prof Omotola SAN and such other Iconic legal giants, their books are not only used by all, they and their books remained living encyclopaedia of unquestionable authorities nationally and internationally.

Therefore, let no one feel that those of us who are Advocates in court rooms are jealous or angry that the Rank is being given to academics. No we are not. Let the right thing be done. Let the prestige and the dignity of the Rank be maintained and upheld by following strictly the Guidelines for the award.

Let those of us who have been privileged to be conferred with this Rank of distinction show leadership in courts as Senior Advocates of Nigeria. But to get the Rank and not use it as Advocates in Court in aid of undilute and purity of justice is the concerns I have expressed. That is the points we are struggling to convey. I read the concerns raised by an eminent silk Mr Olatunde Adejuigbe SAN where the learned silk was of the view that the points myself and Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN raised were needless controversies. This is what he was qouted on social media as saying: “It is bewildering that precious time and energy have been dissipated on a banal topic that leads nowhere. A cart-pusher on the streets knows that the rank of SAN is in the same league of devaluation like the Naira. In Nigeria, distinction just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. These days anyone who is well trained in the art of Rankadede can get the rank. It’s a pity that Late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister never applied for the coveted rank.

It is only in this our own dear native land that those who should be behind bars are celebrated as leaders of the Bar. It is an open secret that many of those who have been conferred with the rank as Advocates either snatched, borrowed or purchased cases in the Appellate Courts in the bid to meet the requirements. Many of those who took up some criminal cases pro bono before their elevation to the inner bar abandoned such cases thereafter.

The fault is not in the guidelines but in us. Many Advocates who have gained mastery in circumventing the guidelines are following the footprints of their seniors in the inner bar. In the days of yore, a good Maths teacher was interested in the workings that led to an answer and not just the correct answer. But that’s not what we do. Just pile up your cases, do your runs and you’ll get a boarding pass.

When you read pleadings, written addresses and briefs of arguments authored by some ” giants” in the inner bar you will come to terms with our prevailing Ichabod and seek solace in the Book of Lamentations.

There was no issue at all when Professors of Law who are worth their weight in gold were conferred with the rank. They maintained fidelity with academia which is their first love and rebuffed the seduction of another mistress. But times have changed.

What should be of concern to those who mean well for our nation and the legal profession is the reform of our moribund and dysfunctional justice system. The sterile discourse on the award of the rank to academics is not helpful in any way. All resources should be geared towards the attainment of a virile justice mechanism. Regardless of the route a lawyer took to the inner bar our nation is still afflicted with a system that serves anything but justice. No sane lawyer should be proud of what goes on here. Let’s stop this meaningless squabble over fish and turkey, beans and porridge. There are more serious issues which deserve urgent attention”

I think with respect that the learned silk is on the same page with the concerns we raised. It is just in the manner of expressions. If the Rank is being devalued and its dignity undermined as he rightly pointed out, then any suggestion to restore the value of the Rank and its dignity by strictly following the guidelines should not be viewed as needless controversies. I say no more. Let me rest my case here so that I should not be accused of talking too much. Just that I am concerned as other well meaning legal practitioners.

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GLITZ AND GLAM, AS TOBENNA EROJIKWE BURIES DAD (PHOTOS)

The Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) 2022, Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe, recently gave his beloved father a fitting burial at his country home in Nnewi.

The funeral rites commenced with a well attended Vigil Mass at his Uruagu Nnewi home. 

The rites climaxed on Thursday, September 22, 2022 with a Funeral Mass at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, Egbo, Uruagu, Nnewi. Interment followed afterwards at his compound.

In attendance were the leading lights of the Nigerian Bar, including NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN and Bencher and immediate past NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata.

Chief Erojikwe died 5 days after he turned 86. He is reputed as an academic technologist and research scientist “who had a remarkable career working in many notable establishments including the Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State; Public Health Laboratory Luton, England; Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Berlin, West Germany, and the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).

“Chief Edwin Erojikwe was a prolific researcher whose scholarly works in Veterinary Medicine are extensively published in notable international journals. For four years, he served as Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), UNN Branch. Following his retirement from the University of Nigeria after an illustrious career that saw him serve in most of the University boards including the UNN Community Bank, he continued in private consultancy until March this year.

“Edwin Ekemezie Erojikwe was an extraordinary man who impacted many lives through his philanthropy and his investment in people principles.”

He is survived by his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Ebele Erojikwe, former Principal, University (of Nigeria) Secondary School, Nsukka and several children who have distinguished themselves in different fields of endeavour.

Below are some photographs from the ceremonies.

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FOI COUNSEL, RUDILAC LAUNCH ‘PRESIDENT’S NEWSLETTER’

FOI Counsel and Rural Development, Information and Legal Advocacy Centre (RUDILAC) have launched the President’s Newsletter. The event took place on 29th day of September 2022 at John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Training Centre, Benin City.

This first edition of the quarterly Newsletter has the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola on its cover with the theme “Open Justice.” The edition evaluates the current position of Nigerian law with regards to public access and review of court room proceedings.

According to Mr. President Aigbokhan, the Editor-in-Chief, “This edition of the newsletter is to re-focus public participation in the judicial process and interrogate the link between ICT and the justice sector. This edition of the newsletter advocates for the court to create an Access to Information Policy as a way of strengthening proactive disclosure”.

The newsletter highlights stories like clamour for financial autonomy of the judiciary, ethnic dominance at appellate courts and dataset for open justice among others.

Some of the contributors include Hon. Justice Eseohe Ikpomwen (former Chief Judge of Edo State), Joseph Otteh of Access 2 Justice, Abbas Inuwa of transparenceIT and John Osawe.

Some of the dignitaries present at the launch include the Chief Judge of Edo Hon, Justice Joe Acha who was represented by Hon. Justice Peter Akhikhiero; veteran civic actor Comrade Austin Osakue; former EDOCSO helmsman, Com. Omobude Agho; Dr. Uyi Ojo of Environmental Rights Action (ERA); Prof. Carl Oshodin of Africa Industrialization Group; Mrs. Imuwaghen of John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Training Centre, and the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Communication, Mr. Solomon Imohiosen.

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LAWYER ASKS SANWO-OLU, LAGOS CJ TO CURB LASTMA EXCESSES

A Lagos based human rights lawyer, Mr. Babatunde Jinadu has urged Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba to curtail the alleged excesses of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials.

In a petition to Sanwo-Olu which was made available to CITY LAWYER, the activist-lawyer stated that “Our office has gotten several complaints of misconduct of some officials of LASTMA who have become monsters on Lagos roads. The heartbreaking news is that this (sic) bad elements in the Agency have increased in number than the good, honest, diligent and hardworking ones. We were informed that some of them make contributions/savings of N20,000.00 and above daily out of the money extorted from motorists.”

He observed that the fines imposed by LASTMA officials are steep, saying: “The recent economic situation of the Country is more than enough hardship to deal with by Lagosians and Motorists than to be faced with the menaces of LASTMA, hence our call for your urgent intervention and rescue of the poor masses from being extorted by these overzealous and wicked LASTMA operatives.”

Turning to the operations of the Mobile Courts attached to LASTMA, the activist wondered whether the Judiciary has become complicit in the alleged menace of LASTMA officials, saying: “May it not be that the Judiciary is being “used” to aid and promote the extortion of Motorist by the Agency who have become monsters on the road with their heartless punishments and wickedness meted on motorists. Unfortunately, we shall not be able to exhaust the complaints received by our office to institute legal proceedings against the Agency and Lagos State Government.”

He stated that motorists are being put under pressure to plead guilty for alleged offences due to delay in trial of cases at the Mobile Courts and to avoid being deprived of their vehicles for long periods, urging Justice Alogba “to look into the practice and procedure of the Mobile Court to prevent the judiciary that should uphold Justice from being continuously used by the Agency as tool of injustice. It is our humble opinion that where an alleged traffic offender gets arraigned in the mobile Court and pleads “not guilty”, the magistrate should order the released his/her vehicle to him/her and lien be placed on the drivers’ licence ….”

The full text of the petition is below.

6th September, 2022.

His Excellency,
The Executive Governor of Lagos State,
Lagos State Governor’s Office,
Alausa, Ikeja,
Lagos State.

Dear Sir,

THE MENACES OF SOME OFFICIALS OF LAGOS STATE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (LASTMA): A NEED TO SANITIZE THE ORGANISATION IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE FOR THE COMMON LAGOS MOTORISTS AND ROAD USERS.
We act and speak on behalf of ourselves and a group of Motorist in Lagos State who are affected by the menaces exhibited by the ill motivated actions of some officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) that have become terrors on the roads of Lagos and making life terrible and unbearable for motorists and “Lagosians”.

Your Excellency Sir, our letter to your good office in respect of this subject matter is belated but it is better late than never written. Our office has gotten several complaints of misconduct of some officials of LASTMA who have become monsters on Lagos roads. The heartbreaking news is that this bad elements in the Agency have increased in number than the good, honest, diligent and hardworking ones. We were informed that some of them make contributions/savings of N20,000.00 and above daily out of the money extorted from motorists. Maybe this is the motivation behind their monstrous acts on the roads by holding motorists to ransom. We shall elucidate on how they achieve this subsequently in this letter. May it not be that the Judiciary is being “used” to aid and promote the extortion of Motorist by the Agency who have become monsters on the road with their heartless punishments and wickedness meted on motorists. Unfortunately, we shall not be able to exhaust the complaints received by our office to institute legal proceedings against the Agency and Lagos State Government.

In order to save the ink of our pen and reduce the number of papers our office will deploy here due to the economic realities of our dear Country. The recent economic situation of the Country is more than enough hardship to deal with by Lagosians and Motorists than to be faced with the menaces of LASTMA, hence our call for your urgent intervention and rescue of the poor masses from being extorted by these overzealous and wicked LASTMA operatives.

Our office is in receipt of complaints and evidences of misconduct of some LASTMA Officials that is totally heartbreaking and clear cases of wickedness. We now agree again that much needs to be done by the citizenry on display of love for one another before we put the whole blame on the ruling class. To begin with, the father of one our Colleagues was beaten by some LASTMA officials recently and we felt bad when we received the report. A graduateTaxi driver, Oluwayomi Adeleke was once terrorized by one K. Olododo because the former had refused to yield to the request of the latter to “settling” him weekly. K. Olododo was seen harassing Oluwayomi for an offence he did not commit. This incident was witnessed by one of our partners. As mentioned earlier, we shall not exhaust the several complaints we got due to management of resources at a time like this.

This is not to say that some Operatives of the LASTMA are not worthy of praise and accolades. There are few officials of the Agency that have been seen to be of good conduct, loving and dutiful. Unlike some wicked and monstrous elements in the Agency who instead of controlling traffic and assisting motorists when they have one issue or the other with their vehicle will only be after the arrest of such motorist with an offence they did not commit. The few good officials of LASTMA will be seen controlling traffic dutifully and diligently without having their major interest in apprehension of motorist for offences they did not commit in order to complete their N20,000.00 daily contribution target. We commend Mr. Timothy Adefolalu and Mrs. Orowusi Mojisola who are usually seen performing their duty of controlling traffic with love and passion. They have been spotted dancing while controlling traffic with joy and motorists obey them. A senior official that has been noticed to be reasonable, just and understanding in his judgement when his junior officers apprehend motorists is one Mr. Williams Bamidele. Another dutiful LASTMA official that we have observed to be with good conduct and fear of God is one Mr. Olufemi Ajiboso. There may be many other good ones that we have not met. Our prayer for them is that all these good LASTMA officials will serve and retire well in success and sound health. We hereby use this medium to also appeal to your good office to come to the rescue of the families of LASTMA officials who died in service by ensuring that the entitlements of the deceased LASTMA officials are paid seamlessly to their dependents or beneficiaries. A process that would give access to the funds by their families within less than a year may be better than making them go through rigorous processes for two or more years before paying their families or dependents.

Some law abiding and obedient motorists have been dealt with by these monstrous elements for crossing the stoppage line at traffic light by a few inches just because they want to obey the yellow light in order to avert the occurrence of accident. Rather than directing these persons to reverse or manage the situation, the monstrous LASTMA officials who have daily contributions of over N20,000.00 to make will descend on them with their phones camera already set in order to apprehend any slightest breach or instance not minding the circumstances. We shall now state how the Government and Judiciary appear to be aiding these monstrous Officials of LASTMA in their indecent acts. Permit us to mention this laughable act of some officials of the LASTMA. There is a bridge at Dopemu that should not be used by motorists coming into Dopemu from Akowonjo axis from 3:00 pm upwards. Until recently and after public criticism, the sign that indicates that “do no enter after 3:00 pm” had been covered by a tree and the LASTMA officials there would only go to hide at the other end of the bridge waiting to apprehend motorists that would enter through the bridge after 3:00 pm and thereafter extorted them. In Fact, one of our Colleagues had to park his car and challenged the officials disapproving their act of staying at that end of the bridge rather than staying at the other end where motorists are not allowed to enter from and directing them in that regard. It was about two months ago that the tree was either cut or another mark/sign installed indicating that motorists coming inward from Akowonjo should not use the bridge even though we do not know if that rule of usage of the bridge is still relevant. Many Lagos roads that are one-way roads are without indications and motorists are being apprehended daily as some motorists are new on the road. We pity people who not resident in Lagos or just came into Lagos. We appeal to your highly exalted office to direct that indicator be marked conspicuously on these roads for clarity in order to stop this extortion of innocent persons. Clearer road signs should also be installed.

The judgement of Justice Olalekan Oresanya on Thursday the 22nd day of September 2022 against the unlawful arrest and punishment of a Motorist, Mr. Lawal Aliyu and awarding damages in favour of Mr. Aliyu is highly commendable and worthy of celebration. The Court stated that a careful perusal of Section 27(1) b,c,d and e of the Traffic Management Law relied upon by the respondents in this case revealed that LASTMA cannot impose fine without arraigning an alleged traffic offender in Court. Based on this judgement, we hereby entreat Lagos State Government to refund all the money of Motorist collected through various ticketing by LASTMA officials without going through trial by a constituted Court of Law. Those that have suffered this injustice and can produce their evidence of payment should be refunded.

How is Lagos State Government and the Judiciary aiding these extortionist LASTMA officials? The fines imposed on traffic offences are too high. What is the aim of these fines, is it to deter the commission of Traffic Offences or to generate revenue to the purse of government and that of the monstrous LASTMA officials who would coerce a motorist to pay N10,000.00 to them instead of paying N50,000.00 ticket? If it is an offence that ought to be taken to the Mobile Court, the alleged offender upon being arraigned at the Mobile Court as we once witnessed would be asked to make his/her plea of “guilty” or “not guilty”. If he/she pleads guilty, he/she would be fined accordingly and his/her vehicle would be released upon payment of the fine though the LASTMA officials would have deflected all the tyres of the vehicle. If he/she pleads “not guilty”, the presiding Magistrate would note the plea and adjourn the case to a later date of about a month’s time of which the vehicle would not be released to the owner but kept in the custody of LASTMA until the conclusion of the case thereby punishing the motorist and depriving him/her of the use of the vehicle for weeks or months. This system or practice is draconian and unjust in nature because it leaves a motorist who has only one car and wants to go back with his car that day with the option of pleading guilty even when he is not guilty so that he can pay the fine and go back with his/her vehicle rather than being deprive of its use for weeks or months.

We hereby call on the Honourable Chief Judge of Lagos State to look into the practice and procedure of the Mobile Court to prevent the judiciary that should uphold Justice from being continuously used by the Agency as tool of injustice. It is our humble opinion that where an alleged traffic offender gets arraigned in the mobile Court and pleads “not guilty”, the magistrate should order the released his/her vehicle to him/her and lien be placed on the drivers’ licence or if the computerized vehicle licencing platform can accommodate it, a restriction should be placed on the licences in such a way that the alleged offender would not be allowed to renew his/her drivers’ licence and/or vehicle licences until he/she has attended to the case and same is disposed of.

Concerning the punitive fines, the philosophy of fines is to deter the commission of an act sought to be prevented. When the lowest fine is about N30,000.00, which is equal to the amount of the minimum wage of N30,000.00., it is no longer a fine but life-threatening punishment. For instance, where company driver whose monthly salary is N30,000 or N40,000.00 falls into the hands of such hungry LASTMA officials and is fined N30,000.00 or more and must pay back the fine from his salary as contained in the company policy. What option is left for him as the head of a family?

Your Excellency Sir, in Conclusion, while we look forward to seeing your urgent action against the socially reprehensible acts of these extortionist LASTMA officials, we wish to appreciate your initiative and implementation of the installation of security cameras in almost all the active and major roads in Lagos State. This is a great idea that we sincerely appreciate. We do hope that it would be maintained and sustained and that other states would emulate this initiative to make the whole country a safer place for us.

We pray that Lagos State shall continue to remain a peaceful and progressive State and almighty God shall restore Sanity and Peace to our dear Country.
Accept our professional regard.

BABATUNDE JINADU.
PER PRO: JUSTICE AND PEACE ATTORNEYS

CC:
1. HONOURABLE CHIEF JUDGE, HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE.
2. GENERAL MANAGER, LAGOS STATE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY.

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NATIONAL HONOURS: BUHARI TO DECORATE NGIGE, MAIKYAU, OLANIPEKUN, OZEKHOME, OTHERS OCT. 11 (FULL LIST)

ALSO LISTED: DONGBAN-MENSEM, TSOHO, KANYIP, AYO SALAMI, ISHAQ BELLO, MALAMI, FASHOLA, BOSS MUSTAPHA, OKOCHA, SAGAY, BANIRE, ALLEN ONYEMA, AJOGWU, OSUMAN, GIDADO ….

The Chairman of the Council of Legal Education (CLE), Chief Emeka Ngige SAN is among the 437 honorees who are set to be bestowed with National Honours by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja on October 11, 2022.

In a letter obtained by CITY LAWYER and dated 19th September, 2022, the Minister of Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume informed Ngige that “I have the honour to formally inform you that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the conferment of the National Honours on you, in the rank of OFR (Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic).”

Among prominent lawyers who have also been listed for the national honours are Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN; Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN; Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, and the Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr. Tony Ojukwu SAN.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) are among only five Nigerians to receive one of the highest honours of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), even as a total of 437 honorees have been penciled down for the 2022 National Honours Award.

While 54 honorees will receive the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) award, 67 honorees will be awarded the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) medal. Others are 64 honorees for Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), 101 for Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), 75 honorees for Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), 56 for Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) and eight for Federal Republic Medal (FRM).

PREMIUM TIMES reports that other recipients include serving and former governors, serving and former presiding officers of the National Assembly, serving and former Chief Justices of Nigeria and serving and former members of the National Assembly. Others are serving and former service chiefs, traditional rulers, retired public servants, lawyers, philanthropists, businessmen, ministers and members of the academia.

GCON
Apart from Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala, the other recipients of the GCON are the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, his predecessor; Justice Tanko Muhammad and UN Deputy Secretary General; Amina Mohammed.

CFR
Prominent on the list of recipients for CFR include Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor; former Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, and Appeal Court president, Monica Mensem, and former Army Chief, Tukur Buratai. Others are Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali, his predecessor, Mohammed Adamu, Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage, and Tor Tiv, James Ayatse, among others.

OFR
Nominees in this category include Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, CEO of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, Nasiru Bayero and Muiz Banire. Others are Ishaq Bello, Aliyu El-Nafaty and Kehinde Aina, among others.

OON
Some nominees in this category include National Assembly members such as Alhassan Doguwa, Muktar Betara, Ndudi Elumelu and Nkiruka Onyejeocha. Others are a former Permanent Secretary, Sunday Echono, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, Sarki Abba and Sabiu (Tunde) Yusuf, among others.

MFR
In this category are Sanusi Lemu, late DIGJoseph Egunike (posthumous), Haliru Nababa and Burna Boy. Others are Simon Shango, Billy Okoye, Akwa Okon and Emeka Agbanari, among others.

To view the full list of honorees, click here.

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OBIDATTI23 RALLY: HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST, ENDSARS BOSS, POLICE DISAGREE

The Nigerian Police Force and some human rights activists have disagreed sharply on the conditions to be met for party supporters to assemble for rallies.

The controversy was triggered by a tweet by Lagos State Police Command spokesman, Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin when he tweeted: “No procession on the expressway. Be guided!!!”

Hundeyin had also stated that “the Command will equally live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, especially the rights to freedom of movement and right to dignity of human persons, especially under the guise of rally or procession.”

Fiery human rights activist, Mr. Inibehe Effiong quickly responded, saying: “Why is it so difficult for the Police to abide by the rule of law? The police has no right to stop or disrupt political procession, irrespective of the size. By Section 91 of the Electoral Act, your role is limited to provision of security. You’re deviating from the court order.”

In an effort to douse the controversy, Hundeyin explained that “This is quite a touchy issue. Let me rephrase. Hindering anybody’s fundamental right to freedom of movement will not be allowed. A procession of the magnitude being planned would likely obstruct free flow of traffic. We have a duty to look out for all Nigerians.”

This only ended up stoking the controversy when one of the leaders of the ENDARS Movement, Ms. Rinu Oduala in several tweets stated that “You have traffic wardens. Your job is to provide (sic) traffic.”

She warned the police against disrupting the rallies aimed to bolster support for the Labour Party candidate, Mr. Peter Obi. Her words: “You don’t have any right to prevent freedom of gathering and association tomorrow. You will tell us whether those people are not Nigerians.”

In yet another tweet, Oduala said: “You are not the judge. Nobody said people can proceed on the expressway. You can shoot though. Not like this is your first time.”

Tweeting at @RuleofLawNG, Rule of Law Nigeria also disagreed with the police spokesman, saying: “Using these rationales, @PoliceNG have removed the right to protest from the Constitution. If a protest could inconvenience any person, the protest cannot hold. If the protest could be of a large magnitude, as imagined by the police, the protest cannot hold.”

Hundeyin had in a statement issued on the eve of the rallies stated that “The warning therefore goes that anyone found flouting the court order or infringing on the rights of other Nigerians will be dealt with in accordance with the law. Meanwhile, CP Alabi enjoins all peace loving persons to go about their lawful duties without fear of harassment or intimidation, reiterating that adequate security assets have been strategically deployed to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians at designated rally venues and across the state at large.”

Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had last Wednesday ordered the Labour Party and its supporters not to converge on the Lekki toll gate for its #Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally billed to hold on October 1 2022, even as the court held that the supporters can pass through the Toll Gate to access Falomo Bridge and other venues. Justice Osiagor had directed the Inspector General of Police and the Lagos State Police Commissioner to ensure compliance with the order.

The court made the orders while ruling on a motion for injunction brought by 10 plaintiffs through their counsel, Mr. Romeo Ese Michael, asking the court to, among others, restrain the LP, its presidential candidate Peter Obi, his vice Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, one Julius Abure and their loyalists from holding the rally until the hearing and determination of their Motion on Notice of September 12, 2022.

However, a preliminary objection filed by the defendants seeking to stop the court from hearing the motion on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction could not be entertained as all parties to the suit had not been served. The court adjourned hearing of the substantive suit to November 4, 2022.

In the substantive suit, the plaintiffs argued that a repeat or celebration of the “infamous” EndSARS protest of 2020 under the political guise of “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally” will cause a breakdown of peace and will result in post-traumatic stress disorder for them and the public.

They prayed the court for four reliefs as follows:

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants; their associates and loyalists from conducting the scheduled END SARS Rally tagged as the “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally on the 1st of October, 2020 or any other subsequent date, at the Lekki Toll Gate until the hearing and determination of the Motion-On-Notice dated September 12, 2022.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants and their loyalists from further planning and promoting the Scheduled END SARS Rally tagged as the “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally”….

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 5th 6th, 7th Defendants from allowing or granting permissions to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants, their agents and the organizers of “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally” at the behest of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants from carrying out the said anniversary on the 1st of October, 2022 and any other subsequent date…

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 8th Defendant (LCC) from granting permission to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendants; their agents, privies, allies and loyalists, to make use of the Lekki Toll Gate or any space under and within the control of the 8th Defendant for carrying out the said anniversary on the 1st of October, 2022 and any other subsequent date…”

The plaintiffs are Adedotun Ajulo Esq., Salamatu Suleiman Lewi Esq., Hakeem Ijaduola, Esq., Ogunbona Akinpelu Esq., Owolabi K. Oluwasegun, Esq., Mogbojuri Kayode Esq., Wuyep Mantim Nadom Esq., Dimimu Mabel, Esq., Kolawole Salami, Esq. and Mr. Wale Abe Lawrence.

The 1st to 10th defendants are Obi, LP, Baba-Ahmed, Abure, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police (Lagos State Command), Director-General (Department of State Services), Lekki Concession Company (LCC) Limited, Attorney-General of Lagos State and the Governor of Lagos State.

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US VISA: MAIKYAU ACQUIRES EXPEDITED SLOTS FOR IBA CONFEREES

PRESS RELEASE

IBA CONFERENCE: UPDATE ON NBA PRESIDENT’S VISA INTERVENTION

Distinguished Colleagues,

You may recall that the President had sought the intervention of the United States Ambassador to Nigeria for expedited interview dates for members who intend to attend the IBA Conference in Miami, Florida.

We are happy to report that the US Embassy has approved and is open to approving all requests for expedited appointment that mentions the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Bar Association and any application relating to the legal profession in Miami.

To this end, many expedited appointment slots have been made available. Members are therefore urged to apply for emergency/expedited appointment. Members can also opt for interview waiver appointments.

The Consular Office has however noted that some applicants may be better served by making regular appointments, requesting for expedited appointments, and going for in-person interview.

Members are thus advised to select the option that best serves their application and take the necessary steps.

For further enquiries, please contact Kazeem Nasir: 08035894855.

The President wishes all applicants the best outcome.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary

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COURT OF APPEAL SET TO APPOINT 16 NEW JUSTICES

PRESS RELEASE

RE:APPOINTMENT OF 16 JUSTICES FOR THE COURT OF APPEAL: CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Distinguished Colleagues,

Kindly find attached the Notice by the NBA President calling for expression of interest by our qualified members to the Bench of the Court of Appeal.

Thank you and do have a great night.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary

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MAIKYAU TO NEW SANS: ‘YOU MUST BE ABOVE BOARD’

PRESS RELEASE

Congratulatory message to the 62 successful applicants for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigerian (SAN), 2022, by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)

It is my pleasure to congratulate the 62 successful applicants for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, many of whom I know personally and I have interacted with professionally.

Surely, to attain the lofty rank of SAN is a culmination of years of ambition, passion and sacrifice, and the elation and fanfare that follows the announcement and investiture makes the hard-work worthwhile. What is even more gratifying is the sheer privilege the rank affords the bearer. It is for the sake of such privilege that a bearer, rather than be complacent, must redouble efforts as practitioner and academician, to live up to the high expectation of our professional colleagues and indeed the country.

You must upon your investiture, wear your rank with decorum, dignity and character. You must be above board in all that you do as advocates and as individuals as you become a standard through which our profession is measured. You must never forget this.

Once again I congratulate you and members of your family, many of whom went on this professional journeys with you, on this remarkable attainment and I look forward to working with each of you in the overall interest of the Bar. I look forward to welcoming you to the Inner-Bar.

Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN

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NBA ELECTORAL REFORM C’TE SETS DEADLINE FOR MEMORANDA

PRESS RELEASE

Distinguished Colleagues,

ELECTORAL REFORM COMMITTEE – CALL FOR MEMORANDA

You will recall that the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN in a bid to further improve electoral practices in the NBA, had earlier constituted the NBA
Electoral Reform Committee.

In furtherance of its mandates, the Electoral Reform Committee of the NBA hereby calls for Memoranda from NBA Branches (through their chairmen), members of the NBA, stakeholders and interest groups in the legal profession.

Memoranda to be submitted should focus on the underlisted matters and any other matters connected thereto, namely:

1. Identify forms and avenues for incurring excessive expenditure by Aspirants/Candidates in NBA elections;

2. Identify unethical and unprofessional electoral practices by Aspirants/Candidates and members of the Bar during electioneering campaigns;

3. Make suggestions/recommendations on ways and means of eradicating excessive expenditure, inducements and/or other unwholesome practices during NBA electioneering campaigns;

4. Make any further representations relevant to the terms of reference (TOR) of this Committee.

Memoranda should be concise and straight to the point, in 14-point font size format with double line spacing and a maximum of five (5) pages.

All Memoranda should be addressed to the Secretary of the committee and submitted only by e-mail to: electoralreform22@nigerianbar.org.ng within 14 days from the date of this publication.

Members are encouraged to participate actively and support the committee in this all important task.

Best regards,
Charles Olawale Ajiboye, FICMC, FCAI, ACIS
National Assistant Publicity Secretary

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