EXCLUSIVE: SUPREME COURT SAYS MAIKYAU’S NBA C’TE APPOINTEE IS NOT A LAWYER

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has stated that a member who was recently appointed by Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN into the NBA Public Interest Litigation Committee is not a lawyer.

In a letter obtained by CITY LAWYER and dated January 12, 2023, the apex court stated that “We have checked our records and the name DOUGLAS OGBANKWA cannot be found on the Rolls of Legal Practitioners kept in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

Ogbankwa, a prolific writer and former Publicity Secretary of NBA Benin Branch, was until recently the Publicity Secretary of the break-away Law Society of Nigeria (LSN). He has since resigned his position with the embattled association.

He was at various times appointed by the President of the African Bar Association (AfBA), Mr. Hannibal Uwaifo as the Director of Strategic Communications as well as Coordinator of the Law Student Internship Programme of the association.

Aside from being a member of the NBA Editorial Committee and a Team Lead of the NBA College of Rapporteurs, Ogbankwa was until recently the Chairman of NBA Benin Branch Bar Police Monitoring Committee. He is the Founder of Benin Writers’ Society.

Titled “RE: REQUEST FOR CONFIRMATION OF THE NAME DOUGLAS OGBANKWA ON ROLL OF LEGAL PRACTITIONERS IN NIGERIA,” the letter from the apex court stated that “The said DOUGLAS OGBANKWA is at liberty to come forward with his call to Bar Certificate and Qualifying Certificate for enrolment.”

Continuing, the Supreme Court stated that “If he has changed his name, he is expected to come along with a duly stamped deed poll and all the requirements for change of name in the Supreme Court.” The stamped letter was signed by one Henrietta Aduwak Akyang on behalf of the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Hajo Sarki Bello.

Ogbankwa however told CITY LAWYER that the Supreme Court got it wrong, adding that he was duly called to the Nigerian Bar in May 2007.

He wondered how he could have been appointed by the NBA to sundry committees without due diligence, saying that would be “an indictment on NBA leadership.”

Ogbankwa vowed that he was called to the Nigerian Bar as “Douglas Onyebuchi Aguguom,” adding that personal reasons forced him to change his surname to Ogbankwa, “which is my grand-father’s name.” He told CITY LAWYER that he had duly effected a change of name at the Supreme Court, and wondered why the apex court would disown his name on the roll.

His words: “I was called to the Bar in May 2007. My Supreme Court Number is 055406. My Call to Bar name is Douglas Onyebuchi Aguguom. I effected a change of name due to personal reasons. I have paid Bar Practising Fee with ‘Ogbankwa;’ Is it not the Supreme Court that receives Bar Practising Fee? I have processed my stamp with ‘Ogbankwa;’ I have several Court of Appeal judgements with ‘Ogbankwa.’

“I nominated Pius Oiwoh who was cleared to run for the office of NBA General Secretary in 2022. As you are aware, both the nominator and nominee must be equally qualified for the nominee to receive ECNBA clearance.

“The NBA appointed me into its College of Rapporteurs as well as member of the NBA Editorial Board. I was recently appointed as a member of the NBA Public Interest Litigation Committee.

“The name Ogbankwa was on the NBA Voters Register for 2018 and 2020. It is politics that made them to revert my name to ‘Aguguom’ in 2022. I do not also know why the name is listed under the ‘International Diaspora’ category on the NBA website, moreso as I do not have control of the NBA portal.”

He told CITY LAWYER that NBA has an “arrangement” where a member can process stamp and pay Bar Practising Fee with different names once he could show proof of change of name at the Supreme Court.

CITY LAWYER investigation showed that while “Douglas Ogbankwa” does not exist on the NBA “Find A Lawyer” portal, one “Aguguom Douglas” with Supreme Court Number 055406 is listed under “International Diaspora” category. Also, while “Douglas Ogbankwa” is listed on the NBA Voters Register for 2018 and 2020, no such name exists in the 2022 Voters Register. However, “Douglas Onyebuchi Aguguom” with Supreme Court Number 055406 is listed as a member of NBA Benin Branch.

CITY LAWYER investigation also shows that “Douglas Ogbankwa Law Firm” was registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on August 19, 2020 with its principal business activity as “Legal practice and consultancy services.” The proprietor is listed as “Douglas Onyebuchi Ogbankwa.”

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WALI KIDNAP: MAIKYAU PARLEYS POLICE CHIEF, VISITS ODILI

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN was in Port Harcourt to visit the family of the kidnapped former President of the NBA, Mr. Okey Wali, SAN.

Wali, who is the 26th President of the NBA, was reportedly kidnapped at gun-point on Monday, 17th April 2023, along the Obiri Ikwerre flyover on East-West Road, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Port Harcourt.

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER by the NBA, “the kidnappers shot and killed one of his aides while two policemen attached to the former NBA President were seriously injured in the incident.

“Mr. Maikyau SAN and his delegation of Chairmen, Secretaries, and other senior members of the Bar from the branches of NBA in Rivers State were received by Mr. Kingsley Wenenda Wali, and Mrs Wali, the younger brother and the wife of the kidnapped former president. The duo commended the NBA President and his delegation for the visit.

“The NBA President expressed his concern over the unfortunate incident and prayed for God’s intervention on the difficulties the family is going through following the kidnap of their beloved one who has paid his dues as a former President of the Bar.

“Prayer session was held for God’s intervention to secure his release. The President urged the family to keep faith in God and believe that Mr Okey Wali SAN would be released to the family by the grace of God Almighty.

“The President and the delegation thereafter paid a courtesy call on the Commissioner of Police Rivers State where the President held a closed door meeting with the CP.

“The President of the NBA and delegation also paid a courtesy call on the Chairman Body of Benchers, Hon. Justice Mary Odili (JSC Rtd), at her residence. The Chairman of the Body of Benchers appreciated the President and the delegation for the visit. Discussion centered on the promotion of the rule of law and the justice sector.”

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5,000 LAWYERS ATTEND NBA-ICLE TRAINING

No less than 5000 lawyers attended the recent Intellectual Property Law Training organized by the Institute of Continuing Legal Education of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA-ICLE).

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, another 12- Day training by the NBA-ICLE on Criminal Litigation will start on May 4, 2023.

Below is the full text of the statement.

MORE THAN 5000 MEMBERS ATTEND ICLE TRAINING

Dear Distinguished Colleagues,

Further to the completion of the Second Edition of the Intellectual Property Law Training, please find attached the following course materials for your use:

  1. Nigeria’s IP Strategy & Policy – Prof Bankoke Sodipo SAN;
  2. Intellectual Property Due Diligence – Femi Agaba;
  3. The Role of the Intellectual Property Lawyer in the 21st Century – Chinasa Uwanna; and
  4. Intellectual Property: The Basics- Simi Oyelude.

We are grateful to the Intellectual Property Law Faculty of the NBA-ICLE for the very insightful presentations and thank the 5,585 colleagues who participated in the training.

NBA-ICLE CPD points were awarded for each day of the training and certificates issued to participants by email. Reach Sarah Omega at sarah.ajijola@nigerianbar.org.ng or at +234 906 516 5822 should you have any complaints regarding the certificates.

Please note that the 12- Day training on Criminal Litigation starts on the 4th of May 2023.

Kind regards,

Tobenna Erojikwe
Chairman, Board of NBA
Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE) .

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SOLAR FOR ALL: CHIEF BOLAJI AYORINDE, OUR “STAR CLIENT” FOR THE WEEK

It’s a giant 8 battries, 16 Panels Solar System for the University of Ibadan Faculty of Law Auditorium.

From Ikorodu to Lekki, Lekki to Ikoyi, Ikoyi to Ikeja, Ikeja to Ibadan, Ibadan to Auchi, Auchi to Eket! We are all over Nigeria; Sharing Light, Sharing Happiness (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.

Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN is one of Nigeria’s best-known Senior Advocates; a giant in the legal profession and a passionate Philanthropist.

Solar For All Ltd was at University of Ibadan Faculty of Law, at the philanthropic prompting of the distinguished Chief Ayorinde SAN, where we installed a Solar System that powers all the essentials in the Auditorium, ensures 24-hour power supply and a reduced power cost of at least 50%.

This will be about our sixth Solar installation for Chief Ayorinde. From His Lagos home, to his Lagos office, Ibadan home etc are all on our Solar system for years now.

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).

To view the price list, click here.

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EID UL FITR: MAJEMITE HAILS MUSLIM FAITHFUL

The holy month of Ramadan is over. I congratulate our Muslim brethren on the conclusion of their fast, sacrifice and prayers offered to Allah (SWT).

I celebrate with you and pray that the bountiful blessings of Allah (SWT) abide with you and your families today and always.

Eid Mubarak!

Emuobonuvie Majemite
Partner, PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors

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MAIKYAU APPOINTS IKWUAZOM AS NBA-SARC CHAIR

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN has appointed former NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN as Chairman of the NBA Security Agencies Relations Committee.

Ikwuazom is a Partner in the Dispute Resolution and Taxation practice of the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode where he also heads the firm’s taxation practice.

The NBA Security Agencies Relations Committee was created to, among other things, address the challenges faced by lawyers in their day-to-day interaction with security agencies. The Committee is responsible for monitoring the activities of security agencies and ensuring that their operations are carried out within the boundaries of the law.

The Committee has 51 members drawn from diverse backgrounds and include some very senior lawyers who are also members of security agencies. These members will work under the leadership of Ikwuazom and Simon Lough, SAN, a Commissioner of Police and Alternate Chairman of the Committee.

The objectives of the Committee include: providing training and capacity-building for security agencies in Nigeria; assisting security agencies in their bid to enthrone professionalism in their rank and file, and fostering better cooperation and understanding between lawyers and security agencies.

Other members of the Committee include the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Jigawa State, Y. A. H. Ruba, SAN; Yakubu Maikasuwa, SAN; Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN; Major General Mahmud U. Wambai; CC KD Gonji, mni; DCC Akomolafe Bamiyo; CNN Nwagbara, NBA Enugu Branch Chairman and Murtala Aliyu Kankia, a Life Bencher. A former Chairman of NBA Gwagwalada Branch, Mr. Isah Abubakar Aliyu will serve as the Secretary of the Committee.

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NBA-AGC 2023 TO HOLD AT ABUJA NATIONAL STADIUM

Barring any last-minute change of mind, the 2023 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will hold at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja from August 25 to September 1, 2023.

CITY LAWYER gathered from impeccable sources that the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) settled for the national edifice after it became obvious that no other venue in the Federal Capital Territory has the capacity to host the more than 15,000 expected delegates.

It was gathered that the event will hold on the precincts of the Abuja National Stadium while structures similar to the ones at the last AGC in Lagos will be built for the activities.

CITY LAWYER also gathered that the decision by the Yakubu Maikyau SAN-led NBA to offer discounts to certain categories of prospective delegates may be responsible for the delay in commencing registration for the Annual Conference. A member of the National Executive Committee told CITY LAWYER that the delay is occasioned by the need to ensure that all beneficiaries are duly captured on the standalone website, “and that they have a seamless experience while registering for the conference.”

The NBA-AGC last held in Abuja at the International Conference Centre (ICC) between August 26 and 30, 2018 with the theme, “Transition, Transformation and Sustainable Institutions.” Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo was the keynote speaker while Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) was then NBA President.

The 58th conference had five sub-themes which included Political Transition and Governance; Rule of Law & Security; Sustainable Economic Development; Technological Disruptions; and Diversity and Inclusion. Though about 10, 000 lawyers were expected at the conference, a TCCP member told CITY LAWYER that many delegates stayed away from the venue due to limited availability of facilities.

CITY LAWYER recalls that the NBA National Executive Council (NBA-NEC) had at its last quarterly meeting in Birnin-Kebbi ratified the constitution of the 2023 Annual General Conference Planning Committee (AGCPC). The high-powered committee is chaired by former NBA General Secretary, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, and was inaugurated by NBA President on February 23, 2023. The AGCPC Interim Budget as presented by the Committee was unanimously approved by NBA-NEC during the meeting.

Maikyau had while announcing members of the TCCP charged the committee to deliver “a memorable 63rd Annual General Conference for members of the NBA.”

He said that the Committee “has the liberty to co-opt additional members as the need arises. The theme, venue, and other details of the Conference will be announced in due course.”

Other members of the committee Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya – Alternate Chairman, Olawale Fapohunda (SAN), Abdul Rafindadi Mohammed (SAN), Beatrice E. Jedy-Agba, Lawan Kaka-Shehu, Rhoda Prevail Tyoden, Dr. Agada Elachi, Friday Ramses Onoja, Mrs. Amaka Uzuegbu, Salman Alhaji Salman and Mr. Isaiah Bozimo (AG Delta).

Others are Laura Alakija (Secretary), Dumo Ambie Barango, Uchechukwu Humphrey Onyekachi, Eva Amadi, John Iyene Owuboki, Mohammed Tajudeen Mohammed, Dr. Banke Alogba, Huwaila Ibrahim Muhammad, Rashidat Mohammed, Abdulrauf Tijani Aboki, Tongshishak John Jude Danjuma and Chika Eucharia Okorie.

The committee also includes Ada Ahubelem, Afolabi Olayiwola, Gloria Etim, Deborah Usman, Rotimi Olorunfemi, Rex Erameh, Matthew E. Osume, Amina Suleyman Kaoje, Sani Moyi, Tosin Amadi, Naomi Bankyu, Augustine Ajineh and H. Osayande Bazuaye.

The ex-officio members of the committee are the NBA General Secretary, Chairman NBA-SLP, Chairman NBA-SPIDEL, Chairman NBA-SBL, Chairperson NBAWF, Chairperson NBA-LWDF and Chairman LOAN.

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NBA PRESIDENT NAMES MAJEMITE ETHICS C’TE MEMBER

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN has appointed Mr. Emuobonuvie Majemite as a member of the NBA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee.

Announcing the appointment in an email to all NBA members, Maikyau also named popular Law teacher, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN as the Chairman of the committee while Mrs. Olabisi Soyebo SAN is to act as the Alternate Chairman. The high-level committee is made of 39 members.

Majemite is a leading aspirant for the post of Secretary of NBA Lagos Branch. The branch is the most influential of all NBA branches, especially as it has by far the highest voting population in every NBA election cycle.

He is a Partner at PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors where he heads both the Arbitration and ADR and Property Law practice groups. He is the Chairman of the Young Members Group (YMG) of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria Branch).

He is also a Member of the Panel of Neutrals of the Micro, Small and Medium Scheme of the Lagos Court of Arbitrators (LCA) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria Branch). He co-authored several chapters on arbitration and has been involved in a number of domestic and international arbitrations as part of the team of counsel.

Announcing his decision to vie for the coveted post, Majemite wrote: “It is my pleasure to report that as of 9:30 am today being Friday, 14th April, 2023, I submitted my nomination form with supporting documents to vie for the office of Secretary of the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Premier Branch.

“I am grateful to my nominators and to my teeming learned friends who have keyed into the project of innovative service.

“I await communication from the Electoral Committee.”

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CJN, MAIKYAU, FASHOLA, AZINGE, OTHERS SET FOR LATE JUSTICE IDIGBE CENTENARY

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola; Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) and former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN) are among dignitaries expected at events to mark the centenary celebration of former Justice of the Supreme Court, the late Justice Chukwunweike Idigbe.

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER and signed by Mr. Nnamdi Oragwu, Partner and Head of Litigation at PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors, a firm founded by late Justice Idigbe, the 100th anniversary celebration will be a year-long event.

“Our late founder served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from 1964 to 1967 and from 1975 to 1983,” he said. “He is remembered as a distinguished jurist, a fearless advocate for justice, and a champion of the rule of law.

“He was renowned for his landmark judgments, which continue to shape the legal landscape of Nigeria to this day. Justice Idigbe epitomizes the gold standard of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; several of his decisions remain a major point of reference in present-day cases.”

Oragwu, who is the Chairman of the 100 Years of Justice Idigbe Planning Committee, said the firm will be celebrating Justice Idigbe’s life and legacy with six major events.

On May 3, Justice Ariwoola will commission the Justice Idigbe Faculty of Law in Veritas University, Abuja. This will be followed by a colloquium with speakers including Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Mr. Cosmas Enweluzo (SAN) and Mr. C. V. C. Ihekweazu (SAN).

The Justice Idigbe Symposium will hold the next day on May 4, and will feature front-burner discussions on landmark judgments of Justice Idigbe and his impact on present-day jurisprudence.

The Keynote Speaker, Mr. Ekong Sampson, will speak on “The Life and Legacy of Honourable Justice Idigbe – 100 years of a Gold Standard for Judges in Nigeria.” The speakers include Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN); Professor Abiola Sanni (SAN); Prof. Obiora Okafor, Maikyau and Professor Azinge.

Other events include the commissioning of Punuka Childcare Centre by the Punuka Foundation on July 30, 2023 in Lagos.

A Public Lecture/Valedictory Court Session will hold in Asaba, Delta State, on August 11, 2023 and will feature the commissioning of Justice Idigbe NBA ICT Centre. The following day, a thanksgiving mass and commissioning of Justice Idigbe Museum, Library and Youth Centre will be held in Asaba.

The events will culminate with the commissioning of PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitor’s new head office in Lagos on December 7, 2023.

  • Late Justice Chukwunweike Chike Idigbe OFR, CON

According to Ms. Isioma Idigbe, Partner and Head of Media, Entertainment, Intellectual Property and Technology Law, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors, “These events are designed to celebrate and immortalize the contributions of late Justice Idigbe to the development of the legal profession in Nigeria, and to inspire the next generation of legal professionals. This is a time of celebration and reflection.

“Whilst we honour and edify the heritage he left us, we must reflect on whether our lives and practice of the law are in step with his values of excellence, thoroughness, knowledge, diligence and justice which were things that made him one of the greatest legal minds Nigeria has ever seen.”

Justice Idigbe was born on August 12, 1923 at Kaduna, Nigeria, the fourth and only surviving child of Alexander Ahudinma and his wife, Madam Christiana Idigbe.

He was a distinguished Nigerian jurist who practiced law all over West Africa, from Warri from 1947 to 1961. He served as a judge in the then Eastern Region of Nigeria High Court and Chief Justice of Midwest Region of Nigeria, rising to the position of Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Chike, as he was fondly called, began his education at St. Mary’s Catholic Mission, Port Harcourt, at the age of six. He later gained admission to Christ the King College, Onitsha in 1937. In 1943, he passed the Cambridge examination in Division One and obtained an exemption from the London Matriculation Examination.

He had planned to study engineering in London but suddenly and in an interesting manner changed his mind to study law. He was admitted to study law at King’s College, University of Cambridge.

He completed his studies at King’s College with flying colours, obtaining a Second-Class Upper Division Grade in Law in 1946. He won the much-coveted Forster-Campbell Prize in Criminal Law.

Justice Idigbe was also one of the first four Nigerians to pass the Cambridge University Law examination with honours, the others being Dr. T. O. Elias (former Attorney General of the Federation and Chief Justice of Nigeria), Dr. G. B. A. Coker, and Chief Gabriel Onyuike QC, SAN.

Being the first lawyer in the Asaba Division and the then Benin Province in 1947, he was upon his return to Nigeria welcomed with fanfare and grandeur. He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar later that year.

He settled in Warri where he established his law office, PUNUKA Chambers (named after his great-great-grandfather Obi Idigbe, who was married to one ‘Onye Punuka’) with the famous Sierra-Leonean lawyer Nelson Williams.

In 1961, he was appointed a Judge of the Eastern Nigeria High Court, and elevated in 1964 to the position of Justice of the Supreme Court. From 1964 to 1967, he served concurrently as the Chief Justice of the newly created Mid-Western Region before he ceased to be a Nigerian judge as a result of the Civil War.

In 1972, he joined Irving and Bonnar, the oldest law firm in Nigeria, as a Partner. Three years later in 1975, he was re-appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He shared the Supreme Court bench with notable jurists as Justices William Algernon Holwell Duffus, Edger Ignatius G. Unsworth, John Idowu Conrad Taylor, Vahe Robert Bairamian, Eugene O. Adeyinka Morgan, Louis Nwachukwu Mbanefo, Michael Oguejiofo Ajegbo, George Baptist A. Coker, Charles Dadi Onyeama, Ian Lewis, Atanda Fatai-Williams (CJN), Udo Udoma, Taslim Olawale Elias (CJN), George Sodeinde Sowemimo (CJN), Dan Ibekwe, Darnley Arthur R. Alexander (CJN), Mamman Nasir, Muhammed Bello (CJN), Charles Olusoji Madarikan, Andrew Otutu Obaseki, Anthony Nnaemezie Aniagolu, Buba Ardo, Kayode Eso, Augustine Nnamani, and Muhammadu Lawal Uwais (CJN).

During his tenure on the Bench, he delivered the lead judgements in several landmark cases as Bucknor-Maclean & Anor vs Inlaks Limited; Shitta-Bey vs Federal Public Service Commission; Arase vs Arase; Balogun vs National Bank; Usoro vs Shell Petroleum Development Co.; Atiti Gold vs Beatrice Osaseren; Mutual Aids Society vs Akerele, among others. He also served as Chairman of the Land Use Committee set up to review the land tenure system in Nigeria.

He was a recipient of two national honours, namely Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

Justice Idigbe was a traditional Chief (Olinzele) of Asaba. He also held the highly coveted title of Izoma of Asaba, otherwise called ‘A man of the people.’

He was happily married and blessed with children, among whom are Mr. Victor Idigbe, Jude Obioha Idigbe Esq, Mrs. Uche Idigbe, Chief (Dr) Anthony Ikemefuna Idigbe (SAN), Mr. Amaechi Felix Idigbe, and Mr. Ifeanyi Paul Idigbe (late).

He passed away on July 31, 1983 at the Cromwell Hospital in London, just a few days short of his 60th birthday and anticipated appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Justice Idigbe was a remarkable jurist and a trailblazer in his field, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire generations of legal practitioners in Nigeria and beyond.

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SOLAR FOR ALL: HIGH CHIEF CHINEDU EZEOBI, OUR “STAR CLIENT” FOR THE WEEK

Thank you Chief for Trusting Solar For Ltd for your 24/7 power supply!

From Ikorodu to Lekki, Lekki to Ikoyi, Ikoyi to Ikeja, Ikeja to Ibadan, Ibadan to Auchi, Auchi to Eket! We are all over Nigeria; Sharing Light, Sharing Happiness.(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.

More homes/offices are now embracing the Solar technology which has proved efficient and cost-effective in dealing with continued epileptic power supply and extremely high diesel cost.

Solar For All Ltd was at the Lagos home of of the distinguished High Chief Chinedu Ezeobi where we installed a Solar System that powers all the essentials in the home, ensures 24-hour power supply and a reduced power cost of about 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.

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*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).

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NBA LAGOS DECIDES: MAJEMITE SUBMITS FORM FOR SECRETARY, THANKS SUPPORTERS

A leading candidate in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch Elections, Mr. Emuobonuvie Majemite, has submitted his form for the post of Secretary.

In a statement by Majemite, he stated that “It is my pleasure to report that as of 9:30 am today being Friday, 14th April, 2023, I submitted my nomination form with supporting documents to vie for the office of Secretary of the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Premier Branch.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

Dear learned silk, seniors and colleagues,

It is my pleasure to report that as of 9:30 am today being Friday, 14th April, 2023, I submitted my nomination form with supporting documents to vie for the office of Secretary of the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Premier Branch.

I am grateful to my nominators and to my teeming learned friends who have keyed into the project of innovative service.

I await communication from the Electoral Committee.

I am eager, able and ready to serve.

Respectful regards,
Emuobonuvie A. Majemite

Partner, PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors

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TINUBU: PETER OBI WINS ROUND ONE, APPEAL COURT SAYS APC CAN’T QUERY LP’S CHOICE

A panel of the Court of Appeal led by its President, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem has in a unanimous judgment obtained by CITY LAWYER laid to rest the controversy surrounding the qualification of Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi to contest the just concluded Nigeria presidential election.

CITY LAWYER recalls that Obi’s membership of the Labour Party is one of the major grounds the All Progressives Congress (APC) presented to the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in response to Obi’s petition. The Court of Appeal will sit as the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and court of first instance to determine petitions arising from the presidential election.

In the judgment which upheld the decision of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting at Abuja, Justice Danlami Zama Senchi, who read the Lead Judgment, held that INEC merely complied with the law “as it has done no more than scrupulously comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 by publishing the names of the candidates submitted by the political parties as required by sections 29(3) and 32(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.”

In the appeal brought by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) against Obi, Labour Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Court of Appeal further held that “The complaint that INEC, the 1st Respondent, accepted and published the name of the 3rd Respondent upon its being submitted by the 2nd Respondent/Cross Appellant as its candidate for the Presidential election cannot be non-compliance by the 1st Respondent as envisaged by Section 285(14)(c) of the Constitution, as amended, since by Sections 29(3) and 32(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the 1st Respondent has the duty to accept and publish the list of candidates submitted to it by a political party.”

Continuing, the Appeal Court held that the Appellant lacked the locus standi to bring the appeal, saying: “Assuming that the Appellant’s evidence established violation of Section 77(2) and (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, but I still maintain that it did not; it does not appear to me that such non-compliance is such on the basis of which it can be said that the 3rd Respondent (Peter Obi, emphasis supplied) is not qualified and/or disqualified from standing as a candidate for the Presidential Elections.”

Noting that the “qualification requirement” as it relates to membership of a political party “is in section 131(c) which provides that a person shall be qualified for election to the office of President if he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that party,” the Court of Appeal held that “The quest by the Appellant to read into this clear and unambiguous provision what is not there” with the integral interpretation that ‘the person’s name must be on the Register of Members of the Political Party and must have been so for at least 30 days before the party primaries’ “has no support in law. It is hornbook law that you cannot read into a statute what is not contained therein.”

Putting the matter beyond debate, the Court of Appeal held that “The Constitution is the grundnorm, it is supreme and ranks over and above all other laws. It has made specific provisions in section 131 and 137 for the qualification and disqualification of a person for the office of President of Nigeria. The constitutional provisions having covered the field in this regard, the Appellant cannot import Section 77(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and seek to add the same to the qualification provision elaborately stated in the Constitution. It is not permissible.”

Justice Senchi stated that the judgment of the lower court was unassailable, adding that “The above finding of the lower court cannot be faulted. The 3rd Respondent (Peter Obi, emphasis supplied) was qualified by the provisions of Section 131 (c) of the Constitution and he was not disqualified under any of the stipulations in Section 137 of the Constitution.”

Aligning with the Lead Judgment, Justice Dongban-Mensem held that “The law is unequivocal that the issue of nomination of candidates to represent a Political Party in an Election is strictly an internal affair of the political party. This means that outsiders, other Political Parties and persons who did not participate in the primaries being complained of are precluded from instituting an action challenging same.”

The Court of Appeal President sought copious support for the view in the case of AISHA JUMMAI ALHASSAN & ANOR VS MR. DARIUS DICKSON ISHAKU & ORS (2016) LPELR-40083 (SC) where the Supreme Court held that “On the issue of sponsorship and nomination, it is now settled in a plethora of authorities of this Court that this issue is in the domestic affairs of political parties,” adding that “No other person, whether within the political party or outside of it, can ventilate his grievance arising from party nomination as there is no law backing him up.”

Contributing to the ALHASSAN judgment, Justice Mary Odili held as follows: “As I said earlier, the appellant is a member of the PDP, not APC and even if he is a member of the APC, he would have no locus to challenge the nomination of the 1st Respondent as he is not one of the aspirants who participated in the primary election. In my view, the Appellant is a meddlesome interloper who, having assumed the role of a hired mourner, is crying more than the bereaved.”

Justice Dongban-Mensem also described the Appellant as “a meddlesome interloper and a busybody trying to poke its nose in the domestic affairs of a Political Party to which it does not belong. The conduct of the Appellant/Cross Respondent in filing this suit can be likened to a case of crying more than the bereaved or taking Panadol for someone else’s headache who has evidently waived its requirements for the 3rd Respondent.”

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BREAKING: BOLA AJIBOLA, EX JUSTICE MINISTER, IS DEAD

Prince Bola Ajibola, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has died at the age of 89.

A post sighted by CITY LAWYER read: “Salaam alaykum.
With very deep heart and gratitude to Almighty Allah SWT, we announce that our baba, His Excellency, Prince AbdulJabar Bolasodun Adesumbo Ajibola KBE departed this world over the midnight .

“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and bless him with Aljanah Firdaus.”

When contacted, the source told CITY LAWYER that it was sent to him by a judge.

An online news medium also reported the passing of the renowned jurist, saying that “A family source who confirmed the death to TheCable said the former minister passed away in the early hours of Sunday.”
This is s developing story.

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‘WHAT EZE IGBO TOLD ME IN PRISON ABOUT IPOB’ – OMIRHOBO

I visited Fredrick Nwajagu , the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos state on Thursday, 6/5/2023 at the Ikoyi custodial facility where he has been remanded for 30 days on the order of Chief Magistrate Peter Nwaka over threats to invite the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos.

He informed me and I verily believe as follows:

1) That on Friday 31/3/2023 he made the threat out of frustration and annoyance because of the police and DSS refusal, failure and/or neglect to protect the lives and properties of Igbos in Lagos following attacks on them before, during and after elections .

2) That he is not a member of IPOB neither does he have any contact with them.

3) That the police have searched his house thoroughly and found no trace of any incriminating thing to tie him to IPOB.

4) That he made the empty threat on Friday and in early hours of Saturday his house was raided and he was arrested by a combined team of the police and DDS.

5) That he was immediately taken into DDS custody at Magodo before he was transferred to the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba where he was interrogated, his statement taken and thereafter his house was searched.

6) That on Wednesday 5/4/2023 he was charged to court with conspiracy and breach of public peace for threatening to bring IPOB to Lagos State.

7). That his plea was not taken.

8) That the case has been adjourned to 3/5/2023 for mention.

From the above, it is clear that the police and DSS are much ado about nothing about Nwajagu’s threat on Lagos. What a responsible police is supposed to do is to caution Nwajagu, free him and put him under close surveillance. But alas, the Nigerian Police has refused to do any of these but instead ensured that he is incarcerated for no just cause because of where he comes from or class in Nigeria.

Tell me the difference between what he did and what MC Oluomo did? Both of them put fear in Lagos residents. MC Oluomo threatened Igbos and the threat was carried out during the Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly elections in Lagos. Despite overwhelming evidence, MC Oluomo was never invited, interrogated or investigated by the police, not to talk of being detained or charged to court. In fact the police became his defence counsel as he described the threat as a joke.

Until the philosophy which hold one ethnic group superior and another inferior in Nigeria is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned, there shall be no unity or peace in Nigeria.

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NBA-AGC 2022 AND 2023: OF HICCUPS, TRIUMPHS AND EXPECTATIONS

BY VICTOR NWAKASI

The last has not or cannot be heard of the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference 2022 (NBA-AGC 2022) held 19-26 August, 2022 at Nigeria’s ever bustling and most beloved city of Lagos for so many reasons.

In every ramification and qualification, it was a legacy conference because legacies live beyond timelines. The highlights of the Conference have been captured and re-captured in discourses in several publications and blogs by distinguished lawyers, attendees and public commentators. Sadly, it became a conference that witnessed the infamous and widely condemned ‘bag riot’ by some colleagues on the basis of delay in the delivery of conference bags by the Planning Committee.

By sheer idea of concept, coincidence and providence, and depending on one’s appreciation of the scenarios, the happenstances at the Conference will characterize passionate and emotional discussions about the event in times to come. It was a conference of big ideas. Nonetheless, there were basic issues that caused major concerns for participants, such as parking spaces, inadequacy of toilet facilities especially at night events – which could be genuinely associated with construction of the a mammoth conference village. Then there is the issue of ‘conference bag riot’.

Nevertheless, I humbly wish to focus on the positives and will state that the immediate past NBA Administration led by Mr. Olumide Akpata – working through the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) and chaired by the tireless, brilliant and strategic Tobenna Erojikwe – undertook the most audacious and innovative Conference that will be remembered for a long time and mainly for very good reasons.

In my opinion, it was an excellent conference by key indicators. First is Content Delivery covering key subject matters. This most important factor – which no-one including the past administration’s most revered critics has faulted – should be the biggest value created by the Association in terms of intellectual gifting to attendees. The content covered issues on State of the Nation, Practice Development, Well Being of Lawyers, Social and Networking Skills, and Public Interest Issues across plenary and breakout sessions.

The Conference scored strong points on inclusiveness for the Association’s special class of members – lawyers with disability. For the first time, a session was dedicated to lawyers with disabilities and was solely anchored by the forum. Recommendations from that session are already influencing NBA’s drive towards enhanced practice for its members with special needs. Then there was a novel introduction of female soccer competition as part of the social programmes at the conference. It attracted major attention in pre-conference preparations which resulted in pooling of a huge winning prize from different sponsors. As a social change idea, one can say, if female lawyers can play football, who would not. We cannot underestimate the impact of that competition on female football development in the country. There was also the running of an efficient crèche to cater for nursing mothers who participated in the Conference. No one was left out!

But it all began with adoption of the audacious theme: Bold Transitions. At the unveiling of the theme, I was inclined to qualify the two-word theme ‘Bold Transitions’ as too brief. I thought it was too brief to evoke the consciousness that lies beneath it. I thought it sounded too ‘foreign’ in our local parlance and probably disconnected from our usual style of ever voluble and full-sentence styled themes in the nature of ‘The Trouble with Nigeria’ – which is almost defying conventional solutions. But it proved a masterpiece. For as many as the speakers were, from the opening ceremony down to the last technical session, the theme and its philosophy resonated and connected all through.

The Keynote Speaker, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in her famous address to the attendees and participants, re-echoed that justice is the foundation of peace, charging the citizenry to aspire and ignite change for greater good of the nation. The attendees and speakers – including five leading Nigerian political parties’ presidential candidates in the 2023 national elections – made references to the philosophy underlining the theme. The record of top presidential hopefuls’ attendance had never been witnessed even at national presidential debates before that event. The candidates’ participation brought enormous branding value that could translate to attitudinal change towards governance accountability. It was not necessarily a campaign outing. The event and the session reinforced NBA’s primary position or stake in civil society leadership in Nigeria. The Bar’s voice was loud and clear and its stand on charting the cause for a better Nigeria towered like both the immediate past NBA President Olumide Akpata and the incumbent Yakubu Maikyau, SAN who took over the mantle of leadership at the same conference.

Emanating from the conference, no one needs a further lecture to know and appreciate that our country, Nigeria can only change when we boldly engage in discourse on national issues that have been perennially undermined on crucibles of ethnic jingoism, lacklustre governance and leadership innovation, lack of access to or poor justice delivery, lawlessness and disorderliness, gender dis-empowerment, stunted economic development and all indices that promote personal, public liberty and egalitarianism. Nigeria is at a crossroad; from never before seen or experienced level of insecurity resulting in wanton death and destruction of properties to several other existential threats. The populace is left disgruntled and perplexed, and it was hoped that the Country would boldly transit from being an unsavoury society to a joyful and promising civic state. It was exciting to see every one agreeing that the Nigeria could not wait any longer for real change than now. No one can boldly say that Nigeria does not require a bold transition as a matter of urgency from being one of the worst countries to live in going by various global index reports, to one of the best places on earth by virtue of its human and material resource endowment. The optimism thus became the energy and impetus in the theme. Actions are borne out of innate beliefs and the NBA-AGC 2022 theme revived a national consciousness for change. That laid an example of how NBA can lead in thought development and engineer socio-philosophical interrogations. The theme captured the nation’s moment and that remains a legacy. Unfortunately, the conduct and procedure of the 2023 Federal and State Elections dashed the hopes of majority of Nigerians. We all witness the deluge of unfortunate and undesirable issues have become main outcomes of the election. While Nigerians hoped that Nigeria and its institutions would transit to real institutions that promote and protect democracy, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fumbled with its greatest innovation in electoral procedure – the Bimodal Verification and Accreditation System (BVAS) and painfully Nigerians are saying that their votes did not count when it mattered most. How the institutional failure impacted on the entire process is now left for the Tribunal to determine. And it is not palatable that the unenviable duty is now on the Judiciary (a legal institution) to resolve outcomes of political rascality, civic disturbances and other institution’s incompetence. Nigeria is still transiting to what it should be but it is becoming too delayed and getting dangerous.

By the way, NBA-AGC 2022 reinforced the reality of NBA-AGC as the largest gathering of Lawyers anywhere in the world and this matters a lot. I remember that this very factual statement was enshrined in the consciousness of the NBA as regards the scope of its events and conferences during the tenure of Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN and Chief Lawal Rabana SAN as both the President and General Secretary of the NBA from 2006 to 2008. I remember that it was during the preparations for Ilorin AGC-2007 that the statement was coined and it has now gained deserved popularity. At the 2007 conference, the statement resonated in key note speeches as well as several technical presentations at that Conference and thereby ignited an indescribable feeling that somewhere in Africa, whenever the NBA gathers for its Annual Conference with lawyers from all over the world attending, the event becomes the largest gathering of lawyers anywhere in the world by sheer number of participants. This is a big deal for one of the leading Bar societies in the World. In fact, the International Bar Association (IBA) recognizes the influential participation of Nigerian Lawyers at its Annual Conferences for decades and their role in the workings of the Association and accords due respect to the Nigerian Bar. With over 13,000 lawyers converging in Lagos for a week, the AGC-2022 raised that ranking meritoriously, and that should be applauded. So when next members of NBA gather for the Annual General Conference, let us be conscious that we are participants and partakers in an epoch event that deserves the highest level of regard and conduct. We must bear in our consciousness the motivation that every conference is an agenda setting event for the Bar and the Bench as well as the society. The 2022 event gives credence to that reality and 2023 can be even better. Therefore, the ‘Discussions Must Continue’ until something changes!

In 2022, the Conference Venue was an audacious and innovative one. A lot of opinion have been offered on the suitability of the choice of venue. In spite of obvious hitches but I will state that the choice was pragmatic and innovative. Eko Atlantic City Project is one of the boldest and most critical real estate development in Nigeria and probably the whole of Africa at the last decade. Before our every eyes, a city literally emerged or is emerging from the shores of Atlantic Ocean with promises of world class infrastructure. Therefore, the choice of hosting the conference on any portion of the emerging paradise was a huge reputational bargain both for the NBA and the Host City of Lagos.

Apart from aligned-branding and marketing associated with the space which was justified by the unalloyed support of the Government of Lagos State – the primary stakeholder in the development project over the years to the NBA – it should be noted that the NBA through the TCCP constructed an entire conference village albeit temporarily. Even in face of hitches typical of such innovative venture, it was justified in terms of access and became one stop event center for major part of the conference apart from side events privately organized by diverse groups. The effort would satisfactorily serve as an audacious and innovative example that huge infrastructural projects for meeting events can be undertaken on both temporary and permanent basis. Whether the choice of venue is at the confines of Eko Atlantic City in Lagos, Obudu Cattle Ranch, the green fields of Riyom near Jos in Plateau State or Beautiful hills of Mambilla Plateau in Taraba, or our sublime but eroding capital city of Abuja, we can innovatively prepare to host large gatherings. There is an economic value to such events.

Nigeria has the potential to benefit from Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism which are usually undertaken by large groups, and planned in various ways. From exclusive hosting spaces to social activities, ‘meetings industry’ is a plus to several economies of the world. Kigali in Rwanda has become the newest kid on the block amongst African destinations. Nigeria should be gearing towards that direction with its diverse eco-geographical locations. The African Bar Association (AfBA) held an event end of last year in Lilongwe Malawi and Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) went to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia. While the size of these two events cannot be compared to NBA-AGC, the economic value of developing infrastructure for meetings and tourisms cannot be undermined.

I recall a former President of the NBA stating that apart from Lagos and Abuja which may even struggle to cope as host cities for NBA-AGC as number of attendees grow in leaps and bounds in succession, no other city can easily host the event due to lack of facilities. We need to think differently as AGC has become one of the major events in the nation’s social and legal calendar. Therefore the idea of setting up the AGC 2022 conference village from a zero ground into magnificent tents and marquees can only be fathomed by geniuses and I am sure that the idea has been planted within the consciousness of the Eko Atlantic City developers, event planners and general public. I am sure that the stay by over 13,000 lawyers and by extension involvement of over 50,000 persons in daily activities inside and outside of the conference area contributed immensely to the Lagos Economy.

I also consider the Conference Information Management Strategy for the AGC 2022, as top notch. The publication of Conferencepedia (the E-Book/Programme on the Conference) will make the AGC 2022 go down as the most well publicized Conference ever. The regular and simple communication made participation for those who were physically present very simple and easy. For virtual participants, the conferencepedia brought the event home by presenting a vivid imagination of the Conference as if it were in a ‘metaverse’.

As an aside, the communication strategy of the TCCP personally anchored by the Chairman Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe was exemplary. It was a demonstration of the character of the immediate past administration which viewed information and communication as critical tools in people and event management. From NBA Publicity Desk anchored by the stylish and suave Dr. Rapulu Nduka to the TCCP team, the participants were all carried along from beginning till the end of the Conference. May be if those who participated in the unfortunate incident of the ‘bag riot’ had tarried a bit, they would have found solace in the straightforward explanation given by the organizers on the reasons for the delay in the distribution of the bags and avoided the unfortunate incident.

THE BAG RIOT
The AGC 2022 Conference Bags was of such a very high quality to evoke emotions but there was absolutely no fault on the part of the organizers that every registered participant should receive the same quality of bags, the delay of which was adduced as the prompter of the riotous behaviour by some colleagues. The information was out there about the dire efforts of the past National Executives led by the President himself and the Planning Committee to resolve the logistics hitch resulting from altruistic rejection of some substandard units of the bags that were supplied, but impatience got the better part of our aggrieved colleagues leading to a reaction that left a sour taste on the event. And it won’t be forgotten as much as it was also a legacy of that conference. It was therefore a good step that the present administration under Mr. Y. C. Maikyau SAN set up the Olawale Fapohunda SAN Committee to investigate the cause of the unfortunate incident. The Committee presented its report at the Birnin Kebbi NEC Meeting in March 2023 where it highlighted all issues and made critical recommendations towards ensuring that the Bar learns from that sad experience. There could be sanctions for the disorderly behavior but not entirely because the NBA is looking for scapegoats but in form of a compliance-reminder that all members of Bar must strive to be of conduct fit and proper as legal practitioners and members of the noble profession.

It is heartwarming that the AGC Planning Committee of 2022 has largely fulfilled its vow that every conferee would receive their true entitlements in terms of conference bags which has been distributed even at personal costs. The assurance that no-one would be deprived of that entitlement is in itself re-assuring and that is what the NBA stands for. NBA may still reconsider the relevance and how to deal with the all-important item of conference bags that causes such logistical nightmare at Conferences. My years at Bar Conferences show that Nigerian lawyers love their conference bags, mostly regarded as iconic and memorable conference item. AGC 2022 delivered rare a design and utility thus those who could not get theirs on time, lost all comportment hence the crises that ensued. Even those who registered but did not attend have been assured that they would receive their bags. Quite a good ending for the bags distribution, I would say!

FROM THE INNOVATIVE TO THE SEAMLESS: THE DREAM CONTINUES
In my opinion, the last has not been heard of the audacious and innovative NBA-AGC 2022 notwithstanding the very few short-comings which are lessons in their own right. The Tobenna Erojikwe Committee has been dissolved honourably and a new Committee inaugurated for the 2023 Conference in Abuja. It would be a conference worth expecting for several reasons; The 2023 Planning Committee is being chaired by the former General Secretary of NBA, former Chairman of NBA Abuja Branch, the vibrant Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN; would be held in the nation’s sublime but eroding capital that needs some ‘ginger’ from a high-end professional cum social gathering; and is being designed by the Committee to be seamless.

As we continue the demonstration of true allegiance to one great and unified NBA, the idea and motivation upon which NBA’s AGCs are conceived, designed and delivered should continue to be of remarkable and positive scores, for all its impacts would always count for something. The society is changing and our undertakings as legal practitioners and members of NBA shall continue to evolve to match societal developments and expectations. To achieve this, we need leaders for all seasons who are bold, courageous and innovative to cause positive change for our members and the society at large.

VICTOR AKAZUE NWAKASI is a legal practitioner and member of NBA Lagos Branch

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POLITICIANS WHO HIRE THUGS, RUIN ELECTORAL CHOICES SHOULD FACE TREASON – OKUTEPA

By J. S. Okutepa SAN

There is no doubt that the Nigerian Constitution 1999 as Amended is supreme. That is why the Constitution itself proclaims its supremacy under Section 1(1) which read thus: “This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

No one is exempted from the binding force of the Constitution. All institutions and persons derive their legitimacy from the Constitution. Nigerian political class and politicians are bound by the Constitution.

Apart from the supremacy of the Constitution, the Constitution states that the government of Nigeria at all levels shall be by democratic means. That is what we have agreed to be the mode of choosing our leaders and governments at all levels.

Section 1(2) of the Constitution provides that “The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except by the provisions of this Constitution.”

Section 14 (1) of the Constitution emphasizes that the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice and section 14 (2) (a) of the Constitution boldly declares that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through the Constitution derives all its powers and authority.

The Constitution further emphasizes in sections 14(2)(b) and (c) that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government and the participation of the people in their government shall be ensured.

The said Constitution guaranteed freedom to Nigerians to make choices and to express themselves without being threatened with penal sanctions and that is under Section 17 (1) where it was stated that the State social order is founded on ideals of Freedom, Equality, and Justice.

The right of Nigerians to express their views on any issue including blatant violation of the constitution in our democratic journey is a fundamental right. No Nigerian who sees or perceives perversion of our constitution should be threatened with the offence of treason or treasonable felony.

Section 39 (1) of the Constitution is clear. It provides that “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.

For me, anyone who supports the perversion or violation of the Nigerian constitution in the Nigerian democratic journey for pure partisan selfish consideration is engaging in treason and treasonable felony.

Nigerian political class who hires thugs, or who aided and abetted the truncation of the will of the people should be those to be arrested, prosecuted, and jailed for treason and not those who voice out their feelings about the obvious perversion of the Constitution of Nigeria through electoral malfeasance.

Those who have refused to follow due process or allow the will and choices of the people to prevail before, and during elections in their quest for leadership positions are those who are engaging in treason and treasonable felony.

Democracy is about free choices and not coercion or force. Let us be truthful to ourselves. Most Nigerian politicians have no regard for the Nigerian constitution. They have no regard for the sovereignty of the people. That is why we see imposition during party primaries. We see thuggery and thugs during elections. What about vote buying? These are real acts of treason against the Nigerian constitution.
6th April, 2023.

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HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER CRIES OUT OVER BENUE HERDER KILLINGS

A Bar Leader and human rights lawyer, Mr. Marvin Ibem has sent a Save-Our-Soul message over herder killings in Umogidi Entekpa Ward of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

In a press statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch Publicity Secretary said that “This attack is carefully orchestrated and constitutes an existential threat to my people. It is a strategy by the attackers to take over our ancestral home by strangers but we will never succumb.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has been lamenting herder attacks in some parts of the state.

Below is the full text of the statement.

PRESS RELEASE ON THE KILLINGS OF THE PEOPLE OF UMOGIDI ENTEKPA WARD OF OTUKPO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE BY HERDERS.

Gentlemen of the press,

It is a sad day for me and my entire community of Umogidi, Entekpa Ward of Adoka district of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State which was invaded by herders yesterday the 5th day of April, 2023 wherein many people were killed.

In recent time, the herders took over the farmlands of my people and uprooted Yams, Cassava and other produce to feed their Cattles. This made the helpless villagers to abandon their ancestral farmlands for the safety of their lives.

Events however, took a different dimension yesterday the 5th April, 2023 as the killers invaded my village and killed innocent villagers and farmers unprovoked.

The last count of the victims were more than 47 bodies and more bodies are being recovered as at press time.

It is a disaster and personal loss to me as most of the victims are either related to me or are well known to me.

This carnage is under reported and I will like to use this medium to call on all relevant authorities to act fast and save my people.

We are a peaceful and law abiding people and will not contemplate taking laws into our hands.

This attack is carefully orchestrated and constitutes an existential threat to my people. It is a strategy by the attackers to take over our ancestral home by strangers but we will never succumb.

As we mourn the departed in our community, we call for the support of all well meaning Nigerians in prayers for the repose of their souls.

Signed:

Marvin Ibem, Esq .
Publicity Secretary,
Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch 2020-2022

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BAIL: ANTI-TINUBU IBOM AIR PASSENGER KNOWS FATE TODAY

Embattled senior lawyer on the Ibom Air flight who vowed that Senator Bola Tinubu would not be sworn as president will today know whether he would breathe an air of freedom away from prison custody.

Mr. Obiajulu Uja had allegedly disrupted an Abuja to Lagos flight when he stood up to state that Tinubu would never be sworn-in as President on May 29. Uja was evacuated from the plane by airport security personnel.

He was arraigned at the Zuba Magistrates’ Court in Abuja and charged with “public nuisance, resistance to a lawful arrest, threatening violence and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace contrary to sections 396, 267,188,172 and 144 of the Penal Code Law.”

His lawyer, Mr. Ejike Ugwu said that “He was arraigned at the Zuba Magistrates’ Court after they (police) deceived us – because yesterday he was taken to Muhammadu Buhari Police Hospital, Area 11 Abuja.”

Ugwu insists that Uja is mentally challenged, adding that the hospital did not have a psychiatrist or psychologist to evaluate and certify him fit for criminal trial.

“While we were there, it was around 3 pm they told us that they wanted to arraign him in Zuba Magistrates’ Court. We reminded the court that the same police invited the doctor to examine him, and the same police instead of waiting for the doctors to examine him hurriedly charged him to court.

“Even with the test we did, we spent almost N40,000 at the Police clinic, all the tests they conducted we abandoned all of them; they have not prescribed any medicine.

“The way the police are handling it is as if they have an interest in the matter because you took somebody to a police clinic, you are coming to court to tell the court you want the person to be remanded in prison because you want to continue the investigation.

“Until now we do not know the result of the test that was conducted in the hospital because they hurriedly took him away from the hospital.”

A CITY LAWYER investigative report showed that Uja is a senior lawyer enrolled with the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor and Advocate. A search on the Nigerian Bar Association portal also shows that the senior lawyer is a member of the lawyers’ body.

Uja is a Director in F. O. Education Services Limited located at Shalom Plaza, Gudu District, Abuja. The company deals in “General Contract and Merchandise.” He is also a Trustee Secretary in Angels Base Prophetic & Deliverance Ministry, a FESTAC, Lagos based church.

Meanwhile, Ugwu had decried his then planned arraignment, saying that he was not in a good mental state to withstand criminal trial. Ugwu told a national newspaper that Uja was a former bank worker in Lagos, adding that he had been in Abuja for a few weeks.

His words: “The man (Uja) worked with Zenith Bank until he developed some health issues. Some days ago, Riz Continental Hotel, Abuja, chased him away from the hotel because of his mental instability.”

According to Ugwu, Uja bought three tickets on Friday for Lagos State, noting that on getting to the airport, he had issues with almost all the airlines before he eventually boarded Ibom Air.

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MAIKYAU CUTS AGC FEES FOR YOUNG LAWYERS, OTHERS

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN has slashed the fees payable by young lawyers to attend the forthcoming Annual General Conference (AGC).

A statement made available to CITY LAWYER indicated that “lawyers between 1-5 years post-call who have met the criterion shall pay NGN 7, 500 (for early bird registration), NGN 20,000 (for regular registration) and NGN 40,000 (for late registration).”

The statement noted that “The NBA President has magnanimously extended this concession to cover Lawyers 6 – 10 years post call subject to NEC approval. Young lawyers are particularly encouraged to take advantage of the CLE training programmes, as this incentive may apply to the next AGC.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

UPDATE ON 2023 ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION: APPROVED SCHEDULE OF FEES

Distinguished Colleagues ,

As you may be aware, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has approved that the 2023 Annual General Conference (AGC) holds in Abuja from 25 August 2023 to 1 September 2023.

The registration portal shall be announced and made accessible in due course by the Annual General Conference Planning Committee (AGCPC). Meanwhile, the approved Conference Registration fees are as contained in this publication.

Per conference fee concessions made by the NBA President in his Inaugural Speech of 26 August 2022 (see pages 10-11 thereof), some of our colleagues are entitled to the following discounts:
A. Lawyers 1 – 5 years post-call will pay 50% of the approved Conference fee of N15,000 (early bird registration) for lawyers between 1-5 years post-call on condition that such members are in good financial standing and have recorded not less than 70% participation in the CLE programme of the NBA.

Thus, lawyers between 1-5 years post-call who have met the criterion shall pay NGN 7, 500 (for early bird registration), NGN 20,000 (for regular registration) and NGN 40,000 (for late registration).

Note: The NBA President has magnanimously extended this concession to cover Lawyers 6 – 10 years post call subject to NEC approval. Young lawyers are particularly encouraged to take advantage of the CLE training programmes, as this incentive may apply to the next AGC.

B. Colleagues who are physically challenged will be registered for the conference free of charge, subject to participation in not less than 70% of the CLE programmes.

C. Aged colleagues of 70 years and above will be registered for the AGC free of charge unless they choose to pay. This is in appreciation of their contribution to the legal profession/NBA and to continually tap from their wealth of experience.

For avoidance of doubt, the conference fees (reflecting the above discounts) are as attached.

Thank you and warm regards.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary

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AFAM OSIGWE BROKERS PEACE IN NYANYA/KARU BRANCH, NBA-NEC APPLAUDS

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary, Mazi Afam Osigwe has successfully brokered peace among warring factions in the intractable face-off among NBA Nyanya/Karu Branch arrow-heads.

According to a communique made available to CITY LAWYER on the recent NBA-NEC Meeting in Birnin-Kebbi, the resolution of the longstanding crises has now set the stage for the branch to elect its leadership.

NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN had informed the meeting that “the leadership crisis rocking the newly created Nyanya/Karu Branch of the Association is also resolved following intervention facilitated by Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN.”

A leading lawyer and Bar Leader, Osigwe is also the Chairman of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning.

CITY LAWYER recalls that Nyanya/Karu Branch was created in June 2022 but has been embroiled in leadership crisis with two parallel factions claiming to be authentic.

According to the NBA Communique signed by Maikyau and NBA General Secretary, “Following the intervention of Osigwe SAN, the NBA President appointed a caretaker committee to oversee election for the Branch in June 2023.”

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‘I URGE BAR, BENCH TO BACK AWOMOLO AS BENCHERS’ VICE CHAIR’ – GADZAMA

CELEBRATING THE ELEVATION OF ASIWAJU ADEGBOYEGA SOLOMON AWOMOLO SAN, AS THE VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BODY OF BENCHERS: A TRIBUTE BY CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA OFR, MFR, SAN (CHAIRMAN, BODY OF BENCHERS MENTORING COMMITTEE FOR YOUNG LAWYERS)

As I reflect on the appointment of my dear friend, elder brother Silk, Life Bencher, and esteemed colleague, Asiwaju Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, as Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers, I am filled with pride and admiration for his achievements in the legal profession. Our focal and professional bond, which began during our work on a political case in 1997 when he led me as a non-Silk at that time, has endured over the years, and I am delighted to celebrate this new milestone with him.

Asiwaju Awomolo’s vast knowledge and experience in the legal profession, as well as his remarkable contributions to the Nigerian Bar Association and the legal profession as a whole, have earned him this well-deserved professional recognition. In referring to him as the ‘Shonekan’ of the NBA, I acknowledge his status as a father and leader in the legal profession, a man of integrity, a great mentor, and an inspiration to many young lawyers.

Particularly, I can nostalgically recollect that Asiwaju Awomolo led other bar leaders to bring back the NBA to life after the 1992 PORT HARCOURT debacle which made the NBA comatose.

Beyond the courtroom, Asiwaju Awomolo’s commitment to public service, philanthropy, and community development is commendable. His efforts have transformed the lives of thousands of people, especially the less privileged, in his hometown of Igbajo, Osun State, and beyond. He has been an unwavering champion of social justice, human rights, and good governance, using his platform as a legal practitioner and community leader to speak truth to power and advance the cause of the oppressed and marginalized.

As the Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Asiwaju Awomolo brings his exceptional qualities and vast experience to bear on the critical task of regulating legal practice in Nigeria. He will undoubtedly provide wise counsel and leadership to his colleagues, and help to ensure that the legal profession continues to uphold the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and excellence.

On this occasion of his appointment as Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers, I salute him, congratulate him, and wish him every success in his new role. May the Almighty continue to guide and bless him in all his endeavors. It is also on this pedestal that I urge everyone, either of the Bar or the Bench, to provide the needed support to Asiwaju Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN as he takes up his new role as Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers. Your support is vital to his success, and I am confident that he will use this position to make important contributions to the legal profession.

May God, the Almighty, continue to bestow Solomonic wisdom on Solomon (Amen).

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AGAIN, BENCHERS SHUT OUT AKPATA, BLAME NBA

ONLINE PETITION SURFACES

The Body of Benchers has again ‘stepped down’ the nomination of immediate past Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata as its member, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

Though the application by incumbent NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN came up for consideration at the benchers’ last quarterly meeting, the elite body resolved to ‘step down’ the application for the second time on the basis that NBA was indebted to it.

CITY LAWYER recalls that the application suffered a similar fate during the penultimate benchers’ meeting, with the body blaming it on the fact that Akpata’s curriculum vitae was not attached to the application. It was also hinted that lack of approval of the nomination by NBA’s National Executive Council (NEC) may prove a stumbling block.

While Maikyau has since secured NBA-NEC approval and submitted Akpata’s curriculum vitae to the Benchers Appointment Committee led by former Court of Appeal President, Justice Umaru Abdullahi, the benchers have again resolved to suspend consideration of the nomination until NBA fulfils its financial obligations to the body.

A source who is familiar with the matter told CITY LAWYER that Maikyau however countered the argument during the benchers’ last quarterly meeting.

He wondered why Akpata’s nomination was singled out for such ‘special treatment’ when two other NBA Representatives who were proposed at the same time had since been approved and resumed membership of the coveted body.

The benchers had earlier approved two other NBA nominees, Mr. Solomon Umoh SAN and Mr. Sule Usman Ogwu SAN. While Umoh is returning to the elite body, Ogwu joins the body as a new member. The duo were among the three names forwarded by NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN to the Body of Benchers for approval as NBA representatives.

Our source also stated that Maikyau queried why he was not contacted to redress any alleged indebtedness.

CITY LAWYER however learnt that the Body of Benchers Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN explained that the Secretary was unable to reach Maikyau, adding that communication on the matter would be delivered to NBA.

Some analysts however argue that Akpata’s chequered attempt to return to the elite body may not be unconnected with NBA’s bruising face-off with Olanipekun over alleged solicitation by a Partner in his leading law firm. Both Akpata and Maikyau NBA leaderships had stridently demanded Olanipekun’s recusal from the chairmanship post, even as NBA has dragged the alleged defaulter to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report cited a complaint by former Minister of Energy and Petroleum ministries, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia SAN over an email from Ogunde, a Partner in Wole Olanipekun & Co, allegedly soliciting to take over a brief his law firm was handling for SAIPEM SPA. Following his demand for an apology, Wole Olanipekun & Co apologized for the debacle and disowned the Partner. NBA has since filed a petition against the embattled senior lawyer at the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

Meanwhile, one Mark Anthony has today commenced an online petition to compel the Body of Benchers to ratify Akpata’s nomination by the NBA.

In the petition sighted by CITY LAWYER, he stated that “Mr. Olumide Akpata is the immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association. He is a defender of human rights and a friend of the masses.

“During his tenure as NBA President, he stood against corruption and nepotism expecially (sic) the legal profession. This included calling out Mr. Olanipekun, SAN who is also the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, a body that calls Nigerian Lawyers to bar.

“In retaliation, Chief Olanipekun refused to approve Mr. Akpata’s nomination to the Body made by President Y.C Maikyau SAN.

“This petition is to enforce the recognition of those who will fight for the masses and the common man.

“Please add your voice and let’s make a statement!”

The petition has received about 30 signatories at press time.

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LAWYER RAHEEM: ‘YOU HAVE A CASE TO ANSWER,’ JUDGE TELLS COP

The Lagos High Court Sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos has dismissed a “No case submission” filed by the suspended Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Drambi Vandi, who allegedly killed a Lagos-based lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem on Christmas Day.

Justice Ibironke Harrison ordered the defendant to open his defence , holding that a ‘prima facie case” has been made against him.

The court also held that the prosecution led by the Attorney-General of Lagos, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN had established sufficient oral and documentary evidence linking the defendant to the crime which require explanations from him.

The court said that the evidence of the defendant, being the only other eye-witness who was yet to testify before it about the incident, will shed light on what happened that day.

According to the judge, “The prosecution has established a prima facie case requiring some explanation by the defendant. The court isn’t looking at the credibility of the prosecution witnesses at this stage. The court will not delve into the substantive case right now. The only real issue now is whether a prima facie case has been made by the prosecution, and not whether it has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.”

The court noted that some of the witnesses had testified that they saw the defendant shoot the deceased on Christmas Day, and that the defendant’s rifle was short of two ammunitions upon his arrest for the shooting.

In his application on the No Case Submission, Vandi asked the court to dismiss the suit and discharge him, claiming that he has no case to answer.

In his argument, his defence counsel, Mr. Adetokunbo Odutola told the court to note among other things that none of the eyewitnesses saw the defendant shoot the lawyer. He added that the ballistic report on the gun allegedly fired expressly stated that the bullet cannot be linked with any of the firearms recovered from the police officers at the scene.

Based on what he described as the “inconsistency and contradictions of the prosecution witnesses “from top to bottom,” Odutola urged the court to quash the charge against the Defendant and discharge him accordingly as the prosecution had failed in its attempt to make a prima facie case against him.

Onigbanjo had however countered, urging the court to order the defendant to open his defence. He insisted that the prosecution had successfully made its case against the police officer.

Before the prosecution closed its case on February 15, it had called eleven witnesses which included police officers, the husband and sister of the deceased, the ballistician and a pathologist, Dr. Oluwaseun Williams.

CHANNELS TV reports that in his reaction to the ruling, one of the defence counsel, Gbenro Gbadamosi told the court that the defence team will review the ruling and decide on whether to appeal.

The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, however said that an interlocutory appeal of this nature will not stop the continuation of the trial in line with Section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of Lagos state. He applied for a date for further hearing. The case has been adjourned to May 16, 2023 for the defendant to open his defence.

On January 16, 2023, the prosecution arraigned ASP Vandi on a one-count charge of murder. The charge stated that he Vandi shot and killed the 41-year old pregnant property lawyer by shooting her in the chest, an offence contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

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MAIKYAU THROWS WEIGHT BEHIND NBAWF

NBA PRESIDENT, YC MAIKYAU, SAN, PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR NBAWF, AS PANELS EXPLORE THE ROLE OF TECH IN CREATING INCLUSION IN THE LAW SPACE AND THE BENEFITS OF INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION AMONG SISTER ASSOCIATIONS

The president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu C. Maikyau, SAN was a notable presence during the proceedings at the Annual General Conference of the NBA Women Forum in Abuja. He came to show solidarity and pledge support to the Forum.

Speaking at the occasion, Maikyau described the similarities between technology and the inherent creativity and adaptability of the female character, and went on to list a number of remarkable female scientific pioneers who impacted the world, thanks to their knowledge and innovative spirit.

Speaking to reporters shortly afterward, the NBA President expressed optimism about the future prospects of the NBAWF – which, he promised, would be actualized with the active support of the parent Association. He praised the resilience and dynamism of its leadership under Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha and her predecessor, Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, SAN, thanking them for the wisdom and skill with which they guided the Forum after its revival.

Maikyau’s encouraging words came in the midst of two panel discussions on inclusion and collaboration. In the third discussion of the day, which was moderated by Mrs. Inemesit Dike, founder and CEO at the The Legal Concierge (Inemesit Dike & Co.), the discussants sought, among other things, to explore the potential of technology to bring about policies that impact the inclusion of women, and how women can drive the use of tech to achieve that laudable purpose.

On Mrs. Dike’s panel was a lone male, in the person of Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, Senior Partner at Law Forte; Hajiya Asia Ahmed el-Rufai, a foremost disability and inclusion advocate who is also the wife of the Governor of Kaduna State; Ngozi Aderibigbe, a Partner at the Law Firm of Jackson, Etti & Edu; and Dr. Aderemi Omotubora, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law at the University of Lagos.

In her opening shot, Mrs. Aderibigbe, described women and tech as a natural combo, given that women are far more adaptable to new situations and new technologies than their male counterparts. She however said the picture was different when it came to female lawyers. Like the institute they belong to, they are, on average, slow to embrace new technologies. Another problem, she added, was poverty; many female lawyers simply lacks the means to purchase relevant but high-end technological devices. Aderibigbe also advised law firms to cultivate the use of Cloud solutions in storing sensitive documents. She also urged her colleagues to embrace proficiency in coding and other tech skills, describing them as ‘life skills’ in the global economy, in much the same way as literacy and numeracy were in the last century. One low-hanging fruit, she said, would be to showcase one’s abilities on LinkedIn in the quest for visibility and patronage.

Senior Advocate, Mazi Osigwe expressed bemusement at the general apprehension among lawyers with the coming of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the idea that it might be taking jobs away from human lawyers. While not altogether unfounded, the learned silk said, that fear can be dispelled by a higher level of understanding on the part of lawyers with greater insight into the lawyer’s true role in his immediate environment. AI and similar or coming technologies, he said, can be a great complement to the lawyer with superior skills – noting that AI is, after all, made by man.

Also speaking Dr. Omotubora of UNILAG dwelt on intellectual property and technology law, and its evolution in various jurisdictions across the globe. He called on authorities and the private sector to invest more in the technology sector and come up with policies that can bring about a change in the digital gap and greater inclusion.

Inclusion is one subject that is dear to the heart of Hajiya el-Rufai. She began her presentation by noting, sadly, the overall attitude of the Bar towards lawyers with Special Abilities (as she called them). But with the setting up of the NBA Committee on Lawyers with Disability, she is hopeful of a more positive engagement among differently-abled lawyers. Ironically, she said, it is actually tech that has shown itself as a remarkable enabler of inclusion – even when other tendencies in society and the law space tend towards excluding the physically-challenged. Hajiya el-Rufai called for a more intentional investment in user-friendly technology for people in that category.

Summing up, the moderator, Mrs. Dike urged lawyers, law firms and Bar organisations to extend advanced (and continuing) legal education into tech, and called on governments at all levels to help those who are helping others to live meaningful lives and do meaningful work – in law and other areas of endeavour.

The final panel session of the day examined the current state of collaboration between the NBA Women Forum and sister organisations around the world. Moderated by Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, Partner at the Africa Law Practice (ALP), the panel was made up representatives of various law associations dedicated to the empowerment of female lawyers – Sheryl Galler, Chairperson of the New York State Bar Women in Law Section; Ibukun Alabi, Chair, Business Network at BNLF; Cordelia Eke, who is currently a Director at the Rivers State Ministry of Justice; Amina S. Agbaje, the National President of the Nigeria branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA); and Mulikat Thomas, Chairperson of Programmes at the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA).

Speaking on the topic of discussion, Galler asserted that her organization’s collaborations across the globe must be a mirror to its own overall objectives – with respect to pay disparities; inclusion and representation in leadership roles; the importance of training and capacity-building; and advocacy for legislation and deliberate policies towards enhancing the rights of women, children and natural environment.

On her part, Alabi saw the need for constant networking, on both bilateral and multilateral levels, which she said her organisation, BNLF, was committed to, as well as raising awareness on the need for women to affirm and promote one another for career and business opportunities.

In line with Alabi’s and Galler’s contributions, Eke, Agbaje and Thomas called on their female colleagues to promote greater cooperation among their respective organisations but among individual female lawyers, saying the ‘Pull Her Down’ syndrome was all too pervasive for comfort. They went on to enumerate their respective organisations’ efforts and programmes towards achieving global solidarity among female lawyers.

In the Q&A session that followed, the President of AWLA, Nigeria’s Mrs. Mandy Asagba, appealed for all female lawyers of African descent – whatever their professional affiliations may be – to come together and see themselves as one big family. Only by doing so, she said, can they hope to present a common front in the fight for gender equity.

The proceedings came to a close with a vote of thanks, which was given by Mohammed Adama, Senior Legal Officer at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) who doubles as an NBAWF Council Member and Chair of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for this year’s Conference.

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LAWYER RAHEEM: VANDI KNOWS FATE TODAY

The Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island will today deliver ruling on a “no case submission” filed by suspended ASP Drambi Vandi who allegedly killed a Lagos-based lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, on Christmas Day.

Justice Ibironke Harrison reserved ruling in the matter after defence counsel, Mr. Adetokunbo Odutola, adopted his final written address on behalf of his client, on a no-case submission application filed before the court on February 20, 2023.

In the application, Vandi asked the court to dismiss the suit and discharge him, claiming that he has no case to answer.

In his arguments, the defence counsel told the court to note among other things that none of the eyewitnesses saw the defendant shoot and that the ballistic report of the gun allegedly fired expressly stated that the bullet cannot be linked with any of the firearms recovered from the police officers at the scene.

Odutola also urged the court to note the testimony of the pathologist who confirmed that the death of the deceased was a result of a gunshot injury at the left axillary fold and the bullet moved from a posterior to anterior and the bullet pierced through the chest.

The pathologist had also testified that it was not his duty to know who shot the deceased, but his duty was to determine the cause of death and the trajectory of the injury.

Based on what he described as the “inconsistency and contradictions of the prosecution witnesses “from top to bottom,” Odutola urged the court to quash the charge against the defendant and discharge him accordingly as the prosecution had allegedly failed woefully in its attempt to make a prima-facie case against him.

The defence counsel also argued that the evidence led and the documents tendered do not present a compellable case of suspicion, however minute, to enable the court to order the defendant to enter his defence.

The prosecution led by the Attorney General of Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), has however countered the arguments and urged the defendant to defend himself insisting that the prosecution has successfully made its case against him

After listening to the arguments of both parties, Justice Harrison adjourned the matter till April 3 for ruling.

CITY LAWYER recalls that on January 16th, the Lagos State Government commenced the prosecution of Vandi by calling its first witness, Inspector Matthew Ameh, a police Officer, who was present at the crime scene.

Before then, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice who personally led the prosecution had arraigned Vandi on a one-count charge of murder.

The charge, which was filed on Dec. 28th, three days after the incident alleged that Vandi killed Raheem by shooting her in the chest, an offence contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. ASP Vandi pleaded not guilty.

On Feb. 15th, the prosecution closed its case against the defendant after calling eleven witnesses which included police officers, the husband and sister of the deceased, the ballistician and the pathologist, Dr. Oluwaseun Williams.

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ANTI-TINUBU IBOM AIR PASSENGER IS A SENIOR LAWYER

Embattled passenger on the Ibom Air flight who vowed that Senator Bola Tinubu would not be sworn in is a senior lawyer, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

The Police authority has announced that he would be arraigned in court tomorrow on charges bordering on criminal intimidation and public disturbance.

CITY LAWYER investigation shows that Mr. Obiajulu Hansel Uja was admitted to the Nigerian Bar, having successfully passed his Nigerian Bar Examination in July 2000 with a Second Class (Lower Division) grade. He is about 23 years at the Bar.

In a trending video obtained by CITY LAWYER, Uja was seen being restrained and evacuated from the Abuja-Lagos flight by no less than six airport security officers. He was heard shouting, “Obidients, you’re here. They are doing this to me. Obidients, you’re here, I am naked. Obidients you’re here, I am going naked.” The 6 pm flight was delayed for about one hour.

Uja is duly enrolled with the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a Solicitor and Advocate, CITY LAWYER can report. A search on the Nigerian Bar Association portal also shows that the senior lawyer is a member of the lawyers’ body.

Uja is a Director in F. O. Education Services Limited located at Shalom Plaza, Gudu District, Abuja. The company deals in “General Contract and Merchandise.” He is also a Trustee Secretary in Angels Base Prophetic & Deliverance Ministry, a FESTAC, Lagos based church.

Meanwhile, Uja’s lawyer has decried his planned arraignment, saying that he is not in a good mental state to withstand criminal trial. Ugwu told a national newspaper that Uja was a former bank worker in Lagos, adding that he had been in Abuja for a few weeks.

His words: “The man (Uja) worked with Zenith Bank until he developed some health issues. Some days ago, Riz Continental Hotel, Abuja, chased him away from the hotel because of his mental instability.”

According to Ugwu, Uja bought three tickets on Friday for Lagos State, noting that on getting to the airport, he had issues with almost all the airlines before he eventually boarded Ibom Air.

Ugwu, who visited the senior lawyer at the Nigeria Police Airport Command where he was held, said that when he queried him, “He told us that he wanted to market his products and that he was just trying to get the attention of the passengers when he raised the issue of Asiwaju will not be sworn in.

“If you go through his social media, you will understand that he is not even a member of the Obedient movement. But the long and short of it is that the man is mentally unstable. After he was arrested and the DPO saw reports in the media, the DPO confided in me that the man is not a normal person.

“It’s just the system; I told the DPO that you do not even need a medical certificate from the family but as an investigator, employ the services of a psychiatrist to confirm the mental stability of the man. But as I speak with you, I left the police station around 5 pm and we have not seen the DPO today in the station. I told the DPO that this man needs medical attention immediately before the whole system will collapse.

“He has a kidney problem; if you see his legs you will see how swollen they are. You can only investigate someone that is alive.”

According to PUNCH newspaper, the Assistant Secretary General of Aviation Round Table, Olumide Ohunayo, said: “The man doesn’t appear okay. I mean he started misbehaving from the check-in counter, so they ought to have alerted the crew that an agitated person was going on board; he even didn’t appear okay when he was asked to leave the aircraft. However, we need to be careful of copycats.”

The Investigating Police Officer, Benson Okoh, also said: “He’s with us, I was trying to confirm to the PPRO. However, he’ll be charged to court on Monday for criminal intimidation and inciting public disturbance.”

Tweeting @PIDOMNIGERIA, one “99% OPPRESSED” wrote: “Barrister Obiajulu Hansel Uja is a mentally unstable man. Whoever that used him for this, took advantage of a man battling mental health challenges. He was sacked by @ZenithBank on the 7th of March 2023, without pay, over his unruly behaviour, & prolonged mental health challenge

“He is well read, with lots of degrees. He was employed by @ZenithBank in 2004, where he rose to the position of Deputy manager, & Head of Loan Documentation Unit, at the bank’s legal department. His mental health issues started in 2018, but unknown. He suddenly became unruly.

“Fighting and shouting at every staff member, including his superiors. He was subsequently transferred to a local branch of zenith bank, at Okota, in Lagos state, when his character became unbearable. His mental health challenge became worse in 2019, & he was eventually flown out, to the United Kingdom, UK for treatment. But all the treatments given to him over there didn’t work, as his mental health issues, became worst.

“He was returned back to Nigeria, and was taken to Enugu state, for traditional treatment with local herbalist (sic). He was there until 2022, when zenith bank stopped paying him salary. So since then, he has been facing financial challenges, even while still receiving treatment.

“He stays somewhere around Festac, in Lagos state. Upon his acclaimed recovery & return to work, @ZenithBank issued him a sack letter, without pay. Security agents can verify every of the claims I made here.

“He is not a member of LP, neither is he a member of the Obidient movement. But he shouts at anyone, and talks like lunatic. His medical records are there to verify, if he is mentally stable. His work records with zenith bank for almost 20 years, is there to verify.

“If he didn’t act alone, whoever that used him, took advantage of a mentally unstable man. He is out of work, broke, & could be desperate.”

CITY LAWYER could not independently confirm the tweets at press time.

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‘IPOB THREAT: RELEASE EZENDIGBO NOW’- ACTIVIST

ARREST OF EZE IGBO OF AJAO: DISCRIMINATORY AND A SLAP ON THE FACE OF THE RULE OF LAW, BY CHIEF MALCOLM EMOKINIOVO OMIRHOBO

During the just concluded Nigerian elections the Igbos in Lagos State were threatened, intimidated, harassed, embarrassed, coerced and disenfranchised by their Yoruba host while the Nigerian state, the Department of State Services (DSS), police and military boots on ground looked the other way.

First was an audio tape of the Baale of Gbaara in Eti-Osa threatening Igbos who say they will not vote APC in the coming election. In Aguda there was a video of a thug threatening Igbos in a polling booth to vote for APC or go home . A woman suspected to be an Igbo woman was stabbed in the face in Surulere .

The Oro rite was performed throughout Lagos during the elections to threaten the Igbos not to vote by many Obas and Baales . The MC Oluomo video threatening the Igbos not come out to vote if they are not voting for APC was taken as a joke by the police.

During the Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly election the Igbos were attacked and prevented from voting by Yoruba thugs and miscreants throughout Lagos state. To crown it all were the xenophobic and inflammatory statements made by Femi Fani-Kayode and Bayo Onanuga made against the Igbos.

In all these incidents and many more the DSS and police did not invite, arrest, interrogate or prosecute any of these persons in the face of overwhelming evidence.

After the elections the face-off between the Yorubas and Igbos continued as Igbos are being attacked by some Yoruba constantly and their property destroyed without any consequences.

The failure of the DSS and police to protect the life and property of Igbos in Lagos State led Fredrick Nwajagu, the Eze Igbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos, to on Friday, 31/3/2023 via a video that went viral announce his intention to invite members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to Lagos to secure the life and property of the Igbos .

Barely 24 hours after Nwajagu video was released, with speed of lightening at about 1:00 am on Saturday 1/4/2023 a combined team of police and DSS raided and arrested Nwajagu, the Eze Igbo of Ajao Estate and took him into the custody of DSS for just for making a joke like MC Oluomo.

The DSS and the police should be ashamed of themselves for failing to prevent the ongoing face-off between the Yorubas and Igbos in Lagos State that is now taking a xenophobic turn.

From the foregoing, I dare say that the arrest of Nwajagu is discriminatory and a slap on the face of the rule of law. The DSS and the police cannot pick and choose who to arrest for breaking the law because all Nigerians are equal before the law – and no Nigerian is above the law.

Why will the DSS and police refuse to arrest Yorubas that break the law but are quick to raid and arrest an Igbo for committing a similar offence like his Yoruba compatriots? This act of the DSS and the police is unhealthy to our corporate existence as a country. Or are they saying the Yorubas are superior to the Igbos? For the records, all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria are equal before the eyes of the law.

The DSS and police must take Nwajagu video as a joke and release him forthwith.

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NBA CONDEMNS ARREST OF APC LAWYERS, WANTS CULPRITS PUNISHED

  • IGP ASSURES OF RELEASE

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the arrest of three lawyers who were working on a petition for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just concluded gubernatorial election in Rivers State.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER and personally signed by NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN, the lawyers’ body described the news of the arrest of the lawyers as “rather unfortunate and disturbing.”

According to him, “The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) strongly condemns such unwarranted harassment of lawyers in the lawful performance of their professional duties to their clients. Situations where the instrumentality of the police is apparently being used to harass and intimidate lawyers, is a direct affront to the rule of law and a threat to our democracy; it is an invitation to anarchy and chaos, as people would rather resort to self-help than approach the civil and constitutional means provided for the resolution of disputes.”

Noting that he had spoken with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba and the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State on the matter, Maikyau stated that “I have been assured of the release of our colleagues.”

He stated that “We shall also take up the matter to ensure that any person(s) including police officers, who may be found complicit in the events leading to the arrest of our colleagues, is sanctioned for any possible abuse of office.”

CITY LAWYER had reported the arrest of the APC legal team while working on a petition on the recent elections in the state.

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ROLE OF TECH TAKES CENTRE-STAGE AT NBA WOMEN FORUM CONFAB

NBA WOMEN FORUM EXAMINES ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY QUEST FOR GENDER EQUITY @ 3RD ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN ABUJA

Having set the stage for this year’s 3rd Annual General Conference with a well-attended cocktail party the previous evening at the foyer of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, the Nigerian Bar Association’s Women Forum (NBAWF) got into the Conference proper. This coincided with the commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD).

Opening-Day activities at the event venue – the Sapphire Hall, A Class Park & Event Center, Plot 102, Kashim Ibrahim Way, Maitama, Abuja – were made up of speeches and panel discussions around the Conference theme, TECH HER IN: ‘INNOVATING FOR GENDER EQUITY’.

In her address of welcome, the Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee (CPC), Dr. Foluke Dada stressed the urgent need for women lawyers to leverage on technology as a means of advancing their careers, expanding their professional networks, enriching their business and other relationships, and achieving a healthy work-life balance.

The theme of the Conference, she said, was motivated by the need to give women the tools and leverage they require to express their ideas effectively, to connect with their peers worldwide, and to scale new heights in their professional trajectories.

The Chairperson of the NBAWF, Mrs. Chinyere Okorocha, who spoke next, said the theme of this year’s Conference was a reflection of the current focus by the United Nations (UN) on advancing the use of tech to fight gender bias and dispel false stereotypes about women, as well as the role of female lawyers in leveraging tech to shape the future of the Bar and the nation as a whole.

Mrs. Okorocha stressed the immense potential of tech to create a level playing field for all, irrespective of gender. She was full of praises for all who had helped in actualizing the Forum’s 3rd AGC, singling out the members of the CPC led by Dr. Dada as well the various State Leads and Branch Coordinators across the country. She expressed her confidence that the panel sessions slated for the 2-day hybrid gathering would deepen the conversation on the opportunities and challenges female lawyers face in the practice of their profession.

In her Keynote Address, the Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on the Ease of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole said the basic nature of any technological advance is innovation, which she defined as the birthing of a new idea, a method or device.

Herself a former law lecturer at the University of Lagos, Dr. Oduwole went on to talk about how her office and the Presidential Enabling Business Council (PEBEC) under the chairmanship of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN. PEBEC’s has intervened proactively and effectively in the tech space.

This intervention is in recognition of the increasingly assertive role tech-driven companies and start-ups are playing in the Nigerian economy. It is, she said, in line with the federal government’s quest to bring about a more open, equitable and inclusive environment for professionals (such as lawyers) and businesspeople, whatever their gender.

Dr. Oduwole said the benefits of technology to the legal profession – such as remote work; more confidential ways of sharing documents; legal efficiencies; better court operations and communications; virtual options for court proceedings; the digitalization of judicial databases, etc. – present numerous opportunities and challenges, which she said, are now being addressed by relevant government ministries and agencies. One key intervention, she pointed out, is the signing of the Nigerian Startup Act 2022 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

To maximize these benefits, the Keynote Speaker called on her female colleagues to avail themselves of training opportunities; to consider the possibility of becoming ‘non-techy’ founders of tech startups; and to have the right networks and connect with the right people.

Dr. Oduwole’s eloquent address, which drew sustained applause from the assembled guests, set the stage for the panel discussions that followed, as the Conference explored the four topics:

  • ACCELERATING HER CAREER THROUGH TECHNOLOGY;
  • EQUITY UNVEILED: What Does Equity Mean?
  • TECH TRANSFORMATION: What’s Next? and
  • COLLABORATING FOR HER.

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CHIEF MRS. AWOSIKA JOINS SOLAR-FOR-ALL LEAGUE

FEATURED

  • Company announces 5% discount on full payment for Easter and Ramadan (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.

More homes/offices are now embracing the Solar technology which has proved efficient and cost-effective in dealing with continued epileptic power supply and extremely high diesel cost.

Solar For All Ltd was at the Lagos home of Mrs. Awosika where we installed a Solar System that powers all the essentials in the home, ensures 24-hour power supply and a reduced power cost of about 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).

To view the price list, click here.

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POLICE WHISK AWAY LAWYERS, AS ELECTION PETITION DEADLINE APPROACHES

There are strong indications that police operatives attached to Hypercity Supermarket Police Station at Ogbunabali, Port Harcourt have whisked away a team of lawyers working to beat deadline in filing election petitions on the just concluded Governorship and State Assembly Elections in Rivers State.

In a “Distress Alert” obtained by CITY LAWYER, it was alleged that the operatives swooped on the lawyers while they were preparing to file election petitions on behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some of its candidates to challenge the outcome of the elections.

The Save Our Soul message posted by a ranking Senior Advocate of Nigeria who confirmed its veracity to CITY LAWYER reads: “DISTRESS ALERT: NIGERIA POLICE ARRESTS LAWYERS PREPARING ELECTION PETITIONS FOR ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS CANDIDATES IN PORT HARCOURT

“Early this morning the 1/4/2023 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force unlawfully and illegally arrested lawyers and support staff of Tuduru Ede SAN &Co who were preparing Election Petitions for APC candidates who INEC claimed lost the elections of 18th March 2023 to the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“The arrests were made at Bayview Hotel along Tombia Road,GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt.

“The lawyers owing to tight timelines to file petitions quartered in the hotel to meet filing periods of 21 days.

“They only had FORMs EC8As and related FORMs issued by INEC and committed no offences for accepting and working their briefs.

“Their clients who are APC and APC candidates have right of access to the Tribunal which the Police in collaboration with PDP are aggressively trying to obstruct by arresting and humiliating lawyers.

“The arrested lawyers include Aondo Jerry,Dr Nelson U.Sobere and Odum C. Eyiba.

“They are currently held at Hypercity Supermarket Police Station at Ogbunabali, Port Harcourt without access to them even upon several efforts of their principal Tuduru Ede SAN and other APC chieftains.

The Nigerian Police Force is yet to respond to the allegation at press time.

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All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.