Dr. Yakubu Sankey, the husband of Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal, is dead.

There are however conflicting reports on the circumstances surrounding his demise. While a report alleged that he was shot by bandits during an attempted kidnap, another account said that the real target was his brother, a traditional ruler.

Hinting that the deceased may have died violently, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu wrote via his verified Twitter handle @ChidiOdinkalu, “My friend, Dr. Yakubu Sankey, has joined the list of victims in the #SouthernKadunaMassacres….?!???”

Also confirming the demise of the respected academic, outspoken former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani tweeted: “The Killing of Professor Yakubu Sankey the former DG of Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies by kidnappers in Southern Kaduna is sad, unfortunate and tragic. May his soul rest in peace.”

On its part, The National Institute, Kuru wrote via its verified handle @NIPSSKuru and sighted by CITY LAWYER that Sankey died last Wednesday in his home town in Kataf Local Government of Kaduna State.

The tweet reads: “The Director General, Prof Ayo Omotayo, today, signed the condolence register opened at the National Institute in honour of the late former Secretary/Director of Administration and former Acting Director General, Dr Yakubu Sankey.

“Also, as part of measures to honour Dr Yakubu Sankey, and in recognition of his meritorious service to the National Institute and humanity, the Director General has directed that the NIPSS Flag be flown at half mast.

“Dr Sankey died in his home town in Zango Kataf Local Government of Kaduna State, Wednesday, 24 May. Until his demise, he was a farmer, lecturer and contestant for the seat of Bajju Traditional Council (Agwam Bajju). He was also Senior Adviser at Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.”

While a report stated that terrorists shot former DG and dumped his body at backyard of his house, adding that “They storm (sic) our house with heavy weapons, operated for more than four hours,” another report by Law and Society Magazine stated that a source close to the Sankeys lamented that he “was not just killed. He was utterly, totally butchered. The Sallah Ram is treated better.

“He had visited the village briefly. The target, the story goes, was his brother, a traditional title holder who is also a politician. The killers met him and could not be bothered whom they slaughtered.”

Sankey was instrumental to the signing of a peace accord in Jos by the Berom, Fulani, Jarawa, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and Anaguta aimed to stem the violence in Plateau State. He is survived by his wife, Justice Jummai Sankey, and children.

Justice Sankey is the President of National Association of Women Judges. She is the second daughter of Elizabeth Pam. Elizabeth Pam was a member of the Oputa Panel (Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission) set up by the Obasanjo Administration in the year 2000 to investigate human rights abuses dating back to the military coup of 15th January, 1966 till 28th May 1999, the day before the last military handover to civilians.

Her father, Lieutenant Colonel James Yakubu Pam was killed during the 1966 coup. Lt. Colonel J.Y. Pam led the Nigeria-Tanzania Bilateral Special Training and Security Mission in 1964.

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The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has formally announced the demise of one its most senior members, Mr. Jonathan Babatunde Majiyagbe, SAN, OFR

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER and signed by its Secretary, Mr. Olumide Sofowora SAN, the body wrote: “The late Mr. Majiyagbe no doubt contributed to legal jurisprudence both nationally and internationally. We mourn his loss and we pray that the soul of Mr. J.B. Majiyagbe, SAN and the souls of all our departed members Rest in Peace. Amen!”

In a further statement on the demise of the senior lawyer, BOSAN stated that “we commiserate with his family particularly his son who is one of us in the person of Mr. John Mustapha Majiyagbe, SAN. Whilst praying that the Almighty God will grant the soul of Mr. Majiyagbe eternal rest, we also pray that he will grant the family and especially our Learned Brother Silk – Mr. John Mustapha Majiyagbe, SAN the fortitude to bear the loss. Amen!”

Below is the full text of the statement.

NOTICE OF DEMISE – Mr. Jonathan Babatunde Majiyagbe, SAN, OFR

The BOSAN Secretariat wishes to announce the demise of Mr. Jonathan Babatunde Majiyagbe (OFR), who passed on today, Saturday, May 27, 2023.

He was born on the 10th of July, 1934 (89 years old) in Lagos, Nigeria. He was the Principal Partner of JB Majiyagbe & Co a law firm with offices in Kano and Abuja.

Mr. Majiyagbe attended Holy Trinity School, Ebute-aero in Lagos and completed his secondary education at Ilesha Grammar School. He obtained his law degree from the University of London and was called to the English and Wales Bar (Honourable Society of the Middle Temple) in 1964. He attended the Nigerian Law School in 1965 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1966. He was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 1980.

He served as Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association (1975 – 1977), member, National Executive Committee, Nigerian Bar Association (1975 – 1978), member of the International Bar Association and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, former member of the Body of Benchers. He was also a former member of the Interim Judicial Service Committee, Kano State and the Editorial board of the Journal of Nigeria Law.

In 2003, Majiyagbe SAN became the first African to be appointed the Worldwide President of Rotary International, a one-hundred year old humanitarian service organization with over 1.2 million members. He was thereafter appointed the Chairman of its Board of Trustees in 2008.

Mr. Majiyagbe served as Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Kano; Chairman of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Kano Branch; and Coroner for Kano State.

In recognition of his numerous contributions to legal advocacy and humanity, Mr. Majiyagbe was conferred with the National honour – Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR).

The late Mr. Majiyagbe no doubt contributed to legal jurisprudence both nationally and internationally. We mourn his loss and we pray that the soul of Mr. J.B. Majiyagbe, SAN and the souls of all our departed members Rest in Peace. Amen!

Signed:

Mr. Olumide Sofowora, SAN
Secretary

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The Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference Planning Committee, NBA-AGCPC 2023 has urged lawyers to hurry and register for this year’s Annual Conference before the deadline for Early Bird Registration ends on June 4, 2023.

The Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, had at the press conference to unveil the conference website and logo, noted that there would not be any extension once the deadline for early bird lapses.

NBA President , Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN had during the press conference stated that the theme for the 2023 Conference, ‘Getting it Right: Charting the Course for Nigeria’s Nation Building’ could not come at a better time than now.

According to him, Nigeria is blessed with immense natural and human resources and could not continue to be deficient in terms of development.

He said that it was the responsibility of lawyers to provide direction and leadership in the country for it to recover its lost glory.

The NBA president said that the situation in the country called for lawyers to take a holistic look at events and evolve concrete solutions to addressing the challenges in the country.

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Astute boardroom player and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Paul Usoro SAN has assumed duty as Chairman of one of Nigeria’s largest banks, Access Bank Plc.

CITY LAWYER recalls that Usoro also doubles as a Non-Executive Director of the bank, a position he has held since January 2014.

Reputed as a “consummate boardroom person whose deep analytical mind and illustrious leadership skills are well appreciated in all the Boards he sits,” Usoro has, at various times, served on the boards of several companies such as Premium Pensions Ltd, CR Services (Credit Bureau) Plc (representing Zenith Bank Plc), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc, Airtel Nigeria Limited, Marina Securities Ltd (currently known as Marina Mars Principal Investments Limited).

Usoro was a pioneer director of Airtel Nigeria Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading mobile telephone company, having been appointed to the Company’s Board in 2001 when the company was then known as Econet Wireless Networks Limited. Usoro also headed the Board’s Audit Committee since the entry of Bharti Airtel till 2018.

Between 2008 and 2014, Usoro served as a Director on the Board of Premium Pensions Limited, a leading Nigerian pension funds administrator, and was throughout the entire period the Chairman of the Board’s Audit Committee.

As a Director of Access Bank Plc, Usoro chairs the Board’s Remuneration Committee and Governance & Nomination Committee. He also serves as a member of the Board’s Audit Committee, Risk Management Committee and Credit & Finance Committee. Usoro was appointed as a director of PZ Cussons in 2011; he chairs the People & Governance Committee of the Board.

He is the Senior Partner and founder of Paul Usoro & Co (PUC), a top commercial law firm. He heads the Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Practice Group and the Communications Section of the Firm. Reputed as perhaps the foremost communications lawyer in Nigeria with over 30 years’ experience in legal practice, Usoro is variously described as the go-to-counsel for complex litigation or commercial transactions.

A member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Legal Profession Regulation Review Committee, Usoro was the founding Chairman of the Communication Committee of NBA Section on Business Law. Paul is a consummate boardroom player and sits on the Boards of several top companies. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIARB), and a member of the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Federal Communications Bar Association of the United States of America.

Usoro was in 2011 appointed by former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as a pioneer director on the board of Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET), Nigeria’s sole and government-owned power trading organization. The NBET Board was then chaired by former Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. He was also the pioneer Chairman of the NBET Board’s Audit Committee.

He is married to Mfon, reputed as an internationally acclaimed expert in transport laws and project finance, and former Chairman of NBA Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL).

To view his full resume, click here.

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An advocacy group, Citizens Support for Lower Courts, has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola over alleged leakage of the entrance examination for recruitment of judges into the Oyo State Judiciary.

The examination was allegedly conducted by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) on June 20, 2022.

In a statement obtained by CITY LAWYER and signed by its Convener, Mr. Adebayo Akinlade, the group stated that the entrance exercise was “compromised,” adding that though the immediate past Chief Judge of the Oyo State Judiciary raised concerns over the alleged leakage, this did not yield any positive result.

The group urged Justice Ariwoola to jettison any recommendations from the Oyo State Judicial Service Commission relating to the recruitment exercise, adding that written examination should be scrapped for the recruitment process as it “does not play any significant role in ascertaining the experience and disposition of potential Judges.”

Said the group: “Your lordship, it has come to our attention that the appointments process/exercise to the High Court Bench in Oyo State was substantially flawed and was not transparently done. We have it on good authority that the written examination conducted by the National Judicial Institute, Abuja on the 20th day of June 2022 was leaked. This allegation is very damning and worth investigating

“We were reliably informed that the immediate past Chief Judge of Oyo State complained about the leakage of the Examination question papers but nothing was done about it. Your lordship; we cannot have a corrupt free Judiciary with these kinds of allegations hanging over it.

“Your lordship; we have also been informed that the JSC in Oyo State are not working as a team to deliver on its mandate as provided for by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). Instead a section of them have adopted a mechanism that can easily be manipulated and abused.

“Your lordship; CSLC believes strongly that lawyers serving on the Bench should be careered in the sense that when they are first appointed as magistrates, they should have the priority of being elevated to the higher bench. If this is not the case then we urge your lordship and the NJC to ensure that the remuneration of Judges at the lower courts is substantially at par with Judges at the High Courts.

“Your lordship; with the greatest respect, it is our conclusion that due to the foregoing; the current recommendations of the Oyo State JSC of candidates to the Higher Bench be jettisoned and the Commission be properly constituted. We also strongly recommend that written examinations of any kind be scraped (sic) as it does not play any significant role in ascertaining the experience and disposition of potential Judges.”

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A leading candidate for the position of Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Esther Ifeoma Jimoh will tomorrow on WAZOBIA Max TV speak on the topic “Cultural Bias”. The programme will air at 8 am.

Jimoh, who is the Principal Counsel of Estelle Attorneys & Legal Consult, currently serves as a member of the branch Human Rights Committee as well as the Ethics, Compliance and Dispute Resolution Committee. A senior lawyer, Jimoh is also a member of the 2023 Law Week Planning Committee of the branch.

She is the Chairperson of the Prisons Watch Committee of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ikeja Branch, a member of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) and a member of the Pro Bono Group of the National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL), Lagos Archdiocese.

Reputed as a rights advocate, Jimoh is also a member of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) among other professional associations.

She was recently cleared by the NBA Lagos Branch 2023 Electoral Committee to contest for the position of Vice Chairman during the forthcoming branch elections scheduled to hold on 27th June, 2023.

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The Supreme Court has held that petitioners alleging over voting must prove the allegation by relying on the record of accredited voters in the BVAS and the Polling Unit result in Form EC8A.

This was the kernel of the decision of the apex court in the appeal brought by former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola against the declaration of Senator Ademola Adeleke as the actual winner of the Osun State Governorship Election by the Court of Appeal.

In the unanimous judgment obtained by CITY LAWYER today and read by a member of the five-man panel of law lords, Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court held that “It is glaring from the above reproduced provisions of the Electoral Act and the INEC Regulations and Guidelines that the evidence required to prove that voting was allowed without accreditation or that there was improper accreditation are the Register of Voters, BVAS and the Polling Unit result in Form EC8A and that the evidence required to prove that there was over voting are the record of accredited voters in the BVAS and the Polling Unit result in Form EC8A.”

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Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti has been released on Tuesday night on bail, from the detention of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Lagos.

The development was confirmed by his attorney, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, in a telephone interview with PUNCH correspondent on Tuesday night. “Yes, Ṣeun Kuti was released minutes ago,” he said.

CITY LAWYER has obtained a viral video where fans were jubilitaing with the Afrobeat musician.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Afrobeat musician may be released today (Tuesday) following the expiration of the extension of his remand in police custody, court documents obtained by The PUNCH revealed that the Chief Magistrate, Adeola Olatunbosun, extended Kuti’s remand until Tuesday, May 23.

The document shows that a Sabo-Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State last week Thursday granted an application by the police for an extension of remand of Seun Kuti until Tuesday (today), to enable the police to conclude its investigation, and for the advice of the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution.

The police had told the court that the two days remand extension that was earlier granted was not enough for it to conclude its investigation.

Responding to the police’ application, the magistrate said, “I will grant the extension. Matter adjourned to May 23, 2023, for DPP’s advice,” the document exclusively obtained by our correspondent on Monday revealed.
Meanwhile, legal counsel to the musician, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, told The PUNCH that his client’s (Seun Kuti’s) bail conditions had been met last Thursday.

However, our correspondent gathered that police lawyers went to court on Thursday to get a remand extension without notifying the musician’s legal counsel.

“The police lawyers came to court on Thursday without informing Seun’s lawyers. When the matter was called for mention, a young lawyer who was in court, pleaded with the magistrate to stand down the matter for about five minutes for Seun Kuti’s legal counsel, Olumide-Fusika, SAN, who had rushed down from Ikeja, to arrive.

“But the magistrate refused, and extended Seun’s detention till Monday,” a source privy to the development revealed to our correspondent on Thursday.

Our correspondent gathered that the lead counsel to the police, Simon Lough, SAN, moved the application, noting that the extension was to allow further investigation into the case.

The PUNCH reports that Kuti is charged with assaulting a police officer during an altercation on Saturday, May 13, on the Third Mainland Bridge, in Lagos.

The police charged him with slapping an inspector after he drove dangerously on the bridge, and deliberately blocked a moving police vehicle.

Kuti was arraigned last Tuesday, during which the Chief Magistrate earlier ordered his remand for 48 hours, and held that the defendant be admitted to bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum, at the end of the 48-hour remand.

However, following a second arraignment last Thursday, the magistrate adjourned the case until May 23 for mention and directed the prosecutor to duplicate the case file and forward a copy to the state director of public prosecutions for advice.

Seun Kuti’s bail conditions met – Lawyer
Reacting to the development during an interview with our correspondent, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, noted that the musician’s bail conditions had been met, while insinuating that the court’s decision for the four days remand extension would, however, be respected.

Olumide-Fusika said, “There’s no comment on the four-day extension. It’s a court decision, we’ll wait and see.

“However, Ṣeun Kuti’s bail conditions have been met from our side. But since there’s a court decision extending for four days, the presiding magistrate did not sign off until after then.”

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The Supreme Court today fixed May 26 for the judgement on the alleged double nomination of vice president-elect Kashim Shettima filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The judgement, slated three days before the presidential inauguration, would determine whether Shettima would be sworn in as the vice president or if his candidacy would be truncated.

If affirmed, Shettima’s disqualification could truncate the swearing in of Bola Tinubu as president since they ran a joint ticket, PEOPLE’S GAZETTE reports.

Senior lawyer Joe Agi SAN told the Court that the All Progressives Congress (APC) had earlier admitted Shettima’s double nomination at the appellate court, but the APC denied the allegation.

Agim, citing a case involving Uche Nwosu against ADP as precedent, asserted that his respondents did not deserve to speak, let alone make any argument, over the alleged double nomination.

“There’s a punishment for double nomination. They ought not to be heard,” Agim told the highest court on Monday. “It should never happen in this country.”

CITY LAWYER gathered that APC’s lawyer, Omosanya Popoola, however countered his colleague, saying the motion did not hold water as the Federal High Court has ruled that PDP had no locus standi to bring up the matter, a judgement that was later upheld by the Court of Appeal.

He further said the matter, being a pre-election matter, had exceeded the time in which it can be challenged, saying it was too late for the PDP to raise the matter at the Supreme Court after 180 days.

“This matter has long expired, well over 200 days,” asserted Mr Popoola, hinting it was a pre-election matter.

But Agi argued that the number of days was not an issue based on Uche Nwosu’s precedent, in which he quoted the Supreme Court as previously saying “time does not run” when treating matters of double nomination.

Having lost at the trial and appellate courts, PDP was asking the Supreme Court to invoke its powers and assume jurisdiction over the matter to set aside the previous judgements made by the lower courts and reexamine their arguments.

At issue was Shettima’s vice-presidential and Borno Central senatorial nominations, which the PDP said contravenes the provisions of the Electoral Act. The PDP said it was illegal to compete for two positions at the same time, alleging Shettima’s senatorial nomination was not withdrawn from the electoral commission.

The five-member justices, led by Justice John Inyang Okoro, said the Court will give its judgement on Friday, May 26.

But preparations are in full gear in the APC camp for the presidential inauguration that would see Shettima taking the vice presidential oath of office on May 29 unless the Supreme Court’s judgement says otherwise.

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The Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting in Abuja, has rejected request to allow its day-to-day proceedings on petitions seeking to nullify the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, to be televised.

The Justice Haruna Tsammani-led five member panel dismissed as lacking in merit, the application which was brought before it by the two major candidates that are challenging the outcome of the presidential election that held on February 25.

The court held that no regulatory framework or policy direction, permitted it to grant such application. It held that allowing cameras in the court room is a major judicial policy that must be supported by the law.

“The court can only be guided and act in accordance with the practice directions and procedures approved by the President of the Court of Appeal.

“We cannot permit a situation that may lead to dramatization of our proceedings,” Justice Tsammani held.

Besides, the court held that the request was not part of any relief in the petitions before it, saying it was merely hinged on sentimental claim that it would benefit the electorates, according to a VANGUARD news report. 

It maintained that the petitioners failed to establish how televising the proceedings would advance their case, adding that such live broadcast would not have any utilitarian value to add to the determination of the petitions.

CITY LAWYER recalls that both Mr. Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had prayed the court to order a televised hearing of the petitions brought by them against the declaration of Senator Bola Tinubu as winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential poll.

The duo, through their lead lawyers, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, and Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, maintained that petitions they lodged to query the declaration of the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as winner of the election, was “a matter of monumental national concern and public interest”.

They argued that the case involved the interest of citizens and electorates in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, who he said voted and participated in the presidential poll.

Atiku and the PDP insisted that their case against Tinubu, being a unique electoral dispute with a peculiar constitutional dimension, they said it was a matter of public interest in which millions of Nigerian citizens and voters are stakeholders, with the constitutional right to be part of the proceedings.

They specifically applied for; “An order, directing the Court’s Registry and the parties on modalities for admission of Media Practitioners and their Equipments into the courtroom”.

“With the huge and tremendous technological advances and developments in Nigeria and beyond, including the current trend by this Honourable Court towards embracing electronic procedures, virtual hearing and electronic filing, a departure from the Rules to allow a regulated televising of the proceedings in this matter is in consonance with the maxim that justice must not only be done, but must be seen to be done.

“Televising court proceedings is not alien to this Honourable Court, and will enhance public confidence”, the petitioners added.

However, in separate processes they filed before the court, both Tinubu and the APC urged the court to dismiss the application which they described as an abuse of the legal process.

Tinubu, in a counter-affifavit he filed alongside the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, accused Atiku of deliberately attempting to expose the judiciary to public opprobrium.

According to them, the court “is not a rostrum or a soapbox. It is not also a stadium or theatre. It is not an arena for public entertainment.”

The respondents maintained that Atiku’s request had no bearing with the petition, insisting that it was only aimed at dissipating the judicial time of the court

They stressed that Atiku failed to realise that the virtual court system that was adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic, was backed by a practice direction that was administratively issued by the President of the Court of Appeal.

“Another angle to this very curious application is the invitation it extends to the court to make an order that it cannot supervise.

“The position of the law remains, and we do submit that the court, like nature, does not make an order in vain, or an order which is incapable of enforcement,” the respondents added.

Besides, they argued that the application was at best, “academic, very otiose, very unnecessary, very time-wasting, most unusual and most unexpected, particularly, from a set of petitioners, who should be praying for the expeditious trial of their petition.”

“Petitioners have brought their application under Section 36(3) of the Constitution which provides that the proceedings of a court/tribunal shall be held in public.

“The word ‘public’ as applied under Section 36(3) of the Constitution has been defined in a plethora of judicial authorities to mean a place where members of the public have unhindered access, and the court itself, sitting behind open doors, not in the camera.

“Even in situations where a class action is presented, the particular people constituting the class being represented by the plaintiffs or petitioners are always defined in the originating process.

“Here, in this application, the public at whose behest this application has been presented is not defined, not known, not discernable.

“Beyond all these, it is our submission that the court of law must and should always remain what it is, what it should be and what it is expected to be: a serene, disciplined, hallowed, tranquil, honourable and decorous institution and place.

“It is not a rostrum or a soapbox. It is not also a stadium or theatre. It is not an arena for ‘public’ entertainment.

“With much respect to the petitioners, the motion is an abuse of the processes of this honourable court,” Tinubu argued.

On its part, APC, through its team of lawyers led by Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, told the court that contrary to Atiku’s claim, the presidential election “is not subject matter of any national concern”, insisting that the election was “well managed by INEC with turnout of voters in their millions”.

It argued that proceedings of the court was already being adequately coveted by the media.

“There is nothing unique or peculiar in the electoral dispute that emanated from the outcome of the 25th February 2023 election that is different from the earlier five presidential elections in the country since the Advent of the Fourth Republic and if anything, the February 25 2023 election referred to, has the least litigation since 1999,” APC added.

It further argued that live broadcast “will subject the proceedings of the court to unnecessary sensationalism and undue social media trial, which distracts from the kernel of the serious business before the court”.

Continuing its argument against the application, APC, averred that allowing live televising of the proceedings, “will defeat the protection afforded to witnesses, expose them to avoidable censure and put them in a precarious situation.

“Televising of election tribunal proceedings (live) will only cause unnecessary tension, violence and unrest among the public, which may lead to breach of peace”, APC added, even as it urged the court to dismiss the application in the interest of justice.

INEC equally opposed live broadcast of the proceedings.

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A leading candidate in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch Elections, Mr. Emuobonuvie Majemite has been invited by Silverbird Television to shed light on Nigeria’s judicial framework.

Majemite, who is gunning for the position of Branch Secretary, will be speaking on “The Nigerian Judicial System: A Look at the Existing Structure.” The programme is billed to air today, 22nd May, 2023 at 8.15 am.

Majemite is a Partner and Head of the Arbitration and ADR Practice Group at the leading law firm of PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors. He is a “2022 Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer in Dispute Resolution,” the Chairman of Young Members Group (YMG) of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Nigeria Branch as well as the Alternate Chairman of NBA Lagos Branch Membership and Data Management Committee.

In a letter obtained by CITY LAWYER and dated May 14, 2023, the Electoral Committee of the branch had given Majemite the green light to contest for the position of Secretary. It wrote: “The Electoral Committee has scrutinized your Nomination Form and is pleased to inform you that you are qualified to contest for the post of ‘Secretary’ in the NBA – Lagos Branch 2023 Elections.”

The committee also informed Majemite that “you are hereby invited to present your manifesto on Manifesto Day scheduled to hold on Wednesday the 21st of June 2023 at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.”

Titled “NBA LAGOS BRANCH ELECTIONS – NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION TO CONTEST FOR SECRETARY,” the letter was signed by the Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr. Wale Akoni SAN and the committee’s Secretary Temitope Aribisala.

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The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr. Monday Ubani has stated that the reported annulment of the election of Dr. Alex Otti as Abia State Governor-elect cannot stand as the matter is statute-barred.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the fiery human rights lawyer also noted that such matter could only be ventilated at an election petition tribunal and not the Federal High Court.

According to Ubani, “he (petitioner) has 14 days to file the action challenging his qualification in a pre-election contest. If he fails, refuses and neglects to file a pre-election suit within 14 days as allowed by the constitution, he is forever barred (it is statute barred) to bring the same suit as a pre-election matter after election has been held and result announced with a winner.”

On the forum for hearing of the petition, he said: “But if he wants to challenge the election after it has been held and result announced, he can only do that at the Election Petition Tribunal and AND NO WHERE ELSE. It means that the matter must get up to supreme court. The winner remains in power until the final decision of the Supreme Court!”

Below is the full text of the statement.

PURPORTED FEDERAL HIGH COURT ORDER AGAINST DR. ALEX OTTI

I was taken aback when news filtered out that a Federal High Court in Kano has ruled that all the candidates of Labour Party including Dr. Alex Otti who won the gubernatorial election in Abia were not proper candidates of Labour since according to the court, Labour Party did not submit its Members’ Register 30 days before it held its primary election that produced the candidates for the general election in accordance with Section 77(3) of the Electoral Act of 2022.

The Section referred to states: S. 77 (1) A political party registered under this Act shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its corporate name.
(2) Every registered political party shall maintain a register of its
members in both hard and soft copy.
(3) Each political party shall make such register available to the
Commission not later than 30 days before the date fixed for the party primaries, congresses or convention.

After examining this section and sub-section 3 of it, it may be possible that this Section and its non-compliance can raise issue as a pre-election matter. I use the word “may” advisedly. However, note that the section did not contain any penalty for non-compliance. Whether that sub-section can be raised as a qualification issue in a pre-election matter or post-election matter is a matter of debate. It hinges on many factors: (1) Who is the plaintiff, what is his locus in this case? Is he a presidential, gubernatorial or legislative candidate in the held election? Did the Section of the Act provide any penalty against the candidates of the party or against the party itself for non-compliance?

Why was this issue not raised before now? Or has it been raised and disposed off before now? Why was the suit filed at Federal High Court and not in Election Petition Tribunal since election has been held and a winner declared? If this is regarded as pre-election grievance, is the aggrieved not caught by S285(9) of 1999 constitution that gives only 14 days for an aggrieved candidate to file pre-election matter? So many questions seeking answers.

The question continues. If we all agree on some basic truth that this matter is a pre-election issue what was this meddlesome interloper and busybody doing at the Federal High Court, Kano after several months of the primaries? Even if it is a post-election matter, was Federal High Court the proper court with jurisdiction? I doubt it.

ARGUMENT

Whether a candidate is qualified to contest election has over time become a matter of argument in several quarters. Some are of the opinion that where a candidate is found not to be qualified to contest an election whether as a governor or legislator, the issue must be raised timeously since it is a pre-election matter. Some others have however argued that the qualification of a candidate is a subject matter within the jurisdiction of the Election Petitions Tribunal and not otherwise. The truth of the matter is that the argument is no longer necessary as the Electoral Act has made qualification of the candidate as a ground for petition before the Election Petition Tribunal. Therefore, it can also be raised at the Election Tribunal.

It must be noted that it is within the prerogative of the person contesting the qualification of a candidate to raise it either at the pre-election stage or post-election stage.

However, he has 14 days to file the action challenging his qualification in a pre-election contest. If he fails, refuses and neglects to file a pre-election suit within 14 days as allowed by the constitution, he is forever barred (it is statute barred) to bring the same suit as a pre-election matter after election has been held and result announced with a winner.

But if he wants to challenge the election after it has been held and result announced, he can only do that at the Election Petition Tribunal and AND NO WHERE ELSE. It means that the matter must get up to supreme court. The winner remains in power until the final decision of the Supreme Court!

If a court has given a pronouncement on the qualification of a candidate at the pre-election stage, the principle of “Estoppel per rem judicatum” would apply. i.e. the Plaintiff is estopped from raising it at the Election Tribunal as a Petitioner or where the question of qualification of a candidate is a pending subject in a pre-election suit, the Election Tribunal will lack jurisdiction to entertain it. It would only amount to an abuse of court process.

All suits arising from general complaints like this issue of non-submission of members register to INEC 30 days before the primaries appears as pre-election issue that should take a back seat since election has been concluded and winner announced.

However, if any one feels strongly that the issue of non-submission of members register of party is qualification issue that is covered under S177 of the 1999 Constitution as Amended or any other section, he should bring it on and the appropriate place is the Election Petition Tribunal. Most importantly we must note that the Petitioner must be someone who must have contested election as a gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections with Dr. Alex Otti in Abia State. No one else has locus! The petition CANNOT BE FILED BY A MEDDLESOME INTERLOPER OR A BUSY BODY.

On a final note, the allegation that a political party did not submit its members’ Register 30 days before their primaries will be decided by the Court and that court includes the Supreme court which will decide whether the issue of non-submission of members’ register to INEC constitutes grounds for non-qualification of a candidate as provided under the 1999 constitution as amended.

Be reminded that INEC never said that it did not receive the members’ Register of Labour Party 30 days before their primaries. On the contrary this vexed issue has been decided in other pre-election issues involving Labour Party candidates before now at the various courts.

INEC was the one that accepted the candidates of Labour Party, cleared them for the general elections, conducted the elections and declared them winners with certificates of return. So why this unnecessary brouhaha at this time?

CONCLUSION

Come 29th of May, 2023, Dr Alex Otti will be sworn in as the next governor of Abia State. It is only Almighty God that can stop him and fortunately He, God will not stop him now because the mandate of Dr. Alex Otti is not only divine, it was generously and genuinely given by Abians and God approved it.
Too late for them! Too late.

By Dr. M. O. Ubani
Legal Practitioner
ubangwa@gmail.com

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An audio in which Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and Ibrahim Masari, former vice presidential placeholder candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), discussed the meeting between President-elect Bola Tinubu and Rabiu Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), is currently trending.

In a translation by DAILY TRUST, an apparently embittered Ganduje was quoted as saying: “What intelligence told me is that they want his intervention to scuttle the case at the tribunal.” It was unclear whether he was referring to the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) which is handling petitions filed by Labour Party candidate, Mr. Peter Obi and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, former vice president Atiku Abubakar.

CITY LAWYER recalls that Tinubu and Kwankwaso met for four hours in France where they discussed a wide range of issues, reportedly including the possibility of the NNPP presidential candidate joining the incoming cabinet. The audio of the conversation has generated different reactions across social media.

Ganduje, who expressed how unhappy he was with the development, said Tinubu had considered Kwankwaso as an alternative.

But a statement by the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Mallam Muhammad Garba today stated that “the exaggerated publicity on the purported audio clip was the handiwork of paid agents with a view to causing disaffection between the two political gladiators.”

Garba also maintained that the governor and the President-elect have since realised that “this is a mischievous attempt to cause disaffection between them, and would not allow this sound working relationship which has been waxing stronger, particularly at this critical time to be destroyed by some self-centred individuals.”

Below is the complete transcript of the conversation:

Ganduje: Hello

Ibrahim Masari: Your Excellency

Ganduje: How is work and everything? How is Abuja

Masari: Glory be to God, I just came into Abuja

Ganduje: Kano is all over with noise.

Masari: Your Excellency, I told you what is going on, but you denied it. What should I say? I told you what’s happening, but you denied it and expressed surprise over it. How would this be happening, and so on?

Ganduje: Even if I heard it, there is nothing I can do about it. Isn’t it?

Masari: But you can speak to him at that time, you can call him and talk to him.

Ganduje: To tell him what? I can’t do anything since Kwankwaso has become an alternative to us. There is no problem.

Masari: It hasn’t reached that stage. That’s impossible

Ganduje: Because we don’t have government?

Masari: Are you coming on Thursday?

Ganduje: It’s because of him that we lose reelection.

Masari: You should be patient. Even your enemies know that he wasn’t fair to you.

Ganduje: The right thing is that even if he will grant Kwankwaso audience, it should be in our presence. We should be invited. Did you understand? Even if it is symbolically.

Masari: Your Excellency, you should be patient. I wish you safe journey

Ganduje: Everything is in the hands of God

Masari: You’re right

Ganduje: All these calculations

Masari: They are very wrong. Everybody will be scared to work with him

Ganduje: This man did not end well with Jonathan. He gave him work but ended up painting the government as corrupt.

Masari: Yes, you’re right

Ganduje: Because he wasn’t allowed to partake in corruption, it’s not a matter that he was clean.

Masari: What brought the issue of he is clean? The truth of the matter is that they weren’t fair to you. You should just be patient but leave it until you arrive.

We’ve started the discussion, he called me and I told him that Mr. President, you’re wrong. He said, “What have I done again?” He started explaining it to me that it was SLS and Chagaury that led them and so on.. I asked him whether he had spoken to you, and he said no. Is he seeing these things. Leave it until you come, you know this conversation on the phone is unsafe.

I wish you a safe journey. You should just keep mute as you did, maintain your maturity by not speaking on the matter

Ganduje: What intelligence told me is that they want his intervention to scuttle the case at the tribunal

Masari: There is that game plan. It’s not his right. You have that right, Excellency.

Ganduje: He’s not showing interest over the matter.

Masari: Excellency, you should let this matter go, I don’t like these conversations on the phone. Allow it when you come tomorrow or next tomorrow, then we sit down and discuss. If the need arise,s we can call him.

Ganduje: When is he coming back?

Masari: Wallahi, I don’t know, we have spoken, not that good, and I even showed him my anger.

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Preparations for the 2023 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference reached a major milestone yesterday with the unveiling of the conference logo and registration portal by NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN.

Maikyau also announced the conference theme as “GETTING IT RIGHT: Charting the Course for Nigeria’s Nation Building.” The conference will hold at MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja between August 25 and September 1, 2023.

The NBA President stated that it is important for the association to get it right, adding that Nigeria has all the resources to be a successful nation.

Noting that the association had carefully selected an array of competent members led by former NBA General Secretary Afam Osigwe to organize a fitting conference, Maikyau said: “The NBA must take the lead to get it right; we have to get it right in everything we do because we are blessed with all the potentials we will need to get it right.

“It is for us to find it; It is for us to discover it; It is for us to take the lead in providing leadership and providing direction to the people of this country.”

Maikyau then unveiled the conference logo and portal to kick-start registration by delegates.

Speaking earlier, Osigwe emphasized the need for lawyers to take advantage of the Early Bird window to register for the conference, saying: “The early bird is not going to be extended; once we get to the end, we move on. There will be no ‘abeg.’ “

Osigwe noted the need for cooperation from NBA members in order to have a seamless Annual General Conference, urging members to support the efforts of the AGC Planning Committee (AGCPC) through sponsorships.

Among those who were present at the hybrid unveiling ceremony were NBA General Secretary, Mr. Adesina Adegbite; NBA First Vice President, Mrs. Linda Bala; AGCPC Alternate Chairperson, Mrs. Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya; AGCPC Secretary, Laura Alakija, and Mrs. Nkiru Okeke who represented the ICT Consultants, Crystal Digital.

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Indications have emerged that legendary Nollywood actor, Saint Obi may have become a nervous wreck in his last days due to frustration over his messy divorce with estranged wife, Lynda Saint-Nwafor.

Lamenting the demise of the popular actor on a CITY LAWYER platform, a senior lawyer said the Nollywood star was in and out of Ota High Court due to his stormy divorce battle with his estranged wife.

Noting that he was in court when one of the divorce proceedings took place, the lawyer said that Saint Obi, whose real name is Obinna Nwafor, got so frustrated at some point in the hearing that he unleashed his anger on the judge.

His words: “The past seven years of this guy (Obi) was spent in serious legal battle with his wife in different Ota high court. After their divorce, the issue of custody became another legal battle. I have seen them in three different courts at Ota; they get their case transferred from one judge to another.”

Continuing, the senior lawyer said: “The last time I saw Saint Obi in court, he was in emotional chaos; in fact, the way he roared in court at my Lord, you know something was not alright with him. He shouted, ‘I don’t believe I can get justice in this court, I want my case transferred.’”

Giving an indication that the court may have granted Obi’s request for a transfer of his case, the lawyer wrote: “I saw their case in another court; I have (sic) come for my own divorce case at Ota. The wife, as usual very tall, beautiful, fair in complexion lady, she was using a SAN against Saint Obi who have (sic) changed different lawyers too.”

According to the senior lawyer, “The legal battle must have drained and finished him. I knew from his reaction in the open court. In fact, when he stormed out, some very elderly senior lawyers stood up, apologizing to my Lord, frowning seriously at his behavior in court.”

In a similar account, multiple award-winning filmmaker, Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor wrote in a farewell message that “The Saint would be blessed with three beautiful children. But not on one occasion were his friends in Nollywood invited for christening or birthday. We were told that his wife was of the topmost hierarchy in telecom giant, MTN.”

Narrating what Obi allegedly told him, Okafor wrote: “I don’t know why my wife’s siblings see me as a gold digger. They confront me, harass and fight me in my own matrimony.”

Following an alleged clash with his in-laws, Okafor stated that ‘‘This effectively marked the beginning of the end of his marriage and perhaps Saint Obi’s long walk to a sad end. He moved out of his marital home to a new house to begin the reconstruction of his destiny, alone without his wife and worse still without his three beautiful children.”

Confirming the divorce proceedings in Ota High Court, the ace movie maker wrote, “The wife also sued for divorce, not in Lagos, but in Ogun state. As Saint put it, ‘It was to make the journey difficult for me. But I will not bend nor will I break. I will fight with my last blood to take custody of my children. They love me and they know it will be hard for me to live without them. The divorce is not an issue. My marriage has long been over,’ he said with a mix of courage and a quaky heart that betrayed his distress.”

CITY LAWYER reported the demise of Saint Obi who died last week in Jos, Plateau State.

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SEUN KUTI: AN UPDATE

Following his encounter with a policeman on the Third Mainland Bridge on Saturday the 13th May, 2023, my client, Mr. Seun Kuti reported himself in the office of the Commissioner of Police at the Police Command, Ikeja, at 8 am today Monday May 15, 2023.

I accompanied him to the Ikeja police station together with another lawyer, Mr. Femi Akinyemi from Falana and Falana chambers.

However, there was no interrogation as it was decided he would be moved to the Force Criminal Investigation Unit at Panti, Yaba. Before his movement, Mr. Seun Kuti, was handcuffed and his photograph taken in the open by the Lagos PPRO, Mr. Ben Hundeyin who coordinated the parade and apparently shared the photograph of his parade in the media.

Mr. Kuti is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved by the State. Therefore, the decision of the police to subject him to the media parade violates section 9 of the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, which has prohibited any form of parade of criminal suspects in Nigeria in Lagos State. The Police is supposed to enforce the Law, but prefers to disrespect and break it so casually and randomly. A Police institution that has no respect for the law it exists to enforce is not a good example to alleged law breakers.

The decision of the police to handcuff Mr. Kuti is equally illegal as it constitutes a violation of Section 5 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

After handcuffing him, the Police then drove him in a long convoy of heavily armed personnel from Ikeja to Panti Lagos, where he was again displayed for viewing to the men and officers of that police formation, and is currently held.

We await the next move of the Police on the misdemeanor alleged against Mr. Seun Kuti.

SGD:

Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN.

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CONGRATULATIONS

Our very respected Elder, Chief Emeka Ngige, SAN
Ikemba n’Alor,

For myself and on behalf of the History and Legacy Committee of the NBA Lagos Branch (whose privilege it is to have you as our Consultant), I most heartily congratulate you sir for the great success you achieved, milestones you attained, and groundbreaking innovations you made on the Nigerian Law School during your tenure as the Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, the first term of which just concluded.

We also join your friends all over Nigeria, nay, Africa and the legal world in general in jubilation and to celebrate you on your re-appointment to the office for another term. Your passion to bring back the glory of the Nigerian Law School was left in no doubt when you used the occasion of your birthday celebration in 2021 to launch a fundraiser for the infrastructural development of the Law School Campuses in all parts of Nigeria.

Yours was truly the Golden Era that saw the Council take possession of the ultra-modern Law School Campus and facilities built by the Rivers State Government and donated to the Council. You truly have a golden touch scored several firsts that are each a feat in their own right. We are grateful to be associated with you our dear big brother in the NBA Lagos Branch. Well done, Sir.

Seth Amaefule, Esq.
FOR: History and Legacy Committee

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The Chairman of Young Members Group (YMG) of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), Nigeria Branch, Mr. Emuobonuvie Majemite has been cleared by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch for the June 27, 2023 Branch Elections.

In a letter obtained by CITY LAWYER and dated May 14, 2023, the Committee wrote: “The Electoral Committee has scrutinized your Nomination Form and is pleased to inform you that you are qualified to contest for the post of ‘Secretary’ in the NBA – Lagos Branch 2023 Elections.”

The committee also informed Majemite, a Partner and Head of the Arbitration and ADR Practice Group at the leading law firm of PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors, that “you are hereby invited to present your manifesto on Manifesto Day scheduled to hold on Wednesday the 21st of June 2023 at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.”

Titled “NBA LAGOS BRANCH ELECTIONS – NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION TO CONTEST FOR SECRETARY,” the letter was signed by the Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr. Wale Akoni SAN and the committee’s Secretary Temitope Aribisala.

Responding to the news of his clearance as a candidate for the post of Secretary, Majemite wrote: “I received with excitement and gratitude to God, the notice of my qualification to run for Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch from the Electoral Committee.”

He appreciated his “teeming supporters who have bought into the Innovative Service project,” adding that “I am keen to share my manifesto with my dear Premier Branch, to inform them of my promise to deliver a technologically-driven and result-oriented secretariat.”

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The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command to arrest Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti.

In the video that emerged on Saturday, Kuti was allegedly seen pointing to the unidentified police officer before proceeding to push and slap the officer.

According to a statement by Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi titled “SERIOUS ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICER: IGP CONDEMNS ACT, ORDERS IMMEDIATE ARREST OF SEUN KUTI,” “The IGP has equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.”

Posted on his verified Twitter handle @Princemoye1, the statement which was sighted by CITY LAWYER concluded that “IGP Usman Alkali Baba assures Nigerians that acts of contempt/disdain for symbols of authority will not be tolerated while offenders of such hideous crimes will be surely brought to book.”

Meanwhile, Kuti has promised to cooperate fully with the police on his planned arrest. Following the order by the IGP, Kuti wrote on his Instagram story, “I welcome the investigation and will give my full cooperation! I also pray to the IG that whoever is wrong should be indicted.”

The afrobeat star had written in his defence that the police officer “tried to kill me and my family; have the proof but I no dey chase clout. He has apologised and I have agreed not to press charges. Make una mind una business make the poor guy no lose him job.” The incident reportedly occurred today on Third Mianland Bridge, Lagos.

Seun Kuti has promised to cooperate with the Police as investigations begin pic.twitter.com/QVEaOIetno

— 🐬 @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) May 13, 2023

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Veteran Nollywood actor, Saint Obi whose real name is Obinna Nwafor, has passed away at the age of 57 in Jos, Plateau State. He died on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at the home of one of his siblings.

Although the exact cause of his death is yet to be disclosed, his remains have been deposited at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, morgue.

It has been reported that his death was not immediately made public due to a disagreement between his siblings.

Having studied theater arts at the University of Jos, Saint Obi made his debut in the acting scene in 1996, after featuring in a Peugeot commercial on NTA. With over 60 movie roles to his credit.

THE GUARDIAN reports that Saint Obi would be remembered for his actions in the films he produced himself including his 2001 film, titled “Take Me to Maama”, where he played the character of Jerry alongside talented actors such as Ebi Sam, Late Rachel Oniga, Nse Abel, and Enebeli Elebuwa.

When CITY LAWYER contacted the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), an official said they had sent an emissary to the family to confirm the incident.

Foremost Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo also told CITY LAWYER that though his attention had been called to news reports on the incident, “I cannot confirm same. Recall that this is Nigeria where we have read news of people who are alive being dead!”

CITY LAWYER gathered from a reliable source that Saint Obi married a top MTN staff and relocated to Victoria Island axis afterwards. He had not acted in major views for years.

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A Farewell Dinner was held yesterday by the Council of Legal Education (CLE) at Abuja in honour of its outgoing members.

The dinner was held at the exquisite Ballroom 2, Ladi Kwali Conference Centre of the Abuja Continental Hotel.

Hosted by Bar Leader and Chairman of Council, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN, OFR), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN was among the dignitaries that attended the exclusive event.

Below are faces at the dinner.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has issued guidelines for lawyers to effect change of name on the roll of legal practitioners’ at the apex court.

Titled “REQUIREMENTS FOR CHANGE OF NAME,” CITY LAWYER investigation shows that the elaborate 12-point list has been on the apex court’s verified website for over five years.

Following a recent Supreme Court letter on the matter, longstanding Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Prosecutor at the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), Mr. Jibrin Okutepa SAN said in a CITY LAWYER report that it is mandatory for lawyers to effect change of name at the Supreme Court before practicing with the new name.

Saying that a breach of this requirement amounts to professional misconduct, Okutepa warned that “Lawyers enrolled to practice in the names they enrolled. Once a lawyer starts practicing in a name other than the name on the roll then that itself is professional misconduct.”

But prominent Law Teacher, Mr. Sylvester Udemezue disagreed, saying: “Since he has successfully gone through the process of change of name, he is entitled to practice law in his new name. Practicing law in his new name is neither illegal nor unprofessional, although he’s negligent in having failed to give notice to the Supreme Court to enable the latter update its records.”

Continuing, he said: “I repeat that giving such a notice to the Supreme Court of Nigeria is not a part/step in successful change of name in Nigeria; thus a change of name by a lawyer could be successfully concluded without recourse to the Supreme Court. This means, I submit, that a person who is duly called to the bar but who later validly changed his name, is not estopped from using his new name only on account of the fact he has not sent notice of the change to the supreme court.”

Among the requirements listed by the apex court for an effective change of a lawyer’s name on the roll are Application Letter Addressed to the Chief Registrar; Deed of Change of Name duly stamped at the Stamp Duty Office; Affidavit of Change of Name; Photocopy of Call to Bar certificate, and original for citing, and Photocopy of Qualifying Certificates, and original for citing.

Other requirements include Birth certificate or sworn declaration of age; Local Government Indigene Certificate; Marriage Certificate; Newspaper Publication; Passport Photograph; Verification letter from Nigerian Bar Association, and Letter of introduction from the Nigerian Law School. The apex court however states that “Men Are Not Required to Submit Marriage Certificate.”

According to a 2018 online post by Ifeoma Peters, a senior lawyer, “You are required to personally present the above document at the Supreme Court where you will in your own hand, again write your new name on the roll of legal practitioners and sign your new signature. The Chief Registrar or the schedule officer will cross off the previous name in your presence. It’s a very solemn exercise. FINALLY, an official letter shall be issued to you signed by the Registrar of the Supreme Court. Please Note: A change of name in the newspaper does not change your name in the roll of legal practitioners.”

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The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP) has unveiled a 24-member team to plan a fitting 2023 Annual Conference for the section.

A statement made available to CITY LAWYER by NBA Publicity Secretary Habeeb Lawal and signed by the Section’s Chairman, Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) named leading senior lawyer, Chief Paul Harris Ogbole (SAN) as the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee.

While seasoned arbitrator, Mr. Tonye Krukrubo (SAN) was appointed the Alternate Chairman, FIDA chieftain, Mrs. Ezinwa Okorafor was named as the Secretary.

Orbih wrote: “The Committee is charged with the responsibility of delivering a world-class conference for members of the Nigeria Bar Association in the accustomed tradition of the SLP. While the conference is scheduled for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja between the 16th -19th July 2023, the Committee will agree on the theme and details for the Conference. The Section is indebted to these members for accepting this call to serve.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

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The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN, CON) has said that his duty as the Chief Law Officer of the Federation stood out as the most challenging period of his professional career.

Malami said this at the launch and public presentation of his Autobiography titled `Traversing The Thorny Terrain of Nigeria’s Justice Sector: My Travails and Triumphs’ in Abuja on Thursday.

“Not because it is daunting or difficult to be effectively performed but because of the misconception of the public and ignorant conflict between public and private interests on what the office of the Attorney-General of the federation is constitutionally empowered to do.

“Part of the responsibilities of the Attorney General of the federation is that of being a legal adviser to the government, all the ministries, departments and government agencies.

Malami noted that the occupant of the office suffers a downplay of his/her efforts, while mistakes are more acknowledged and blown out of proportion.

He said that he encountered many thorny terrains but the Almighty helped him to also triumph. “This is regardless of where the source of the mistake, mischief or negligence emanates from.

“Most of the criticisms levelled against the office are misinformed and misguided due to the linear approach to analysing the issues. They forget that as the AG and minister of justice, you are to take consistent decisions that will be in line with underlying principles of law.

“Of course, with the wider interest over and above private as well as individual interests, that is the true definition of impartiality as is needed to efficiently perform his duties’’.

He said the autobiography was intended to present an objective account of his stewardship that will be accessible to the public.

“My autobiography is an enjoyable reflection of my life history, educational pursuit, professional practice, public career and sojourn in politics.

“Personally, the desire to serve the country and improve the administration of law and justice has never been stronger than when I served in the exalted office for the past 8 years.

“I have in my capacity played my role and contributed majorly in improving the laws and in the distribution of justice in the socio-economic development of the nation, and enhancing its security”.

Malami expressed delight over the presence of the people who honoured the book launch and presentation.

“I express gratitude to God for being the longest-serving attorney general of the federation which I refer to as a golden opportunity and greatest achievement.

VANGUARD reports that dignitaries at the book launch included Gov. Abubakar Bagudu, Members of the National Assembly and Directors General of the NIA, , the Chairmen of EFCC , IPC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau, current and former ministers and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero.

Photo credit: https://www.nuprc.gov.ng/

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A senior lawyer and good governance advocate, Dr. Kayode Ajulo has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stem the ill-treatment of visitors at its Abuja Headquarters.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, Ajulo described the trend as “worse than corporal punishment,” adding that it is “actually a big source of worry that requires drastic actions.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

INHUMANE TREATMENT OF VISITORS AT THE GATE OF EFCC HEADQUATERS: A CALL FOR CONCERN

The inhumane treatment that has become a trend at the main gate of EFCC Headquarters, is not just incomparable, it’s actually a big source of worry that requires drastic actions. It’s worse than corporal punishment.

The man at the helms of affairs of the commission, Rasheed Bawa, with respect sure needs to be called to order. If his commission is bereft of what to do, let him throw-in the towel and let a competent hand do the needful, or shut down the commission’s headquarters.

Visitors that include lawyers are subjected to harassment and the most inhuman ordeal, as they’re made to queue up in the sun and rain for hours with little or no conducive shelter and without any form of care or attempt to alleviate the indecent condition.

Many of those who were invited on various issues but got stuck at the gate actually preferred the commission’s officials had come to arrest them so they would escape the inhuman treatment, rather than how they had voluntarily come to the place, only to be subjected to such cruelty that knows no bounds.

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* TO PAY VICTIM $5 MILLION

Donald Trump sexually abused magazine writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s and then defamed her by branding her a liar, jurors decided on Tuesday and awarded her $5 million in damages.

The former U.S. president, campaigning to retake the White House in 2024, will appeal, said his spokesman Steven Cheung. Trump will not have to pay so long as the case is on appeal.

Carroll, 79, testified during the civil trial that Trump, 76, raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan in either 1995 or 1996, then harmed her reputation by writing in an October 2022 post on his Truth Social platform that her claims were a “complete con job,” “a hoax” and “a lie.”

Carroll held hands with her lawyers as the verdict was read, according to REUTERS news report. She left the courthouse with her lawyer Roberta Kaplan, smiling and wearing sunglasses, and entered a car without speaking to reporters.

The nine-member jury in Manhattan federal court awarded $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages. Although the finding of sexual abuse was enough to establish his liability for battery, the jury did not find that Trump raped her. The jury deliberated for just under three hours before rejecting Trump’s denial that he assaulted Carroll. To find him liable, the jury of six men and three women was required to reach a unanimous verdict.

Trump was absent throughout the trial which began on April 25. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called the verdict a “disgrace” and said, “I have absolutely no idea who this woman is.”

President from 2017 to 2021, Trump is the front-runner in opinion polls for the Republican presidential nomination and has shown an uncanny ability to weather controversies that might sink other politicians.

It seems unlikely in America’s polarized political climate that the civil verdict will have an impact on Trump’s core supporters, who view his legal woes as part of a concerted effort by opponents to undermine him.

“The folks that are anti-Trump are going to remain that way, the core pro-Trump voters are not going to change, and the ambivalent ones I just don’t think are going to be moved by this type of thing,” said Charlie Gerow, a Republican strategist in Pennsylvania. Any negative impact is likely to be small and limited to suburban women and moderate Republicans, he said.

Jurors were tasked with deciding whether Trump raped, sexually abused or forcibly touched Carroll, any one of which would satisfy her claim of battery. They were separately asked if Trump defamed Carroll. Because this was a civil case, Trump faces no criminal consequences and, as such, there was never a threat of prison.

Trump’s legal team opted not to present a defense, gambling that jurors would find that Carroll had failed to make a persuasive case. Trump had said Carroll, a former Elle magazine columnist and a registered Democrat, made up the allegations to try to increase sales of her 2019 memoir and to hurt him politically.

Because the case was in civil court, Carroll was required to establish her rape claim by “a preponderance of the evidence” – meaning more likely than not – rather than the higher standard used in criminal cases of “proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” Carroll had to show “clear and convincing evidence” to prove her defamation claim. The trial featured testimony from two women who said Trump sexually assaulted them decades ago.

Former People magazine reporter Natasha Stoynoff told jurors that Trump cornered her at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida in 2005 and forcibly kissed her for a “few minutes” until a butler interrupted the alleged assault. Another woman, Jessica Leeds, testified that Trump kissed her, groped her and put his hand up her skirt on a flight in 1979.

Jurors also heard excerpts from a 2005 “Access Hollywood” video in which Trump says women let him “grab ’em by the pussy.” “Historically, that’s true, with stars … if you look over the last million years,” Trump said in an October 2022 video deposition played in court. He has repeatedly denied allegations of sexual misconduct.

Carroll’s lawyer Kaplan told jurors during closing arguments on Monday that the 2005 video was proof that Trump had assaulted Carroll and other women.

The federal trial, presided over by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who is not related to Carroll’s lawyer, began on April 25. Citing the uniqueness of a civil case against a former president, the judge decided that the names, addresses and places of employment of the jurors would be kept secret.

Carroll testified that she bumped into Trump at Bergdorf’s while he was shopping for a gift for another woman. Carroll said she agreed to help Trump pick out a gift and the two looked at lingerie before he coaxed her into a dressing room, slammed her head into a wall and raped her. Carroll testified she could not remember the precise date or year the alleged rape occurred.

Carroll faced questions from Trump’s legal team attacking the plausibility of her account including why she had never reported the matter to police or screamed during the alleged incident. Two of Carroll’s friends said that she told them about the alleged rape at the time but swore them to secrecy because she feared that Trump would use his fame and wealth to retaliate against her if she came forward.

Carroll told jurors she decided to break her silence in 2017 after rape allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein prompted scores of women to come forward with accounts of sexual violence by powerful men. She went public with her account while Trump was still president. She said Trump’s public denials wrecked her career and instigated a campaign of vicious online harassment by his supporters including various threatening messages and social media posts.

While Trump did not testify at the trial, a video clip from the October 2022 deposition showed him mistaking Carroll for one of his former wives in a black-and-white photo among several people at an event. “It’s Marla,” Trump said in the deposition, referring to his second wife Marla Maples. Previously Trump had said he could not have raped Carroll because she was not “his type.”

Trump has cited the Carroll trial in campaign fundraising emails as evidence of what he portrays as a Democratic plot to damage him politically. His poll numbers improved after he was charged in New York in March with falsifying business records over a hush money payment to a porn star before his victory in the 2016 presidential election.

That indictment, filed in New York state court, made him the first U.S. president past or present to be criminally charged. Trump has pleaded not guilty and said the charges are politically motivated.

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* ‘WHEN YOU USE A NAME NOT ON THE ROLL, YOU’RE NOT A LAWYER’

Prominent Bar Leader and longstanding former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Prosecutor at the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) of the Body of Benchers, Mr. Jibrin Okutepa SAN has weighed in on the controversy trailing the need for lawyers to ensure that they only practise with the name with which they are enrolled at the Supreme Court.

Speaking on the controversy that has trailed a recent Supreme Court statement on the subject, Okutepa said that practicing in a name other than the name on the lawyers’ roll “itself is professional misconduct.”

He described the debate on whether it was the “name” or the “person” that was called to the Bar as “splitting hair in arguments over substance,” adding that “when you use the name not on the roll then you are not a lawyer.”

His words: “Splitting hair in arguments over substance is the bane of lawyering in Nigeria. We as Nigerian lawyers appear to be too technical in legal arguments and reasoning so much that the substance of matters is hardly examined.

“Lawyers enrolled to practice in the names they enrolled. Once a lawyer starts practicing in a name other than the name on the roll then that itself is professional misconduct.”

On whether a person whose name is not on the lawyers’ roll could be considered  a lawyer, notwithstanding that he may have been called to the Bar, the fiery senior lawyer and good governance advocate said: “You may be a lawyer but when you use the name not on the roll then you are not a lawyer. The professional issues being mixed with hybrid legal technicality is what has gradually destroyed the purity of legal practice in Nigeria.”

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The Supreme Court will today at 2.00 pm deliver judgment in the disputed July 16, 2022 governorship election in Osun State between incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and All Progressives Party (APC) contender, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola.

The apex court fixed the period for the judgment after taking arguments from parties on an appeal filed by Oyetola and APC, with Adeleke, PDP and INEC as respondents.

CITY LAWYER recalls that Oyetola had brought a petition against the declaration of incumbent Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke as winner of the governorship election. While the tribunal in a split two-to-one decision held that Oyetola won majority of the lawful votes cast in the election, Adeleke and INEC challenged the tribunal’s decision, saying that it erred in law.

Today’s decision by the apex court may set the tone for the potential outcome of the petitIons filed by several political parties and their candidates at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT). Notably, Mr. Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are challenging the declaration of Senator Bola Tinubu of All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential election.

The Court of Appeal had unanimously held that the Osun State Tribunal erred in law when it decided that there was over-voting during the election, saying the claim only relied on the evidence by Oyetola and the APC and as such, doesn’t prove their case.

The court faulted Oyetola and APC for relying only on the data from the back-end server and failing to look at the voters’ register which forms the foundation of the whole electoral process. It held that as such, the respondents could not sustain their allegation of over-voting. The position of the apex court today on the subject will lay the precedent for lower courts to follow.

Oyetola had appealed to the apex court in the lawsuit marked as SC/CV/510/2023. He urged the apex court to upturn the decision of the Court of Appeal. In the appeal brought on Oyetola’s behalf by his Lead Counsel, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, the appellant formulated eight issues among which is “Whether the court below was right in declaring as nullity the judgment of the Tribunal delivered on 27th January 2023 notwithstanding the earlier resolution of the same Court that Section 294(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is inapplicable to a Tribunal.”

He urged the apex court to determine whether the appellate court was right “in declaring as nullity the judgment of the tribunal delivered on January 27 notwithstanding the earlier resolution of the same court that Section 294(1) of the Constitution is inapplicable to a tribunal”. He also urged the court to decide whether the lower court was right in concluding that the appellants did not prove the allegation of over-voting in favour of Adeleke.

But INEC had through its Lead Counsel, Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN filed an unprecedented 34 grounds of appeal against the decision of the tribunal, leading to a reversal by the appellate court.

The commission, in a certified copy of the Cross Appeal obtained by CITY LAWYER and filed on its behalf by Ananaba, urged the apex court “to allow this Cross-Appeal, and also set aside the decision of the Tribunal delivered on 27th January 2023 on the ground that the judgment of the Honourable Tribunal delivered on 27th January 2023 by Hon. Justice T. A. Kume and signed by Rabi Bashir (CM) is not in compliance with the provisions of section 294(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and amounts to a nullity.

“We further urge your Lordships to reject the said Exhibits RC1, RC2, BVR, PUBL 1-3 and CER in evidence and expunge them from the record of the Honourable Tribunal.”

INEC distilled two issues for the determination of the Supreme Court, namely “Whether the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal were right in holding that the judgment of the Osun State Governorship Election Tribunal delivered on 27th January 2023 by Hon. Justice T. A. Kume and signed by Rabi Bashir (Chief Magistrate) on the same page is not a nullity (Distilled from Ground 1 of the Notice of Appeal).”

The commission also urged the Supreme Court to determine whether the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal were right “in upholding the decision of the Tribunal not to have rejected in evidence Exhibits RC1, RC2 and BVR, Exhibits SCH1, SCH2, SCH3 and Exhibit PUBL 1-3 tendered by the 1st and 2nd Cross-Respondents (Distilled from Ground 2 of the Notice of Appeal).”

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The Supreme Court of Nigeria has stated that it has effected a name change and listed Mr. Douglas Ogbankwa on the roll of lawyers kept at the apex court.

It is recalled that CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report cited a Supreme Court letter which 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.”

Though Ogbankwa had blamed political detractors for his travails, he also stated that his earlier efforts to effect a name change at the Supreme Court was frustrated.

Laying the matter to rest, the Supreme Court stated that Ogbankwa has now effected a name change on the apex court’s lawyers’ roll from AGUGUOM, DOUGLAS ONYEBUCHI to OGBANKWA, DOUGLAS ONYEBUCHI.

According to the letter obtained yesterday from the Supreme Court and made available to CITY LAWYER by Ogbankwa, the apex court urged the public “to HENCEFORTH deal with him as such and as appropriate.”

Dated 4th May, 2023 and titled “TO WHOMSOEVER THAT THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME – RE: CONFIRMATION OF NAME CHANGE,” the letter reads: “This is to confirm that AGUGUOM, DOUGLAS ONYEBUCHI who was called to the Nigerian Bar on the 8th day of May, 2007 and placed on the Roll of Legal Practitioners in the Supreme Count of Nigeria on the 11th day of May, 2007 and whose name appears in Volume 190 and at Page 39 of the Roll of Legal Practitioners kept in this Honourable Court, with Enrolment Number SCN055406 has formally, by a DEED which he presented before this Honourable Court on the 4” May, 2023, CHANGED his name from AGUGUOM, DOUGLAS ONYEBUCHI to OGBANKWA, DOUGLAS ONYEBUCHI.

“Now, know ye therefore that BY THESE PRESENTS, the Court has accepted and officially recorded this NAME CHANGE and enjoins all stakeholders including the General Public with whom the foresaid OGBANKWA, DOUGLAS ONYEBUCHI may have dealings in the course of the performance of his professional functions and, or duties to HENCEFORTH deal with him as such and as appropriate.”

The letter, with reference number SCN.LIT./CN/0000210, was signed by one Henrietta Aduwak Akyang, a lawyer, on behalf of the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Hajo Sarki Bello.

• An elated Ogbankwa displaying his Supreme Court name change letter … yesterday

The 2023 Law Week Planning Committee (the “Law Week Committee”) of the NBA Lagos Branch has announced commencement date for the registration of its Annual Law Week for 2023 themed: “Facing The Future: Law in a Globalized Economy,” scheduled to hold from June 16-June 23, 2023 at the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the Law Week Committee, the registration portal – https://nbalagos.ng/2023-law-week/ for the hybrid event is set to open at 12 am on 3rd May 2023, when intending participants will be required to follow the seamless registration process. Below is the prescribed schedule for registration; thus:

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: (not applicable to virtual participants 3rd May – 16th May, 2023)

IN PERSON REGISTRATION
i.1-5 years N2250
ii. 6-10 years N4500
iii.11-20 years N9000
iv. 21 and above N13,500
v. SANs and Benchers N27,000

REGULAR REGISTRATION:
VIRTUAL –
i.1-5 years N1250
ii. 6-10 years N2500
iii.11-20 years N5000
iv. 21 and above N7500
v. SANs and Benchers N15,000

IN PERSON REGISTRATION
i.1-5 years N2500
ii. 6-10 years N5000
iii.11-20 years N10000
iv. 21 and above N15000
v. SANs and Benchers N30,000

Registrants/attendees are invited to use this link: https://shorturl.at/ozQZ8 to create their personal avatar/dp.

For more inquiries, visit: www.nbalagos.ng

The President of the Nigerian Law Society (NLS), Mr. Kunle Ogunba SAN has expressed joy at the release of former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Okey Wali SAN.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER by the recently appointed NLS Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bayo Akinlade, the President of the resurgent lawyers’ association, Mr. Kunle Ogunba SAN noted that “From the moment we heard of his kidnap in mid April 2023, we were in prayers for his safe return and followed up with keen interest on any developments as to plans for his rescue”.

Ogunba said that as he prepared his statement to congratulate the legal community on May Day, he received with joy the news of Wali’s release by his abductors.

He noted that “NLS is very concerned about the state of the Nation’s security framework, the protection of our citizens and the capacity of our security agencies to fully fulfil their duty to the citizens and the nation as a whole,” adding that “It is a priority to us at NLS as we are committed to providing support to our security agencies and welcome collaboration with other stakeholders to improve our national security integrity, framework and infrastructure.”

Ogunba vowed that NLS was committed to the welfare and professional development of lawyers within the security/intelligence community, with a view to strengthening the legal framework that will make policing much more effective in Nigeria.

He urged lawyers and judges to be vigilant and alert to happenings in their surroundings, adding that they should not venture into places they are not familiar with.

CITY LAWYER recalls that the NLS has been engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with the NBA since its emergence last October, leading the NBA National Executive Council (NBA-NEC) to suspend its statutory member and former General Secretary, Mr. Nimi Walson-Jack over his involvement with the nascent association.

Aside from Walson-Jack who also doubles as the NLS Vice President, other members of its Executive Committee are Mr. Abdulqadir Sani, Secretary; Mr. Olasupo Ojo, Welfare Secretary, and Mrs. Chioma Ferguson, Treasurer. Others are Mr. Zara Yakubu, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Alice Awonugba, Assistant Secretary, and Mr. Hassan Sheriff, Assistant Publicity Secretary. Akinlade recently replaced pioneer NLS Publicity Secretary, Mr. Douglas Ogbankwa who resigned from the position.

Our attention has been drawn to several online publications by Mr. Douglas Ogbankwa relating to our report titled “EXCLUSIVE: SUPREME COURT SAYS MAIKYAU’S NBA C’TE APPOINTEE IS NOT A LAWYER.” While we had sought to ignore the wild allegations, the flurry of orchestrated publications lately has compelled us to set the records straight.

Aside from describing our report as “misconceived,” Mr. Ogbankwa has issued several public statements which sought to further impugn the report. More worrisome is that Mr. Ogbankwa has made baseless allegations which sought to portray our news blog and its esteemed President as having been procured by his perceived political detractors to malign him, and or having engaged in illegal activities. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In sundry posts which he personally made on social media platforms and published on at least one news blog, Mr. Ogbankwa stated that “I have seen the hatchet man’s job by Emeka Nwadike (sic) and City Lawyers (sic) to smear my image and reputation. A recent case of data invasion which is being investigated has revealed how Emeka Nwadike (sic) was compromised to do this report. Emeka Nwadike (sic) is a Cheap hatchet man, who has bit more than he can chew Legally.”

It is very instructive that this purported case of data invasion “revealed” the fanthom “compromise” barely 16 hours after the publication of our report. Mr. Ogbankwa may be invited shortly to show how he perhaps activated a petition to the security agencies at 12 noon on Thursday when our report was published and “revealed” a fanthom “compromise” at exactly 4:33 am on Friday!

In another report published on at least two news blogs, it was alleged that Mr. Ogbankwa “had filed a multi-billion naira suit against the said publication.” We note that we are yet to receive any court processes from Mr. Ogbankwa or his solicitors.

Mr. Ogbankwa last Sunday issued yet another statement which was published by sundry news blogs asserting that he was duly called to the Nigerian Bar, adding that “This reiteration has become apposite, due to the viral nature of the false reports spread by City Lawyers (sic) and their sponsors.”

He added: “but make no mistake about this, Whether the False Information Peddlers are brought to justice, or Justice is brought to the false information Peddlers, Justice will be done in this matter.” Mr. Ogbankwa did not explain what he meant by “Justice is brought to the false information Peddlers.”

For the avoidance of doubt, we state that CITY LAWYER was not procured to impugn Mr. Ogbankwa’s reputation. The allegations made against our news blog and its President, formerly an award-winning journalist, are shocking, unfair, reckless, and utterly baseless. Our news blog has always placed premium on the best ethical standards.

It is instructive that, not only did we not add to the contents of the Supreme Court letter, we indeed – and in the hallowed traditions of audi alteram partem and fair hearing – sought an interview with Mr. Ogbankwa which he eagerly granted. We then extensively projected Mr. Ogbankwa’s views and accompanying documents in the same news report, in his strenuous bid to blunt the Supreme Court letter. Indeed, in displaying good faith towards Mr. Ogbankwa, we voluntarily censored some of the statements he made during the interview.

Equally noteworthy is that Mr. Ogbankwa has made copious references to his longstanding practice as a lawyer as well as his service to sundry bar associations. What he has not done thus far is provide compelling evidence to dispel the kernel of our report which was based solely on the Supreme Court statement 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.”

In fact, Mr. Ogbankwa, in putting his personal imprimatur on the Supreme Court statement and the CITY LAWYER report, wrote in another piece titled “A Narration By Douglas Ogbankwa Esq,” that “One Osaigbovo Aghatise – who works for Razaq Isenalumhe and has privilege (sic) information of Lawyers practising in Edo State, as a former Permanent Secretary of the NBA Benin Branch, has collected money from Douglas Ogbankwa to perfect his Deed Pool (sic) and other documents since 2021, but since he now works for Isenalumhe, he has been playing hide and seek, refusing to bring details of the perfection of Deed Pool (sic), saying “I will get to you “I will get to you”, showing that this a well orchestrated plan to pull him down.” Need we say more? As lawyers would say, res ipsa loquitur. This is moreso as Mr. Ogbankwa stated in yet another publication that he effected the Affidavit of Change of Name and newspaper publication in 2008, that is, 15 (fifteen) years ago!

Accordingly, we urge Mr. Ogbankwa to quit chasing shadows and abide by the unsolicited advice offered to him by the Supreme Court to wit: “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.”

We ask Mr. Ogbankwa to henceforth cease and desist from his ill-advised and futile campaign of calumny against CITY LAWYER and its President. He is encouraged to look elsewhere – or perhaps inwards – for his perceived traducers.

Signed
MANAGEMENT

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