BAR NEWS Archives - CITY LAWYER MAGAZINE

SOLAR FOR ALL: CHIEF MRS. FLORENCE EMMAH NOW BENEFICIARY

FEATURED

Company announces 5% discount on full payment from now till Easter (in partnership with NBA Abuja, NBA Lagos, BOSAN Abuja, Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja, NBA Kano, NBA Gwagwalada, Medical Doctors at FMC Cooperative, FCT Pharmacies, and UNILAG College of Medicine Alumni among others).

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

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

Epileptic Electricity has continued to be an issue in the country and diesel/fuel gets more expensive. Solar has proven a great source of relief over the years.

Solar For All Ltd was at the Eket home of Mrs. Emmah where we installed a Solar System that powers all the essentials in the home and ensures 24-hour power supply at a reduced power cost of at least 50%.

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

Some of the benefits of Solar/Inverters include:

*Solar is cheaper at long-run!

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

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

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Solar panels.

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

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

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

To view the price list, click below.

Solar-For-All-Ltd-Nov-price Download

VACANCY: LITIGATION LAWYER WANTED IN LAGOS FIRM

A reputable law firm based in Yaba, Lagos requires a Legal Practitioner with 1-10 years post-call experience.

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

This position is based on Alliance and does NOT attract a salary.

Interested candidates should send their CV to legaljobs77@gmail.com.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that the SUBJECT reads “LITIGATION LAWYER WANTED IN LAGOS FIRM.”

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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BENCHERS BACK OLANIPEKUN, DECLINE TO PROBE NBA ELECTIONS, DUMP LSN’S LETTER

The elite Body of Benchers have thrown its weight behind its embattled Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN through a confidence vote.

CITY LAWYER gathered that aside from current Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, three former chief justices of Nigeria also attended Tuesday’s plenary session of the body held at its headquarters in Abuja.

Meanwhile, the body has turned down a request by foremost Bar Leader and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential candidate, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN to probe the last NBA Elections.

The benchers also gave a cold shoulder to a letter by the embattled Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) urging the body to recognize the new lawyers’ group. Its solicitor and former NBA General Secretary Nimi Walson-Jack was recently suspended by the NBA National Executive Council.

Among the former chief justices who attended the meeting are Justice Mahmud Mohammed, Justice Salisu Modibo Alfa Belgore, and Justice Walter Onnoghen.

CITY LAWYER gathered that in discussing NBA’s letter calling for Olanipekun’s resignation as benchers’ chairman, it was noted that a preliminary report of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) had absolved partners at Wole Olanipekun & Co from any complicity in the solicitation letter written by Ms. Adekunbi Ogunde, a partner at the law firm.

The benchers argued that in the absence of any appeal on the decision, there was no basis to demand Olanipekun’s departure from the post.

Instead, Life Bencher, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN commended Olanipekun as a highly successful lawyer on several fronts, urging the benchers to pass a vote of confidence on him. The call was seconded by another jurist.

Turning to Gadzama’s strident quest for a probe of the 2022 NBA Elections, CITY LAWYER gathered that NBA President Yakubu Maikyau SAN warned the benchers to steer clear of the matter.

Though Olanipekun had mooted the setting up of a committee to probe the elections, Maikyau stated that he won the election overwhelmingly, adding that the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA) did not give the benchers any oversight role on NBA Elections.

The benchers also dumped a request by the nascent Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) urging the body to recognize it as another association of lawyers. The benchers resolved that there was no basis to discuss LSN’s letter, arguing that the body is unknown to the LPA. It was agreed that the LPA must be amended for the new lawyers’ association to have a legal footing that would enable the benchers to accord it a hearing.

CITY LAWYER recalls that Maikyau had in a recent searing letter urged Olanipekun to resign as Chairman of the Body of Benchers, citing Ogunde’s email.

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

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ELECTORAL ACT 2022: POWERS OF INEC TO RETRACT ANNOUNCED RESULTS

By Akintayo Balogun

The several amendments/inclusions that came with the Electoral Act 2022, continue to draw attention and concerns from public affairs analysts, political office holders, politicians, legal minds, and the general public. The dilemma that followed the addition of section 84(12) to the Electoral Act 2022, was finally laid to rest when in a unanimous decision by a seven-man panel of Justices led by Justice Muhammad Dattijo, the Supreme Court held that it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit which it said amounted to an abuse of the judicial process. It held that the President was not a proper person to approach the court with such a suit, owing to the nature of reliefs that were sought. The President and the Attorney General of the Federation had taken the National Assembly to the Supreme Court as the court of first instance to seek the removal of section 84(12) from the Electoral Act as the same was inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 42, 65, 66, 106, 107, 131, 137, 147, 151, 177, 182, 192 and 196 of the 1999 Constitution as well Article 2 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. Following the decision of the Supreme Court, the section since remained a part and parcel of the Electoral Act 2022.

Recently, attention has been drawn to section 65 of the Electoral Act which makes provision concerning the announcement of results by returning officers of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). The section is herein produced in full.

65.—(1) The decision of the returning officer shall be final on any question arising from or relating to— (a) unmarked ballot paper ;

(b) rejected ballot paper; and
(c) declaration of scores of candidates and the return of a candidate :

Provided that the Commission shall have the power within seven days to review the declaration and return where the Commission determines that the said declaration and return was not made voluntarily or was made contrary to the provisions of the law, regulations, guidelines, and manual for the election.

(2) A decision of the returning officer under subsection (1) may be reviewed by an election tribunal or court of competent jurisdiction in an election petition proceedings under this Act.

This section implies that where a returning officer makes an announcement or takes a decision as it relates to unmarked ballot papers, rejected ballot papers, declaration of scores, and the return of a candidate, that result is still subject to review by INEC, as to whether it was made voluntarily or per not provisions of the law, regulations, and guidelines, and manual for the election. It further implies that the announcement or decision taken by the Returning Officer is not a final decision as the same can be changed based on review by INEC if done within 7 days.

The inclusion of this section in the Electoral Act might not be unconnected to the incident that happened in Imo State stated above, where INEC insisted that Sen. Rochas would not be given the certificate of return having confirmed from its investigation that the returning officer for Imo West senatorial district election had reported that he declared Governor Okorocha winner “under duress”. However, the Abuja division of the Federal High Court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to with immediate effect, issue a certificate of return to former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, as the senator-elect for the Imo West Senatorial District. The court had stated thus amongst others:

“once the declaration is made under Section 68(c) of the Electoral Act, INEC has become functus officio and INEC has no lawful authority to withhold the certificate of return for any reason whatsoever….Therefore the issue of duress is unknown to both the Electoral Act and the Constitution.”

However, with the introduction of section 65 into the Electoral Act, this judgment of the Federal High Court has been overtaken and is no longer applicable. A returning officer or the commission only becomes funtus officio after 7 days of the announcement of the result.

One interesting thing about this section is that it is not new to the Nigerian electoral system, but this is the first time that it is being codified. We had a few isolated cases in the recent past.

In February 2019, the Returning Officer for the Imo West Senatorial District election, Professor Ibeawuchi Innocent, said that he declared Governor Rochas Okorocha the winner of the poll under duress. While addressing the press, they stated thus “I declared this thing before under duress; I’m still under duress declaring this one,” INEC, according to its spokesperson, refused to recognize Rochas as the winner of the election having confirmed that the returning officer declared the said results under duress.
During the same election, the Returning Officer for Anambra South senatorial election in last Saturday’s poll, Prof Meshach Umenweke, has denied publication by some national dailies that he declared the candidate of the Young Progressives Party(YPP), Ifeanyi Ubah, winner to save his life. He stated that he never at any point said he announced the result of the Anambra South senatorial election under duress nor in the mode that is implied (by the newspapers). He then re-affirm his declaration that Ifeanyi Ubah, the candidate of the YPP, is the winner of the Anambra South senatorial seat.”
On 7th November 2021, The Returning Officer of the Orumba North Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Otu, said he nearly lost his life when thugs attacked the Local Government collation center during the Anambra Governorship Election held in the state. He said that he was teargassed when trouble ensued. He narrated that the score sheets were mutilated and he was made to sign a fake result under duress. He further stated that INEC officers attached to him were compromised.

In my view, this novel section of the Electoral Act comes with its advantages and disadvantages.

The advantage of the section is that it allows the Returning Officer to make retractions where a result has been declared under duress or was made contrary to the provisions of the law, regulations and guidelines, and manual for the election. We know the terrain in Nigeria and how elections have over the years been tainted by hooliganism, ballot-snatching, theft of election materials, kidnapping of political opponents, the assassination of political rivals, arson, assault, and physical destruction of election materials, and even intimidation, and outright molestation or killing of election officials. These listed challenges could affect the returning officer who in turn is forced to announce a result in favour of a particular candidate. But once the coast is clear and the tempers are down, the returning officer with the intervention/investigation of the commission can retract on the result announced and give proper grounds/reasons for the retraction.

The disadvantage of this provision is that a Returning Officer that allows him or herself to be influenced by politicians or moneybags may decide to retract a good result in favour of a tainted result. These are the sides to section 65 which makes it a good legislation and the same time a bad one.

As it stands today, a returning officer can retract a result upon investigation by the commission once it is proven that the announcement of the result was done voluntarily or not done in accordance with the provisions of the law, regulations and guidelines, and manual for the election. This remains the position of the law and so it remains until it is either set aside by another legislation or by an order of the court. The good part of the legislation is that the decision of the Returning Officer or the commission, whether the original result announced or the reviewed result, both results may be subject to an election tribunal petition proceedings as provided for in Section 65(2) of the Act.

Akintayo Balogun is a legal practitioner in based in Abuja. He can be reached at akinson6@gmail.com

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SANUSI, CBN AND ARABIC INSCRIPTION ON NAIRA NOTES

ARABIC INSCRIPTION ON THE REDESIGNED NAIRA: MUHAMMADU SANUSI NOT A PAN NIGERIAN

By Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo

After going through the statements credited to the deposed Emir of Kano and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi, insisting that the Arabic inscription, will not be removed from the redesigned Naira notes, I came to the one and only irresistible conclusion that the man is a religious bigot and that he is not a pan Nigerian as he touts himself around as.

Without considering the fact that Nigeria is a secular state and that the religion of other Nigerians must be respect at all times and that the Nigerian government must not involve itself in religious matters Sanusi a Khalifa of the Tijaniyya Islamic sect informed his fellow Muslim brothers that he has met with Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the Nigerian Central Bank who confirmed to him that the inscription will remain in the redesigned N100, N200, N500 and N1000 notes by December 2022.

Sanusi went on this assignment because some Islamic scholars alleged a ploy by the Federal Government to remove the Arabic inscription from the redesigned notes. He authoritatively confirm to the Muslim ummah that there are no such plans to remove the Arabic inscription in the redesign Naira notes and appealed to Islamic scholars to please stop acting on unsubstantiated reports.

With all his education and exposure in life, Sanusi cannot feign ignorance to the fact that Arabic language in any form is not a language indigenous to Nigeria neither is it the official language of Nigeria.

If Sanusi who is one of the most educated Nigerian in the North can see the Arabic inscription on the Naira notes from a religious perspective instead from a secular perceptive then he is nothing but a religious bigot.

Nigerians must be wary of Sanusi because he is not a pan Nigerian as he claims. Anytime he is addressing them as a progressive and pan Nigerian they should not take him serious because he speaks from both sides of his mouth . He pretends that he wants the unity of Nigeria whereas he does not.

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ODUAH URGES IBA REFORMS TO LIFT AFRICAN, YOUNG LAWYERS

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary JOYCE ODUAH spoke last Tuesday at the IBA on International Strategy and the International Bar Association: Building and developing an international strategy for young lawyers and its implementation.

Among other reforms, she advocated for reduction of membership and conference fees for young lawyers from all jurisdictions and for all lawyers from developing nations.

INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY AND THE INTERNATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION: Building and developing an international strategy for young lawyers and its implementation.
Paper Presented by Joyce Oduah, FICMC, Former Council Member, IBA, at the 2022 International Bar Association Conference in Miami.

Question 1: What steps are in or out in devising international strategy.
International strategy is a term developed from the business sector. It is business plan or strategy created by a company to do its business in international markets. As we know Legal practice is business and as young lawyers you all need to join the international market of legal practice early to enable you succeed.

The question then is how can you as young lawyers join the international market of legal practice?
1. Attend conferences:
Attend Conferences organised by the International Bar Association, Regional Bar Associations and National Bar Association. When you attend these Conferences, make a deliberate attempt to network with lawyers from other jurisdictions. The problem we have most times is that when we attend conferences instead of making new friends we hang on to colleagues we already know or came to the conference with. My advice is that you make friends with colleagues from other jurisdictions and build your international network. By doing so you might be surprised that, opening for international briefs. Note if it does not come today it might come tomorrow.

2. Join in network of law firms:
We have international network of Law Firms and as young it will be great to join same. You can find this by searching through google all you need to do is check their ratings and join. With this you will get the international visibility you need. You can also join informal networks of friendly law firms.

3. Active usage of the social media:
This is the computer age or should I say jet age. To be relevant in the international space one of the tools that you need is the social media. I will recommend Linkedin because it is more business like. I have had opportunity to interact with some of our colleagues in other jurisdictions through this tool and it has been quite beneficial. Instagram is for younger clients. Twitter is more for politicians and journalists but need to be there also. I know you young lawyers are more computer sarvy than me and it will benefit you more.

4. Publishing articles:
To get the International space, you need to or have to publish or write articles in novel areas of law, write on newly promulgated laws. You will be surprised who reads your materials and calls you to handle complex legal issues based on what you have written.

5. Pursue ratings in various international listing:
This is somehow controversial because some people feel ratings are bought, all the same pursue it and get it on merit.

Why International Strategy:
An international strategy is important because there are some restrictions to doing business internationally as a legal practitioner and the only way to navigate the restriction is to have an action plan. Some of the obvious restrictions are:

• Cross Border practice: this is practice beyond a home state where one is licensed to practice. The world is increasingly getting smaller. With the introduction of globalization there has been a move from practicing law in one jurisdiction to increase in cross border transactions. Cross border practice especially in the business sector is on the rise because clients engage in cross border businesses and transactions. We need to counsel clients on the local and foreign based transactions in connection to transnational deals. Also, working for international organizations like the IBA, Continental Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) and Regional organisation, we find ourselves needing expertise from practitioners in these jurisdictions.
• Differences in legal framework: Different countries; different laws even in countries with similar legal systems i.e. monist/dualist; common law/civil. The International Bar Association provides a platform where you can meet with lawyers across these jurisdictions. Using this network makes work easier. Access to information and expertise and someone on ground.
• Economic and Cultural factors: Cost of travel due to present inflation is high; cost of obtaining qualification; time cost; Language barrier and more. If you have a person in the other jurisdiction it will be easier to penetrate that legal system.
• Limitations by local bars: Qualification and licensing is different in different countries. As a Nigerian, I won’t be able to practice in Ghana, a West African country unless I pass their qualifying examination. Also, differences in legal systems; for example, civil and common law jurisdictions; nationalistic tendencies and protectionism due to fear of domestic practitioners losing out in the long run.
• Cost of doing business abroad: there is high cost for an international practitioner in terms of licensing, time, finances, information, skilled labour.
What are the steps to take in creating an international strategy:
• Understand your purpose: The first step is to understand the purpose of seeking an international practice. This is because all strategies are not the same. Your strategy is determined by the goal you intend to achieve. If your desire is to work abroad for a law firm, your strategy would be different from one who seeks to maintain practice in their home country whilst also servicing their international clients. Like everything else in life, your objective or goal determines your course of action.
• Resource Identification: Understand the resources available to you as this will help in building an effective strategy. These include; financial resources, people resources, intellectual resources, information resources
• Analysis of Legal Framework of Target Country and Client Base:
• Determine the strategy: The market entry mode as well as service/value offerings.

What are the advantages of being part of multi jurisdictional Lawyers:
1. One can design effective and comprehensive strategies for ones clients.
2. Understand international trends.
3. Provide international support for his/her clients

The benefit of being a member of an international organization like IBA is captured on its website homepage ‘you get to meet lawyers and legal professionals from all over the world and you are always learning at the IBA.’

You get to
• Build and maintain a public profile on your My IBA to enhance your recognition, status and improve your visibility online
• Gain new business and build your international referral network
• Attend IBA conferences at a discounted member rate
• Get an international perspective to legal practice. Develop expertise in your chosen specialism
• Expand your international network
• Gain new business
• Making new friends

QUESTION 2: What are the tools available to the IBA to effectively corporate with international practitioners
IBA tools for cooperating with international practitioners:
The IBA as the foremost international organization for legal practitioners worldwide has a role to play in assisting international legal practitioners and so far, the body has performed its function in an outstanding manner. There are several tools which the IBA have put in place to effectively cooperate with legal practitioners. They include:
1. access to reports,
2. surveys,
3. publications,
4. research;
5. professional development opportunities
6. networking opportunities like conferences, seminars;
7. continuing legal development on various aspects of law.; training programmes and materials
8. guidance documents like the practical guide, bar association guidance and the reference annex
9. opportunity to become officers
10. mentorship for example IBA Women Lawyers’ Committee Mentorship Toolkit launched on the 23rd of September.
11. I need to add this because it touches my heart, it is the reduction of membership fees and Conference fees for young lawyers from all jurisdiction and reduction of same for lawyers of the developing Countries. The young lawyers more particularly in developing countries are financially constrained.

Most are unable to afford the membership fees of the IBA. There is thus, a need for reduction in membership fees and conference fees for young lawyers by 50% for them to be able to take advantage of these opportunities. I mean those who are less than 10 years’ post call. Also, the IBA should identify talents through competitions like essay writing and give them opportunities to work or participate actively. The IBA should also provide visa assistance for persons desirous of travelling for IBA events.

Utilizing these tools will enable international lawyers to develop long-lasting business relationships; build lifelong friendships; Increase your profile and create new contacts share experiences and issues with lawyers from all practice areas in over 130 jurisdictions. The IBA is an Investment worth considering as it enables you save time and money by meeting all contacts under one roof.

QUESTION 3: How can a young lawyer effectively contribute and be part of this International community?
Effective Participation
Making the IBA part of your International Strategy should not be merely about joining the community. While this is a starting point, this should not be the end. Make it a part of the plan to effectively contribute to the organization. This way, you build traction and visibility whilst adding value to other members of the IBA and the body as a whole. It should not just be about what you take but also what you give.

Let me give you some examples of myself, my first contribution to my local bar was as a rapporteur during my Youth Service days in 1992. When I joined the Local Bar of my Country Nigeria, the Nigerian Bar Association, my aim was that I bring value to the Association and its members. It was all about service. In 2000 to 2002, I served as the Assistant Secretary, later in 2007 t0 2009, I became the Publicity Secretary, during my tenure as PS I brought lasting changes to my Branch with the introduction of lasting innovation which led to the growth in membership. I later served in the National body of our Association as the Treasurer 2012 to 2014, and there again made a lasting contribution by introducing the Bar Code which changed the fortune of the Branches of the Branches of the NBA. When I became the first female General Secretary of the NBA after 38 years, 2020 to 2022, I also made lasting contributions by introducing the NBA APP and USSD CODE. I am saying all these to let you know that you need to contribute to the IBA to build traction and visibility. All of us on this Panel have made and are still making contributions to the IBA and this is/has given us visibility, without this you would not have known us. You need to make yourselve available to be members of Panels in the near future.

Below is a threefold cord which I have put in place to enable you effectively participate in the IBA and in fact, any community you find yourself in. I call it the ISI model.

Intentionality: Be intentional about your desire to serve and add valuable. Make yourself valuable.

Strategy/Plan: Your strategy is dependent on what you hope to achieve. Participate in programs organized to discuss areas of law relevant to your practice area.

Implementation: Network; build friendships and trusts; keep in touch after conferences and do not fail to use your contacts. Your motivation for meeting people should not only be business. There should be a human touch to your engagements.

My IBA journey would be incomplete without my effective contribution in my local bar. As I have said, finance and lack of access could be a hindrance to joining the IBA. As a young lawyer opportunities will come as you make yourself available to serve from the state to the national and make lasting contributions. Now I am Vice President, West Africa of Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU); Immediate Past General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the largest bar in Africa; Member of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association and more. I have participated in IBA conferences and now I am talking to you as a panelist. This has enabled me build connections and relationships and has enriched my legal practice greatly.

QUESTION 4: What are the biggest trends or challenges in the legal market after the Covid 19 pandemic?
International Strategy post Covid 19:
Covid 19 brought about major disruption to our way of life and work in particular. However, there are benefits to International practitioners especially with the prevalence of virtual technologies and artificial intelligence which places the world at our finger tips. Lawyers can now do business from anywhere in the world and communicate with contemporaries thousands of miles away just at the click of a button and to succeed we must take advantage of the disruption and use it to our benefit. Some of these benefits include: Virtual Law Practice in terms of high presence of legal practitioners and law offices on the internet; sourcing clients; increased access to CLE Courses and legal Conferences and ability to track and report same and share it with the world and potential clients and employers; access to New Opportunities; Greater connectivity with practitioners worldwide; Remote working creating room for flexibility in work schedules; Development in technology and artificial intelligence. The fact that everything can be done online can be of great benefit to the international legal practitioner. This is also cost effective.

It is argued that the inflation and economic recession facing most countries in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic may hinder physical participation in networking, social and learning events due to high cost of participation including travel cost. However, use of technology may bridge the gap as members can participate from the comfort of their homes having paid conference fees and with internet access. And as we know these technologies should be utilized in a way that would allow for active participation i.e. breakout rooms, committee rooms, interactive channels, etc.

Conclusion
There is no one size fit all international strategy; each lawyer must create a plan tailored to suit his/her unique objectives for penetrating the international legal market. One plan is however accessible to all; membership of an International organization with as much clout and tools as the International Bar Association. The IBA if utilized has more than enough resources and platform to position you in the international legal scenery despite the restrictions that exists. It is pertinent to note that to survive as an international lawyer, you need to be able to provide intelligent and smart solutions to business legal challenges faced by businesses, governments and individuals depending on your client base and so you must be abreast with the latest trends and happenings in the international legal ecosystem. To grow, your international strategy is not to be a one off-plan. But a continuous process that is flexible and adaptable to the changing world. The legal practice is increasingly becoming a competitive one and so you must set yourself to stand out; this is where continuous learning and developing expertise comes in. The Covid 19 pandemic has occasioned a rise in cross-border practice and to succeed you need to collaborate. On a final note your international strategy should thus encompass building competence, expertise, collaborations; adaptability, flexibility and the ability to serve clients across different location. The International Bar Association is your sure bet.

Thank You

JOYCE ODUAH, FICMC
Former Council Member, IBA
Vice President, West Africa of Pan African Lawyers Union
Immediate Past General Secretary, NBA.

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

FEATURED

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

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

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

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

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

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

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

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Solar panels.

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

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

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

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

mni among others).

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

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

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

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

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

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

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

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Solar panels.

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

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

Visit: (Abuja) Suit A8 Kenuj O2 Mall

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

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

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

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

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

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

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Solar panels.

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

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

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

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

To view the price list, click here.

To join our Telegram platform, please click here

MAIKYAU UNVEILS PINHEIRO’S LAWYERS’ LOUNGE

PRESS RELEASE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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FOI COUNSEL HAILS NEW ZAMBIA DPP

FEATURE

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

18th October 2022

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

My dear friend,

LETTER OF FELICITATION
The above subject matter refers.

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

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

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

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

Yours faithfully,

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

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INFRASTRUCTURE DISPUTE MANAGEMENT CONFAB HOLDS IN ACCRA OCT. 31

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

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

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

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

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

Click here to view the programme.

To register, click here.

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US VISA: MAIKYAU ACQUIRES EXPEDITED SLOTS FOR IBA CONFEREES

PRESS RELEASE

IBA CONFERENCE: UPDATE ON NBA PRESIDENT’S VISA INTERVENTION

Distinguished Colleagues,

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

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

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

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

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

For further enquiries, please contact Kazeem Nasir: 08035894855.

The President wishes all applicants the best outcome.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary

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LAWYER PROBES SUPREME COURT, NJC FINANCES, VOWS LAWSUIT

Activist-lawyer, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo has vowed to drag the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola to court if the apex court jurist fails to provide him with information on Supreme Court’s finances.

In a Pre-Action Notice to Justice Ariwoola, the activist stated that a similar notice to retired Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad met a brick wall.

According to another Pre-Action Notice addressed to the Accountant-General of the Federation, Omirhobo noted that on the strength of the relevant sections of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and via his letter dated 22/6/2022, his law firm had written to the National Judicial Council (NJC) also demanding details on its finances.

In the notices made available to CITY LAWYER, the activist-lawyer is seeking information on the finances of the apex court and the National Judicial Council pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act.

He wrote: “In addition to the above, we also humbly request that you furnish us with a copy of the letter of the Justices of the Supreme Court to your predecessor-in-title accusing him of financial impropriety, corruption, mal-administration, lack of transparency, inclusivity and accountability which is in the public domain.”

Urging the apex court helmsman to furnish him with certified true copies of the documents or direct any designated official to supply the documents, Ormihobo wrote: “TAKE NOTICE, My Lord, that in the event of any delay or refusal to disclose the information within 7-days from the date of your receipt of this request, we shall be compelled to take lawful and necessary steps to compel you to disclose the information in accordance with Section 20 and other provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.”

Below are the full texts of the letters.

MALCOLM OMIRHOBO & CO.
No. 121, Okota Road, Isolo, P.O. Box 7215, Ikeja, Lagos.
Tel: 0803-307-2453,
E-mail: omirhobo@yahoo.com

12th September, 2022

The Chief Justice of Nigeria
Supreme Court Complex
Three Arms-Zone
Federal Capital Territory,
Abuja.

Your Lordship,

NOTICE ON APPLICATION BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, 2011 FOR THE CERTIFIED TRUE COPIES OF CERTAIN PUBLIC DOCUMENTS

Our letter in respect of the above subject matter dated 22/6/2022 (copy enclosed herewith) refers.

We humbly wish to bring to your notice that the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Mohammed Tanko, (your predecessor-in-title) did not furnish us with the information we requested of him via our afore-mentioned letter before he resigned from office. Consequently, we hereby humbly request that you as his successor-in-office furnish us with the request in our said letter to wit:

(1) Proof of receipt of the total funds disbursed to the Chief
Justice of Nigeria as the head of the Supreme Court from the National Judicial Council from 1st day of January 2019 to date.

(2) The Financial Statement of Accounts of the Supreme Court of Nigeria from the 1st day of January 2019 to date.

(3) Proof of the total expenditure of the Supreme Court for the period of 1st January 2019 to date including List of capital projects of the Supreme Court of Nigeria within this period.

(4) Proof of payment vouchers for each project mentioned above as well as the contract agreement.

(5) The total amount realized from internally General Revenue within the period under request and proof of expenditure; Salary payment voucher of justices of the Supreme Court and non-judicial staff; and Salary payment voucher and other emoluments of the justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and non-judicial staff.

In addition to the above, we also humbly request that you furnish us with a copy of the letter of the Justices of the Supreme Court to your predecessor-in-title accusing him of financial impropriety, corruption, mal-administration, lack of transparency, inclusivity and accountability which is in the public domain.

We urge you, sir to furnish us with Certified True Copies of the aforesaid documents, or in the alternative direct any designated official or appropriate authority at the Supreme Court in Nigeria to supply us with same.

TAKE NOTICE, My Lord, that in the event of any delay or refusal to disclose the information within 7-days from the date of your receipt of this request, we shall be compelled to take lawful and necessary steps to compel you to disclose the information in accordance with Section 20 and other provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

We undertake to bear the financial cost of making the requested information available to us in line with Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

In anticipation of your kind and positive response to this request, please accept the assurances of our esteemed regards.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,
FOR: MALCOLM OMIRHOBO & CO.

CHIEF MALCOLM EMOKINIOVO OMIRHOBO

Legal practitioners…………………………………………..…
Chief Malcolm Omirhobo B.Sc,Econs,Admin,LLB, BL, Tejumade Sijuade LLB,BL, A. J. Beredugo LLB,BL,LLM Sergius Emeto LLB,BL,I.C Amina LLB,BL, Jacinta Ogbedeleto LLB,BL

MALCOLM OMIRHOBO & CO.
No. 121, Okota Road, Isolo, P.O. Box 7215, Ikeja, Lagos.
Tel: 0803-307-2453,
E-mail: omirhobo@yahoo.com

12th September, 2022

The Auditor General
Audit House
Plot 273, Samuel Ademulegun Street
Central Business District (CBD)
P.M.B. 128, Garki-Abuja
Federal Capital Territory
Abuja.

Dear Sir,

APPLICATION BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, 2011 FOR THE CERTIFIED TRUE COPIES OF CERTAIN PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.

We are a firm of Attorneys and Solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who are passionate about good governance and proper administration at all levels and most particularly within the judicature.

On the strength of the relevant sections of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, via our letter dated 22/6/2022, a copy enclosed herewith, we requested from the National Judicial Council the Certified True Copies of the following information as they relate to public documents within its custody to wit:

1) The receipts of the amount standing to the credit of the judiciary in the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation paid directly to the National Judicial Council from the 1st day of January 2019 to date.

(2) The Proof of disbursement of funds by the National Judicial Council to the heads of the courts established for the Federation and the State under section 6 of the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (As Amended) from the 1st day of January 2019 to date.

Legal practitioners…………………………………………..…
Chief Malcolm Omirhobo B.Sc,Econs,Admin,LLB, BL, Tejumade Sijuade LLB,BL, A.J.Beredugo LLB,BL,LLM Sergius Emeto LLB,BL,I.C Amina LLB,BL, Jacinta Ogbedeleto LLB,BL Peter N. Okoroani LLB, BL, Franca O. Abubokhale, LLB, BL

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EMEKA NWADIOKE
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SHOCKER: LASTMA OFFICER FIGHTS ECONOMIC CRIME, DETAINS ‘YAHOO BOY’ (VIDEO)

There was palpable confusion as a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer, one G. Bakare barred a bus driver from riding with a passenger on the allegation that he is a ‘Yahoo boy.’

‘Yahoo boy’ is a euphemism for someone engaged in financial scams.

In several trending videos posted by the victim, Mr. Ibrahim Koletowo on his Twitter handle @Ibrokolet, he was seen vigorously protesting the action of the LASTMA operative who insisted that the bus driver must not proceed on his journey unless he dropped Koletowo.

His words: “This morning on my way to work, at berger iyana oworo a lasma officer (mr bakare), accused me of being a yahoo boy because I dressed the way I can, I entered the first bus he said he will arrest the driver if he take me to my destination, he did the same to the second driver.”

Interventions by another LASTMA officer and other passengers could not resolve the impasse, even as the officer threatened the driver saying: “I have what I will do for you.” The bus driver feared that he would be punished by the officer on subsequent trips, saying that was his regular route.

An apparently angry Koletowo was heard pouring invectives on the LASTMA officer and wondering whether arresting ‘Yahoo boys’ was part of the duties of LASTMA. He vowed that he would not be intimidated “in my community.”

The officer also directed the bus driver to “off that engine; carry another passenger,” as he lounged to remove the car key. He was heard telling the passenger that “Na Yahoo boy you be!”

While many commentators saw nothing wrong with the passenger’s dressing, some berated him for using abusive language on the LASTMA officer.

Said Yemmy Stunner @yemmystunner: “So lasma don dey catch yahoo boy 😂😂😂 Very soon NURTW go start dey mount road blocks for Lagos oooh….”

On his part, Segun Johnson @seggiejohnson said: “OMG! God help Sanwoolu with his subjects. Everyone is hostile, aggressive and so have become timed-bomb. The LASTMA officer was wrong but Ibrahim’s reaction was even worse than Bakare’s. It’s a case of 2 live positive wires connecting each other. Dangerous society. Just passing.”

CITY LAWYER could not confirm at press time whether LASTMA has reacted to the incident.

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‘BIGWIG’ DOCUSERIES FOR LAUNCH AT NBA-AGC

BIGWIG is a legal docuseries showcasing lawyers in niche law practice who have achieved extensive career milestones in various non-traditional areas of law practice.

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the media project “features a number of outstanding corporate commercial lawyers, including the amiable Chief Chris Ogunbanjo, who is considered by many to be the forefather of this style of legal practice. These lawyers take us on a journey through their lives, career and law firm development from their cradle to the gigantic and enigmatic firms we all see today.

“Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Koye Kekere Ekun, all lawyers in the entertainment industry featured as presenters.

“The BIGWIG EP comprises original musical production by MI Abaga, Kala and Eri.

“BIGWIG seeks to inspire a change in the way the practice of law is viewed, by inviting everyone (especially the young lawyers) to embrace the fluid nature of law and the ability of lawyers to tailor law practice to address any challenge faced by society.”

The series is spearheaded by Lady Justice Production.

To watch the trailer, click here.

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TCCP-AGC UNVEILS ‘WHOVA’ AS CONFERENCE APP

All registered attendees can download the Whova Mobile App or Access It From the Web Platform on the Desktop:

-View the Conference agenda and plan your personal schedule

-Access live streaming directly within sessions and utilize the session Q&A to ask questions

-Set up in-person/virtual meet-ups with other attendees to connect and network

-Create and converse through various relevant Discussion Topics in the Community Board

-Receive updates such as last-minute session changes from the organizers

look-out for onboarding email from Organizers and follow the download instructions

After downloading, attendees are to use their registered email address to sign up.

For question or challenges, please send a message on WhatsApp this number +234 811 598 4575
WhatsApp Only

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EMEKA NWADIOKE
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ODUAH ASKS COURT TO QUASH SUSPENSION, SEEKS POLICE PROTECTION

The suspended Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary, Joyce Oduah has urged the Federal High Court to reverse her suspension by the NBA National Executive Committee (NBA-NEC) and order the defendants “to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the Motion on Notice seeking interlocutory orders of injunction.”

CITY LAWYER had in exclusive reports noted the suspension of Oduah by a unanimous decision of the NBA-NEC, even as the National Officers also vowed to drag her to the National Executive Council for “removal” over alleged gross misconduct.

But Oduah urged the court to determine whether the defendants “have the vires to suspend the Plaintiff from the office of the General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (the 1st Defendant herein).”

Among the defendants are the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association; NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata; other National Officers and the Inspector-General of Police.

Oduah’s Counsel and erstwhile Chief of Staff to NBA President, Mr. Murtala Abdul-Rasheed (SAN) told CITY LAWYER that the lawsuit was accompanied by an Affidavit of Urgency.

According to a Motion Ex-parte obtained by CITY LAWYER, the plaintiff is seeking “AN ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice, restraining the Defendants by themselves, through their officers, servants, privies, agents or any other persons(s), agencies or individuals deriving power, command, authority, instruction or directives from it from acting or relying on or continuing to rely on, act on, implement, give effect to, interfere with or do anything to the prejudice of the Plaintiff/Applicant based on the decision document titled: “Resolution of the Meeting of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association held on 15 August, 2022” wherein the Plaintiff/Applicant was purportedly suspended from office as the General Secretary of the 1st Defendant/Respondent by the 3rd to 11th Defendants/Respondents.”

Oduah also prayed for an order “restraining the Defendants by themselves, through their officers, servants, privies, agents or any other persons(s), agencies or individuals deriving power, command, authority, instruction or directives from them from suspending/removing the Plaintiff/Applicant as the General Secretary of the 1st Defendant/Respondent (the Nigerian Bar Association).”

While urging the court to bar Ms. Uche Nwadialo from acting in her stead, the plaintiff also prayed for “AN ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice restraining the 2nd to 11th Respondents, either by themselves, their servants, privies, officers, agents, cronies or howsoever from further harassing, threatening, intimidating, assaulting and/or attacking the Plaintiff/Applicant for any reason whatsoever.”

She has also prayed for police protection should the court grant the injunction, urging the court to grant “AN ORDER directing the 12th Defendant/Respondent (Inspector General of Police), and/or other officers under his Command and/or the Commissioner of Police, and all other officers as the Commissioner of Police may designate and Court Bailiffs to assist the Plaintiff/Applicant in the discharge of her duties as the General Secretary of the 1st Defendant/Respondent together with all other rights of whatever kind deriving from or incidental to any of the foregoing orders and also in execution of the orders herein made.”

Below is the full text of the orders sought by the plaintiff:

1. AN ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT directing parties in this suit to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the Motion on Notice seeking interlocutory orders of injunction;

2. AN ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT restraining the 6th Defendant/Respondent or any other person by whatsoever name called other than the Plaintiff/Applicant from acting as the General Secretary or performing the duties of the General Secretary of the 1st Defendant/Respondent pending the remaining period of the Plaintiff/Applicant’s tenure as the General Secretary of the 1st Defendant/Respondent or determination of the Motion on Notice, whichever is earlier;

3. AN ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice, restraining the Defendants by themselves, through their officers, servants, privies, agents or any other persons(s), agencies or individuals deriving power, command, authority, instruction or directives from it from acting or relying on or continuing to rely on, act on, implement, give effect to, interfere with or do anything to the prejudice of the Plaintiff/Applicant based on the decision document titled: “Resolution of the Meeting of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association held on 15 August, 2022” wherein the Plaintiff/Applicant was purportedly suspended from office as the General Secretary of the 1st Defendant/Respondent by the 3rd to 11th Defendants/Respondents;

4. AN ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice, restraining the Defendants by themselves, through their officers, servants, privies, agents or any other persons(s), agencies or individuals deriving power, command, authority, instruction or directives from them from suspending/removing the Plaintiff/Applicant as the General Secretary of the 1st Defendant/Respondent (the Nigerian Bar Association);

5. AN ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants/Respondents, their agents, servants and or privies from interfering with, frustrating or otherwise obstructing the Plaintiff/Applicant, the General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, in the course of her duties as General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

6. AN ORDER OF INTERIM INJUNCTION pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice restraining the 2nd to 11th Respondents, either by themselves, their servants, privies, officers, agents, cronies or howsoever from further harassing, threatening, intimidating, assaulting and/or attacking the Plaintiff/Applicant for any reason whatsoever.

7. AN ORDER of interim injunction pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice directing the 12th Defendant/Respondent, either by themselves, their servants, privies, officers, agents, cronies or howsoever from further harassing, threatening, intimidating, assaulting and/or attacking the Plaintiff/Applicant for any reason whatsoever.

8. IN PURSUANCE OF (1) TO (8) ABOVE pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice, AN ORDER directing the 12th Defendant/Respondent (Inspector General of Police), and/or other officers under his Command and/or the Commissioner of Police, and all other officers as the Commissioner of Police may designate and Court Bailiffs to assist the Plaintiff/Applicant in the discharge of her duties as the General Secretary of the 1st Defendant/Respondent together with all other rights of whatever kind deriving from or incidental to any of the foregoing orders and also in execution of the orders herein made.

AND FOR SUCH FURTHER OR OTHER ORDER(S) as the Honourable Court may deem fit to grant in the circumstance(s).

CITY LAWYER recalls that the NBA National Officers had in an email to members informed them of their resolution suspending Oduah as General Secretary. Signed by nine of its 11 members, the committee stated that the move is based on “weighty allegations against the General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah in particular her acts of alleged disobedience to the President, the National Executive Council of the Association (NBA-NEC) and the National Executive Committee.”

The Executive Committee stated that “At the end of the deliberations, the National Executive Committee by a unanimous decision, resolved to refer the General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah to NBA-NEC for disciplinary action under the provisions of section 20(1) of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended in 2021) and to recommend her removal from office for gross misconduct.”

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NBA EXCO ASKS NEC TO IMPEACH ODUAH FOR GROSS MISCONDUCT

The National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association has resolved to recommend Mrs. Joyce Oduah to the NBA National Executive Council for removal.

The move confirms earlier exclusive reports by CITY LAWYER on the suspension of the erstwhile General Secretary as well as moves by National Officers to impeach her for alleged misconduct.

In an email to NBA members informing them of the resolution of the Executive Committee to suspend Oduah as General Secretary and signed by nine of its 11 members, the committee stated that the move is based on “weighty allegations against the General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah in particular her acts of alleged disobedience to the President, the National Executive Council of the Association (NBA-NEC) and the National Executive Committee.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

RESOLUTION OF THE MEETING OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION HELD ON MONDAY 15TH AUGUST 2022

“Following the receipt of a letter dated 14th August 2022, from 9 National Officers of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) calling on the President of the NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata to call an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee, the meeting held on Monday 15th August 2022 by 8am with the following members in attendance:

1) Olumide Akpata – President
2) John Aikpokpo-Martins – 1st Vice President
3) Debo Adeyemo Kazeem – 2nd Vice President
4) Ombo Victor Frank-Briggs – 3rd Vice President
5) Joyce Oduah – General Secretary
6) Uchenna Nwadialo – Assistant General Secretary
7) Mercy Ijato Agada – Treasurer
8) Raphael Nnamdi Anagor – Financial Secretary
9) Olukunle Edun – Welfare Secretary
10) Rapuluchukwu Nduka – Publicity Secretary
11) Ferdinand Naza – Assistant Publicity Secretary

“The meeting deliberated extensively on the content of the above referenced letter and the weighty allegations against the General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah in particular her acts of alleged disobedience to the President, the National Executive Council of the Association (NBA-NEC) and the National Executive Committee

“Owing to the contents of the letters and statements issued by General Secretary and the disclaimer that the President issued, the NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata recused himself from the deliberations and handed over to the 1st Vice President, Mr. John Aikpokpo Martins to chair the meeting.

“At the end of the deliberations, the National Executive Committee by a unanimous decision, resolved to refer the General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah to NBA-NEC for disciplinary action under the provisions of section 20(1) of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended in 2021) and to recommend her removal from office for gross misconduct.

“In the meantime, however, in view of the critical importance of the Annual General Meeting which is scheduled to hold on 25th August 2022, and to prevent the General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah from imperiling the Annual General Meeting, the Annual General Conference or the succession to the next administration by her unilateral and unauthorised communications purporting to be legitimate communications from the Association, the National Executive Committee has unanimously exercised its emergency powers under section 9(6) (d) of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended in 2021) to suspend Mrs Joyce Oduah from office as the General Secretary of the Association with immediate effect pending the Pre-Conference meeting of the NBA-NEC scheduled to hold on Sunday 21st August 2022.

“The Assistant General Secretary, Ms. Uchenna Nwadialo shall immediately act as the General Secretary pending the PreConference meeting of the NBA-NEC scheduled to hold on Sunday 21st August 2022.

“All members of the Association are advised to continue their preparations for the forthcoming Annual General Conference.”

Signed

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EXCLUSIVE: NBA EXCO IN EMERGENCY MEETING, MAY IMPEACH GENERAL SECRETARY

The National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA-NEC) is currently having an Emergency Meeting over the crisis rocking the Mr. Olumide Akpata Administration, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

A source at the meeting told CITY LAWYER that one of the issues that may be considered by the meeting is whether to impeach the embattled General Secretary of the association, Joyce Oduah for “utter disrespect of the entire National Officers and for refusing to carry out the directives of the NBA-NEC.”

Several National Officers told CITY LAWYER that they were aggrieved with the General Secretary’s refusal to issue approved notice of meeting for the NBA Annual General Meeting (AGM) as resolved by the NBA-NEC.

A ranking National Officer told CITY LAWYER that the last straw was the withdrawal of the AGM Notice by the General Secretary, adding that “It is a huge disrespect to National Officers. If any National Officer exceeds his or her powers, there are bound to be sanctions. Several options are open to us.”

CITY LAWYER also gathered that the NBA-NEC is worried that Oduah may continue with her “disruptive attitude,” adding that “No-one knows what she would do next. This has to be dealt with.”

There are however indications that some National Officers are not certain about the constitutionality of the impeachment move. “I do not know whether we have such powers. But rest assured that whatever we do will be based on law and the NBA Constitution,” a National Officer told CITY LAWYER, adding that “We will not take any arbitrary decision, notwithstanding the egregious and longstanding infractions of the General Secretary.”

When CITY LAWYER contacted Oduah, she said she was not invited to the meeting. “I have not received any Notice of Meeting,” she said. “I believe it was a virtual meeting. No ZOOM link was sent to me. At any rate, I am the one who should issue any Notice of Meeting. It is like shaving one’s head in his absence.”

Oduah also queried the legality of the planned impeachment, saying “The National Executive Committee has no such powers. It is only the NBA-NEC or the General Meeting that can remove an officer. This is not about me but about the office of the General Secretary.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that Akpata issued a disclaimer against a notice by Oduah withdrawing earlier notices by her and the Assistant General Secretary, Uche Nwadialo.

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PROMINENT LAWYER, TUNJI AYANLAJA IS DEAD

Foremost lawyer, Chief Olatunji Ayanlaja SAN is dead. There are strong indications that the senior lawyer died today. CITY LAWYER gathered that the deceased has been receiving medical attention lately.

Announcing the passing of the senior advocate, the Secretary of the Yoruba Tennis Club, Mr. Gbolahan Dixon wrote:

On behalf of the Chairman of Yoruba Tennis Club, Bro. Chief Euzebio Babajide Damazio, We regret to announce the demise of:

Bro. Olatunji Ayanlaja, SAN

Aged : 77 years

Membership No : 1238

Initiated: December, 1996

Died : Tuesday, 26th July, 2022

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Bro Gbolahan Dixon
Hon General Secretary

A close associate of the senior lawyer and Treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Ms. Funmi Adeogun also confirmed his passing, saying, “Indeed, he is no more. I am still in shock.”

Efforts by CITY LAWYER to reach his Partner-in-Chambers, Mr. Bambo Adesanya SAN proved abortive as his telephone line remained engaged.

According to a profile of the deceased in “Nigeria’s Top 100 Lawyers” compendium, Ayanlaja received a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1972. He clocked 50 years at the Bar this year.

Prior to his call to Bar, Ayanlaja was attached to the law office of Chief G. O. K. Ajayi SAN in his quest to acquire legal skills. “He would later confess that this tutelage gave him a lot of leverage when he eventually commenced his illustrious legal career,” the author of the compendium noted.

He was elevated to the Inner Bar in 1995 and formed a partnership known as Ayanlaja, Adesanya & Co. According to “Nigeria’s Top 100 Lawyers” compendium, “Always eager to celebrate Ajayi’s uncommon mentorship, Ayanlaja would ultimately say that Ajayi taught him three virtues of a successful lawyer, namely good dress sense, punctuality and excellent presentation and advocacy skills.”

He added that Ajayi “also admonished me to pass the message to other colleagues in chamber and to relate this to new entrants into the profession in order for them to inherit and benefit from this message of G. O. K. Ajayi (SAN).”

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‘SBL JUST NEEDS TO KEEP MOVING,’ SAYS AYULI JEMIDE

Protocols

Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for making the time to join us at the 16th NBA-SBL Annual International Business Law conference.

I appreciate the presence of our distinguished speakers and participants at this year’s conference.

A few things about this year’s conference:

1) As a central theme, we thought we should have conversations pertaining to recent developments in the business environment. A lot has been happening in the lawyering landscape that is worth talking about – from new legislations, to new trends, to recent law firm management successions, and several other topics worth talking about.

2) 2022 annual conference is SBL’s first physical annual conference since 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We thought to choose a venue capable of accommodating the number of people itching to attend a physical SBL Conference. Abuja seemed a natural choice for reasons of access and infrastructure. As expected, we had a surge of prospective attendees and had to close registration at 850 physical persons in attendance.

3) Last year we had our first female keynote speaker in the person of Wendy Okolo – Wendy Okolo is a Nigerian-American aerospace research engineer in the Intelligent Systems Division at NASA Ames Research Center. She is the first Black woman to obtain a Ph. D. degree in aerospace engineering from University of Texas at Arlington. She has also been the youngest Keynote speaker at an SBL Conference at the age of 32. This year we have decided to field yet another young and dynamic female keynote speaker in the person of Kosi Yankey Ayeh who is currently the Chief Executive Office Ghana Enterprise Agency. A full introduction will be made before she comes on stage shortly. I am not sure if our keynote speaker for today is younger than Wendy Okolo (but we cannot ask a woman how old she is, so I will leave you guessing when she comes up). In any case, we thought Kosi was a great choice as we would benefit from her experience working with small businesses both as an entrepreneur and a regulator in Ghana.

I will want to give special thanks to every single member of the Conference Planning Committee ahead for the wonderful experience at this year’s conference as we all look forward to the curated learning sessions and programs.

I must specifically mention:

1. CPC Chairman: Mr Chike Obianwu,
2. CPC Vice-Chair: Ayoyinka Olajide-Awosedo
3. Fundraising Co-Chairs: Folasade Alli, Sola Dosunmu and Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, Osahon Uhuangho
4. Programs & Content Chairperson and Vice-Chairman: Bukola Bankole & Chudi Ofili
5. Technology Co-Chairmen: Rotimi Ogunyemi, Moses Faya
6. Venue and Accommodation Chairman: Perenami Momodu
7. Sponsorship Benefits Chairperson: Christine Sijuwade
8. Chair, Media & Publicity Chairmen: Theodora Kio-Lawson
9. Local Organizing Committee Chairmen: Marx Ikongbeh & Chinenye Uwanaka

For me in particular, this year’s conference is my last conference as SBL Chairman and the last Conference for SBL Council 2020 to 2022. That said, I will like to seize this opportunity to salute those former SBL Chairmen who have held the helm in the past in the sequence – George Etomi, Mfon Usoro, Gbenga Oyebode, Asue Ighodalo, Olumide Akpata and Seni Adio SAN. The NBA SBL in line with its tradition of a seamless transition will be holding elections in August 2022 and changing guards on the 25th of August 2022.

I use this time to wish the incoming brigade (Council 2022-2024) the best of luck and greased elbows. Before I close, I would like to leave them and the entire SBL community with this quote by Albert Einstein: ‘’Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving’’.

SBL has kept moving from inception and needs to just keep moving.

Once again thank you all for listening to my rants and for coming to dine with us today. I wish us all a productive 2 days.

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NBA BRANCHES TO SPONSOR 100 YOUNG LAWYERS TO SPIDEL CONFAB

The eagerly awaited 2022 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) received a major boost at the weekend as five NBA branches based in Abuja have agreed to sponsor 100 young lawyers to the conference.

Though the annual conference was originally billed to hold in Sokoto, it was postponed due to the uncertainty surrounding the killing of Miss Deborah Yakubu. The conference will now hold at NBA HOUSE, Abuja from 3rd to 5th August, 2022. The theme of the conference is “The Undermining of Judicial Authority in Democracy.”

According to the Alternate Chairman/LOC Chairman, Dr. Princess Frank-Chukwuani, the branches that made the joint pledge at the recent Local Organising Committee (LOC) meeting are Abuja, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Nyanya/Karu and Garki.

Chukwuani noted that palpable excitement has enveloped the branches since the news of the sponsorship broke, adding that “It is our own way to promote public interest advocacy among young lawyers and ensure that we continue to populate the body of lawyers who are poised to defend human rights and rule of law in Nigeria.”

Many A-list speakers have confirmed attendance at the conference, even as Supreme Court jurist, Justice Inyang Okoro will deliver the Keynote Address.

The CPC has former NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom SAN as Chairman with Mr. Kunle Adegoke SAN as Alternate Chairman and Dr. Princess Frank-Chukwuani as Alternate Chairman/LOC Chairman.

To register for the annual conference, please visit www.nbaspidel.ng or www.nbaspidel.ng/nba-spidel-conference-2022/.

Aside from the array of leading speakers who have confirmed attendance at the conference, the annual conference offers huge networking opportunities for delegates.

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SAFIYA BALARABE: A LIFE OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE TO THE BAR

SAFIYA BALARABE’S SERVICE TO THE BAR

SAFIYA BALARABE is currently the Treasurer, NBA Women Forum.

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

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

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

☑️ Secretary, Electoral Committee Of NBA 2014

☑️ Member, Electoral Committee Of NBA 2016

☑️ Vice Chairperson, NBA Lafia Branch 2014-2016

✅ Treasurer, Arewa Lawyers Forum 2012-2018

✅Financial Secretary, NBA Lafia 2008-2010

✅Treasurer, NBA Lafia 2010-2012

☑️ Welfare Secretary, NBA Lafia Branch 2012-2014

☑️Member, National Executive Committee Of NBA 2012-2017

☑️ NEC Representative, NBA Lafia Branch 2016-2018

☑️Member, NBA Transition Committee 2018

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

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

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

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EASTERN BAR FORUM ENDORSES CHINYERE OBASI AS WELFARE SCRIBE

The influential Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) has thrown its weight behind former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2nd Assistant Secretary Chinyere Obasi in her quest to clinch the coveted post of Welfare Secretary.

Rising from its Quarterly Meeting held in Calabar, Cross River State, the forum endorsed Obasi as its candidate for the position of NBA Welfare Secretary following a report of its Screening Committee set up on February 12, 2022 at its quarterly meeting in Anaocha, Anambra State.

Announcing EBF’s endorsement of Obasi, who is also a former Assistant Social Secretary (2013–2015) and Social Secretary (2015-2017) of NBA Lagos Branch, Hon. Seth Nwokolo, EBF Publicity Secretary, noted that the recommendations of the Screening Committee were made to the EBF Elders Council, adding that the report was “discussed and adopted” at the Calabar quarterly meeting.

He noted that Obasi was among the candidates “cleared to contest and recommended to the support of all EBF branches, affiliates and friends across the country.”

Obasi had unveiled her 11-page Manifesto which is also available on the Electoral Committee of NBA (ECNBA) website.

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‘AS TREASURER, I’LL PROPAGATE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS’ SAYS FUNMI ADEOGUN

Real estate has consistently outperformed other asset classes over the last five years. With returns of about 25% p.a, against an average of 14.2% p.a. in all asset classes.

VOTE ADEOGUN FUNMILOLA OLUWATOSIN FOR TREASURER, A LAWYER WITH AN ACCOUNTING BACKGROUND

# REDEFINING THE FINANCIAL PRUDENCE OF THE BAR

CHALLENGES AND REMEDIES

Section 5(g)( i- xiii) Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association 2015( as amended in 2021) spells out the duties and from those duties, I won’t be wrong to say that the Treasurer has the highest duties to perform and therefore must have the capability and capacity to discharge the onerous task.

Challenges
1- ( Sec 5g- vi) we hardly see a report of Treasurer where it states what the Association has invested its money on in consistent with applicable laws.

Solution
Investment is my priority, this will be done by presenting some investment schemes to the President and the other NATIONAL officers for deliberations and decision making.
If you take time to read my Lectures on FINANCIAL INVESTMENT TITLED * THE THREE SERVANTS* which comes out in series everyday, you would know that the best thing you can do as a servant of the master is to increase the wealth committed into your hands.

2- Another challenge is that duty in Section 5g- v
Compilation and circulation of a list of members who have paid or are in default in respect of their Practicing Fees and take steps to circulate such list at the Annual General Meeting, the NEC, various Heads of Courts in the country, CAC and such statutory bodies…

Solution
It is only when you know the intention of the drafters of the Constitution that you would be able to know what this particular provision intends to achieve. However, I could deduce two purposes:

i. To generate more revenue for the Association because those that their names appeared in default list would most likely do the needful

ii. To disallow those that didn’t pay an audience at the various places mentioned for it to be circulated.

Solution
I could hear someone say * stamp and seal* has achieved that…
You are right to some extent it has increased the number of lawyers paying their Practicing Fees just but it has not REDUCED QUARKS MASQUERADING AS ADVOCATES…because we have fake stamp and seal all over…which is another challenge the Bar is facing.

* I would prefer a situation where such publication would be done on Website where the General Public will have access to information on list of lawyers who are dormant or inactive (not Certified to practice), suspended or struck off the Roll of Advocates and those who are active and Certified to practice EVERY YEAR.

My experience in KENYA and ETHIOPIA made me understand that publication in public domain informs the General Public on lawyers to deal with YEAR IN YEAR OUT, increase the revenue of the Law Societies and also help guard against the public falling into the hands ✋ of FAKE * LEARNED FRIENDS * IN corridors of Justice.

3- Section 5g-iv shall be in constant touch with the Branches to ensure that all members of the Branches pay their annual pf as and when due.

Solution
We are now in technology age where things are done seamlessly. A whatsapp group can be created for that purpose to achieve this duty that has so long been neglected, probably because they think, if you don’t pay, you loose the benefits but if done would create a kind of bonding and sense of belonging.

At this juncture, I must commend this administration for proper accounting of the Association’s funds which in my opinion the next administration could do better.

Thank you.

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

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

By Ibrahim Lawal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Congratulations my Lord.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Below is the full text of her statement.

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

SUPREME COURT AND THE HIJAB JUDGMENT

By Abdulrasheed Ibrahim, Notary Public

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

27th June 2022

Abdulrasheed Ibrahim is a Notary Public

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SAFIYA BALARABE: A LIFE OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE TO THE BAR

BULLET POINTS ON SAFIYA BALARABE’S SERVICE TO THE BAR

SAFIYA BALARABE is currently the Treasurer, NBA Women Forum.

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

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

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

☑️ Secretary, Electoral Committee Of NBA 2014

☑️ Member, Electoral Committee Of NBA 2016

☑️ Vice Chairperson, NBA Lafia Branch 2014-2016

✅ Treasurer, Arewa Lawyers Forum 2012-2018

✅Financial Secretary, NBA Lafia 2008-2010

✅Treasurer, NBA Lafia 2010-2012

☑️ Welfare Secretary, NBA Lafia Branch 2012-2014

☑️Member, National Executive Committee Of NBA 2012-2017

☑️ NEC Representative, NBA Lafia Branch 2016-2018

☑️Member, NBA Transition Committee 2018

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

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

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

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SUPREME COURT ORDERS SHELL, OTHERS TO MAINTAIN STATUS QUO IN N800BN SUIT

The Supreme Court has ordered all parties to maintain the status quo in a contempt proceeding filed against the Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) Osagie Okunbor, and three management staff of the company.

A five-man panel of the Apex Court led by Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun gave the order on Thursday while delivering judgement on appeal number SV/CV/398/2022 filed by Osagie Okunbor and others over alleged disobedience of the orders of the Court. Other members of the panel are Justice Chima Centus Nweze, Justice Uwani Musa Abba Aji, Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumju, and Justice Adamu Jauro.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun in her lead judgement held that the pending applications filed before the court are contentious and cannot be taken now. The Apex Court also ordered parties to file written addresses and to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of all the contentious applications.

The contentious applications before the court are, an application dated April 4, 2022, seeking an order staying further committal proceeding in Appeal Number, CA/OW/489/2020; an application dated April 21, 2022, seeking an order setting aside Ex-Debito Justitiae, Notice of Appeal filed in Appeal Number SC/CV/393/2022 and an application filed on April 29, 2022 asking the apex court for an order striking out ex debito justitiae, Notice of Appeal filed in appeal No. SC/CV/393/2022. The matter has been adjourned till November 3, 2022, for hearing.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, Imo State had ordered the Managing Director and the other three management staff of Shell Petroleum Company to appear before it to show cause why they should not be committed for contempt of court.

The three-man appeal court presided over by the Honourable Justice Rita Pemu had on March 23, expressed displeasure with the management of Shell for disobeying two court rulings against the company. The judge held that Shell had disobeyed the lower court ruling while the Appeal Court also ordered Shell to deposit the N800 billion judgment sum against it into the court’s account, an order the company also allegedly disobeyed.

Still dissatisfied, the alleged contemnors, through their counsel, Chief J. J. Onanigbo Okpoko, SAN appealed the ruling.

Shell had applied for a motion seeking an order staying the execution of the Federal High Court judgment in Appeal Number CA/OW/498/20 and Appeal Number CA/OW/490/20 respectively.

On the other hand, counsel to 1st to 88th respondents, Mohammed Ndarant Mohammed, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria prayed the court to ignore the motion for an order staying execution and urged the court to mandate the appellants to deposit the money in an interest-yielding account pending the final determination of the appeal.

Mohammed also raised the fears the appellants were preparing to close shop in Nigeria and relocate to another country, which would jeopardize the judgment if nothing was done, according to a THISDAY report.

It had previously reported that the Owerri Appeal court had ordered Shell to deposit N800 billion (about $2b) in 48 hours over alleged oil spillage.

This comes after Shell appealed a November 2020 Federal High Court ruling that ordered Shell to pay 800 billion naira ($1.95 billion) to 88 communities of Egbalor Ebubu in Rivers state, who had accused the company of an oil spill that damaged their farms and waterways.

The three-man panel had on Monday, March 14, ordered Shell Plc to stop selling any assets in Nigeria until a decision is reached on its appeal of the nearly $2 billion penalty.

The judges said Shell, acting through its agents or subsidiaries was restrained from “selling, allocating, vandalising or disposing off any of its assets/properties pending the determination of the appeal.

Disappointed with the ruling Shell approached the apex court seeking for stay of the execution of the decision until the appeal is determined.

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NBA-SBL CONFAB EARLY BIRD WINDOW CLOSES TODAY

It’s few hours before the early bird registration window for the 16th NBA-SBL Annual International Business Law Conference closes.

Many lawyers are taking advantage of these last few hours.

You can still seize this opportunity and register at a discounted rate at www.nbasbl.org.

YOUNG LAWYERS

SBL Members – N20,000;

Non-SBL Members – N30,000

OTHERS

SBL Members – N45,000

Non-SBL Members – N60,000

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