A reputable law firm based in central Lagos (TBS axis) requires Legal Practitioners with:

• 2-3 years post-call experience or

• 5 years and above post-call experience.

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

Candidates with a minimum of Second Class Honours grade are encouraged to apply.

The salary is competitive and in accordance with industry standards.

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

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

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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NEWS RELEASE

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, Addresses Land Use Act & Environmental Degradation at the 2023 Law Awards Gala

The prestigious 2023 Law Awards Gala was held today, drawing the legal luminaries of the nation to a grand gathering. Amidst the glitz and glamour, one speech stood out – Mazi Afam Osigwe, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), addressed a vital and pressing issue: the Land Use Act and Environmental Degradation. This gala was not just an occasion to celebrate legal excellence but also an opportunity to shed light on critical societal concerns.

The Law Awards Gala is an annual event that brings together lawyers and nominees who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, expertise, and commitment to their legal profession. It’s a night to celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to the legal landscape.

Mazi Afam Osigwe, a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has long been known for his legal acumen and unwavering commitment to justice. He has taken on numerous high-profile cases throughout his career and has been a vocal advocate for legal reforms. His presence at the gala added prestige to the event.

Mazi Afam Osigwe’s speech focused on the Land Use Act, a pivotal piece of legislation in Nigeria’s land ownership and management framework. The act, which dates back to 1978, has been a subject of debate and critique over the years. Osigwe delved into the complexities of the Land Use Act, highlighting its impact on land tenure, property rights, and environmental concerns.

One of the key facets of Osigwe’s speech was the connection between the Land Use Act and environmental degradation. He emphasized how certain provisions of the act could contribute to unsustainable land use practices and, consequently, environmental degradation. Osigwe’s compelling arguments shed light on the need for a reevaluation of existing land policies in the context of environmental sustainability.

Mazi Afam Osigwe did not limit his speech to criticism. He issued a call to action to legal professionals and policymakers, urging them to consider reforms to the Land Use Act that would align it with modern environmental and sustainability standards. His passionate plea resonated with the gala’s attendees, many of whom are influential figures in the legal and political spheres.

The 2023 Law Awards Gala was more than just an evening of recognition; it was an opportunity to address critical issues facing the legal and societal landscape. Mazi Afam Osigwe’s speech on the Land Use Act and its ties to environmental degradation left a lasting impact, inspiring further discussions and potential reforms in land management policies. As the legal community continues to strive for excellence, it also carries the responsibility of contributing to a just and sustainable future for all Nigerians.

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ABRIDGED CHAIRMAN’S REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF SPIDEL FROM 2021 TO 2023.

PROTOCOLS

Gentlemen prior to my election as the Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, I was appointed as the Chairman of Conference Planning Committee of the Section which took place at Ibadan, Oyo State. The Conference with a theme of “The Role of Public Interest in Governance in Nigeria” was held from 23rd of May to 26th of May, 2021. There were several sub- themes all meant to address Nigeria’s governance issues and enhancing the skill of public interest lawyers on public interest lawyering. The speakers were notable public officers like the Chief Justice of Nigeria ably represented by Justice Eko Ejembi now Retired. We had two serving Governors, Their Exellencies Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and one former Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha. We had over 50 internationally acclaimed speakers and the conference was regarded as A class conference.

In an election that year which had the current Chairman as the Electoral Committee Chairman, a new Council emerged headed by my humbleself!

As a brand new Chairman with new Council Members of the Section we had a plan to take the annual conference then to Sokoto since the last conference was in South West of Nigeria. The Sokoto State Government and the lawyers of Sokoto were upbeat about the conference. We were already finalising plans for the conference when news broke out about the unfortunate murder of Lady Deborah Yakubu, a female Student of Shehu Shagari College of Education. The innocent lady was beaten and stoned before she was set ablaze by irate mob comprising of her male colleagues of the said college.

Her killing sparked outrage and condemnation across the country, Nigerians asking the government to fish out the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

NBA became deeply worried not just by the chilling news of the murder of Miss Deborah Yakubu, but also by the sudden and sad news of some Youths who took to the streets creating more tense situation by burning and causing chaos thereby leading to deteriorating security situation in the State.

In the light of the above, the NBA-SPIDEL Council came to a painful decision to request from the then President, Mr. Olumide Akpata that the 2022 annual conference in Sokoto State be postponed not only for the safety of our conferees and guests but as a mark of respect for the memory of the slain Miss Deborah Yakubu. This request was swiftly acceded to by the President and the conference was subsequently postponed indefinitely with a demand that the persons who committed this heinous act be fished out and punished accordingly.

It is sad to report that up till now neither the Federal Government nor the State Government has arrested the real culprits let alone prosecuting them. The blood of Deborah is in the grave but crying for vengeance.

Later in the year 2022, August to be precise, the NBA-SPIDEL Council rescheduled the Annual Conference to hold in Abuja with a theme “The Undermining of Judicial Authority in Nigeria” The key note address was delivered by Hon Justice Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The A list speakers included the then Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria ably represented by Hon Justice Uwani Abba Aji of the Supreme Court, The President of National Industrial Court, Hon Justice Benedict Kanyip, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, Mr Femi Falana SAN, The former AGs of Lagos and Abia States, our Dr Tony Ojukwu SAN, Chief Kanu Agabi SAN, Dr Muiz Banire SAN, Mr Babatunde Ogala SAN, Dr Sam Amadi, Dr Uju Agomoh, Prof Paul Ananaba SAN etc.

Several sub-themes all bothering on the problems of the Judiciary were dissected and solutions profered as remedies to the ills plaguing the judiciary generally.

Just like the Ibadan Conference, the Abuja Conference ended with a communique that was widely publicised in both print and electronic media.

The last conference under my administration was just the recently concluded annual conference held in Lagos State, the centre of excellence. The highly discounted and grand annual conference held in Ikeja Lagos State attracted the creme la creme in the political circle and legal profession. The Conference held from 20th of June to 23rd of June, 2023 was with a theme ” Post Election Nigeria: The Judiciary in the eye of the Storm”

The choice of the topic was deliberate in the light of the present mood of our dear country, post national elections. As we are public interest Advocates, our duty is to constantly remind the judiciary of the daunting task ahead and the need for them to ensure substantial justice and to help set the tone as watchdogs of Justice delivery.

Femi Falana was the Keynote Speaker. Others were Hon Justice Amina Augie ably represented by Hon Justice Ipaye, Prof Ojukwu SAN, Tony Ojukwu SAN, Boma Ozobia SAN, Hon Justice Taiwo Taiwo Retired, Olumide Akpata, Austin Alege SAN, Samson Itodo of Yiaga Africa, Prof Nnamdi Obiaraeri, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, Senator Darlington Nwokocha and the governors of Lagos and Abia States.

The conference ended on a beautiful note with a classical dinner that had surplus food and drinks for the conferees.

The last day witnessed a new election that produced the new leadership made up of capable men and women that are ready to take the Section to a new and better level in Jesus name.
As usual a communique was issued, read and widely published.

In between these annual conferences, the Section held some other important programs for the entrenchment of proper enlightenment on public interest issues for good governance in NBA and the country generally.

When exparte orders and forum shopping became disturbing trend that painted the legal profession in the bad light, we rose to the occasion and held a Webinar Event that had a retired Justice of the Supreme Court Hon Justice Rhodes Vivour, Former President of NBA Mr J.B. Daudu SAN, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, current AG of Nigeria, Justin Anayo Offiah SAN, Olumide Akpata the then NBA President, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akerodolu SAN in attendance. They agreed that this abuse is usually rampant in election cases especially in pre election matters. They all condemned the abuse and variously prescribed punitive measures to stem the tide. This event took place in 2021.

In 2022 we held a Townhall meeting on the justiciability of Socio economic rights provided under Chaper Two of the 1999 Constitution as Amended

The hybrid summit had the theme Justiciability of Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution, Pragmatic Measures for Government Accountability. The event was Chaired by Hon Justice Helen Ogunwumiju of the Supreme Court. It had the then Chief Judge of Abia State Hon Justice Onuoha Ogwe, Hon Luke Oniofok, Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Mr Suleiman Usman SAN, Sokoto then AG, Olawale Fapohunda SAN, the then Ekiti State AG. The then President Mr Olumide Akpata was too keen on this subject and did everything to ensure the success of the program. Mr Femi Falana SAN again was the Lead Presenter on the topic.

After the brainstorming event, it was generally accepted that for the human rights entrenched in the constitution to be meangful, socio economic rights must enjoy the same legal recognition of justiciability as have been done in some countries like India and other Asian countries.

Finally, I recommend that the new Exco should look towards conveying a town hall meeting on dealing with some of the legal Impediments bedeviling public interest litigations in our judicial system. One of the notable principles is the obnoxious principle of Locus Standi which the courts in Nigeria have religiously used to deny public interest litigants seeking accountability, respect to rule of law and good governance access to courts.

This Townhall must have judges of the Federal High courts in large numbers as they remain the greatest culprits with this principle. Despite that the Supreme Court has magnanimously set a breaking record of reversing the earlier rigid position as established in Abraham Adesanya’s case in the latest case of NNPC Vs Centre for Oil Pollution Watch, our courts at the lower levels are still stock with the primitive position that courts should interrogate the status of a messenger rather than the message.

We need to stop the bad behaviour of our judges in this regard by the sensitisation that I recommend that NBA-SPIDEL should spearhead.

Thanks and God bless the New Exco and the members of NBA-SPIDEL. Take it from me, if you believe and work towards it, YOU WILL ALL MAKE HEAVEN.

Dr. Ubani Monday O.
Former Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL

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FEATURED

NBA AGC 2023: Solar For All Ltd Opens Exhibition Stand at the M.K.O Abiola Stadium; announces two years “pay small small” option and lots of gift at their stand.

Financing for Solar Solution provided by Sterling Bank Plc

Solar For All Ltd (NBA AGC 2023 Solar Exhibitor) welcome all conferees to the 2023 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Enjoy your stay in the beautiful City of Abuja.

Visit our Exhibition stand to learn more about the Solar Technology, how you can have steady power to boost your productivity/Practice and save at least 50% of your current Power-cost.

Call/Chat: 08060266163
Visit: SolarForAll.ng

Abuja address: Suit A8 Kenuj O2 Mall, Behind Games Village Abuja.

Lagos: 113A, Mainland Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi Lagos.

Enugu State: Ehalumona Junction, Nsukka Enugu State.

Available to existing and new sterling Bank customers Nationwide.

Download the Whova App to view our Exhibition boot.

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FEATURED

MAZI AFAM OSIGWE, SAN, DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT THE SUMMIT OF THE STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL, NIGERIAN LAW SCHOOL, ABUJA

The Students Representative Council of the Nigerian Law School yesterday welcomed a distinguished guest to its stage, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN. He delivered an inspiring Keynote Address at the “Millennial Lawyers: Advancing into Legal Practice” summit.

Mr. Osigwe’s words resonated deeply with all the aspiring lawyers in the audience, highlighting the paramount importance of innovation and collaboration in the legal profession. His insights shed light on the ever-evolving landscape of the legal world and how the millennial generation has the incredible opportunity to drive positive change through these values.

In a rapidly changing world, being innovative is no longer just an option – it’s a necessity. Mr. Osigwe urged young legal minds to think outside the box, embrace new technologies, and find creative solutions to complex legal challenges.

Equally significant was his emphasis on collaboration. The legal practice today extends beyond individual efforts, demanding strong teamwork and partnerships to navigate intricate cases successfully. The summit attendees were reminded that by pooling diverse talents and perspectives, millennial lawyers can forge a stronger, united front in the pursuit of justice.

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CITY LAWYER AGENDA FOR JUSTICE SECTOR REFORM SERIES

Nigeria’s justice sector is beset by a myriad of challenges ranging from delay in administration of justice to heavy dockets that confront increasingly overworked judicial officers.

Other issues include lack of judicial autonomy and inadequate resources, poor investigation, overhang in the awaiting trial population and low level of adoption of technology and innovation, to name a few.

Against the backdrop of these longstanding challenges and the swearing-in of a new Attorney General and Minister of Justice, CITY LAWYER asked eminent Bar Leaders and justice sector stakeholders to plot a blueprint on the priorities to be tackled by the new Chief Law Officer.

We kick of the Series with proposals from former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President and Chairman of the NBA Board of Trustees, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN, OON.

URGENT TASKS FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION

There are pressing tasks to be carried out urgently by the new Attorney General of the Federation. Major reforms of the criminal justice system with particular reference to the utter confusion in the duplicated work of our law enforcement agencies in particular EFCC and ICPC is urgently needed. Also there is need to unbundle EFCC and restrict them to investigation only while a new National Prosecution Agency ought to be established.

Another key reform would be a complete decentralized Police Force at local state and Federal levels. Major revamp of our outdated laws is urgently needed to follow the Rwanda example that modified 1000 laws. Last but not least the AGF must work on Speed of Justice. It’s a crying shame it takes upwards of 15 years to conclude cases from the High court to the Supreme Court.

Finally but not exhausted is to create sector specific dispute resolution Agencies to free up the utterly cluttered dockets of the regular courts.

The other very important task before the Attorney General will be the unnecessary and wholly inefficient matter of over centralization of our superior courts. There is no better time than now to hack down the highly centralized Court systems in Nigeria. The AGF is invited to consider major constitutional amendments to create a system of Federal and State Courts. State Courts ought to have exclusive Jurisdiction over matters related to them. This is also the case for Federal Courts whose Jurisdiction must be limited to Federal causes. This will free up the Clutter at the Supreme Court and make it the Policy Court it ought to be in the first place

We have a Brilliant AGF in Lateef Fagbemi SAN. I am convinced this will be a simple task for him. He is a very good colleague and I have the highest confidence in his abilities.

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The management of Joycare Greater Scholars Staff School, Lagos has debunked what it termed “Defamatory Campaign and Blackmail” against the school.

According to a statement signed by the Administrator of the school, Mrs. Margaret Oyesanya, “Over the past four months, a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Olusola have launched media campaign of blackmail against Greater Scholars staff school and Greater Scholars International Nursery & Primary and Secondary Schools, in Lagos.”

The school’s management also owns Greater Scholars International Nursery, Primary and Secondary schools. The statement is titled “Defamatory Campaign and Blackmail against Joycare Greater Scholars Staff School and Greater Scholars International Nursery & Primary and Secondary Schools.”

It states that the couple “alleged that their four-year old female child was sexually assaulted by a security staff of Greater Scholars staff school,” adding that “This allegation is unfounded, meritless, and is now a subject of litigation awaiting Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP’s) Advice.

“As a school, we take seriously the protection, safety, and well-being of our pupils. However, the staff against whom this allegation is made have strongly denied the allegation. The innocent 4-year-old child in question was never sexually assaulted by a staff of the school.”

The school’s management alleged that “The defamatory campaign launched in the media by Mr. and Mrs. Olusola and their shadowy surrogates are intended to blackmail the school and extort money.”

Giving more insight into the issue, the school notes that “The incident is alleged to have happened at the ‘Staff school’ facility which is entirely a separate location from Greater Scholars international Nursery, Primary and Secondary School, but Mr. & Mrs. Olusola for the past four months continue to misrepresent the facts in social media and in the mainstream media.”

It alleged that the motive of the parent’s “are to influence the outcome of the investigations and prejudice the minds of parents and the public at large,” adding that “They shall fail in their deceptive propaganda to force the school to reach settlement of any sort.

“Rape and child defilement are serious issues and should never be used as a ruse by manipulative parents to blackmail schools and extort money from individuals, as we are witnessing in the baseless claims of Mr. and Mrs. Olusola.

“We therefore urge the general public to beware of the desperate antics of Mr. and Mrs. Olusola, who have variously used the 4-year old child in question in their media campaign antics, including posting pictures of the child and using the child’s voice, thereby exposing the child to abuse.”

The school’s management urged “law enforcement agencies and the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, (DSVA), Ministry of Youth & Social development to urgently consider filing an application for Emergency Child Protection Order for the 4 year old child in question.”

Noting its commitment to “continue to cooperate fully with the police, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, and other agencies of government to unravel the truth and expose the dubious activities of Mr. and Mrs. Olusola,” the management vowed that it is “committed to safeguarding the best interest of the child and implement the rights of the child as prescribed in the Child Rights Law of Lagos State 2015.”

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There is no contempt suit against FBN Holdings Plc or its officials before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, has told CITY LAWYER.

Adebayo, who is the firm’s lawyer, said reports alleging that the court adjourned till August 23 to hear a motion seeking to commit officials of FBN Holdings Plc to prison for alleged contempt of court were incorrect.

According to the senior lawyer, what the court adjourned for was to hear all pending applications in the suit filed by three aggrieved shareholders of the company. The shareholders/applicants are Olojede Adewole Solomon, Adebayo Oluwafemi Abayomi, and Ogundiran Emmanuel Adejare.

The applicants had obtained an order of court restraining FBN Holdings Plc from proceeding with its annual general meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, August 15. They also filed Form 48 titled “Notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court”

But FBN Holdings said it was not in contempt. The company said it had filed and served on the petitioners the necessary processes and Notice of Appeal challenging the order and seeking that same, as well as the entire proceedings, should be set aside.

According to the company, this paved the way for the AGM to proceed on August 15, as earlier scheduled.

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Former Supreme Court jurist, Justice Mary Ukaego-Peter Odili; Past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and immediate past Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN; Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation designate, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, and Minister of Education designate, Prof. Tahir Mamman SAN are expected at Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN’s colloquium and book launch.

The two-pronged event is to mark the silver jubilee of Gadzama’s conferment with the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The theme for the colloquium is ”The Nigeria of our dream: A call to the patriots.”

Other dignitaries designated as “Royal Father of the Day” are Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanami CFR FNSE, Shehu of Bornu; His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Aladetoyin O. Aladelusi CFR, Deji of Akure Kingdom, Ondo State; His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibn Ismaila Mamza 11 , Emir of Uba, Borno State; His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr. Robert C. Ezeh (Okofia VI), Igwe of Ukpo Ancient Kingdom, Anambra State.

The event is scheduled as follows:

Date: Friday, September 1, 2023.
Time is 10am
Venue: Hon. Justice S.M.A Belgore Hall, ground floor, J-K Gadzama Court. Plot 1805 Damaturu Crescent by Kabo Way, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Garki 11 Abuja.

VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION: LINK to register – https: //shorturl.at/ppQ12
PHYSICAL PARTICIPATION: BY CARD INVITATION ONLY.

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The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN has urged board members of the newly inaugurated NBA Human Rights Institute (NBA-HRI) to promote rule of law, saying the members have the expertise to deliver on the mandate.

Inaugurating the board today at NBA headquarters, Maikyau stated that “the Board, which is now saddled with the management of the NBA-HRI, has the competence and expertise to deliver on this mandate.”

He urged the Board members “to appreciate the fact that the legal profession is best positioned to ensure the enhancement of human rights in Nigeria and that the protection of human rights is at the core of the objectives of the NBA, an objective the NBA-HRI under their care is expected to pursue with vigour and commitment.”

The NBA President also approved the continuous occupation by the Institute of the wing of the former NBA Secretariat in Garki, Abuja named after former NBA President and Governor of Ondo State, Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.

Responding on behalf of the Board members, its Chairman and respected human rights activist, Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu SAN thanked the NBA President for the appointment and assured that it “would dutifully deliver on its mandates, even as the Institute is poised to improve on its research and training capacity.”

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER by the NBA Publicity Secretary Akorede Lawal, the inauguration ceremony was attended by Prof. Joy Ezeilo, OON, SAN; Mr. Usman Ogwu Sule SAN, former NBA Welfare Secretary and other members of the Board. Also present was Mrs. Linda Rose Bala, NBA 1st Vice President.

It is recalled that Maikyau had by a notice issued on August 4, 2023 reconstituted the NBA-HRI Board. The Board had immediately set to work by holding its first meeting after the inauguration at the NBA House.

NEWS RELEASE

NBA CONDOLES WITH THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT OVER THE PASSING OF HON. JUSTICE MALLONG

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN, has expressed sadness over the news of the death of Hon. Justice Hoommuk Peter Mallong of the Federal High Court. Until his lordship’s demise on Sunday, 30 July, 2023, Justice Mallong was presiding at the Kaduna Judicial Division of the Federal High Court.

Justice Mallong has been described as a versatile, fair, brilliant and hardworking jurist.

The NBA President commiserates with the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Tsoho, the Government and People of Plateau State, friends and family of Hon. Justice Mallong over the passing of his lordship and prays that the Almighty God comforts his family and friends.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary

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Award-winning author, Chimamanda Adichie, joined the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi; and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed at the Presidential Election Petition Court on Tuesday in Abuja.

Meanwhile, reports monitored by CITY LAWYER showed that the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal around 5 pm today reserved judgment in the petition filed by Obi and Labour Party, even as the lawyers for all the parties made submissions in adopting their final addresses before the tribunal.

Among the lawyers present at the tribunal are Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu SAN, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN and Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud SAN.

Obi and Baba-Ahmed are challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25, 2023 poll as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Tribunal is set to resume hearing in the adoption of written address by LP and Obi.

The petitioners — LP, Obi; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar — are praying for the nullification of Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 poll. CHANNELS TV reports that they are both praying to be named the winner of the election, or that a rerun to be conducted.

The parties filed and exchanged their final written addresses with the last being Tinubu’s reply on July 24 to the final written address by Atiku and the PDP.

Chimamanda Adichie seen with Peter Obi and Yusuf Baba Ahmed at the Presidential Election Petition Court.

Una go explain tire no evidence 🙌 pic.twitter.com/xumEOt0vNG

— Azlan of The Confluence 🇳🇬 (@Shaibu_AO) August 1, 2023

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Governor Otti Commiserates With Families Of Slain Police Officers In Aba, Condemns Reprisal Attacks

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has vowed that his government would track down the gunmen who killed two police operatives attached to Abia State Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, Governor Otti who is increasingly gaining popularity as an “Action Governor” due to his developmental strides, said that his government “views the attack on the innocent police officers by yet to be identified gunmen as cruel, unjust and highly provocative and should be condemned by all men and women of good conscience.”

He however “condemned in strong terms the reprisal attack allegedly carried out by some police officers against some innocent citizens in the city of Aba earlier today, describing it as lawless and counterproductive, since such victims have not been proven to be directly or indirectly involved in the attack that led to the death of those two Police Officers.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

GOVERNMENT SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

GOVERNOR OTTI COMMISERATES WITH FAMILIES OF SLAIN POLICE OFFICERS IN ABA, CONDEMNS REPRISAL ATTACKS

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR has on behalf of Abia State government commiserated with the families of the innocent Police Officers killed in Aba on Tuesday 25th July, 2023 while on a legitimate duty with the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu.

Governor Otti says that government views the attack on the innocent police officers by yet to be identified gunmen as cruel, unjust and highly provocative and should be condemned by all men and women of good conscience.

In the same vain, the Governor has condemned in strong terms the reprisal attack allegedly carried out by some police officers against some innocent citizens in the city of Aba earlier today, describing it as lawless and counterproductive, since such victims have not been proven to be directly or indirectly involved in the attack that led to the death of those two Police Officers.

The Governor on getting to know about today’s reprisal attacks immediately got the Police authorities to withdraw the Officers from the affected areas which paved the way for the return of peace and normalcy in the area. Governor Otti assures that his government would do everything within its powers to ensure that the killers of the Police Officers and their sponsors are brought to justice and that those Police Officers who took laws into their hands by brutalizing innocent citizens and destroying people’s properties are also made to face the law. He insists that two wrongs can never make a right.

Finally, the Governor has also promised to ensure that adequate compensation is paid to the families of the slain Officers and to innocent citizens who were brutalised and their properties destroyed. Credible intelligence has revealed the possible source of the attack and the security forces have already swung into action to route out all forms of criminality in the state. He therefore called on Abians to go about their legitimate businesses without fear, assuring them that his government would continue to place priority on the welfare and security of all Abians.

Ferdinand Ekeoma
Special Adviser
(Media and Publicity) to the
Governor
26-07-2023

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A Lagos State High Court presided over by Justice Adedayo Oyebanji has awarded N10 Million in general damages against Mak & Mak Limited, an engineering and construction company, over the death of Mr. Charles Chidi Obinweugo while working on its premises. The sum was awarded for the resultant loss of support for Mr. Obinweugo’s widow, children and aged mother.

The deceased died on 7th March, 2018, after the defendant engaged him to repair a Benut 500 piling crane machine at the company’s premises as a technician. He fell to the ground from the 40 feet high crane and broke his skull. The medical report indicated that he died of cardiopulmonary arrest as a result of severe head injury sustained from the fall.

The deceased’s dependents filed Suit No. LD/ADR/2108/2018, Mrs. Juliana Alioma Obinweugo & Anor. v Mak & Mak Limited, claiming N50 Million in general damages.

Their counsel, Chijioke Emeka, SAN, argued that the company owed a duty of care to provide the deceased with required safety kit and ensure that he was fully kitted before embarking on the job. Against the defence that kits were given to him, claimants relied on the principle of res ipsa loquitor (the fact speaks for itself).

It was argued that the claimants had suffered psychological trauma and unmitigated loss as a result of the death of the breadwinner of the family who left behind a widow, three young children, an aged mother and other dependents.

The defendant-company countered, contending that the defendant provided safety kits but the deceased failed to use them. It argued that the deceased died due to his negligence, having gone up the crane without kits. The defendant contended that it commiserated with the family and assisted them towards burial costs.

While the deceased’s widow and elder brother, Pastor Godwin Obinweugo testified for the claimants, the defendant’s maintenance manager, one Anthony, testified as DW 1.

In its judgment, the Court held that the defendant was negligent in not ensuring that the deceased used safety kits before climbing up the crane within the defendant’s premises and under its full control.

It found DW1 not to be a witness of truth, having contradicted himself during cross-examination. It noted that while the witness stated in his written testimony that the deceased failed to use provided kits, he testified in court that the deceased went up kitted, and then was found dead without the kits. The court held that the police report supported that the deceased died without kits.

Justice Oyebanji held that the defendant breached its duty of care to the deceased, although he was contributorily negligent for not using the kits. The Court therefore found that the deceased’s widow, three young children and aged mother suffered damage as a result of his death and awarded N10 Million in general damages, post judgment interest of 10% per annum until full liquidation of the judgment sum; and N500, 000 as costs of the suit.

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J-K Gadzama LLP held its annual Moot and Mock Trials for the 2023 Nigeria Law School Externs as part of its continued efforts to mentor young and upcoming lawyers

The J-K Gadzama LLP law firm under the leadership of foremost Bar Laeder, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, held its 2023 Moot and Mock trial competition for externs from the Nigerian Law School.

The competition is in fulfilment of the commitment by Gadzama to give back to the Legal Profession and invest in the future of the profession, having commissioned the Hon. Justice Nikki Tobi Moot Court to provide an avenue for Nigerian Law School students and students from various universities to participate in Moot and Mock trial competitions.

The Moot Trial Competition was presided over by Hon. Justice Rakiya B. Haastrup, Justice of the National Industrial Court. The competition also witnessed the presence of distinguished and prominent guests such as Mela Audu Nunghe SAN, Mr. Daniel Tela (the secretary of the Body of Benchers), Dr. Beatrice Shuwa and Dr. Emmanuel Olowononi, both serving lecturers at the Nigerian Law School.

The Court proceedings were handled by 6 (Six) externs, out of the 20 externs posted to J-K Gadzama LLP for their Mandatory Chamber Attachment from Nigerian Law School – divided into two teams for the Claimant and the Defendant. The Claimant’s team was represented by its lead counsel, Maryam Mohammed, alongside Anieobiongo Offonmbuk Moffat and Aisha Bala. The Defence team was represented by its lead counsel, Araka Anyakora, alongside Zainab Abdulsalam, and Ennah Zagi.

The host, Gadzama appreciated the speakers and special guests for honouring the invitation and taking out time encourage and impact the lives of the lawyers to be. He intimated the audience that it was the firm’s custom and practice to organize a Moot and Mock trial yearly for Nigerian Law School Students and also for law students of various universities to enable them to learn the practical and ethical aspects of court practice.

Out of passion for the development of upcoming lawyers, the Moot Court was named after his Lordship, Hon. Justice Nikki Tobi JSC (of blessed memory), a former Dean of Law to Chief J-K Gadzama SAN at the University of Maiduguri, his revered alma matter. He further stated that the Court was to be utilized for trial competitions and for free. He expressed his admiration for the Nigerian Law School externs stating that they had performed considerably well and this was no doubt a testament to the efforts of their lecturers at the Nigeria Law School.

The competition which lasted for about 3 (three) hours was televised and also delivered via virtual link for Law School Externs all over to witness and follow the proceedings.

The Secretary to the Body of Benchers, Mr. Daniel Tela Esq., on behalf of Mary Peter-Odili CFR, Chairman of the Body of Benchers, commended the efforts of Chief J-K Gadzama SAN in his bid to impact young and upcoming lawyers to be citing this among many other reasons for the appointment of Chief J-K Gadzama SAN as the Chairman of the Pioneer Mentoring Committee of the Body of Benchers.

Dr. Beatrice Shuwa and Dr. Emmanuel Olowoloni, lecturers from the Nigerian Law School, Abuja Campus also expressed their profound gratitude to the firm and its Founding/Principal Partner for organizing the exercise and for the opportunity granted to the Nigerian Law School Externs to participate in the academic yet rewarding exercise.

Mela Audu Nunghe, SAN also commended the efforts of Chief J-K Gadzama SAN for his large heart towards mentorship and tutelage ,being a long-standing friend of the Law firm and the Law School Externs as well as citing their performance as outstanding and reflective of their commitment to excel in their studies.

The firm’s Dispute Resolution Head and Partner, Darlington Onyekwere Esq., also commended the Law School Externs who participated in every capacity. He noted particularly the zeal and preparation with which they handled the proceedings and he cited that this was a clear indication that they will no doubt succeed in the legal practice.

Hon. Justice Rakiya B. Haastrup in giving the closing remarks commended Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN for his tireless effort in ensuring the mentorship of young and upcoming lawyers and lawyers to be. She further commended the Law School Externs stating that they had done excellently well and outperformed beyond expected. She expressed surprise that they were only students from the Nigerian Law School on externship at the firm. She emphasized the fact that their performance was a reflection of the undeniable fact that they had indeed garnered the requisite practical knowledge as intended by the Nigerian Law School.

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In this piece, DESTINY OGEDENGBE, a double First Class graduate who recently completed a Master of Laws degree at Harvard Law School, urges young lawyers to adopt a flexible approach to their career choices in order to gain new insights that may recalibrate their perceptions

CAREER DECISIONS ON PREFERRED LEGAL PRACTICE AREAS BY YOUNG LAWYERS AND STUDENTS: MAKING A CASE FOR CLARITY OVER HASTE

Today’s legal practice is utilitarian. It requires us to approach it with a socio-economic understanding, and this also means that to be a good law professional, one’s knowledge of law must necessarily conform with and be creatively applied to solve real issues to which clients are confronted. Law has arched into wider circumferences. The current landscape of legal practice is different from the terrains on which our ancestors traversed in yesteryear. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, to be a lawyer did not require much. Armed with the Queen’s License, a Gown and the Lawyer’s Remembrancer, the best lawyers were simply those who mastered the art of proffering complex legal arguments to befuddle and astonish their clients, those who understood the language of conveyancers, the clauses in a contract, or those who knew how to utilize the legalese of the constitutionalists. Law has morphed over the years controlling systems and institutions in a more advanced manner and responding to a wider collection of socio-economic, socio-legal and political needs and with this new, vast areas of legal practice have emerged. These changes we witness today in the practice of law have altered perspectives and approaches so much that lawyers – both the old wigs and the greenhorns – are in an ever-increasing need for clarity in their chosen career paths to meet up to speed or stay consistently progressive in practice.

In recent times, there have been many events and awareness packages focused on helping law students and lawyer alike, to chart their career paths for themselves, become more sensitized about how much more there is to explore in the legal market apart from Disputes Resolution. This work therefore focuses on a major decision that lawyers make very early into their careers as legal professionals, sometimes even as law students while they are yet to graduate – the decision of which career path they should navigate into or which areas they should deem as “core areas of practice” in preference over others.

Very often, we find law students on their social media platforms displaying interests in areas such as Fintech Law, Entertainment Law, Energy, Taxation or Maritime, sometimes without really knowing jack about these areas; some of these areas are yet to be developed by laws in Nigeria. This may be a good thing. In most circles, there is the subtle dismissal that graduating law students or new wigs get when it appears that they still have not found an area of practice to devotedly align with – they appear clueless about legal practice. So, the effect is that not a few students quickly find a fancy aspect of law to subscribe to, concentrate on and ultimately align with as their prized areas of practice. Despite all the advantages this could have, this work intends to deepen the perception of these early debates on career paths and nearly impulsive career decisions by exposing some negative effects to it, without trying to disprove that indeed, there are fair instances of students blessed with the fortune to know from the outset what they want to thrive in with a very accurate and logical assessment of their convictions, capacities and interests.

We cannot run away from making decisions – it is perhaps the most difficult aspect of adulthood. But with decisions as heavy as the career path in which we wish to be experts in, it may be necessary to be more cautious and give room for more flexibility in approach and consideration. The profession admits of so many ambits, so, what is very much obtainable is that young law students choose their interests on premises that may not be solid enough to justify their choices. The premises range from the uninformed to the utterly ridiculous – such as a beautiful rendition by a professor on a subject at a seminar, an unverifiable belief that one area of law is more lucrative than the other, or that one area of law attracts much more ease than the other or others. In this article, this article then seeks to highlight a few points for consideration when or before making regimented decisions as to career paths:

Your Understanding of the Required Skills for a Chosen Path Might be Inaccurate:

In my interactions with some law students, I have discovered that while many are deeply interested in their chosen paths, these passions lie on quite shallow, sometimes unfounded ideas of what the chosen careers demand. For instance, I have encountered law students who say that they do not pay much attention to moot and mock activities because they want to be “corporate lawyers”. It is even difficult to define who a corporate lawyer is, but what is amusing is the belief that the skills one acquires from indulging in moot and mock activities are not particularly required by corporate lawyers. Indeed, this is a common misconception. The truth is that law is so delicately woven, and the best lawyers have a bit of every possible legal skill. Fighting shy of certain practice areas (and the skills that come with them), becomes disservice to oneself because in the grander scale of considerations, these skills, regardless of which practice area they each feature more prominently in, eventually aggregate rather interestingly to forge the millennial lawyer. You may dislike court room practice and make mental vows of how you will never set foot in court but the skills therefrom will be applicable to your chosen field of legal practice. For instance, as a “corporate lawyer” advising companies and boards, you will find the confidence, oratory and courtiership that lawyers learn in court, useful in your visits to company or board meetings. There are dozens of meetings you will attend that are as formal as court room engagements and these skills apply. Besides, corporate law practitioners approach the courts for many reasons including making arguments for grant of one order or the other.

The student who has developed a liking for taxation law, believing court room arguments to be mundane, may soon find himself at the Tax Appeal Tribunal to make the same submissions he so dreadfully abhors. Interactions with law students also reveal that many have developed a belief that the emerging areas of law are easier, or more lucrative and definitely have nothing to do with conventional court room practice. Indeed, paths such as Fintech Law, Maritime Law, Aviation Law, Oil and Gas Law, Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law, seem to endear the admiration of many law students. But, Maritime, Aviation and Intellectual property law experts find their ways into court every so often to argue their applications on behalf of clients. In fact, the reality is that very few law firms in Nigeria with a wealth of expertise can afford to have consultant lawyers in these supposedly “choice” areas of practice who do not dabble into litigation from time to time. Also, the nature of the briefs that might warrant only legal advisory services or documentation preparations in highly specialized sectors of the economy (such as aviation, Oil and Gas and Maritime) are fat – and fat briefs are the exclusive preserve of a rather select few practice firms. The confidence and oratory of the court room lawyer is essential to the craft of the business lawyer whose daily routine involves meeting different businessmen and women across the globe; the meticulousness and attention to details of the constitutional draughtsman are vital to the work of the lawyer whose business is to prepare documents for huge financings and syndications – in fact, this meticulousness traverses all sectors. Is it the listening skills of the company secretarial lawyer that is not immensely useful to the litigator? Are there lawyers who would not be better off if they tore from the pages of the litigator whose interrogating skills, earned from cross-examinations, are matchless?

Lucrativeness of an area of law – or the sheer belief of it – inspires these decisions often. No one wants to suffer. Yet, it may not be advisable that this should mainly inform a career path. Whether an area of law is lucrative or not is relative and whether it will be lucrative to a budding lawyer depends on the coherence of several factors which simply are not peculiar to the chosen field. For instance, the location of the lawyer, the caliber of clientele he is fortunate to attract (this is highly unpredictable), the number of qualified precursors who have made goodwill in the field and are still in active practice, the quality of the lawyer’s delivery of services, the open market expectations of a lawyer willing to practice in the field in terms of qualifications and shifts in government policies are all indices that vary the extents to which lawyers benefit from a field. So, that one knows five or even twenty Maritime lawyers who have risen to financial stardom is not good premise to lay the important decision of a career field on.

In the end, one would find that there are no skill sets particular to a field of legal practice and the point stressed under this rubric is that unless one has a full grasp of all it truly entails to engage in a path and consistently excel in it for a long period of time, it becomes hasty to make a decision as to one’s career path. Sadly, many students do not understand or realise how areas of law overlap one another. In loathing a field and the skill sets that come with such field, they may settle hastily for some other preferred field which, in reality, requires just as much the same skill sets as those conferred by the ignored field.

Specialization is a Journey and not an Absolute Destination:

Experts say that it takes 3 to 5 years to become an expert in a field. This may be tongue-in-cheek; this may be accurate also. What is important is that it is perfectly okay to spend some time before delving to specialize in an area. A decision to be utterly stuck to a path should be informed and this entails an absolute understanding of what the area entails; it also involves a fair assessment of other paths and what they entail as well. Logically, one cannot opt to specialize in a field that one knows nothing of. Passion, in this wise, is not enough. Often, people come with different levels and depths to their abilities and with marked idiosyncrasies. In appreciating a career path, it is important that however nuanced such a path is, it comes easy and naturally to the person who has chosen it. Therefore, one cannot claim to hate several other paths without having dabbled into the patterns that make up those paths. It is a closed mind that abhors what they have no idea of; the most one should do is be indifferent.

No doubt, there are students who, without having to enquire into what other career paths seem like, already know their choosing. This would come usually with marked successes (theoretically and practically) in courses relating to those areas or prior hands-on experiences that shape more appreciation of the law in those areas or some other deep-seated reasons. This category of students is often an exception and even in this exception, some later have regrets; some might have wrongly assessed the profundity of and the premises for their convictions. It is therefore safer and probably beneficial that students should be guided to have a fair idea of what other career paths are made of before they pigeon-hole their interests into cute little boxes of uninformed admiration and preferences. They must understand that they run no material risks in giving themselves time to properly appreciate several career paths or areas of specialization before choosing to practise one.

Haste in Decision Making may Stunt Creativity and Limit Versatility:

It is important to re-state that logically, one cannot detest what they have no idea of; one may be indifferent. Understanding this makes for an open mind and with an open mind comes the need to try new areas, activate some level of creativity and expand versatility. A flexible approach to the question of what career path one wishes to traverse is a safer approach because that way, one is open to the possibilities of gaining new insights that may recalibrate one’s position probably to a path where one’s abilities are more effectively utilized. Also, with less haste, a young lawyer is more likely to better consider the legal market and how to pitch an area of practice and blend his legal knowledge to achieve excellent service delivery. Indeed, a lawyer who hankers after corporate/commercial law practice and leaves no room for flexibility may fair poorly in evaluating the needs of a particular market and how to blend in efficiently, if such market is not a predominantly commercial location. Flexibility helps people realize that the legal career is a long journey and it may not start off respecting the terms that make up our lofty dreams all at once. The flexibility is important, and a hasty career decision has the negative effect of making students ignore so much knowledge that would have encouraged versatility – the versatility they might need to make some good fortune of early inconveniences or crises in legal practice.

CONCLUSION

This work justifies the on-going agitations for a more qualitative legal education for the quantifiable lot of law students and lawyers in Nigeria. If students had more practical interfaces in the study of law, they would understand that it is only prudent to make calculated assessments in reaching important decisions such as the choice of area(s) of practice. Many law teachers focus more on the bony stalk of legal abstractions and ignore (sometimes genuinely) the need to broaden the depths of legal understanding by the use of more practical, socio-economic realities and in the long-run, the quality of education impacts on the mentality with which students approach core decisions such as career paths. Students should be taught to know that legal practice today has even transcended into consulting and tax advisory services. In Magic-circle law firms in the UK, there are joint practices with big tax firms. Lawyers should also be equipped to fit into these related business outlets; it promotes eclecticism and absorbs the upsurge of unemployment of lawyers. There are private equity firms that lawyers continually thrive in – legal education should bring these to the knowledge and appreciation of students long before they become distraught with the tedium of choosing career paths for themselves.

Students should be invited to think decisions through and be patient where necessary. Patience as a term, is a tiring cliché and clichés are enemies to literate people. Although the term is overused, the message is always worth revisiting and for decisions lofty enough to alter your trajectory to life – such as decisions as to one’s career path, there are many considerations to be evaluated some of which are pointed out above. Bringing it down to legal practice, the degree of caution is quadrupled because it is a rather broad set of practice areas. It is therefore okay to be unsure of an area of specialization at the nascent stages of practice or as undergraduates. Where one is reasonably certain of an area of practice, it is also beneficial that one does not ignore the knowledge and experience that accrue from other areas of practice. The interplay between these areas is almost divine.

• This article was originally published in 2020 in UNILAG LAW REVIEW.

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Embattled female lawyer, Helen Ebikpolade was arrested and released last December by National Drug Law Enforcement (NDLEA) operatives, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

An unimpeachable source who is familiar with the matter told CITY LAWYER that Ebikpolade was nabbed by NDLEA operatives and detained by the agency at its Epe Command during the yuletide season before regaining her freedom.

Ebikpolade was again arrested last July 1 following a sting operation on her Lekki, Lagos home where some exhibits including 5 kilogrammes of cannabis and 12 bottles of prepared skuchies were allegedly carted away by NDLEA operatives. This led to a manhunt for the lawyer-turned-entrepreneur by NDLEA operatives who stormed Awka in Anambra State where she was arrested.

CITY LAWYER gathered from an impeccable source that several of her alleged accomplices were also arrested in other parts of Lagos.

Admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 2015 after graduating from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, the Anambra native and mother of two confessed that she has little or no aptitude for legal practice.

An impeccable source told CITY LAWYER that the embattled lawyer recently filed for divorce in a Lagos court from her Bayelsa-born estranged husband.

In a LinkedIn profile sighted by CITY LAWYER, the lawyer whose full name is Helen Chidima Ebikpolade, wrote: “I have my first and second degree in Law but I have always been business inclined and I realized quite early in my life that running and managing business(es) is my forte. This motivated me to earn my Maters in Management with with (sic) the aim of improving my management skills, growing my current business, and to also expand as well in the future.”

She claims to have received a “Master of Laws – LLM, Law” degree from the Nigerian Law School in April 2015 and another Master’s degree in “Management, Entrepreneurship” from American Public University System (APUS).

Early in her short stint with law practice, Ebikpolade was a Research Assistant with Bayelsa State Judiciary between November 2015 and November 2016 where she “worked with the Chief Magistrate and helped research cases, write briefs and legal opinions, helps (sic) judge prepare for trials, draft legal documents, and other legal duties assigned to me by the Magistrate.”

She then joined the Yenagoa based law firm of J. A. Gbadamosi & Co. (Agalu Chambers) as a Junior Associate between January 2017 and November 2019. She moved to Pennak Limited as a part-time Administrative Officer before setting up her fashion outfit, Moonshine Luxury in January 2022.

Before her arrest, Ebikpolade was working on contract as Administrative Specialist at “Freaky0clock.” According to Ebikpolade, “Freaky0clock is a small business enterprise, an alcoholic beverage company made from natural ingredients. We take special pride in our production, planning and service with strict adherence to quality and safety standards.”
Announcing her arrest alongside other suspects, NDLEA stated that Ebikpolade who allegedly “specialises in production and distribution of skuchies, a mixture of cannabis, opioids and black currant, was arrested in a follow up operation in Awka, Anambra State following an earlier seizure of 5kg cannabis and 12 bottles of prepared skuchies in her apartment at Lekki.”

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The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference Planning Committee, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN has weighed in on the topic, “Tyranny and Dictatorship of Election Petition: Where is Justice?”

The Bar Leader spoke at the ongoing NBA Section on Legal Practice Annual Conference which held today at NBA House, Abuja.

Osigwe stated that a significant number of electoral disputes find their way to the courts, adding that concerns are being raised regarding the approach taken by judges who often prioritize technicalities over substantive issues.

He noted that this approach has led to the growing impression that individual votes hold little significance, and that corruption has permeated the electoral process.

The former NBA General Secretary said that the prevalence of contradictory judgments undermines the credibility of the judicial system, adding that there is the need for fairness and alignment of court decisions with the principles of natural justice.

He stated that posting of judges outside their jurisdiction to preside over election-related cases has led to lack of expertise and understanding of local dynamics and outcomes that may be perceived as unjust, adding that many instances of misconduct and disrepute within the legal profession originate from election matters. He emphasized the need to address these challenges and amend laws to enhance electoral justice.

He stressed the importance of laying emphasis on Chapter Two of the Nigerian Constitution which highlights the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy, and urged a more holistic approach to electoral reforms that encompass not only legal fundamentals but also broader societal principles.

Osigwe underscored the importance of fair judicial decisions that shun technicalities and reflect the ideals of justice, adding that there is a need to ensure proper assignment of judges and address issues that bring odium to the legal profession.

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The programme started by 10:30 am with the Opening Prayer. The NBA Prayer was said by Mena Obete Esq.

This was followed by the National Anthem and recognition of notable members and special guests of Honour. This included the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON (represented by the Administrator of National Judicial Institute, Hon. Salisu Garuba), and the Chief Judge High Court of the FCT, Hon. Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf.

Opening Remarks were delivered by Chief Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN, Chairman, Conference Planning Committee while Welcome Remarks were said by Mr. Afam Okeke, Chairman, NBA Abuja Branch (Unity Bar). Welcome Address was given by Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, Chairman, NBA Section on Legal Practice.

In his welcome remarks, the NBA president, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, thanked members for electing him as the 31st President of NBA. He welcomed members and special guests to the conference.

The President stated that the theme of this year’s conference gladdens his heart, adding that though there should be a cross-border charging of fees, such charges should not be the primary motivation for representation of clients. He emphasized the importance of lawyers equipping themselves with relevant skills in order remain globally competitive.

In his words, “When your client comes to you, this is a regulation that helps you to charge your clients across border. I am simply talking about being ethical and professional. The fight against corruption is a legal fight and it is only lawyers that can fight that fight. And that’s why we decided to bring in Anti-Money Laundering Act to self-regulate ourselves – which will take effect on the 1st of January, 2024 – instead of an outsider body regulating us.

“Finally, I believe that Seniors, Senior Advocates of Nigeria should be accessible to the junior lawyers, and also for mentoring purpose. The AGC Chairman and Alternate Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee are working hard to make sure we have a wonderful and memorable experience.”

Welcome Remarks were delivered by the Chief Judge High Court of FCT who welcomed delegates and guests to the conference. Senator Osita Izunaso then gave his Goodwill Message to the delegates, thanking the organizers for putting together a good programme with a good theme.

Prof. Peter Terkaa Akper, SAN gave the Keynote Address, saying: “In line with the theme, we intend to proffer suggestions for all lawyers in our representation in discharging our duties to our clients.”

The Vote of Thanks was given by the Secretary, NBA-Section on Legal Practice, Prof. Augustine Robert Agom. He thanked all the special guests, NBA President, resource persons, guest speakers, sponsors, members and delegates, and emphasized that the conferees should ensure that their voices are heard in this conference. In his words, “You have heard today that we can charge our fees without borders and we can also render our services without borders. I wish you all a good outing in this conference.” The conference was then declared open.

The Premium Showcase Session started at 1:19 pm with the topic, “Transformation of Legal Practice In Nigeria. The Chairperson of the Session was Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN while the Panelists were Mr. Isaiah Broderick Bozimo, Hon. Justice Daketima Kio, Dr. Nkiruka Chidia Maduekwe, Hon. Justice Taiwo Taiwo (rtd.), Prof. Agbo Madaki, and Prof. Usman Suleiman, SAN. The Panelists generally discussed challenges confronting the Nigerian judicial system.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN stated that it is a challenge graduating so many law students who have no iota of knowledge of how the legal system works outside Law School due to the limited time spent at the school. He therefore called for more training for the studenst and teachers at the school as well as provision of facilities including laptops. His words: “The era of teachers coming to class telling them to read books has gone. Basically, what students need is practical experience; students should have access to laptops, training etc. We are also confronted with challenges in our judicial system, but we are doing the best we can; we teach and mentor.”

Bozimo stated that, following a poll among Nigerians who were asked to rate the justice system, it was discovered that many Nigerians were dissatisfied with the justice system due to corruption and delay of cases. He said that we should learn from other developed jurisdictions who have functional judicial system like Singapore, United Kingdom, and South Africa.

His words: “We must draw inspiration from the success and aspire to adopt such success story to our system; solutions should be tailored to align with our unique Nigerian context. The solutions to these challenges should be Technology, Proactive Legal Policy Reform, encouraging Alternative Dispute Resolution, enabling proactive Judicial involvement, enhancing transparency, accessibility and accountability in our judicial system.”

Plenary Session Two started at 3:19 pm with topic, “Legal Practice Issues in Migration and Immigration.”

Dr. Elachi Agada spoke on the Immigration Act. He stated that there is a new Act which makes arbitration mandatory. Under the new Act, there are provisions for emergency issues on arbitration as well as sections 19, 39 & 40 on consolidation and concurrent matters subject to approval of parties. A third party can also be joined in a matter without approval by parties in the matter. He said: “There is also a change in the section on the setting aside of arbitral awards. Overall, I want to conclude by saying the new Act is a remarkable step to the provision of arbitration in Nigeria.

Plenary Session One started at 3:31 pm with the topic, “Organ Donation and Transplantation Under Nigerian Law.” Chairperson of the session was Mr. Oluseun Abimbola, SAN. Panelists included Dr. Yemi Johnson, Dr. Damilola Adejumo, Joyce Eseni Esq, and Otunba Laolu Osanyin.

Adejumo stated that there must be consent in organ donation. The donor must have given his consent in relation to organ donation; this is very explicit in the medical practitioners law. The law is very clear, the Medical Practitioners and Dental Law prescribes three minimum counselling sessions in Rule 19. This is compulsory for both the donor and the donee of the organ. Section 57 says you can still withdraw your consent after giving your consent to donate your organs.

There are also challenges in the law. Anything that has to do with organ donation is restricted to the medical practitioners alone. Well spelt out details on Section 51 are still needed going forward.

Johnson added that the permission of the family of the donor is also needed. Organ donation is mostly kidney donation. While getting the permission of the family of the donor in Nigeria may be difficult, such is not the case in the United State. ‘Nigeria factor’ is also an issue in organ donation.

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In this article, senior lawyer IFEOMA PETERS argues that introduction of the “Data Protection (Communications Services) Regulations, 2023” by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) will adversely impact the recently birthed NDPA/NDPC and data protection in Nigeria

DATA PROTECTION (COMMUNICATION SERVICE) REGULATIONS, 2023: AN ATTEMPT BY NCC TO USURP THE POWERS OF THE NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION COMMISSION?

INTRODUCTION
On Monday, 12th June, 2023, the Nigeria Data Protection Bill was signed into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (the Act), is the very first principal legislation on data protection in Nigeria. The signing of the Act was a positive response to the various campaigns by stakeholders in the Data Protection ecosystem for a unified primary legislation on data protection. It was believed that a unified primary legislation would help to position Nigeria as one of the progressive countries championing the Data Protection movement globally. It would be recalled, that despite several stakeholders’ engagements and lobbying, the President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration failed to pass the bill into law. Therefore, the passage of the Act by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu few weeks after his inauguration was seen by practitioners as a glimmer of hope and a sign of more positive developments in data protection and privacy in Nigeria.

One of the significant features of the Act was the creation of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (the NDPC) tasked with the responsibility of ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Act.

Prior to the passage of the Act and the establishment of the NDPC, the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (the NDPR), a subsidiary legislation of the National Information Technology Development Act (NITDA), was the only law on data protection in Nigeria. NITDA was directly in charge of enforcing data protection compliance in Nigeria. Two years ago, the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (the NDPB) was set up to take over the data protection regulatory compliance task from NITDA and remained the regulator until the passage of the bill when it transitioned into the NDPC.

Few days ago, a regulation styled as the “Data Protection (Communications Services) Regulations, 2023 (the draft Regulations),” found its way into the public domain. It is assumed that the draft Regulations is a proposed subsidiary legislation being introduced by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) for data protection in Nigeria’s telecommunication sector. Although there has not been any official communication regarding the draft Regulations, a cursory look at same shows that it is a replication of the content of the major provisions in the NDPA. Although the essence of the draft Regulations is still unknown, a wild guess would suggest that NCC plans to initiate a regulation that would enable it take charge of regulating data protection and privacy within the telecommunication sector.

While the introduction of the draft Regulations may appear a laudable idea, data protection practitioners who have been involved in the campaigns leading to the birth of the NDPA and NDPC would not have difficulties in identifying the negative impact the draft Regulations will have on the advancement of data protection in Nigeria. Compliance would become a burden and enforcement would occasion avoidable hardship on industry practitioners, particularly the telecommunication (telecom) industry who are the target of the draft Regulations. Some may in fact see the move by NCC as a clear attempt, to undermine, stifle and render redundant the recently created NDPC, particularly in the telecom industry. What is more? The draft Regulations is silent on the provisions of the NDPA and failed to recognize the existence of the NDPC.

In order to drive home the point being made on the danger of the draft Regulations, let us examine some of the similarities and conflicts between the draft Regulations and the NDPA.

THE SIMILARITIES AND CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE DRAFT REGULATIONS AND NDPA

REPORTING BREACH OF PERSONAL DATA
Section 40 of the NDPA and Regulation 9 of the NCC draft Regulations outline steps that data controllers/processors should take in the event of a data breach. However, the differences in the specific reporting requirements and timelines mentioned in the two laws are potential recipe for contradiction and confusion.

Under the NDPA, in the event of a breach, the initial step is for data processor to notify the data controller. If the breach is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals, the data processor must also notify the NDPC within seventy-two hours. Additionally, if the breach is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of a data subject, the data controller must immediately communicate the breach to the affected data subject.

In contrast, the draft Regulations mandates licensee (data controller/ processor), to immediately notify the data subject of any leak of their personal information. Furthermore, it requires the data controller to rectify the breach within seventy-two hours of becoming aware of it. The provision also stipulates that the licensee must report the breach to the NCC.

The differences between the two laws regarding reporting obligations and timelines indeed create a contradiction in the steps that data controllers/processors should take in the event of a breach. The NDPA emphasizes the notification to the NDPC, while the draft Regulations focuses on immediate notification to the data subject and reporting to the NCC.

SANCTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS
Both Section 48 of the NDPA and Section 40 of the draft Regulations address the enforcement measures and sanctions that can be imposed on data controllers/processors for violating the provisions of their respective laws. Both laws provide for the imposition of fines as a form of sanction. Section 48 of the NDPA mentions penalties or remedial fees, while Section 40 of the draft Regulations specifically outlines an administrative fine of N10,000,000.00. Both laws emphasize the importance of remedying the violation. Section 48 of the NDPA includes a provision requiring data controllers or data processors to remedy the violation, while Section 40 of the draft Regulations mentions that the infraction should be remedied or discontinued.

The duplication of provisions between the draft Regulations and the NDPA would create challenges and potential hardships for data controllers/processors. When two sets of regulations overlap and impose similar but potentially conflicting requirements and sanctions, it can lead to confusion, increased compliance burdens, and potential contradictions.

In the scenario where both the draft Regulations and the NDPA have overlapping provisions and sanctions, it is crucial for clarity and harmonization to be established. Data controllers may face difficulties in determining which set of regulations to follow and how to comply with both simultaneously. Ideally, efforts should be made to avoid duplicating provisions and ensure consistency and coherence in data protection legal framework. Instead of introducing sector-specific regulations that replicate the provisions of the NDPA, the NCC ought to collaborate with the NDPC and work towards a unified approach that recognizes the authority and expertise of the NDPC in data protection matters.

CONSENT OF A CHILD
Section 31(5) of the NDPA states that the NDPC shall create regulations in line with the objectives of the Act when processing personal data of a child aged 13 and above. This specifically applies to the provision of information and services through electronic means at the child’s explicit request. On the other hand, Regulation 11(5) of the draft Regulations allows for reliance on the consent given by a child aged 13 or older. This consent is applicable for the provision of information and services through electronic means when individually requested by the recipient.

These two provisions indeed present a contradiction. Data controllers/processors faced with these conflicting laws may find themselves unsure about the appropriate course of action.

CROSS BORDER TRANSFER OF PERSONAL DATA
Sections 41, 42, and 43 of the NDPA establish the basis for transferring personal data to another country, particularly focusing on the adequacy of protection and steps to be taken when adequate protection is lacking. Notably, the Act grants the authority to determine the adequacy of the recipient country’s protection regime. However, Regulation 34 of the draft NCC Regulation seems to introduce a potential conflict of power. It empowers the NCC to determine the adequacy of the recipient country’s protection regime. According to Section 34(2) of the Regulation, licensees are required to obtain approval from the NCC, which will consider whether the location provides a sufficient level of data protection before issuing such approval.

This raises questions regarding the compliance obligations for data controllers and processors who obtain consent from the NCC. Does obtaining consent from the NCC eliminate the need to comply with the requirements listed in Section 41 of the NDPA? Additionally, a data controller (licensee) will become confused whether he can proceed with data transfers solely based on obtaining consent from the NCC without adhering to the requirements outlined in Section 42 of the Act.

DATA PORTABILITY
The NDPA in Section 38 provides for the data subject’s right to data potability. There is no mandate to a data controller and processor to refuse the data subject the right to data portability, it only provides for the conditions upon which data subject may exercise such right. It also provides the obligations it would impose on a data controller or data processor, in relation to costs and timing. However, Regulation 31 of the draft Regulations, empowers the licensee to refuse data portability in certain cases. This section again directs data subject to refer written complain to the NCC.

As final thoughts on the challenges the coexistence of the draft Regulations and NDPA portends for data protection in Nigeria, below are few of the immediate concerns:

COMPLIANCE BURDEN
The existence of overlapping and conflicting regulations will create a burdensome compliance process for data controllers and processors. They would need to navigate and adhere to multiple sets of requirements, leading to additional costs and administrative complexities. This duplication of compliance obligations hampers efficiency and would be particularly challenging for organizations operating within the telecommunication sector.

LEGAL UNCERTAINTY
The presence of conflicting provisions between the NDPA and the draft Regulations introduces ambiguity and confusion regarding the interpretation and application of data protection principles. Different standards and requirements set forth in the two laws can make it difficult for data controllers and processors to understand their legal obligations clearly, potentially resulting in inadvertent non-compliance.

INCONSISTENT ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM
When two separate regulatory bodies, the NDPC and the NCC, become responsible for enforcing compliance with data protection laws, inconsistencies in enforcement are likely to arise. Different interpretations and enforcement approaches by these entities may lead to unequal treatment and arbitrary outcomes, eroding public trust in the regulatory framework.

COSTS AND DELAY
Duplicity in laws often leads to prolonged legal disputes and litigation as conflicting provisions require clarification and resolution by courts or other legal bodies. This results in delays in legal proceedings, increased legal costs, and a diversion of resources that could have been utilized more effectively.

Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts and a streamlined approach to data protection regulation in Nigeria.

It is important to note that allowing the NCC to proceed with establishing a sector-specific regulation that disregards the NDPA entirely would set a precedent for other sectors to create their own separate data protection regulations. This would lead to fragmentation and setbacks within the Nigerian data protection landscape. Looking at the European context, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a uniform legislation recognized across all European countries. Similar harmonization of data protection laws is crucial for the development of a robust data protection ecosystem in Nigeria.

In conclusion, it is essential to recognize that the NDPA, as an act of the National Assembly, takes precedence over any proposed subsidiary legislation such as the draft Regulations. The NCC should focus on collaborating with the NDPC to ensure that the telecom industry is adequately addressed and regulated under the NDPA. If the NCC intends to introduce industry-specific regulations, those regulations must emanate from the NDPC as Regulations made pursuant to the NDPA. This position will also apply to any other sector that believes that its operations have some unique features which needs to be specifically addressed. A situation where every sector decides to introduce a regulation seeking to data protection within its sector is not appropriate and it is antithetical to the spirit of the NDPA and the creation of the NDPC.

Ifeoma is the Managing Partner, DNL Partners. DNL Partners is a licensed Data Protection Compliance Organization (DPCO) ifeoma.peters@dnlpartners.com

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The immediate past Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association Kaduna Branch, Mr. M. T. Mohammed took a trip down memory lane and recalls that his scorecard is impressive.

What are your achievements in two years as NBA Kaduna Branch Chair?
Without sounding immodest, we can beat our chest and proclaim that our scorecard is impressive.

We improved the welfare of our colleagues and staff, we increased the welfare package of colleagues who are getting married and the remuneration of our staff. We regularly paid visits to our colleagues having health challenge.

Detailed financial report was rendered every month and all activities the Branch Officers undertook in the name of or on behalf of the branch were explained every month. It provides insight into the activities of the branch and status of the branch finances.

Past Administrations of the branch progressively made some improvement on the Bar Centre. We took the bull by the horn and massively invested our resources in the Bar Centre. Today we have reached a level where the Bar Center can be put to use. With our determination, the Bar Centre was commissioned by the Hon. Chief Judge of Kaduna State on the 12th May, 2023. So far, we have hosted two meetings in our Bar Centre.

New Committees like Co-operative Society, Public Interest Litigation were created. I must commend the pioneer Chairmen (Idris Mohammed and Samuel Atung SAN) for the wonderful efforts they have made so far with the Committees to reconnect with the very old members whose activities have been extremely limited because of age factor but whose knowledge and experience members tapped from at the interval visits we organized regularly.

What was your relationship with the national body like?
The Branch maintained a very healthy relationships with the national body of the Bar which attracted many members being appointed into many Committees or being given some other assignments. More than 15 members are currently serving in one committee or the other. Cooperation with other sister branches in Kaduna State is also remarkable.

The idea to push for the increase of remittance from national body of the NBA out of the Bar Practicing Fees from 10% to 20% was conceived and vigorously pursued by Kaduna Branch. All Chairmen of branches elected me to lead the agitation, which is coming to fruition soon.

Did you enjoy a cordial relationship with the Judiciary?
Yes, we did. We took the lead and with the understanding and cooperation of the current Chief Judge of Kaduna State (Hon Justice MTM Aliyu) the moribund Bar & Bench Forum was resurrected after prolonged efforts. I must thank the Hon. Chief Judge who showed keen interest in sustaining the tempo.

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A leading candidate in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Elections, Mr. Emuobonuvie Majemite has said that the new Arbitration and Mediation Act recently signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari will positively change the justice delivery landscape is fully implemented.

Majemite made this known during a radio interview with Mr. Felix Uzoma of Law FM.

According to him, “I shared my views of what the Arbitration and Mediation Act could mean for the Nigerian arbitration and ADR community and how it could potentially reposition Nigeria as a seat of choice for dispute resolution, if implemented according to the intendment of the draftsmen.”

To listen to the interview, click here.

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With Subsidy removal/fuel price hike, our Solar systems are helping Nigerians cope, save money and have stable power for greater productivity.

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A reputable law firm based in Ikeja, Lagos requires for immediate employment a Legal Practitioner with cognate experience.

The ideal candidate must possess core litigation experience and should be able to work without supervision. Focused Young Lawyers are also encouraged to apply.

The salary is competitive and in accordance with industry standards.

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

VERY IMPORTANT: Please note that the SUBJECT must read “LITIGATION LAWYER WANTED IN IKEJA, LAGOS FIRM.”

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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Greetings! And welcome to the conference website for the 63rd Annual General Conference of the NBA, holding in our capital city, Abuja from the 25th of August to the 1st of September 2023.

We are honoured at the privilege of leading eminent colleagues from across the branches, to plan and deliver what we hope will be another excellent gathering.

As you are undoubtedly aware, the Annual General Conference (AGC) is the leading annual event of the NBA and a staple on the calendar of the Nigerian legal profession. Each year, we come together to discuss, debate and learn; constantly seeking new ways to improve the practice of our profession, how we service our clients, and the way our society is governed and regulated.

The first quarter of this year saw the conduct of arguably the most contentious election cycle in our recent history and the first since the passing of the amended Electoral Act. Lawyers have been front and centre of the pre and post-election activity that has dominated our national discourse for the last several months and there will certainly be a lot to examine at the conference.

At the time of launching this website, a President-elect is waiting to take over the reins of office; in-coming and re-elected Governors in States where elections were conducted are either waiting in the wings or planning for the next four years, and members of national and State Houses of Assembly are no less keen to take office.

Members of civil society on the other hand, have never been more vocal about their views on governance and the elections; the economy; the judiciary, amongst other institutions; national security; our journey to nationhood; and their expectations from our leaders, all of which concern us as lawyers, as members of the NBA – the leading watchdog of our society, and as collective and individual promoters and upholders of the rule of law. What resonates across all religious, tribal, political and demographic divides, is the desire for good, purposeful leadership to bring us to the nation we have the potential to become.

Against this backdrop, the theme of this year’s conference: “GETTING IT RIGHT – Charting the Course for Nigeria’s Nation Building”, is most apposite. It is a carefully thought-out theme that reflects our current realities. We are on the cusp of a new Administration and demands are stringent for our leaders to get it right in all areas of our national development. And the role of the legal profession in the quest for getting it right will be central to discussions at the conference.

The enviable reputation of being the largest annual gathering of lawyers anywhere in the world, a whopping 20,000 delegates are expected to attend this year’s AGC. This number has informed the choice of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja as the venue for this year’s conference and we dare say, delegates will not be disappointed.

From the religious services to kick off the event, the golf and football tournaments, the health walks, the plenary and breakout sessions, to the ever-vibrant Friendship Centre and Mammy market, the bustling Exhibition Hall, the ‘Unbarred’ concert and the President’s Dinner, the Annual General Conference has always provided something for everyone, and this year will be no exception!

The Conference Planning Committee (CPC) is single-minded in its determination to successfully deliver on the task entrusted to it. The launch of the website/conference portal is our first step towards achieving that goal. On this website, delegates will be able to register, make enquiries and payments, and obtain official information and regular updates about all aspects of the conference. Potential sponsors, exhibitors and vendors will also find useful information here.

Once again, welcome to the conference planning portal of the NBA AGC 2023. We look forward to personally welcoming you in August!

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
Chair, NBA AGCPC 2023

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We are in Lekki Lagos and all over Nigeria; Sharing Light, Sharing Happiness (in partnership with NBA Abuja, NBA Lagos, BOSAN Abuja, Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja, NBA Kano, NBA Gwagwalada, Medical Doctors at FMC Cooperative, FCT Pharmacies, and UNILAG College of Medicine Alumni among others).SOLAR FOR ALL: CHIEF CHUKS IKOKWU (ESQ): OUR “STAR CLIENT” FOR THE WEEK

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/chat Solar For All Ltd: 08060266163.

Visit: (Abuja) Suite A8, Kenuj O2 Mall (Behind Games Village).

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

Solar For All Ltd was at Lekki Lagos home of foremost Nigerian Lawyer, industrialist and lifter of many, Chief Chuks Ikokwu where we installed a Solar System that powers all the essentials in the home, ensures 24-hour power supply and a reduced power cost of at least 50%.

Chief is full of smiles and thanks to Solar For All Ltd for a job well done.

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

Some of the benefits of Solar/Inverters include:

*Solar is cheaper at long-run!

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

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

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Solar panels.

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

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

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

To view the price list, click here.

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

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN, CON) will today unveil his autobiography titled “My Travails and Triumphs: Traversing the Thorny Terrain of Nigeria’s Justice Sector.”

According to information made available to CITY LAWYER, the official launch of the book is holding about now at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Kado, Abuja.

The Chairman of the occasion is Vice President-Elect and former Borno State Governor, Senator Kashim Shettima while the Chief Host is Kebbi State Governor, Senator Atiku Bagudu.

Organized by The Book Project Planning Committee, the Royal Father of the Day is the Emir of Gwandu and Chairman of the Kebbi State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashar (CFR).

The book has a foreword written by Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo GCON. Malami also holds the traditional title of “Kuliyan Gwandu, Dokajin Yauri.”

According to a profile sighted by CITY LAWYER, Malami “was born on the 29th of Zul Hijja 1386 (Monday, 10th April, 1967 at Birnin Kebbi in Kebbi State. He was born into the respectable and learned family of Khadi Malami and Hajiya Halima. His father was a renowned judge of the Sharia Court of Appeal who presided over numerous important matters on Islamic law.

“At a very early age, his parents ensured that he was raised as a disciplined kid. They inculcated in him the tenets of the Islamic faith, knowledge of the Quran and the Arabic language. These early pivots were to later become strong beacons of guidance in his life.”

It also notes that “As a very distinguished legal practitioner, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN is the recipient of various prestigious awards and fellowships. He is a recipient of the award of Excellency by Democratic Youth Association of Nigeria. He was selected as the Kebbi Chapter ASUP Lawyer of the Year by Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Kano State Chapter. He was also given the award of Integrity by the Guardian Newspapers. This is in addition to receiving the award of Appreciation and Commendation by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2012.”

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FEATURED

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Mr. Lamar Joe-Kyari Gadzama, an amateur golfer, has emerged as the 2023 champion of the IBB Golf Club, defeating Mr. Isaiah Okonofua on hole 17 in a tough match-play final.

The younger Gadzama, who plays off handicap 13.3, won all seven of his matches in the knockout-style competition and will now hold the title of Club Champion for one year.

In recognition of his achievement, Gadzama was awarded a trophy at the Captains Cup Dinner Reception held on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Gadzama has also been allotted a parking space and his name will be written on the board at the club.

The IBB Golf Club Singles Matchplay event is known for being a challenging and exciting competition, pitting golfers against each other in a knockout-style format. Gadzama’s impressive performance throughout the tournament and his hard-fought victory in the final have earned him the respect and admiration of his fellow golfers.

Gadzama has expressed his gratitude for the support he received from his family and friends during the tournament, as he looks forward to defending his title as Club Champion in the year ahead.

Gadzama comes from a family of accomplished golfers. His father, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, is a former captain of the IBB International Golf Club and a past winner of the IBB Golf Club Singles Matchplay event. Lamar’s uncle, Mr. Paul Kyari Lassa, is also the immediate past Club Champion.

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Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Okey Wali, SAN has been freed from the kidnappers’ den, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

An unimpeachable source told CITY LAWYER that he had spoken with the embattled former NBA President, adding that he is in “good spirits.” There are strong indications that Wali is receiving medical attention in an undisclosed facility.

The former NBA President may have made contact with his family around 1 pm today, as CITY LAWYER gathered that he was still with the kidnappers as at last night.

NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN had recently visited Wali’s family in Port Harcourt.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From Ikorodu to Lekki, Lekki to Ikoyi, Ikoyi to Ikeja, Ikeja to Ibadan, Ibadan to Auchi, Auchi to Eket! We are all over Nigeria; Sharing Light, Sharing Happiness (in partnership with NBA Abuja, NBA Lagos, BOSAN Abuja, Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja, NBA Kano, NBA Gwagwalada, Medical Doctors at FMC Cooperative, FCT Pharmacies, and UNILAG College of Medicine Alumni among others).

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

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

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

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

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

Some of the benefits of Solar/Inverters include:

*Solar is cheaper at long-run!

*24 hours Power Supply for homes/offices

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

*No noise!

*No Pollution!

*Automatic change over!

*No fueling

*25 years warranty on the German Solar panels.

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

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

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

To view the price list, click here.

To join our Telegram platform, please click here 

COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083.

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

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

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

Below is the full text of the statement.

Dear learned silk, seniors and colleagues,

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

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

I await communication from the Electoral Committee.

I am eager, able and ready to serve.

Respectful regards,
Emuobonuvie A. Majemite

Partner, PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors

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

FEATURED

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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COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083.

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By Akintayo Balogun

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

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COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083.

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

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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COPYRIGHT 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.