LPPC APPOINTS 58 SENIOR ADVOCATES OF NIGERIA (FULL LIST)

The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) has approved the elevation of 58 senior lawyers to the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report. 

The list comprises 57 advocates and one academic from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The full list is below. This is a developing story.

GreetingsADVOCATE APPOINTEES (IN ORDER OF SENIORITY AT THE BAR)

1.​FELIX OTA OFFIA, ESQ
2.​LAWRENCE BANKOLE FALADE, ESQ
3.​KINGSLEY OSABUOHIEN OBAMOGIE, ESQ
4.​FOLASHADE ABOSEDE ALLI, ESQ
5.​ABIOLA ISIAQ OYEBANJI, ESQ
6​BOMO OLAKUNLE AGBEBI, ESQ
7.​DANIEL OSINACH URUAKPA , ESQ
8.​OSELOKA GODWIN OSUIGWE, ESQ
9.​BABATUNDE ADEOYE, ESQ
10.​BABASEYI SIGISMUND JOSEPH, ESQ
11.​EMMANUEL MOSES ENOIDEM, ESQ
12.​KEHINDE OLUFEMI AINA, ESQ
13.​NGOZI CHIDO OLEHI, ESQ
14.​AARON CHILEOKWU OKOROMA, ESQ
15.​IBRAHIM DALHATU ANGULU, ESQ
16.​OLAYIWOLA EMMANUEL AFOLABI, ESQ
17.​SULE SHU’AIBU, ESQ
18.​ABIODUN OLANREWAJU OLALERU, ESQ
19.​ALFRED OLUFEMI ATTEH, ESQ
20.​KAZEEM ADEKUNLE SOBALOJU, ESQ
21.​SHEHU WADA ABDULLAHI, ESQ
22.​BAMIDELE OLAWOYE IBIRONKE, ESQ
23.​OLUWASEYILAYO AKINKUNMI OJO, ESQ
24.​FUNMI FALANA, ESQ
25.​FELIX TAMARAUDENKEMEFA OKOROTIE, ESQ
26.​SEUN OLUWAGBENGA AJAYI, ESQ
27.​FRIDAY RAMSES AKU ONOJA, ESQ
28.​AGADA JOHN ELACHI, ESQ
29.​BOLA RASAQ GOLD, ESQ
30.​PAUL KASIMANWUNA MADUEMENE, ESQ
31.​RAFIU OYEYEMI BALOGUN, ESQ
32.​OLUWOLE ALADEDOYE, ESQ
33.​PAULYN OSOBHASE ABHULIMEN, ESQ
34.​JONATHAN GUNU TAIDI, ESQ
35.​TOCHUKWU JUDE ONYIUKE, ESQ
36.​OLUKAYODE ABRAHAM AJULO, ESQ
37.​CHRISTOPHER ADAPAR UMAR, ESQ
38.​CHIBUEZE OGECHI OGBONNA, ESQ
39.​YEMI ADEWALE M’SBAUDEEN ADESINA, ESQ
40.​OMOYEMI LATEEF AKANGBE, ESQ
41.​OLUMIDE AKINWALE OLUJINMI, ESQ.
42.​MUSA ADAMU ALIYU, ESQ
43.​FIDELIS CHUKWUNONYE MBADUGHA ESQ
44.​ONYEMAECHI CHUKWUDI ADIUKWU, ESQ
45.​IKECHUKWU PHILIP ONUOMA, ESQ
46.​YAKUBU PHILEMON, ESQ
47.​JOHNNY UNGWUGWAYE AGIM, ESQ.
48.​ALIYU LEMU IBRAHIM, ESQ
49.​ISAIAH BOZIMO, ESQ
50.​PRISCA OZOILESIKE, ESQ
51.​YAHAYA DAN’ASABE DANGANA, ESQ
52.​ADEDAYO SAMUEL ADEDEJI, ESQ
53.​ADEDIPE OLUWASEUN ADEOLA, ESQ
54.​CHIKAOSOLU OJUKWU, ESQ
55.​MUSA AHMED ATTAH, ESQ
56.​AYOTUNDE FOLUSO OGUNLEYE, ESQ
57.​OLAYEMI BADEWOLE, ESQ

Successful Academic Applicant:
1. PROF. BABATUNDE ADETUNJI ONI 

EXCLUSIVE: WOMEN AFFAIRS MINISTER WADES INTO UDUAK’S JUNGLE JUSTICE SAGA

The Minister for Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye has waded into the case of embattled young lawyer, Ms. Uduak Adams who was nearly lynched by an irate mob in Surulere, Lagos over a false alarm that she kidnapped a child.

Following the report by CITY LAWYER on Uduak’s plight, top aides of the minister reached out to the blog on the matter.

A senior lawyer, Ohanenye told CITY LAWYER that she was saddened by Uduak’s plight, adding that “We are interested in seeing that justice is done in the matter.”

It is recalled that the minister had recently waded into the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), vowing that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.

Uduak had told CITY LAWYER in an exclusive interview that immediately a woman levied the allegation of kidnapping, the mob pounced on her and beat her mercilessly, leading to multiple injuries to her head and body. According to Uduak, the irate mob was aided by operatives of the O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC), a vigilante service that operates in the city. The child was later brought to the scene by his minder, making the mob to retreat.

Meanwhile, the prime suspect, who is the mother of the allegedly kidnapped child, and an ‘eye-witness’ had been charged to court by the police and remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre by the Magistrate’s Court, and the matter adjourned to October 30, 2023 for trial.

Her words: “I feel extremely traumatized; it’s scary. I feel unsafe in Lagos and in Nigeria. The psychological trauma is too much, including the physical damage. The fact that videos of what I didn’t do is circulating on social media, it’s shameful; the accusations, having to be bashed for nothing, my dignity as a lady, as a professional and as human and an innocent citizen of Nigeria has been soiled and torn apart.”

An apparently frightened Uduak said that some sympathizers of the accused persons have been pleading with her to drop the charges, even as others were also threatening her.

The young lawyer told CITY LAWYER that her personal dignity was trampled upon by the mob, adding: “Generally, I want justice. Let all the people involved be brought to book. I need serious monetary compensation, public apology circulating in national daily, a counter video, compensation for physical, emotional and psychological trauma and for loss of earnings. I have been unable to go to work ever since. I just returned from hospital.”

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‘YOUR ROLE IS PIVOTAL,’ AFAM OSIGWE TELLS NEW NBA OKEHI YLF EXCO

NEWS RELEASE

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN congratulates the Newly Inaugurated Leadership of the Young Lawyers Forum, NBA Okehi Branch

I extend my warmest congratulations to the new leadership of the Young Lawyers Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association, Okehi Branch led by my friend, Mr. Charles C. Omesurum. This is a significant moment in your legal career and a testament to your dedication and commitment to the legal profession.

The appointment is a recognition of your outstanding qualities, leadership skills, and unwavering dedication to the principles of justice and the rule of law. Your vision and determination will undoubtedly guide the Young Lawyers Forum toward new heights of excellence.

I commend all the members of the Executive Committee who have taken up roles in this new leadership. Your collective efforts will play a pivotal role in advancing the goals and objectives of the Nigerian Bar Association, particularly in nurturing the next generation of legal professionals.

The role of young lawyers in the legal profession cannot be understated, as you are the future of our legal system. Your leadership will provide guidance, mentorship, and support to young lawyers as they embark on their legal careers, navigate the complexities of the legal landscape, and uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.

As you take on this responsibility, remember that you have the support and trust of your colleagues and the legal community at large. I do not doubt that under your guidance, the Young Lawyers Forum will thrive and make significant contributions to the legal fraternity in Okehi Branch and beyond.

I encourage you to continue to prioritize excellence, integrity, and inclusivity in all your endeavors. Embrace innovation and adapt to the evolving legal landscape, ensuring that young lawyers are well-prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century.

Once again, congratulations on your well-deserved appointments. I look forward to witnessing the positive impact your leadership will bring to the Young Lawyers Forum and the Nigerian Bar Association, Okehi Branch.

Warm regards,
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN

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‘WHY PEOPLE CALL ME HAKUNA MATATA,’ UGWUOKE REVEALS, HAILS ABUJA BAR

Mr. Ikechukwu Maximus Ugwuoke, Nigerian Bar Association Welfare Secretary aspirant, recently visited NBA Abuja Branch to felicitate with members.

A statement on the visit reads:

Mr. Ikechukwu Maximus Ugwuoke, Nigerian Bar Association Welfare Secretary aspirant, received a thunderous ovation from members of the Unity bar, the Abuja Branch of NBA when he informed them that he is also known as “Hakuna Matata” during his introduction and greetings to the bar at the branch meeting held on 12th May 2022 .

Fielding answers to the questions from newsmen who interviewed him on why he is called Hakuna Matata after the meeting Ugwuoke said:

“Well, the words ‘Hakuna Matata’ are etimologically Swahili language which means ‘no worries; be happy’.

“Hakuna Matata seems to have taken over my proper names amongst my friends and acquaintances. It all started about ten years ago when the spiritual director of Adoration Ministry Enugu, Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka delivered one of his sermon titled ‘Hakuna Matata’ during one of his ministry’s programme in Enugu in 2012. That year, I was to contest the office of the social secretary of the NBA of my branch , the Enugu Branch. I so much cherished the title and content of the sermon that I used it as the heading of the Campaign poster I printed for the election. On the day of the election I also came to the branch election venue with a box that has the inscription ‘Hakuna Matata’ on its sides. During my introduction before the voting started, I informed the members of the branch that all I wanted to achieve if elected as the social Secretary of the branch then was to make them happy and forget their worries and that the packages I have for this were inside the Hakuna Matata box I was holding. Of course, it was fun and the mother of my manifesto that made me win the election. From that point on, all the lawyers in the branch who didn’t know me before then started calling me Hakuna Matata. Initially I was worried that it was taking over my proper name such that if someone is asking most lawyers about me in Enugu and you mention my proper name Ikechukwu Maximus Ugwuoke only few lawyers would agree they know me, but just mention Hakuna Matata and almost all will tell you ‘yes we know him’. Fr Mbaka seems to have popularized the name the more as he too has continued to address me as Hakuna Matata till date instead of my proper name.

My regime as social secretary of the branch was really an Hakuna Matata regime for the lawyers with lots of stress- relieving programs we had then for lawyers some of which included, walk for life, getting comedians to liven the branch dinner etc.

‘Originally the name of the lawfirm I founded about that time was ‘El-Maximus Ugwuoke & Co, breakthrough Partners ‘. But due to my popularity with the name Hakuna Matata, I had to add ‘Hakuna Matata Chambers’ to the firm’s name during it’s registration to reflect my identity.

Ugwuoke further narrated. ” At the last Enugu monthly Bar meeting when I informed the branch of my submission of Nomination form for the position of the National Welfare Secretary of NBA, one senior lawyer Okwuliehe Esq asked me about the Hakuna Matata Box. I simply told him that the content of the box has been reviewed to encapsulate the Maximum Welfare which is my vision for the NBA that will be unsealed at National level of the bar when the time comes. He could not contain his laughter”

Ugwuoke commended the unity bar for the privilege they give him during the meeting to address them and interact with the members of the branch who gave him a good treat during the meeting.

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SAFIYA BALARABE LAUDS JUSTICE MARY ODILI ON HER BIRTHDAY, RETIREMENT

Following the birthday and retirement of Hon. Justice Mary Peter Odili from the Supreme Court, Safiya Balarabe has felicitated with the jurist on this dual celebration.

Her message reads:

“My Lord, Honourable Justice, you are a constant inspiration to all gentlemen in skirt and to all women.

You are a blessing to humankind, a pacesetter, a rare gem, an achiever and a success story. It is amazing how you have walked the paths of the legal journey from the Rivers State Magistracy up to the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court. This is no mean feat neither is it an easy journey in a country such as ours. 44 years in the judiciary is no joke!

It was equally no child’s play as you combined service at the Judiciary as well as your position as the First Lady of Rivers State; indeed you are a great woman.

Your achievement in the Judiciary will never be forgotten, it will continue to inspire us all to reach for the greater heights possible.

My Lord, as you retire today, I wish you a happy retirement, I bring you glad tidings, I wish you the very best and above all, I wish you good fruits from your good labour.

Further more, as your retirement is same day with your 70th birthday, I wish you long life, prosperity and unending happiness. You will continue to celebrate many more years.

Happy birthday, My Lord and God will continue to bless you”.

Signed:
Safiya Balarabe

Treasurer, NBA Women Forum

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ZAMFARA ELECTION: THE TASK BEFORE SUPREME COURT

By IGE ASEMUDARA

Prominent lawyer and Managing Partner of Royal Practice (Legal Group), Ige Asemudara argues that there is no ambiguity as to the path the Supreme Court should tread in the Zamfara State elections saga

There is no gainsaying the fact that non-compliance with rules and disobedience to law and order has been the bane of the Nigerian state; her institutions are bogged down by it and her machineries are almost grinding to a halt. Thus, government agencies and departments are either unproductive, under-productive or counter-productive. From university admissions to recruitment into government services, and the administration of public services of the federation and its various constituent states, standard procedures are hardly ever followed. This general affliction of the Nigerian state is replicated in virtually all the facets of public life including electoral matters. Nigeria stinks as impunity reigns! In Nigeria, the law merely stares as its assailers rapes and tortures her.

In electoral matters, Nigeria has been greeted by a spate of breaches of the rule of law and standard electoral practices making her a laughing stock in the international community. Failure to play by the rules has been a serious challenge for the various participants. It is unfortunate that many powerful individual aspirants or candidates and their political parties are involved in the deliberate and arrogant assault on the electoral laws. The involvement of political parties in these breaches manifests during inter-parties general elections as well as intra-party primaries. In law, the internal democracies of parties are as important to the process as the general elections and the Electoral Act, 2010 does not pretend about this. Due to the bad practices of the past years and the criticisms leveled against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the electoral umpire decided to rise up and ensure compliance with the law. The result is the Rivers and Zamfara debacle.

Whilst Rivers has been laid to rest vide the Supreme Court decision of 11th February, 2019, Zamfara appears to still pretend that there is a misty cloud of uncertainty as the two All Progressives Congress (APC) factions continue in legal warfare. The other participating political parties have also continued to embark on series of journeys targeted at resolving the log jam in their favour. In all of these, where does the law stand in Zamfara ? What must INEC do in the rare circumstances of the issue and in view of the law particularly the decision of the Court of Appeal (Sokoto division) graciously rolled down by my Lords, Tom Shaibu Yakubu, Tijjani Abubakar and Jamilu Yammama Tukur JJJCA on the 25th day of March, 2019?

In the prelude to the 2019 general election, APC had failed, neglected or refused to conduct a primary election for the aspirants to the governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly positions in Zamfara state before the lapse of time as provided by law. So, INEC communicated its intention not to include any candidate of the APC for these positions in the election until the party rushed to the Zamfara State High Court to secure a judgment that compelled INEC to recognise and include the candidates of the party submitted by the state chairman of the party. It was under this circumstance that the parties went into the general election on 9th of March, 2019. Whilst this went on, an appeal was pending against the judgment of Shinkafi J. which mandated INEC to recognize and include the names of the candidates of the APC on the ballot papers. Eventually, INEC announced the results of the March, 2019 governorship election and declared Alhaji Mukhtar Shehu of the APC as the winner of the election scoring 534, 541 votes to defeat Dr. Bello Muhammad Mutawalle of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 189, 452 votes. Thereafter, the Court of Appeal concluded the hearing of the appeal lodged by Senator Kabiru Marafa and others and gave a judgment setting aside the decision of the High Court thereby nullifying and invalidating the APC primaries purportedly conducted on the 3rd and 7th day of October, 2018 in Zamfara state. This made INEC to immediately withhold the issuance of certificate of returns to the APC members in Zamfara state. This seems to have created a misty atmosphere in Zamfara which ought not to be as the law is clear enough on an issue such as this.

According to Lon Fuller, Law is the enterprise of subjecting human conduct to the governance of rules. In his Morality of Law, Fuller identified eight principles of legality which are generally accepted by legal scholars as capturing the essence of the rule of law. Without bogging down the reader with the details of Fuller’s proposition, it suffices to say that the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the actions and conduct of INEC as the administering authorities of the electoral laws as well as the decision of the Court of Appeal on the 25th of March, 2019 are all within the enduring parameters of legality envisaged by Fuller. In simple terms, every participant in an election is not only expected to comply with the rules but he is bound by the clear rules and laws applicable to the said election for there is no game without a rule.

There has been a raging debate on what INEC ought to do under the circumstance. Like the preponderance of opinion, the Court of Appeal agreed and held that APC failed to comply with the provisions of Sections 31(1) and 87(1&2) of the Electoral Act, 2010. In reaching its decision the Honourable Court of Appeal quoted extensively from the Supreme Court’s decision in LAU V. PDP (2007) LPELR – 42800 (SC) @ pp 24-26 thus: “This is a hard and very bitter lesson for political parties to learn, they may have chosen candidates or eminent personalities they want to present as candidates to INEC, but they have to play by the rules, the chosen candidates must comply with the requirements of the law; they must abide by the provisions of the electoral Act, which creates a level playing field for all aspirants, who seek to contest elections. So, the political parties and their candidates must obey the Rules”. Now, it is without doubt that section 87(9) of the Electoral Act, 2010 provides that “where a political party fails to comply with the provisions of this Act in the conduct of its primaries, its candidate for election shall not be included in the election for the particular position in issue”. In the Zamfara situation, the candidates have been included in the election based on a court order which has now been reversed. The reversal means that the inclusion of APC candidates in the election was not just wrong but void.

It is humbly submitted that the refusal by INEC to issue the APC candidates certificates of return for the elections of 9th March, 2019 is in tandem with law. This is because in law, one cannot place something on nothing and expect it to stand. Lord Denning said that much in U.A.C. V. Macfoy (1962) A.C. 153 when he held that “If an act is void, then it is in law a nullity…. It is automatically null and void without much ado, though it is sometimes convenient to have the court declare it to be so. And every proceeding which is founded on it is also bad and incurably bad”. It is safe for INEC to hold on to the certificate until any appeal lodged at the Supreme Court is determined.

However, at the moment seeing through the eyes of the law in the spectacle of the Court of Appeal judgment of 25th March, 2019, the candidates of the APC never participated in the election and have no rights to take any benefit of it. INEC must however, bear in mind that like nature, the law abhors vacuum and governance must go on despite these electoral hurdles. In case there is no judgment from the Supreme Court before the 29th May, 2019, it is the candidates of the party that polled the second highest votes in constituencies and districts where APC came first, which should be handed the certificates of return and sworn-in. For instance, in the governorship position, Dr. Bello Muhammad Mutawalle of the PDP who came first among the lawful candidates in the election should be the person to be handed the certificate of return and sworn-in as the Executive Governor of Zamfara State the victory of the purported candidate of the APC over him being merely pyrrhic and false.

Finally, while it is hoped that politicians and political parties have learnt their lessons in all of these situations, it is important to state that until and unless an appeal is lodged at the Supreme Court and a verdict returned upturning the extant Court of Appeal judgment, APC and her members have no right to covertly or overtly obstruct INEC from performing its duties of issuing a certificate of return to the candidates of other political parties that have polled the highest number of votes in the eyes of the law. INEC being one of the respondents that lost at the appeal court must swiftly perform its statutory duty as an unbiased umpire. I am in agreement with Jerome Frank that a legal right is a law-suit won, and a legal duty is a law-suit lost.

Ige Asemudara Esq. a Lagos-based Legal Practitioner is the Managing Partner of Royal Practice (Legal Group), Lekki, Lagos.

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OSUN ELECTION: OKUTEPA CARPETS OZEKHOME, BACKS INEC

Former Nigerian Bar Association Chief Prosecutor, Mr. Jibrin Okutepa SAN has disagreed with fiery constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN on the declaration of the Osun State  Governorship Election as “inconclusive.”

Throwing his weight behind the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Okutepa said there is a Supreme Court decision to support INEC’s position on the matter.

Ozekhome had argued that “There is no basis whatsoever, whether in law, constitutionalism, or morality, to have declared the election inconclusive.”

But Okutepa thinks otherwise. The full statement is below:

As the legality of the action of INEC to declare the result of governorship election in Osun State inconclusive is ranging on and generating legal controversies, it is necessary I point out here that this is not the first time INEC has done so and had judicial approval even at the highest court of the land.

I was deeply involved in the case of Hon James Abiodun Faleke vs INEC and others.

In that case Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN led me and other eminent senior counsel to argue that the reliance by INEC on its manual for election was unconstitutional because the constitution has already set out the parameters on how and when a governor should be declared elected in Nigeria.

We argued that as at the time INEC declared the result of Kogi State election for governorship inconclusive late Prince Abubakar Audu and Hon Faleke had won the required spread and majority of lawful votes. There was no necessity we argued for the re-run in the polling units whose results or elections were cancelled.

We further made the point that since election is to be done by those who have their permanent voters cards, reference to people on the register of voters was wrong because there was evidence that not all those whose names were on the voters register collected their PVCs.

The trial tribunal, the court of Appeal and the Supreme court did not agree with us.

This is what the Supreme court said as quoted by my learned friend Sylvester Udemezue Esq in a response to Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN position which contend otherwise.

The Supreme Court said this:
“The relevance of INEC’s Manual for Electoral Officers in the proper conduct of elections was acknowledged by this Court in the case of C.P.C Vs INEC (2011) LPELR  8257 (SC) AT PAGES 54 & 55 F – B per Adekeye, JSC thus:
“By force of law the Independent National Electoral Commission has the duty of conducting elections. Besides the constitutional provisions, it is guided by the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and the Election Guidelines and Manual issued for its officials in accordance with the Act. These documents embody all steps to comply with in the conduct of a free, fair and hitch free election.” (Emphasis mine).

“Having discovered electoral malpractices in 91 polling units in the State, it was proper for the 1st respondent to consult and apply the provisions of its Manual to determine the next course of action in the circumstances.

“I do not agree with Chief Olanipekun, SAN, with due respect that resort to its manual in the circumstances amounted to a flagrant disregard of the supremacy of the constitutional provisions as contained in Section 179(2).

“Chapter 3 paragraph 3.11, step 14 of the Manual for Election Officials (updated version) at page 325 of Volume 1 of the record provides:
3.11: Final Collation and Declaration of Governorship Election Results at State Level: The State Collation/Returning Officer for the Governorship shall:
Step 14: ‘Where the margin of win between the two leading candidates is not in excess of the total number of registered voters of the polling unit(s) where elections were cancelled or not held, decline to make a return until another poll has taken place in the affected polling unit(s) and the results incorporated into a new Form EC8D and subsequently recorded into a new form EC8E for Declaration and Return.’ (Emphasis mine)

“The provision is clear and straight forward and did not require a foray into any other provisions in the Manual for it to be effected. There is no dispute as to the fact that the margin between the votes scored by the late Prince Audu and the appellant on the one hand and Capt. Wada and Arch. Awoniyi, on the other was 41,619, which was less than the total number of registered voters in the 91 polling units where votes were cancelled.

“I therefore agree with the court below that the 1st respondent was correct to have declared the election inconclusive on the basis of the number of registered voters in the 91 affected polling units. Having regard to the clear provisions of the Election Manual, it would have been wrong for any electoral official to base his decision on any other consideration”

I think as lawyers our duty is to educate the people and avoid commentary that tend to hit up the polity.

Unless we approach the Supreme court to over rule itself, what INEC did in Osun State is within its powers to do.

I therefore suggest that politicians should get set to go and do the rescheduled re-run in those polling units on 27th September 2018 to determine the winner of the election.

 

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CHAMSGATE: The ABC of NBA’s Latest Election Rigging Scandal, By Odinkalu

Around July 28, 2018, eligible members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) should vote to elect a new leadership for another two years in a ballot that has become mired in hydra-headed scandals, redolent of the kind of heavily rigged elections for which Nigeria is a global prize winner. Continue Reading

Lagos Law Week: Over 40 Law Experts Expected

Over 40 jurists are expected to feature at this year’s Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Law Week which kicks off tomorrow with a health walk.
Aside from the plethora of topical legal issues to be dissected at the two-day plenary sessions holding on Thursday and Friday at City Hall, Lagos, the Law Week will be garnished with visits to Ikoyi and Kirikiri prisons as well as fun events such as welcome cocktails, the “Ankara Rave” party and Elders’ Nite.

Continue Reading

The Paul Usoro That I Know

By Onigegewura
The Paul Usoro that I know is not a greenhorn as far as leadership position is concerned. As an undergraduate in then University of Ife, Paul displayed exemplary leadership qualities as the President of the Law Students Society.
When there was allegation of examination leakages in the famous institution, it was Paul Usoro’s petition as the leader of law students that led to the setting up of Adegbola Commission. And of course, Paul was the first witness to testify. If you have not, please go and read the case of Akintemi v. Onwumechile (1985) 1 NWLR [Pt. 1] for the full facts of the incident. By the way, that’s the first volume of Gani Fawehinmi’s Nigeria Weekly Law Report.
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