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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Below is the full text of the statement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Signed:

Mr. Olumide Sofowora, SAN
Secretary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To view his full resume, click here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

INEC equally opposed live broadcast of the proceedings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Below is the full text of the statement.

PURPORTED FEDERAL HIGH COURT ORDER AGAINST DR. ALEX OTTI

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

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

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

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

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

ARGUMENT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CONCLUSION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Below is the complete transcript of the conversation:

Ganduje: Hello

Ibrahim Masari: Your Excellency

Ganduje: How is work and everything? How is Abuja

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

Ganduje: Kano is all over with noise.

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

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

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

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

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

Ganduje: Because we don’t have government?

Masari: Are you coming on Thursday?

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

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

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

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

Ganduje: Everything is in the hands of God

Masari: You’re right

Ganduje: All these calculations

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

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

Masari: Yes, you’re right

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ganduje: When is he coming back?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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SEUN KUTI: AN UPDATE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SGD:

Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN.

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CONGRATULATIONS

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

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

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

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

Seth Amaefule, Esq.
FOR: History and Legacy Committee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Below are faces at the dinner.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Below is the full text of the statement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Below is the full text of the statement.

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

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

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

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

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

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* TO PAY VICTIM $5 MILLION

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It is recalled that CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report cited a Supreme Court letter which stated that “We have checked our records and the name DOUGLAS OGBANKWA cannot be found on the Rolls of Legal Practitioners kept in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more inquiries, visit: www.nbalagos.ng

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Equally noteworthy is that Mr. Ogbankwa has made copious references to his longstanding practice as a lawyer as well as his service to sundry bar associations. What he has not done thus far is provide compelling evidence to dispel the kernel of our report which was based solely on the Supreme Court statement that “We have checked our records and the name DOUGLAS OGBANKWA cannot be found on the Rolls of Legal Practitioners kept in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

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

Accordingly, we urge Mr. Ogbankwa to quit chasing shadows and abide by the unsolicited advice offered to him by the Supreme Court to wit: “If he has changed his name, he is expected to come along with a duly stamped deed poll and all the requirements for change of name in the Supreme Court.”

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

Signed
MANAGEMENT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Late Justice Chukwunweike Chike Idigbe OFR, CON

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He informed me and I verily believe as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

7). That his plea was not taken.

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

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

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

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

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BY VICTOR NWAKASI

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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By J. S. Okutepa SAN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Below is the full text of the statement.

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

Gentlemen of the press,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Signed:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Below is the full text of the statement.

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

Distinguished Colleagues ,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you and warm regards.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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ONLINE PETITION SURFACES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The petition has received about 30 signatories at press time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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• IGP ASSURES OF RELEASE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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