AGC Archives - CITY LAWYER MAGAZINE

EDITOR'S CHOICE
Sep 29, 2022
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AGC RIOT PROBE: C’TE CALLS FOR MEMORANDA

PRESS RELEASE

CALL FOR USEFUL INFORMATION

Dear Distinguished Colleagues,

This is to inform you that the NBA Conference Incident Investigation Committee (NBA-CIIC) has commenced an investigation into the incident of 23rd August, 2022, during the distribution of conference materials at the just concluded Annual General Conference.

We are calling on members of the NBA and the general public with useful information that may aid in the investigation to contact the NBA-CIIC through: 08087905717; 08033452825; and ciic@nigerianbar.org.ng.

Thank you.

Fasakin Oyindamola C.
Secretary CIIC

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Sep 10, 2022
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AGC BAGS: C’TE STARTS PROBE, INVITES MEMO FROM LAWYERS

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference Incident Investigation Committee (NBA-CIIC) has commenced probe of the invasion of the centre where conference materials for the recent Annual General Conference were being distributed.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the committee urged NBA members and the general public with useful information that may aid in the investigation “to contact the NBA-CIIC through: 08087905717; 08033452825; ciic@nigerianbar.org.ng.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN had during a virtual ceremony inaugurated the committee chaired by Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wale Fapohunda SAN.

Below is the full text of the statement.

CALL FOR USEFUL INFORMATION

Dear Distinguished Colleagues,

This is to inform you that that the NBA Conference Incident Investigation Committee (NBA-CIIC) has commenced an investigation into the incident of 23rd August, 2022, during the distribution of conference materials at the just concluded Annual General Conference.

Members of the NBA and the general public with useful information that may aid the investigation are requested to contact the NBA-CIIC through: 08087905717; 08033452825; ciic@nigerianbar.org.ng.

Thank you.

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Sep 01, 2022
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Comments Off on AKPATA REGIME BOYCOTT: EGBE AMOFIN ‘DISOWNS’ AKINTOLA

AKPATA REGIME BOYCOTT: EGBE AMOFIN ‘DISOWNS’ AKINTOLA

The influential umbrella body of lawyers of Yoruba extraction, Egbe Amofin O’odua has distanced itself from the assertion by its Deputy Leader and prominent lawyer, Chief Niyi Akintola SAN that the bloc took a decision to boycott the Olumide Akpata-led Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

In an interview with a national daily, the Chairman of Egbe Amofin O’doua and former NBA General Secretary, Mr. Isiaka Olagunju SAN said that he is “not aware of that decision.” Olagunju also stated that the Yoruba cannot abandon NBA.

Saying that “Chief Akintola is entitled to his opinion,” the Egbe Amofin helmsman however stated that aside from being absent from the meeting where the alleged decision was taken, “I didn’t receive any handing over note to say that the Yoruba Lawyers Association should not participate in any of the NBA’s indices (sic).”

According to the PUNCH report, Olagunju was reacting to comments by Akintola on the unruly actions of some lawyers at the just concluded NBA Annual General Conference.

CITY LAWYER recalls that Akintola had in an interview with FRESH FM, Ibadan said: “When that boy Akpata came on board, we the Yoruba leaders, the Egbe Amofin, we took the unified position that we will not dignify that boy with our presence at any of his Bar gathering. Unfortunately, some of our people who took that decision alongside with us betrayed that trust.”

But Olagunju, in a chat with Judiciary Watch, on Tuesday, said he was not aware the group took such decision.

He said, “I am not aware of that decision. However, Chief Akintola is entitled to his opinion, and I was not in the meeting. By the record you can get from Akpata’s administration, you can see that Yoruba lawyers played prominent roles. There are quite a number of Yoruba lawyers who chaired some committees, even the election was led by a Yoruba man.

“I was at the NBA conference, Professor (Folake) Solanke was there, Lateef Fagbemi, Mallam Yusuf Ali, Dr Babatunde Ajibade (all Senior Advocates of Nigeria), several leaders and elders in Yoruba land were at the conference. So I am not aware, because I didn’t receive any handing over note to say that the Yoruba Lawyers Association should not participate in any of the NBA’s indices.

“It is our bar; Yoruba are the cutting edge of the NBA, how could we abandon the house that we have built?”

Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN, a member of the association, asked to be counted out of such an agreement if it ever existed. The lawyer said Akintola spoke for himself “and maybe people who attended such a meeting with him.”

He said, “I can tell you for free that any attempt at dividing the association along ethnic, regional or religious grounds, is bound to fail. It is a purely professional body, and while I recognise the right of people to hold views, I do not think it would be helpful to say that a regional body would be set up to say that whomever the president at one point or the other would not be supported for whatever reason.”

Disagreeing with Akintola’s position, Seyi Wemimo (sic), SAN stated that the legal luminary should have gone further to say what would have been done better had Egbe Amofin supported Akpata’s administration.

He said, “The reality is that Akpata has already finished his term, and I don’t know whether if the Egbe Amofin group had supported him, we would have seen any greater performance.

“Again, as the president of the bar, Akpata is supposed to be independent-minded. Despite what Egbe amofin may have held, he (Akpata) succeeded in becoming the president of the bar, which shows that the body did not have any remarkable influence on the outcome of the election.”

Mr. Dele Adesina, SAN, who seemed to be in agreement with the learned silk, stated that the Egbe Amofin had their grievances, and nobody can blame them for taking the decision they think they wanted to take, and they took.

“I don’t think that is an issue you should flog, because that administration is over. Generally, there are people who don’t hide their feelings; they say it as it is. Different folks and different strokes, that is what life is made of.

“The fact that the administration has ended made the discussion a little academic. They had their (Egbe Amofin) grievances, they had the point they were stressing at the time, and nobody can blame them for taking the decision they think they wanted to take, and they took.”

Former NBA Akure Branch Chairman, Mr. Ola Dan Olawale had in a CITY LAWYER report given a detailed account of how the boycott decision was taken by Egbe Amofin O’odua.

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 31, 2022
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AKPATA: ‘WHY AKINTOLA, YOMI ALIU MUST FACE SANCTIONS’ – OMIRHOBO

By Malcolm Omirhobo

NIYI AKINTOLA SAN: JOOR, OLUMIDE AKPATA NA MAN , NO BE BOY

When I read certain comments made by some Senior Advocates of Nigeria, I wonder how they got the rank because they fail in all ways to exhibit the qualities required of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

There are plethora of comments made by some Senior Advocate of Nigeria that has brought disrepute and discredit to the legal profession but for the purpose of this write up those of Yomi Aliyu SAN and Niyi Akintola SAN will suffice.

Chief Yomi Aliyu SAN, responding to the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr Olumide Akpata dragging a partner in the law firm of the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, Mrs Adekunbi Ogunde, to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC for soliciting for clients of other lawyers, Promising that Chief Olanipekun SAN will use his position as body of Benchers Chairman to Influence all Nigerian Judges to give an expatriate oil company a favorable Judgement, wrote on a public platform of lawyers as follows:

“President Akpata, una do well ooooo! Yoruba lawyers shall be there in full force to defend our leader and Primus inter Peres! No Yoruba son shall ever be made a sacrificial lamb like it was done to Kunle Kalejaiye SAN! Call it what you like! Tribalism! Yes! What an insult! We are Yorubas before we are Nigerians”

Niyi Akintola SAN claiming to be speaking for Egbe Amofin , the umbrella body of Yoruba lawyers, responding to a question about the fisticuff that ensued at the just concluded NBA-AGM on a radio program at Fresh FM in Ibadan unfairly and for no just cause took a swipe at immediate past President of NBA Olumide Akpata .

Hear him : “That boy (Olu Akpata) is a transactional lawyer, he has never practiced law, he’s a businessman so the scenario at the bar conference is not surprising”

“We at the Egbe Amofin took a unified stance not to dignify that boy with our presence”

“That decision was reached here in Ibadan. Chief Olanipekun was the Leader of Egbe Amofin, and I was his Vice. I and Chief Olanipekun have religiously abided by that decision, however, some of our boys and girls decided to go their ways because they wanted to be in government. They wanted positions”.

I find the above comments of both Senior Advocate of Nigeria as ungentlemanly, uncourteous, irresponsible, derogatory, divisive and conduct unbecoming of members of the inner bar. It is shameful that both SANS have brought tribalism into the bar in a flagrant attempt to divide the bar along ethnic lines. For their gross misconduct, I recommend that both SAN face disciplinary action before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. Come to think of it, what contributions have Yemi Aliyu SAN and Niki Akintola SAN made to the advancement of the legal profession in Nigeria ? I will say nothing near the contributions made by the former President of the NBA, Olumide Akpata.

I challenge both SANS to tell us how many lawyers they have employed in their career and how much they pay lawyers under their employment. Akpata as far as I know have employed many lawyers and paid them handsomely well. In fact, Akpata’s firm the TEMPLARS is one of the highest paying law firm in Nigeria since its inception to date.

The bag saga at the just concluded NBA conference and in house fighting notwithstanding, I score Olumide Akpata an A. The man did well. He came, saw, conquered and left his foot prints on the sands of time. Joor, Akintola SAN, Akpata na man no be boy .
It is laughable that in his said radio interview Akintola SAN, is complaining about poverty of values and lack of respect by the younger (soro soke) generation for the older generation. My advice to him and his likes is for them to earn their and not asked for it and that respect is reciprocal. I am of the school of thought that beliefs that the younger generation must honour their parents, elders and constituted authorities but must not fail to hold them accountable.

Akintola SAN and his generation have failed the younger generation and must get the hell out of their way for them to take over for our collective good or risked being stampeded. The young people are an unstoppable force of moral army that cannot be ignored. If you ignore them, you do so at your own peril.

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 30, 2022
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‘WHY I’M RETURNING AGC FUND,’ BY EX AKURE BRANCH CHAIR

The immediate past Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Akure Branch, Mr. Rotimi Olorunfemi has stated that “recent happenings at the Bar” has made him resolve to return the N100,000 paid to him as accommodation allowance for the recently concluded NBA Annual General Conference (AGC).

In a letter made available to CITY LAWYER, the former branch helmsman noted that though he had availed his account details to receive the fund and “had no objection to this gesture as it is customary of the National body to provide hotel accommodation for Branch Chairmen and Secretaries during NEC meetings,” “my conscience will not know rest if I accept the payment.”

He urged NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN to avail him the association’s account details to enable him refund the money, adding that “If however I do not receive any response from the national body as herein requested within the next 14 working days of the receipt of this letter by you sir, I shall draw a Bank Draft in this sum and send same to the President via this same medium.”

The full text of the letter is below.

29th August, 2022

The President,
Nigerian Bar Association,
National Secretariat,
Plot 1101, Muhammadu Buhari Way,
Central Business District
Abuja, FCT

Mr. President,

REFUND OF THE SUM OF N100,000.00K TRANSFERRED TO MY
ACCOUNT BY THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT.

Permit me sir, to use this medium to congratulate you on your recent assumption of office as the President of our noble association, the Nigerian Bar Association, the foremost, the biggest and the noblest of all professional associations not only in Nigeria but in Africa.

Mr President, I woke on Sunday 28th day of August, 2022 to receive an alert of the sum of N100,000.00k (One Hundred Thousand Naira only) from the Nigerian Bar Association which was described in the narration as “accommodation”.

Sir, I am sure this payment to my account was in fulfilment of the promise of the immediate past President, Mr Olumide Akpata, to reimburse Chairmen and Secretaries of Branches for accommodation expenses incurred during the just concluded AGC.

Initially, I had no objection to this gesture as it is customary of the National body to provide hotel accommodation for Branch Chairmen and Secretaries during NEC meetings, so I forwarded my account details as requested and in anticipation of receiving this money.

However, in view of the recent happenings at the Bar starting with the kill-the-chicken-and-break-the-egg handling of the issue involving our revered Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN’s Law Firm, the purported illegal suspension of the immediate Past General Secretary of the association, Mrs Joyce Oduah, which culminated in a Federal High Court lampooning the National Executive Council (of which I was a member until last week when my tenure expired as Chairman, Akure Branch) for the shoddy manner it handled the matter and the very ugly incident during the recently concluded AGC which portrayed our very noble association in very bad light before the whole world due largely to the very poor and selfish planning by the nepotically selected Technical Committee on Conference Planning, TCCP, of this year Conference, I have decided that I cannot in good conscience keep and/or expend this money for my personal benefit.

Aside the above, I have been attending Bar Conferences since year 2002, one year after I was called to the Bar and I have self-funded myself to attend conferences all these years and the 2022 Bar Conference should not be an exception just because of my privileged position as a Branch Chairman.

It is on the above premises, that I therefore humbly request Mr. President to instruct the National Treasurer to kindly forward the Association’s account details to me with a view to refunding the money quickly to the Association’s coffers. IN THE ALTERNATIVE if I have Mr President’s approval I can pay the money into my Branch account for the benefit of my Branch and I will forward the teller to the National Secretariat.

If however I do not receive any response from the national body as herein requested within the next 14 working days of the receipt of this letter by you sir, I shall draw a Bank Draft in this sum and send same to the President via this same medium.

While I thank and appreciate the immediate past administration led by Mr Olumide Akpata, who I hold and continue to hold in very high esteem, for this harmless gesture of reimbursing my accommodation expenses during the AGC, my conscience will not know rest if I accept the payment.

I once again congratulate the President and members of the new National Executive Committee and wish you all a successful tenure of office.

Thank you.

Yours very sincerely,

Rotimi Olorunfemi Esq.
Immediate Past Chairman NBA, Akure.

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 29, 2022
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‘OLANIPEKUN, BODY OF BENCHERS CHAIR PRIVY TO PACT TO BOYCOTT NBA,’ SAYS AKINTOLA

• SAYS ‘SORO SOKE BOYS AND GIRLS’ BETRAYED PACT

The Deputy Leader of Egbe Amofin O’odua, Chief Adeniyi Akintola SAN has said that Body of Benchers Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN was privy to a pact to boycott Nigerian Bar Association activities while the immediate past NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata held the reins.

Responding to the allegation that some NBA Annual General Conference (AGC) delegates stole conference bags and phones during the fracas that attended distribution of conference materials, Akintola also stated that “Chief Olanipekun and I have religiously kept to that position,” accusing some Egbe Amofin members who he called “Soro Soke boys and girls” of betraying the pact.

Akintola, who was speaking in an interview on FRESH 105.9 FM, Ibadan, also hinted that some NBA Branches were given specific directions on what to do at the AGC, adding that it was unclear whether they followed the instructions.

CITY LAWYER recalls that the AGC held against the backdrop of the demand by NBA for Olanipekun to recuse himself as the Chairman of the Body of Benchers over the Ms. Kunbi Ogunde professional misconduct saga. Ogunde is a Partner in Wole Olanipekun & Co.

Though NBA had urged the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to punish the partners in the firm if found complicit in the debacle, the committee had in an initial review stated that it was not interested in probing the partners of the law firm.

Said Akintola: “Let me take the last question first. Felt very very sad about what happened. And we saw it coming. Ademola (Babalola) is here. When that boy Akpata came on board, we the Yoruba leaders, the Efgbe Amofin, we took the unified position that we will not dignify that boy with our presence at any of his Bar gathering. Unfortunately, some of our people who took that decision alongside with us betrayed that trust.

“Coming from the background that I have, being a progressive, when I take a decision, when I say this is what I am going to do, even at the risk of my life, I stick to that.

“We took that decision in Ibadan here. Chief (Wole) Olanipekun happened to be the Leader of Egbe Amofin in Nigeria. I happen to be his Deputy. And we took that decision. Chief Olanipekun and I have religiously kept to that position. But unfortunately, some of our boys and girls felt otherwise because they wanted to be in office – one office or the other.”

Continuing, Akintola said: “I never attended the meeting (AGC) because I said I will never dignify him with my presence. Of course, the NBA Oyo, Ogbomosho came to me for my support before going. And we told them what to do and what not to do. But the question is, when they get there, what they do? We don’t know.”

Olanipekun is yet to speak on Akintola’s statement.

To view the full interview, click here.

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 25, 2022
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ANXIETY, AS ODUAH, OLANIPEKUN ISSUES MAY TOP NBA-AGM TODAY

• ODUAH KEEPS MUM, BATTLES TO SECURE CTC OF COURT ORDER
• PRESSURE ON AKPATA TO STEM ANTI-OLANIPEKUN PROTESTS
• LAWYER ASKS NBA TO RESCIND NAMING OF NBA BUILDING AFTER AKEREDOLU

There is palpable anxiety as lawyers troop to Eko Atlantic City for this year’s Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) which kicks off at noon today.

This may not be unconnected with the face-off between Mrs. Joyce Oduah and the NBA leadership as well as the controversy that trailed NBA’s demand that Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN recuse himself as the Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BoB)pending a probe of allegation of professional misconduct against Ms. Adekunbi Ogunde, a Partner in his law firm.

Though a Federal High Court sitting at Abuja had nullified the ratification of Oduah’s suspension by National Officers, both NBA and the estranged General Secretary have given varied interpretations to the ruling.

While Oduah’s Lead Counsel, Mr. Muritala Abdul-rasheed SAN told CITY LAWYER that his client has fully bounced back to her position as General Secretary following the annulment of the ratification by the National Executive Council (NBA-NEC), the Lead Counsel to NBA, Mr. Godwin Omoaka (SAN) countered this position, saying Oduah remains suspended.

Efforts by CITY LAWYER to know whether Oduah will attend the meeting to reclaim her seat proved abortive, as calls to her verified telephone number were not answered. She also did not respond to text messages.

On his part, Abdul-rasheed did not also respond to calls and messages, though he promised to return CITY LAWYER’s calls. He did not do so at press time.

CITY LAWYER gathered that Oduah has been battling to obtain a certified copy of the court’s ruling. An impeccable source told CITY LAWYER that this proved abortive as at yesterday, adding that “her lawyers will continue the quest today.”

An unimpeachable source at NBA HOUSE told CITY LAWYER that NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata has come under pressure to quell any anti-Olanipekun protests at the Annual General Conference. This may not be unconnected with speculations that there are plans to stage protests to force the former NBA President to quit the BoB position pending a determination of NBA’s petition against Ogunde.

There are indications that the matter may be raised under “Any Other Business.”

Meanwhile, a senior lawyer and former Secretary of NBA Lagos Branch, Mr. Seth Amaefule has urged the association to rescind the naming of a wing of NBA building after Ondo State Governor and former NBA President, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu SAN.

He prayed the meeting as follows: “That the naming of the Wing of the NBA Building situate at Ogo Aro Crescent, Area 2 Garki CBD, Abuja housing the NBA Human Rights Institute named after His Excellency Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN (Past President of NBA and present Executive Governor of Ondo State) be set aside by this Annual General Meeting on the ground that this is not a name associated with human rights activism and public interest litigation in Nigeria.”

Click here to download the petition.

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 24, 2022
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NBA-AGC: SPIDEL HOLDS AGM, PARLEY ON UNDERMINING JUDICIARY TODAY

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) will on Wednesday at 5 pm hold its Annual General Meeting as a part of the ongoing NBA Annual General Conference.

According to a statement by NBA-SPIDEL Publicity Secretary, Mr. Godfrey Echeho, the AGM will hold at Eko Atlantic City, venue of the Annual General Conference.

Meanwhile, the Section will on Wednesday at 11 am hold a Breakout Session on the “Consequences of undermining the judiciary under our democracy.”

Among the Panelists are leading human rights activists, Mr. Femi Falana SAN and Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN . Others are the Founder/Director of PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh as well as the Executive Director of Access to Justice, Mr. Joseph Otteh. The Moderator for the session is NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Dr. Monday Ubani.

The statement noted that highlights of the AGM would include presentation of reports by NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Dr. Monday Ubani as well as the Treasurer’s Report by Ms. Funmi Adeogun.

The Annual General Meeting will also witness unveiling of the NBA-SPIDEL Branch Representatives who will drive the activities of the Section at branch level.

NBA-SPIDEL members at the Annual General Meeting will also go home with tickets “to benefit from the free Law Pavilion Package granted to all members,” the statement said.

On the other hand, the SPIDEL Breakout Session has NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, Dr. Monday Ubani, as Moderator while Panelists include leading human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana SAN; a frontline human rights advocate, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN; the Executive Director of Access to Justice, Mr. Joseph Otteh, and the Director/Founder of PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh.

The session holds at 11 am at Atlantic City, Lagos while the Coordinators are Ogechi Ugwuegbulam and Raymond Nkannebe.

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 19, 2022
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AGC-LOC LAUNCHES HISTORIC CONFRENCEPEDIA

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2022 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBAAGC) has unveiled a groundbreaking “Confrencepedia” to guide delegates as the conference opens today in Lagos.

The highly colourful 49-page document has virtually all a conferee needs to meander through the exciting Lagos landscape with ease and comfort, and is now LIVE on the WHOVA App.

Aside from Welcome Addresses from the five NBA Branch Chairmen from Lagos, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Badagry and Epe, the Confrencepedia also has a comprehensive “Outline of Sessions and Topics” for the 62nd Annual General Conference.

It also contains the major events and schedules for the AGC including the Jumat Service, Health Walk, Tree Planting Campaign, multi-denominational Church Service, Chess & Scrabble Competition, and President’s Dinner.

Others are details on the Friendship Center, Chief Judge’s Cocktail, Closing Party otherwise called “UnBarred 5.0,” Explore Lagos, Nearby Hospitals for serious emergency medicare, Pharmacy Stores, Relaxation Centres & Hangout Spots, Top-notch Restaurants, and 24-Hour Fuel Stations.

The Confrencepedia also outlines the dates for social events/parties to be hosted by Lagos branches of the NBA. While Lagos Branch will hold its party at Eko Atlantic City on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, Epe Branch will also hold its party the same day. NBA Badagry Branch will hold its party the next day while NBA Ikeja Branch Party holds on August 25, 2022.

Major traffic offences in Lagos, Secretariat Addresses for Lagos branches, and Emergency Security Numbers are among other relevant information contained in the Confrencepedia.

The 16-member Local Organising Committee (LOC) has NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna at the helm while Ms. Chinenye Oragwu is the Secretary and Head of Health Walk & Health Centre.

To view the Confrencepedia, click here.

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 18, 2022
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TCCP-AGC UNVEILS ‘WHOVA’ AS CONFERENCE APP

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

-View the Conference agenda and plan your personal schedule

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 17, 2022
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HOT OFFER: AFFORDABLE AGC HOTELS BECKON IN LEKKI

Timeoak Hotels & Spa, Lekki, Lagos is offering a whopping 25% discount to participants at the 2022 NBA Annual General Conference.

Timeoak Hotel consists two luxury hotels located in Lekki Phase 1, about 20 minutes’ drive to the AGC venue in Victoria Island, Lagos.

TimeOak is an exquisite budget hotel in the heart of Lekki. It offers free excellent luxury services such as free beach tour, free airport shuttle, open roof-top bar overlooking the entire Lekki Peninsula up to the Atlantic Ocean, daily swimming pool, barbecue and karaoke, and many more. Relax after a day’s work in our luxury Spa and get Sauna steam bath and full body massage at discounted rates as low as N10,000.

Enjoy our FREE gym, FREE wifi, complimentary breakfast, modern bistro coffee bar, and courteous customer services, all at a discounted rate you will never get anywhere else in upscale Lekki, Lagos island.

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Excellent services at rock-bottom prices are the hallmark of Timeoak Hotels & Spa, Lekki,.

You have a choice of staying in our luxury rooms at the Timeoak Luxury Hotel & Spa, 59 Omorinre Johnson Street. Contact us on 07049445099 or at our Timeoak Royale Hotel at 12 Nike Art Gallary Road, Ikate (08097201571).

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Timeoak – memorable pleasure lifestyle!

To view our facilities, click here.

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 12, 2022
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‘NBA CAN’T REMOVE OLANIPEKUN AS BENCHERS’ CHAIR,’ SAYS OJO

Former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Constitution Review Committee has stated that the NBA has no power to remove any member of the Body of Benchers (BoB) including its embattled Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the fiery Bar Leader said that “The NBA has no power to remove any member of the Body of Benchers (including those nominated by the NBA) under any guise,” adding that “The manipulators of the NBA cannot stoke rebellion within or decimate the Body of Benchers by attacking its Chairman.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata had in a letter to the Olanipekun, asked him to recuse himself from the seat pending investigation of a Partner in his law firm over alleged professional misconduct.

Ojo stated the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee “has been existing under the Body of Benchers from time immemorial,” adding that its procedure “is not the true reason for the current truancy.”

Taking a swipe at the “Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) cubicle politicians” for “plan to hijack and destroy the legal profession in Nigeria,” Ojo alleged that NBA Treasurer Mercy Agada “exposed their plan to stoke rebellion among Body of BENCHER (sic)” and to employ the NBA in “scattering the table.”

According to Ojo, Agada referred to “we” several times and threatened that “NBA AGC will witness daily protest.” CITY LAWYER recalls that Agada had debunked the allegation.

Said Ojo: “It is very unfortunate that the hirelings are blinded by their inordinate greed. Destruction is in their DNA hence nothing is sacred to them. They are bent on further desecrating the Legal Profession in Nigeria more than they have done already. The conversion of the NBA to their platform to wage war against leaders of the Bar in Nigeria is most unfortunate and conclusive proof that the NBA is being used by the destructive clique as a front to further their mission to decimate the Bar in Nigeria. The veil is already removed and the face of NBA political masquerades and their supporters are being further exposed.”

The full text of the statement is below.

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Jul 20, 2022
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‘10,877 DELEGATES HAVE REGISTERED FOR AGC,’ SAYS TOBENNA EROJIKWE

No less than 10,877 delegates have registered for the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA AGC) holding in Lagos next month.

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the figure has outstripped the total number of delegates for the same period in 2019 and 2021 conferences.

In an update on preparations for the Annual General Conference, the Chairman of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP), Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe said: “For the 2019 NBA-AGC, by the end of the early bird registration window, which factored in a 1-week extension, 9,796 delegates had registered for the conference. For the 2021 NBA-AGC, this figure was 8,686 delegates also with a 1-week extension. However, by midnight on Monday 18th July 2022, after the early bird registration window closed, a total of 10,877 delegates had registered for the conference. Put differently, with a month to the conference, we have already exceeded the total number of delegates for the 2021 NBA-AGC. The numbers continue to rise notwithstanding the close of the early bird registration window.”

He ruled out extension of the Early Bird window, and warned that the committee may be forced to close registration as the conference is almost oversubscribed already, though the virtual option remains available. His words: “It is in light of the foregoing, dear colleagues, that it became impossible to extend the early bird registration window. Further and regrettably, there is serious likelihood that we might soon be constrained to close all registration outright as the conference spaces are almost oversubscribed.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

Dear Colleagues

1. It is exactly 30 days to the start of the 62nd Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA-AGC) billed to take place from 19th – 26th August 2022 at the Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island Lagos State with the theme, ‘BOLD TRANSITIONS’.

2. I wish to commence this update by expressing, on behalf of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP), our sincere gratitude to you for the overwhelming confidence that you have bestowed on us and the unprecedented interest you have shown in this year’s NBA-AGC as illustrated by the impressive registration figures recorded so far.

3. As you are all aware, on 12th June 2022, registration for the NBA-AGC commenced with an early bird registration which ended on 17th July 2022. The TCCP sincerely sympathises with our members who were, for various reasons, unable to take advantage of the early bird registration window to enjoy huge discounts in the registration fees. Although we received various genuine requests for extension, the TCCP carefully explored all possibilities to extend the window but, for the reasons provided below, it was logistically impossible to extend the window.

4. In fixing the early bird registration window, we took into account the fact that previous windows had historically been fixed for approximately 4 weeks with an extension typically lasting for 7 days. We therefore fixed an early bird registration window of 6 weeks to allow enough time for our members to take advantage of the discounted rates.

5. In terms of planning and logistics, we have been consistent in our communications that we anticipate an increase in the number of delegates for the 2022 NBA-AGC from circa 11,000 delegates to 13000 delegates physically present and unlimited virtual participants. It is on the basis of this figure that we have been planning this Conference. We also arrived at this figure of 13,0000 after considering various factors chief among which were historical attendance figures and of course conference costs.
6. By way of comparison, at the last NBA-AGC held in the pre-Covid era, in 2019, and incidentally in Lagos, there were a total of 11694 delegates without the option of virtual participation. For the 2021 NBA-AGC which held in Port Harcourt, a total of 10,147 delegates registered for the conference, inclusive of virtual delegates. It was for the above reason what we increased the capacity to 13,000 while also making adequate arrangements for virtual delegates to enjoy a similar experience from the comfort of their homes or offices.

7. As noted above, we anticipated an increase in the number of delegates that would be interested in physically attending this year’s conference due to a number of factors including perhaps the positive record and members-oriented programmes of the Olumide Akpata administration, the reduction of the conference fees, and the exciting line up of sessions and events for this year’s NBA-AGC. With the benefit of hindsight, I have to now admit that despite our most optimistic projections, we did not anticipate the huge spike in the figures.

8. For the 2019 NBA-AGC, by the end of the early bird registration window, which factored in a 1-week extension, 9,796 delegates had registered for the conference. For the 2021 NBA-AGC, this figure was 8,686 delegates also with a 1-week extension. However, by midnight on Monday 18th July 2022, after the early bird registration window closed, a total of 10,877 delegates had registered for the conference. Put differently, with a month to the conference, we have already exceeded the total number of delegates for the 2021 NBA-AGC. The numbers continue to rise notwithstanding the close of the early bird registration window.

9. The above numbers have not factored in the number of registration slots that we must of necessity allocate to our resource persons; our sponsors as part of the sponsorship package we already advertised and are duty bound to deliver; as well as our colleagues who are legal officers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of governments whose registration are usually delayed by the bureaucratic bottle-neck for which our various governments are notorious.

10. It is in light of the foregoing, dear colleagues, that it became impossible to extend the early bird registration window. Further and regrettably, there is serious likelihood that we might soon be constrained to close all registration outright as the conference spaces are almost oversubscribed. Consequently, while we are not oblivious to the harsh economic climate that pervades the country at this time, we must nevertheless call on our members who are desirous of attending the conference physically to endeavour to register for the conference in the coming days. I will endeavour to give one last notice before we hit our maximum capacity for the conference.

11. Nonetheless it is important to restate that we have made adequate arrangements for our members to take advantage of a virtual option and also enjoy a similar experience at the conference. The virtual platform has a capacity to accommodate 30,000 conference delegates and the window to register for the conference through the virtual option remains open until the eve of the conference.

12. In ending, let me once again thank you for your understanding and cooperation and look forward to a memorable 2022 NBA-AGC.

Tobenna Erojikwe
TCCP Chairman

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Jul 12, 2022
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AGC: EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION CLOSES SUNDAY

Dear Colleagues,

I trust that you are well.

As you are aware, the registration for this year’s Annual General Conference (AGC) of our Association is ongoing and many members have registered already.

By way of a reminder to members who are yet to register, please note that the Early Bird registration closes on Sunday the 17th of July, 2022.

Please find attached the schedule of fees for the 2022 AGC.

For any inquiries regarding registration please reach out on 09063810470, 08102866140 or info@nbaconference.com

Furthermore, kindly visit www.nbaconference.com for more information.

We look forward to a world-class legacy AGC and hope to see you there.

Dr. Rapuluchukwu Nduka
Publicity Secretary,
Nigerian Bar Association

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Jul 06, 2022
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EDE ASENOGUAN BIDS NBA-SLP DELEGATES FAREWELL FROM ASABA

ASENOGUAN OSAMUEDE ISOBOMUWA, CANDIDATE FOR NBA GENERAL SECRETARY BIDS SLP DELEGATES SAFE TRAVELS BACK HOME

Mr. Osamuede Asenoguan penned a farewell message to all delegates who attended the just concluded Section on Law Practice conference which held in Asaba, Delta State.

His words:

“The just concluded Section on Law Practice conference in Asaba was a huge success. The insightful sessions have exposed innovate ways of advancing law practice in Nigeria. I am in no doubt that the implementation of the recommendations therein will go a long way in improving our practice of law.

It is on this note that I wish all delegates, friends, colleagues, co-contestants and resource persons safe travels back to their various destinations. We now look forward to the AGC where we would have another opportunity to rub minds for the advancement of our dear profession.

Thank you and God bless”

Asenoguan Osamuede Isobomuwa
Candidate for the position of General Secretary of the NBA
2022-2024

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Jun 15, 2022
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SAFIYA BALARABE ACCLAIMS NBA BENIN ON LAW WEEK

NBA BENIN 2022 ANNUAL LAW WEEK CELEBRATION: SAFIYA BALARABE, CANDIDATE FOR NBA TREASURER HAILS THE LION BAR

The ongoing 2022 Annual Law Week of the NBA, Benin branch (Lion Bar) has been greeted by a goodwill message from Safiya Balarabe. The Treasurer, NBA Women Forum lauded the branch for putting together a power-packed event which complements its apposite theme.

The statement reads:

“‘Security: Panacea for National Growth’ is the chosen theme for this year’s Law Week celebration of the NBA Benin branch (“Lion Bar”). No one can argue otherwise, to the effect that nowhere in the world has development ever been recorded in the midst of turmoil.

With a theme this apposite, I looked forward to a Law Week that matches same and I was not disappointed, as a matter of fact, I am greatly impressed by the organizational prowess of the Lion Bar. The Law Week so far has run smoothly with attendant intellectualism and glamour. One could mistake same for the NBA AGC itself.

I commend the leadership of the Lion Bar, its members and very importantly, the planning committee.

Thank you and God bless”.

Signed:

Safiya Balarabe

Treasurer, NBA Women Forum and Candidate for the position of NBA Treasurer 2022-2024

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Nov 02, 2021
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Comments Off on JUSTICE ODILI RAID: GADZAMA WANTS CULPRITS PUNISHED, HAILS NBA

JUSTICE ODILI RAID: GADZAMA WANTS CULPRITS PUNISHED, HAILS NBA

The pioneer Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN) has urged the Federal Government to fish out and punish all those found culpable in the controversial raid on the residence of Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court.

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, Gadzama condemned “in very strong terms, the raid on the residence of Honourable Justice Mary Peter Odili, JSC, and make bold to aver that it is a siege on the sanctity of our nation’s judiciary, rule of law and the doctrine of judicial independence. This must not be left to go unpunished. I further call for an urgent investigation to help fish-out the perpetrators.”

The chartered arbitrator commended the NBA leadership “for issuing a statement, and with the speed of light too, therein condemning such act of rascality and taking further steps to convene an emergency meeting of the NBA National Executive Committee solely to discuss this issue and take a definitive stand on behalf of the NBA.”

He also praised the Olumide Akpata-led NBA on the successful conduct of the recently concluded Annual General Conference (AGC) in Port Harcourt,

Below are the statements by Gadzama.

STATEMENT OF CHIEF JOE-KYARI GADZAMA, SAN ON THE RAID OF JUSTICE MARY ODILI’S RESIDENCE BY UNIDENTIFIED SECURITY OPERATIVES

1. On Friday, the 29th day of October, 2021, while in Port Harcourt for the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, I received with much disappointment the news of the raid on Honourable Justice Mary Peter Odili’s residence. I have waited patiently to read further on the possible justifiable rationale for such gestapo show of might, but all to no avail. It is now more than 48 hours after the said raid and information is still scarce and far in-between as to the rationale for the raid on the residence of the second most senior judicial officer in Nigeria. It is a case of loud deafening silence and a game of blame-game. No one, seems to be claiming responsibility and no one seems to be offering further explanations on who is/was responsible for such dastardly act of rascality and impunity aimed at soiling the garment of our judiciary.

2. These trends of habitual unjustified raids on the residences of Judicial Officers, the concomitant unexplained reasons and continuous rape of due process, spell imminent doom and anarchy if not urgently arrested. Lest our collective silence be misinterpreted as our collective approval, this is a further call that the tenets upon which our society was founded be restored: rule of law. We must take heed to the words of Martin Luther King Jnr, when he said that the “the ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people”. The danger of our silence in the face of apparent injustice and anarchy cannot be overemphasized; it is the utmost form of betrayal.

3. I must therefore commend the Nigerian Bar Association, under the leadership of Olumide Akpata, for issuing a statement, and with the speed of light too, therein condemning such act of rascality and taking further steps to convene an emergency meeting of the NBA National Executive Committee solely to discuss this issue and take a definitive stand on behalf of the NBA. While I commend this initiative, I must emphasize that all must be emphatic that it is gravely unpardonable to assault, trample upon, attempt to intimidate and/ or harass the judiciary which is the last hope of the common man. Indeed, injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

4. It is even more abhorrent that the rationale for the present raid on Hon Justice Mary Peter Odili’s residence has not been explained or justified, the incident could therefore only be interpreted as an attack on the Judiciary, possibly designed to intimidate and ridicule the Judiciary.

5. We must remember that Nigeria’s democracy is not made up of only the executive, but the legislature and the judiciary. Borrowing from the words of Caroline Kennedy, which now reflect the needs and realities of our space, “the very bedrock of our democracy is the rule of law and that means we have to have an independent judiciary, judges who can make decisions independent of the political winds that are blowing.” An independent judiciary is indeed the crown jewel of any democracy and Nigeria is no different.

6. As the Pioneer Chairman of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) whose commitment is towards maintenance of public law and order, the very fulcrum upon which the society stands and thrives, I condemn, in very strong terms, the raid on the residence of Honourable Justice Mary Peter Odili, JSC, and make bold to aver that it is a siege on the sanctity of our nation’s judiciary, rule of law and the doctrine of judicial independence. This must not be left to go unpunished. I further call for an urgent investigation to help fish-out the perpetrators.

God Bless the NBA,
God Bless the Judiciary,
God Bless Nigeria.

I wish to congratulate us all on the successful conduct of the 61st Annual General Conference of our dear Association, the Nigerian Bar Association.

I must specifically thank the National Officers of our dear Association under the able leadership of our indefatigable President, Mr Olumide Akpata, the TCCP ably led by Mr. Omubo V. Frank-Briggs and the Local Organizing Committee for the exceptional leadership exhibited in ensuring the success of this conference.

This year’s conference is undoubtedly exceptional as it is embedded with so many takeaways that are beneficial to us as members of this profession in our personal and professional lives and as citizens of our dear Country, Nigeria to which we have a duty to serve with all our strength.

It is my wish and prayer that we will all make use of what we have learned at this auspicious conference and help in implementing all the panaceas proffered towards repositioning our great profession and by extension, the Country at large. There is no better time than now to do this.

As we travel to our various destinations to continue taking the lead, I wish us all a pleasant and safe trip back home.

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Oct 28, 2021
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Comments Off on GADZAMA TO CHAIR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYERS’ FORUM LAUNCH

GADZAMA TO CHAIR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYERS’ FORUM LAUNCH

The Association of Environmental Lawyers of Nigeria (AELN) will hold its inauguration of Chapters/Clubs today at 3 pm at the Faculty of Law Auditorium, Rivers State University.

The event, billed to be attended by the cream of environmental law practitioners, will be chaired by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, who is also the Chairman of the Advisory Council of the association.

The ceremony will feature a number of programmes including the inauguration of Chapters/Clubs, Seminars and panel discussion on plastic waste management, launching of waste collection bins, tree planting exercise, and recognition/awards.

Among those expected at the event are Prof. N. S. Okogbule, Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University who is the Special Guest of Honour; Prof. O. V. C. Okene, Dean of Law, Rivers State University and Dr. S. C. Dike, president of the association.

The event is scheduled to start immediately after the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Meeting.

EDITOR'S CHOICE
Jun 28, 2021
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Comments Off on AGC FEES: NBA-NEC COMMUNIQUE CONFIRMS CITY LAWYER REPORT

AGC FEES: NBA-NEC COMMUNIQUE CONFIRMS CITY LAWYER REPORT

The controversy over the schedule of registration fees to be charged at this year’s Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference may have been laid to rest following release of the communique for the last quarterly meeting of NBA National Executive Committee.

Though CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report stated that “young lawyers will pay N80,000 for in-person attendance at the conference should they fail to register via the early bird and regular windows,” NBA had issued a Press Release describing the report as “misinformation” and urging stakeholders to disregard it.

In the statement issued by the Publicity Secretary, Dr. Rapulu Nduka, NBA said: “The attention of the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association has been drawn to the misinformation making the rounds with regards to the Annual General Conference 2021 registration fees.

“We urge members to disregard the said publication as the Technical Committee on Conference Planning will release the appropriate registration fees in due time.”

But the communiqué issued today by the NBA has validated the CITY LAWYER report, stating that “NEC further adopts the proposal of the TCCP that the 2019 conference registration fees be retained for the 2021 conference notwithstanding inflation and increased costs of goods and services.”

It is recalled that the 2019 Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) had in a Press Release stated that lawyers who are 1-5 years post-call would pay N15,000 and N40,000 respectively during the Early Bird and Regular windows while late registration would attract N80,000.

The communiqué also confirmed that the annual conference would be held during the last week of October in Port Harcourt, saying: “Taking into consideration the uncertainties, delays and other challenges occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic and other matters, NEC ratifies the proposal of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) that the 2021 Annual General Conference be held in the last week of October 2021 in Port Harcourt, Rives State.

“NEC approves the proposal of the TCCP that the conference be held both physically and virtually. NEC urges NBA President and the TCCP to interface with Rivers State Government and other relevant authorities to ensure a Covid-19 compliant environment for the physical conference and to ensure that the access roads to the conference location, and other necessary logistics of hosting a stress-free conference in the State are created.”

The NBA-NEC also took other far-reaching decisions on the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria, the conduct of “certain lawyers serving in the FGN” who fail to advise the government appropriately, increasing spate of insecurity in the polity, attacks on public assets, reported extra-judicial killings of citizens alleged to be associated with secessionist movements, the “inordinate delay in the issuance of enrolment numbers to new lawyers by the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” and encroachment of non-lawyers into the legal space, among others.

Below is the full text of the communiqué.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION HELD ON THURSDAY 24TH DAY OF JUNE 2021 AT THE NBA NATIONAL SECRETARIAT, ABUJA FCT

1.0. INTRODUCTION

1.1. The Nigerian Bar Association (“NBA”) held her 2nd National Executive Committee (“NEC”) meeting of 2021 on 24th June 2021 at the National Secretariat of the NBA.

1.2. Several issues were discussed including the recently suspended industrial action by Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (“JUSUN”); the shrinking of the civic space through recent actions and policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN); the State of the Nation including the deteriorating state of national security; the protracted crises within the Abuja Branch of the NBA; the welfare of lawyers; scale of charges and remuneration in the legal profession; the harassment of lawyers in the course of practicing their vocation; the incursion of the legal services space by non-lawyers; and other matters of interest to the NBA, in particular, and the society at large.

2.0. RESOLUTIONS

At the end of the extended deliberations, the following resolutions, among others, were reached:

STATE OF THE NATION

Judiciary and Administration of Justice

2.01 NEC observes the festering situation in the Gombe State Judiciary where the State Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, continues the elongation of the tenure of the Acting Chief Judge against the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to the effect that Justice Beatrice Iliya should be appointed and sworn in as the substantive Chief Judge of the State.

2.02 NEC resolves that NBA must make a very strong case to the Governor of Gombe State on the unconstitutionality of his actions and of any further extension of the tenure of the Acting Chief Judge, with a demand for the Governor to desist from such constitutional breach forthwith.

2.03 NEC further urges the NJC to take decisive action on the flagrant flouting of its directives, else it could be viewed as being complicit in the Governor’s disrespect for the rule of law.

2.04 NEC observes with displeasure that of the over 24 months’ salary being owed some Magistrates in Cross River State, only one month’s salary has been paid since the NBA’s intervention. NEC resolves that the Chairman of NBA Calabar must, on behalf of NEC, further engage with the Chief Judge of Cross-River State and other stakeholders, with a view to bringing the impasse to an end.

2.05 NEC commends the leadership of the NBA for the various roles it played in seeing that the protracted JUSUN strike was suspended. NEC, however, urges the NBA President to ensure that the terms of the Memorandum of Action signed by JUSUN and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum are respected so that the strike will not be reactivated.

Constriction of civic space

2.06 NEC notes with grave concern (a) recent actions and policies of the FGN that appear to constrict the civic space and limit constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens in a democracy. In particular, NEC condemns the recent suspension of the micro blogging site, Twitter, by the FGN; and (b) the embargo placed by Nigerian Broadcasting Commission on broadcasters from using contents generated from Twitter. NEC considers both acts as veiled gagging of the media, and suppression of the civic space by the government.

2.07 NEC further notes that such actions by the FGN have the tendency of undermining Nigeria’s democracy and investment attractiveness especially as such acts and policies may, if not challenged, be extended to other platforms and avenues that are available to citizens to express their constitutionally guaranteed rights. Accordingly, NEC supports and ratifies the decision of the NBA President to challenge the constitutionality of the said policies and actions through the NBA Public Interest Litigation Committee.

2.08 NEC decries the conduct of certain lawyers serving in the FGN who fail to advise the government appropriately thereby leading to policies by the government which either flout the fundamental rights of citizens or have the tendency of bringing the profession to disrepute. To this end, NEC directs the NBA President to reach out to lawyers serving in the FGN on the need to properly advise and guide the government in accordance with the dictates of the Constitution and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms.

Increasing spate of insecurity

2.09 NEC strongly condemns the attacks on public assets such as INEC offices, police stations and military formations by the so-called unknown gunmen; the killing of law enforcement agencies and prominent citizens such as Ahmed Gulak and Justice Stanley Nnaji (Rtd.), amongst others. NEC further condemns the reported extra-judicial killings of citizens alleged to be associated with secessionist movements and demands that the government should deploy the carrot and stick approach in tackling the resurgent secessionist agitations so as not to exacerbate the crises.

2.10 NEC decries the worsening security situation in the Nigeria including the unabating insurgency, incessant abductions, unending crisis between herders and farmers, kidnappings and attacks on communities and individuals, and calls upon governments at all levels to take more proactive steps towards stemming this tide.

Lawsuit challenging elongation of IGP’s tenure

2.11 NEC rues the implications of the recent judgment of a Federal High Court which upheld the powers of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to elongate the tenure of the Inspector General of Police.

2.12 NEC notes the pendency of the lawsuit filed by the NBA through its Public Interest Litigation Committee on the same subject matter and urges the NBA to continue to conscientiously prosecute same through all levels of court in Nigeria as such is required to set a precedent for the future conducts and decisions of public office holders in similar circumstances.

STATE OF THE BAR

Enrollment Number for New Lawyers

2.13 NEC expresses deep concerns over the inordinate delay in the issuance of enrolment numbers to new lawyers by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. NEC accordingly urges the NBA President to continue to constantly liaise with the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with a review to ensuring that the affected new wigs are issued their enrolment numbers.

Scale of Charges and Remuneration of Lawyers

2.14 NEC approves the work being done by the NBA Remuneration Committee in developing a realistic and enforceable scale of charges for lawyers and in addressing the issue of poor remuneration amongst lawyers, and directs the leadership of the various branches of the NBA with similar initiatives to work with the NBA Remuneration Committee in developing a central and robust framework that will be acceptable to lawyers.

Encroachment of Non-Lawyers into the Legal Space

2.15 NEC decries the continued encroachment of non-lawyers (including corporate bodies and other institutions) into areas that are considered to be the preserve of legal practitioners through the offering of legal services, in many cases with the connivance or support of some lawyers.

2.16 NEC also notes, with concern, the increasing trend of lawyers who offer their services in a manner that is inconsistent with the rules or practice of the legal profession.

2.17 NEC further directs that:

(a) the NBA Disciplinary Committee should promptly investigate any complaints against lawyers (including in-house counsel and heads of legal departments) who undertake, advise on, participate in, or supervise the establishment or operation of schemes that purport to, or have the tendency of, unlawfully encroaching into areas of practice of lawyers or who undertake other similar acts that are inconsistent with rules and practice; and (b) the leadership of the NBA Section on Legal Practice to take more proactive steps to address some of the known cases of infraction and possibly prompt the commencement of criminal prosecution of the offenders.

2.18 NEC notes that certain laws in Nigeria require that the services of Nigerian lawyers must be retained in relation to certain matters, and accordingly directs the NBA President to engage with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and other relevant stakeholders with a view to ensuring that foreign and local investors retain indigenous legal practitioners and law firms for their legal services needs in the prescribed cases.

2.19 NEC charges the leadership of NBA Branches to be more pro-active and innovative in checking against sharp practices and other unethical practices by lawyers and court officials such as the use of affidavit to convey or transfer title over real property.

Harassment of Lawyers

2.20 NEC reviles the circumstances leading to the brutalization of the Chairman of the Makurdi Branch of the NBA by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 8th June 2021.

2.21 NEC commends all the efforts taken by the NBA President thus far, in seeing that the officers involved in the act are disciplined by the EFCC, and further directs the NBA President to take the opportunity of the unfortunate Makurdi incident to finally put an end to the epidemic of brutalization and harassment of legal practitioners by law enforcement agencies in the discharge of the lawyer’s professional duties.

Attitude, language, and conduct of lawyers in public

2.22 NEC observes the deplorable and heightened trend of lawyers commenting in public fora on sensitive matters which are pending before the courts, and urges all lawyers to desist from this practice. NEC further observes that intemperate language is spreading among members of the Bar, both in dealings amongst lawyers and in dealings with the Bench. NEC deprecates such behavior and urges that disciplinary action be taken against lawyers who indulge in such conducts and that reports for disciplinary action be made against members of the Bench who are also found wanting.

Annual General Conference

2.23 Taking into consideration the uncertainties, delays and other challenges occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic and other matters, NEC ratifies the proposal of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) that the 2021 Annual General Conference be held in the last week of October 2021 in Port Harcourt, Rives State.

2.24 NEC approves the proposal of the TCCP that the conference be held both physically and virtually. NEC urges NBA President and the TCCP to interface with Rivers State Government and other relevant authorities to ensure a Covid-19 compliant environment for the physical conference and to ensure that the access roads to the conference location, and other necessary logistics of hosting a stress-free conference in the State are created.

2.25 NEC further adopts the proposal of the TCCP that the 2019 conference registration fees be retained for the 2021 conference notwithstanding inflation and increased costs of goods and services.

Reports of Standing and Ad-Hoc Committees

2.26 NEC approves the interim report of the following Standing and Ad-hoc Committees: (i) Constitution Review Committee; (ii) Welfare Committee; (iii) Human Rights Committee;

(iv) Digital Committee; (v) Legal Education Committee and (vi) Remuneration Committee.

2.27 NEC ratifies the appointment of six (6) Zonal Coordinators for the NBA Human Rights Committee which is aimed at ensuring easier coordination and facilitating the achievement of the mandate of the Committee.

NBA Abuja Branch Crisis

2.28 NBA President informs NEC that pursuant to the mandate given to him at the NEC meeting held in Uyo on the 18th of March 2021 to conclusively deal with the crisis in NBA Abuja Branch in the most expedient manner, he has decided to take the option of splitting the branch and will proceed to implement immediately and report back to NEC upon completion.

OTHER MATTERS
Resuscitation of Military and Paramilitary Fora

2.29 NEC resolves that the forum for lawyers in the armed forces and paramilitary should be resuscitated to reignite the interest of such members and to drive the discussions on issues affecting the Bar and the military and paramilitary agencies. NEC further mandates the NBA President set up the Governing Council of the fora for approval by NEC.

Establishment of New Fora

2.30 NEC approves the establishment of three new fora namely: (i) the Corporate Counsel Forum; (ii) the Law Officers Forum; and (iii) the Lawyers with Disability Forum, each to deal with issues concerning, and cater to the peculiar interests of, members who fall within these special interest groups and to engender diversity and inclusion in the affairs of the NBA. NEC further approves the membership of the Governing Council of the new fora as announced by the NBA President.

Young Lawyers Permanent Observers at NEC

2.31 In order to further engender inclusion, NEC approves that the appointment of 10 young lawyers as announced by the NBA President as Permanent Observers at all NEC meetings during the term of the current administration of the NBA, pending such time that the NBA Constitution is amended to allow for young lawyers to be appointed into NEC as members.

Ratifications

2.32 NEC ratifies: (a) the participation of lawyers in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and approves the partnership between the NBA and NHIS which will see lawyers and members of their families enjoy primary, secondary and tertiary health services at a deeply discounted rate of N15,000 per annum. NEC further ratifies that in order to test-run the scheme, NBA should pay the health cover premium for 1,000 eligible lawyers selected from across all branches of the NBA; and (b) the setting up of an NBA Help Desk within the CAC to address the service level issues being faced by lawyers pending such time that the current challenges at the CAC are holistically or satisfactorily dealt with.

Further information

Further information on the above resolutions, including details of other matters discussed, and resolutions passed, at the said NEC meeting can be found in the minutes of the NEC meeting which will be circulated to NEC members, a copy of which will be available for inspection at the NBA Secretariat from 1st July 2021.

Dated this 25th day June 2021

……………………………

OLUMIDE AKPATA
NBA PRESIDENT

………………………………..

JOYCE ODUAH
GENERAL SECRETARY

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Jun 26, 2021
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Comments Off on AGC REGISTRATION: YOUNG LAWYERS TO PAY 80K IF …

AGC REGISTRATION: YOUNG LAWYERS TO PAY 80K IF …

Barring any last-minute change of mind, young lawyers will cough out N80,000 to attend the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA-AGC) scheduled for Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to a schedule of fees obtained by CITY LAWYER, young lawyers will pay N80,000 for in-person attendance at the conference should they fail to register via the early bird and regular windows.

Lawyers of 6-10 years post-call will pay N120,000 as late registration while those of 11-15 years post-call will pay N140,000 late registration for in-person attendance.

There are strong indications that the conference will be a hybrid event, as the schedule contains options for in-person and hybrid attendance.

The Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) had at the recently concluded NBA-NEC Meeting in Abuja proposed the last of week of October as the date for the 2021 AGC. The committee is chaired by former NBA Port Harcourt Branch Chairman, Mr. Victor Frank-Briggs. It was unclear at press time whether the committee has put a seal of finality on the schedule.

The full schedule of fees is available at this link:

https://citylawyermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/NBA-AGC-2021-Conference-Fees.pdf

EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 28, 2019
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MIXED REACTIONS, AS AGC KICKS OFF

As final technical sessions hold today

The 2019 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference (AGC) took off on a bumpy note as some delegates swore that not much has changed from the hiccups that attended past exercises. While some delegates poked holes in some aspects, others heaped praises on the organisers. Notwithstanding a late start, the opening ceremony lived up to its billing as a favourite for most delegates.

Though NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN was on ground last Friday to assure delegates that distribution of conference materials would commence at 9 am when the week-long conference was billed to take off, some delegates complained of delay in commencement of the distribution exercise.

Said Olaoye Olalere: “Reporting from material collection center. Organisers not ready for us but the President has addressed members that they will start distribution by 9am. Fingers crossed!” He stated later: “Reporting from the same location as earlier, no distribution of materials yet. We don’t know when the distribution will start or whether the materials are at locus yet.”

Another delegate Cyprian Akao also aligned with Olalere, saying: “Collection is very disorganized.”

Olalere however stated at 9: 46 am that “the materials distribution has commenced, and it’s going on smoothly now.”

Others agreed with Olalere that the distribution was without hitches. Former NBA Lagos Financial Secretary Marian Jones said: “Seamless! Impressive.” On her part, Bar-man Amaka Aneke said: “Sleek and Smooth.” NBA Lagos Branch Publicity Secretary added his voice to the praises when he said: “Distribution is still ongoing seamlessly.”

Giving an indication that the distribution exercise may have been fraught with challenges, newly appointed NBA-NEC member Bob Ijioma said: “It ain’t easy asking learned people to be orderly during registration and collection of materials at the AGC today. Thanks to all TCCP and LOC Members. We put in a great job. Thank you President Paul Usoro, SAN and My Lady Mfon Usoro.”

Alluding to the torrid time the organisers had in managing the crowd on day-one, Mrs. Usoro especially hailed newly elected NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Yemi Akangbe for lending a helping hand, saying: “Lagos Chairman was superb at crowd control today at Harbour Point. Good job, Yemi.”

However, when CITY LAWYER visited the Harbour Point on Saturday, the cubicles were virtually deserted, with delegates trickling in to collect their conference materials. The cubicles were marked according to States while some States were merged.

But the aides said no notebooks were supplied contrary to the checklist, while assuring delegates that the brochure would be given to them during the technical sessions commencing today. However, a partner in one of the leading law firms whom CITY LAWYER met attempting to collect his conference materials was unable to do so as his name was not listed. He was advised to visit the nearby Secretariat to have his name tag printed to enable him collect the materials.

One of the aides also told CITY LAWYER that they had a hectic time processing delegates on Friday. This may not be unconnected with the fact that all delegates in the five branches in Lagos were repeatedly urged by the organisers to endeavor to collect their conference materials on Friday.

While the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) had deployed many channels to publicize the AGC programme, indications emerged at the weekend that some communication gaps persisted. For instance, some members of the TCCP had to escalate posts on several whatsApp platforms to alert delegates that they need not wear wig and gown to the AGC Thanksgiving Service which held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos. Wrote Chukwuka Ikwuazom, TCCP member and former NBA Lagos Branch Chairman: “Good evening colleagues, following inquiries from members about the dress code for the Church service, we wish to clarify that members are not required to wear their wig and gown to the service. Many thanks.”

This challenge also manifested in relation to the Welcome Cocktail hosted by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba. As feelers of a change of venue filtered in, one Azeezat Omolara quipped: “So the welcome cocktail venue has been changed from City Hall to Harbour Point which is better 7pm today (sic). Any confirmation for the above?”

In fact, a delegate called CITY LAWYER to complain that he was at City Hall for the event but met the place under lock. A post had however trended earlier in the day stating that “Please be informed that the NBA Conference Cocktail venue has been moved to Harbour Point by 5pm today.”

If the change of venue caught some delegates napping, the Welcome Cocktail itself left a sour taste in the mouth of many delegates. Comparing it with similar events, Omoniyi Onabule said that “Lagos Bar does better cocktail,” adding: “Na water men de sip. I haven’t seen this in my life.”

Another delegate Oliver Omoredia said: “Drinks finished before anything started. Nawa for this cocktail. May the rest of the events not be like this cocktail.” Yet another delegate, Awoyomi Damilola added cryptically: “I was disappointed.”

However, Omoredia urged the delegates to move over to the Friendship Centre – which was unveiled after the welcome cocktail – to shrug off their disappointment. His words: “Friendship centre was more like it!!! Bovi is so funny.”

Held at the high-profile Eko Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel & Suites, the opening ceremony was attended by heavyweights in the legal sector including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad; newly re-appointed Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami; International Bar Association President, Mr. Horacio Bernardes Neto and several Bar Leaders. This was followed by a surfeit of breakout sessions.

Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Copyright 2018 CITY LAWYER. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 23, 2019
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Welcome to Lagos…, Muoka Beckons AGC Delegates

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka pens a moving welcome note to delegates of the 2019 Annual General Conference

Compliments.

It gives me great joy to welcome you to Lagos – the host city of the 59th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association.

Lagos is a cosmopolitan city, a cauldron where all things mesh. It has verve, swag and an energy that is contagious. It is welcoming… alluring…and accommodating.

Welcome.

Whether you are a first-time visitor, or a returning voyager…Lagos smacks you right in the face and wakes you up. If you can stay long enough…you fall in love and become a Lagosian!

In recent years, Lagos has become a regular host city for the NBA Annual Conference – touted as ‘the largest gathering of lawyers anywhere’. And yet each time the Conference comes round to Lagos again, there is something different and fresh.

This year, the NBA President and Executive Committee, the hard-working members of the Conference Planning Committee and the Local Organising Committee have gone to great lengths to plan a rich and rewarding one week event. There is something here for everyone. The theme – “Facing the Future” – is quite ambitious. It is also very topical, and timely.

The Conference opens today with a Juma’at Service at 1.30 pm at the Lagos Central Mosque (for the Muslim faithful) followed by a Reception at Harbour Point . The Christians will have a Multi-Denominational Service at 9.15 am on Sunday at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina.

Health and fitness freaks will be able to showcase their skills (and their track suits) tomorrow (Saturday) at the 10Km Health Walk which starts as early as 7.00 am at Harbour Point. The Conference Programme includes a Football Tournament between various Branches of the NBA (my home Branch – Lagos – is the favoured Team), and a Golf Kitty at the Ikoyi Club Golf Section (what is your handicap?). So you can (literarily) come and ‘try yourself’!

Most conferees will come in on Sunday…either by air or land. Please make your way to the Harbour Point on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, to pick up your conference materials. There will be an NBA – National Executive Committee Meeting (for NEC members) at 12 noon on Sunday at Harbour Point, and a Welcome Cocktail at 5.00 pm at the City Hall, Lagos Island for all conferees. Of course, for the merry at heart, the traditional Formal Opening of the Friendship Centre will take place at 7.00 pm at the Harbour Point.

The formal Opening Ceremony holds on Monday morning at 9.00 am at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel, Lagos. With the array of distinguished guests, and the much-anticipated Keynote by Mr Horacio Bernardes Neto – the President of the IBA, you do not want to miss it. The technical sessions are wide and yet incisive – cutting across almost every area of practice and interest. A rich bouquet of 41 Sessions and 206 Speakers over a 3 Day-period.

And it is not just ‘all work, and no play’. The organisers have put together a very rich and diverse social programme that caters to every taste and interest. From the ‘Fela and the Kalakuta Queens’ Musical on Monday evening at 7.00 pm at the Convention Center, to the President’s Dinner on Tuesday night, and ending with the Pop Music Concert on Wednesday Night – there is something on, every night.

In addition, there are plenty of hosted side-events – already scheduled are the Lagos Branch ‘Jersey Party’ at 7.00 pm on Tuesday night (some people are yet to recover from the Lagos Party at the 2018 Conference in Abuja), and the Ikeja Branch Party on Wednesday night. Indeed Wednesday night will be ‘bloody’ with the Abuja and Port-Harcourt Branches (known for their convivial hospitality) also rolling out the drums (and green bottles). So make sure you pack your dancing shoes…and blue jeans (or visit the shops when you arrive).

The Conference ends on Thursday with the Annual General Meetings of the 3 Sections – SBL, SLP and SPIDEL – at 9.30 am, and the NBA Annual General Meeting at 12 noon, all holding at Harbour Point, followed by the Communique and Press Conference. The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (Clasfon) will then send off conferees with a Dinner at 6.00 pm – themed ‘Help All The Way’.

Friday morning will see conferees hugging, shaking hands and wishing each other ‘safe journey’ back home.

Whew, it promises to be one whirlwind week – and it starts today.

We salute the conference planning team, and you, as you come.

Lagos awaits you.

Ekaabo…Nnoo…Sannu,

Warm regards,

Alex N. Muoka
Former Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch (2013-2015)
Former Secretary, NBA Lagos Branch (2011-2013)

“Let’s be the change we desire…”

Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Copyright 2018 CITY LAWYER. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use

EDITOR'S CHOICE
May 21, 2019
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AGC: ‘WHY WE CAN’T RELEASE RATES NOW’

Prof. Ajayi is not a paid consultant

There are strong indications that the inability of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) to agree on the rate for international delegates at its last meeting in Lagos is delaying official release of the fees for the 2019 Annual General Conference (AGC).

An impeccable source within the TCCP told CITY LAWYER at the weekend that the need to attract more international delegates to the conference has necessitated more brainstorming on the matter.

“We want to attract more African delegates to the conference,” he said. “Some stakeholders are of the view that the proposed $500 rate is rather high and may discourage international participants. So, we are still consulting on the appropriate rate. That is why we cannot release the AGC rates now.”

Given that $300 is now the advertised rate for international delegates, it was unclear at press time whether the debacle over the fee for this category of participants has now been resolved.

According to the ranking TCCP member, other rates have however been agreed upon by the committee. “The committee resolved to address the fears of lawyers,” he said. “This led to very lively brainstorming among committee members and made the meeting to be long drawn.” NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN had while inaugurating the committee assured delegates of a “pocket-friendly” conference.

CITY LAWYER had reported that there was anxiety among the legal community on a possible hike in AGC fees as the committee met last Thursday.

The TCCP member however told CITY LAWYER that the committee would retain the 2018 rates, even as 25% discount has been extended to 1-10 years post-call lawyers on early bird rates to allay fears of a prohibitive AGC fees regime. The advertised rates on the 2019 AGC website are as follows:
1-5 years – ₦20,000.00
6-10 Years – ₦30,000.00
11-15 Years – ₦40,000.00
16-20 Years – ₦60,000.00
Above 20 Years – ₦100,000.00
Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Honourable Attorneys General, Benchers – ₦200,000.00
Magistrates – ₦50,000.00
Honorable Justices, Honorable Judges, Grand Khadis, Khadis – ₦75,000.00
Senior Citizens (Lawyers age 75 years and above) – ₦50,000.00
Non-Lawyers – ₦100,000.00
International Delegates – $300.00

When discounted for the early bird window, lawyers of 1-5 years post-call will pay N15,000 while those with 6-10 years post-call will pay N22,500.

Asked whether the rates are commensurate with the AGC package, the committee member answered in the affirmative. He said that apart from the huge overhead cost in delivering a world-class conference, each delegate would be given a “convertible, all-purpose” conference bag containing flash drive, charger, calendar “and other freebies.” CITY LAWYER also gathered that the committee is negotiating with some manufacturers and outlets to avail delegates with shopping vouchers with which to purchase items at discounted rates. “We want the delegates to have a feel of this year’s conference,” he emphasized. “But I can tell you that tablets are gone for good.”

“This is the first TCCP that has two chairmen,” he added. “This is informed by the need to deliver a world-class conference and ensure that members do not have any complaints whatsoever.” It is recalled that former NBA Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) Chairman, Mr. Olumide Apata was recently co-opted into the committee. He was not in the original 42-member committee inaugurated by Usoro on January 18, 2019. The NBA-SBL has carved a reputation for organizing seamless conferences.

The TCCP member said that registration for the AGC would commence this month, even as he assured that the draft budget is ready and would be presented to the next NBA National Executive Committee (NBA-NEC) meeting in June for approval. This is notwithstanding the “anticipatory approval” given to the committee at the last NBA-NEC in March.

On the controversy surrounding the appointment of Eventful Nigeria Limited as the “event planner” for the conference, the committee member argued that no member raised eye brows when the matter was discussed by the committee, adding: “Even when we asked the lady (Eventful) to leave the meeting briefly, nobody raised any issue. If any member had issues with the appointment or had special skills that would have made such appointment unnecessary, he or she should have said so when the matter was debated. That would have even led to more cost efficiency. However, we are lawyers; we are not event planning experts.”

Also speaking on the concerns being raised on the appointment of former TCCP Chairman, Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi SAN as a “consultant” to the committee, the member said the controversy was unnecessary. “The fact is that no TCCP member is being paid,” he said. “In fact, we use our own money to fund the activities of the committee, paying for our flight tickets and lodging among others. This is not in the public domain.

“Prof. Ajayi is not a paid consultant. It was decided that due to his privileged status as a former TCCP Chairman, he should be given a special title as ‘consultant.’ That is all. How much can you pay such a person?”

It is recalled that Usoro had while inaugurating the committee said: “The composition of this year’s AGC TCCP comes with some innovations and exciting bonuses. First is the selflessness of all the Committee members. I spoke with each of the 42 members and they all committed to serve on the Committee at minimal, if any, cost to the National NBA purse as it relates in particular to their transport and accommodation for Committee meetings. That is exemplary, and I cannot thank them enough for this commitment and sacrifice.”

This year’s conference, the 59th edition, is scheduled to hold between 23rd and 29th August, 2019 at Eko Hotel & Suites as well as Harbour Point, Ikoyi. The theme is “Facing the Future.” A provisional AGC programme has been uploaded on the conference website. However, the accommodation details are still reflecting the schedule for the 2018 conference held at Abuja.

Copyright 2018 CITY LAWYER. All materials available on this Website are protected by copyright, trade mark and other proprietary and intellectual property laws. You may not use any of our intellectual property rights without our express written consent or attribution to www.citylawyermag.com. However, you are permitted to print or save to your individual PC, tablet or storage extracts from this Website for your own personal non-commercial use.

EDITOR'S CHOICE
May 16, 2019
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AGC: FEAR GRIPS LAWYERS OVER FEES

AS TCCP MEETS TODAY

There is palpable anxiety within the legal circles as the Technical Committee for Conference Planning (TCCP) meets today to determine the fees for this year’s Annual General Conference (AGC).

The “proposed fees” which were presented to members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Executive Committee (NEC) at their meeting in March have been viewed by many lawyers as prohibitive. The TCCP also seems divided on the appointment of a Consultant and an Event Planner for the flagship conference.

CITY LAWYER gathered that till date, the committee has been working without a budget, even as it continues to make payments for some of the AGC activities.

According to a member of the committee who spoke on condition of anonymity, “I can tell you unequivocally that there is no budget yet at the TCCP. There is also no information on the package for which the AGC fees have been proposed. This issue was raised at the March NEC Meeting but till date, nothing has been done.”

The TCCP member said that “part payment” has been made for EKO Hotel & Suites which is the main venue for the AGC. Other venues being considered to host some AGC events are Nigerian Law School and the highbrow Harbour Point in Ikoyi.

Querying the appointment of a “Consultant” for the conference, the member said that the NBA “has never used a consultant to organize its AGC,” adding, “What is the fee for the consultant?” Prof Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN was appointed “Consultant” by NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN. The member stated that the Consultant has been sparsely attending TCCP meetings.

The TCCP member also carpeted the committee for hiring an “event planner” for the conference, saying that former NBA General Secretary, Chief Phillip Umeh kicked against the plan during the March 28, 2019 NEC Meeting in Abuja. “We have colleagues who can discharge these duties,” the member said. “But instead TCCP is using an event planner.” Eventful Nigeria Limited is the designated event planner for the conference. It has been alleged that such event planners are often used as conduits to siphon AGC funds. The allegations remain unproven.

The member stated that it was such alleged profligacy that led to the current NBA debt over-hang in excess of N50 million, with AGC arrears forming the bulk of the debt. It is also recalled that NBA is yet to redeem the 2018 AGC Raffle Car Prize won by Rabiu Ayuba, a lawyer.

Asked whether the appointment has been firmed up, the member said: “The event planner has been attending meetings, thereby siphoning NBA’s scarce resources. Everything is shrouded in secrecy.”

Reputed as the largest gathering of lawyers on the African continent, the AGC has often been beset by hiccups and occasional scandals. The NBA does not seem to have gotten a handle on the logistical nightmares posed by its flagship conference, with the result that every succeeding year has witnessed a litany of complaints by participants.

CITY LAWYER recalls that former NBA presidential candidate, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu (SAN) had in a May 14, 2018 letter to former NBA President Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) called for a reduction in the 2018 AGC fees. He wrote: “At the NBA NEC meeting Kano, all the speakers (including me) spoke in support of a reduction of the conference fees and Mr. President graciously directed the TCCP not to impose fees more than that of 2017.

“Mr. President may need to guide the TCCP further on this especially on the amount to be paid by lawyers under 10 years for the early bird. There is need to review the rate of 2017 further down especially as members have rejected the use of tablets for the 2018 conference. While everything should be done to support a high standard conference, everything must also be done to reduce the burden on members. Our members are really seriously complaining.”

According to the proposed schedule of fees, lawyers who are 1- 5 years post-call are to pay a humongous N25,000 for early bird; N40,000 for regular fee and N60,000 for late fee. For 6-10 years, the fees are N35,000 for early bird; N50,000 for regular and N80,000 for late fee.

Lawyers who are 11-15 years post-call will pay N50,000 for early bird; N65,000 for regular and N90,000 for late fee. For 16-20 years post-call, the fees are N70,000 for early bird; N85,000 for regular and N100,000 for late fee, while for 20 years post-call, the fees are N100,000 for early bird; N150,000 for regular and N250,000 for late registration. For Senior Advocates, Attorneys-General and benchers, a flat N250,000 applies.

The inability of TCCP to generate a budget upon which expenditures are made seems to be a recurring decimal. Regarding the 2018 AGC, Ojukwu, a former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, wrote: “Mr. President expressed surprise during his remarks at the NEC meeting that the TCCP did not submit a budget for the conference. It would be very necessary that this anomaly be rectified as an urgent action Sir to conform to Section 21(c) of our constitution and the principle of openness, transparency and accountability. In fact it is only by providing a budget shall we be able to assess the conference costs by determining what is necessary and reasonable cost we must incur at this time of members’ serious economic difficulties.”

Ojukwu had also queried the absence of the accounts for the 2017 AGC, saying: “At the Uyo NEC meeting of November 2017, the TCCP Report of the Annual General Conference was deferred to the next NEC meeting. See the Para 9.1 of the NBA NEC minutes of 28th Feb-2nd March 2018 at Ilorin.

“That 2017 account was not rendered at the Ilorin NEC or at the recent Kano NEC. It seems to me that this is a fundamental omission. I missed the matter earlier otherwise. I would have drawn your attention to it.”

A source told CITY LAWYER that there are no records at NBA House on the 2017 and 2018 AGC. But there are strong indications that the 2018 AGC Committee led by Mr. George Etomi presented accounts showing that N1.2 Billion was spent on the conference.

An attempt by Ajayi to present the 2017 AGC Report at Uyo NBA-NEC was truncated as NEC members demanded a more detailed breakdown. CITY LAWYER however learned that the accounts ran into troubled waters when Ajayi discovered that some National Officers who were also TCCP members allegedly incurred over N70 million hotel bill on “Bar Leaders,” claiming that was “the tradition.” The source said that while about N1.4 Billion was raised by the committee, the bulk of which was through Ajayi’s goodwill and hands-on marketing, the entire sum was allegedly frittered away. Ajayi was said to have sought a budget ceiling of N800 Million, with the remainder ploughed into NBA coffers. It was unclear at press time whether this has stalled the report. A member of the 2017 TCCP committee however told CITY LAWYER that members never made input into the draft committee report as it was not circulated to members.

The AGC fees were first jerked up in 2017 by almost 100%, with young lawyers who hitherto paid N8,000 compelled to pay N20,000 as “early bird” fee prior to a reduction by the NBA-NEC. Onsite registration was pegged at N25,000 for young lawyers. The hike was attributed to the introduction of tablets as a part of the AGC package. But some lawyers claimed that the tablets were of inferior quality. 2018 fees saw young lawyers in year 1-5 bracket cough out N20,000 each. Unlike 2017 when tablets were dangled as a bait, no such package was included. N25,000 has been proposed by TCCP for young lawyers for this year’s registration, even as the package remains unknown. However, the AGC portal http://nbaconference.com/loader/register_home.php records N20,000 as the early bird fee payable by young lawyers. But registration is yet to commence. 6-10 years post-call fee is N30,000 and 11-15 years post-call fee is N40,000. 16-20 years post-call is pegged at N60,000 while above 20 years post-call is set at N100,000. Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Honourable Attorneys, General Benchers are to pay an early bird fee of N200,000 while Magistrates pay N50,000. Honorable Justices, Honorable Judges, Grand Khadis, Khadis will pay N75,000 while another category tagged “Senior Citizens (Lawyers age 75 years and above)” is to pay N50,000. This category was introduced in 2017.

While inaugurating the 42-member AGC committee, Usoro had especially assured that the AGC fees would be “pocket-friendly.” His words: “In my discussions with the Committee, I have impressed on them the expectations of our members for the best and most memorable Conference in 2019, both in terms of content and in being pocket-friendly vis-à-vis the conferees and the Conference output. I have in that wise extracted the commitment of the Committee, through its Chairman, that the 2019 AGC will live up to those billings. As National Officers, we are mindful of the promises that we made to our members in my Inaugural Address and we shall strive to keep and live by those promises in the planning and hosting of the 2019 AGC.”

He also emphasized that the NBA-NEC must approve all the activities of the committee, saying: “The Committee would report directly to me and would, as required obtain specific approvals from NEC for its assignments.”

NBA Publicity Secretary Kunle Edun again echoed this commitment in a press release when he said: “At the last NEC meeting of the NBA held in Abuja in Abuja on 28/3/2019 the TCCP Chairman presented the Committee’s report to NEC. NEC approved the report and members will be advised soon on the conference fees, which would be pocket friendly.”

The TCCP is chaired by renowned lawyer, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode MFR. It remains to be seen whether the committee will retain the current regime of fees even in the absence of any significant package for conferees and in light of shrinking opportunities for lawyers.

EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 27, 2018
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AGC: Human Rights Book Takes Centre-stage

A seminal human rights book written by celebrated human rights activist, Chief Frank Agbedo will be the cynosure of all eyes at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) Annual General Conference due to its rich content.

Titled ‘Human Rights Litigation in Nigeria,’ the incisive treatise on human rights litigation is based on the provisions of the 2009 FREP Rules, with current case law.

It is available for sale at major book stands at the conference venue from 26th to 31st August, 2018.

Get your copies at special conference prices. Contact Wunmi on 08138544435 or 08029145314 for more information.

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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Aug 16, 2018
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Casa Rerri Set to Thrill AGC Delegates

Casa Rerri Boutique Hotel is a 4-star hotel located at the upscale Asokoro district of Abuja. The terrace hotel offers sundry mouth-watering freebies anchored by a 24-hour front desk. It boasts of superb air conditioning system, daily housekeeping, garden, front desk safe, laundry service, pool bar, meeting room, concierge services, continental breakfast, Wi-Fi services, and free parking among others. Continue Reading

NewsPress

NewsPress

AGC RIOT PROBE: C’TE CALLS FOR MEMORANDA

AGC BAGS: C’TE STARTS PROBE, INVITES MEMO FROM LAWYERS

AKPATA REGIME BOYCOTT: EGBE AMOFIN ‘DISOWNS’ AKINTOLA

AKPATA: ‘WHY AKINTOLA, YOMI ALIU MUST FACE SANCTIONS’ – OMIRHOBO

‘WHY I’M RETURNING AGC FUND,’ BY EX AKURE BRANCH CHAIR

‘OLANIPEKUN, BODY OF BENCHERS CHAIR PRIVY TO PACT TO BOYCOTT NBA,’ SAYS AKINTOLA

• SAYS ‘SORO SOKE BOYS AND GIRLS’ BETRAYED PACT

ANXIETY, AS ODUAH, OLANIPEKUN ISSUES MAY TOP NBA-AGM TODAY

• ODUAH KEEPS MUM, BATTLES TO SECURE CTC OF COURT ORDER
• PRESSURE ON AKPATA TO STEM ANTI-OLANIPEKUN PROTESTS
• LAWYER ASKS NBA TO RESCIND NAMING OF NBA BUILDING AFTER AKEREDOLU

NBA-AGC: SPIDEL HOLDS AGM, PARLEY ON UNDERMINING JUDICIARY TODAY

AGC-LOC LAUNCHES HISTORIC CONFRENCEPEDIA

TCCP-AGC UNVEILS ‘WHOVA’ AS CONFERENCE APP

HOT OFFER: AFFORDABLE AGC HOTELS BECKON IN LEKKI

‘NBA CAN’T REMOVE OLANIPEKUN AS BENCHERS’ CHAIR,’ SAYS OJO

‘10,877 DELEGATES HAVE REGISTERED FOR AGC,’ SAYS TOBENNA EROJIKWE

AGC: EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION CLOSES SUNDAY

EDE ASENOGUAN BIDS NBA-SLP DELEGATES FAREWELL FROM ASABA

SAFIYA BALARABE ACCLAIMS NBA BENIN ON LAW WEEK

JUSTICE ODILI RAID: GADZAMA WANTS CULPRITS PUNISHED, HAILS NBA

GADZAMA TO CHAIR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYERS’ FORUM LAUNCH

AGC FEES: NBA-NEC COMMUNIQUE CONFIRMS CITY LAWYER REPORT

AGC REGISTRATION: YOUNG LAWYERS TO PAY 80K IF …

MIXED REACTIONS, AS AGC KICKS OFF

Welcome to Lagos…, Muoka Beckons AGC Delegates

AGC: ‘WHY WE CAN’T RELEASE RATES NOW’

AGC: FEAR GRIPS LAWYERS OVER FEES

AGC: Human Rights Book Takes Centre-stage

Casa Rerri Set to Thrill AGC Delegates

AGC

• SAYS ‘SORO SOKE BOYS AND GIRLS’ BETRAYED PACT

• ODUAH KEEPS MUM, BATTLES TO SECURE CTC OF COURT ORDER • PRESSURE ON AKPATA TO STEM ANTI-OLANIPEKUN PROTESTS • LAWYER ASKS NBA TO RESCIND NAMING OF NBA BUILDING AFTER AKEREDOLU

• ODUAH KEEPS MUM, BATTLES TO SECURE CTC OF COURT ORDER
• PRESSURE ON AKPATA TO STEM ANTI-OLANIPEKUN PROTESTS
• LAWYER ASKS NBA TO RESCIND NAMING OF NBA BUILDING AFTER AKEREDOLU