LGA AUTONOMY: ‘WHERE ANANABA GOT IT WRONG,’ BY ADEBAYO

BY MUTALUBI OJO ADEBAYO

I just watched and listened to Professor (Paul) Ananaba, SAN on CHANNELS TV (a repeat broadcast of Sunrise Daily). All that he said were just not a gross misconception of the law but he indeed turned the law on its head with respect to the subject of the discourse.

We are talking of the local government autonomy in Nigeria because that phrase strayed and or was smuggled into the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria when it was not meant to be there in the first instance at all. It was a very wrong and misplaced insertion in the Constitution by those who hurriedly prepared and drafted the Constitution.

There is nothing like Local Government autonomy in any federalism because the component units of a federation are just 2(two) namely- (1) the Central or the National Government which we called the Federal Government in Nigeria.

In a true federalism, the appropriate name is the National Government and (2) The State Governments and or the regional governments as the case may be.

Indeed, it is the federating units or the component units in the country or in the federation that agree to come together to form a union and thus create a government at the Centre or at the National level.

“Local government autonomy was a phrase that was smuggled into the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria”

Suffice to say that in any Federation, there are just 2(two) tiers or levels of government and they are just the National/Central/ Federal Government and the State Governments.

There is nothing known as the third tier of government and there cannot be any 3rd tier or level of government known as the local government because the local government are just or mere creation of the state government for ease of governance. They merely exist at the pleasure of the state government.

Another contraption in our Constitution is the recognition given by the Constitution to the local governments which are absolutely unnecessary and anti- federalism.

State Governments have absolute and exclusive rights and prerogative to create as many local governments as they may deem fit to have within their respective states without any recourse at all to the Federal or Central or National Government.

It is the state government who is entitled and has the responsibility exclusive responsibility to administer, run and manage those local governments as they like.

I am ready to make myself available to do a further conversation on this issue which is basically the issue of federalism and not an issue of constitutionalism.

Thank you.
25th October,2022

JCI Senator Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo,
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,
Oyo State of Nigeria (2011 -2015)
Email- adebayoojo90@gmail.com

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LAW SCHOOL CLASS ’91 OPENS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

In fulfillment of its pledge to award 30 scholarships to indigent students of the Nigerian Law School in celebration of its 30th anniversary, the Nigerian Law School “Class of 1991” has invited applications from prospective beneficiaries.

A statement signed by foremost litigator and Chairman of the 30th Anniversary Planning Committee, Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN indicated that the application window closes on November 20, 2021. All applications are to be emailed to nls1991anniversary@gmail.com.

According to the eligibility criteria, each applicant must

1) be admitted to the Nigerian Law School for the 2021/2022 academic year and must be able to take up the admission;

2) be able to demonstrate a need for financial assistance by submitting a short essay of not more than 250 words explaining why he/she deserves this scholarship.

3) be able to demonstrate a career plan;

4) have earned a minimum of Second Class Honours degree.

According to Ananaba who is also the immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), “The scholarships are designed to assist indigent Law School students and to ensure that impecuniosity does not stand in the way of a Bar aspirant becoming a member of the noble profession.”

Speaking further on the forthcoming anniversary which has the Dinner & Awards Night holding on December 10, 2021 at Nigerian Air Force Mess, Kado District, Abuja as one of its highlights, Ananaba said: “It is our way of giving back to the society. Many of our class mates have made their marks in several fields of endeavour. Some of the alumni are governors, jurists, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, just name it! Ours is one of the most successful classes that the Nigerian Law School has ever produced. We are grateful to God for this uncommon grace upon our members. Another highlight of the red-carpet Dinner & Awards Night is a ‘Special Recognition Award’ to a deserving honores.”

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ANANABA HEADS LAW SCHOOL ‘CLASS OF 91’ 30TH ANNIVERSARY TEAM

Leading litigator and immediate past Chairman of Governing Council of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN has been appointed as Chairman of the Planning Committee for the 30th anniversary of his Nigerian Law School Class of 1991.

In a statement obtained by CITY LAWYER, the Leader of the Class and vocal senior lawyer, Mr. Jibrin Okutepa SAN said the appointment followed the “the power given to me to constitute a Planning Committee to plan and organise a befitting anniversary celebration.”

Reeling out the terms of reference for the committee, Okutepa said: “They (committee members) are to plan for our 30th anniversary celebrations. They have the mandate to plan and organise a befitting 30th anniversary of our call to Bar.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that Ananaba was instrumental to the resuscitation of then moribund NBA-SPIDEL. Increasingly viewed as the go-to lawyer on issues of strategy and organizational turn-around, Ananaba spearheaded two SPIDEL annual conferences within three years, taking the section from the back waters of NBA activities to its present status as one of the foremost and coveted NBA sections.

Aside from Ananaba, other members of the committee are
1) Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu SAN – Alternate Chairman
2) Aare Muyiwa Akinboro SAN
3) Dr. Soni Ajala SAN
4) Hon. Justice Muhammed Muhammed
5) Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ubua
6) Mrs. Joyce Oduah
7) Mrs. Bimbo Otahumele
8) Dr. Ezra Yakusak
9) Justin Chuwang – Alternate Secretary
10) Akeem Lawal
11) Supo Ati-John
12) Collins Boleigha
13) James Modupe Derby – Secretary
14) Sylvanus Tahir
15) Hon. Shaba Isah Ibrahim
16) Sam Kargbo.

Ex- officio members include Okutepa and former NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka.

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NBA VP HEADS SPIDEL ELECTORAL COMMITTEE

  • AS ANANABA IS SET TO BOW OUT AFTER SPIDEL REVIVAL

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has set up a 9-member Electoral Committee to midwife the next leadership for the section.

A statement by the NBA-SPIDEL Council Chairman, Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN named fiery human rights activist and current NBA First Vice President, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee. Mr. Chisom Onuoha is to act as the committee’s Secretary.

Other members of the committee are Funmi Adeogun Esquire, Godspower Edoga Esquire, Emeka Eze Esquire, Daniel Asomeji Esquire, Rabiu Ayuba Esquire, Akintayo Akinyemi Esquire, and Umoru Jibrin Esquire.

The committee has the mandate to conduct election of the section leading to the emergence of a new team to spearhead the activities of the resurgent section.

It is recalled that Prof. Ananaba has been instrumental in reviving the then moribund section after it became comatose for several years. The section – which is one of only three NBA sections – organisaed the much-talked-about Annual Conference at Aba, Abia State in November 2019.

The Ananaba Administration is on the verge of holding another landmark annual conference in Ibadan, Oyo State. Given the array of famous speakers that have confirmed participation at the conference and the strong support of key stakeholders, the conference promises to be widely attended and discussed for years to come. It is the first NBA-led in-person conference for almost two years since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The conference has as its theme, “The role of public interest in governance in Nigeria.” Registration for the conference opened early in the year at https://nbaspidel.ng/nba-spidel-conference/, while early bird registration closes on May 15, 2021.

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VARSITY APPOINTS ANANABA PROFESSOR OF LAW

Leading lawyer and Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr. Paul Ananaba SAN has been appointed Professor of Law by Clifford University.

Founded in 2013, Clifford University, Owerrinta is a newly chartered institution by the Federal Ministry of Education of Nigeria following the recommendation of the National Universities Commission (NUC). It is one of the 144 tertiary institutions owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church worldwide.

Prof. Ananaba is a member of the Governing Council and Legal Adviser of Babcock University and Clifford University. He has served as an adjunct Professor at Adventist University of Africa, Kenya and Legal Adviser for Institute of Industrial Security and Safety of Nigeria.

He is a member and Fellow of several professional institutes and associations. A much sought after public speaker, Ananaba has written several books and articles. Prof. Ananaba is a draughtsman, mediator and arbitrator with over 27 years of experience in the legal profession.

He graduated from then Imo State University, Okigwe in 1990 and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in 1991. In 2003 he received a Master of Laws degree in Legislative Drafting from the Nigeria Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Law from Babcock University, Ilishan Remo in 2016.

An Associate Member of the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), Prof. Ananaba is also a member of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN). He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration CIARB (UK) and a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NiCArb). A Notary Public for Nigeria, Ananaba is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission as a Capital Market Consultant. He was a Lecturer of Law at Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State and a visiting Lecturer/Facilitator at the Nigerian Institute of Management, Lagos.

He was a Member of the Students Representative Council, Abia State University, Uturu (1988-1989); Judge, NYSC Camp Court Wailo, Bauchi State (1992); Legal Advisor, West Central Africa Division, Seventh day Adventist Church (2016 till date); Member, Abia State Public Private Partnership Investment and Promotion Council (2017), and Member, National Executive Committee, Nigeria Bar Association (2017).

Prof. Ananaba has attended several national and international seminars and workshops as Guest Lecturer, Speaker and Facilitator. Among his several awards and recognitions are: Distinguished Award by Otu Oka Iwu (Law Society), 2014; Special Award by National Association of Polytechnic Students of Nigeria, 2015; Special Award by Nigeria Association of Adventist Lawyers, 2016; Abia State University Uturu Law Faculty Alumni Award, 2016 and Enyi Abia (The Elephant of Abia), 2018.

A ferocious litigator, Ananaba led Ukwa Ngwa lawyers in defence of former Senate President, Rt. Hon. Adolf Wabara in the suit for the position of Senate President. He also led Ukwa Ngwa lawyers pro bono in the suit at the Supreme Court against the excision of Osisioma Local Government Area from Abia South Senatorial Zone.

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SPIDEL 2019: WE HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS, SAYS ANANABA

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr. Paul Ananaba SAN has assured delegates to this year’s SPIDEL Annual Conference that they are in for a pleasant surprise as the conference kicks off today with an opening ceremony.

Speaking with CITY LAWYER on the grounds of the conference at ADDREX Hotels, Aba, Ananaba said that many of the invited guests and speakers are already on ground, adding that each delegate would have his or her money’s worth.

Meanwhile, among the early bids cited by CITY LAWYER at the conference are Mr. Abiodun Aikhomu, a Special Adviser representing Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN; Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Onuoha Ogwe; Solicitor General of the Federation, Mr. Dayo Apata SAN; Justice Livingstone Eruba of Abia State High Court; former NBA General Secretary, Mr. Olumuyiwa Akinboro SAN; former NBA Section on Business Law Chairman, Mr. Olumide Akpata; former NBA Treasurer, Joyce Oduah who is sponsoring some delegates to the conference, and Mr. Okey Leo Ohagba, former NBA First Assistant Secretary.

Basking in the euphoria of the successful welcome cocktails hosted by Abia State Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uche Ihediwa, Ananaba said: “We are expecting a grand opening ceremony. The Attorney General & Minister of Justice’s (Abubakar Malami SAN) representative and his team are here already; the Chief Judge of Abia State and the Governor of Abia State and a few other governors expected are going to be there. We have some senior advocates of Nigeria from all parts of the country and very senior lawyers, former chairmen of sections and branch chairmen; it is going to be great here.

“You could see that even the welcome cocktail was described glowingly by one of the attendees, a veteran from the beginning of SPIDEL. He said that SPIDEL has never had a night like this! As I speak to you, two state delegations are on their way coming – one from Kano and one from Jos (Plateau), coming to join us. That is the spirit! And we are expecting that to be on display tomorrow morning (today).”

Speaking on the success of the welcome cocktails, the SPIDEL Chairman said: “It surpassed expectations – even my own expectations: live band, pool side, the two sets of caterers had varieties; people had their best expectations met.”

It is recalled that the opening ceremony starts by 9 am today and will witness the Conference Planning Committee Chairman and former NBA First Vice President, Mr. Ikeazor Akaraiwe giving the welcome remarks while Ananaba will deliver the opening remarks.

Goodwill messages will be received from former NBA President, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN; pioneer SPIDEL Chairman, Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama SAN, and Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Chief Chibuike Nwokeukwu SAN. NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN will deliver his address, setting the stage for Malami’s Keynote Address. This will be followed by the Conference Opening Speech by Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and a cultural interlude by the Abia Cultural Troupe. A vote of thanks by SPIDEL Secretary, Mr. Kola Omotinugbon will draw the curtains on the opening ceremony.

Among the 16 technical sessions for the much anticipated conference which signals the resurgence of SPIDEL are Public Interest Lawyering, Global Best Practices and Development; Executive Orders as Tools of Governance – Prospects and Challenges; Public Protest and the Law, and Managing Security Challenges and Public Interest Issues.

Others are Business and Human Rights: Global Principles and Best Practices; Alternative Dispute Resolution: Utilizing Institutional and Legal Strategies for Managing and Resolving Companies-Host-Communities (C-H-C) Conflicts; Promoting the Rule of Law; Roles and Perspectives of Attorneys General as State Actors; Implementation of Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019: The Role of Civil Society Organizations and Legal Community, and The Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Interest Litigations.

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