BWARI

EXCLUSIVE: ‘WHY NEW NBA BRANCHES HAVEN’T TAKEN OFF,’ BY AKPATA

Immediate past Nigerian Bar Assocaition (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata has declared that the three new branches created by the NBA National Executive Council last June could not take off due to technical issues.

Akpata told CITY LAWYER in an exclusive interview that the branches were approved “in-principle” by NBA-NEC and subject to the creation of judicial divisions in the domains by the Judiciary.

He stated that the new branches could not take off until incumbent NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN issues a directive to that effect.

According to the erstwhile NBA helmsman, “NEC approved the new branches subject to the creation of judicial divisions in those areas. The Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has delivered on his commitment in that regard. We are now waiting for the Chief Judge of Lagos State to fulfill his commitment, too.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that former NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN had on September 9, 2018 launched the Nyanya Judicial Division of the court, paving way for the take-off of the NBA Nyanya/Karu Branch. However, the new “branch” or Nyanya/karu Lawyers Forum has been embroiled in a leadership tussle between two factions.

Five members of the forum had dragged its factional Chairman, Mr. Austine Ibolo to Chief Magistrate Court Karu following a Direct Criminal Complaint application, accusing him of criminal Misappropriation contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code. The application was signed by Mr. Festus Osimhen and brought pursuant to Section 110(1)C, 88(1) and 89(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. It was unclear whether Ibolo was eventually arraigned following the complaint.

The members had also accused Ibolo of being a ‘sit-tight leader, adding that while he was elected as Chairman of the forum for 2019-2021 election cycle, he has refused to leave office, claiming that the tenure of NBA chairmen ends in September.

CITY LAWYER gathered that the fierce fire-fight between the factions may have discouraged Akpata from issuing the all-important letter to convoke the new branch.

It was also gathered that it was on the strength of the firm commitments by the respective chief judges to create the relevant judicial divisions that Akpata canvassed establishment of the new branches by NBA-NEC.

The Chief Judge of the High Court of FCT has now created the Garki Judicial Division of the court which is to be unveiled on October 6, 2022, paving the way for the take-off of NBA Garki Branch.

All eyes are now on the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba to also fulfill his commitment to create the Yaba/Surulere Judicial Division to enable take-off of the new NBA Surulere Branch. This will set the stage for NBA President to issue a directive for the inauguration of the branches.

It is recalled that the National Executive Council had during its quarterly meeting in Ilorin approved a split of the erstwhile NBA Abuja Branch or Unity Bar into two as well as the creation of a new branch in Surulere. While Abuja Branch was retained, two additional branches were created. Aside from Abuja, Bwari and Gwagwalada branches, the new ‘branches’ are Nyanya/Karu Branch and Garki Branch.

Speaking on the rationale for the creation of the branches, Akpata had said: “Two more branches were created in addition to Abuja, Bwari and Gwagwalada. The main faction of the old Abuja Branch was retained, as Abuja Branch. The second faction is now Garki, and a third was created to give an NBA forum in Nyanya the status of a Branch.”

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‘CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA IS A CHARISMATIC SERVANT-LEADER,’ SAYS AHMED YUSUF

I hereby declare my unalloyed support for Chukwuemeka Clement Ugo (Servant Chairman) aka Democrat who’s vying for the post of 2nd Vice President of the NBA.

My official and personal relationship with Chukwuemeka Clement Ugo dates back to 2019 – 2021 when he was the Chairman of Bwari Branch and I was then the Publicity Secretary. I dare say that he is a gentleman to the core and a consummate Bar Man with class and panache.

While he was Chairman, both of us had cordial and robust relationship; he was very passionate about the Branch. He exhibited exemplary and all-inclusive leadership; his administration brought about various positive reforms that made Bwari Branch the darling branch as far as FCT is concerned.

Clement is NOT a greenhorn as far as NBA politics is concerned. I have no doubt in my mind that if given the opportunity to serve as the 2nd Vice President of the NBA, he will bring his vast experiences to play and set fantastic precedents for his successors.

Gentlemen, I present to you, the charismatic Chukwuemeka Clement Ugo as the right man for the job.

AHMED TIJANI YUSUF, ESQ
FORMER PUBLICITY SECRETARY, NBA BWARI BRANCH

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GADZAMA STORMS NBA BWARI DINNER, MAKURDI, BENIN BRANCH

FEATURED 

J-K WE KNOW! – JOE-KYARI GADZAMA, SAN JOLLIES WITH THE NBA BWARI BRANCH (CRADLE BAR), RECEIVES AWARD OF HONOUR AT HER 2022 LAW WEEK DINNER

It is often said that the fondest memories are made around the table, and what makes a table feel like home is when it is shared with those you consider family. Perhaps, taking a cue from the aphorism, the jovial Bar Patriot, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN on Wednesday, June 9, 2022 joined the members of the NBA Bwari Branch at their Annual Law Week Dinner.

The event which was attended by many members and executives of the Branch, Elders of the Bar, former executives, Young Lawyers’ Group, J-K Gadzama LLP and Women’s Group of J-K Gadzama LLP, came alive with the opening remarks of the NBA Bwari Branch Chairman, Mr. Monday Adjeh who amongst many other things thanked the attendees for deeming it necessary to take out the time to wine, dine and dance with their colleagues at the Nigerian Bar. He recognized the presence of Past Branch Chairmen, Elders and the Director-General of the Nigerian Law school ably represented, reiterated his thanks and appreciation and urged everyone to feel free and have a good time.

The master of ceremony, thrilled the audience to a good laugh and hearty cheers with a comedy performance and an interactive game session. Highlight of the event was the opening of the dance floor by the Chairman of Branch. Other members and executives then joined him on the dancefloor in the euphoria of merriment. The jovial Learned Silk, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN then stepped in with his friends including, Mr. Mohammed Monguno, (Former Attorney-General, Borno State, Former Chairman NBA Maiduguri Branch), Mr. Darligton Onyekwere, (Partner, J-K Gadzama LLP). As the Learned Silk’s presence was announced, members of the Cradle Bar welcomed him with hearty cheers of “J-K we know!”.

The Learned Silk and Bar Patriot in his usual gleeful demeanor took to the dancefloor with his vintage moves and more lawyers joined in the thrill of the moment with more chants of “J-K we know!”. Mr. Chukwuemeka Clement, fondly called Democrat (Former Chairman, NBA Bwari Branch) welcomed the Learned Silk and led him to his table.

The dinner which had been scheduled as a closing ceremony for their 2022 Law Week which began on June 3, 2022, coincidentally marked the one year anniversary since the Learned Silk, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN christened the Branch as the Cradle Bar.

Attendees were treated to a sumptuous delicacies after which awards were presented to some members of the Branch for their outstanding service and contributions to the growth of the Nigerian Bar, Bwari Branch. Amongst many others, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN was also presented with an award of honour. Receiving the award from Mr. B.O Nafagha, (Former Chairman, Bwari Branch), the Learned Silk thanked the leadership and membership of the NBA Bwari Branch and urged them to continue to make laudable feats towards achieving the Nigerian Bar of their dream.

The dinner came to a close with concluding remarks from Mr. Paul B. Daudu (Chairman, 2022 Law Week Planning Committee) who thanked everyone for their time and support.

J-K GADZAMA SAN JOINS THE BENIN BRANCH (LION BAR) FOR THEIR MONTHLY MEETING

Learned Silk, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN on Sunday, June 12, 2022 alongside his friends including Prof. Paul Idornigie, SAN, (Board Member, Janada International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation) Prof. G.L Umoru (Head of Business Law, Igbinedion University, Okada), Mr. Patrick Ediale, (Former Branch Chairman, Unity Bar) Mr. Godswill Iyoke, Mr. Francis Oronsaye (Managing Partner, J-K Gadzama LLP) and Mr. Victor Ehiosun (Counsel, J-K Gadzama LLP and Member, Young Lawyers’Group, J-K Gadzama LLP) joined the members of the NBA Benin Branch, (Lion Bar) at NBA Bar House, for their branch meeting.

The Chairman of the Branch, Mr. Pius Oiwoh, welcoming the Learned Silk, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN and his entourage charged members of the Lion Bar to cede the floor to the Learned Silk who wanted to make a formal address.

The Learned Silk, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, thanked the members and executives of the Benin Branch for giving him the opportunity to be part of the august occasion. He recognized all the executives of the Lion Bar reiterating his gratitude to them for always allowing him to be a part of the Branch. He then spoke to the crowd on the reason for his visit.

Addressing the attendees, the seasoned Bar Patriot explained that the Lion Bar was dear to his heart because they had always shown unwavering commitment to the course of the Nigerian Bar and produced some of the finest lawyers he had worked with. He said, “Edo State has produced Managing Partners in our office overtime. Our former managing partner, Mr. Henry Oseriemen Michael-Ihunde is from here and even the current managing partner is also from here. So, I am more or less back home, and I am very happy to be here with you. The Nigerian Bar Association is one that is dear to our hearts and we will continue to uphold its course as lawyers, democrats and God-fearing citizens of Nigeria. I have the requisite experience and I know what ideas to implement to take the Nigerian Bar to higher heights. Your brother, Mr. Olumide Akpata has done fantastically well. This is even the more reason why you need someone to continue to build on the legacy. I do my best in my individual capacity to proffer solutions to the challenges of the Bar. I believe in mentorship and empowerment of Young Lawyers. I also believe in gender equality. As a matter of fact, female lawyers form about 65% of the workforce in my office. All I ask is for a platform to do this at a National level and serve the interest of the Bar. My loyalty is only to the Constitution of the NBA, the Nigerian Constitution and God the Almighty. Thank you”.

The attendees gave the Learned Silk a resounding ovation with cheers of “J-K is okay”.

J-K GADZAMA, SAN JOINS THE SPEAKER BENUE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, CHIEF JUDGE OF BENUE STATE, PRESIDENT, BENUE STATE CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, CHAIRMAN NBA MAKURDI BRANCH AND MEMBERS OF THE NBA MAKURDI BRANCH AT THE THANKSGIVING SERVICE OF THE NBA MAKURDI BRANCH 2022 LAW WEEK

On Sunday, June 5, 2022, Learned Silk, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN and his entourage including Mela Audu Nunghe, SAN(Former. Chairman Abuja Branch), Steve Abar ( Former. Vice President NBA, Former. National Assistant Secretary), Ganny Ajape (Former. National welfare Secretary of the NBA), Samson Samson Gotom (NBA Jos Branch Secretary), Jerry Ombugadu Musa ( Financial Secretary Unity bar, Abuja and Junior Partner, J-K Gadzama LLP), Victor Ehiosun (Counsel J-K Gadzama LLP), Love Chukwumerije (Counsel J-K Gadzama LLP), Esther Oduh (Counsel J-K Gadzama LLP), and Ogwuche Roseline (Counsel J-K Gadzama LLP), joined the thanksgiving church service of the NBA Makurdi Branch 2022 Annual Law Week at St. Dominics Catholic Church, Sachi presided over by Very Reverend Father Michael Murphy CSSP.

The occasion which was graced by several dignitaries including Hon. Justice Aondover Kaka’an( Chief Judge Benue State), Hon. Justice Cosmos A. Idye (President, Benue State Customary Court of Appeal), Rt. Hon. Titus Uba (Speaker Benue State House of Assembly) and Justin Gbagir, Esq ( Chairman NBA Makurdi branch) received a robust attendance as many members of the NBA Makurdi Branch were in attendance fully robed.

The Priest in delivering his sermon admonished everyone on the importance of thanksgiving to God Almighty for the many seen and unseen gifts he bestows on everyone. The Priest, speaking to the lawyers asked them to keep the hope of the lower social class alive by ensuring that they always lend their voice to justice.

After the sermon, the thanksgiving procession began, followed by prayers were made for the members of the NBA Makurdi Branch and benediction.

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