CALL TO BAR

SENIOR ADVOCATES ASK OLANIPEKUN TO QUIT OVER LPDC PROBE

A coalition of leading senior lawyers, civil society activists and users of court services under the aegis of Justice Reform Project (JRP) has added its voice to the growing call on the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN to resign.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had asked the former NBA President to recuse himself from the seat to pave way for an unfettered investigation of its petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against the foremost senior lawyer and other partners in his law firm.

In a statement obtained by CITY LAWYER, the group comprising over 20 senior advocates and other justice sector reform advocates urged Olanipekun to “step down” from his position as BoB helmsman, adding that such move would be a mark of honour.

It said: “JRP takes the position that the learned silk ought to step down from his position as Chairman of the Body of Benchers to enable investigations to be concluded with the requisite confidence. This should have predated the steps taken by the NBA and subsequent public commentary. Such an action on his part would not be a mark of culpability, it would be a matter of responsibility and honour. In his exalted position, he should ordinarily be instigating such a complaint.”

The body decried Olanipekun’s failure to recuse himself, saying: “The learned silk’s continued stay in office is, consequently, an indiscretion which will come at a cost to the integrity of our profession. The tribal sentiments being stoked by senior members of the bar are not helpful. Neither are allegations of witch-hunting or ulterior motives.”

The JRP also berated the BoB Chairman for the alleged “innuendos” in his speech during the recent Call to Bar ceremony, saying that that has only reinforced the call for his resignation.

According to the group of justice sector reform advocates, “On a related note, the innuendos in the learned silk’s speech at the Call to Bar ceremony, suggesting that opposing views were indicative of a ‘pulling down syndrome’, can only reinforce the call for his resignation, even though a formal complaint against him has not been lodged.”

It commended the Olumide Akpata-led NBA for its position on the saga, saying: “The NBA, and its leadership, must be commended for taking a bold step in upholding the standards of our profession, even in circumstances involving a man who commands an enormous amount of respect from the entire profession. This is the true test of our will to revive our dying profession and, all of us, including the learned silk, have a responsibility to put the profession first in circumstances like this.”

The JRP added that “The NBA leadership has done its job. Their actions have marked a new era in the enforcement of ethical standards in the legal profession and we must all stand behind the NBA to ensure the integrity of our profession.”

CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report cited a searing complaint by an apparently embittered senior lawyer and former Minister of Energy and Petroleum ministries, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia SAN where he referenced an email to the oil company from Ms. Adekunbi Ogunde, a Partner in Wole Olanipekun & Co, and demanded an apology from the law firm. The firm apologized for the debacle and disowned the Partner.

JRP was set up in February 2019 with membership cutting across senior and junior lawyers, civil society activists and users of court services interested in reform of the justice system.. The group co-hosted the recent Justice Sector Summit. CITY LAWYER gathered that the JRP is an offshoot of the G20 group of senior advocates who in mid-2019 at the peak of the controversy surrounding the removal of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, issued a statement saying they “feel embarrassed and deeply concerned by the recent events surrounding the suspension of Honourable Justice W. S. N. Onnoghen as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.”

Among the signatories to the Onnoghen statement were Messrs Ebun Sofunde SAN, Kayode Sofola SAN, Kola Awodein SAN, Ademola Akinrele SAN, Eyimofe Atake SAN, Olufunke Adekoya SAN, Oluwafemi Atoyebi SAN, Yemi Candide-Johnson SAN, Olasupo Shasore SAN, Babatunde Ajibade SAN, Osaro Eghobamien SAN, Babatunde Fagbohunlu SAN, Wemimo Ogunde SAN, and Jibrin Okutepa SAN. Others Messrs Olumide Sofowora SAN, Ernest Ojukwu SAN, Olatunde Adejuyigbe SAN, Adewale Olawoyin SAN, Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN and Oyesoji Oyeleke SAN.

More recently, the JRP brought a lawsuit at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to restrain President Muhammadu Buhari from appointing as judges, 21 persons recommended to him by the National Judicial Council (NJC), saying that “it is concerned about the dysfunctional justice system in Nigeria.”

It was unclear at press time whether all the senior advocates that endorsed the Onnoghen Statement are still members of the JRP, moreso as Okutepa has criticized the approach adopted by Akpata in seeking Olanipekun’s recusal while Ogunde is the father of Ms. Adekunbi Ogunde, the partner in Olanipekun’s law firm who has been dragged to the LPDC by NBA.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 22, 2022
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  • Comments Off on MAXIMUS UGWUOKE LAUDS 2008 LAW SCHOOL SET ON ANNIVERSARY

MAXIMUS UGWUOKE LAUDS 2008 LAW SCHOOL SET ON ANNIVERSARY

Mr. Ikechukwu Maximus Ugwuoke, an aspirant for the position of Welfare Secretary at the 2022 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections has congratulated the 2008 Call Set of the Nigerian Law School on their anniversary celebration.

The statement reads:

MAY YOUR STARS CONTINUE TO SHINE

“I congratulate my learned colleagues who were called to the Nigerian Bar with me this day in May 2008 as we celebrate our 15th call to bar anniversary. That eventful journey of destiny which brought us together at the various campuses of the Nigeria Law school from our admission into the law school in 2007 to our call to the bar in May 2008, brought about the most transformation in our lives as ministers in the temple of Justice.

“In the course of my visit to the various branches of the Nigerian Bar Association across the country in the past few months, I have been opportuned to meet and interact with some of us especially those that passed through Abuja Campus of the Nigerian Law school with me.

“I am happy with the level of success and achievements we have so far recorded in our various endeavors within this one and a half decade since we dispersed. Our paths are never closed as we shall continue to meet at the top to celebrate our success and God favours upon our lives.

“May your stars continue to shine as worthy ambassadors of the 2008 call set where ever you are. May God continue to keep you, preserve you, bless you and lift you to greater heights. Bon Anniversarie. “

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GUY IKOKWU: 61 YEARS A LAWYER

Prominent senior lawyer and Second Republic politician, Chief Guy Ikechukwu Ikokwu who died last Wednesday was admitted to the Bar 61 years ago. A fiery activist and elder statesman, Chief Ikokwu would be remembered for his fiery interventions on national issues. CITY LAWYER dug into the archives for his profile which is presented below.

Date of Birth: Tuesday (Eke) 28′” September, 1937
State of Origin: Anambra Local Government Area: Idemili South
Village/Town: Oba
Contact Address: ‘Isu Lodge’ Oba Idemili South L.G.A
4, Ezinifitte Close, New Haven Enugu 10 Johnson Street, Surulere, Lagos Contact
Telephone: 234-1-2882099, 234-42-451463

Chief Guy Ikechukwu Ikokwu is top Legal Icon, a grassroot motivator and mobilizer, a decent politician and strong builder of relationships. Guy is known for his organising ability and as a man who is able to hold forces together and cement relationships for greater collective and individual achievement. Guy descended from an ancestry background with gifts to build up community solidarity and progress. His father was a powerful tool of unity and under whose leadership many Igbo people rallied together for unity in Port Harcourt of the Colonial days.

Education
• St Cyprian’s Primary School Port Harcourt 1943 1950
• Baptist High School Port Harcourt 1950 1956
• Norwich Polytechnic London. 1957
• North Western Kentish Town London 1957- 1958
• Holborn College of Law London, 1958 1959
• University College London
• Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, London University 1961 1962
• Concurrently at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London Qualifications
• LLB (lions) London
• LLM, London
• BL of the Middle Temple London

Membership of Professional Associations
• Member, Nigeria Society of International Law
• Member Nigeria Bar Association – Financial Secretary of the Association 1975 1977

Political Exploits
• Student Activist and Member of Movement for Colonial Freedom under Late Lord Fenner Brookway 1950 1960
• Member and later President in 1960 of Nigeria Union of Great Britain and Ireland. London Branch Life President West African Student’s Union Britain 1961 1963 Member and Officer of Committee for African Associations – a Pan-African Movement for the Liberation of Unity of African Countries 1960 1963 Director of Overseas Press Service (OPS) 1967 1970 as a way to protect his people and project their view points during the gruesome war against them.
• Founding Member and National Legal Adviser of Nigerian People’s Party- NPP and became its Stale Chairman in the old Anambra State 1980-1983
• Member of Steering Committee of All Politicians’ Summit which culminated in the Summit of 1995. He was also a Member of G. 34 Association for the Restoration of Democracy and against self-succession of Sani Abacha in 1998
• He formed with a group of others the People’s National Forum (PNF) which eventually joined other groups to form the big People Democratic Party-(PDP) and subsequently became its Lagos Co-ordinator. Became a member of the Steering Committee of the PDP Anambra State in 1998 and in 1999. he became once again, the State Chairman of the Party .
• A Peace-loving gentleman who will stop at nothing to achieve that, he was the founding member of the Committee for the Unity and Understanding (CUU). This was to build a bridge across the Niger and Benue Rivers for better (1986-1999)
• Member of OHANA EZE NDI-IGBO – a socio-cultural association of Ndi Igbo for awareness and unity and advancement.
• A founding member of IZUNWANNE FOUNDATIONS – the Cultural Association to foster a better Nigeria Polity 1990 1999.
• At various times, he had been a founding member of Southern Leaders Forum for harmonization of issues of concern in Nigeria Polity and Promotion of Democracy and True Federalism and NADECO 1995.

Business Links
• A member, Board of Directors Aba Textile Mills Plc, 1976 and 2000
• Chairman of Governing Council of Federal College of Education, Obudu, Cross River Stale Nigeria

He is honoured with the title OMENIFE. This great and clean politician is married with four children.

SOURCE: Blerf’s Who is Who in Nigeria https://blerf.org/index.php/biography/ikokwu-guy-ikechukwu/ 

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Sep 16, 2020
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  • Comments Off on CALL TO BAR: ‘WE RECORDED OVER 70% SUCCESS RATE,’ SAYS LAW SCHOOL D-G

CALL TO BAR: ‘WE RECORDED OVER 70% SUCCESS RATE,’ SAYS LAW SCHOOL D-G

BY EMEKA NWADIOKE

The Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma SAN yesterday rated the leading vocational training institution highly, saying its graduates posted over 70 per cent success rate at the Bar Final examinations held last January.

In his address at the Call to Bar ceremony held yesterday, Chiroma traced the “humble beginning” of the school in 1963 “with 8 students at its one block Campus at 213A, Igbosere Road, Lagos,” and observed that “the Nigerian Law School has grown to a six-Campus Institution spread across the country with a yearly intake of well over 6,000 (six thousand) students as stated above.”

A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), the Law School chief executive said that the school has enjoyed unbroken academic sessions in its 58-year history, attributing the feat to “the insistence of the Council of Legal Education on the good character of the students as a condition for both admission into the Law School and recommendation for Call to the Bar.”

Chiroma stated that while 1,779 of the 2,515 candidates who sat for the Bar Finals scaled the hurdle, five of the candidates or 0.2 per cent bagged First Class Honours. Seventy-six (3.06%) candidates received Second Class Upper grade while 633 (25.17%) candidates were graded in Second Class Lower rank. Another 1,065 (42.43%) candidates recorded a Pass grade.

His words: “These figures translate to 70.86% success at the Bar Final Examinations. I wish to assure all of you that we shall remain the gate keepers of our noble profession. As Teachers and Administrators, we will continue to uphold the standard and integrity of the Bar.”

Chiroma stated that the knowledge “acquired and expressed” by candidates “brings great joy to the entire Nigerian Law School Community,” adding: “After your Call to the Bar, you will become new wigs of the Nigerian Bar and proud members of our noble profession. I rejoice and congratulate you all for your hard work, dedication and steadfastness. To all our proud parents, guardians and relations, I invite you all to share in the success and joy of these candidates we are celebrating today.”

On the contributions of the Law School to national development, Chiroma noted that both the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice among others are all alumni of the school, adding that “It is also significant to note that a large number of members of other tiers of government in the country are products of the School.

“The school has also contributed to the training of the legal man-power for our sister African countries like the Republic of the Gambia, the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Cameroun. A number of countries from East and West Africa have visited the Law school to solicit information and assistance on the establishment and development of the Law School in their various countries. As reported in my address to your distinguished body at the last Call ceremony the Nigerian Law School received a high powered delegation from the Law Development Centre, Uganda, who were in Nigeria on bench marking and working visit to the Nigerian Law School and more of such collaborations have continued to come.

“Products of the School have commanding presence in other spheres of public and private sector such as the Ex-Military, Police, Customs, Immigration, the Oil and Gas sector, Banking and Finance, Insurance and the Corporate world in general, Professors/lecturers in the Universities and other tertiary institutions. Some of these products have achieved profound feat of getting to the top of their career nationally and across borders.”

Chiroma thanked President Muhammadu Buhari “for all the proactive measures taken aimed at curbing the spread and eradication of the disease in our dear country.” Turning to Malami, the Law School Director-General said: “May I at this time respectfully seek the leave of Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the Body of Benchers, to thank our supervisory Ministry – the Federal Ministry of Justice headed by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, Life Bencher for the support always given to us as an institution.”

Showering encomiums on the Council of Legal Education chaired by leading litigator and Bar Leader, Chief Emeka Ngige SAN for its oversight, Chiroma said: “I will also wish to thank the Chairman and Members of the Council of Legal Education, our parent body for their support and guidance at all times.

“The same appreciation goes to the Chairman and members of the Body of Benchers for their constant support and encouragement. I must also mention the Secretariat of the distinguished body for its co-operation with us at all times. Not even the COVID-19 pandemic could hold your body from discharging your primary and essential duties with the usual and huge cooperation of the Council of Legal Education and staff of Nigerian Law School.”

Chiroma congratulated Mr. Olumide Akpata for his victory at the poll while thanking the immediate past NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN “for his contribution to the Nigerian Law School, Nigerian Bar Association and the Legal Profession in general.”

Among those admitted to the Nigerian Bar at the ceremony held at the Eagle Square, Abuja was veteran Nollywood actor, Mr. Kanayo O. Kanayo MFR.

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