‘UDUAK AND NBA LAGOS BRANCH: WE STAND BY OUR STORY’ – CITY LAWYER

Our attention has been drawn to statements issued by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch wherein the Executive Committee demanded that CITY LAWYER “immediately withdraws the publication regarding Ms. Uduak and issue public apology failing which the Executive Committee of NBA may take legal action in defending the reputation of the Branch.”

The Executive Committee has variously described our report as a “misleading statement” and “careless publication.” We firmly reject this characterization.

Following up on its coordinated and frenzied attacks on CITY LAWYER and Mr. Emeka Nwadioke, its President and former award-winning journalist, the Executive Committee unleashed its officers and acolytes to impugn our character and the report.

It is a measure of the leadership diminution within the once hallowed branch that a member of the Executive Committee has been hounding our President via infantile direct messages such as “You are warned to cease and desist from spreading horrible rumours;” “When pride comes, then comes disgrace …;” “The Branch has prevailed over you triumphantly already!” Discerning stakeholders cannot but wonder whether this has become a popularity contest between CITY LAWYER and the Executive Committee or simply a case of whether a news report is factual or otherwise. Other Executive Committee members have chosen to characterize the report as “false” or to read non-existent motives into it.

Consistent with its misguided quest to ‘triumph’ over CITY LAWYER and its President, the Executive Committee, against settled principles, chose to constitute itself into both judge and jury, stating that “City Lawyer did not make any attempt to contact any member of the Executive Committee of NBA Lagos Branch in order to verify the facts before going ahead to publish false statement against the Branch. This, we believe, should not be condoned.

“Consequently, Emeka Nwadioke will be removed from all NBA Lagos related platforms, and City Lawyer posts will now be disallowed going forward.” This premeditated decision has been effected by the Branch leadership. At least one activist-lawyer has offered to legally challenge pro bono this apparently oppressive behaviour.

It is instructive that CITY LAWYER made an effort to interrogate the subject of Ms. Adams’ welfare with a member of the Executive Committee. This ultimately proved abortive.

Though the Branch leadership had publicly stated that “The Executive Committee will liaise with the National Welfare Committee of the NBA to ensure the welfare of Ms. Uduak,” the sad and pathetic tales Ms. Adams told CITY LAWYER amid heart-rending sobs clearly indicated that either nothing was being done in this regard or that sufficient traction was not being gained on such efforts. It was very clear to us that Ms. Adams was in considerable distress and trauma, with a deep-seated feeling that her case was not getting the desired attention and traction. She was unwavering in her assertion that, more than two weeks after the incident, she had not received any financial support from the Nigerian Bar Association (including NBA Lagos Branch) to defray her sundry medical bills.

Ms. Adams painted a vivid picture of a hapless survivor who had been left in the lurch. Notwithstanding the strenuous and orchestrated defence put up by the Branch leadership, it has failed to rebut this assertion. Instead, it was very convenient to attack the messenger! Indeed, in the aftermath of the needless brouhaha that has attended our report, CITY LAWYER has become aware that the survivor escalated her desperate condition to other public-spirited lawyers! However, we shall keep our gunpowder dry.

Equally instructive is that, in the aftermath of the CITY LAWYER report, the Branch leadership had sought to throw Ms. Adams under the bus in a desperate face-saving gambit. While we are unable to provide more details at this stage, we state that the Branch leadership cannot approbate and reprobate. It must walk its talk and follow through on its commitment to “liaise with the National Welfare Committee of the NBA to ensure the welfare of Ms. Uduak.” No amount of ill-advised attempt to muzzle accountability and Free Speech will suffice.

We believe that NBA Lagos Branch, which prides itself as the poster-child of NBA, should manage its media relations function better. Sadly, it chose to deploy a shock-and-awe stratagem instead to muzzle the messenger.

This hugely disappointing conduct notwithstanding, CITY LAWYER has continued to thread a higher moral ground in the circumstances. Given that our report was fundamentally an interview with Ms. Adams, what the Branch is entitled to is a “Right of Reply.” Aligning with global best practice, we have published the rebuttal issued by the Branch leadership, shorn of the litany of ad hominem attacks that have become the common thread in this matter.

It is highly instructive that the Branch leadership had gratuitously labelled our report as “false.” What it has spectacularly failed to do till date is provide any proof to rebut the factual basis of our report. Indeed, Ms. Adams has not denied either granting us an interview or repudiated any scintilla of assertion made in the report. Clearly, playing to the gallery must have limits!

While we concede that the new Branch leadership is still learning the ropes, it must quit its ‘campaign mode’ and quickly settle down to what matters most – members’ welfare. Need we remind the Executive Committee that it, perhaps characteristically, was conspicuously absent at the recent burial of its member, Late Mrs. Ijeoma Chizoma Oparanozie, who died in very tragic circumstances. Again, while other individuals and entities have been very upbeat in trying to seek compensation for her estate vis-à-vis possible medical negligence, the Branch leadership has been ominously silent on the subject. If the leadership turns a new leaf today, it would be doing itself and the Branch members a world of good.

We thank all stakeholders who have called to offer pro bono legal services and to pledge their solidarity with CITY LAWYER. We assure you all that this has buoyed our commitment to the pursuit of probity and lawyers’ welfare.

For the avoidance of any doubt howsoever, we stand by our report.

Thank you.

MANAGEMENT
CITY LAWYER

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‘WE ARE NOT PROBING NJC SCRIBE,’ SAYS BODY OF BENCHERS

The Body of Benchers (BoB) has stated that it is not investigating the Secretary of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Mr. Ahmed Gambo Saleh for alleged payment to a contractor.

Citing a CITY LAWYER report on the issue, the BoB stated that “at no point did the Body of Benchers cause an investigation to be carried out against the Secretary of the National Judicial Council as reported,” adding that “Indeed the Body of Benchers does not have the jurisdiction to carry out such an investigation.”

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER and signed by its Secretary, Mr. Daniel Tela, the apex regulator of the legal profession added that “the statement to the effect that the Body of Benchers will, at its meeting slated for 29th September, 2022 discuss the report of a Committee on the subject is unfounded and incorrect.”

The full text of the statement reads:

RE: BODY OF BENCHERS PROBE NJC SCRIBE OVER N800M PAYMENT

The attention of the Body of Benchers has been drawn to an online publication by the CITY LAWYER alleging that the Body of Benchers is investigating the Secretary of the National Judicial Council, Ahmed Gambo Saleh, Esq on payments made to a Contractor.

Consequently, I am directed to make necessary clarification to the effect that at no point did the Body of Benchers cause an investigation to be carried out against the Secretary of the National Judicial Council as reported. Indeed the Body of Benchers does not have the jurisdiction to carry out such an investigation.

Furthermore, the statement to the effect that the Body of Benchers will, at its meeting slated for 29th September, 2022 discuss the report of a Committee on the subject is unfounded and incorrect.

Thank you.

Signed:

Daniel M. Tela
Secretary, Body of Benchers

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ANXIETY, AS ELECTIONBUDDY KEEPS MUM OVER NBA ELECTIONS

ElectionBuddy, the Edmonton, Canada based online voting platform, has kept mum over enquiries on how it plans to ensure transparency in tomorrow’s Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections.

CITY LAWYER had yesterday sent an email to the verified email address of the company as well as to the social media handles of some of its ranking officials.

However, while the email was not returned as undelivered and the post to the company’s Messenger handle indicated “seen,” CITY LAWYER did not receive any response from the company at press time.

It is recalled that the NBA Electoral Reform and Audit Committee chaired by current Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) Chairman, Mr. Ayodele Akintunde SAN had in its final report stated that “INITS’ report revealed that during the elections on the ElectionBuddy platform, there were two major challenges. The first challenge was that based on the traffic and requests for the results between the first and second hour of the elections, voters and viewers began experiencing service degradation.”

CITY LAWYER sought to know how the returnee ICT Service Provider would tackle this challenge, moreso as the number of eligible voters has doubled to about 60,000 from 29,632 in year 2020.

Aside from seeking to know the transparency features being put in place by ElectionBuddy for the election, CITY LAWYER also sought to know how the ICT Service Provider plans to deal with alleged data diddling, a charge levied by Mr. Dele Adesina SAN, one of the presidential candidates in the 2020 NBA Elections.

CITY LAWYER equally sought assurances on the safeguards being put in place by ElectionBuddy against hackers, whether there are plans for an independent third-party verification of the electoral process, the specific roles to be played by ElectionBuddy and INITS Limited in relation to their collaboration as joint ICT Service Provider, and whether any framework has been put in place to shore up the high level of undelivered credentials to voters, given that about 14,000 of the 29,632 registered voters were unable to vote during the 2020 Elections due largely to non-receipt of ballots.

Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the Electoral Committee may adopt a similar ICT architecture as the one deployed for the controversial 2020 Elections.

CITY LAWYER investigation showed that the same email address through which voters received results of the 2020 NBA Elections was deployed by ECNBA to send out emails on its “Invitation to Manifesto Day and Presidential Debate” and “ECNBA: Test Message on Elections.”

The Electoral Committee has stated that ballots for the 2022 NBA Elections will be received through the same email address. In its latest release on the election, the committee stated that “Your voting link will be sent at 12.00AM GMT+1 on Saturday July 16 to the email address & phone number registered on your profile on the NBA Portal. Please check your Inbox, Spam, Junk and Trash Folders for a message from ecnba@evm.ng for the email.”

Akintunde however told CITY LAWYER that there is no cause for worry, even as he assured that the ECNBA has scheduled its third and final briefing today at 5 pm to answer all queries from stakeholders relating to the eagerly awaited election.

The full text of the Information Release reads:

Distinguished Chairmen, Learned Colleagues

Ahead of the elections on Saturday 16th July, 2022 commencing from 12:00am, please note that there will be a stakeholders meeting& press conference holding today, Friday 15th July, 2022.

Time: 5pm
Venue: 9 Oro Ago Crescent Garki 312, Abuja FCT

For virtual participation, register using the link below: https://bit.ly/3P8Ung9

Kind Regards,
Secretary ECNBA

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NBA ELECTIONS: KAYODE BELLO ASKS ECNBA TO DISQUALIFY FELIX ASHIMOLE

Embattled Bar aspirant, Mr. Kayode Bello has written a petition to the Electoral Committee of the NBA urging it to disqualify Mr. Felix Ashimole (aka Che Oyinatumba) from contesting the forthcoming NBA Elections.

In a petition addressed to the ECNBA Secretary and copied to CITY LAWYER, the petitioner alleged that the NBA Publicity Secretary aspirant “has violated the above section of the NBA Constitution,” in reference to Section 9 (4) (b) of the NBA 2021 Constitution (as amended).

Titled “Petition to disqualify Mr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Ashimole as NBA aspirant/candidate in the forthcoming NBA election,” the petition was sent to the electoral committee via electronic mail.

He recalled the grounds for disqualification from holding any National Office, adding that a member “shall not be qualified to hold any national office in the Association if during election campaigns: (b) He/she sponsors or is associated with sponsoring a Newspaper or Magazine article or any electronic broadcast, vilifying other candidates or extolling a candidate’s virtues.”

Giving the particulars of alleged breaches by the aspirant, Bello stated that “Mr. Felix Chukwuma Ashimole operates uses and operates WhatsApp group and a website (www.kubwaexpress.com) as electronic broadcast media to promote the candidacy of Mr. Y. C. Maikyau, an NBA Presidential Aspirant/candidate, whom I have petitioned against, during these 2022 NBA elections/election processes.”

Continuing, he alleged that “Mr. Felix Chukwuma has also belittled other candidate(s) in his electronic broadcast.

“Hence, it is hereby prayed that the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association should disqualify Mr. Felix Chukwuma from holding any national office in the Association for such constitutional infractions.

“Kindly find attached screenshots of infractions by Mr. Felix Chukwuma.”

Asked whether the electoral committee had communicated him on the petition, Ashimole queried: “Why should they? A petition by a non-lawyer!”

The petition was copied to “Mr. Gadzama, NBA Presidential Aspirant;” “Mr. Laidi, NBA presidential Aspirant;” the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC), the United States Embassy and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

 

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DETAINED LAWYER WRITES NBA, DEMANDS WRITTEN APOLOGY FROM POLICE CHIEF

Hapless senior lawyer who was detained by a senior police officer for ‘coming late to an appointment’ has demanded a written apology from the police chief.

CITY LAWYER had reported that under-fire Commissioner of Police in-charge of Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) Annex, Lagos, Mr. Salisu Gyadi Gyadi had apologized to Odukale for his detention alongside his client.

But in a letter Odukale made available to CITY LAWYER addressed to Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC), Odukale stated that only a written apology will fully assuage his hurt.

While thanking the committee “for its timely intervention and solid support over this unfortunate incident within hours of receiving the complaint,” Odukale noted that “The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Salisu GyadiGyadi has personally reached out and apologized to me. I accept this gesture in this spirit of peace and reconciliation.”

In the letter dated March 16, 2022 and titled “RE: MY ILLEGAL DETENTION,” Odukale warned that “to avert a recurrence and for the protection of lawyers, I would also like a written apology from the Commissioner of Police to me, my client and all lawyers and the Association. Injury to one is injury to all.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that Odukale was detained on the orders of Gyadi for allegedly coming late to a scheduled meeting to resolve a charge of “threat to life” arising from a matrimonial dispute.

The 57-year-old senior lawyer, who was admitted to the Bar 31 years ago, stated that following former DIG Taiwo Lakanu’s intervention, Gyadi had called him severally to apologize for the debacle, saying that he was “surprised and worried when I heard about your detention by my officers.”

The police chief stated that he came to grip with the full picture of the matter during a “marathon party interview,” adding that “our main aim is to see that the parties settled.” He expressed a desire to meet with the senior lawyer “one on one” to “dialogue” with him and personally apologize over the debacle.

Odukale had thanked CITY LAWYER for putting a spotlight on his plight, saying that many lawyers and non-lawyers had called to sympathize with him. “I am happy that as a result of the report, NBA finally rose to the occasion,” said Odukale.

Odukale had told CITY LAWYER that his ordeal started when he accompanied his client to a meeting with Gyadi, adding that immediately the duo entered the meeting room, Gyadi said he would “personally sign” their detention order for coming late to the meeting.

He said that the matter revolved around a domestic violence complaint incidented by his client at the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), adding that the team referred the matter to the Adeniji Adele Police Station. He stated that a police team from the station visited the suspect, and that the suspect turned around to levy a charge that he and his client brought “thugs” to threaten him. Odukale added that “threat to life” is not an offence known to Nigeria’s jurisprudence.

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NBA LAGOS CONFIRMS EFCC PROBE OF PAST REGIME

The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch has confirmed CITY LAWYER exclusive report that the immediate past branch administration is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

CITY LAWYER had reported that the anti-graft agency had launched an unprecedented probe into the activities of the immediate past branch administration headed by senior lawyer, Mr. Yemi Akangbe.

Unimpeachable sources also told CITY LAWYER that three of the branch executives including the Branch Chairman, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna; Secretary, Ms. Nta Ekpiken and Treasurer, Mrs. Carol Obi had been grilled by EFCC operatives who demanded documentation on the previous regime’s activities following an anonymous petition against the administration.

Confirming the probe in a statement, Uwanna stated that the branch Executive Committee “is aware of an ongoing investigation by the EFCC regarding alleged procurement irregularities by the immediate past Branch Administration based on an anonymous petition.”

He also confirmed that the anti-graft agency had demanded documents relating to some transactions by the previous administration, saying: “Upon the EFCC’s request, we have made the records regarding all relevant procurement issues available to the EFCC.” He added that “We will continue to update members as events unfold.”

In a dramatic twist, the statement however described the CITY LAWYER report as “sensational,” adding that “the headline of the news report is misleading and casts aspersions on the image of the NBA Lagos Branch – an image that many have laboured so hard to build for over 60 years.”

A source within the Branch Executive Committee told CITY LAWYER that the grouse of the branch was that the report allegedly drew the current branch leadership into the debacle instead of singling out the immediate past regime as the administration on which EFCC’s searchlight is being beamed.

Copyright 2022 CITY LAWYER. Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook at https://web.facebook.com/City-Lawyer-Magazine-434937936684320 and on TWITTER at https://twitter.com/CityLawyerMag. To ADVERTISE in CITY LAWYER, please email citylawyermag@gmail.com or call 08138380083. 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.

A/COURT SCREENING: ‘I PLAYED KEY ROLE IN NJC DUMPING NOMINEES,’ SAYS CAROL AJIE

RIGHT OF REPLY

Fiery Bar Activist and former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Dame Carol Ajie has said that she contributed to the dropping of two candidates who allegedly performed poorly during the National Judicial Council (NJC) screening of the nominees for elevation to the Court of Appeal.

In a rejoinder to CITY LAWYER‘s report on the matter, Dame Ajie narrated her high-profile interventions on the controversial screening exercise, adding that CITY LAWYER did not credit her efforts as contributing to the reversal of fortunes suffered by the affected jurists.

Below is the full text of the rejoinder which was sent to CITY LAWYER.

NBA vs NJC Appellate Court Nominees: Mr Emeka Nwadioke – Unfair Reporting

As you privately twice acknowledged yesterday Saturday 20th Match I wrote self inspiringly interventionist views on the above subject many including Gambo Saleh NJC Secretary received it I I also sent it to Ms Hadiza Supreme Court Chief Registrar on my contact list via WhatsApp and email to a former CJN Mariam Muktar GCON. I believe a number of people were surprised that I backed Akpata on anything cos they had perceived I won’t and couldn’t back him.

Perhaps I don’t know the part of the real reason for NJC U Turn arose from the shocking endorsement I have Akpata though you are too dishonest to admit it in your poor article which I have trashed.

A former NBA GS who shall not be named wrote me a long whatsapp text yesterday to dump support for Akpata on this I didn’t buckle. I said Akpata is right.

I sought on my own initiative to back him that is why I wrote my interventionist text like that. If I didn’t want to back him I know how to write Read a draft of what would have appeared anti Akpata

An NBA President Akpata who never hid his aversion for the court room suddenly becomes an advocate of who a good appellate court Judge should be. Please Distinguished readers trash it. You know Akpata is conventionally greedy he has zero record on public interest chances are that as NBA President he probably had his preferential candidates who didn’t pass the mark set by CJN/NJC A transactional lawyer indeed should not be telling a CJN who is eligible for the bench when not his turf. Thank U
End

Chidi Odinkalu himself cannot file a motion he knows nothing about litigation he has no practice he was never in practice.

But why put down Akpata or Chidi they are my Brothers I said one from Midwest plus Akpata actually is UNIBEN Alum. As a Catholic Christian I said he has taken a right step let me publicly support him. That z it. As for Chidi he is my Brother I call him Brother CAO hus (sic) initials

If I wrote that anti Akpata and shared it within half an hour it would get to CJN through Ahmed Gambo.Saleh and Madam Chief Registrar SC or other sources. Trust me they will say Iroko Tree Ajie is against Akpata and she is for us CJN CR SC NJC Secretary and the fight goes on . Note there is no NBA nominee into FJSC I didn’t support Usoro and they read me and as you know CJN has not yet resolved it

My friends may not be happy with me that I backed Akpata openly I mean my friend Madam CR SC and then I am now reading a dishonest report in City lawyer magazine that failed to give credence to efforts in a struggle I courageously took part in my name on it

If you don’t know how to address me I am a Georgetown scholar I read for it on my degree certificate are the appellation Professor Scholar Juris I didn’t inherit it and as a renowned Constitutional Law lawyer I changed a few provisions in the Nigerian Constitution through documented struggles google search Carol.Ajie and Constitutional Law I have an Intl human rights certificate from Georgetown which cannot be bought with all the money in the World I worked to get my credentials Dues fully paid.

Best regards
CA

Copy Mr Akpata etc

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NBA LAGOS WRITES CJ, DEBUNKS FROSTY RELATIONS

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch has debunked claims that it has a frosty relationship with the Lagos State Judiciary.

Reacting to a CITY LAWYER report on the matter, the Branch described the report as “false and misleading,” saying it “does not represent a true record of the deliberations at our last meeting, as falsely reported.”

In an online post to branch members titled “POINT OF INFORMATION!!!” and signed by the Branch Chairman, Mr. Yemi Akangbe, he stated that the branch has written to the Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba “in reaction to the said publication.”

Former Financial Secretary and Treasurer Emeritus of the branch, Mr. Phillip Njeteneh had while reacting to the CITY LAWYER report, said: “At the last Branch meeting the Exco, learned seniors & members generally expressed their frustration at the cold shoulders given the Branch by the Lagos CJ over the offer to help and overtures of the Premier Branch over the recent destruction of courts & court facilities.”

It is recalled that the Chief Judge had also debunked any frosty relations between the judiciary and the branch, saying that he has been unable to receive the branch leadership due to overarching schedules.

Below is the full text of the chairman’s statement:

POINT OF INFORMATION!!!
Dear Seniors/ Respected Members,

I hope this note finds you well.

You must have read with concern, a recent publication of an alleged “FROSTY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR BRANCH AND THE LAGOS STATE JUDICIARY” authored by City Lawyer, a blog said to be published by Mr. Emeka Nwadioke who happens to be a member of our Branch. I believe everyone present at the last Meeting of the Branch will attest to the fact that the report was inaccurate and misleading.

It is important to mention that whilst non members are permitted by us, if considered appropriate, upon request, to attend our meetings, our Branch meetings are exclusive to our members and deliberations at our meetings are privileged. A measure of confidentiality should therefore be associated with the meetings. Further the duly adopted minutes of our meetings are the only recognized record of deliberations at our meetings. Press coverage of our meetings should only be at our instance and not otherwise. We ask that City Lawyer and all other bloggers should respect the privacy associated with our meetings.

For your information, please see below, a letter to the C.J, in reaction to the said publication.

January 20, 2021

The Hon. Justice K. O. Alogba
The Chief Judge of Lagos State,
Chief Jusge’s (sic) Chambers,
High Court Complex, Ikeja,
Lagos State.

My Lord,

RE:ALLEGED FROSTY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NBA, LAGOS BRANCH AND THE LAGOS STATE JUDICIARY.
We have read, with astonishment and amazement, the report of the allegedly ‘frosty relationship’ between the NBA Lagos Branch and the Bench in Lagos State, especially your good self.

We write to inform you that the report by “City Lawyer blog” is false and misleading and does not represent a true record of the deliberations at our last meeting, as falsely reported.

In reporting to the Branch on the progress of collaboration between the Branch and the Bench regarding the unfortunate incidents that occurred at the High Court complex in Igbosere, we made the point that we had made proposals to your office offering assistance and had requested a meeting, but had so far been unable to secure an appointment.

Further to the above, we find the report of the existence of a ‘frosty relationship’ between the NBA Lagos Branch and the Bench to be driven by a desire for sensationalism on the part of the authors.

We anticipate that the report may have caused unnecessary embarrassment and we consider this unfortunate and regrettable.

Do please accept the assurance of our highest regards and respect, as we continue to await an opportunity to meet with you.

Yours faithfully,
Yemi Akangbe
NBA, Lagos Chairman.

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NBA ELECTION: Yadudu Hails CITY LAWYER

CITY LAWYER yesterday received high praise from the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), Prof. Auwalu Yadudu. The electoral committee chairman commended CITY LAWYER for its accuracy and professionalism in reporting the troubled NBA Elections. Continue Reading