COMMUNIQUE

CHRISTIAN LAWYERS WARN INEC, JUDICIARY ON 2023 ELECTIONS

Lawyers under the aegis of Christian Lawyers Association of Nigeria (CLASFON) have warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the 2023 General Elections are free, fair and credible.

The group also called on the judiciary to ensure that it is not used to scuttle the nation’s democratic experience, urging it to shun frivolous lawsuits aimed to derail the elections.

Rising from its President-in-Council Meeting held at Bible Guest House, Ilupeju, Lagos, CLASFON, in a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, said: “As the 2023 elections draw closer, CLASFON calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to take every step to ensure a free, fair and credible election in line with the provisions of the extant Electoral Act. CLASFON enjoins INEC to display the highest level of fidelity to the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act and reject every attempt by political actors to hijack or derail the election process.”

Continuing, it called on the judiciary “to live up to its expectation as a bold, just and independent institution and as the last hope of the common man by acting as a watchdog of Nigerian Constitution and electoral law in ensuring that the will of the people is not thwarted. The Judiciary should be resolute and should not hesitate to dismiss frivolous suits with no value other than to scuttle the electoral process to avoid a repeat of the sad and unfortunate experience of 1993 when the courts were used to prepare the ground for the infamous annulment of the June 12 Election.”

Signed by Prof. John Akintayo and Precious Nwadimuya, CLASFON’s President and National Secretary respectively, the statement also decried the insecurity ravaging the country, saying: “CLASFON is worried about the increasingly alarming and pervasive incidence of insecurity in Nigeria. While commending the efforts of security personnel saddled with the duty of securing Nigeria, CLASFON joins other well-meaning Nigerians and groups to call on the Federal Government to restructure its security architecture.”

It stated that “the Nigerian Government should not merely declare that Nigeria is safe and criticise the travel advisories released by the diplomatic missions of some countries in Nigeria, including the United Kingdom and the United States, but it must ensure that all tiers of government act with caution and take concrete and measurable steps to adequately protect the citizens and other residents of Nigeria. CLASFON calls on all relevant security agencies to brace up and discharge their constitutional and legal mandates since no country can thrive or develop amid insecurity.”

Below is the full text of the communique.

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CLASFON DECRIES OWO KILLINGS, ‘WEAK’ CHARGE ON DEBORAH’S CASE

The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) has condemned the recent killing of worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State. 

In a communique made available to CITY LAWYER after its President-in-Council meeting in Calabar, the body also decried the filing of “weak charge” filed against suspects in the murder of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto.

Below is the full text of the communique.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Nov 15, 2021
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  • Comments Off on CIARB NIGERIA WANTS PARTIES THAT SHUN ARBITRATION CLAUSES PUNISHED

CIARB NIGERIA WANTS PARTIES THAT SHUN ARBITRATION CLAUSES PUNISHED

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK (Nigeria Branch) held its Annual Conference at Ibadan, Oyo State from 3rd to 5th November, 2021. Below is the text of the communique issued after the highly successful annual conference.

Communiqué of the Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK (Nigeria Branch) held at the Hall of Grace Jogor Event Centre, Ibadan, Nigeria/online from the 3rd to 5th November 2021

Introduction:
Over 600 delegates and about 50 speakers from all over the world registered and participated in the annual
conference physically and virtually at Jogor Event Centre, Ibadan, Nigeria and online with the Conference
theme of “Future perfect: Securing Africa’s ascent on the global ADR stage”.

The Annual Conference of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators UK (Nigeria Branch) held at the Hall of Grace
Jogor Event Centre, Ibadan, Nigeria/online from the 3rd to 5th November 2021. The program commenced
with the Young Members Group Conference on the 3rd of November and continued until the 5th of November. Various events including an opening session, two plenary sessions, eight parallel sessions and one Oxford style debate alongside other events like networking breakfast, gala night and golf tournament were part activities within the period.

The Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Seyi Makinde declared the conference open, and the keynote
address was given by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, His Excellency
Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.

In the Course of the Three (3) days conference with the delegates and speakers discussing the theme of the
conference, with the following sessions that critically looked at the following sub themes:
– Evolving areas and practical tools for practitioners
– Nigeria as a seat of international arbitration – a closer look.
– IP, Data Privacy and sharing in arbitral proceedings.
– Facing moral and ethical dilemma: what would you do?
– Cyber security issues in arbitration: best practices.
– Developing diversity in arbitration: advocacy and tribunal secretaries.
– Africa Rising: Enhancing efficiency in the arbitral process.
– Insolvency and Arbitration: Dealing with post-covid disputes.
– An hour with African Arbitrator Sages: A mentoring session.
– Climate change and Green arbitration: Need for adaptation.
– Around the world in 60 minutes: Hot topics in international arbitration and mediation.
– Civil Justice and Mediation: Overview of developments in commercial mediation (Oxford Style Debate).

Which sought to address questions such as:
1. Can Nigeria be considered as a friendly seat for arbitration, does Nigerian laws and courts actively support
the arbitral process and does the country have adequate infrastructure?
2. How can a party protect its trade secrets shared during arbitral proceedings?
3. To what extent can data or other information be privileged such that it cannot be shared?
4. What are the professional obligations or duties of parties in ADR proceedings?
5. Are specialized international ethical rules needed, and if so, how would they relate to existing national
rules?
6. What are the cyber-security risks inherent in the use of technology in arbitration proceedings?
7. What are the guidelines, protocols, and rules that have been established by arbitral institutions and
professional bodies?
8. What progress has diversity brought to international arbitration?
9. How can Africa take advantage of its very pivotal role in global commerce and business to promote a more
afro-centric practice of arbitration?
10. What are the potential challenges that insolvencies induced by the evolving covid-19 pandemic, likely to
pose to arbitrations, arbitrators, and practitioners?
11. What are the aims and objectives of the green arbitration campaign?
12. What is the green arbitration pledge and protocol and how can it enhance the development of greener
arbitration in Africa and Nigeria in particular?
13. Can parties to a civil dispute be compelled to participate in ADR processes under the extant Nigerian law
and does the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the High Court laws, and the various rules of
court permit this approach?

The following conclusions were agreed upon,
ADR is increasingly being used in Africa as it is aligned with the African concept of justice. Foreign direct
investment into Africa and intra African trade is increasing in value and numbers, hence the argument for the
use of ADR is even stronger.

1. There is a need to inject new innovations and improve the overall process of ADR in Nigeria. Investors want
alternative dispute resolution methods that are efficient and affordable and the use of ADR will help to
reduce the burden on the courts and improve access to justice.

2. There is a general misconception about what arbitration and ADR is by parties and Counsel. The CIArb
Nigeria should adopt strategies to develop awareness and advocacy on the general use of ADR by
disputants.

3. There must be punitive costs on parties that resort to litigation after they have decided to submit their
disputes to arbitration via their arbitration clause. Parties who head to court rather than following the
dispute resolution clause should be sanctioned for not respecting the sanctity of the arbitration clause
mutually entered into by parties.

4. The Chartered Institute should drive the narrative on ADR in Africa because Africa’s size, geographically
and demographically is a major advantage for the continent. The major thing that stands in the country’s
way is ADR practitioners and users who refuse to retain their dispute resolution on the continent and
appoint African practitioners.

5. Factors that parties consider in choosing whether a country is arbitration friendly.
1) Look at the party’s country anti-corruption policy
2) Contractual dynamics
3) Subject matter of the dispute
4) Issue of neutrality
5) Security and
6) Need for specialized judges and not specialized courts

6. Arbitrators must ensure data protection, retention and destruction; identify the confidential data and
utilise platforms that will ensure the protection of such data.

7. Confidentiality is one of the hallmarks of arbitration and arbitral tribunals must ensure privacy especially
as sensitive information be given during the hearings, the arbitrators in such disputes must ensure that the
information is protected and kept confidential.

8. An Investment Protocol under AfCFTA will provide common protections for investors across all African
countries and provide a means of redress for settling disputes amongst private parties. It will ensure
greater certainty of investor protection as “Investment” will have the same meaning cross Africa.

9. Every player in the arbitration space must take the issue of diversity seriously, and there must be a joint
effort between all stake holders. Law firms, ADR institutions and parties should address the issue of
diversity. ADR institutions have a role to play in inclusion and diversity, the arbitral institution should put
issues of diversity into consideration when constituting arbitral tribunals.

10. Diversity in the constitution of the tribunal does not really impact on the impartiality and independence
of the arbitrators. Generally, arbitrators are supposed to be impartial and independence, so diversity is
not going to have much influence on the impartiality and independence of the arbitral panel.

11. Hard work, perseverance, dedication, continuous training and passion will assist in positioning CIArb
members for arbitration work. Mentorship and development of various schemes will be improved to
provide more opportunities for members.

12. There is need for the inclusion of arbitrators from other professional backgrounds in our membership.
Arbitral Institutions should encourage appointment of arbitrators from other professions when
constituting arbitral tribunals due to specialisation and overall competence in the determination of certain
disputes.

13. There should be diversity in the constitution of the arbitral tribunal and appointment of an arbitral secretary to ensure an all- inclusive tribunal that represents diversity such as gender, age, ethnicity, geography and such criteria.

14. The risk of cyber hacking and mishandling of confidential information is real. It is important for an
arbitrator to be aware of the necessary data protection laws and its applications to avoid personal liability
and misconduct.

15. For an arbitral tribunal to be liable for misconduct, such misconduct needs to be identified and proven.
Parties are called upon to comply with directions by the Tribunal and Members are also to ensure adherence
to professional ethics always.

16. The Green Protocols from the Campaign for Greener Arbitration primarily focuses on three critical areas
in which changes in the behavioural practices of arbitration practitioners could have the largest impact in
substantially reducing carbon emissions. The arbitration community is encouraged to:
a. Adopt clean forms of energy,
b. Reduce or eliminate long-haul travel and,
c. Minimize waste, for example by eliminating hard copy fillings altogether.

17. Arbitral institutions across Africa should provide protocols on remote/virtual hearings and support the
digitalization of arbitration to reduce the carbon footprint in the conduct of arbitrations.

18. Arbitration clauses that provide for procedural meetings and oral evidentiary hearings to be conducted
remotely or virtually should be included in drafting such agreements.

19. Access to the delivery of civil justice is enhanced when parties can voluntarily make use of all forms of
alternative dispute resolution methods particularly mediation and arbitration for both domestic and
international disputes. It is therefore important that policy makers in the judiciary and legislature support
and enhance the use of ADR in decongesting the courts and making civil jurisprudence more efficient and
accessible to parties.

Signed by:
Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN                                                      Richard Ayodele Akintunde SAN
Co-Chair, 2021 Conference Planning Committee                    Co-Chair, 2021 Conference Planning Committee

Copyright 2020 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.

  • 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

Copyright 2020 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.

  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Apr 19, 2021
  • 0
  • Comments Off on ‘OUR STAND ON JUSUN STRIKE,’ BY 5 LAGOS BRANCH CHAIRMEN

‘OUR STAND ON JUSUN STRIKE,’ BY 5 LAGOS BRANCH CHAIRMEN

The five branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos State held a virtual meeting yesterday to deliberate on the ongoing strike by Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and the directive by NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata relating to the strike.

Below is the text of the communique made available to CITY LAWYER as issued by the Committee of Chairmen after the meeting.

COMMUNIQUE ON THE DIRECTIVE OF THE PRESIDENT BY THE FIVE CHAIRMEN OF NBA BRANCHES IN LAGOS STATE ON THE ONGOING JUSUN STRIKE:

AGENDA:
1. The Chairmen of NBA Lagos, Ikeja, Epe, Ikorodu and Badagry held a meeting today 18th April, 2021 to fine tune the modalities to be jointly adopted by the Branches in effectively executing the mandate of Mr. President. The following issues were discussed:

A) Execution of the joint mandate for maximum impact in line with the mandate. After the submission of the Chairman, Ikeja Branch that all arrangements have been put in place against tomorrow by the Branch for their peaceful protest. Other Chairmen pleaded for Branches to jointly carry out the mandate as dictated in the president’s directive. The Chairman of Ikeja promised to try and convince his members against Tuesday now granted by the president for Lagos State Branches.

B) The directive dated 16th April, 2021 and personally signed by the president chronicled efforts made by our National Body and the negative effects on our members, hence, our involvement as critical Stakeholders.

C) The president’s directive enjoins NBA Branches”” to visit their state governors and demand compliance with the provisions of 1999 constitution…”

D) page 2 paragraph 1 of the directive enjoins Chairmen to effectively mobilize their members “and pay visits” to their respective state government houses on Monday 19th April, 2021 to press home the demand…”
“..at the visit, NBA Branches in each state are to present a joint written demand to their state governors”

E) At page 2 paragraph 2 of the directive which states ” The Chairmen of the NBA Branches are further requested to ensure that these visits are embarked upon every subsequent Monday until..”

The above premises formed the following resolutions:
A) That consequent upon the president’s approval for the visit on Tuesday and with the hope of Ikeja Branch joining, the Branches shall proceed with the visit to the Governor with Branches mobilising their members who shall be dressed in their official black and white.

B) Members shall converge at the Government house between 11 am and 12 pm with placards showing solidarity pursuant to our mandate. No abusive placards please.

C) Visits on subsequent Mondays shall follow the same pattern

Signed by the Chairmen of NBA, Lagos, Ikeja, Epe, Ikorodu and Badagry Branches.

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