SPECIAL REPORT: 2024 NBA ELECTIONS – BEHOLD ALL THE ASPIRANTS

• MAIKYAU TO UNVEIL ELECTORAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS AT NEC

As preparations for the 2024 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections gather steam, CITY LAWYER investigation shows that no less than 36 aspirants may slug it out for the 10 available positions in the NBA Executive Committee.

Meanwhile, there are strong indications that NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN will on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the National Executive Council Meeting unveil a list of Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) members who will midwife the forthcoming elections. Members of the immediate past Electoral Committee who spoke to CITY LAWYER said that they would never return to electoral duties as ECNBA members due to the prolonged debacle over payment of vendors that handled the last elections.

According to CITY LAWYER investigation, no less than four aspirants may head to the poll for the coveted seat of NBA President, even as a question mark hovers over the qualification of at least one of the aspirants.

CITY LAWYER investigation shows that five aspirants may slug it out for the highly influential position of NBA General Secretary. The qualification credentials of at least one of the aspirants may however be tested by the NBA Electoral Committee.

The post of NBA First Vice President remains by far the most crowded so far, with at least eight aspirants vying for the position. While both posts of NBA President and NBA First Vice President are reserved for the “Eastern Zone” by NBA’s rotational arrangement now embedded in the NBA Constitution, the First Vice President takes over from the President in the event of incapacity or similar reasons.

About three former Branch Chairmen and a former Branch Vice Chairman will engage in an electoral face-off for the post of NBA Second Vice President which is reserved for the Western Zone, while at least one aspirant is aggressively ‘consulting’ for the position of Third Vice President which is reserved for the Northern Zone.

The position of Treasurer will witness a fierce fire-fight between three aspirants, even as the same number of aspirants may battle for the high-profile position of NBA Publicity Secretary. Two aspirants have already thrown their hats in the ring for the posts of Welfare Secretary and Assistant General Secretary and Assistant Publicity Secretary.

NBA PRESIDENCY
According to CITY LAWYER investigation, the aspirants who are gunning to replace incumbent NBA President are Mr. Afam Osigwe SAN, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom SAN, Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe, and Mrs. Joyce Oduah.

While Osigwe is a former NBA General Secretary and Chairman of the NBA 2023 Annual General Conference Planning Committee (AGCPC), Ikwuazom is a former Chairman of NBA Lagos Branch and current Chairman of the NBA Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC). Erojikwe, a Bencher, is Chairman of the Board of NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE) and a member of the highly influential National Judicial Commission (NJC).

ODUAH’S ARDUOUS CHALLENGE
Oduah is the immediate past NBA General Secretary and was NBA National Treasurer between 2012 and 2014. While there are concerns on her qualification credentials, this has not dampened her enthusiasm for the top job. Section 9(4)(c) of the NBA Constitution provides that “Any member who has held an elective office as a national officer for two (2) terms shall not be eligible to contest for a national office until at least ten (10) years his/her last term of office.”

EMEKA OZOANI FACTOR
The rumoured entry of ‘new kid on the block,’ Mr. Emeka Ozoani SAN into the presidential race has unsettled some political camps and permutations. Ozoani’s political profile has risen dramatically lately, especially with his high-profile donations to some lawyers who have fallen on hard times. A ranking NBA chieftain told CITY LAWYER that Ozoani had professed to him his quest to contest for the coveted seat of NBA President at least on two occasions. It was however unclear at press time whether his passion for the contest has waned, as two Bar Leaders told CITY LAWYER yesterday that the senior lawyer had informed them that he was no longer interested in the race.

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
The post of NBA First Vice President has a surfeit of aspirants including former Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) Governor, Mr. Sopriye Long Williams; immediate past NBA Enugu Branch Chairman, Dr. Jude Ezegwui; former Aguata Branch Chairman, Mr. Sabastine Anyia who earlier contested for the post of NBA Welfare Secretary; Dr. Promise Iwezor of Isiokpo Branch; Mr. Reginald Ugwuadu of Port Harcourt Branch; Dr. Gerald Abonyi; former NBA Ikeja Chairman, Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbedo, and former Yenagoa Branch Chairman, Mr. Ikechukwu Stanley Damabide.

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
The three former Branch chairmen who are gunning for the post of NBA Second Vice President are returnee aspirant, Mr. Isaac Ogbah (Ota Branch), Pius Oiwoh (Benin Branch) and Promise Ademi-Akpeto (Sapele Branch) who was disqualified during the last elections. They will however have to contend with the influential former NBA Lagos Branch Vice Chairman and current NBA Welfare Committee Member Bola Animashaun who is also interested in the position.

THIRD VICE PRESIDENT
Only Mr. Michael Olorunmola of Lokoja Branch seems to have indicated interest for the position of NBA Third Vice President which is zoned to the North.

GENERAL SECRETARY
Among those who will do battle for the position of NBA General Secretary are former NBA Gwagwalada Chairman, Mr. Isah Aliyu; Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara of Ilorin Branch; fiery incumbent NBA Treasurer, Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop of Bukuru Branch; former NBA Bwari Chairman, Mr. Abubakar Tsav, and Mr. Idris Doko of NBA Lagos Branch.

A BISHOP’S HURDLE
An NBA political watcher told CITY LAWYER that Anze-Bishop may have to surmount the hurdle of allegedly being a staff on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Section 9(3)(b) of the NBA Constitution provides that “A member of the Association shall be qualified to hold a National Office if he/she, with respect to the office of the President, 1st Vice President and General Secretary, is in private legal practice.” A source close to the embattled NBA Treasurer however told CITY LAWYER that she has been in a partnership practice for sometime now.

TREASURER
The position of Treasurer is a tripodal fire-fight between returnee aspirant, Mr. Chuks Mbamala (Enugu Branch); immediate past NBA Lagos Treasurer Carol Obi, and Blessing Udofa-Poromon of NBA Uyo Branch. However, Carol Ibharuneafe of Ikeja Branch told CITY LAWYER that she is “still consulting” to determine whether to also throw her hat into the ring.

WELFARE SECRETARY
Two returnee aspirants, Messrs Auta Nyada (Suleja Branch) and Gbemiga Adaramola (Ado Ekiti Branch) will dwell with former NBA Benin Branch Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) Chairman, Mr. Oaikhena Osagie for the position of NBA Welfare Secretary.

PUBLICITY SECRETARY
A fiery duel may ensue between former NBA Assistant Publicity Secretary Ferdinand Naza and high-profile legal bloggers Bridget Edokwe and Felix Ashimole (aka Che Oyinatunba) for the position of NBA Publicity Secretary. A source told CITY LAWYER that an initial quest for the post by incumbent NBA Assistant Publicity Secretary Charles Ajiboye may have cooled. Mr. Seth Nwokolo of Oji River Branch also told CITY LAWYER today that he has quit the race to focus on other matters.

ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY
The race for the position of Assistant General Secretary is between Henry Barnabas Ehi of NBA Bwari Branch and returnee aspirant Seun Aka of Ikorodu Branch, even as one Prince Henry Chidiabo (Onitsha Branch) is speculated to be interested in the position.

ASSISTANT PUBLICITY SECRETARY
For the position of Assistant Publicity Secretary, it may be a straight fight between Ms. Ebiere Ekpese of Sagbama Branch and Lawrence Ayewa of Udu Branch. 

The next few days and weeks will determine how the eagerly awaited elections will unfold.

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‘WHY I WANT NBA ABA ELECTORAL C’TE DISBANDED,’ BY APPELLANT

OPINION

APPEAL TO THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION ABA BRANCH APPEAL COMMITTEE AGAINST THE DECISION OF THE ELECTORAL COMMITTEE OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION ABA BRANCH.

BRIEF SUMMATION OF THE GROUSE OF THE APPELLANT

2.1 INTRODUCTION:
2.2 This Appeal is against the decision of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch published on the 16th day May 2022 upon the grounds ex facie the Notice of Appeal.

2.0 BRIEF SUMMARY OF FACT

2.1 I am a member of the Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch.

2.2 Respectfully, upon the commencement of the Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch 2022 Electoral process, I had course to carefully study the Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-Laws for Branches in order to ascertain the validity and or competence of the Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch Electoral Committee which the branch set up to conduct the election and the validity of the Notice of Election given by the said committee.

2.3 After a deep study of the Constitution of Nigerian Bar Association 2015 as amended in 2021 and the Third Schedule, Part 1 of the Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-Laws for Branches as it relates to the constitution of Electoral Committee and the validity of the Notice of Election issued by them, it became obvious that the exercise of their constitution as an “Electoral Committee” and the election they purport to carry out is illegal.

2.4 Consequent upon that, I wrote a petition to the Electoral Committee to that effect. Same was considered by them and they ruled against me which led to my appeal to this Committee.

3.0 ISSUES FOR DETERMINATION

3.1 I hereby nominate three (3) issues for determination, which are:
a. Whether the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch is duly constituted in accordance with the Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-Laws for Branches. (Grounds One and Two).

b. Whether the Notice of Election date issued by the Electoral Committee is valid taking into consideration the provisions of the Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-Laws for Branches. (Ground Three).

c. Whether the Electoral Committee is competent to fix the date of an election for a branch taking into consideration article 9(2)b of the uniform bye law for branches. (Ground Four)

d. Whether the Electoral Committee after holding that they will comply strictly with the provisions of the Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-Laws for Branches can turn around to strictly apply some provisions of the Bye law and jettisoning some of the provisions. (Ground Five).

4.0 ARGUMENT OF ISSUES.
4.1 I shall respectfully argue the issues raised in this appeal seriatim.

ISSUE ONE

4.2 The committee tagged the “Electoral Committee” was constituted with the following members:

1. Chief Theo Nkire
2. Prof. Ernest Ojukwu (SAN)
3. Ichie Goddy Akonani Esq
4. A.G.E. Nwachukwu Esq
5. N.D. Ojeh Esq Esq
6. Chief C.U.C. Eduzor
7. Victor Nwaugo Esq
8. Sir. E.E. J. Agwulonu
9. Chidozie Ogunji Esq
10. Ken Nwakanma Esq
11. Barth Okoye-Aniche Esq
12. C.C Elele Esq

4.3 Furthermore on or about February 2022, other persons were equally added to the already illegal body as members of the committee. These are;

1. Bob Chukwueke Esq
2. Godson Ihenko Esq
3. Linda Ejims Esq
4. Chinyere Ojukwu Esq.

4.4 I submit that the Committee in the first instance was illegal and the lumping of the other members compounded the illegality and therefore they cannot engage in the conduct of a valid election. After all, as we say, “you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand”.

4.5 First and foremost is the sacred provisions of ARTICLE 9(2)(A) OF THE THIRD SCHEDULE PART 1 OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION UNIFORM BYE-LAWS FOR BRANCHES which provides as follows;

“2 The Electoral Committee:
(a) shall consist of five members;”

4.6 Respectfully, the above number is the valid committee to be established and not otherwise. The key words in Article 9(2)(a) referred to above are the word “Shall” and “Consist”. The word shall by all authorities and definitions is mandatory. Further, by the BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY SIXTH EDITION AT PAGE 308 the word “consist” is defined as follows;

“To stand together, to be composed of or made up of”. (emphasis mine)

4.7 In effect for there to be a valid Electoral Committee, it must be one composed of or made up of five members as that is what will create a valid and legal entity. Any other thing is illegal and unconstitutional.

4.8 This word consist has equally been given judicial interpretation in DR OLUBUKOLA ABUBAKAR SARAKI VS. F.R.N (2016) 3 NWLR PT 1500 PG 531 where a full panel of the Supreme Court made up of seven Justices per Kekere Ekun (JSC) stated thus;

“The phrase “consist of” is defined in the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English, 8th Edition (International Student’s Edition) page 310 as follows:
“Consist of make up something; constitute; be comprised of;
These words all mean to be formed from the things or people mentioned, or to be the parts that form something.”

4.9 Sirs, flowing from this, it is obvious that the creation of 12 man committee as an Electoral Committee is illegal and the attempt rather unfortunately raising it to Sixteen (16) is equally a void act by virtue of the Constitution of Nigeria Bar Association.

4.10 The effect therefore is that for there to be a valid Electoral Committee, it must consist of five members.

4.11 Furthermore, I am not unmindful of the provisions of Article 9(d) of the Third Schedule, Part 1 of Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-Laws for Branches which provides as follows:

“Each Committee shall have a minimum of 5 members each of whom must be a financial member of the Branch”.

4.12 Sirs, reliance on the above provision is simplistic as the said provision does not brook the increase and or forming of a committee outside the provisions of The Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye Law for Branches. With respect holding on same to validate an otherwise illegal body is clutching on straws.

4.13 More so, the above do not excuse the committee as while the provision dictates the minimum, the specific provision on the constitution of the committee insists that it must “Consist” only of five members.

4.14 A further look at the said provision of Article 9(d) of the Third Schedule, Part 1 of the Bye Law will show that it is intended for other Committees in the bye law that have no number of persons to constitute same but was left open for the appointing authority or body to fix as they deem fit. These committees include: the Continuing Legal Education Committee, The Welfare Committee, Human Rights Committee, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, Law Reform Committee, Bar and Bench Relations Committee and the Election Appeal Committee. The provisions of Article 9(d) do not concern the Electoral Committee whose membership were clearly spelt out by the Constitution. It is trite that the express mention of a thing means the exclusion of others. It is instructive to note that the operative word in that article is “shall” which connotes mandatory compliance. If the draftsmen of the Uniform Bye Law intended the said provision to be permissive, they would have used the word “may” instead of “shall”.

4.15 My Lord ONNOGHEN (JSC) (as he then was) put a note of finality on the issue in DR OLUBUKOLA ABUBAKAR SARAKI VS F.R.N (SUPRA) when he held thus:

“By submitting that the above relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and sections of the Acts constitute both the composition and quorum of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, learned senior counsel for appellant admits that there is a difference between composition and quorum but that in the case of the tribunal in question, the terms/words mean the same thing.
To resolve the issue, we shall have to start by understanding some relevant words used in drafting the provisions; these are “consist of”.
At page 208 of New Webster’s dictionary of English Language, International Edition, the word “consist” is defined inter alia, thus:-
“To be made up or composed… to reside or lie essentially”.
On the other hand, the word is defined in Black’s Law Dictionary, 6th Edition at page 308 as follows:-
“To stand together, to be composed of or made up of”.
From the above definitions, it is very clear, and I hold the view that paragraph 15(1) of the 5th Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and section 20(1) and (2) of Cap. C15, LFN, 2004 provide for the establishment and composition of the Code of conduct Tribunal as consisting of a Chairman and two other members. This construction is clearly the literal meaning of the words used by the draftsman in the relevant sections concerned”.

4.16 In the circumstances, the committee is therefore illegal and such an illegal body cannot midwife a valid election.

ISSUE TWO:

4.17 The Electoral Committee on the 14th day of April 2022 issued a Notice which was pasted at the Notice Board of the Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch wherein it was published that the election of the Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch by the Committee is fixed for the 17th day of June 2022. This publication with the greatest respect is void as same is made contrary to the provisions of THIRD SCHEDULE PART 1 OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION UNIFORM BYE LAWS FOR BRANCHES AT ARTICLE 16(1) which states thus:

“Not later than Ninety (90) days to the election, the Electoral Committee shall announce the date of the election as fixed by the Electoral committee shall announce the date of the election as fixed by the Electoral Committee and invite nominations of candidates for the various offices and shall publicize the provisions of the Bye-Law relating to eligibility to contest and eligibility to vote and also issue election and campaign guideline. Provided that no candidate shall commence any form of public campaign until the campaign guideline are issued or released. (Emphasis mine)

4.18 Respectfully, the words of the said Article 16 are very plain and brooks of no side stepping. By the provisions of the above Article, the least time for publication of election date is a day that is not less than Ninety (90) days. A simple calculation of not later than the Ninety (90) days window by the publication is the 14th day of July 2021. It’s therefore a shock that contrary to the above provision, instead of the said 14th day of July 2022 or thereabout for the holding of the election the Committee stated that the Election has been fixed for the 17th June 2022 contrary to the basic law for the holding of the election. Despite my petition, the Electoral Committee glossed over this.

4.19 Incidentally, and most fundamentally is that the said Article 16(1) is the first under the duties of the Electoral Committee. Clearly any election fixed for the 17th day of June 2022 as the Electoral Committee sought to do is an illegal venture which no legal practitioner should be part of.

4.20 Sirs, unless it is shown that election is not being conducted under the Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-Laws for Branches as if it is to be held under the said enabling law, the purported election allegedly fixed for the 17th day of June 2022 is an illegal act. As a body of lawyers, it will be most wrong not to follow our own laws which we gave to ourselves.

ISSUE THREE:
4.21 We submit that the electoral committee cannot by any stretch of imagination be competent to fix the date for the election because it is contrary to the provision of the Uniform Bye-law for branches. Article 9(2)(b) provides thus:

“Article 9 (2) Electoral Committee:

(a) ………….

(b) Shall conduct the election of officers of the branch on a date in the month of June of an election year as the branch Executive Committee may determine and shall inter alia undertake due publicity for the elections and nominations thereto, the printing of ballot papers and compilation of the list of eligible candidates and voters”

4.22 From the wordings of the above article, it is clear that the Electoral Committee usurped the powers of the Executive Committee of the branch as can be gleaned from the minutes of the meeting of the Electoral Committee particularly paragraph 4.3 of the minutes of 4th April, 2022. This usurpation of the powers of the Executive Committee by the Electoral Committee has further compounded the infirmity bedeviling this Electoral Committee and its unlawful activities.

4.23 Furthermore, this usurpation of powers by the Electoral Committee has rendered the acts of the electoral committee unlawful and the Electoral Committee cannot be allowed to continue in its illegality.

ISSUE FOUR:

4.24 Respectfully Sirs, the Electoral Committee after holding that they will strictly apply the provisions of the Bye Law in the conduct of the branch election turned round to pick the provisions they desired to apply and jettison the other provisions which they don’t like.

4.25 Where the affairs of an organization are regulated by a given set of rules or constitution, that constitution must be followed and applied to the latter. The committee cannot decide to apply one provision and leave the other the inherent power which is imbibed in a constitution lies in its strict applicability.

4.26 Furthermore, this act of the Electoral Committee if not stopped will create disunity, malice and or crisis among the members of the Aba Branch as the persons who are affected by the strict interpretation of the Bye Law against them will feel bad, cheated and or scammed knowing that a provision of the same Bye Law was jettisoned in favour of another person.

4.27 I therefore urge you to resolve the issues in my favour and make the following directive:

1. A holding that the body called the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch is incompetent by virtue of Article 9 (2) of the Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-Law for Branches.

2. A directive to the Chairman and the Executive Committee of Nigerian Bar Association Aba Branch to constitute a new Electoral Committee consisting of only five (5) members as provided for in the Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye Law for Branches.

3. A decision that the document dated 14th day of April 2022 calling for election on the 17th day of June 2022 is in violation of Article 16 (1) Of the Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye Law for Branches and therefore invalid.

DATED THIS 18TH DAY OF MAY, 2022.

…………………………………………….
B.C. NWAOKORO ESQ.

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ECNBA: CAN AKINTUNDE FIX NBA’S TROUBLED ELECTIONS?

The appointment of chartered arbitrator and President of Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria (BRIPAN), Mr. Richard Ayodele Akintunde (SAN) as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has elicited excitement in legal circles as to the prospects of the eagerly awaited 2022 NBA National Officers Election.

This comes against the backdrop of serial controversies that have trailed NBA elections especially since 2012. The controversies have imperiled NBA’s larger-than-life standing in the eyes of Nigerians and compromised its advocacy towards free and fair elections in the polity.

Perhaps the lowest point was the inroad of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into NBA’s electoral affairs, with its high stakes investigation of the 2018 NBA Election. The Commission determined that there was a prima facie case of misfeasance and filed charges against some defendants.

It is against this backdrop that the appointment of Akintunde as Chairman of the ECNBA is seen as offering a glimmer of hope in fixing the challenges that have ailed NBA elections over the years. This is further boosted by the inclusion of other tested persons in the committee.

Instructively, the senior lawyer was the Chairman of the NBA Electoral Reform and Audit Committee whose core mandate was “To audit the elections of National Officers of the NBA of 2016, 2018 and 2020 and recommend reforms, if any, of the electoral process.” NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata had while inaugurating the committee stated that it “is already in the process of recommending reform measures to ensure that complaints about the NBA electoral process are significantly minimised.”

As Akpata inaugurates the committee today, CITY LAWYER profiles Akintunde on whose shoulders the hopes of lawyers for a free, fair, credible and rancour-free 2022 NBA Elections now rests.

PROFILE OF RICHARD AYODELE AKINTUNDE SAN C.ARB., FBR
Richard Ayodele Akintunde, SAN, obtained his LL. B from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1984 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985.

For over 35 years, he has been in active legal practice. During this period, he has amassed a wealth of experience in in Civil Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Litigation, Insolvency and Arbitration and has represented clients in a wide range of civil and criminal matters at the High Courts, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Currently, he is a Senior Partner in the law firm of Ayodele Akintunde & Co. a full-service law firm with offices in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria where he heads the Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Unit.

In 2016, he was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He is also a Chartered Arbitrator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, United Kingdom, a Fellow of the Business Recovery and Insolvency Practitioners Association of Nigeria where he is currently the President, a Fellow of the Institute of Construction Industry Arbitrators and a Council Member of the Nigerian Bar Association – Section on Legal Practice (NBA-SLP) and a member of the Nigeria Bar Association, Lagos Branch.

Mr. Akintunde, SAN has served as the Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch Election Committee in 2015, 2017 and 2019. In 2019, the Election Committee made history by successfully conducting the first ever NBA Branch elections in Nigeria by electronic voting. The Election was adjudged by all stakeholders to be transparent, free, fair and credible. In 2020, he was also appointed as the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Electoral Reform and Audit Committee to audit the 2016, 2018 and 2020 elections of National Officers of the Nigerian Bar Association and recommend reforms of the electoral process.

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NBA ELECTION: AKPATA TO INAUGURATE COMMITTEE ON MONDAY

Barring any last-minute hitch, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata will on Monday inaugurate the newly appointed Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA).

An impeccable source who is familiar with the matter told CITY LAWYER that the inauguration which was originally scheduled to hold at NBA House by 12 noon will now hold same day at 3:30 pm.

The inauguration will set the stage for frenzied politicking towards the eagerly awaited 2022 NBA National Elections. The presidential election will see only candidates from the Northern Zone slugging it out for the coveted seat, going by the zoning arrangement built into the NBA Constitution (as amended).

Akpata had at the last NBA National Executive Committee (NBA-NEC) quarterly meeting in Abeokuta announced the appointment of members of the Electoral Committee to conduct the 2022 National Officers election.

Many political pundits have hailed Akpata on the appointment of Akintunde to spearhead the election, saying it signposts a commitment towards a free and transparent election. Akintunde was a longstanding Chairman of several NBA Lagos Branch electoral committees which conducted rancour-free elections to the admiration of members. A source told CITY LAWYER that he was in the running to conduct the last controversial NBA National Elections but was side-stepped at the last minute.

Other members of the Committee are Mabel Ekeke, Secretary; firebrand human rights activist, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu; former NBA Treasurer, Aisha Ado-Abdulahi and leading ICT expert, Mr. Basil Udotai.

It is recalled that especially since 2012, NBA National Election have limped from one controversy to another, thereby compromising NBA’s standing towards combating electoral misfeasance in Nigeria.

Akpata had in his inaugural address said: “It is for this reason that I immediately constituted an Electoral Audit and Reforms Committee headed by Ayo Akintunde SAN to audit our 2016, 2018 and 2020 elections and to recommend reforms for our electoral systems and processes.

“For me, two things stand out. The first is the need to audit the election that led to our emergence, but which was also characterised by certain glitches that should not be associated with a foremost professional association like ours.”

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NBA VP HEADS SPIDEL ELECTORAL COMMITTEE

  • AS ANANABA IS SET TO BOW OUT AFTER SPIDEL REVIVAL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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NBA LAGOS ELECTIONS: CANDIDATES SCORE ELECTORAL C’TE, SEEK VOTES

As the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch Elections approach the finish line this Friday, some candidates http://nbalagoselections.com.ng/election-candidates/ for the election have been speaking on the performance of the Electoral Committee led by Mr. Richard Akintunde SAN. Akintunde has been a longstanding Chairman of the committee for several consecutive years. The committee is also made up of Chief E. A. Otokhina, Mr. Geff Eze, Mrs. Obosa Akpata and Mrs. Olusola Adegbonmire.

CITY LAWYER had sought the views of the candidates for the posts of Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. While one chairmanship candidate responded, others had not responded at press time. All the candidates for the posts of Vice Chairman and Secretary however responded to CITY LAWYER enquiries at press time.

The candidates also stated why they consider themselves as the most qualified for the posts they are seeking. Below are their views:

BOLATUMI ANIMASHAUN
POST: CHAIRMAN
The Executive, through the NBA Secretariat, did its own part by submitting the real attendance registers signed by members at meetings to the Electoral Committee. In addition to this, is a compilation of list of members that made the 5 meetings attendance, a requirement of the 2015 Uniform Bye Law for NBA.

The Executive, through the NBA Secretariat, did its own part by submitting the real attendance registers signed by members at meetings to the Electoral Committee. In addition to this, is a compilation of list of members that made the 5 meetings attendance, a requirement of the 2015 Uniform Bye Law for NBA.

The Electoral Committee has a time table on the election which they are adhering to. The Electoral Committee has been effective in terms of disseminating information to candidates and members. I therefore think we are good to go.

The outgoing executive under the leadership of Chukwuka Ikwuazom has been regarded as the best thing that happened to NBA Lagos. I am the Vice Chairman and an active member of the Executive, I am the best for a seamless transition and continuity.

The Human Rights Committee under my Chairmanship witnessed an unprecedented achievement in the decongestion of Prison. Members of the Human Rights Committee put in their best within their limited personal resources and their efforts resulted in the release of over one hundred inmates and, about 4 were sentenced; matters are still going on in the various courts. Members of the Human Rights Committee are just wonderful and I believe there are still more like them in the Branch.

With my humility, friendly disposition, encouragement and hardwork, I usually get a lot of people who are willing and ready to walk and work with me to achieve my vision. I believe in setting goal with time frame. It is the best way to get things done as planned. Every member must have a sense of belonging.

There will be a definite and good working relationship between the Branch and the police. This is a promise. Henceforth, any police officer that acted unbecoming shall not go scotfree. However, there is need to tutor our members to always act like gentlemen that we are supposed to be. Once there is mutual respect, a cordial relationship will be established.

The same thing goes for the Bar and Bench relationship. Efforts will be made to improve on this. The relationship between the young lawyers and their employers shall also be addressed. Heads of Chambers will be encouraged to take more interest and be active in the Branch activities.

I have also initiated a 5 year plan to pay the Practising fee and Bar dues of 20 young lawyer between 1-5 years post call and 18 benefitted this current year. I did similar things during annual dinner. More senior lawyers will be encouraged to help in lifting up the younger ones.

There is need to establish an ‘in-house code of conducts’ by members for members that will distinguish us from other branches. This is not going to be totally different from our professional conduct but breaking the rules down to basic. If this is agreed to, members will put this together and decide on means of enforcement.

No more procrastination on the building of our Bar Centre. I am a stake holder by my one million naira contribution in 2016. Apart from building on Chukwuka Ikwuazom’s legacy, I will do more than I promised to do in my manifesto. I will stabilize the Branch with my experiences and maturity.

OKEY ILOFULUNWA
POST: VICE CHAIRMAN
The preparations have been good. We await the outcome of the online voting system which I believe will also be good. The character of the members of the electoral committee members gives credence to the voting system. I do not have any problems with the preparations and enjoin our members to give the committee an opportunity to show that it can be done.

On why I am best suited to be the Vice Chairman, I will simply refer you to my profile and my manifesto which I will send you shortly. They speak volume about the kind of person I am, what I have done in the past for NBA and what I will do in future as Vice Chairman. The Vice Chairman of NBA Lagos by our Bye-Laws heads the Human Rights Committee. The Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), a leading non-governmental organization, has agreed to work with me to train our law enforcement agencies on the tenets of human rights with particular emphasis on the implication of the far-reaching innovations introduced by Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

I will also create a special forum for all heads of legal departments of law enforcement agencies in Lagos. This will enable us to have a regular interface with these key stakeholders in discharging their mandate. It will also help to bridge the gap between lawyers and law enforcement agents in justice delivery to our clients.

Under my watch in Human Rights Committee, I will also reorganize the Committee to be more responsive to the needs of our members and the society. I will create a Corporate Social Responsibility framework to encourage law firms to sponsor the work of the Human Rights Committee. This will ensure that hardworking committee members are paid stipends for the work to encourage them to do more.

Welfare of our members: I will create a platform where businesses around Lagos can give discounts to our members who patronize their outlets. The names of such businesses will be listed on a portal where members can easily access them. Under this platform, I have also started discussing with electronics merchants to provide one-year interest-free hire purchase services to our members to buy electronics and household items.

CHUKS NWANA
POST: VICE CHAIRMAN
My impressions regarding the preparations for the election so far have been good.

I must also add that more enlightenment is needed now that we are embarking on a novel voting procedure “the electronic vote” for the first time in the history of the Branch elections. If we get it right, then the National body would come for tutorials.

I am the best candidate for the job because I have the necessary experience as I have been in Human Right Committee for 3 administrations consistently.

The Provisions of section 7 of our Uniform Bye Law stated that the Vice Chairman of the Branch should be the Chairman of the Human Rights Committee. During my University years I was a member of Amnesty International and before I graduated, I became the Director of Group 8 Unilag Chapter.

Moreover, I am not taking the post to start the work afresh but just to consolidate and advance the work we have been doing in the committee.

The innovations I would introduce if elected are as follows:

  1. Open and maintain a diary “The Human Rights Diary” and will also post Human Rights cases cause list in all NBA Lagos for a every weekend.
  2. Encouraging the participation of the seniors of the Branch in the Human rights activities.
  3. Encouraging Seniors to sponsor a pro bono case for a willing junior member of the branch and make sure there is a one-to-one interaction with the junior and the such seniors for direction.
  4. Using social networking medium to create and sustain a synergy between the various committees of the Branch and Human Right Committee.
  5. Encouraging more participation of the members in the activities of the Branch through the direct involvement of Human Rights Committee.
  6. Involve the members more with permission of the Chairman in some academic enhancing resources and welfare policies of the Branch.
  7. Creating more avenues to gather and utilize innovative opinions from the members.
  8. To carry out all delegated duties by the Chairman and the General House to the best of my ability at all times, as well as standing in to deliver quality services to the branch in the absence of the Chairman.

Finally, having seen what I am bringing on board you would agree with me that I am the best man for the post of Vice Chairman of our Premier Branch.

BODE OMOBORIOWO
POST: VICE CHAIRMAN
The role of Vice Chairman is not a child’ play. It requires an experienced fellow who has been up and doing in the affairs of NBA not just at the branch levels but National.

As former member of Human Right committee at both the branch and national. I want to believe that I have garnered enough strength and experience to make me the best candidate for the job. And if elected, I want to introduce more innovations that will make our branch occupancy its pride of place in the committee of all branches.

MOSHOOD ABIOLA
POST: SECRETARY
I am satisfied with preparations for the elections so far. The members of the Electoral Committee are seasoned legal Practitioners of high integrity and experience. The present Executive Committee of the Branch retained the members of the last Electoral Committee because of their excellent performance over the years. They are on top of the situation and I believe they have the capability to deliver a free and fair election as they have always done.

Our elections at NBA Lagos Branch has always been peaceful and devoid of rancor and desperation. You know we are the Premier Bar and we lead by example, we are a body of distinguished and classy lawyers. Interestingly the election this year is by electronic voting and I am excited by this. Electronic voting will ensure that our members who are out of Lagos or out of the country on the day of election can vote. This further confirms our enviable status as the Premier Bar. This is the first time an NBA branch election will be conducted online and we look forward to it with excitement.

The Premier Bar has had a chequered history. It has produced the finest lawyers in the country and very high standards have been set. This has been so because the best have always been chosen to pilot its affairs. Mediocrity has never been accepted at the Premier bar. Each executive committee has been an improvement on the previous one.

The present Executive Committee that has been led brilliantly by the effervescent and irrepressible Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom has raised the bar higher as a lot of our members will testify to and I am very proud to be a part of the team. The apathy hitherto shown by our members to branch activities has disappeared and members now feel a connect with the branch.

As Publicity Secretary, I have made my contribution to the many successes recorded by this administration. Beyond that I have worked with the Secretary as part of the website subcommittee that oversaw the rebuilding of the branch website and I was also part of the final recruitment process for the newly appointed Administrator for the secretariat.

In assessing the best candidate for the office of the Secretary, it is absolutely crucial to take a critical look at their capabilities, experience and track record. And in doing this, it is important to look at recent experience and track record and not experience from ten years ago because we are in the era of constantly evolving technological advancements. The way the secretariat of the branch was run ten years ago can no longer be applicable now.

Continuity in administration is key because the two-year tenure of the executive committee is usually not enough to achieve all the set goals. It is imperative that experienced persons are part of any incoming executive so that they can hit the ground running especially if they are part of the outgoing executive committee.

I am confident in my abilities to maintain the high standards set by this administration, and with my skills and experience, including those gained as Publicity Secretary, I believe I am the best candidate for the office of Secretary.

TOCHUKWU CHUKWUMERIJE
POST: SECRETARY
I am TOCHUKWU CHUKWUMERIJE, Esq and the founder of Bulwark Attorneys, a corporate/commercial law firm. Am the best candidate for secretary because I had the privilege of serving, the branch as 1st Assistant Secretary (2013-2015) wherein I also discharged the duties of Secretary for five months (march 2014- July 2014) after we lost our secretary through an accident. From 2015 to present date being serving as Secretary Nigerian Bar Association Disciplinary Committee Panel “B” For Lagos.

I was appointed Secretary of the Panel by Former President of Nigerian Bar Association Austin Alegeh (SAN) led administration, approved by National Executive Committee (NEC) and for an outstanding service was reappointed by A.B Mahmoud (SAN) led administration. Through experience I know the importance of an efficient and vibrant Secretariat. I will drive initiatives and formulate policies targeted at professionalizing the secretariat ie up-to-date digital legal directory, upgrade the website, photocopiers, free internet etc. I will engage in initiatives that promotes Law Firm development, partnership encouragement schemes, sponsoring and mentorship with a view of promoting independent firms among the young lawyers.

It is therefore with great sense of purpose and sincere steadfastness that I put myself forward in my continuing quest to serve, as the best man for the secretary job. Being the most experienced of all the contestants with proven performance I would draw from the significant secretarial skills I have learned and gained over the years The qualities of leadership, charisma, erudition, integrity, dignity, excellence and competence.

OBINNA OKEREKE
POST: SECRETARY
The preparations for the forthcoming Nigeria Bar Association Lagos Branch Elections has been top notch and concerted until the publication of Final List of Voters for the election. The omission of names of many eligible members of the branch with good standing from the list has cast doubts on resolve and preparedness of the Election committee to conduct free, fair & credible election. Worst still, omission of names of candidates vying for the election from the Final list who were recently cleared by the Election committee to contest in the election having been found to be eligible and of good standing pursuant to the NBA Bye Law even leaves much to be desired. As it is, my impression about preparedness of Election committee for the forthcoming election is one of doubt in view of the possibility of many eligible voters being disenfranchised and illegible (sic) members of the Branch voting in the election.

I am Obinna Nnaemeka Okereke, LL.M (Notary Public) the Principal Partner of High Refuge Attorneys a corporate and commercial law firm with office address at No.32 Association Avenue, Ilupeju Lagos State.

I attended University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC) where I obtained LL.B (Honors). After my call to Bar in May, 2002, I proceeded to University of Ibadan where I obtained LL.M (Master of laws) as one of the best students.

I have been an active member of Nigeria Bar Association Lagos Branch since 2002 and worked closely with some committees. Over, the years I had attended virtually all Nigeria Bar Association General Conference and Commonwealth Lawyers Conference as a member.

I was President of Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) at Nigeria Law School Lagos Campus as well as National Officer of the body for several years. Iam passionate to transform administration of secretariat of the Premier Bar to international standards and ensure seamless update of membership database in such a way that names of registered members of the Branch is regularly uploaded to the website.

Another reason why Iam best candidate for job of secretary is that I would work in synergy with Executive committee of the Branch to among other issues address challenges faced by Lawyers in Courts within Lagos Judicial Division by engaging Chief Judge of Federal High Court on ease of filing process at Federal High Court Ikoyi, Lagos.

I have all it takes to make our continuing Legal Education (CLE) expert and skill-training focused during our monthly meetings in those key areas of novel Law Practice such as Fintech law, E-Discovery practice, Internet crime Law Practice, Maritime Law, Aviation Law, private Infrastructure finance among other emerging new areas of Law Practice. I would do better than other candidates in using proper technology software to ensure seamless and accurate record of attendance at monthly meetings of the Branch and update record of members with good standing on the website periodically.

Iam in a better position to specialize and make continuing legal education for Young Lawyers more impactful because as Adjunct Lecturer of Nigeria Law School Lagos Campus I interviewed them during portfolio assessment and know what is needed to uplift their law practice mentorship.

I am best candidate for office of Secretary because Iam committed to deliver on these goals, my manifesto and other novel initiatives that would take our Premier Bar to greater heights.

Please send emails to citylawyermag@gmail.com. Copyright 2018 CITY LAWYER. 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.