NBA EKET LAW WEEK: GADZAMA GIVES KEYNOTE SPEECH, DECRIES INSECURITY, POVERTY

FEATURED

JOE-KYARI GADZAMA, SAN DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 2022 LAW WEEK OF NBA, EKET BRANCH, AKWA IBOM STATE

On Wednesday, June 29, 2022, the NBA, Eket branch held the opening ceremony of its law week with the theme, “Nigerian State and the Crisis of Governance: What Hope for 2023 and Beyond” at Royalty Hotels & Recreation, Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

Devout Bar man, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN was recognized as the keynote speaker of the ceremony. The Chairman of the branch’s 2022 Bar week gave the welcome address and thanked the Learned Silk and other eminent guests present for attending the event. The chairman of of the occasion, Hon. Justice Ifiok Ukana (Rtd) noted that the theme of the event is very apt considering the current situation of things in the country. He also stated that the Learned Silk, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama is best suited to deliver the keynote address on the theme.

Hon. Justice Edem Akpan who represented the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Justice Ekaette F. Obot declared the law week of the branch open. Prior to that, he commended the leadership of the Bar and keyed into the perspective shared by the chairman of the occasion. He further stated that corruption has eaten deep into the fabrics of our society and therefore, impeded the growth of our nation.

“I am here to claim my birthright” the Learned Silk jokingly stated while informing all that he is also a son of Eket. In his usual manner, he rendered justice to the theme. During his keynote address, he enumerated the indices of both good and bad governance. He expressed his displeasure over the level of poverty and insecurity in the country. One major highlight from his keynote address was the fact that he stated that all stakeholders need to discuss on the roadblocks preventing the growth of the nation and the steps to take to advance our nation. This fact was also reiterated by Mr. Uko Essien Udom, SAN, the Attorney-General of the State while addressing the audience.

The opening ceremony of the branch’s law week was indeed indelible as it witnessed the launching of the branch’s Bar journal and an inflow of highly distinguished personalities in the legal profession ranging from present and past Justices of the High Court of the State to Learned Senior Advocates of Nigeria and then to leaders of the Bar and NBA branches in Akwa Ibom State. Some of these personalities include: Hon. Justice Theresa Obot; Hon. Justice Effiong Effiong; Rt. Hon. Chief Nduese Essien; Hon. Justice B.F Etuk; Hon. Justice Pius Idion; Hon. Obong Goddy Umoh; Rt. Hon. Bassey Essien; Hon. Nimi Walson Jack, past Secretary General of NBA; Mr. Kunle Ogunba, SAN; Snr. Magistrate Esther Etuk Udo; Dr. Amanim Akpabio; Mojisola Tijani, chairperson of FIDA, Eket branch; Nsima Nsima,Esq., past chairman of NBA, Eket branch; Essien Essien, Esq., past chairman of NBA, Uyo branch; Mrs. Gloria Etim, Esq., incumbent chairman of NBA, Eket branch; Aniefiok Ekwere, chairman elect, NBA, Eket branch; Ememobong Nicholas, Esq., chairman of NBA, Uyo branch; Mr. Akpadiaha Ebitu, Esq., chairman of the planning committee of the 2022 Bar week of the branch; Mrs. Ekaette Ukpong, Director in the State’s Ministry of Justice and a host of others.

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‘WHY EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS PERSIST IN NIGERIA,’ BY ISAAC OGBAH

PAPER PRESENTED BY ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH, FICMC, CANDIDATE FOR THE 3rd VICE PRESIDENT OF NBA AT THE JUST CONCLUDED NBA BADAGRY LAW WEEK

TOPIC: “Extra Judicial killings in Nigeria; any justification”?

Presented by: Isaac Omuta Ogbah, Esq.

Introduction

There is an upsurge in the rate of extra judicial killings in Nigeria. Thus there is a need to look into this. The authorities have either turned deaf ears to these happenings and by necessary implications promoted the breakdown of law and order in Nigeria.

Definition of Extra-judicial killing

Extra-judicial killings is said to be a killing done by government officials without judicial or legal process.

This happens when someone in an official position deliberately kills a person without any legal process.

Its a violation to right to life, designating killing of an individual by State agent without a judicial process.

This is because the law sees every human life to be a precious thing that needs to be cherished, even though the law gives exceptions to right to life, there’s still no justification for extra judicial killings.

There are several instances where extra judicial killings has taken place in Nigeria. For example police brutality on peaceful protesters.

The noxious trend recurred at Ota-Efun, Osogbo, the Osun State capital, early in December when a police sergeant, Moses Samuel, killed a rig operator, Kabiru Babai, during an altercation. The same officer, who is reportedly undergoing orderly room trial, also injured a truck driver, Harisu Musa. The real tragedy of that story is that Babai was protesting the shooting of Musa when he was killed by the officer.

Early in November 2021 a police officer that has yet to be named, killed a tricycle operator in Meiran, Lagos State, triggering the mayhem that eventually claimed three lives. That incident was sparked by a demand for a measly N100 bribe. In September, another officer reportedly shot dead a 29-year-old father of one identified only as Gift, who was marking his birthday in Obinomba, in the Ukwani Local Government Area of Delta State.

While engaged in extortion, power-drunk police officers kill innocent civilians with reckless abandon during disagreements over paltry sums. Rogue officers of the Nigeria Customs Service, especially under its current Comptroller-General, Hameed Ali, also kill recklessly. In July 2021, Customs officers invaded Igangan, Igboora, Ayete, and Tapa communities in the Ibarapa LGA of Oyo State. When the dust settled, three people lay dead. The NCS spokesman, Theophilus Duniya, alleged that the deceased were smugglers. This tenuous claim was dismissed by a federal lawmaker representing Ibarapa Central/North Federal Constituency, Oyo State, Muraina Ajibola, who argued that the communities were over 200 kilometres away from the nearest border post. In May, Customs officers had killed five people at Iseyin, in the same state. No law authorises the summary killing of smuggling suspects.

Killings that should qualify as crimes against humanity have also been perpetrated by the military. The massacre of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria by the Nigerian Army in December 2015, where no fewer than 347 persons were killed, is unforgettable. Not only were the Shiites killed, but they were also buried in mass graves. The recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Garba-led panel that those responsible for the killings should be prosecuted have been ignored. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, other NGOs and nations have continued to call for justice to no avail.

In the South-East, the military has been reportedly killing citizens on the pretext of waging war against the Indigenous People of Biafra separatists. Many residents have reportedly been murdered by bloodthirsty soldiers without any consequence. AI reported in August that 115 people were killed in four months by security forces across Imo, Anambra, and Abia states. Another gory report in The PUNCH detailed how corpses of victims of extrajudicial killings were piled on each other at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State.

From January 2021, gunmen suspected to be ESN militants launched a series of attacks on government infrastructure, including prisons and public buildings, killing several police officers. Amnesty International, in their report, condemned these attacks and called on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Amnesty International in its report in 2021 stated that Nigerian security forces launched security operations in June, 2021, primarily targeting ESN militants or those perceived as such to decimate the group.

Amnesty International documented at least 115 persons killed by security forces between March and June 2021. Many relatives of the victims told Amnesty International that they were not part of the militants that were attacking security agents.

Many of the victims were deposited at government hospitals in Imo and Abia state. According to several hospital sources all the victims deposited by the police had bullet injuries.

For instance, in two of the cases documented by Amnesty international, the victims were targeted with no apparent justification:

Uguchi Unachukwu, a German-based businessman was killed by soldiers on 31 May 2021, at a checkpoint near Owerri airport on his way out of the country. The police are yet to investigate the crime.

Mathew Opara, a 45-year-old businessman, was shot by soldiers on 25 May 2021 in Orji, near Owerri. Witnesses told Amnesty International that he was returning from work when he ran into a team of soldiers in armoured vehicle and Hilux vans shooting at residents. He was shot in the chest and could not receive immediate medical help because of the violence. His family said the military acknowledged the killing but did not launch an investigation or offer any apology.

Certainly extra judicial killings are unlawful and should be condemned in all ramifications

Under the law there are exceptions to when an individual life can be taken and it won’t amount to unlawful killing.

According to Section 33 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria , these are the exceptions to right to life; self defence, execution of a court sentence, to effect a lawful arrest, to suppress a riot, mutiny and insurrection.

However, it should be noted that under the law there is no justification for extra-judicial killing.

Unfortunately, it seems the political and security leadership in Nigeria think nothing of the high rate of killings by state actors.

It is on record that 99% of these unlawful killings go largely unpunished, thanks in part to Nigeria’s Force Order 237, which allows officers to use lethal force in ways that contravenes international law, and because of government corruption and a prevailing culture of impunity.”

Ordinarily Force Order 237 ought only to be applied when the life of a Police officer is in danger

Section 3 states as follows: A Police officer may use firearms under the following circumstances:
A. When attacked and his life is in danger and there is no other way of saving his life;

B. Where defending a person who is attacked and he believes on reasonable grounds, that he cannot otherwise protect that person attacked from death

C. Where necessary to disperse rioters to prevent them from committing serious offense

D. If he cannot by any other means arrest a person WHO BEING IN LAWFUL CUSTODY ESCAPES AND TAKES TO FLIGHT IN ORDER TO AVOID REARREST.

It partly explains the #EndSARS protest of 2020.

In Nigeria, security agents compete with blood tasty non-state actors like Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist, bandits, and Fulani Herdsmen in massacring Nigerians.

Lawmakers have a crucial role to play. Where there are killings, the House of Representatives members and senators from the affected constituencies should take the heads of the concerned security units to task.

NBA AT BOTH NATIONAL, STATE AND BRA CH LEVELS SHOULD RISE TO THE DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

By regularly interrogating service chiefs and the police hierarchy, and ensuring proper accountability, sanity might return to the system. UNFORTUNATELY IN TODAYS NIGERIA THE LAW MAKERS WOULD INVITE THE SERVICE CHIEFS AND THEY WOULD REFUSE TO HONOR SUCH INVITATIONS AND NOTHING IS DONE AS A DETERRENT ON SUCH OBVIOUS MALADMINISTRATION.

The state governors have been negligent and uncaring. They rarely follow up when security agents kill people extra judicially in their domain.

This must change. In their utterances and interactions, governors must demonstrate that they value the lives of citizens.

A governor could demand the removal of a commissioner of police under whose watch there are extrajudicial killings.

For instance, the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, should lead protests against the high rate of killings by Customs officers in Ogun.

Nigerians must also stand for their rights. Peaceful protest is a constitutional right of every Nigerian and must be responsibly deployed to decry the highhandedness of security agencies. Civil societies and rights groups should mobilize the citizenry to demand punishment for killer security personnel.

Aside from the dismissal and prosecution of the culprits, their supervising and commanding officers must not be spared.

The United States of America 🇺🇸, United Kingdom and European countries’ citizens stage civil protests, sit-ins, petitions, and lawsuits to press for justice.

Liberty must be defended to be enjoyed.

The participation of the military in civil security in Nigeria is doing more harm than good. Therefore, the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), should restrict the military to its primary constitutional role of fighting external aggression and reform the Customs.

Extrajudicial killings persist because there is little deterrence or consequence.

For a start, Nigerians must demand the implementation of the recommendations of the judicial panels of inquiries set up in the wake of the #EndSARS protest.

The security agents recommended for trial must be prosecuted.

Affected communities, individuals and families of victims should also seek justice through litigation.

An international Human Right non-governmental organization, has disclosed that not fewer than 122 cases of extra judicial killings were recorded in Nigeria between January and October 4, 2020.

We have international laws which kick against extra-judicial killings includes;

A. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

B. African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR)

C. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

D. Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firms by Law Enforcement Officials (BPUFF).

E. United Nations Code of Conducts for Law Enforcement Officials (CLEO)

F. Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions, UN Model Protocol for a Legal Investigation of Extra -Legal, Arbitrary and summary execution.

In Nigeria we also have laws that kick against extra-judicial killings and they are;

1. The 1999 Constitution

2. Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Act (both applicable in th Southern States in Nigeria),

3. Penal code and Criminal Procedure Code (both applicable in the Northern States in Nigeria),

4. Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA) and

5. Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL),

6. Nigeria Police Act and

7. Police Force and

8. Police Order 237.

Curbing extra judicial killing would be made easier if the revised force order 237 is effectively implemented.

The 2009 Amnesty report “killing at will: Extra-Judicial executions and other unlawful killings by the Nigerian Police” has given different areas that needs to be looked into when curbing extra-judicial.

A. The weak oversight mechanisms of the Nigeria Police force and

B. chronic lack of resources are some of the areas the 2009 Amnesty report.

General Legal Framework for Human Rights Protection The Chapter IV of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which Is a supreme law, sets out the fundamental human rights of the citizens of the Nigeria. The provisions of the Constitution are clearly against torture and killing and promote the right to life.

The Federal Government also established the National Human Rights Commission which is charged to deal with matters relating to the protection of human rights as guaranteed by the Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and other International Treaties on human rights to which Nigeria is a signatory.

Although Nigeria has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1993, the Convention against Torture (CAT) in 2001 and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) in 2009 they have not been integrated into the local laws.

Nigeria is also, yet to recognize the competence of the Committee against Torture to receive communications from individuals under article 22 of CAT.

Nigeria has established a National Committee on Torture as its National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) for the prevention of torture at the domestic level in accordance with the obligations of OPCAT.

The committee is charged with the duty to receive and consider complaints on torture; conduct visits to places of detention and examine allegations of torture, prevent torture by reviewing the treatment of persons.

Section 5 (a) National Human Rights Commissions Act put in place, a national anti-torture policy.

Nigeria is also a State Party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR).

Though there are presently no legal provisions criminalizing torture or providing compensation to victims of torture in accordance with the UN Convention against Torture and extra judicial killings, it is believed that Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution is encompassing, a notion that has been disproved by the prevalence of torture.

In March 2011, PRAWA carried out a research and monitoring exercise on cases of torture, cruel and inhuman and degrading punishment committed by law enforcement agents in Enugu state, Eastern part of Nigeria. This was done with a team of lawyers, psychologists and medical practitioners trained under the Torture Documentation and Redress Scheme (TDRS) Project.

The findings are as follows:

1. Statistics of the research indicated that out of the 176 victims interviewed, victims of torture ranged between the ages of 13 to 54 years, with young people between the ages of 26- 30 as the most frequent victims of torture in the state.

2. Out of 176 victims interviewed only 1 female was identified and interviewed. This was because the other female victims were not willing to reveal their ordeal in police custody.

3. Method of torture on the victims include prolonged detention in police custody, gunshot wounds 24.71%, severe beatings with police baton and other dangerous objects 36.21%, burning with hot objects 8.05%, squeezing of testicles and inserting objects into the penis, insertion of nails on feet 1.72%, electric shock, suspension on the tree in different positions 13.22%, cutting with cutlass 12.64% and other forms of torture. •

4. The Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) have police officers who are specially designated to torture crime suspects. Such police officers have an unofficial designation like “OC Torture” (Officer In Charge of Torture), and they have special skills in infringing various methods of torture on their victims.

The reason they were tortured was to obtain information or confessional statement from them before their trial.

Extrajudicial executions, other unlawful killings and enforced disappearances in Nigeria are not random.

In a country where bribes guarantee safety, those who cannot afford to pay are at risk of being shot or tortured to death by the police. The family of the victims often cannot afford to seek justice or redress, because they cannot pay for a lawyer or the court charges. In many cases, they cannot even afford to retrieve the body. In many cases, detainees wait for weeks or months in police custody to be charged and brought before a court.

Amnesty International recorded 29 cases of victims of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions who had never appeared before a judge.

Key issues of concern

a) Systematic torture in police and other centre of detention.

(b) Lack of adequate documentation and tracking of all tortured suspects upon reception in prison (from the police).

c) Lack of institutionalization mechanism for compulsory autopsy of all deaths in custody.

d) Lack of comprehensive database of all places of detention, their locations, addresses and the total number of persons in detention.

(e) Lack of adequate institutional process of internal and external monitoring and oversight of all detention facilities in Nigeria

(f) Torture and inhumane treatment of Mentally disabled person within the criminal justice delivery system including the detention and lack of psychiatric/medical treatment and review of the mentally disabled prisoners (including the ‘civil lunatics’ who have committed no crime and are only detained because of their mental state rather than being taken to mental health institutions).

g) Lack of provision of adequate rehabilitation services, care and treatment for torture victims by the State.

(h) Lack of reporting and documentation of all cases of Torture and Extra Judicial Killings.

There is no mechanism in place in the constitution or any other law to check and monitor the law enforcement agencies.

The absence of CCTV in the ‘questioning room’ has afforded the law enforcement agencies the luxury to get away with extra judicial killings and torture.

i) External Oversight of the Nigeria Police Force The NPF’s myriad failings—to prevent crime, to solve crime, to punish police.

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‘IMPUNITY, MY EFCC TRAVAILS AND ROLE AS NBA SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR,’ BY UBANI

KEY NOTE ADDRESS PRESENTED BY CHAIRMAN, NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION SECTION ON PUBLIC INTEREST AND DEVELOPMENT LAW (NBA-SPIDEL) AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF NBA BADAGRY BRANCH LAW WEEK HELD ON 22ND JUNE, 2022.

LAWLESSNESS AND QUEST FOR NATIONHOOD: WHITHER NIGERIA? – My EFCC experience and my task of investigating the invasion of the home of Hon. Justice Mary Odili JSC (Rtd.)

Protocols!

Having suffered military rulership for great number of years after independence, Nigeria under civilian regime is yet to imbibe the basic principles of democracy. Despite returning to democratic governance, rule of law and rights of citizens are still being breached at will and often with impunity.

If the military regimes before our nascent democracy were regarded as bad, our experience under our present democracy is worse than what was obtainable under the military regime.

The signs for such brazen disregard to the rule of law and rights of the citizens were quite early under this present regime of President Muhammadu Buhari. As lawyers we could recall the first NBA conference that took place in Abuja after President Buhari became president in 2015. He came in person with his Attorney General Mr Abubakar Malami SAN and when given the opportunity to speak did not hide his feelings in letting the whole world know the direction of his government whenever the rule of law clashes with an alleged national security.

According to him the rule of law and the rights of the citizens will be subsumed to the notorious national security whose description and meaning are known only to those at the helm of affairs of the State.

To the amazement of some of us in that Hall in Abuja, we were shocked to see some lawyers in the hall gave the President a standing ovation for such a dangerous statement that eventually became the fulcrum of his governance.

Rule of law took a terrible back seat under this present democracy.

It is very painful for me as a person because I was one of those who marketed the candidacy of President Buhari for solid 3 years under several platforms including a well known radio station in Lagos before he was chosen as a candidate of APC in 2014.

The present lack of observance of rule of law and the trampling of the citizens’ rights have taken us several years backwards for a nation that is in quest of nationhood.

We have advanced to nowhere, and even the little progress made by the judiciary during the military regime have been wiped away by the reign of pervasive lawlessness all over the place.

My experience with EFCC under Mr. Ibrahim Magu, then Chairman of the Agency is apposite here.

My patriotic zeal to see that an accused person is given a fair hearing having being accused of taking so much out of the system landed me into efcc cell for 23 days without any trial or conviction. What happened is like those fairy tales you watch in Nollywood. A certain lady who was part of President’s Jonathan’s regime was accused of taken 69 billion and later reduced to 1 billion from the Nigerian Social InvestmentTrust Fund NSITF while she was the Chairman of the Agency. She screamed that she was innocent but was abroad while claiming innocence. She was introduced to me as one seeking for a human rights lawyer for her defence. I convinced her to come back from abroad and she did and I presented her to efcc for inestigation and prosecution. Instead of investigation and prosecution, efcc was interested in intimidation, detention and harassment. Having detained her for 14 days without any charge, I proceeded to court to enforce her fundamental human rights against unlawful detention without a charge. They reluctantly agreed to grant her administrative bail on the grounds that since i was the person that brought her back I was in a better position to stand surety for her temporarily pending her formal arraignment.

I felt obliged to her, having been the one that convinced her to come back to face her trial in Nigeria. Secondly since she was to to be arraigned shortly, my suretyship will be discharged and she will get her reliable surety while I will defend her during the trial.

All these permutations did not materialise as Efcc and Magu had a different sinister agenda. Instead of arraigning her as agreed, the agency was interested in tormenting and engaging in psychological warfare. From December to May no charge until one day I learnt that efcc invaded her home, searched the whole house for a period of 12 hours, harassing and intimidating the woman to confess to a crime that was purely a civil issue and which was not the reason why she came back. The new matter which arose from Enugu was that she borrowed money from a fellow politician who felt that he has long legs with efcc and used them to intimidate the poor lady. When she got a reprieve from the invasion she bolted out of the country back to her base abroad citing the fact that the agency was no longer interested in investigation but to eliminate her. I have no reason to doubt such assertion as their search for 12 hours corrobated that fact.

Having driven her back abroad, Efcc suddenly woke up one day that they were ready to charge her. They demanded her from me as her surety. I made them realise that (1) they were the one that drove her back to abroad without letting me know the reason why they did that (2) the matter for which they came for her was a purely civil case for which they had no reason to meddle into and (3) they had over 5 months to have charged her but was foolishly delaying the charge purely out of malice and sheer intimidation to satisfy their overbloated ego and evil machinations.

Despite what I consider EFCC stupidity, I still went after the woman through INTERPOL and got the woman to be placed on Red Alert, meaning that she can be arrested anywhere she is seen in any of the countries that have mutual covenant on INTERPOL matters with Nigeria.

Having discharged my obligation as a surety to show cause why I cannot be held liable for her disappearance, efcc in their lawlessness and brigandage felt otherwise. I was hurled into their cell for clear 23 days despite a court order obtained on my behalf by my lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN that I should be charged for offence, if any, or be released from detention.

Notorious with disobedience to lawful court orders, Mr Ibrahim Magu refused to accept the order let alone obey it. Magu in his glory felt that he was above the law especially when he knew that he was kept as Acting Chairman for years despite non-confirmation by the Senate as required by the constitution and Efcc Act. He felt untouchable as he knew his master, the President does not believe in the rule of law and has no respect to the rights of the citizens.

To cut a long story short. After my release I went back to court and sued the Agency for violating my right as a patriotic citizen who did no wrong. Recently the judgement was delivered in which I was awarded the sum of 12 million for the wrongful detention. Up till now the said sum has not been paid but I am believing that the last has not been heard about that case. The day of reckoning is coming especially when a government that respects the rule of law is enthroned.

My second experience with this government which I am asked to share is my investigation of the invasion of the home of Hon Justice Mary Odili, the just Retired Justice of the Supreme Court.
Recall that NBA appointed me as the Sole Special Investigator of that invasion that got the entire nation infuriated because of the brazen manner of the said invasion by alleged security agents of the present government. On October 30, 2021, security operatives made up of soldiers and police officers had stormed the Abuja residence of the Supreme Court Justice over an allegation that illegal activities were going on there.

Hon Justice Mary Odili, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and a wife of former Rivers State governor had her Abuja residence raided by a team of security agents headed by one Lawrence Ajodo, a fake police officer.
Amid the outrage triggered by the raid on Mrs Odili’s abode in the upscale Maitama area of Abuja , the Supreme Court condemned the incident which it said “depicted a gory picture of war”, *appearing like a mission to kill or maim the jurist”

NBA condemned the brazen raid and appointed me as the SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR to unravel the circumstances that led to the incident and which government officials authorised it.

Even though my report exonerated the government officials for lack of verifiable evidence linking them directly to the invasion, there is an aspect of my findings that were not emphasized and brought to the attention of the members of the public. In that report I said this and I quote ” Persons in the Federal Ministry of Justice have an inkling of the illegal activities of Mr Lawrence Ajodo(the fake policeman) and his collaborators and perhaps they have one way or the other consented or collaborated with him in some of his illegal activities”. I revealed further ” Some persons in the Federal Ministry of Justice may have benefited directly or indirectly from the illegal activities of this syndicate that hangs around the Ministry while using its name to create an official toga in their nefarious activities. The Federal Ministry of Justice officials cannot completely deny that they do not know some members of the syndicate”. However the absence of any shred of documentary or oral evidence linking the culprits exculpated the initial suspects like Abubakar Malami SAN and the Efcc officials. Even if Abubakar Malami SAN was exonerated, the officials of the Ministry were not exculpated. They were implicated by implied evidence generated from my findings.

RECOMMENDATIONS

My Recommendation therein were emphasized. Having interfaced with several persons and institutions in the cause of the elaborate investigation, I came up with some of the recommendations which if applied or enacted into law will go a long way in the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria.

1. I suggested that substantive and procedural laws with elaborate processes and procedures for the issuance of search warrants, arrest warrants, detention orders, extension of detention orders amongst others be enacted into law for the States and the Federal Government.

2. The independence of the Judiciary should not be a matter for negotiation. It is either we have an independent judiciary or we choose not to have it. The advantages of an independent judiciary cannot be over emphasized. The independence of the Judiciary should not be only on paper but should be practicalised. The administrative, operational and financial autonomy of the judiciary should be total and exhaustive. The Federal and State Government should not be allowed to pay lip service to the independence of the Judiciary and the welfare of the members of the Bench.

3. Government Agencies or Security Agencies that tolerate or harbour criminal gangs, touts, or law-breakers in and around their offices should be made to answer to their illegal activities by being summoned by the various committees that superintend over them in the legislature.

4. Ensuring obedience to Court Orders and respect for the rule of law should remain the eternal pursuit of NBA and other professional bodies until these become principles by which every government in Nigeria should abide.

For me the last recommendation makes the day for me. Obedience to court orders and rule of law should be a directive principle of state policy.
Absence of law is anarchy and no meaningful development will ever take place in Nigeria if the government derives pleasure in encouraging lawlessness and wanton disregard to the rule of law and rights of the citizens.

CONCLUSION

NIGERIA quest for nationhood must be one based on respect to rule of law and enthronement of democratic principles in the polity. As we approach the 2023 General Election, Citizens are urged to participate in the civic responsibility of choosing their leaders who they know will pursue the primary purpose of government which is the protection of lives and property and the provision of welfare services to the entire citizenry. Observance of rule of law and respect to rights of citizens come with good governance. Good governance is a product of good and quality leadership and quality leadership can only be given by leaders carefully chosen by the people who know the antecedent of these leaders before voting them in.

It is a foundational issue. Except the foundation is right, we will continue to doubt the soundness of the building. If the foundation be destroyed what can the righteous do? I am afraid not much!

I want to thank the Chairman, the Executives and the entire members of the Badagry Branch for this great opportunity to share this brief thought on this topical issue in our nation today. I am grateful.

Dr. M. O. Ubani
Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL

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GADZAMA HAILS NBA BARNAWA FOR ACCEPTING HIM

FEATURED

JOE-KYARI GADZAMA SAN ALONGSIDE EMINENT ENTOURAGE ATTENDS NBA BARNAWA 2022 LAW WEEK, DELIVERS GOODWILL MESSAGE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY

On Monday, June 20, 2022, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN attended the Opening Ceremony of the NBA Barnawa Branch (Model Branch) 2022 Annual Law Week, themed: Understanding the Electoral Act, 2022, held at the Jay Hiltin Hotel, 37 Libya Street, Barnawa, Kaduna State.

The Chairman of the Opening Ceremony was Muhammad Tukur Muazu Aliyu, the Acting Chief Judge of Kaduna State. Chief Gadzama delivered a Goodwill Message immediately after the Welcome Address by the Chairman of the Branch, Mr. Abdullahi Yahaya SAN.

Chief Gadzama appreciated the Branch for accepting him, and further commended the theme for the Law Week “Understanding the Electoral Act, 2022” as being very apt and relevant, considering the electioneering period the country is presently in and the attendant intrigues that come with it.

Accompanying Chief Gadzama to the NBA Barnawa Branch 2022 Law Week were Mr Mohammed Mongonu, the former Attorney-General of Borno State and Former Chairman Maiduguri Branch, Senior Lawyer Sunusi Musa of NBA Kano Branch, Hassan Sherif Esq of the NBA Abuja Branch, and an active member of the NBA SPIDEL and majority leader of the Democracy Africa Youth Parliament, Mr. Nasir Saidu Esq.

From the NBA Suleja Branch were Mr. Muhammad Hassan Adamu Esq, Mr Nasiru Usman Esq (YLF Chairman NBA Suleja Branch), Sagir Salisu Esq, and Abraham Favour Esq from the NBA Minna Branch. There was also Jummai Musa Esq of the NBA Kaduna Branch amongst a host of others.

Present at the event were the Hon. Justice A. M Talba JCA of the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division. Hon Justice Abdulrahman Umar Abubakar, the Grand Khadi Kaduna State Sharia Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Danlami Garba, the President, Customary Court of Appeal, Kaduna State. And the representative of the Keynote Speaker, Mr. Elisah Kurah, SAN amongst a host of other eminent personalities.

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‘YOUR LAW WEEK WAS A GREAT SUCCESS,’ ISAAC OGBAH TELLS NBA BARNAWA

ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH CONGRATULATES NBA BARNAWA (THE MODEL BRANCH ON THE SUCCESS OF 2022 LAW WEEK

Mr. Isaac Omuta Ogbah, the Editor-In-Chief of Erudite Judgments of the Supreme Court have sent congratulatory messages to the Chairman, the leadership and the entire members of the NBA Barnawa (The Model Branch) on the success of its 2022 Law Week events.

Mr. Isaac Ogbah, who is equally a candidate for 3rd Vice President of NBA in the July 16th 2022 elections, informed the MODEL BRANCH of Kaduna state that successive editions of their Law Week activities shall attract dignitaries from far and wide to join them to celebrate the various achievements of the leadership and members of the Branch.

He stated further thus: ”Now that this year’s Law Week has been a great success we have no doubt that subsequent events shall surely be greater than ever imagined, with us all from far and wide coming to celebrate with you all. We celebrate you all now and always”.

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CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA LAUDS EKET BAR ON LAW WEEK

FEATURED

2022 LAW WEEK: CLEMENT UGO CHUKWUEMEKA, A CLEARED CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF 2ND VICE PRESIDENT IN JULY 16, 2022 NBA NATIONAL ELECTION, FELICITATES WITH EKET BAR

A frontline bar leader and cleared candidate for the position of 2nd National Vice President in the forthcoming NBA general elections, Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka, Esq has felicitated with the leadership and members of the Eket Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association on the occasion of her 2022 Law Week.

Mr. Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka is greatly delighted to reckon with the monumental achievements of the Gloria Etim led Eket Bar Branch that has continued to be a shining star in the legal circles.

Clement Chukwuemeka notes with exhilaration that the theme of the 2022 Law Week “NIGERIAN STATE AND THE CRISIS OF GOVERNANCE: WHAT HOPE FOR 2023 AND BEYOND” is properly etched and adequately timely, considering the electioneering at hand and the need to advance competent leadership for the nation at all levels.

I urge the leadership of the branch to translate the theme of the law week towards NBA election hence the need for branches to eschew dignity and leadership, not to arrogantly and disgraceful adopting two candidates of same position with a primary aim of extorting money. Branches of NBA must look beyond 2022 – 2024 and elect competent and selfless leaders that will serve and not those that will want to recover their expenses before serving us .

Wishing the branch a blissful law week.

Mr. Chukwuemeka wishes the Eket Bar a fruitful week of inspiring activities that will leave indelible marks on the hearts of participants.

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LAW WEEK: ISAAC OGBAH HAILS FIDA LAGOS

ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH SENDS GOODWILL MESSAGE TO THE LAGOS BRANCH OF THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN LAWYERS

For decades FIDA has been on the forefront for the rights and welfare of women and the girl child. In thick and thorns you have navigated and done all it takes to ensure that their rights are enforced, protected and their interests are protected.

Though you have done more than one could have ever asked and or demanded for yet you never relent in continuing your good hearted and selfless services to the voiceless, the vulnerable and less privileged ones in the society.

I have no doubt that both in heaven and herein on earth God will richly reward you all for your labor of love you have been showing and would still continue to show to the women fold.

You are worth being celebrated and we celebrate you all now and always. The host of heaven and all of us herein on earth celebrate you and will forever celebrate you.

Once again congratulations to FIDA Lagos state on your 2022 Law Week events.

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‘YOU’RE A BULWARK FOR LESS PRIVILEGED,’ SAFIYA BALARABE TELLS FIDA LAGOS

SAFIYA BALARABE SENDS GOODWILL MESSAGE TO INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN LAWYERS (FIDA), LAGOS BRANCH AS THEY CONDUCT THEIR 2022 ANNUAL LAW WEEK

Read below Safiya Balarabe’s goodwill message to the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) on account of their 2022 Annual Law Week themed “Education as a Catalyst for Boosting the Self Image of the African Child”.

“FIDA, Lagos branch has over the years demonstrated an unparalleled level of capacity in championing the cause of the less privileged in the society; organizing people oriented programs and stepping in to act as a beacon of hope for those whose life experiences have dimmed their spirit.

“This year’s Law Week themed ‘Education as a catalyst for Boosting the Self Image of the African Child’ is a perfect example of the above point. This theme touches on the very soul of the African continent, its future and dynamics. We are well aware that an uneducated population is a handicapped one. This is why if the African continent is serious about pulling out of its present state of underdevelopment, it must as a matter of duty invest in the self esteem of its future generations by putting in place the necessary requirements for sound education.

I am full of praises for the leadership and members of FIDA, Lagos State for this all-important program. 

Thank you.

Signed:

Safiya Balarabe

Treasurer, NBA Women Forum and Candidate for the position of NBA Treasurer 2022-2024

‘I WILL PARTNER WITH YOU ON ACTIVISM,’ CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA TELLS NBA IKEJA

‘WHEN THE TIGER ROARS, IT CAN ONLY BE FROM THE FORESTCITY OF IKEJA’

The Sui Generis Bar leader, the Ikeja Voice in Bwari Branch of Abuja, the immediate Past chairman of NBA Bwari Branch, Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka felicitate the Ikeja Branch of NBA (Tiger Bar) over well thought out theme of the law week.

The NBA always get their voice as a pressure group from the manner and credence the Ikeja Branch gives to topical issues affecting the nation. Ikeja branch over the years have demonstrated capacity as a voice for the entire country , if they are not doing it as a branch, you must at all time see a member from the branch standing out amongst colleagues to demand for what all of us are enjoying today .

We must appreciate The chairman and his excos for their resilience in keeping to the road map led by the predecessors. Ikeja Bar having the likes of FEMI FALANA (SAN) AND Dr. MONDAY ONYEKACHI UBANI (SAM) and others, you will agree with me that The Tiger Bar remain the leading light amongst branches in area of human rights advocacy and holding government accountable to the ills of the society.

As a candidate to the office of the 2nd Vice President of NBA in the forthcoming national Election, I shall work with the branch towards speaking truth to power .

As the law week winds down, may we continue to wish the branch only the best as we form a coalition towards a better society come 2023 and beyond .

The Sui Generis Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka, is coming in Democratic New order for the BAR.

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‘SUSTAIN YOUR VISIONARY IDEAS,’ CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA TELLS NBA BENIN

THE BIG LION LAW WEEK: CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA ( AKA. DEMOCRAT) FELICITATES BENIN BAR

A sui generis BAR MAN and cleared Candidate for the post of 2nd Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka heartily felicitates the Executive Council and Members of Benin Bar on the auspicious occasion of the 2022 Law Week.

Mr. Chukwuemeka wishes to identify with the immeasurable achievements recorded by the leadership of the Benin Bar and similarly urges members to uphold and sustain the visionary ideas that stand the Benin Bar out.

As the Benin Bar winds up activities marking its law week, Mr. Chukwuemeka wishes them a successful year ahead and looks forward to greater exploits of the Benin Bar and the Democratic minds that the New leadership promises to offer in the National Body of NBA in July.

Be rest assured Mr. Pius Idemudia Oiwoh led Exco and the entire membership of lion Bar that your sacrifices towards the growth of the Bar shall always be remembered in the history of NBA .

Sui Generis Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka, a cleared candidate for the office of 2nd Vice President , NBA National Election 2022.

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SAFIYA BALARABE ACCLAIMS NBA BENIN ON LAW WEEK

NBA BENIN 2022 ANNUAL LAW WEEK CELEBRATION: SAFIYA BALARABE, CANDIDATE FOR NBA TREASURER HAILS THE LION BAR

The ongoing 2022 Annual Law Week of the NBA, Benin branch (Lion Bar) has been greeted by a goodwill message from Safiya Balarabe. The Treasurer, NBA Women Forum lauded the branch for putting together a power-packed event which complements its apposite theme.

The statement reads:

“‘Security: Panacea for National Growth’ is the chosen theme for this year’s Law Week celebration of the NBA Benin branch (“Lion Bar”). No one can argue otherwise, to the effect that nowhere in the world has development ever been recorded in the midst of turmoil.

With a theme this apposite, I looked forward to a Law Week that matches same and I was not disappointed, as a matter of fact, I am greatly impressed by the organizational prowess of the Lion Bar. The Law Week so far has run smoothly with attendant intellectualism and glamour. One could mistake same for the NBA AGC itself.

I commend the leadership of the Lion Bar, its members and very importantly, the planning committee.

Thank you and God bless”.

Signed:

Safiya Balarabe

Treasurer, NBA Women Forum and Candidate for the position of NBA Treasurer 2022-2024

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‘LOOKING BACK ENABLES BETTER DECISIONS,’ SAFIYA BALARABE LAUDS NBA IKEJA

SAFIYA BALARABE, CANDIDATE FOR THE POSITION OF THE NBA TREASURER SENDS GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NBA IKEJA AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 2022 ANNUAL LAW WEEK

Safiya Balarabe, candidate for NBA Treasurer, has penned a goodwill message to the Ikeja Branch of the NBA on the occasion of their 2022 Annual Law celebration tagged: “2023, looking backward to move forward” holding between 10th and 17th of June, 2022.

The statement reads”

“The distinguished leadership and members of the NBA Ikeja branch (“Tiger Bar”),

I am delighted to extend my thoughts to your great branch as you celebrate your 2022 Annual Law Week. The theme ‘2023, looking backward to move forward’ reminds us of the importance of looking back in time order to make better decisions with a view to making desired progress. We cannot as a nation afford to get it wrong in 2023, hence, we must let ourselves be guided by antecedents while making our choices.

This theme could not have been more apt. As a matter of fact, it is one of the best I have come across thus far. I commend the Tiger Bar for this timely reminder.

I wish you a successful Law Week celebration.

Thank you and God bless”

Signed:

Safiya Balarabe

Treasurer, NBA Women Forum and Candidate for the position of NBA Treasurer 2022-2024

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GADZAMA AT FIDA LAW WEEK, LAUDS EFFORTS ON CHILD RIGHTS

FEATURED

JOE-KYARI GADZAMA, SAN ATTENDS OPENING SESSION OF FIDA LAGOS LAW WEEK 2022.

Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, a well-known supporter and advocate for women’s rights, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Candidate for the Office of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, in his continuing support of women and women Lawyers was in attendance at the opening ceremony of FIDA (International Federation of Women Lawyers) Lagos Branch, held at the Institute of International Affairs, VI, Lagos, today 14/6/22

The Learned silk in his goodwill message to the group of women Lawyers, beamed with pride at the progress of branch in tackling issues against women and children in Lagos state and congratulated the members of FIDA Lagos branch on the choice of theme for the Law Week: “EDUCATION as a catalyst for boosting the self-image of the African Child”.

In his opinion, the very need to secure the rights of an African Child cannot be overemphasized as Africa has been challenged with the lack of good leadership, poverty, and degradation of persons majorly women and children who are pushed into trafficking. Sensitization of the African Child is a strong tool which can enlighten the African Child most especially the Girl Child to their endless world of possibilities in developing and securing their self-image as well as an enviable future profitable to the African continent and the world.

Chief J-K Gadzama,SAN went further to commend the Chairman, executives and members of the branch for taking him as one of theirs and for their numerous sacrifices and constructive efforts in moving the branch forward and assured the branch of his continuing support always.

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‘YOUR LAW WEEK THEME IS APT,’ TAIDI TELLS NBA IKEJA BRANCH

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION IKEJA BRANCH ON HER 2022 LAW WEEK

It is with great delight that I felicitate with the Chairman, Executive and Planning Committees as well as the entire members of the Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja Branch on her 2022 Law Week with the theme: “2023: Looking Backwards To Move Forward.”

There is a common African saying that “God created eyes in front so we can always look forward rather than backwards.”

However, as the great Chinua Achebe said, “We must know where the rain began to beat us in order to know where we dried our body.” In other words, it is only by examining the past that we are able to take stock and measure our progress in every endeavour.

Therefore, the choice of this theme is remarkably creative and apt and like the roar of a lion, quite a wake up call in view of the approaching general elections scheduled for 2023.

The recent primary elections of the major political parties, which was brazenly “dollarized,” was a huge embarrassment to our democratic journey.

Of great concern is the supervision of these carnivals by various national agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices are Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) and other similar bodies which have, at their disposal, the facilities and manpower to check these excesses, but chose to look the other way.

It is impossible to make any meaningful progress when we fail to examine the issues that continue to take us backwards in this same journey where other countries with less potentials have recorded tremendous growth.

I challenge all participants at this event to put on their thinking cap and help discover the ways out of our regressive quargmire as a nation.

This indeed will be the greatest gift in our quest for national rebirth.

May we all be counted as part of the solution as we share very meaningful exchanges on this august occasion.

I wish you all a memorable and beneficial law week.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
Candidate for NBA President

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GADZAMA STORMS NBA BWARI DINNER, MAKURDI, BENIN BRANCH

FEATURED 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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LAW WEEK: ISAAC OGBAH LAUDS NBA IKEJA

Isaac Omuta Ogbah, FICMC, Candidate for the 3rd Vice President of NBA wishes the Tiger Bar, ably led by Sir Batholomew Aguegbodo and his executive success in their 2022 Law Week.

Your sessions on Democratic Nigeria; has our lives really changed; Arbitration clauses and the role of our courts: The need for judicial intervention as well as the session on the Bar and Bench: a relationship that should never die, promises to contribute to the legal jurisprudence of today’s legal practice.

I have no doubt that everyone attending this year’s Law Week would be highly fulfilled and glad they attended same.

We celebrate you all now and always. Shalom shalom

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ISAAC OGBAH COMMENDS NBA BARNAWA ON LAW WEEK

Isaac Omuta Ogbah, FICMC, a Candidate for the 3rd Vice President in the forthcoming NBA National elections sends goodwill messages to NBA Barnawa Branch as it holds its 2022 Law Week with the theme: “Understanding the Electoral Act 2022”.

Now that Nigeria is preparing for its 2022 general elections, the theme for your Law Week is timely as it would enable legal luminaries unveil every aspect of this 2022 Electoral Act in preparations for the various litigations that would follow the electoral processes.

I wish the Chairman and his executive members and the entire members of the Barnawa Branch of NBA a very successful Law Week event and I pray for journey mercies for all that would grace the Law Week event from other parts of Nigeria.

I celebrate you all now and always.

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LAW WEEK: ‘SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER ON INSECURITY,’ ISAAC OGBAH URGES NBA BENIN

ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH, FICMC, 3RD VICE PRESIDENT CANDIDATE OF THE NBA WISHES THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP AND PIUS OIWOH, ESQ. LED EXECUTIVE OF THE NBA BENIN BRANCH, POPULARLY REFERRED TO AS THE LION BAR SUCCESS IN THEIR 2022 LAW WEEK.

Your choice of theme is very much commendable, considering the insecurity challenges that has bedeviled this nation for over a decade.

There is no doubt the fact that SECURITY IS REALLY A PANACEA TO NATIONAL GROWTH, not only in Nigeria but globally.

Hence the lack of political will and body language by the governments of the past and most especially the present federal and state administrations has made one to begin to wonder whether or not they really know the very essence of their being in office, which is basically the protection of lives and properties and the provision of basic amenities and polices that would make life meaningful in Nigeria unlike the present day realities which has made Nigeria to be a hellish place to live in on earth.

I implore the leadership of the Lion Bar and all the panelist and participants to be bold enough to speak the truth to everyone saddled with providing security for the nation and ensure that they come alive to their responsibilities. Your voices must be heard loud and clear.

I celebrate you all now and always. Shalom shalom.

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TAIDI TASKS NBA BENIN ON INSECURITY AS LAW WEEK THEME

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION BENIN BRANCH ON HER 2022 LAW WEEK

The Lion Bar chose a great theme: “Security: Panacea for National Growth” and I congratulate the organisers, leaders and members of the branch on this auspicious occasion of the 2022 Bar Week.

Security is a condition precedent to every human endeavour and its absence, known as insecurity, is the albatross of our society. This critical discourse, on this occasion, affords us a unique opportunity to re-examine the existential threats to security of lives and property which is the primary purpose of governance.

It is expected that the legal community and the nation will discover the solution we seek from the outcome of this law week which promises to be like no other.

We eagerly await the resolutions which we hope will signal a new beginning for peaceful and purposeful co-existence and, like the roar of a lion, clear all the obstacles along its path.

I wish all participants a memorable and beneficial law week

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
Candidate for NBA President

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‘YOUR LAW WEEK THEME IS QUITE APT,’ AMANDA ASAGBA TELLS NBA IKEJA

Amanda Demechi-Asagba, President of AWLA and Candidate for NBA 3rd Vice President felicitates with the Chairman Barth Aguegbogo and all members of NBA Ikeja Branch (TIGER BAR) on their Law Week 2022

I am filled with so much joy in congratulating the Chairman and entire members of my home branch NBA Ikeja Branch on the 2022 edition of the branch’s Law Week tagged, “2023; Looking backward to move forward.”

So rightly captured is the theme of this year’s law week as it serves as a guide to the activities of humans generally, in looking back to learn from the past, and then making advancement.

I am optimistic that we shall achieve great success in the forthcoming event.

To the Law Week Planning Committee, I say a huge thank you for delivering this landmark event.

Forward Ever!

Amanda Demechi-Asagba

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TAIDI LAUDS NBA ABUJA FOR LAW WEEK

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION ABUJA BRANCH ON HER 2022 LAW WEEK 

I congratulate the Chairman, Executive Committee and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja Branch on her 2022 Law Week. 

The theme: “Credible Electoral Process, Rule of Law, Leadership and Good Governance: The Way Forward,” is both timely, and well thought out given our negative experience on all fronts and the renewed opportunity presented by the upcoming 2023 general elections. 

The way forward is to identify the reasons why unlike other nations which attained political independence with Nigeria, we have become a symbol of retrogression.

I therefore challenge all participants to contribute meaningfully to the discussions on this very important area so that our nation will find that elusive path to greatness. 

Happy deliberations as I wish you a fruitful outcome. 

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq 

Candidate for NBA President

‘INTERROGATE ISSUES THAT BESET US,’ TAIDI URGES NBA BAUCHI ON LAW WEEK

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION BAUCHI BRANCH ON HER 2022 LAW WEEK 

I felicitate with the Chairman, Executive and Planning Committee as well as entire members of the Nigerian Bar Association Bauchi Branch on her 2022 Law Week holding between 3rd – 10th June, 2022.

As has become the tradition, each year our colleagues congregate during a chosen period which has been earmarked for interaction, stock taking and unwinding.

This year’s law week is not particularly different except that the theme requires that we use the platform to discuss issues that have held our nation back while also interrogating the problems militating against the administration of justice.

I urge all participants to actively engage in the events during this law week and come up with recommendations that will take us out of the woods.

Wishing you all a fulfilling and memorable week. 

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq 

Candidate for NBA President

‘YOUR THEME SPEAKS TO OUR POWER AS LAWYERS,’ SAFIYA BALARABE TELLS NBA BWARI

SAFIYA BALARABE EXTENDS GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NBA, BWARI BRANCH AS THEY CELEBRATE THEIR 2022 ANNUAL LAW WEEK

Goodwill message to the NBA, Bwari branch (“Cradle Bar”) on account of their 2022 Annual Law Week, themed “State of the Nation: Where are the Lawyers”.

“I heartily extend my best wishes to the leadership and members of the NBA Bwari branch (“Cradle Bar”) as they celebrate their 2022 Annual Law Week with the theme “State of the Nation: Where are the Lawyers?”

This theme indeed hits differently. It is more or less a reminder that we as lawyers have a hand in every single thing that happens in this country, good or bad. It emphasizes the power we wield over the fortunes of this country and reminds us to act right, to uphold the rule of law at all times so as to ensure a bright future for our children.

We cannot overemphasize our important role as lawyers in the affairs of our country. To this end I urge us all to do better. Thank you Cradle Bar for this timely reminder.

God bless”

Signed:

Safiya Balarabe, Treasurer, NBA Women Forum and Candidate for the position of NBA Treasurer 2022-2024

‘X-RAY ISSUES THAT HINDER LAW AND DEMOCRACY,’ TAIDI TELLS NBA MINNA LAW WEEK

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION MINNA BRANCH ON HER 2022 LAW WEEK

I felicitate with the Chairman, Executive Committee and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association Minna Branch on the occasion of her 2022 Law Week with the theme: “Law & Democracy: Progress, Challenges & Prospects.”

Law and Democracy like Siamese twins are the foundation of good governance and development. Any society therefore which is consistently grappling with the rudiments of good governance and development stands on a shaky foundation.

The theme of the law week and the topical issues lined up for discussion are timely given the precarious state of our nation which is in need of retooling.

I congratulate the Planning Committee for bringing to the front burner the progress so far recorded, the attendant challenges and the urgent need to find a pathway to the progress and prosperity of our nation.

I charge all participants to take advantage of this platform and interrogate issues militating against law and democracy and profer workable solutions aimed at bailing our ailing nation.

I wish you all a memorable and beneficial law week.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq
Candidate for NBA President

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TAIDI URGES NBA MAKURDI TO TACKLE ELECTORAL CHALLENGES AT LAW WEEK

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION MAKURDI BRANCH ON HER 2022 LAW WEEK

I felicitate with the Chairman and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association Makurdi Branch on her 2022 Law Week on the theme: “Democracy, Electoral Process and Paradigm of Change in Nigeria”.

The choice of the theme for this year’s programme is apt given that the bane of our development revolves around the democratic process and the need to find a workable and less expensive model.

It is hoped that participants will take advantage of the opportunity presented by this platform to interrogate the challenges of our electoral process and fashion ways of designing an adaptive model.

I therefore challenge the organisers to endeavour to publish the outcome of this discourse for the benefit of legal practitioners in particular and Nigerians in general.

Happy and rewarding deliberations.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
Candidate for NBA President

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‘WE NEED LAWYERS TO SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER,’ CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA TELLS NBA BWARI

Special Goodwill Message To My Branch, NBA Bwari Branch (Cradle Bar) On The Occasion of her Annual Law Week, 2022

There is always joy when you look back and discover that , your foundational Branch remains a key player in the Bar community.

The topic and the keynote speaker must have been chosen by the wisest men in this legal profession. I, Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka am not surprised to see the quality and caliber of discussants.

Bwari Branch, in the last Ten years has demonstrated capacity of standing amongst the oldest branches of NBA, chilling comfortably with the big boys branches in area of advocacy.

The above is demonstrated in the novel and epoch Theme chosen for this year’s law week. While lawyers are running away from condemnation , responsibility and blames, the leadership under the captainship of the pilot, Monday Adjeh refused to exonerate lawyers in the problem bedeviling the Nigeria space, hence the choice of the law week topic across the NBA community: THE STATE OF THE NATION, Where are the lawyers?

Lawyers in Nigeria have disappointed the Nigerian society; I can attribute all these to the lackadaisical approach of lawyers towards human rights abuses, exoneration of being the chief pressure group in the land and above all, reluctance in holding leaders accountable to their disrespect to rule of law and protection of life and property, not leaving out the religiosity monster amongst colleagues.

You can not be a judge of a court without firstly, being a lawyer! The Bench and the Bar must agree that lawyers have failed this nation and begin to thinker very quickly the solution and mechanisms as the way forward for Nigeria .

The sub-theme of the event can be seen as catalyst towards achieving a state of the nation where all amenities for survival abound. Can the lawyers perform optimally without first imbibing the ethics of the profession? Can we actualize a good state of the nation without proper administration of justice founded on the principle of rule of law? The absence of the above can never guarantee us the Dinner topic which is Unity In diversity ! We must act now.

The topic no doubt will keep all Nigerians, especially lawyers in a state of reclaiming our nation . We lawyers are responsible to the woes of this nation and it is high time we began in earnest to tell ourselves the truth about our responsibility as the soul of the nation. If we rise up today to say bad governance shall be over , it shall be so.

It is so because , the leaders of the nation submits to us to adjudicate on their existence . We owe the society a duty to do justice and when we begin to deliver meritorious judgement and lawyers that appear before the Judex maintains a high moral standard for the good of the nation , be rest assured the bad state of the nation shall be eroded and the new order of goodness shall be our portion moving forward .

In conclusion, I must thank the organizers and I sincerely felicitate with the NBA Bwari Branch as it holds her Law week. I appreciate the leadership for choosing a Democrat like me, Senator SHEHU SANI to be the keynote speaker. I cannot thank the Chairman enough for this wonderful topic, coming at a time where ethical value of a lawyer before the society is eroding by the day.

Lawyers must lead this discussion and reclaim our lost glory. In the next one month, lawyers shall be electing their leaders; we owe ourselves the duty to look inward and vote for the right candidates that could look the government of day in the face and speak truth to power as well as activate the pressure group mantra to salvage our nation.

May I wish the Chairman, Branch Executives and members of the Branch a successful Law Week.

Finally, I wish the members and participants a fun filled day .

God bless NBA Bwari Branch

God bless the Nigerian Bar Association

God bless Nigeria.

Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka, Esq.

Immediate Past Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Bwari Branch, Abuja

(A cleared Aspirant for the office of the 2nd Vice President Of NBA )

‘YOUR LAW WEEK THEME IS APT,’ CLEMENT CHUKWUEMEKA TELLS MAKURDI BAR

Goodwill Message To The NBA Markurdi Branch On The Occasion of her Annual Law Week, 2022

I, Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka felicitate the NBA Makurdi Branch as it holds her Law Week themed “Democracy, Electoral Process & The Paradigm Of Change In Nigeria”, from the 3rd to 5th of June, 2022.

The choice of topic is apt , coming at a time we are presently. Democratic tenets must be enshrined in our whole life circle and the umpire of our electoral system must as a matter of urgency democratize their policies for us to attain a clear paradigm shift from the usual. 

Lawyers must lead this discussion and Markurdi Branch by taking the lead in this area, deserves commendation and accolades . The branch and the topic shall be fresh in our memory as we approach a new normal election come 2023 where the paradigm change shall be applauded by all.

I wish the Chairman, Branch Executives and members of the Branch a successful Law Week. 

Finally, I wish the members and participants at the Law Week fruitful and epoch deliberations.

God bless NBA Makurdi Branch

God bless the Nigerian Bar Association

God bless Nigeria.

Clement Ugo Chukwuemeka, Esq.

Past Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Bwari Branch, Abuja

‘YOUR LAW WEEK THEME VERY APT,’ SAFIYA BALARABE TELLS NBA ILE-IFE

GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM SAFIYA BALARABE TO THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, ILE-IFE BRANCH ON HER 2022 LAW WEEK

“The highly respected Chairman, Executives and Members of the great Ile-Ife branch, I extend my unalloyed regards to you on the occasion of your annual law week taking place between 30th of May to 1st of June,2022.

The chosen theme: ‘Exploring the Law as a Catalyst towards a truly Federal State’ is very apt, especially as a country that practices a federal system of government.

We have however noticed overtime that the federal system has been bastardized by politicians; turning same on its head with the resultant effect being mismanagement and embezzlement of resources across the different levels of government, lack of accountability from political leaders amongst others.

Flowing from the above, I strongly believe that with the great personalities who will be speaking on the theme, like the revered Chairman of the Body of Benchers cum a respected leader, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN as the Guest Speaker and Prof. Abiola Sanni SAN as a keynote speaker, the theme and all topics on your Law Week program shall be well discussed and possible solutions proffered.

Once again, I wish you a wonderful Law Week celebration.

God bless you”.

Signed:
Safiya Balarabe
Current Treasurer, NBA Women Forum and Candidate for the position of NBA Treasurer 2022-2024.

ISAAC OGBAH EXTOLS NBA KADUNA ON LAW WEEK

ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH felicitates with the Chairman, leadership and members of NBA Kaduna Branch on their 2022 Law Week activities.

The theme ” Expanding The Frontiers of Legal Practice” of the Kaduna Branch Law Week is a topic of the season as most lawyers are still recovering from the pandemic, and there need to be a way out for lawyers to get back on their feet.

The Legal profession over the years has grown so wide into different aspects of Law and we as Lawyers shouldn’t just stereotype ourselves to Litigation, drafting of Deeds alone. There are so many untapped resources in this business of law which legal practitioners should be averting their eyes to and which can be a gold mine if properly utilized.  

As Napoleon Hill said in one of his famous quotes, “The way of success is the way of continuous pursuit of Knowledge.” 

I celebrate the leadership and members of NBA Kaduna Branch in the occassion of their Law week. I wish each members a fruitful deliberations even as I pray for peace and security within and outside Kaduna State.

I celebrate you all now and always.

AKPATA STORMS NBA ILE-IFE FOR LAW WEEK

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata today attended the opening ceremony of the NBA Ile-Ife Branch Law Week holding at the Ife Grand Resorts, Ife, Osun State.

Mr. President, while delivering his opening remarks as the Chairman of the Law Week, reiterated the point that the strength of the Nigerian Bar Association resides in the branches.

Below are photos from the event.

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NBA ILE-IFE LAW WEEK THEME EXCITES ISAAC OGBAH

FEATURED

ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH EXTENDS HIS GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NBA ILE-IFE ON HER 2022 LAW WEEK

Nigeria as a Nation became a Federal state in 1954. However, can we say we are truly a Federal State? What constitutes a Federal State? What is the role of the Law in achieving a truly Federal State. I believe these and many more are the highlights of the topic of discuss Exploring the Law as a Catalyst Towards a Truly Federal State as the members of NBA Ile-Ife Bar celebrate their Law Week.

I felicitate with the Executives and Members of the NBA Ile-Ife Bar on the occasion of their Law Week and wish them a happy deliberation.

ISAAC OMUTAH OGBAH, FICMC

Former Chairman, Ota NBA Branch

AMANDA ASAGBA LAUDS NBA KADUNA, ILE-IFE ON LAW WEEK

FEATURED

AMANDA ASAGBA COMMENDS NBA ILE-IFE BRANCH ON LAW WEEK

I rejoice with the Chairperson and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ile Ife Branch on your 2022 Law Week.

The theme of your Law Week, “Exploring the Law as a Catalyst towards a truly Federal State” is very insightful and thought-provoking, especially in this season when centrifugal forces are tugging at the soul of the nation.

I am confident that resolutions from this epoch-making event will contribute immensely in forging the much-needed unity in our country. Ile-Ife, “The Source” remains a great bastion of modern civilization and knowledge that we are all proud of.

I wish you every success during the Law Week and beyond.

AMANDA ASAGBA
Former NBA NEC Rep,
President, African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA)

AMANDA ASAGBA HAILS NBA KADUNA BRANCH ON LAW WEEK

I felicitate with the Branch Chairman, Executive Committee, Planning Committee, Bar Leaders and all members of Kaduna Branch on your 2022 Law Week holding from 27th to 31st May, 2022.

I find the theme of the Law Week, “Expanding the Frontiers of Legal Practice” most apposite in an era when technology has completely disrupted the legal profession.

There is no gainsaying that lawyers who are able to tap into the emerging new trends and deepen their expertise are bound to be much-sought-after in the new era.

I urge you all to utilize the opportunities thrown up by the Law Week to enrich your knowledge in new areas of law and adequately prepare yourselves for the brave new world of law practice.

Congratulations!

AMANDA ASAGBA
Former NBA NEC Rep,
President, African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA)

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TAIDI EXTOLS NBA KADUNA, ILE-IFE ON LAW WEEK

FEATURED

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION ILE IFE BRANCH ON HER 2022 LAW WEEK WITH THE THEME: EXPLORING THE LAW AS A CATALYST TOWARDS A TRULY FEDERAL STATE”

I felicitate with the Chairperson and Members of Ile Ife Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association on her 2022 Law Week.

The programme is focusing on the very important and very controversial aspect of our existence as a nation fondly referred to as ‘Federation,’ when some say we actually practice a military style unitary system where no matter the level of oppression you are expected to fall in line.
This system is the bane of our development as it promotes over dependence on revenue from the centre and leaves unaccountable streams of revenue to be exploited for personal use.

It is my firm conviction that we can get it right by engagements such as this and by continuing the sort of discourse aimed at fashioning a truly federal state where equity and justice prevail.

I am delighted that this discussion is holding at the ‘source’ of the great O’dua heritage and hope the outcome will be the foundation of a true federation.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
Candidate for NBA President

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION KADUNA BRANCH ON HER 2022 LAW WEEK

I felicitate with the Chairman, Law Week Organising Committee and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Kaduna Branch on the occasion of the 2022 Law Week on the theme: “Expanding the Frontiers of Legal Practice”.

At independence, legal practice in the Nigerian parlance connotes litigation. However, overtime, other areas of practice of law evolved in response to the emerging dynamics of society.

In the 21st century there abound relatively new areas that are either dominated by expatriates who have no right of audience under our law or where we have very few members with expertise to shine in those areas.

There is therefore the need to equip ourselves with the requisite knowledge on diverse and emerging areas of law so that we put a permanent wedge on incursion from foreigners under whatever guise or shade.

This law week affords us the platform to interrogate the challenges bedevelling our ability to diversify into emerging practice areas and stem the tide of pervasive external incursion into our legal space. I therefore challenge participants to take advantage of this platform to discover solutions for our overall benefit.

I wish distinguished participants a rewarding experience and fruitful outcome.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
Candidate for NBA President

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I SALUTE NBA ABUJA, ILORIN, PH, GWAGWALADA, LOKOJA, OTU OKA IWU – ISAAC OGBAH

FEATURED

I SALUTE NBA ILORIN, PORT HARCOURT, GWAGWALADA, LOKOJA 

I, ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH ESQ. FCIMC wish Ilorin, Port-Harcourt, Gwagwalada, Lokoja Branches of the NBA as well as NBA Ota Branch (The Utter Bar) for successfully having their May General meeting of their respective branches. I celebrate you all for the fruitful deliberations and all decisions arrived at at their monthly General Meetings.

You future meetings shall be more fruitful and productive.

I celebrate you all now and always.

‘YOUR LAW WEEK THEME VERY APT,’ ISAAC OGBAH TELLS ABUJA BRANCH

I, ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH ESQ. FCIMC, the immediate past Chairman of the NBA, Ota Branch (The Utter Bar) and the publisher of the Erudite Judgements of the Supreme Court, heartily felicitate with the NBA Abuja Branch (The Unity Bar) on the occasion of her 2022 Law Week.

The theme; “Nigeria: 2023 and Beyond-Building Systems for Accountable Leadership and Good Governance” is very apt and timely considering the period and the situation pervading our nation Nigeria today.

It is believed that the current happenings in Nigeria will be interrogated during the various sessions to see what we are doing wrongly and proper how improvements can be made to give us a better and brighter future as a nation.

I therefore congratulate the Chairman, the entire executive and members of the branch for being able to plan and organize 2022 Law Week.

Finally, I wish all participants happy, fruitful and fulfilled 2022 Law Week.

I WISH OTU OKA IWU FRUITFUL DELIBERATIONS – ISAAC OGBAH

I, ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH ESQ. FCIMC, the immediate past Chairman of the NBA, Ota Branch (The Utter Bar) and the publisher of the Erudite Judgements of the Supreme Court, congratulate the Otu Oka-Iwu, Abuja as it holds her General Meeting.

I wish Otu Oka-Iwu, Abuja an ever fruitful, peaceful and eventful deliberations in all her general meetings both now and always even as I celebrate you all now and always

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ISAAC OGBAH CELEBRATES JUSTICE EJEMBI EKO, NBA EFFURUN, MOURNS OGEDENGBE

Prominent Bar Leader and former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ota Branch, Mr. Isaac Omuta Ogbah has described retired Supreme Court jurist, Jusitce Ejembi Eko as an “astute jurist” with a wealth of legal jurisprudence.

Ogbah who is also the Editor-in-Chief of Erudite Judgements of Supreme Court also commended the leadership and entire members of NBA Effurun Bar on its Law Week, even as he mourned the passing of former NBA Abuja Branch Chairman, High Chief Uyeh Ogedengbe.

Below are the statements.

ISAAC OGBAH, FICMC CELEBRATES HIS LORDSHIP, HONOURABLE JUSTICE EJEMBI EKO, OF THE SUPREME COURT ON HIS MERITORIOUS RETIREMENT FROM THE NIGERIAN BENCH.

His Lordship was an astute jurist and we, as members of the Nigerian Bar have indeed been privileged to have shared from his wealth of legal jurisprudence and erudite judgments as a noble member of the Bench.

My Lord, we celebrate you be dearly and wish you the very best as you successfully exit the apex court with your indelible marks on the history of the Nigerian judiciary.

Congratulations Your Lordship.

ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH, FICMC, PAST CHAIR OF THE UTTER BAR AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF EJSC, FELICITATES WITH THE JONATHAN EKPERUSI LED NBA EFFURUN BRANCH AS THEY HOLD THEIR LAW WEEK.

Without any iota of doubt the Judiciary is a critical stakeholder in the Business of Nation Building. The Judiciary is a very vital stakeholder in the preservation of peace and guaranteeing national security which are key pillars for national development. This entails defending and protecting people’s rights and their properties, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our great Nation.

The Judiciary, no doubt, is one of the three pillars that holds this great Nation and its role cannot be over emphasized.

I believe the various sessions to be held during your Law Week will further shed more light on the roles of the Judiciary in building our Great Nation.

I therefore celebrate with the Leadership and the entire members of NBA Effurun Bar and wish them an insightful, wonderful and fruitful Bar Week.

I celebrate you all now and always. Shalom shalom

ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH, FICMC SENDS CONDOLENCES TO NBA ABUJA AND NBA BRANCHES IN DELTA STATE ON THE DEATH OF HIGH CHIEF UYEH OGEDENGBE, PAST CHAIR NBA ABUJA BRANCH

This is to express my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the members of the NBA Abuja Branch; the entire Branches of NBA in Delta State o the passing unto glory of the past Branch Chairman of NBA Abuja Branch, *High Chief Uyeh Ogedengbe (The GOC) who passed on to glory on Wednesday, 7th day of May, 2022 after a brief Illness.

It is my prayers that God grant his entire family members and the entire legal community the fortitude to bear this great loss even as we pray for journey mercies to everyone that would travel to and fro Emevor, the home town of our departed GOC on 10th day of June, 2022, the date fixed for his burial.

Adieu, GOC.

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SAFIYA BALARABE PRAISES NBA EFFURUN BRANCH ON LAW WEEK

Safiya Balarabe has extended to NBA Effurun Branch a message of felicitation on the occasion of its 2022 Annual Law Week tagged, “The Role of the Judiciary in Nation Building” slated for 25th to 27th May, 2022.

The statement reads:

TREASURER NBA WOMEN FORUM, SAFIYA BALARABE FELICITATES THE EFFURUN BRANCH ON ACCOUNT OF THEIR 2022 ANNUAL LAW WEEK CELEBRATION

“The gathering of learned minds is always an assembly of immense resourcefulness.

Permit me, the Chairman, Executives and Branch Members of the Effurun branch to use this medium in extending to your gathering of distinguished learned minds my unalloyed felicitations on the occasion of your 2022 Annual Law with the carefully couched theme: ‘The Role of the Judiciary in Nation Building’.

If anyone asks what the role of the judiciary in Nation building is, it is safe to answer that the judiciary is the keeper of the nation’s sanctity without which same would be in a state of complete disarray. This underscores how important the judiciary is to any nation and this is why we must always seek to protect it. I am convinced that this event will in no small measure open our eyes all the more to the need of protecting the judiciary while it carries out this function.

I wish you a successful event.

Thank you”.

Signed:

Safiya Balarabe
Treasurer, NBA Women Forum

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LAW WEEK: TAIDI ACCLAIMS NBA YENAGOA BRANCH

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION YENAGOA BRANCH ON HER 2022 LAW WEEK

I congratulate the Chairman, Executive Committee and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yenagoa Branch on the occasion of her 2022 Law Week.

The theme: ‘Building A Stronger Judiciary ‘ presupposes that we already have a vibrant system of administration of justice which only requires some effort to make it even stronger. Actually, things are not so rosy and it is imperative that we interrogate areas of weakness and appraise areas of strength.

This law week is poised to serve the purpose of assembling the building blocks of the virile and progressive judiciary which we earnestly desire.

I therefore urge all participants to focus on the missing link in our justice administration system and work towards enthroning a truly strong judiciary.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
NBA General Secretary (2018 – 2020)

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TAIDI EXTOLS NBA EFFURUN BRANCH ON LAW WEEK

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (NBA) EFFURUN BRANCH ON THE OCCASION OF HER 2022 LAW WEEK

I felicitate with the Chairman and entire members of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Effurun Branch on her 2022 Law Week on the theme: “The Role of The Judiciary in Nation Building “

The theme is apt and non pretentious in that it seeks to examine the critical role the judiciary plays in nation building.

The role of judiciary as a key stakeholder in the affairs of a nation cannot be under estimated because it is the pillar which holds society together and any gap will inevitably result in a catastrophe for the well-being of the nation.

It is worthwhile that at every turn, we as legal practitioners continue to focus on this vital aspect of our growth as a nation, the engine room of our coexistence.

I once more congratulate the Law Week Planning Committee for this basic but critical theme which I believe will result in very illuminating and impactful discussions.

I wish all participants a rewarding and memorable law week.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
NBA General Secretary (2018 – 2020)

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ISAAC OGBAH LAUDS NBA IKORODU ON LAW WEEK

Mr. Isaac Omuta Ogbah, the immediate past chairman and the publisher of Erudite Judgement of Supreme Court has congratulated the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch on its 2022 Law Week.

His words: “I wish the NBA Ikorodu Branch’s chairman, members of the executive and the entire members of the branch a successful Law Week celebration.

“The theme for this year’s Law Week is tagged ‘Nation Building: Our Collective Responsibility.’ This theme is topical and met the need of contemporary Nigeria.

“While congratulating the entire members of the Branch, I wish all participants a very successful gathering and journey mercies back to their destinations.

Long Live NBA Ikorodu Branch!

Long Live NBA!!

Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!”

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SAFIYA BALARABE HAILS NBA YENAGOA ON LAW WEEK

2022 LAW WEEK: GOODWILL MESSAGE BY SAFIYA BALARABE, TREASURER NBA WOMEN FORUM TO THE YENAGOA BRANCH OF THE NBA

The Law Week Celebration of Yenagoa Branch of the NBA is billed for 25th to 29th of May, 2022 with the theme: “Building a Stronger Judiciary”.

Safiya Balarabe, the Treasurer of the NBA Women Forum has sent in a goodwill message ahead of the event reproduced as follows:

“The Chairman, Executive and branch members of the great Yenagoa Branch,

It is in anticipation of your 2022 annual Law Week celebration themed ‘Building a Stronger Judiciary’, that I wish to convey my wishes and regards to you.

Being a staunch proponent of total judicial Independence, your Law Week is one I look forward to. I am excited that we will have yet another opportunity to drive home this all important message of judicial independence, which is the most important factor in ensuring a strong judiciary in Nigeria. The judiciary they say is the last hope of the common man, but what hope is there for anyone if it cannot even carry itself?

In the same vein, I also look forward to the paper presentation with the topic: “Nullification of Executive Order 10 and its implication in the quest for Judicial Financial Autonomy”.

I wish you a great Law Week ahead, and may the deliberations therein be put into action for the betterment of your Branch, our noble association and the country at large.

Thank you”.

Signed:

Safiya Balarabe

Treasurer, NBA Women Forum

ISAAC OGBAH SALUTES NBA IKORODU ON LAW WEEK

Mr. Isaac Omuta Ogbah, the immediate past chairman and the publisher of Erudite Judgement of Supreme Court has congratulated the NBA Ikorodu Branch on its 2022 Law Week between 11th May 2022 and 17th May 2022.

I wish the NBA Ikorodu Branch’s chairman, members of the executive and the entire members of the branch a successful Law Week celebration.

The theme for this year’s Law Week is tagged-” Nation Building: Our Collective Responsibility”. This theme is tropical and met today’s need of contemporary Nigeria.

While congratulating the entire members of the Branch, I wish all participants a very successful gathering and journey mercies back to their destinations.

Long Live NBA Ikorodu Branch!

Long Live NBA!!

Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!

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‘FASHION WAYS TO THRIVE IN VOLATILE ENVIRONMENT,’ TAIDI URGES NBA JALINGO BRANCH

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION JALINGO BRANCH ON HER 2022 LAW WEEK

I felicitate with the Chairman and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association Jalingo Branch on the occasion of her 2022 Law Week.

The theme: “Legal Practice In A Volatile Democracy: The Nigerian Experience” provides opportunity for a thorough x-ray of our practice over the years especially in the midst of insecurity, economic strangulation and rampant maladministration of justice.

The law week therefore becomes a platform to direct and reflect on the impediments to legal practice with a view to fine tuning strategies that will help us better cope with the existing quagmire.

I urge distinguished colleagues to participate fully in the discussions at this epoch gathering and come up with practical and enduring solutions on how legal practice can thrive in such a volatile environment as ours.

Wishing you all a fruitful and memorable law week.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
NBA General Secretary (2018 – 2020)

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AMANDA ASAGBA APPLAUDS NBA IKORODU ON LAW WEEK

I warmly congratulate the Chairman NBA Ikorodu Branch and his Exco and Planning Committee Chair and members on the occasion of their Law week scheduled to hold from May 11, 2022 – May 17th 2022.

The theme of this law week: Nation Building: Our Collective Responsibility is apposite and in season at this time in our National search for peace and security. I trust that the array of seasoned resource persons will dissect appropriately, thus illuminating and transforming the society.

I urge the Bar to be more vibrant and proactive to save the Nation.

I wish you a very successful event.

Amanda Asagba, FICMC

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TAIDI LAUDS NBA IKOT EKPENE ON BAR WEEK

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION IKOT EKPENE BRANCH ON THE OCCASION OF HER 2022 BAR WEEK

I heartily congratulate the Chairman and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association Ikot Ekpene Branch on the occasion of her 2022 Bar Week between 8th – 12th May, 2022.

The theme of the law week: “Strengthening the Pillars of Democracy Through Effective Legislation” is aptly chosen given the gap between our laws and their implementation.

The frequency with which our laws undergo review is a testament to their ineffectiveness. There is therefore the urgent need to enact legislation that will fill the obvious gaps in the polity and thereby promote good governance.

I urge all participants to take advantage presented by this opportunity and come up with recommendations that will discourage the sort of ineffective legislations that have held us back for so long.

Once more, congratulations and I wish you all a rewarding and impactful law week.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
NBA General Secretary (2018 – 2020)

GADZAMA STORMS NBA CALABAR, UYO BRANCH LAW WEEK

The Nigerian Bar Association, Calabar Branch popularly christened as the Doyen Bar of the NBA held its Annual Law Week recently with the theme, “We the People: An Agenda for National Consciousness”.

Speaking on the theme of the Law Week, the Chairman of the NBA Securities Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC), Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), who was represented by Nella Andem Rabana (SAN), described security and education as twin factors which determine the level of development in a society. He explained that a society’s advancement is proportional to the level and kind of education and security architecture prevalent in that society.

Using Nigeria as a case study, Gadzama said that the parts of the country with the most incidences of insecurity are the Northern regions which are by far the most deprived of formal education. He outlined recommendations to better the situation of the country as it relates to both security and education.

Meanwhile, the Uyo Branch of the NBA also held its Annual Law Week from the 24th of March to the 1st of April, 2022. The Law Week which was christened “The Advent of Ibom Deep Seaport and the Prospects of Maritime Law Practice in Nigeria” heralded several insightful deliberations on the need for an all-inclusive approach in the development and sustainability of a standardized Maritime practice in the country. In the course of the Annual Law Week, several ideas were posed and resolutions made towards the fulfilment of this mandate.

According to a statement, “The Law Week also had other highlights including the Annual Dinner and Sit-out session. The event indeed all-round glamorous but even more thrilling was the crowning stroke; the farewell brunch courteously organized for the illustrious patriot of the Nigerian Bar, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN.

“The Executives and Members of the NBA Uyo Branch saw to it that their ‘in-law,’ in person of the Learned Silk J-K Gadzama, SAN was given a treat to several local delicacies before bidding him farewell.

“The Learned Silk whilst thanking them for the warm hospitality reiterated his unwavering support and commitment to the affairs of the Branch and prayed that such harmony, peace and innovation continued to coexist amongst the Members and Executives alike.

“It was a memorable, enjoyable and refreshing experience for all attendees.”

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TAIDI PRAISES NBA CALABAR, HARPS ON NEED FOR ‘PEOPLE’S CONSTITUTION’

The immediate past General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Jonathan Taidi has commended NBA Calabar Branch on its choice of theme for this year’s Annual Law Week.

Describing the theme as “quite apt,” the Bar Leader said that it is “coming at a time when our nation faces multiple challenges, including issues surrounding the extant constitution and the quest by ethnic nationalities for a truly people-oriented constitution that is the product of genuine participation by representatives of the diverse groups that make up this country.”

He expressed hope that the outcome of the discussions at the Law Week “will help contribute to the existing conversation around a genuine people’s constitution and how best to solve the lingering agitations and yearnings of our people.”

Below is the full text of the goodwill message.

GOODWILL MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (NBA) CALABAR BRANCH (DOYEN BAR) 2022 BAR WEEK

It is with great delight that I felicitate with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Calabar Branch on the occasion of her 2022 Bar Week with the theme: “We The People: Agenda For National Consensus.”

This theme is quite apt, coming at a time when our nation faces multiple challenges, including issues surrounding the extant constitution and the quest by ethnic nationalities for a truly people-oriented constitution that is the product of genuine participation by representatives of the diverse groups that make up this country.

It is my utmost expectation that the outcome of the discussions at the Bar Week will help contribute to the existing conversation around a genuine people’s constitution and how best to solve the lingering agitations and yearnings of our people.

I wish all attendees a memorable Bar Week.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
NBA General Secretary (2018 – 2020)

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‘NIGERIA’S LEGAL PROFESSION AT CROSS-ROADS,’ SAYS OYEBODE

World acclaimed quondam Professor of Jurisprudence and International Law at the University of Lagos, PROFESSOR AKIN OYEBODE warns that Nigeria’s legal profession is at the cross-roads. In this Keynote Address presented at the just concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch Law Week, the pre-eminent jurist says lawyers must be ready, willing and able to be at the vanguard of the struggle for a better society

                                                 

                                                    DEMOCRACY AND THE LEGAL ORDER: Shaping the Future
                                                                                                       By
                                                                                         AKIN OYEBODE
Introduction
The lesson of inevitability of democratic values within the legal order is not lost on any serious legal practitioner or even casual observer of goings-on in society and indeed the human destiny. Of the multifarious problems afflicting the country currently hardly is anything more benumbing than the crises and contradictions inherent in our practice of democracy vis-à-vis the legal order. The situation would have been laughable if it was not so tragic. That a country so blessed with human talents and incredible natural resources has continued to walk on its head is totally stupefying and inexplicable. However, it is appurtenant to interrogate the historical antecedents of Nigeria in order to lay bare the characteristics of the contemporary legal order and difficulty to grapple with the desiderata of modernity and progress.

The Precursors of the Nigerian State
Nigeria owes its creation to the antics of British imperialism. What is important to bear in mind is that when the British arrived in these parts, they carried along in their knapsacks English law and instrumentalities of conquest and subjugation of the restless natives. Nigeria, being one of the last territories to be colonized by the perfidious Albion, was subjected to the most distasteful aspects of race supremacist ideology of disdain and disrespect for the traditions and mores of the indigenous population. This attitude had been practiced and perfected by the British in relation to the native peoples of America and Canada, Australia and New Zealand, India, etc. This superiority complex among the English was so deeply ingrained in their psyche as the writings of Shakespeare reveal, Tempest and Othello, being notable examples. As recently as 1857, the US Supreme Court in the Dred Scot case still had the temerity to declare that the black man had no rights that the whites needed respect, more so that he was only four-fifths of a man!

Wherever the English went, he could relish in the thought, as Palmerston had intoned, that the long arm of the English law would always protect him. Indeed they refused to subject themselves to the jurisdiction of the native courts which were thought to be infra dignitatem to English law which they had transported to far-flung colonial territories as instruments of colonial hegemony and control. In Nigeria as elsewhere, they had created their own special courts applying English law and rejecting all native laws and customs as being “repugnant to natural law, equity and good conscience”, a code phrase for English law. It took the genius and courage of judges such as J.I.C. Taylor and other like-minded jurists to wean themselves off slavish adherence to English law and practice by striking blows for authenticity and independence of the Nigerian legal order, be it in relation to the rights of children born out of wedlock or the recognition of polygamy and the right to inherit as guaranteed under native law and customs. By the time Nigeria became politically independent, it had become cognizable to enlightened legal opinion that the repugnancy doctrine advocated by the British was indeed repugnant to our sense of values, propriety and cultural wholesomeness.

Democracy, Nigeria Style
It is no exaggeration to aver that in Nigeria, democracy is very much a work in progress. Having endured nearly 400 years of the slave trade and 100 years of British colonial exploitation and oppression, the Nigerian people had not been properly sensitized into the norms and practices of democratic governance. However, this is not totally unexpected of a people reared in unquestioning obedience to the whims and caprices of the traditional rulers, unelected elders and undemocratic belief systems stamped on the consciousness of the people after centuries of social conditioning and cultural manipulation.

Needless to say, the first few years of the practice of majoritarian democracy in Nigeria were marred by different military junta which had hijacked political power and held the country hostage for decades. Since militarism and democracy are odd bed-fellows, it was hardly surprising that the Nigerian militariat succeeded in arresting the country’s progress towards democracy and sought to entrench undemocratic elements within Nigeria’s political firmament. The most galling bequest of the military dictators was Decree No 24 of 1999 which it sought to pass off as the constitution of the country after its departure from the country’s political stage.

Regrettably, rather than jettisoning that evil and unbecoming instrument, the incoming civilian rulers continue to live the lie that Nigeria was operating under an autochthonous fundamental law with fraudulent claims to the effect that it originated and had the consent of the people. The ringing statement by the Patriots that the 1999 Constitution lied against itself is one not to be forgotten in a hurry. Nigerians bought for themselves a pig in poke and for as long as we refuse to consign the despicable instrument to limbo for that long would the legitimacy of the country’s highest law be a rude joke and an unacceptable assault on international best practices.

Nevertheless, the lack of a universally agreed definition of democracy may avail our unrepentant defenders of the status quo in justifying the 1999 Constitution. Yet, truth be told, the illegitimacy of the Constitution puts a big question mark on nearly everything that has happened in this country since the people in agbada replaced those wearing starched khaki uniforms. To borrow the words of Mr Justice Jackson of the US Supreme Court in describing pornography, although we might be unable to define democracy, we all know it when we see it.

Accordingly, the essential ingredients of democracy include supremacy of the law, separation of powers, checks and balances, sanctity of the ballot-box, presumption of innocence, freedom of expression, due process of law, independence of the judiciary, etc. In other words, democracy presupposes the finer elements of western liberal democracy.

So, can we really be said to be practicing democracy? Many have averred that what we actually have is a civilian dispensation while democracy would seem to be a never-never land. Except and only to the extent that we cannot practice democracy without democrats, Nigeria still has a long way to go in order to arrive at the Eldorado of democracy.

The Nature of the Nigerian Legal Order
Undoubtedly, Nigerian law and legal order are yet to shed their British complexion. As I had observed a few years ago the “anglo-Saxons,” to borrow Ayandele’s colorful expression, are in no hurry to do away with their colonial antecedents, white wigs, black gowns, quaint mannerisms, strange forms of address and all in a bid to retain the alien character and appearance of lawyers of a bygone colonial era. Unlike some erstwhile colonial territories such as the United States and Canada which had admitted novelty and reforms into their legal systems, Nigeria has stubbornly refused to alter the modalities of both its law and practice.

Yet, the efficacy of a legal order stems very much from the extent to which it has captured and reflects the mores, values and idiosyncracy of its addressees. So much we have learnt from advocates of the Historical School and lately from Thomas Friedman’s concept of legal culture. As underscored by Omoniyi Adewoye, Nigeria’s leading legal historian, the imposed British colonial law bore all the imprint of alien domination and oppression.

It is for this reason that any discussion of the Nigerian legal order must begin with a recognition of its colonial heritage and continued dependency on an alien power. Whether we speak of the legal system or legal order, we must realize that legalism bereft of a nexus with the thought processes and attitudinal chemistry of the people is of little relevance in coming to grips with the existential reality of a peripheral, dependent capitalist enclave such as ours.

If indeed we go by the dictum of a government of laws and not one of men as propounded by Chief Justice Marshall in Marbury v.Madison (1803), it would be straining logic too far to aver that Nigeria’s legal order was indeed one founded on law and due process. In a situation of an illegitimate Constitution, rancorous law-making, conflicting judicial orders, widespread disrespect for law and order, rising incidence of self-help, inability or refusal by the law-enforcement agencies to perform their duties and lack of trust and confidence by sections of the population in the state apparatus, it becomes highly problematic to envisage fidelity to law as an instrument of peace, order and good government.

In view of the foregoing, it would seem apposite to pose the question as to the potential of the legal order to shape and aid the evolution of a true democracy in Nigeria. Law being an instrument of social change, it would simply be futile to contemplate the inter-relationship of democracy and the legal order, more so in a setting as fractious as Nigeria.

The beginning of wisdom about contemporary Nigeria is that we are not yet a democracy but merely a civilian arrangement. Accordingly, we need to embark on a transition from civil rule to a full-fledged democratic society in order to take full advantage of government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is only by so doing that we can conceive an effective role for the legal order. To the extent that a legal order presupposes concomitants of democracy, to that extent would it be illusory to attempt to move Nigeria to another level through the instrumentality of the legal order. The coterminous nature of both democracy and the legal order is such that one cannot be pursued without the other. Legalism unaccompanied by the benefits and allure of democratic values is apt to result in outright fascism and blind adherence to the wiles of dictators and undemocratic forces. Therefore, a way has to be found to convince Nigerians on the desideratum of democracy as an integral part of the quest for an effective legal order.

Pursuant to this, lawyers must be ready, willing and able to be at the vanguard of the struggle for a better society. We should always remember that V. I. Lenin, Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela were lawyers who stood on the barricade of the liberation struggle of their people. Our lawyers should, therefore, make a conscious choice to depart from self-seeking, self-serving and self-conceited motives in favour of ideals that would ensure life more abundant for the preponderant majority of our people. Only thus can the profession attract greater understanding, relevance and empathy among compatriots.

The legal profession is today at a cross-roads. With a multiplicity of problems afflicting law and the legal order, lawyers must rise up to the occasion by bringing to bear their special and unique knowledge of the workings of the legal system on ways and means of restoring hope, trust and confidence among the people generally. Since popular acceptability appears to be the touchstone of democracy and good governance, no effort should be spared toward being harnessed in steering the legal order along the path of consolidating democratic values, otherwise, yearnings for a better society might end up being really little more than a pie in the sky.

Concluding Remarks
We are living in a world earnestly yearning for a better society. How this is to be achieved presents some difficulty. To many, democracy presents a most viable mechanism for attaining this objective. The situation in Nigeria is complicated somewhat by the deformed state of its democracy as well as the overarching colonial coloration of its legal order.
The task of shedding its colonial heritage is no less daunting than that of the legal system as focus for widening the democratic impetus in Nigeria’s trajectory to a higher level of social organization. Since democracy is irretrievably intertwined with a functioning legal order, it stands to reason that creating a viable society is a laudable goal worth pursuing.
It remains for me to express sincere appreciation to the Lagos Branch of the NBA for enabling me to share with you my thoughts on democracy and the legal order and to wish you all a successful annual law week.

LAW WEEK/SUMMIT: TAIDI HAILS NBA LAGOS, PH YOUNG LAWYERS

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Taidi has lauded NBA Lagos Branch on its 2022 Law Week.

Saying that the Law Week “is coming at a critical period in our nation’s history when law and order have become anathema and lawlessness threatens our very existence, with no hope in sight,” the Bar Leader stated that “the choice of the theme and the timing of discussions around it is inspired and commendable and it is my fervent hope that these discussions around legal order by the NBA Lagos Branch will in no small measure reorient our attitude concerning the preservation of our hard earned democracy.”

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, Taidi, who is believed to be eyeing the NBA Presidency, stated that the Law Week “is particularly remarkable for the extraordinary contribution it promises not only to the legal community, but the nation at large.

“As a people thirsty for an enduring solution to the challenges bedevelling our democracy, we anxiously await the outcome of this discourse even as I congratulate the executives and the Law Week Planning Committee in advance for a law week like no other.”

In a similar goodwill message to NBA Port Harcourt Branch Young Lawyers Forum on the occasion of its 2022 Summit, Taidi stated that “The choice of the theme is a demonstration of the commitment of the executives and the Summit Planning Committee to the vital role of technology and law in bringing about good governance which has eluded our nation for so long.

“I therefore charge all participants at this epoch and historic event to critically examine the impediments to our efforts at achieving good governance – which is our only guarantee for a bright future.”

The theme of the summit is “Governance, Technology and Law”.

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GADZAMA LAUDS NBA LAGOS, KANO, YOUNG LAWYERS ON LAW WEEK, SUMMIT

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC), Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN has felicitated with NBA Lagos and Kano branches on their Law Week programmes. The chartered arbitrator also commended Young Lawyers Forum Owerri Branch on their 2022 Summit which held between March 17 and March 19, 2022.

The leading litigator said of his sojourn in Lagos: “Nostalgically, I recall how I started my Lagos office as far back as 1996 at No. 10, Ribadu Road, Ikoyi which eventually gave birth to the Abuja Office in the year 2000 where I was elected chairman of the Unity Bar in 2004 and grew up to be the Pioneer Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL in 2006.”

He added: “I remain eternally grateful to the Premier Branch of Nigeria’s Commercial Headquarters for grooming me to be their Ambassador at the administrative Headquarters of our beloved country.”
Below are the texts of the goodwill messages.

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NBA LAGOS BRANCH

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the executives and members of the Nigerian Bar Association Lagos Branch as she holds her 2022 Law Week Celebration from Friday, 18th March to Friday, 25th March, 2022.

Nostalgically, I recall how I started my Lagos office as far back as 1996 at no 10, Ribadu Road, Ikoyi which eventually gave birth to the Abuja Office in the year 2000 where I was elected chairman of the Unity Bar in 2004 and grew up to be the Pioneer Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL in 2006. I remain eternally grateful to the Premier Branch of Nigeria’s Commercial Headquarters for grooming me to be their Ambassador at the administrative Headquarters of our beloved country.

I must sincerely commend the initiative of the organizers of this event for the choice of theme: “Democracy and Legal Order: Shaping the Future” which I consider apt. The need for a true democracy is an issue that remains perpetually centric to the growth of any given society. The judiciary should be independent of the other arms of government to effectively deliver its delicate task of administering justice. Indeed, the preservation of our democracy is fundamental to the sustenance of our legal profession and the Nation, Nigeria. What better way can the future be shaped? I believe that as a united front, we can secure the future of our legal practice and Nigeria by advocating for the supremacy of our laws and the equality of all men before the law.

I urge my colleagues to participate effectively, cross-fertilize ideas whilst addressing issues that affect distinguished members of this great branch by contributing your quota to the promotion and development of your branch, legal practice and Nigeria as a whole. Whilst wishing you a fruitful weeklong celebration, please be assured of my best wishes and support, always.

Thank you and God bless.

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NBA KANO BRANCH

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the executives and members of the Nigerian Bar Association Kano Branch as she holds her Law Week scheduled to hold from Saturday, 19th March to Tuesday, 22nd March, 2022.

I must sincerely commend the initiative of the organizers of this auspicious event for the choice of theme: “LEGAL PRACTICE AT CROSSROADS: CHALLENGES OF LAWYERING IN THE FACE OF NIGERIA’S CURRENT POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CLIMATE” which I consider apt as the impact of our noble profession in the political and economical spheres of our great Country, Nigeria cannot be overemphasized.

To the awardees on the Dinner, I say a big Congratulations! to you on your meritorious award for your ceaseless support and contribution towards the development and promotion of your admirable branch. I implore you to keep it up and remain true ambassadors of your branch and the legal profession.

Whilst wishing you a wonderful celebration at your programmes and a splendid dinner, please be assured of my best wishes and support, always.

Thank you and God bless.

GOODWILL MESSAGE TO NBA-YLF OWERRI BRANCH

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the executives and members of the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers Forum Owerri Branch as she holds her 2022 Summit scheduled to hold from Thursday, March 17 to Saturday, March 19, 2022.

It is worrisome and my heart bleeds that many of our young lawyers are not breaking even today as opportunities at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Courts, and Land Registries, to mention but a few, are no longer available like in the past. We must as a matter of urgency address these critical issues if we desire a robust practice and better future for our young lawyers and mentees.

I must sincerely commend the initiative of the organizers of this auspicious event for the choice of theme: “Yesterday, Today and the Future of the Legal Profession in Nigeria” which I consider apt as the future of the legal profession very much rests in the hand of the Young lawyers.

To the awardees of the Dinner, I say a big Congratulations! to you on your meritorious award for your ceaseless support and contribution towards the development and promotion of young lawyers in the branch. I implore you to keep it up and remain true ambassadors of your branch and the legal profession.

Whilst wishing you a successful programme and a splendid dinner, please be assured of my best wishes and support, always.

Thank you and God bless.

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NBA LAGOS LAW WEEK: OYEBODE DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS TODAY

Renowned professor of jurisprudence and international law, Professor Akin Oyebode will today deliver the keynote address at the eagerly awaited Opening Ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch Law Week.

The Law Week kicked off last Friday with a jumat service for Muslim faithful as well as a Thanksgiving Service at Good News Baptist Church, Surulere, Lagos, setting the stage for today’s opening ceremony. This year’s Law Week has as its theme, “Democracy and Legal Order: Shaping the Future.”

Speaking at a press conference to herald the Law Week, the Chairman of the Law Week Committee, Mr. Wale Adesokan (SAN) said the programme would explore the need for deliberate action in utilising Nigeria’s democracy and the law in shaping the future that Nigerians desire. He added that the event would emphasize the consequences of inaction in the face of ills plaguing the polity.

His words: “This year’s Lagos Law Week comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s multifaceted crisis and the resulting mounting pressure that threatens the future of the country. By leading this discourse, NBA Lagos Branch seeks to chart a new course for the redemption of the nation’s legal system and the freedom that citizens should enjoy in a democratic nation.

“It is a chance to listen, contribute, learn, unlearn and relearn, as we all work towards building a working system and a free world, in the most relaxing and comfortable environments.”

Speaking on the eight plenary sessions slated for the Law Week, the Branch Chairman, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna said: “To set the tone for the most important event of our legal year is the unveiling of our plenary sessions. Spread out over a period of two days, March 21 and 22, our plenary sessions will explore the role of good governance and legal order in curbing societal ills that threaten to define and shape the future of our country, explore the role of the private sector in ensuring accountability in governance and contributing to good governance, touch on the adequacy of the current fiscal arrangement within Nigeria and examine impediments to the actualisation of Nigeria’s full potential as an investment destination.

“It would also examine the introduction of more practical aspects to the study of Law in tertiary institutions, discuss the alternative business rescue options introduced by the 2020 CAMA and the challenges being faced in implementing them; explore the leveraging of technology to increase efficiency in case scheduling and management; and most importantly, the role of the judiciary, legislature, and the executive in the forthcoming 2023 elections.”

The plenary session will feature NBA Trustee, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN); Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba and the Chief Executive of Financial Derivatives, Mr. Bismarck Rewane. They will speak on the “Role of the Private Sector in National Development.”

CITY LAWYER gathered that Goodwill Messages will be received from the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Sanwo-Olu; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, and the NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata.

Scheduled to run from March 18 to 25, 2022 the Law Week will also witness visits to Ikoyi Correctional Centre and the Macy Children Centre, Lagos where donations would be made to the facilities. A Health Walk is also billed as part of the Law Week.

Before his retirement, Professor Oyebode served as an erudite Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

In 1967, he left Nigeria to study International Law at Kiev State University, Ukraine where he secured an LLB and an LLM with the highest distinction. He returned to Nigeria in 1973 to begin his career as a Graduate Assistant Lecturer at UNILAG. 1n 1975, he obtained another LLM from Harvard Law School, Cambridge.

He subsequently enrolled at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Canada, the largest and leading law school in Canada, earning a Doctor of Jurisprudence (D.Jur.) in 1988, having specialised on the Law of Treaties.

In 1991, Professor Oyebode was appointed Professor of Law and founding Dean of the Faculty of Law of then Ondo State University, a position he held until 1997 when he returned to the University of Lagos.

Two years later, he was invited back to be pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ado-Ekiti. Upon completion of his term in 2004, he once again returned to the University of Lagos, where he occupied the Chair of International Law and Jurisprudence. It was from there that he retired with an unblemished record.

Oyebode has 7 books and over 200 learned papers to his credit. He has been an assessor for professorial appointments and external examiner to many universities at home and abroad. He is a member of numerous notable organisations.

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GADZAMA HEADLINES CLASFON, NBA IBADAN EVENTS, FETES AKPATA, OTHERS

Pioneer Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN will today deliver the Keynote Address at the Opening Ceremony of the NBA Ibadan Branch Annual Law Week.

According to a press statement made available to CITY LAWYER, Gadzama, a chartered arbitrator, will speak to the theme of the Law Week, “Unity in diversity and sustainable security in Nigeria: Any role for the law?”

Said the statement: “As part of the activities scheduled for the Law Week, the opening ceremony would commence tomorrow Tuesday, 7th December, 2021. To this end, a son of the soil in person of Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, OFR, MFR, SAN, has been invited to deliver a keynote address at the event.

“The devout bar man and pioneer Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN has maintained good ties with the people of Ibadan both as lawyer and golfer. Gadzama, who also happens to be a patron of the Ibadan Golf Club, occasionally enjoys the sport with friends and colleagues at the Tiger Golf Club and IITA Golf Club in Ibadan. He has and continues to show his undying loyalty and support to the Ibadan Bar. Little wonder, one of his Partners and Head of Lagos Office, Oluniyi Adediji, Esq., ACTI, hails from Ibadan, Oyo State.”

Meanwhile, the leading litigator was one of the special guests at the 2021 Annual Dinner of the Abuja Branch of Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) hosted in honour of Justice Peter Oyinkenimiemi Affen of the Court of Appeal.

In his goodwill message, Gadzama, a veteran Clasfonite, lauded the leadership of Abuja Branch of CLASFON for the dinner and the “continual succor” given to the Bar in the place of prayer and admonition. He urged the association to “continue in the spirit of commitment and fellowship to pray for the betterment of the legal profession in Nigeria.”

Gadzama emphasized the importance of the independence of the Judiciary and extolled the “dexterity and unwavering sincerity and transparency of Hon. Justice P. O. Affen.” He urged the jurist “to keep up with the good work.”

In a similar vein, Gadzama who is also the Chairman of the Mentorship Committee of the Body of Benchers (BOB), recently hosted NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata and other guests at his residence after his 60th Birthday Thanksgiving service held at the Church of the Brethren Nigeria (EYN).

The event witnessed presentation of birthday gifts to Gadzama by the guests who extolled his good deeds and leadership qualities. These included gifts from the University of Maiduguri Alumni Association led by Mrs. Afiniki Hananiya, the Legal team of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by Prof. Joash Amopitan SAN, as well as the staff of J-K Gadzama LLP led by Mohammed Monguno, a former Attorney General of Borno State.

Aside from Akpata, other dignitaries at the barbecue/lunch were Oba A. O. Aladelusi Odundun II, the Deji of Akure and his wife; Alfred Dimas Gadzama, the Garkuwa of Uba Emirates; K. T. Turaki SAN, former federal Minister; Alhaji Garba Gajam, former Nigerian Ambassador to State of Kuwait and Kingdom of Bahrain; Chief Emeka Ngige SAN, Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, and Mr. Mela Nunghe SAN and his wife.

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USE TECHNOLOGY TO TACKLE COURT DELAYS – TAIDI

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Taidi has advised stakeholders in the justice sector to deploy technological tools to combat delay in the hearing of cases.

Speaking at the recent Law Week of NBA Ota Branch with the theme, “Technology & Administration of Justice: Present Day Realities,” Taidi noted that the coronavirus pandemic has wrought a new way of doing things especially in the administration of justice.

His words: “Sadly, the poor state of infrastructure, such as the deplorable state of our roads, epileptic electricity supply, and the inhuman sanitary condition across the country has imposed upon us the urgent need to embrace technology in order to enhance the administration of justice.

“Our political leaders use scarce resources as excuse to justify their inability to provide the much needed infrastructure. This is unacceptable in the face of the huge recurrent expenditure expended on the political class to the detriment of the vast population.

“Before the Covid-19 pandemic we were all witnesses to how long it took to conclude cases in our courts. Timeliness has been imposed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as part of the culture of dispensation of justice. Let us fashion out a way to commence and conclude cases speedily not through constitutional amendments, but by deploying technology.

“While the pandemic has brought great challenges to our practice, the Ota Law Week is proof that as a body we are determined to rise to these challenges.”

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‘WHY I SUPPORT CLAMOUR FOR RESTRUCTURING,’ BY GADZAMA

Leading lawyer, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN has posited that though there is no consensus on the particular areas to be restructured within the Nigerian polity, “there seems to be a general agreement that the Nigeria structure of governance should be reviewed, and at its epicenter, the CFRN.”

Speaking last Monday at the 2021 Law of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, the foremost arbitrator stated that “a successful review of the CFRN to alter the governance structures and reflect true federalism coupled with religious implementation of the altered structures, will set the foundation for a Nigeria of our dreams; a Nigeria whose dream can be echoed with belief and hope from the rainforest of the South to the windy desert of the North by all Nigerians.”

The theme of the Law Week is “The Nigeria of our dreams.”

Below is the full text of Gadzama’s presentation.

THE NIGERIAN STATE AND THE CALL FOR RESTRUCTURING

Being the Full Text of a Presentation
By

Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, OFR, MFR, SAN, FNIALS, FICMC, DiplCArb, FCIArb, FNICArb, C.Arb
(Of Lincoln’s Inn, Barrister/Life Bencher/Certified Mediator/Regulatory Consultant)
Bobajiro of Akure Kingdom.

ON THE OCCASION OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION IKEJA BRANCH LAW WEEK
HELD ON MONDAY, JULY 12, 2021

PROTOCOL

APPRECIATION
I thank the Organizers of this Law Week as well as the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch (the Tiger Branch) for not only inviting me to attend but also to speak at this auspicious occasion. My topic is the Nigerian State and the call for restructuring which shall be discussed within the context of the theme – the Nigeria of our Dreams.

INTRODUCTION
There is a wide gap between dreaming and day-dreaming. Day-dreaming is a quick elusive delink from one’s immediate reality followed by a transition to quixotic ideals. The Freudian Theory posits that dreams are manifestations of one’s deepest desires and anxieties having the tendency to cause occurrence of creative thoughts to the dreamer or give a sense of inspiration . Hence whilst the former can be likened to a mere mirage of fantasies, the latter is a more deeply immersing series of thought processes in one’s sub-consciousness capable of spurring up creative ideas to translate this reality to manifestation. We cannot overstate; dreams are important as they encompass goals and more. Dreams give one’s life purpose, direction, and meaning. They shape life choices, help to build towards the future and create a sense of control and hope. The same can be applied to a nation. A country needs a dream, hopes and a purpose to move on.

I was almost born in Cameroon; in a Nigerian town called Mubi, situate at the Nigerian-Cameroonian border. I am therefore a proud but not an arrogant Nigerian. As a rising chap, I grew up with a curious mind nursed with knowledge from my immediate family and school. I began my primary education in Kainji in old Kwara State but now Niger State, I continued my elementary school at L.E.A. (Methodist) Primary School, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, (Formerly Market Road) Kaduna State, and L.E.A. (St. Michael-Anglican) Primary School, Sabon Gari, Kaduna State where I completed my primary education. Later on, I moved to Teachers’ College, Song, Adamawa State. Thereafter, I attended Borno College of Basic Studies (BOCOBS), Maiduguri now in Bama, and University of Maiduguri, Borno State, where I obtained my Bachelor of Laws degree after which I proceeded to the Nigerian Law School in Lagos and obtained my Barrister at Law qualification to practise. Throughout all these formative years, as I journeyed through transitional experiences including and or hearing about the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), I harnessed different dreams for myself, my family and my country, Nigeria.

Like me, I know many fellow concerned Nigerians have earnest dreams for our great Nation. However, whether these dreams have found fruition or yielded manifest results remain a recurring rhetoric we must all ponder on. Rhetorically, have these dreams been achieved? Can we say for certain that we live in an ideal Nigeria? Or can we at least say that we are on the right course towards achieving the Nigeria of our dreams? Why are we not living the Nigerian dream? Indeed, who bells the cat for the current predicament of Nigeria? Do we blame the professionals, the technocrats, the scientists, the businessmen or the entrepreneurs? Your guess is as good as mine; certainly not! The questions are endless and the answers are not forthcoming.

The aphorism which says, “A fish rots from the head down” speaks volumes of truth on this subject. Although we may blame non-partisan and apathetic followership as having played a role in the quagmire, the overall and root cause of the problem is lack of quality, devoted and objective leadership born out of true democracy and patriotism. Sadly, leadership in our country has not been motivated by true federalism, fairness, equity, nationhood and good conscience. Rather, we have continued to experience a blatant scene of tribalism, nepotism, favoritism, unfair politicization of government policies, impunity, corruption and insecurity. Despite these setbacks impeding the materialization of our dreams for Nigeria, we must continue to dream.

The idea of developing and sustaining a national dream is to ensure that at every time in the nation’s existence, there are short-term, medium and long-term strategies set up to drive the nation towards living true to its strength and potentials for the benefit of its citizens. These laid down strategies will form the substratum of all the policies of its governments at all levels.

The idea of a national dream cannot be discussed without a reference to the famous “American Dream”. The American Dream which birthed the America we now celebrate, is the core American philosophy; that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their version of success in an egalitarian society. The American Dream is considered as a national ethos for the United States and embedded in it are the ideals of democracy, rights, liberty, opportunity and equality which are expected to shape and guide every government in the United States at the Federal, State and County level. The anticipated outcome is that these ideals will provide the environment for everyone to access the opportunity for prosperity and success as well as upward social mobility, so long as they are ready to work hard no matter the barriers. According to James Truslow Adams the American Dream guarantees that “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” regardless of social class or circumstances of birth. This essentially forms the foundation of America’s constitutional democracy.

In the case of Nigeria, we can only refer faintly to the lofty dreams and hopes of our foremost nationalists who ensured the birth of Nigeria but not a national dream per se. The closest semblance to a national dream in Nigeria would be the Preamble of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) (CFRN), but that CFRN has often been adjudged to be document not emanating from Nigerians. Hence, the question; shouldn’t Nigeria at 60 years and more of independence be guided by a united purpose encapsulated in a national dream? Who knows, maybe the avenue provided by the NBA-Ikeja Branch during her law week will grow the momentum to have a workable and realizable Nigerian Dream.

THE CALL FOR RESTRUCTURING: A GUIDE TO THE NIGERIA OF OUR DREAMS

Given the opportunity as one of the speakers to speak at this auspicious occasion, permit me to be part of the people proffering workable solutions in line with the dictates of our callings to always provide solutions to legal issues as can be seen infra.

There is no doubt that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) (CFRN) makes bold statements as to the system of governance the Nigerian State is to practise. The system professed without a doubt is Federalism . Federalism connotes a system of governance built on the strengths of a nation’s federating units. However, the provisions of the CFRN make the practicability of federalism a herculean task or even an impossible feat. I firmly believe curing some of these provisions might just be the flame that spark-kindles and sets ablaze Nigeria’s prosperity to create a Nigeria we all love and enjoy living in. In the quest to realizing a Nigeria of our dream, the practicability of federalism I believe, is the linchpin.

The not so fulfilling provisions of the CFRN especially regarding the practice of federalism, now popularly described in Nigeria as “true federalism” has continued to generate agitations for the review and further review of the CFRN. Some even advocate for a complete repeal of the CFRN. This outcry has found the umbrella name of ‘restructuring’. Though there is no consensus on the particular issues to be restructured, there seems to be a general agreement that the Nigeria structure of governance should be reviewed, and at its epicenter, the CFRN.

I share this sentiment and honestly believe that a successful review of the CFRN to alter the governance structures and reflect true federalism coupled with religious implementation of the altered structures, will set the foundation for a Nigeria of our dreams; a Nigeria whose dream can be echoed with belief and hope from the rainforest of the South to the windy desert of the North by all Nigerians. To this end, below are some of the key areas I sincerely believe the CFRN should be amended to reflect the structure that can birth a Nigeria of our dreams:-

1. The Preamble of the CFRN

The preamble is often the first content any reader of a statute comes across. It sets the tone and shapes the mind of the reader on his/her expectation of all the provisions contained in the statute. The Preamble of the CFRN houses the mission and vision of the Constitution. As such, it plays a pivotal role in defining to the mind of everyone reading it and the aspirations of Nigeria as a country. Unfortunately, the Preamble to the CFRN rather than narrate the dreams of Nigerians for us as a nation, breaths an air that lends affinal to the military regime. Notwithstanding that the Preamble is merely cosmetic and that the CFRN was handed down by the military regime, I believe that having had some years of civil rule coupled with the consistent progress of altering the Constitution to suit the new reality, it is desirable to alter the Preamble to reflect the dreams of the Nigerian people.

2. Local Government Administration and Autonomy

The current structure for the administration of the local governments under the CFRN sits on the fence between the federal system – which the Constitution was intended to profess – and the unitary system of governance. At best, the local government system has remained an idea in search of relevance. The local government administration system still breaths an air of the centralization model introduced under military rule and thus, betraying the ideals of federalism which we profess to practise under the CFRN. The ultimate goal for the creation of the local government administration system under the CFRN was to bring the government closer to the people at the grassroots. It was also to accelerate development and enable the local population to participate and hold those in power accountable for their governance roles. Unfortunately, the current provisions for local government as the third tier of government under the CFRN have failed to establish a viable structure to attain the aforementioned goals.

Section 7 (1) of the CFRN provides that “The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this constitution guaranteed; and accordingly, the government of every state shall, subject to section 8 of this constitution, ensure their existence under a law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils.” The constitution assumes that the law and framework regulating the local government administration would be made by the State Houses of Assembly. Hence, the constitutional legal framework does not see or recognize the local government as the third tier of government, but merely as an appendage of the state government where the states enjoy absolute discretion over the local governments’ operations. This does not reflect the ideals of federalism.

Furthermore, the introduction of the State Joint Local Government Account (SJLGA) provided for under Section 162(6) of the CFRN has thwarted in essence the financial structure of the local governments. This provision ensures that all finances of local governments are appropriated by the State at its pleasure. This is so despite the provisions of section 162(3) which captures a disbursement of the amount of credit in the Federation Account to the Federal, State and Local Governments respectively.

The above queries show how the provision of section 2(2) of the CFRN is undermined by provisions within the same Constitution. I believe that in making progress, the Local Government should be unambiguously established under the CFRN as an autonomous unit of government with its administrative structure and functions as in Chapter V, Parts I and II for the Federal and State Governments respectively. The above provision should override the pretence expressed in section 7 of the CFRN. Also, the SJLGA regime should be jettisoned from the CFRN and replaced by a new regime of fiscal federalism where Local Governments will access their funds directly and be accountable for all that is allotted to them.

3. Federal Structure and Power Devolution
It has been said that the centralized nature of powers of government under the Nigerian federal system is the major bulwark standing against equal and progressive development of states and local government areas. It also stands against the effective exploration of the resources in Nigeria for development purposes. I believe that the need to devolve some of the powers vested at the centre will also serve the interest of the government in providing Nigerians with the opportunity to succeed.

I believe that to have a viable federation with the effective exploration of resources for development and bring dividends of governance closer to the people, certain items must be moved from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list. Furthermore, a list of items to be undertaken solely by the local government should be introduced by the Constitution to be called the ‘residual list’. This will mean that the general legislative limitation for the Local Government provided in Section 4(7)(a) of the CFRN should be deleted.

To be more specific, I propose that items 28 on fingerprints, identification and criminal records and 46 on posts, telegraphs and telephones should be moved to the concurrent legislative list as well as the residual legislative list. Furthermore, items 33 on insurance, 43 on patents, trademarks, industrial designs & merchandise marks, 45 on policing & other security services, 48 on prisons, 54 on quarantine, 55 on railways, 58 on stamp duty and 39 on mines, minerals including oil fields, oil mining, geological survey and natural gas, should be moved from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list.

4. Nigerian Police and Nigerian Security ArchitectureSection 214 of the CFRN provides for the establishment of the Police Force for the federation. This section displays a system whereby the police is under the management and control of the Federal Government at the expense of the federating units – the State Government. However, this arrangement has so far not favoured the country. The Police have been faced with an avalanche of problems, these issues include the accountability of the Police Force, and the high surge of crimes in different states of the country. The inability of the Police under exclusive Federal control to curb them poses a huge flaw to the federal arrangement. I believe that when policing is closer to the society of its jurisdiction, it enables the police to easily detect and uproot crimes. Where there is a common language known and understood by the police, there would be a free flow of communication and understanding between the police and the people. I believe that the creation of State Police will provide appreciable solutions to the current security challenges and enhance the effectiveness of the police in ending criminality in the country.

Effective security is a pivotal component of the Nigeria of our dreams. I believe every Nigerian agrees with me on this point.
To this end, I will be proposing the moving of item 28 on fingerprints, identification and criminal records, item 45 on police and other government security services and item 48 on prisons from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list to allow states to fashion out their respective internal security architecture. This will enable genuine, beneficial and effective collaborations between police forces of each state to the other and the federal police. I believe this reform is long overdue. Each chief security officer of the state should appoint its head, or in the alternative, each state should be given the constitutional leeway to determine how such issues should be handled.

Nigeria must not only profess federalism but be seen to practise its tenets as well. I believe that our resolve to practise ‘true federalism’ will unlock our potentials and make this country a land where Nigeria of our dream can be realised.

5. Fiscal Federalism and Revenue Allocation
In Nigeria today, the resources of the country belong to the federal government, and the fund to be generated is kept in the federation account and is shared monthly among the three tiers of government: the federal, state and local government. This is a misnomer. Federating units are supposed to tap their resources to generate revenue and pay an agreed percentage as tax to the centre or the federal government. This makes the states to be inferior and subservient to the centre. Many activists have been agitating for true federalism to enable the states to control their resources. As observed by Professor Ohwona, there is nothing like true federalism. Either it is Federalism or Unitary. Concentrating the wealth of the country at the centre is an outstanding feature of a Unitary Government. Why is it that some sections of Nigeria are agitating for fiscal federalism in a country that claims to be a federation? The principles of federalism should affect everything. For example, in the US, the federating units manage their resources and pay taxes to the central government. There has never been such agitation. Under the regional government in the first republic, Nigeria made remarkable progress with the three and later four regions using the resources at their disposal to make life meaningful for their citizens.

As highlighted earlier, fiscal federalism must not be a lip service by the CFRN. Revenue allocation must reflect the tenets of fiscal federalism. Every federating unit must understand what resources are within their grasp that can create wealth for them and be allowed to explore it subject to remitting taxes. Access to the exploration of natural resources must be open and decentralized as much as possible, if there is a desire to have a Nigeria we all can declare it as one of our dreams.

6. Residency and Indigene Debate
Indigeneship has become one of the most contested subjects in the country, given its implications for political and economic opportunities. In Nigeria, a person has to be ‘indigene’ to access certain economic and political opportunities at the federal as well as state and local government levels. However, what makes a person indigenous is not formally defined in the CFRN.

The CFRN recognizes indigeneship in some sections. Section 147(1,2 &3) in providing for the appointment of Minister of the Federal Government recognizes the principle of Federal Character under section 14(3). Similarly, section 171 (5) of the CFRN makes it mandatory that the President shall comply with the federal character principle in the appointment of other key public officers of the Government of the Federation including the ambassadors, high commissioners and permanent secretaries or heads of any extra-ministerial departments of the government of the federation.

Despite the indigeneship principle, political and economic imbalances still exist amongst the various states or ethnic groups that make up Nigeria and this is as a result of its implementation. The inclusion of the federal character principle in Chapter II Constitution which is ordinarily non-justiciable hinders its smooth implementation and enforcement because it deprives citizens of the locus to approach the court to enforce the principle of federal character. This incites the Government to disregard the principle of federal character in the composition of the Government of the Federation and its agencies.

To flourish as a nation, Nigeria must decide whether to stick with the federal character provisions of the CFRN or jettison the idea completely. If the practice is maintained, then failure to adhere to it must be made justiciable with monumental consequences, otherwise, the provision should be done away with.

Let us have a Christian from Calabar who grew up in Sokoto and govern the State as a Nigerian, and likewise, a Kanuri Muslim who grew in Port Harcourt should enjoy the same privilege. This is by no means an easy path, but the path is a must if Nigeria desires the type of progress that makes it resonate as the dreams of its people. We can do this by providing for residency for a period of say five or ten years.

7. Irreconcilable Provisions in the Constitution
Section 315(5)(d) of the Constitution made the Land Use Act of 1978 a part of the Constitution. Section 2 of the Land Use Act provides thus:

2. (1) As from the commencement of this Act-
(a) all land in urban areas shall be under the control and management of the Governor of each State; and

(b) all other land shall, subject to this Act, be under the control and management of the Local Government within the area of jurisdiction of which the land is situated.

Despite this provision, section 44(3) of the Constitution provides that the entire property in and control of all minerals, mineral oils and natural gas in under or upon any land in Nigeria or in, under or upon the territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Nigeria shall vest in the Government of the Federation and shall be managed in such manner as may be prescribed by the National Assembly. This is reinforced by Item 39 in the Exclusive Legislative List. A true federal structure requires that Item 39 should be moved to the Concurrent List and section 44(3) amended.

Another irreconcilable difference – Items 27-29 in the Concurrent Legislative List. The Items give powers to the National and State Assemblies to establish institutions for the purpose of university, technological or professional education. Yet the Federal Government established the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to regulate admissions into tertiary institutions and the National Universities Commission to regulate these institutions. In consequence, we need to re-visit section 4(5) of the Constitution that provides that if any law enacted by the House of Assembly of a State is inconsistent with any law validly made by the National Assembly, the law made by the National Assembly shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. Why should the federal law prevail over matters in the Concurrent List where the State Assemblies can validly make laws? In other words, we should re-visit the ‘doctrine of covering the field’. This doctrine is inconsistent with the federal principle. States should be allowed to establish and regulate tertiary education in their States. States should be allowed to develop at their own pace.

CONCLUDING REMARKS
As I conclude, it is not lost on me that there has been many lofty written and spoken recommendations in the past, some have even gone ahead to develop a national dream for Nigeria, however, we as a nation seemed to have stepped on chameleon feaces, hence stagnant. No doubt, a dream is important so is the path to its realization. I believe that the growing awareness of this discussion in Nigeria is gradually bringing us to a point of unison, where we all can together re-design a Nigeria of our dreams.

As the process for alteration of the CFRN is ongoing, we must continue to speak to our elected representatives at the National Assembly to critically consider, for the sake of national cohesion, integration and prosperity of the country, various workable proposals already submitted in the course of public hearing recently conducted. The era of standing aloof watching our legislators to do as it pleased them is over, now it is time to get involved. Edmund Burke once emphasized thus,

“When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.”

I am here today, reiterating this statement and encouraging everyone of us to get involved. Do not be a spectator, onlooker or bystander, be an active participant so that this process will not be another jamboree but one that brings workable solutions at addressing some of the challenges facing us as a country – please ensure you count and you are counted. We must dust the files now.

Agitations on this discussion were the basis of the 1994/1995 Constitutional Conference, the National Political Reform Conference convened by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 and the National Conference convened by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014. These conferences made laudable recommendations that can come to aid in our attempt at re-designing the Nigeria of our dreams.

MY POETIC DREAM FOR NIGERIA
Before I take my seat, please permit to share my poetic dream for Nigeria with you:

I dream of a country that rewards hard work and excellence, irrespective of a person’s social status, cultural belief, faith, tongue, gender chauvinism and circumstances of birth;

I dream of a Nigeria with purposeful, visionary and exemplary leadership which extols national interests above individual and sectional interests;

I dream of a day Nigerians will have leaders that are unifying figures and who command moral authority;

I dream of a Nigeria with free, fair, transparent and credible national elections;

I dream of a Nigeria where humanity is our race, our language is one and indigenship is true to all citizens regardless of residency in any State. I dream of a Nigeria where unity binds all peoples both at home and in diaspora.

I dream of a Nigeria where a nobody can become somebody and a somebody is treated as equal with someone regarded as a nobody in the eyes of the law – where the rule of law is worshipped and the sacredness of justice is not corrupted. I dream of a Nigeria where equity, fairness, transparency and justice thrive above all intents and aspirations of persons.

I dream of a Nigeria inspiring the African continent and the black race to her pride of place in the world;

I dream of a Nigeria where the legal profession and the Bar play a pivotal role in nation-building since we are the primus inter pares.

I dream, I dream and I dream of a better Nigeria where everyone mutually co-exists and lives peacefully with a wide range opportunity to thrive and succeed in any lawful profession, trade or vocation anywhere he or she resides. I dream of a brighter future for our Children and children’s children. I pray that all Nigerians work to make these dreams come to pass in the not too distant future.

Thank you for your attention.

REFERENCES
1. Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
2. Proposal for Further Alteration of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) by J-K Gadzama LLP, 2021.
3. Mark Abrahams, PhD, LMHC, National Board Certified Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy – https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-dreaming-and-day-dreaming
4. Sir James Porter’s publications on the Religion, Law, Government, and Manners of the Turks, 1768.
5. Epic of America by James Truslow Adams, 1931.
6. Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, 1891.
7. Animal Farm by George Orwell, 1945.
8. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, 1937.
9. https://www.britannica.com/topic/federalism

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NBA BWARI HONOURS GADZAMA, OTHERS

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bwari Branch has honoured the pioner Chairman of NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN and others during its 2021 Law Week.

Themed “Post COVID Realities for Nigerian Lawyers; Curbing Insecurity Challenges and Fostering National Development,” the event was held at Gadis Event Center, Dutse, Abuja on June 1 and 2, 2021

Among those who delivered goodwill messages were Gadzama, the Chief Judge of FCT, Justice Salisu Garba Abdullahi (represented by Justice O. A. Musa); Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Isa Hayatu Ciroma SAN, and NBA General Secretary, Mrs. Joyce Oduah.

The Chairman of the branch, Mr. Clement Chukwuemeka thanked Gadzama “for his unwavering fatherly support to the branch” and urged all lawyers to be steadfast. The Le and diligent. The branch also unveiled the second edition of its journal.

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NBA BWARI KICKS OFF LAW WEEK

The Annual Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bwari Branch (“Capital Bar”) kicked off today with much fanfare. 

Confirming this to CITY LAWYER, the Branch Chairman, Mr. Clement Chukwuemeka Ugo said Day-One of the Law Week went as planned.

Below is the full schedule for the Law Week.

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR NBA BWARI LAW WEEK 2021

Register: https://lawweek.capitalbarlawyers.com.ng

Venue: GADIS Event Centre, Opposite, Girls’ Secondary School, Dutse.

DAY 1: TUESDAY 1ST JUNE 2021
SESSION 1: The Opening Ceremony of NBA BWARI BRANCH LAW WEEK – 2021: TIME: 10.AM -11.55.AM

THEME: Post Covid Realities for the Nigerian Lawyer; Curbing Insecurity Challenges and Fostering National Development.

TEA BREAK: 11.40.AM -11.55.AM

Session 2

EVENT: DISCOURSE 1: (a) Providing Legal Aid to the Victims of Sexual Gender Based Violence (b)Sentencing Guidelines and Plea Bargaining- 12.PM – 1.55.PM

EVENT: DISCOURSE II – Examining the Operation of the Doctrine of Separation of Power in Modern Day Nigeria.
TIME: 2.PM -4.PM

DAY 2: WEDNESDAY 2ND JUNE 2021

SESSION 1:
EVENT: DISCOURSE 1: Creating a Niche in the Legal Profession, Future of Nigerian Legal Profession and Specialization in the Legal Practice: Where lies the Perfect Blend?

TIME: 10.AM – 12.PM

SESSION 2:

EVENT: DISCOURSE 2: CAMA 2020: The Pains and Gains.
TIME: 2.PM – 3.PM

SESSION 3:
EVENT: DISCOURSE 3: Ethical Compliance in Post Covid 19: Where are the Nigerian Lawyers?
TIME: 4.PM-6.PM

DINNER: 4P.M – 6.PM

COMPLETE EVENT PROGRAMME: https://cutt.ly/OnsAMd2

ZOOM MEETING: https://cutt.ly/zkUftuk
MEETING ID: 860 7640 1685
PASSCODE: NBA2021LW

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ODUAH TASKS NBA AKURE ON POLITY

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Treasurer, Joyce Oduah has tasked NBA Akure Branch to “look at myriads of challenges facing our polity and proffer deep and lasting solutions.”

In a Press Statement made available to CITY LAWYER, Oduah hailed the branch on its Law Week which kicked off today, “especially the intellectual discourse sessions.”

Below are details of the statement.

“I congratulate the Executive Committee, Elders and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Akure Branch on the occasion of their 2019 Law Week and Dinner which commences from Monday 2nd – Friday 6th December, 2019 in Akure, Ondo State.

“I believe as you celebrate this week’s activities, especially the intellectual discourse sessions, you will be able to critically take a look at myriads of challenges facing our polity and proffer deep and lasting solutions that will have a far lasting positive effect on the polity of our great country.

“Once again, I say congratulations and God bless.”

Joyce Oduah, FCIMC
Former National Treasurer, NBA. 2012-2014.
1st ASST. SECRETARY, NBA LAGOS. 2000-2002
PUBLICITY SECRETARY, NBA LAGOS. 2007-2009
SOCIAL SECRETARY, NBA LAGOS. 2009-2011.

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JURISTS STORM LAGOS JUNE 20 FOR LAW WEEK

Leading jurists are set to storm City Hall, Lagos from June 20, 2019 as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch holds its hugely popular Annual Law Week. The week-long event is scheduled to kick-off on Saturday, June 15, 2019 with a health work sponsored by telecom giant, MTN Nigeria Plc. The theme of this year’s Law Week is “Law and Development in an Emerging Economy.”

Aside from firebrand economist, Mr. Bismarck Rewane who will tackle the sub-theme, “The Nigerian economy: 2019 outlook and opportunities for lawyers,” eminent jurists that have confirmed attendance as part of the stellar faculty are Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Court of Appeal; NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN; former Lagos State Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Supo Shasore SAN; Mr. Gbenga Oyebode MFR, Mr. Asue Ighodalo as well as leading environmental law expert and Lagos State University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lanre Fagbohun SAN.

Other confirmed faculty members are Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro; Mr. Tunde Fagbohunlu SAN; former Lagos State Solicitor-General, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey, renowned activist and law teacher, Dr. Sam Amadi; Mr. Peter Derey; reputed international lawyer, Mr. Charles Adeogun-Phillip and Ms. Yimika Adesola of “Legally Engaged.”

Expected at the popular Young Lawyers’ Forum are billionaire blogger, Ms. Linda Ikeji; popular TV host and lawyer, Mr. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Prince Joel and Deji Olomojobi among others.

At a press conference to herald the Law Week, NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom noted that the law week would be the last for his regime which has been adjudged by many lawyers as highly innovative and successful, adding that no effort would be spared to ensure that it leaves a lasting impression on the minds of participants.

On his part, Chairman of the 2019 Law Week Planning Committee, Mr. Tola Oshobi SAN assured prospective participants that the technical sessions in particular have been fashioned to add immense value to every lawyer’s practice. According to Oshobi, who is leading the committee for the second consecutive time, among the topics lined up for the sessions holding on June 20 and 21 at City Hall, Lagos are “Emerging trends in technology and innovation;” “Smart response of the legal profession to technological advancements;” “The 21st century workplace in context: law firm focus;” “Administration of justice and the courts: A dialogue between the Bench and the Bar;” “Rain making and management of client expectations;” “The young lawyers’ forum: Entertainment, sports and media,” and “Sustainable development and the environment.”

Other activities earmarked for the week are health check, visit to prisons and Pacelli School for the Blind, Elders’ Night to be hosted by leading commercial lawyer, Mr. George Etomi and a closing party on June 21.

Alternate Chairman for the Law Week Planning Committee, Mr. Andrew Malgwi noted that registration for the week has since commenced and can be done online at www.nbalagos.org or at the Branch Secretariat among other channels. Non-lawyers can also register to benefit from the intellectual feast, he noted.

Please email citylawyermag@gmail.com.

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NBA LAGOS LAW WEEK HOLDS JUNE 15

The Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch will hold its popular annual Law Week for this year from June 15 to June 21, 2019. The two-day plenary sessions will hold at the highbrow City Hall, Lagos.

Among the highlights of the event which is usually attended by the cream of Nigeria’s bar and bench are the classy Opening Ceremony, plenary sessions, health walk, prison visits, health check, closing party and Elders’ Nite.

Spearheaded by the cerebral Mr. Oyetola Oshobi SAN who also anchored last year’s highly successful week, the Law Week Planning Committee has been combing the entire legal landscape for A-list speakers. Over 40 leading jurists had audiences asking for more at last year’s event. The theme was “Human Capital and the Legal Profession in the 21st Century.” The theme for this year’s Law Week is still under wraps and will be unveiled at a Press Conference to formally herald the week.

Meanwhile, registration for this year’s law week has since commenced. Multiple registration channels have been provided by the Law Week Committee towards a seamless and hassle-free registration experience for intending participants. These include payment at the bank or through POS at the branch office. Participants can also download the registration form and pay through the payment gateway on the branch website.

The registration rates are below:

1-7 years: N3,500
8 – 15 years: N5,000
16 – 19 years is 10,000
20 years and above is N15,000
SAN AND BENCHERS N20,000

Please make payment to Nigerian Bar Association Lagos Branch at Access Bank. Account Number is 0728253326. Please return the registration form to the branch office with proof of payment.

For enquiries, please contact:
Nkem Agboti
08035739791
nagboti@gmail.com.

Oluyemisi Iwajomo:
08064112076
olwajomo@babalakinandco.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.