OBI OKAFOR

  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Apr 27, 2022
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ANXIETY, AS ECNBA CONSULTANT IN CONTROVERSIAL 2018 ELECTION ‘RETURNS’

There are concerns in legal circles following revelation by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) that one of the applicants for the crucial role of “Technical Support Consultant” (TSC) played the same role in the controversial 2018 NBA Elections.

The ECNBA had in a Public Notice yesterday urged NBA stakeholders to comment on the suitability of two leading ICT firms seeking to fill the role of ECNBA Technical Consultant. The two companies are Finesse Integrated Technologies Limited and Thriveonus Limited, both Abuja based ICT companies.

While reeling out its numerous operations especially in the legal sector, Finesse Integrated Technologies Limited wrote: “NBA – Technical Consultant to the ECNBA for the 2018 NBA general elections.” This is aside from other jobs done for the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Court of Appeal, National Judicial Institute (NJI) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in an otherwise rich resume.

CITY LAWYER investigation however shows that the 2018 NBA Elections remains one of the most controversial in the history of the lawyers’ association. Following a CITY LAWYER exclusive report showing that former NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN – who was one of the presidential candidates in the election – was equally a non-Executive Director at Access Bank Plc alongside Dr. (Mrs.) Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika, the pioneer female Chairman of CHAMS hired as ICT Partner to midwife the election, this set off a chain of events that took the election beyond the July deadline stipulated by the NBA Constitution.

Current ECNBA member and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu referred to the debacle when he wrote: “Under the constitution of the association, the ballot was to have concluded before the end of July. A cocktail of implausible cock-ups had conspired to defer the completion of the ballot by three weeks beyond the constitutionally permissible date.”

Passing a judgement on the 2018 NBA Elections, the fiery human rights activist wrote: “The figures announced by the ECNBA suggested a very spirited contest. In reality, the outcome was pre-determined. The ECNBA and the NBA leadership of AB Mahmoud SAN had presided over the most willfully manipulated ballot in the history of the association.” While Usoro emerged victorious with 4,509 votes, Chief Arthur Obi-Okafor SAN and former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN polled 4, 423 and 3, 313 votes respectively.

Odinkalu observed that the process leading to the engagement of CRENET, a new election data service provider, was shrouded in secrecy, adding: “One phone number in particular, 0807 410 7787 accounted for 41 voters; 0810 642 1702 accounted for 32 voters, while 0806 402 8401 accounted for 18. Between them, these three numbers alone accounted for 91 votes, that is six votes more than the announced margin of 86 votes between the declared winner and the runner up.”

This would later ground prosecution of two lawyers by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following a petition by Obi-Okafor. In the August 28, 2018 petition presented by the ICT Team Lead for his campaign organization, Mr. Olumuyiwa Olowokure, it said: “The NBA 2018 National Elections which held from August 18 to 20, 2018 has been mired in controversy following complaints of gross irregularities characterised by theft of members’ identities and data, internet fraud, interference/manipulation of the online portal … parties connived to fraudulently manipulate the electoral process to achieve a predetermined outcome.”

The EFCC in the suit marked FHC/L/118c/2020 and signed by its counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, alleged that the accused persons altered 1004 eligible voters’ personal details and cast votes for the former NBA president by impersonating voters through fraudulently using the Supreme Court Enrolment Numbers of some lawyers.

While CHAMS and CRENET were in the eye of the storm for the alleged fraud that enveloped the election, Finesse Integrated Technologies Limited seems to have been in the shadows. The process leading to its appointment as ECNBA’s Technical Consultant as well as the exact role it played during the 2018 NBA Election seem to be mired in mystery. Given that the ECNBA was decidedly silent on its involvement in the 2018 Election, it was not until yesterday that it announced its participation in the controversial election.

Said Odinkalu: “In the end, a voting process that was supposed to be seamless suffered at least eight deferrals and one suspension. Every stage in the process was tortured.”

Ojukwu also had only harsh words for the conduct of the election. He denounced the election as having been characterized by “massive vote buying, vote capture, rigging and a skewed process.”

The uproar that greeted the 2018 election as well as the one before and after it compelled the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) to set up a five-man committee to work with the NBA to review the 2018 and 2020 elections. Members of the committee were Chief Joe Kyari-Gadzama, SAN; Mr. Osaro Eghobamien, SAN; Chief Yomi Aliu, SAN; Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, SAN, and Mr. Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa, SAN.

Former NBA President and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN said of the electoral audit: “It is very good to review the electoral process of NBA, which is exactly what we, the Trustees recommended.” The BOSAN Committee soon became troubled itself, with the resignation of some of its members including Gadzama.

Following his commitment in his inaugural address to review the association’s electoral process and bequeath a flawless electoral system to the lawyers’ body, NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata on September 30, 2020 set up the Mr. Ayodele Akintunde SAN-led “Electoral Reform and Audit Committee.” One of the committee’s terms of reference was “To audit the elections of National Officers of the NBA of 2016, 2018 and 2020 and recommend reforms (if any) of the electoral process.” Aside from submitting a detailed report on the malfeasance that bedeviled past NBA Elections, the mantle again fell on Akintunde to walk the talk by implementing his committee’s recommendations geared towards a free, fair and credible NBA Election.

Attempts by CITY LAWYER to reach Finesse Integrated Technologies Limited on its role in the 2018 NBA Elections proved abortive. Though one Ruth Isaac told CITY LAWYER that the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr. Akintomide Akinwolere would respond timeously to our enquiries, he was yet to do so at press time.

According to the “Request for Proposal For Technical Support Consultant to the ECNBA” dated April 11, 2022 the all-important role of the Technical Support Consultant was spelt out as follows: “The TSC shall be responsible for providing the requisite consulting and advisory services necessary to attain the goal established by the ECNBA for the Project. Specifically, the TSC shall play key roles in the following areas:

1. Member Identity & Database (Technical Assistance):
(a) Collect, review and certify as adequate and fit for purpose, an approximately 50,000– 60,000 member-rich database, and transform same into a Register of Voters in an integration ready format for use with any standard Election Management System (EMS); and

(b) Propose a multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) protocol to govern the identification and verification of members on the EMS to be deployed for the Project.

2. ICT Service Provider (“Service Provider”):
(a) Develop the technical requirements and the ECNBA’s criteria for engaging the Service Provider that will deploy the EMS;

(b) Support the ECNBA in developing the requisite RFP for the selection process and subsequent negotiations between the qualified, experienced, skilled, and selected Service Provider; and

(c) Outline the deliverables that will be incorporated in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) and Operational Level Agreement (OLA) that will govern the performance and operations of the EMS services by the Service Provider.

3. Stakeholder Support:
(a) Support the ECNBA in its voter sensitization and enlightenment outreach by producing materials, including Q&A’s, for publication on the Project website or distribution to members, and to attend the ECNBA branch or regional stakeholder programs physically (or virtually), to respond to technical issues raised by members;

(b) Conduct trainings for members (virtually or physically) on any aspect of the electoral process, including voter registration and certification as well as login and logout protocol of the EMS; and

(c) Set up and operate a Technical Support Centre, including 24/7 Call Centre from the commencement and throughout the election period, to assist members on any technical issues relating to access, login, or logout process on the EMS.

4. Tests, Audits & Reports:
(a) Conduct a system and software testing to ensure that the EMS is implementing the latest, modern technology and solutions;

(b) Conduct functionality testing to ensure that the EMS delivers on all the functional requirements and specifications stipulated by the ECNBA;

(c) Conduct vulnerability testing to identify any vulnerability or threat to which the system might be exposed, assign severity levels to threats found, and propose remediation or mitigation; and

(d) Perform process audit of the EMS, monitor elections real time, and carry out postelection audit and produce all relevant reports required by the ECNBA.

According to the approved ECNBA Budget, the Technical Support Consultant is to earn N15 Million for its services.

It remains to be seen the exact role played by Finesse Integrated Technologies Limited in the NBA 2018 Elections saga.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Apr 05, 2021
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  • Comments Off on EX NBA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, ARTHUR OBI-OKAFOR LOSES MUM

EX NBA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, ARTHUR OBI-OKAFOR LOSES MUM

A former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential candidate, Chief Arthur Obi-Okafor SAN has lost his mother, Iyom Roseline Chika Ijenwa Okafor (DMA).

Iyom Okafor reportedly died on March 24, 2021. A native of Enu Ogbu, Ogbu Abatete in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Iyom Okafor was until her death a prominent community leader who also held several positions in the church.

A recipient of the “Diocesan Merit Award” of the Anglican Church of the Niger Diocese, Iyom Okafor was a member of the Niger Diocesan Board of the Niger Diocese of the Anglican Church. She also served as the Treasurer of St. Christopher’s Church, Onitsha and President of Abatete Anglican Church Women (home and abroad) among other positions.

She will be buried on May 21, 2021 at Abatete, Anambra State. She is survived by children, grand-children, sister, cousins, brother-in-law, sister-in-laws and other relations among whom is her eldest Son, Chief Arthur Obi-Okafor (SAN, FCIArb).

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USORO, OBI-OKAFOR MOURN OLOWOKURE

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN) and former NBA presidential candidate, Chief Arthur Obi-Okafor are among the Bar leaders who are mourning the sudden demise of veteran Bar activist and former Chairman of NBA Kaduna Branch, Mr. Olumuyiwa Olowokure.

Popularly known in Bar circles as “OO” in line with his initials, Olowokure was considered by many as a consummate Bar-man and a much-sought-after strategist especially in relation to Bar politics.

During the last NBA Elections, he pitched his tent with Obi-Okafor and was one of his ‘Returning Officers’ during the poll. In particular, he was known for his cerebral disposition and integrity, as his support for any particular candidate never wavered.

In a statement signed by NBA Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kunle Edun, Usoro described Olowokure as “an active bar man who featured prominently in the activities of the Nigerian Bar Association as a former Chairman of NBA Kaduna branch and member of the National Executive Committee of the NBA for several years.”

On his part, Obi-Okafor described Olowokure as “an astute Bar man, a personal friend and confidant.” In his tribute titled “O. O. Olowokure’s Demise: A Good Man Bids Goodbye,” Obi-Okafor said that Olowokure “will be remembered as a detribalized and consummate Bar man with the midas touch.”

Below are the statements by the Bar leaders:

NBA MOURNS THE DEMISE OF QUINTESSENTIAL BAR MAN, OLUMUYIWA OLOWOKURE

Moments ago the sad news of the sudden demise of Olumuyiwa Olowokure Esq reached the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro, SAN and the National Officers. It was shocking and saddening.

Mr. Olowokure was an active bar man who featured prominently in the activities of the Nigerian Bar Association as a former Chairman of NBA Kaduna branch and member of the National Executive Committee of the NBA for several years. He was also the Kaduna State Co-Ordinator of Swift Count. Olumuyiwa Olowokure served the bar in many other capacities and made positive contributions to the development of the bar throughout his more than 3 decades of practice. He contested for the office of the General Secretary of the NBA in 2012.

On behalf of the National Officers, the NBA President condoles with members of the Nigerian Bar Association, particularly the leadership and members of NBA Kaduna branch and the family of our dearly loved colleague, over this very sad loss.

The NBA President prays that the almighty God will grant the family the fortitude and grace to bear this loss and grant our dear colleague a peaceful rest in the bossom of the Lord.

Kunle Edun
National Publicity Secretary, NBA

O.O. Olowokure’s Demise: A Good Man Bids Goodbye.

It is with a heavy heart and sense of great loss that I join family, friends and associates in mourning the untimely demise of a one time Chairman of the Kaduna branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumuyiwa O. Olowokure Esq, who passed on to eternal glory yesterday afternoon after a brief illness.

O.O. as he was fondly called was an astute Bar man, a personal friend and confidant. As the head of my Technical Team during the 2018 NBA elections, I found in him a loyal, dedicated, dependable and committed ally who committed his time, energy and resources into my project to lead our noble association.

O.O. will be remembered as a detribalized and consummate Bar man with the midas touch who during his tenure as Chairman of Kaduna branch of the NBA hosted one of the most successful conferences in the history of the association. He believed in excellence and brought same to bear in all he did.

His sudden exit leaves a great vacuum that will be difficult to be filled. O.O. was a good man and my sincere prayers is that the Almighty grant his family, friends colleagues and members of the Kaduna branch of NBA, the grace to pass through this dark hour and may the soul of the deceased find eternal rest in the bosom of the Almighty.
Adieu O.O. Olowokure Esq till we meet to part no more.

Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN).

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Obi Okafor Queries KPMG’s Appointment

* Questions Mahmoud’s Power to Appoint Auditor

* Lists Issues Probe Must Tackle

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential candidate, Chief Arthur Obi Okafor SAN has queried the authority of former NBA President, Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud SAN to appoint an auditor for the just concluded National Officers Elections. Continue Reading

PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION: Usoro, Obi Okafor Camps in Cat and Mouse Game

* Inauguration Venue Uncertain

* ‘We will not storm the venue’ – Okutepa

* Defendants May be Cited for Contempt of Court

There are strong indications that the camp of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President-elect, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN may have engaged in a hirewire cat-and-mouse game to forestall any last-ditch moves by defeated NBA presidential candidate, Chief Arthur Obi Okafor SAN to truncate the inauguration ceremony scheduled for today. Continue Reading

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Audit Will Not Alter Election Results – Yadudu

Any hopes by defeated candidates in the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Elections that an audit will upturn the outcome of the elections has been dashed by the Electoral Committee of NBA (ECNBA) Chairman, Prof. Auwalu Yadudu.

It is recalled that a presidential candidate in the elections, Chief Arthur Obi Okafor SAN had specifically requested an audit of the elections as a pre-condition to cooperate with NBA President-elect, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN.

But Yadudu while responding to enquiries by CITY LAWYER, foreclosed any possibility that the audit will reverse the election results as declared by the ECNBA.

His words: “A post election audit will be carried out as promised. However, it is not to validate or invalidate the result announced.”

This is bound to rattle some of the candidates who are hoping that the planned audit may void some of the results declared by the ECNBA.

Asked to respond to allegations by Okafor and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN, the two other presidential candidates, that the elections were riddled with rigging among other infractions, the ECNBA Chairman declined comment, saying: “Sorry l cannot comment on views by others about or in any matter pertaining to (the) election.”

When CITY LAWYER asked the veteran law teacher for suggestions on electoral reforms, he also side-stepped the issue, saying: “These are matters that will go into (our) report. So it will not be proper to address (same) in the press.”

He however noted that the NBA National Executive Committee meeting which held yesterday did not ratify the outcome of the elections but merely the change in date. His words: “NEC did not ratify the election. It ratified the timing by which the ECNBA held the election in August instead of July.”

It is recalled that CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report revealed that Usoro is a co-director at Access Bank Plc with Dr. (Mrs.) Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika, the first female Chairman of CHAMS Plc. CHAMS was originally hired by the ECNBA as its sole ICT Partner for the elections. It eventually deployed its voting portal for the elections.

The CITY LAWYER report had raised concerns on the integrity of NBA’s electoral process and the ability of the ECNBA to deliver free, fair and credible elections.

Following petitions by candidates and a flurry of meetings, outgoing NBA President, Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud SAN had initiated several electoral reforms to reassure stakeholders.

In a press statement dated July 21, 2018 Mahmoud had promised that an audit of the elections will be carried out.

His words: “The ECNBA will develop a post-election audit framework and process and may engage an independent entity for that purpose.”

Usoro was declared winner of the hotly contested poll on August 20, three weeks after the initial date set for the conclusion of the elections.

Both Okafor and Ojukwu rejected the results, alleging rigging and other electoral infractions.

Though the elections were conducted in August as against July specified in the NBA Constitution, the NBA-NEC yesterday ratified the shift in date, clearing the way for Usoro to be sworn-in as the 29th NBA President.

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EXCLUSIVE: NBA ELECTION – Usoro, Obi Okafor Rigged, Says Ojukwu

A presidential candidate in the just concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Elections, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN has alleged that his two rivals in the presidential bid attempted to out-rig each other during the poll.

In an exclusive interview with CITY LAWYER, the former Nigerian Law School helmsman claimed that he was the only presidential candidate that did not tamper with the electoral process, adding that the election is the “worst” conducted by NBA since 1991.

Warned that CITY LAWYER would quote him on the allegation, Ojukwu was even more emphatic, saying: “Quote me on that; hundred per cent. Both candidates corrupted the system, bribed voters with money, practice fee, and then ultimately stole people’s data and used it to vote. Quote me hundred per cent.”

Continuing, the defeated NBA presidential candidate who polled 3313 votes to trail both the president-elect, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN and Chief Arthur Obi Okafor SAN said: “I am the only person who didn’t try to rig the election. They were competing with each other on who will rig better.

“The election was rigged 100 per cent. The candidates hijacked the process from the time members were asked to verify; that’s when they hijacked the system – and stole people’s data. From the ones they paid their practice fee and the others stolen during the verification exercise. And many many people couldn’t vote because of that. Once that was done, they were competing with each other as to who will out-vote each other with stolen data.”

On his suggestions towards electoral reforms, Ojukwu said: “Nothing. Nothing. It’s not the system that is the problem; it is the human beings. So, there is nothing I can suggest to a person who is elected by a stolen mandate because he will not do a new free election. That’s why we have transited from hand-to-hand since 2012. People who emerged through a stolen system have not been able to hand over through free and fair elections. This is one of the worst elections conducted at the Bar since 1991. In fact, it is the worst. And it will have a place in infamy.”

Ojukwu restated his resolve not to challenge the result of the poll. His words: “My statement is very clear. I said I was not going to contest the election. What am I going to court to do? I said I was not going to contest it.”

On whether he would explore any internal mechanism within the NBA system, the former law teacher said: “You complain to the person who is the armed robber? How would you get the verdict? You complain to the armed robber for stealing your money? To do what? To settle between me and Paul (Usoro SAN) or between me and who?”

Reminded that the pre-Annual General Conference NBA National Executive Committee may deliberate on the debacle, Ojukwu said: “It depends on the issue that arises. That’s the only time I know what to answer – if there is any need to answer.”

The former law teacher also told CITY LAWYER that he has no plans for the future in relation to his political fortunes. His words: “I don’t have any future plan. I’m still a member (of NBA).”

It is recalled that the Prof. Auwalu Yadudu-led Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) had in the early hours of Monday, August 20, 2018 declared Usoro as the duly elected 29th president of the NBA. Usoro polled 4509 while his closest rival, Obi Okafor garnered 4423 to place second. Ojukwu placed third with 3313 votes.

The election was severally postponed due to many hiccups that plagued the process.

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