PRESIDENCY

AKPATA CLOCKS 50, WEDS HEARTTHROB IN FAR-AWAY MAURITIUS (EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS)

The immediate past Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata is 50 years today. This is coming exactly five days after the senior corporate lawyer wed his heartthrob, Osayamon Michelle May Ogbebor at a lavish and exclusive nuptial on the beautiful island of Belle Mare in Mauritius.

The wedding was held at the Trou D’Eau Douce Catholic Church while the A-List guests were feted at the luxurious Longbeach Resort.

Akpata was born on 7 October, 1972. He had his early education in Warri, Delta State and thereafter attended King’s College, Lagos from where he proceeded to study Law at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). He graduated from UNIBEN in 1992, and was admitted to the Nigerian Bar on 15 December, 1993.

After his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kano State, he joined the law firm of Dr. Mudiaga Odje & Co. in Warri, Delta State where cut his teeth in legal practice under the tutelage of the late sage, Dr. Mudiaga Odje, SAN, OFR, who he describes as “the most seasoned litigator of his time.”

In 1996, he relocated to Lagos and teamed up with his cousin, Oghogho Akpata, who had in 1995 set up the law firm, TEMPLARS, after honing his skills in the firm of F. O. Akinrele & Co. under the leadership of the legendary Chief Frank Odunayo Akinrele, SAN.

In his words, “From 1996 to date (2020), I have worked with Oghogho, and our colleagues at Templars, in building and sustaining a world class, multi-sectoral and full-service law firm which is now in the 25th year of its existence and consists of over 100 fee-earners, including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria.”

Prior to ascending the coveted NBA Presidency, Akpata was the Senior Partner and Head of Corporate & Commercial Practice Group of TEMPLARS. The Group comprises Mergers & Acquisitions; Capital Markets; Corporate Law; Labour & Employment; Immigration; Telecommunications, Media, Entertainment and Technology; and Regulatory Compliance.

As a measure of his expansive scope, he notes that “in my over two decades at Templars, I have practised across the diverse areas in which we operate, and I have been privileged to lead or participate in some of the major groundbreaking transactions that have shaped commercial law practice in Nigeria and indeed the Nigerian economy.”

Reputed as a consummate Bar-man, Akpata began participating in NBA activities as a member of the NBA Warri Branch upon joining the law firm of Dr. Mudiaga Odje & Co. Upon relocating to Lagos in 1996, he joined NBA Lagos Branch.

He was a foundation member of the NBA Section on Business Law, and worked closely with the pioneer Chairman of the Section, Mr. George Etomi, and his team to operationalise the Section after its inauguration in December 2004 by then NBA President, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN.

His words: “I was also a member of the Planning Committee which organised the very first NBA-SBL Conference that was held in Abuja in March 2006 and which proved to be a transformational conference that set the NBA-SBL on its current trajectory.

In his 2020 NBA Manifesto, he stated that “My active participation in the NBA-SBL led to my election, in January 2012, as Secretary of the NBA-SBL Council. I was subsequently elected as Vice-Chairman in August 2014 and then as Chairman in August 2016, after which I handed over to the current Chairman, Seni Adio, SAN, in August 2018 albeit I remain a member of the Council. My two-year tenure as Chairman of the NBA-SBL was eventful and impactful.”

Akpata sits in non-executive capacity on the Boards of a number of private companies, some of which he chairs. He is a member of several think-tanks, including the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the United Nations Nigerian Humanitarian Fund (UN-NHF), of which he was a pioneer member.

Increasingly popular for his trademark dance steps, Akpata describes himself as “a gregarious person and when I am not advising on a transaction or attending a client meeting, I love to be in the company of my friends and family or attending social events. I also love travelling and reading the biographies of distinguished personalities. I am a devout Christian and a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.”

His tenure as NBA President was reckoned as one of the most proactive in tackling human rights and rule of law issues that confronted the Nigerian Bar as well as in pushing the frontiers of welfarism at the Bar.

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NBA KADUNA BRANCH HAILS MAIKYAU ON INAUGURATION

The Executive and Members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Kaduna Branch heartily felicitates with Yakubu Chinoko Maikyau, SAN FCIArb on his assumption of office as the 31st President of the Nigerian Bar Association. 

The Branch also congratulates the Members of the Executive led by Yakubu Chinoko Maikyau, SAN FCIArb who have also assumed their various offices.

It is our wish and prayer that the ideals of the Nigerian Bar Association of promoting the rule of law and speaking truth to power should be continued.

We are indeed gratified that the President of the NBA has on numerous occasions stated that this administration shall continue with the innovative and welfarist programmes of the immediate past Executive. We hope and pray that this shall be continued, together with the new programmes to be introduced. 

We pray for the success of the administration and assure the 31st President of the NBA that Kaduna Branch shall continue to support him and his administration as the Branch did during the recently concluded election.

Thank you,

M. T. Mohammed, ACIArb, LLM

Chairman

MAXIMUS UGWUOKE CONGRATULATES AKPATA ON WEDLOCK

Mr. Ikechukwu Maximus Ugwuoke, aspirant for the position of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Welfare Secretary and former NBA Enugu Branch Social Secretary has congratulated NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata on his marriage ceremony held today in Benin City.

The message reads:

” I join the legal community and the rest of the world to Congratulate you, our dear President, Olumide Akpata on the occasion of your traditional wedding with the love of your life, Osayamon Michelle Ogbebor at the ancient city of Benin today, 14th day of May 2022.

“As the Holy Book says “He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord”. This singular event of your marriage taking place towards the end of your NBA presidency tenure is a demonstration of the the fact that God’s favour that made you the number one bar man in the country had continued to sustain you to attain the greater strides and accomplishment you have so far recorded in your office, the climax of which is your tying the marital knots at this point.

“May God bless your marriage and continue to sustain it with love, peace, joy and happiness”.

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  • EMEKA NWADIOKE
  • Mar 18, 2022
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  • Comments Off on ELECTION: ECNBA CLEARS AIR ON ZONING, TAIDI HAILS UMPIRE

ELECTION: ECNBA CLEARS AIR ON ZONING, TAIDI HAILS UMPIRE

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has laid to rest the controversy on the zoning arrangement for this year’s National Officers Election.

Meanwhile, former NBA General Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Gunu Taidi who is believed to be eyeing the post of NBA President has hailed the electoral body for striving to abide by the constitutional timelines set for the election.

Taidi told CITY LAWYER that “The ECNBA Chairman informed NBA Emergency NEC (meeting) that today was the final day to issue this notice. It is a welcome development that the ECNBA promised to keep to timeliness which is part of the integrity of the electoral process.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that former Secretary of the NBA Constitution Review Committee, Mr. Olasupo Ojo had petitioned the committee, seeking clarification on the zoning formula to be adopted for the election. Specifically, he sought an interpretation of the import of section 9(3) of the NBA Constitution and paragraphs 2.2(b) & 2.2(d) of the Second Schedule on the election.

The ECNBA had side stepped the enquiry, noting that “The duties of the ECNBA are governed by the statutory instruments of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and does not, regrettably at the moment, extend to providing advisory opinions.”

But the ECNBA has now put the matter to rest, especially as it concerns the NBA presidential election. While some pro Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN persons had canvassed that the presidential slot should be restricted to candidates from the North East, the ECNBA has declared that all aspirants from the Northern Zone are eligible to gun for the coveted seat. This has given a fillip to the alleged quest by NBA Welfare Committee Chairman, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN and former NBA General Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Taidi to clinch the post.

In a Preliminary Notice of Election dated March 17, 2020 and signed by the committee Chairman, Mr. Richard Akintunde SAN and Secretary, Ms. Mabel Ekeke, the ECNBA listed the “offices for which eligible members or candidates may contest on the basis of rotation among the three (3) geographical zones stipulated in Part IV (1),(2),(3),(4) &(5), Second Schedule of the Constitution of the NBA, 2015 as amended in 2021, (the Constitution), as well as the qualifications for the offices listed at Section 9(3) of the Constitution.”

Stating that the zone to produce the President is the “Northern Zone,” the committee also stated that the aspirant must be “A full member of the Association in private legal practice; with not less than 15 years post-call and not less than 2 years as a member of the National Executive Council (previously known as the National Executive Committee) (“NEC”) at the time of nomination.”

While the post of First Vice President was also zoned to the Northern Zone, the posts of Second Vice President and Third Vice President were zoned to Eastern Zone and Western Zone respectively. The post of General Secretary also went to Western Zone.

However, the posts of Treasurer, Welfare Secretary, Publicity Secretary as well as Assistant General Secretary and Assistant Publicity Secretary were not restricted to any zone.

Meanwhile, election of NBA Representatives to the General Council of the Bar will run alongside the National Officers Election, even as the ECNBA has stated that “Pursuant to Part V (2), Second Schedule of the Constitution, the zoning principle contained in the Constitution shall apply in the election of NBA Representatives to the General Council of the Bar, such that each zone shall produce not less than six (6) Representatives to the Council.”

According to ECNBA, “Nomination Forms for election of National Officers of the NBA and/or election of NBA Representatives to the General Council of the Bar, shall be available for collection at the ECNBA Secretariat, 1st Floor, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abuja Trade & Convention Centre, KM 8 Umaru Musa Yar’adua Express Way, (Airport Road), Abuja. The forms can also be downloaded online from the NBA website: www.nigerianbar.org.ng or the ECNBA website: www.ecnba.ng from 08:00 hours, Monday, 21 March 2022. Submission of completed Nomination Forms and accompanying documents shall CLOSE at 16:00 hours on Friday, 15 April 2022.”

ECNBA Preliminary Notice

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NBA PRESIDENCY: 31 SANs BACK AJIBADE TO WIN

BY EMEKA NWADIOKE

The political fortunes of Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Elections received a major boost at the weekend with over 30 senior advocates throwing their illustrious weights behind his quest to lead Africa’s largest Bar. The NBA National Elections is scheduled to hold on 24th and 25th July, 2020 via electronic voting.

As at this weekend, no less than 31 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) have pitched their tent with Ajibade. Leading the pack of the first set of endorsements is eminent lawyer and former Attorney General of Lagos State, Prof. A. B. Kasunmu, SAN who described Ajibade as “someone who has a passion for both the law and the profession; a lawyer with integrity and a gentleman, who subtly but effectively upholds the true ethos of the profession.”

On his part, renowned lawyer, Mr. Ebun Sofunde SAN said of the NBA presidential aspirant: “In these trying times for the bar and bench, I see Dr. Ajibade as a person who will do his utmost to restore pride and dignity to the bar and bench by ensuring that such virtues as (a) integrity (b) diligence and (c) merit are enthroned at all times. I also see him as a person who will fight for the welfare of the bar and bench and promote a smooth relationship between the bar and bench.”

Said Mrs. Funke Adekoya SAN, NBA former 1st Vice-President and former presidential: “I find Dr. Ajibade to be courteous and with the personal attributes that describe a gentleman. He is known in both international and domestic legal circles and is an acknowledged leader in both. Within Nigeria he is an active member of committees of both the NBA Section on Legal Practice as well as Section on Business Law. He is a past President of the Capital Markets Solicitors Association. In the international arena he is a member of the ICC’s Africa Commission, and the IBA’s African Regional Forum Advisory Board. I support his candidacy because in my opinion he is the best bridge between the younger and older members of the profession.”

Perhaps the icing on the cake was an endorsement by Ajibade’s peers comprising a group of 14 senior advocates who were his 1989 classmates at the Nigerian Law School. In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the senior lawyers said they have known Ajibade “for over 30 years and can confidently attest to his character, integrity, humility, experience, brilliance and hard work in the legal profession, which led him to achieve the honour of being the first person to be elevated to the rank of SAN from the 1989 NLS Class.”

According to them, aside from the fact that he has over the years “been highly involved in Continuing Legal Education and other programmes that provide mentorship for young lawyers,” his wealth of experience in leadership “will help reposition the NBA as an effective and efficient world-class Association for the benefit of the different intra professional groups of lawyers under its membership and the growth and development of our great country, Nigeria.”

Aside from Kasunmu who took silk in 1979, other lawyers who endorsed Ajibade include Mr. Ebun Sofunde SAN, Mr. Kayode Sofola SAN, Prof. Gabriel A. Olawoyin SAN, Mrs. Funke Adekoya SAN, Mr. Bambo Adesanya SAN, Mr. Dolapo Akinrele SAN, Mr. Babatunde Fagbohunlu SAN, Prof. Andrew Chukwuemerie SAN, Mrs. Titi Akinlawon SAN, Mr. Folu Oguntade SAN, Mr. Oluwemimo Ogunde SAN, Mr. Abiodun Jelili Owonikoko SAN, Mr. Segun Ajibola SAN and Mr. Rotimi Jacobs SAN.

Others are Mr. Teslim Olatunde Busari SAN, Dr. Adewale Olawoyin SAN, Dr. Kayode Olatoke SAN, Mr. Olatunde Adejuyigbe SAN, Mr. Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN, Dr. Muiz Banire SAN, Mr. Emeka Etiaba SAN, Mr. Olasheni Ibiwoye SAN, Mr. A. U. Mustapha SAN, Mr. Emeka Okpoko SAN, Mr. Adeyemi Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, Mr. Olayode Delano SAN, Mr. Olumide Aju SAN, Mr. Olukayode Enitan SAN, Mr. Essien Andrew SAN, and Mr. Oladipo Olasope SAN.

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NBA ELECTIONS: EGBE AMOFIN MOVES TO PICK CONSENSUS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

Egbe Amofin O’odua, the once influential umbrella body of lawyers of Yoruba extraction, is set to forge a consensus towards the 2020 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections at its meeting today in Ibadan.

A notice of meeting curiously sent out by the Publicity Secretary of NBA Ibadan Branch, Mr. Femi Omotayo stated that the meeting which starts at 11 a. m. would hold at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre, Ibadan, adding: “Your attendance is highly anticipated and necessary as matters affecting our common interests will be placed on the table.”

Omotayo assured that the meeting would be attended by “who is who” among the Yoruba legal elite. On whether the breakaway South West Lawyers Forum (SWLF) would attend the meeting, he described the faction as an “infinitesimal group,” adding that there is no recognition for any such group.

There are strong indications that the forum may however not pose as serious challenge to today’s meeting, as political watchers believe that it had the backing of leading NBA presidential aspirant, Mr. Dele Adesina SAN. Adesina is believed to share similar political sentiments with foremost litigator, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN was the. Both are also in-laws.

The Chairman of Egbe Amofin, Chief Bandele Aiku SAN is now deceased. Olanipekun is the Vice Chairman of the forum, though some Egbe members challenged his position, arguing that his position was never ratified by the forum.

CITY LAWYER gathered that today’s meeting was a product of an earlier meeting convened by Olanipekun on August 28, 2019 on the sidelines of the NBA Annual General Conference. A source who was at the meeting told CITY LAWYER that the only major agreement at the meeting was the resolution that the Egbe should produce a consensus presidential candidate for the forthcoming NBA Elections.

Among those who attended the meeting are former NBA President, Chief (Mrs.) Priscilla Kuye; Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN; Chief M. A. Ajomale, and Mr. Femi Falana SAN among others.

Presently, there are four presidential aspirants who are said to be eyeing the coveted post, including Adesina, Mr. Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN and Mr. Adesina Ogunlana, the only aspirant who is not a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Mr. Martin Ogunleye, former Chairman of NBA Lagos Branch told CITY LAWYER that the Lagos meeting “emphasized the urgent need for a rebirth of Egbe,” adding that the breakaway South West Lawyers Forum (SWLF) has “merged back” to the parent Egbe forum.

Ogunleye, who is also the Chairman Egbe Amofin N’ile Eko, said that the meeting would be “co-hosted” by chairmen of NBA branches in the South West, adding that Olanipekun would “most likely” chair the meeting. Asked whether 2020 NBA Elections was an item on today’s agenda, he said: “You cannot rule out politics in human affairs.”

It was unclear at press time whether there is a split within the leadership of Egbe, as its Secretary, Mr. Ranti Ajileti told CITY LAWYER that he would not attend the meeting. His words: “I am not involved in the planning of the meeting. But I am not opposed to convening of the meeting. My not attending is due to circumstances and not by design.” It is recalled that Ajileti was lampooned by some Egbe elements for standing by the Eastern Bar Forum’s (EBF) endorsement of Chief Arthur Obi Okafor for the 2018 NBA presidential race.

A source close to Ajibade told CITY LAWYER that “Dr. Ajibade SAN is attending in full force.” Feelers from the camp of another leading candidate, Mr. Olu Akpata showed that he may not attend the meeting, adding that the forum is for Yoruba lawyers and that “no invitation has been extended to him to attend.”

There are strong indications that forging a consensus among the aspirants may pose the toughest challenge for the resurgent Egbe, as the aspirants are said to belong to disparate ideological divides and cleavages. Today’s meeting is viewed by many watchers of Bar politics as crucial in determining the fate of the Yoruba bloc in NBA politics.

Though there are fears that Olanipekun may desire a rebirth of the Egbe as a launch-pad for Adesina’s presidential ambition, analysts argue that it would be an uphill task, with many saying that he has only “one vote” when the chips are down. They argue that only a transparent process will prevent the Egbe from receding into irrelevance again.

It is recalled that lack of consensus by the Egbe gifted the 2014 presidential race to former NBA President, Mr. Austin Alegeh SAN. A similar disagreement by the South East bloc led to the emergence of current NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN. Analysts believe that today’s meeting is geared towards preventing a recurrence of the 2014 debacle.

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