SCREENING

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: LPPC AWARDS SAN RANK TO APPLICANTS WHO FAILED FINAL TEST

When the ceremony for conferment of the coveted rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) holds on November 27, 2023, at least three SAN designates who failed to meet the 90 percent pass mark set by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) would be garbed with the silk robe, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

Unimpeachable sources who are familiar with the screening process told CITY LAWYER that not only did the LPPC lower its cumulative 90 percent benchmark to award the prestigious rank to the three applicants, it may have taken on board the suggestion by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that all the 57 advocates who went in for the final oral interview should be appointed.

This is coming against the backdrop of strident and prolonged efforts especially by the influential Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) to restore meritocracy and prestige to the SAN awards. The clamour led to reforms which culminated in the “2022 Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and for Related Matters.”

It is recalled that the LPPC under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, had at its 159th plenary session held in Abuja appointed 57 advocates and one academic as Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

A high-ranking source, who participated actively in the screening of the applicants by the NBA General Purpose Committee (GPC) prior to the LPPC final oral interview, told CITY LAWYER that the association strongly canvassed in its report to LPPC that all 57 advocates who scaled the second filtration should be awarded the rank.

Confirming this position, another unimpeachable source told CITY LAWYER that the NBA urged that all applicants who scaled the chambers inspection should be given the award irrespective of their performance at the final oral interview.

It was unclear at press time whether NBA’s recommendation swayed the LPPC to lower its benchmark for the below-par SAN designates, even as CITY LAWYER gathered that at least one of the SAN designates may have scored as low as about 80 percent, 10 percentage points off the cumulative 90 percent pass mark.

CITY LAWYER recalls that BOSAN had written to then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad via a letter dated September 21, 2021, and signed by Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN), Chief Folake Solanke (SAN), and Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN), expressing its concerns on the declining standards in the SAN awards process. This quest contributed to the issuance of the 2022 SAN Guidelines aimed to reform the awards. The 2023 SAN awards exercise is the first test of the implementation of the 2022 Guidelines.

The 2022 Guidelines provides in Article 1 that “The award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is a privilege conferred as a mark of excellence on members of the legal profession ….”

Setting out the “principles” for the award of the rank which place premium on merit, the Guidelines state in Article 2(b) that “applications will be considered with merit as the primary consideration and without regard to ethnic origin, pedigree, physical disability, marital status, age, religious belief, political views or affiliations.”

Article 24 of the Guidelines deals with “Interview of Shortlisted Candidates,” while Article 24(4) sets out 9 items and their corresponding attainable scores, totaling 100 percent. These include comportment, integrity, quality of presentation, general knowledge of law, and contribution to development of law.

The top-ranking NBA-GPC official told CITY LAWYER that the NBA screening exercise “was very successful. All the candidates distinguished themselves and were all recommended. We had recommended the candidates, having scored them highly. The prerogative of award usually lies with the LPPC. We wish them luck at the interview of the LPPC.” 

Speaking after the LPPC announced its final shortlist, the source said: “We were glad the LPPC accepted our recommendations and all the applicants in the advocates category were awarded the rank. We thank God for his mercies.”

When CITY LAWYER contacted Hajo Bello, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee via a text message, she responded tersely: “I am not privileged to be answering your questions. You may write officially.” Though CITY LAWYER requested an email address to send in an enquiry, the LPPC Secretary had not responded at press time.

Also, efforts to access the LPPC through its official website (https://lppc.gov.ng/) proved abortive as the website is inactive. The website through which the Committee received applications for the awards (https://lppconline.com/) also has no information on its advertised “Contact” link.

It is recalled that controversies have trailed award of the SAN rank over the years, leading BOSAN to canvass that the awards should be paused to allow for reforms. This led to the 2022 Guidelines which sought to tighten the award process and make it more credible and devoid of controversies.

Meanwhile, applicants from the South West Zone dominate this year’s award list, taking the lion’s share of 19 slots. While South East took the second position with 12 slots, it is closely followed by North Central with 10 slots and South South with 8 slots. North West had three slots on the awards list while North East brought the rear with only two SAN designates.

The BOSAN letter to then Chief Justice of Nigeria, who statutorily doubles as Chairman of the influential LPPC, was titled “RE: LEGAL PRACTITIONERS PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE’S LISTING OF 130 LAWYERS AS SHORTLISTED IN THE PROCESS FOR CONFERMENT WITH THE RANK OF SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA FOR THE YEAR 2021: REITERATION OF THE BODY OF SENIOR ADVOCATES OF NIGERIA’S (BOSAN) STRONG NOTE OF CONCERN ON THE QUALITY OF THE PROCESS AND PROCEDURE FOR THE CONFERMENT OF THE RANK.” Mr. Abubakar Malami, then Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, was copied on the letter.

The letter reads: “It is not willy-nilly that all candidates that meet the set criteria should be appointed in any given year, as such an approach cannot but result in the degradation of the rank. It is those that prove to be outstanding within the shortlist that should be conferred with the rank. This is the time-honoured rule applied in relation to admissions to all reputable institutions in situations where competition is high and spaces are limited and where it would be inappropriate to accommodate all those persons who appear to have met the criteria.

“There is even a greater need for more stringent approach in cases where appointments are to be made on the basis of academic accomplishments.”

According to BOSAN, “It has now become necessary that we reiterate, respectfully, the concerns raised in the body’s earlier letter. The members of the Inner bar are concerned that the current procedure and criteria for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria would result in a watered-down perception of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. We are also of the considered opinion that it is imperative that the Committee pauses and reassesses the procedure and criteria for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria as we fear that that (sic) the process could be reduced to a ‘mere compilation and submission of the listed documentation’ in the next few years, with no attention to excellence or distinction in the practice of law.

“In light of this, we write to reiterate our earlier recommendation that the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria be put on hold to enable the Committee to conduct and publish a credible and comprehensive review of the process for the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.”

Pledging its support of the review process “in any way possible” and as a “dominant stakeholder” in the entire exercise, the body advised that the review process “should re-evaluate the criteria, guidelines and administrative processes leading to the selection, including the personnel at the SAN/LPPC Administrative Secretariat/Department, proper pre-screening of applicants, competitive processes and independent assessment free of lobbying, all geared towards attaining and sustaining continuous improvements and retaining the dignity, respect and reverence of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the legal profession in general.”

It noted the urgency of its Save-Our-Soul letter, adding: “We would like to point out that a comprehensive review of the screening process is an urgent and necessary step to retain the dignity, respect, and reverence of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the legal profession in general. The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria is still committed to providing its expertise and support at every stage of the review process and we are anticipating positive feedback and implementation of the recommendations in this letter.”

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 21, 2022
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  • Comments Off on DOKO, NWOSU, AKPETO, OTHERS DISQUALIFIED, NDUKWU FILES APPEAL

DOKO, NWOSU, AKPETO, OTHERS DISQUALIFIED, NDUKWU FILES APPEAL

More aspirants have been disqualified by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) in the run-up to the 2022 NBA National Officers and General Council of the Bar (GCB) Elections.

While there is palpable anxiety within the ranks of the aspirants as most of them are yet to be communicated by the electoral committee on their fate, CITY LAWYER gathered that the ranks of aspirants who have come under the ECNBA hammer has swelled.

Meanwhile, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively confirm that at least one aspirant for the position of NBA First Vice President, three aspirants for the post of NBA Second Vice President and one aspirant for the post of NBA Third Vice President have been barred by the Electoral Committee from contesting the forthcoming elections.

Aside from NBA First Vice President aspirant, Mr. Muhammad Idris Doko who was slammed because “your Seconder being a member of a political party in Nigeria is not qualified like you in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution,” outgoing NBA Ukwa Branch Chairman, Sir. Samuel Nwosu was disqualified from the NBA Second Vice President race because as regards the mode of reckoning post call years, “your Nominator is less than the requisite 15 years post-call. Similarly, there is no evidence that your Seconder paid her Branch Dues for year 2020 and 2022.”

His counterpart in the NBA Second Vice President race, Mr. Anthony Chukwurah came under the ECNBA hammer because “your Nominator is not from the Eastern Zone, he is not qualified like you in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution.”

Another aspirant for the same position, Mr. Finian Ndukwu also fell by the way side. Giving reasons for his disqualification, the electoral committee told Ndukwu that “having failed and/or omitted to complete your nomination form and supply requisite answers for determining your eligibility to contest in the Election, your nomination form is accordingly rejected. Consequently, you are hereby DISQUALIFIED from contesting for the office of 2nd Vice-President in the Election.”

Mr. Promise Besinginwayemi Awolowo Ademi-Akpeto, an aspirant for the position of NBA Third Vice President, suffered a similar fate when the Electoral Committee noted that the Seconder for his nomination “is less than 15 years post-call as required” in view of the above constitutional provisions and particularly the mode of reckoning post call years.

Meanwhile, Ndukwu has activated the appeal process. In an appeal made available to CITY LAWYER and addressed to the Chairperson of the Chairperson of NBA 2022 National Election Appeal Committee, he wrote: “I herein attached the said unfiled pages 4,5 and 6 of my nomination form and pages 10-12 including pages 16-78 of my nominator and that of my seconder, as 2nd Vice President for your perusal and reconsideration in this
appeal for the following grounds….”

Outlining the grounds of his appeal, he wrote: “1. That I completed the up part of page 4 of the said form and never filed the remaining part of page 4,5 & 6 because it was clear and stated that it should be filed by candidate for the position of President, 1st Vice President and General Secretary only.

“2. That in respect to pages 10-12 of the said form, it was not also filed by my nominator because it was clear as it is strictly stated for it to be filed by the Nominator of Candidate for the position of President, 1st Vice President and General Secretary only including Nominator of candidates for the position of Treasurer only in the case of page 12 of the my form.”

In a veiled lampooning of the Electoral Committee, Ndukwu argued “that ECNBA in this information age ought to have given fair hearing by giving me time and notice to supply the said information to the above said pages either by invitation, E-mail, whatsapp or Phone call which is available to them and that of my Nominator, and seconder before disqualifying me.

“I therefore most humbly urge the Appeal Committee to reconsider my nomination in the interest of justice as my nomination form was not rejected but accepted with acknowledgement on the 16th of April, 2022 by the ECNBA at the time of submission.”

Meanwhile, almost all the aspirants told CITY LAWYER that the ECNBA is yet to communicate to them on the outcome of the screening process.

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ECNBA CLEARS GADZAMA, MAIKYAU, TAIDI, OTHERS FOR NBA ELECTIONS

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has cleared three presidential gladiators for the race for NBA President,  CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report. 

However, some aspirants for the positions of NBA First Vice President and NBA Second Vice President among others are among casualties who fell under the ECNBA disqualification hammer.

Among those cleared to participate in the July 16, 2022 poll are Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN and Mr. Jonathan Taidi.

CITY LAWYER also gathered from a source who is familiar with the process that the elelctoral committee completed the screening process within the constitutional timeline and had started dispatching emails to aspirants on the success or otherwise of their applications. 

More details shortly.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Jun 11, 2021
  • 0
  • Comments Off on INEC: NBA ASKS SENATE TO DUMP BUHARI’S NOMINEE

INEC: NBA ASKS SENATE TO DUMP BUHARI’S NOMINEE

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged Nigeria’s Senate not to confirm Ms. Lauretta Onochie as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner.

In a statement by the Chairman of the Governing Council of NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), Dr. Monday Ubani, the lawyers’ body said that “Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, a clearly partisan individual by the President, an individual who has in recent years publicly displayed her partisanship and undying support for the ruling Party in her utterances, conduct and interaction with the Public cannot and should not serve as INEC Commissioner, a role reserved for an unbiased Umpire. I on-behalf of the Nigerian Public urge the Senate to righteously reject her nomination and confirmation forthwith.”

The Senate leadership had recently directed its Committee on INEC to screen Onochie for possible confirmation.

Below is the full text of the statement.

Distinguished Senator Kabiru Gaya
Chairman Senate Committee on INEC
National Assembly Complex,
F.CT,
Abuja.

Dear Sir,

OBJECTION FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF LAURETTA ONOCHIE AS INEC COMMISSIONER.

I write this letter of objection to your sir at this critical and turbulent times in our Nation’s history, and I strongly believe that the Senate as a democratic institution of this great Country, has what it takes at this trying times to save and preserve Nigeria from heckling down to hell.

Sometime in October 2020, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari as an INEC Commissioner. Mrs Lauretta Onochie, who until her nomination by the President, served as the President’s Personal Assistant and was an unapologetic member of the ruling Party the All Progressive Congress (APC) hence, her nomination by the President as INEC Commissioner, a position that the law prescribes the holder of same should be non-partisan, is ultra-vires and unconstitutional.

Recently her name came up for confirmation by the senate after an initial set back, therefore, as a concerned Citizen of this great Country, and as a Constitutional Legal Practitioner with grave concern for the preservation and sustainability of our very fragile democracy, I hereby strongly object to the nomination of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie by the President and her intended confirmation of her nomination by the Senate.

Distinguished Senate Chairman, considering the reality of Nigeria today, with the high level of insecurity, ethnic tensions and mistrust among Citizens, the decline in trust and confidence by the Citizens in their elected officials and democratic institutions to mention a few, it is very important, that as the next election draws closer, whoever is to be nominated by the President to serve as INEC Commissioner, Chairman or as an unbiased Umpire for National elections must be in compliance with the law and must be persons that, the general public view as not being partisan or compromised in any form or manner.

Sir, Section 152 of the Electoral Act, provides that. “no person holding an elective office to which this act relates or a registered member of a Political Party shall be eligible for or be appointed to carry out duties of a returning officer, an electoral officer, presiding officer or Poll Clerk”. Therefore, the nomination of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, a clearly partisan individual by the President, an individual who has in recent years publicly displayed her partisanship and undying support for the ruling Party in her utterances, conduct and interaction with the Public cannot and should not serve as INEC Commissioner, a role reserved for an unbiased Umpire. I on-behalf of the Nigerian Public urge the Senate to righteously reject her nomination and confirmation forthwith.

For emphasis;

As a card carrying member of the ruling party or any other party for that matter, she is unfit for the position she is nominated. I also doubt that Section 154 (3) of the constitution was complied with, which prescribe that the President nominates INEC Commissioner in consultation with the Council of State. Paragraphs B of Part 1 of the 3rd Schedule of the constitution provides that the Council of State shall have power to advise the President in the exercise of his power with respect to (iv) the INEC including the appointment of members of the Commission. When was this Section and paragraph complied with? If I may ask.

Most importantly paragraph 14 of part I of the third schedule of the constitution as amended in Section 30 No. 1 of 2020, a member of INEC should be “non partisan”, can Mrs. Lauretta Onochie be regarded by anyone in Nigeria, knowing her antecedent as the Special Assistant to the President as “non partisan” under the Nigerian context? The right answer is No.

I therefore, on behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association urge that her nomination be rejected and her confirmation be denied forthwith.

Thanking you in advance for the positive consideration of my request.

Dr. Monday O. Ubani, Esq.
Chairman
NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Mar 21, 2021
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  • Comments Off on A/COURT SCREENING: ‘I PLAYED KEY ROLE IN NJC DUMPING NOMINEES,’ SAYS CAROL AJIE

A/COURT SCREENING: ‘I PLAYED KEY ROLE IN NJC DUMPING NOMINEES,’ SAYS CAROL AJIE

RIGHT OF REPLY

Fiery Bar Activist and former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, Dame Carol Ajie has said that she contributed to the dropping of two candidates who allegedly performed poorly during the National Judicial Council (NJC) screening of the nominees for elevation to the Court of Appeal.

In a rejoinder to CITY LAWYER‘s report on the matter, Dame Ajie narrated her high-profile interventions on the controversial screening exercise, adding that CITY LAWYER did not credit her efforts as contributing to the reversal of fortunes suffered by the affected jurists.

Below is the full text of the rejoinder which was sent to CITY LAWYER.

NBA vs NJC Appellate Court Nominees: Mr Emeka Nwadioke – Unfair Reporting

As you privately twice acknowledged yesterday Saturday 20th Match I wrote self inspiringly interventionist views on the above subject many including Gambo Saleh NJC Secretary received it I I also sent it to Ms Hadiza Supreme Court Chief Registrar on my contact list via WhatsApp and email to a former CJN Mariam Muktar GCON. I believe a number of people were surprised that I backed Akpata on anything cos they had perceived I won’t and couldn’t back him.

Perhaps I don’t know the part of the real reason for NJC U Turn arose from the shocking endorsement I have Akpata though you are too dishonest to admit it in your poor article which I have trashed.

A former NBA GS who shall not be named wrote me a long whatsapp text yesterday to dump support for Akpata on this I didn’t buckle. I said Akpata is right.

I sought on my own initiative to back him that is why I wrote my interventionist text like that. If I didn’t want to back him I know how to write Read a draft of what would have appeared anti Akpata

An NBA President Akpata who never hid his aversion for the court room suddenly becomes an advocate of who a good appellate court Judge should be. Please Distinguished readers trash it. You know Akpata is conventionally greedy he has zero record on public interest chances are that as NBA President he probably had his preferential candidates who didn’t pass the mark set by CJN/NJC A transactional lawyer indeed should not be telling a CJN who is eligible for the bench when not his turf. Thank U
End

Chidi Odinkalu himself cannot file a motion he knows nothing about litigation he has no practice he was never in practice.

But why put down Akpata or Chidi they are my Brothers I said one from Midwest plus Akpata actually is UNIBEN Alum. As a Catholic Christian I said he has taken a right step let me publicly support him. That z it. As for Chidi he is my Brother I call him Brother CAO hus (sic) initials

If I wrote that anti Akpata and shared it within half an hour it would get to CJN through Ahmed Gambo.Saleh and Madam Chief Registrar SC or other sources. Trust me they will say Iroko Tree Ajie is against Akpata and she is for us CJN CR SC NJC Secretary and the fight goes on . Note there is no NBA nominee into FJSC I didn’t support Usoro and they read me and as you know CJN has not yet resolved it

My friends may not be happy with me that I backed Akpata openly I mean my friend Madam CR SC and then I am now reading a dishonest report in City lawyer magazine that failed to give credence to efforts in a struggle I courageously took part in my name on it

If you don’t know how to address me I am a Georgetown scholar I read for it on my degree certificate are the appellation Professor Scholar Juris I didn’t inherit it and as a renowned Constitutional Law lawyer I changed a few provisions in the Nigerian Constitution through documented struggles google search Carol.Ajie and Constitutional Law I have an Intl human rights certificate from Georgetown which cannot be bought with all the money in the World I worked to get my credentials Dues fully paid.

Best regards
CA

Copy Mr Akpata etc

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Mar 21, 2021
  • 1
  • Comments Off on SHOCKER: A/COURT NOMINEES CAN’T EXPLAIN ‘LIS PENDENS,’ NJC DUMPS THEM

SHOCKER: A/COURT NOMINEES CAN’T EXPLAIN ‘LIS PENDENS,’ NJC DUMPS THEM

There are strong indications that under-fire National Judicial Council (NJC) may have dropped two jurists who performed woefully during its screening exercise for appointment as Court of Appeal justices.

This may not be unconnected with their inability to answer basic legal questions as well as the backlash the NJC has been receiving following the unprecedented revelation by Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata that the entire screening exercise was near shambolic.

CITY LAWYER was told by a reliable source that the dropped candidates (names withheld) are from Kebbi and Katsina States.

Respected human rights activist and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu hinted on the NJC’s decision when he tweeted thus: “The President of @NigBarAssoc, @OlumideAkpata, deserves considerable credit for his advocacy on standards of judicial appointments. He managed to pare back this recent list of #CourtOfAppeal nominees from 20 to 18. The 2 candidates reportedly didn’t know what #LisPendens means! https://t.co/Y9B9bVwoBF.”

CITY LAWYER had gathered from an impeccable source that at least one of the candidates was unable to explain the term, ‘lis pendens.’ Our source said the aspirant argued that the subject ‘had not come before his court!’ Akpata had alluded to this when he sensationally revealed that “Important legal issues that were occasionally put to the nominees could not be answered,” though he refused to give details. Black’s Law Dictionary defines ‘lis pendens’ as “a Latin phrase for a pending suit or a person who has been suspended.”

Narrating his disappointment with the entire screening exercise, Akpata told members of the NBA National Executive Committee (NBA-NEC) at their quarterly meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, that the screening exercise was akin to “an old school boys meeting.”

His words: “What I saw and experienced at the NJC meeting on the appointment of judges to the Court of Appeal left me aghast. At a point, I, as a “Johnny Just Come’ (new attendee), had to ask, ‘Are these people really going to the Court of Appeal?’

“Important legal issues that were occasionally put to the nominees could not be answered. The whole proceedings appeared more of an old school boys meeting. When I wondered at this, I heard things like, ‘They will learn on the job.’ We were to interview 20 nominees at a point but only 2 hours was allocated for this important exercise. That meant six minutes only for each nominee. What is this? Let me assure you that the NBA will never be a rubber stamp participant at such bodies. You can quote me.”

CITY LAWYER had exclusively reported that Akpata had also written a petition to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and NJC Chairman, Justice Tanko Muhammad on the issue.

The NJC is yet to respond to the indictment by the NBA President at press time.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Mar 19, 2021
  • 0
  • Comments Off on APPEAL COURT SCREENING: SCANDAL ROCKS NJC, AS AKPATA WRITES CJN

APPEAL COURT SCREENING: SCANDAL ROCKS NJC, AS AKPATA WRITES CJN

• PRESSURE MOUNTS ON NBA PRESIDENT TO RECANT

The last may not have been heard on the scandal rocking the screening of candidates for appointment to Nigeria’s Court of Appeal, as it has emerged that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad on his reservations.

This is coming on the heels of a press statement by the under-fire National Judicial Council (NJC) recommending the appointment of 18 Justices of Court of Appeal and 8 heads of court following its 94th Meeting held on 17 to 18 March, 2021. The Council also constituted a committee to investigate a judge and issued warning letters to some judges.

A source who is familiar with the controversy told CITY LAWYER that Akpata had written to Justice Muhammad, who also doubles as the NJC Chairman, intimating him of his strong reservations on the screening process, adding that the NBA President was scandalized by the shoddy manner the screening was conducted.

In a searing and unprecedented indictment of the apex policy making body in the legal profession, Akpata had lampooned the screening of the jurists, reportedly saying: “What I saw and experienced at the NJC meeting on the appointment of judges to the Court of Appeal left me aghast. At a point, I, as a “Johnny Just Come’ (new attendee), had to ask, ‘Are these people really going to the Court of Appeal?’ Important legal issues that were occasionally put to the nominees could not be answered. The whole proceedings appeared more of an old school boys meeting. When I wondered at this, I heard things like, ‘They will learn on the job.’ We were to interview 20 nominees at a point but only 2 hours was allocated for this important exercise. That meant six minutes only for each nominee. What is this? Let me assure you that the NBA will never be a rubber stamp participant at such bodies. You can quote me.”

There are strong indications that Akpata’s comments may have drawn the ire of many jurists especially the conservative bloc in the legal profession. CITY LAWYER gathered from an impeccable source that pressures are being mounted on the NBA President to recant or engage in some damage control, given the backlash generated by the comments.

The NJC has not responded to the damning indictment at press time.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Jun 13, 2020
  • 0
  • Comments Off on WHAT ADESINA, AJIBADE, AKPATA, OGUNLANA, OTHERS ARE SAYING ON ECNBA CLEARANCE, DISQUALIFICATION

WHAT ADESINA, AJIBADE, AKPATA, OGUNLANA, OTHERS ARE SAYING ON ECNBA CLEARANCE, DISQUALIFICATION

BY EMEKA NWADIOKE

Many aspirants have been reacting on their clearance or disqualification by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) for the forthcoming NBA National Elections. Among those who appreciated ECNBA for their clearance are Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN and Mr. Olumide Akpata. While Sources close to Mr. Dele Adesina SAN told CITY LAWYER that he did not issue any statement on the matter, a group of supporters under umbrella of “Team DASAN” said his clearance was received “with joy and put us all in joyful mood.” The group added: “While congratulating our candidate and ourselves, we must be reminded that the work has just begun. We must all strive towards ensuring the realisation of DASAN’s Presidency in order to secure the future of the Bar.”

Aspirants who were disqualified from the race also reacted to the ECNBA decisions, with former NBA Ikeja Branch Chairman, Mr. Adesina Ogunlana leading the pack of aspirants who have vowed to challenge their disqualification.

Below is a compilation of aspirants’ reactions by CITY LAWYER:

DR. BABATUNDE AJIBADE, SAN
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I give thanks to God that the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association has granted me provisional clearance to contest for the office of President of the NBA.
By this, we have scaled the first official hurdle in this race to reposition and strengthen the Nigerian legal profession.
I could not have done this without the spiritual, moral and physical support of each and everyone of you and I am truly grateful for your support thus far.
This is just a first hurdle though and there is still a long journey ahead before we reach the promised land. I look forward to your continued support and a doubling of our efforts as we make this final push to build a better Bar.
Let’s all remember that while I can do little alone, we can do much more together.
Let’s unite and do better.

OLUMIDE AKPATA
WE MUST KEEP MOVING FOR A BETTER BAR
My friends,
I am pleased to report that last night, the ECNBA cleared me to contest the 2020 NBA Presidential elections. My team and I are delighted to have crossed this milestone in my quest to lead the Bar to an enviable future.
I can only say that the future we seek for the NBA is much closer than we think, and I must thank everyone who has supported so far. Still, we must continue to move until we get to the finish line. We must be propelled by our desire transform the NBA into an Association in which we all find a sense of belonging and from which we all grow and benefit as lawyers and also set standards for the future.
My drive to see a better NBA did not start today, so there is no backing down from this cause. This is why I urge supporters of my candidacy everywhere to continue to advocate actively for a transformed NBA and to exercise their franchise when the time is right. Let us give our members hope again and give the society reasons to believe in us.
As always, I remain grateful for your support.
Thank you.

ADESINA OGUNLANA
DO NOT BE DISMAYED …..WE SHALL OVERCOME
BEING THE PRELIMINARY RESPONSE OF OGUNLANA ADESINA , ESQ (CHAIRMAN, NBA IKEJA BRANCH 2016-2018)TO THE NOTICE OF LETTER DISQUALFYING HIM FROM CONTESTING FOR THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION ( NBA)

Dear Colleagues, Friends and Supporters ,
Good morning, All. May I respectfully inform that I have this day , -3 June 2020, at about 6 10 am, become aware of a mail from the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association ( ECNBA) stating my disqualification from participating in the election for the office of the President of our great Association .

The ECNBA gave a singular reason – absence of LETTER OF GOOD STANDING(LOGS) from my Branch Chairman . ECNBA also stated my right to appeal their verdict within 7 days of receipt of their mail. We thank ECNBA
May I further state that I shall APPEAL the verdict . Let me assure every one that my dues for 2018, 2019 and 2020 were duly and fully paid as at when due as stipulated in the Constitution of the Association and which automatically thus entitles me to the LOGS.

The absence of the LOGS was not due to any fault of mine but to the malicious act of the incumbent but now out going BRANCH CHAIRMAN of the NBA IKEJA BRANCH, Dele Oloke , Esq . Of course , the poisoned antecedents of Oloke as a factional leader of the IKEJA BAR and who eventually lost out to me in the extremely intense intra-Bar leadership struggle of 2016-2017 is well known .

Clearly , the issue for determination is- CAN A BRANCH CHAIRMAN DECLINE TO ISSUE A LETTER OF GOOD STANDING TO AN APPLICANT , WHERE APPLICANT TO THE NOTICE OF THE CHAIRMAN, HAS COMPLIED WITH THE PROVISIONS AND STIPULATES OF THE CONSTITUION IN THAT REGARD ?

May I use this medium to appeal to all our supporters not to be dismayed but to remain not only calm but cheerful . Always trusting in the Faithfulness and Mercies of God and the consistently triumphant forces of GOOD over EVIL I declare to you today , WE SHALL OVERCOME .

THANK YOU

ALEXANDER NDUKA MUOKA
Good morning learned Seniors and Colleagues.
I have been provisionally cleared by the ECNBA to contest for the office of General Secretary of the NBA in the elections next month.
Let’s make this happen together, and thank you for your support.

JOYCE ODUAH
My Distinguished colleagues and teeming supporters* , it gives me great delight to announce to you that yesterday, Friday, 12th June 2020, *the Nigerian Bar Association Electoral Committee (“ECNBA”) provisionally cleared me to contest for the Office of the General Secretary of the NBA in the 2020 NBA General Elections,* which is scheduled to hold from 24-25 July 2020. Indeed, this is a step forward in our mission to transform the NBA National Secretariat. I thank you all for your continued support and urge us not to relent in our mission to make the NBA National Secretariat more responsive, effective and efficient for all lawyers.

BARTH OKOYE ANICHE
I am excited to bring it to your knowledge that I made the Provisional Clearance List of the Nigerian Bar Association for her forthcoming 2020 National Elections.

The list which has me shortlisted as ‘Okoye, Nnaemeka Bath’, alongside four other persons for the position of the General Secretary, was announced on Friday 12th June, 2020 with a press statement signed by Tawo E. Tawo, SAN (Chairman ECNBA), and Mrs Cordelia U. Eke (Secretary, ECNBA). It also declared the disqualification of 19 of the 43 nominees. “Disqualified persons have been duly notified of the decision of the electoral officers and their right to Appeal.”

OKEY LEO OHAGBA
Distinguished Bar leaders, learned friends and supporters of my aspiration to serve the Bar, with great joy and glory to God Almighty, I bring you good news that the ECNBA has found yours truly fit and proper to contest for the office of NBA GENERAL SECRETARY in forthcoming NBA General Elections, scheduled for 24th/25th July this year.

This feat was possible with your support and prayers. Our vision for #InnovativeSecretariat #InnovativeBar just gained momentum, and I’m very upbeat we shall actualise that dream at the end, with your continuing support and by the special GRACE of God.

Our beautiful plans for the Bar would be unveiled as soon as ECNBA guidelines permit.

Please continue keeping faith with us as we focus now on the greater task ahead, and hope to work more closely with you this time. Together, we can build a more progressive, responsive and innovative Secretariat; more friendly and closer to all members.

The journey has been God’s and will remain God’s till the end.

THANK YOU

KUNLE EDUN
Distinguished Colleagues, i am pleased to inform you that the ECNBA has cleared me to run for the office of the National Welfare Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association. This could not have been possible without your support and prayers, and most importantly because you all believe in my aspiration. We return all the glory to God Almighty.

My clearance by the ECNBA is a call for greater service to the NBA and humanity. It is a further opportunity to replicate what we have done as the NBA Publicity Team (Kunle Edun & Habeeb Lawal) in addressing the welfare needs of our Colleagues.

With your continued support and prayers, the NBA will experience innovations, proactiveness and dilligence in attending to the critical welfare needs of our colleagues. Never again would a Lawyer beg for funds to undergo any life-saving Surgery. We must make OUR NBA take responsibility for our Welfare.

I wish to use this opportunity to thank my very good friend J.E. Usman , the current National Welfare Secretary for the fantastic work he has done so far. I know the many challenges he has had to confront in responding to the needs of Colleagues. I look forward to his guidance and advice in ensuring that we continue to make the welfare of Lawyers a core responsibility of the NBA. I also thank my co- National Officers, particularly my very good friend, Chinyere Obasi. We would continue to work as a Team.

My distinguished Colleagues and true advocates for positive change, the Election is few weeks away. I request that you spread the gospel of Kunle Edun to all Lawyers and groups. It is a gospel for better welfare for members. Let the final victory be for the Nigerian Lawyers.

Thank You.

S. O. K. SHILLINGS
Distinguished colleagues, I have read and been inundated with reports of the release of names of contestants for the coming election wherein my name is missing.
I understand that those who are disqualified have been notified of the fact and grounds of their disqualifications.
I have not received such notification. It is therefore clear that the omission must be due to inadvertence. We have therefore informed the ECNBA of this development and the need for it to do the needful.
I urge us to keep calm and follow up on our steady agenda leading to the final bend, sprint-start lapse.
I thank you immensely for the huge solidarity.

ADEDOTUN ADETUNJI
To all my teeming fans and supporters who have been calling and sending me messages from North, East, South and West since the news of my so called disqualification broke, I thank you very much and I dare say that this is the handwork of Shaitan but he won’t succeed. I believe this happened for a very very positive reason. The reason given for my disqualification is that my seconder did not have sufficient duration of NEC membership meanwhile he has been Nec member since 2004 till date (unbroken). What an irony. He has been secretary of a branch as Nec member 2004-2006, Chairman of a branch as Nec member 2014-2016 and the current elected Nec rep 2018-2020. He was coopted as Nec rep by the Presidency of Olisa Agbakoba San 2006- 2008, Rotimi Akeredolu San 2008-2010, J.B. Daudu San 2010-2012, Okey Wali San 2012-2014 and A.B. Mahmoud San 2016- 2018. *He has been a Nec member for 16 years unbroken period meanwhile, the constitutional requirement is to be in Nec for not less than two (2) years.*
We are surely going to appeal vehemently. We have a window of 7 days to do that but the action starts now. I thank you all for your support. Please keep the flag flying. No cause for alarm.

OLAYINKA SOKOYA
Good morning learned seniors and friends, I have read the list as sent by ECNBA and shockingly discovered that my name was missing in the list of cleared Aspirants. I equally received a letter of from Ecnba stating the reason for my disqualification subject however to appeal. The ground as stated in the said letter which was sent to my email, is that there was insufficient duration of my seconder as a NEC member. Immediately I saw this I was relieved due to the fact that this ground of disqualification cannot hold with respect to Ecnba. I am aware that my Seconder was the chairman of Osogbo branch between 2017-2019 during which he was a NEC member. My Seconder is equally the current NEC rep of his branch. Consequently I will sporadically appeal the disqualification on this ground. I thank you all for standing by me and for your unfiltered love for me. Let’s us be rest assured that our appeal by the grace of God will succeed. God bless you all.

SABASTINE ANYIA
SINCERE GRATITUDE TO COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS FOR STANDING BY ME
I thank God and you all my dear friends and colleagues for standing by me through your prayers, calls and texts
Let’s be reminded that this is just the first hurdle, we have to work harder to achieve the goal. I urge you to remain committed to this project, it’ll be our victory.
God bless us all.

MERCY IJATO AGADA
It is with gratitude to the Most High that I’ve been cleared to contest by the ECNBA for the position of the NBA National Treasurer come 24/25 July 2020.
I want to use this medium to thank all my supporters for their supports and consistencies all these while.
I want to immensely thank all my supporters for their calls and congratulatory messages and I need your continuous support until we reach the finish line.
Thank you.

CAROLINE IBHARUNEAFE
Dear learned silks, colleagues and friends of my aspiration. I got the news of my disqualification from the NBA election by the screening committee in the midnight . I wish to announce to you all that I will be appealing that verdict as we have Seven days to do so. Please do not despair but remain focused as I rely on God to upturn that judgement. I encourage you all to continue with the publicity as all efforts are at top gear to correct the anormalies
I remain yours

ADEBAYO AKINLADE
Good morning everyone….I have just been cleared to contest for the position of 1st Vice President of the NBA…. I continue to crave the support of everyone here to reach out to your respective Branches and others on my behalf for the realization of our collective vision.

CHARLES AJIBOYE
Revered Seniors and Treasured Friends,
I thank you for the deep show of love I have felt by the tremendous number of calls, text messages and chats I have received since midnight over the absence of my name for the ECNBA Provisional List Of Candidates for NBA Elections 2020.
You will recall that I obtained and duly submitted nomination forms with accompanying documents for the office of *National Assistant Publicity Secretary*.
That you noticed the omission of my name from the list means to me that you care. I feel so honored and humbled by this. I am more encouraged to throw myself to serve the association we all love, and need to shine so brightly.
I was initially not contacted by the committee. They have since apologized for the slip in the typing of my e-mail address, and have duly reached me this morning on the reason for my disqualification viz:
*”Insufficient duration of your seconder’s membership of the branch executive committee as at close of nominations*”
The good news is that my seconder is a very senior member of Bar, and a two-term(4years) member of the executive committee of the NBA Ikeja Branch. So all we need to do is to utilize the opportunity of Appeal to make this clarifications to the ECNBA.
Nothing has changed please. Lets keep the ball rolling. It’s all about #anewnarrative
You know Charles Cares
You know Charles can assist
Be reminded…Charles is still in

NNAMDI RAPHAEL ANAGOR
Revered Colleagues,
I was cleared by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) to contest for the office of the National Financial Secretary of our great Association.
Dearest Colleagues I appreciate your steadfastness and support. You all made this crucial victory at the start a reality.
Learned Colleagues your support and prayers were fruitful. I appreciate them.
This is just the first step in the process. I urge you not to relent until this dream becomes a reality.
Once again I thank you all.

AKOREDE HABEEB LAWAL
Dear learned seniors and friends,
The ECNBA has been kind to promptly inform me of the reasons for my disqualification for the office of National Publicity Secretary in the forthcoming bar elections. I trust the process and I believe in its fairness.
It’s easy to have a rush of emotions about this thing, but I’ll simply take my time to do the needful.
By the way, I’ve still got a job to do in my present role as Assistant National Publicity Secretary of our NBA. And I wish to continue in my role without distraction and with the right and desirable attitude.
I thank you all for your genuine concerns, and I urge you not to lose sight of the ultimate goal.

CHINYERE OBASI
Good morning my dear learned Seniors, colleagues and friends I received with shock a mail from the ECNBA stating reason my name is not on the provisional cleared list along side other names.
The mail also indicated that I have within 7 days to appeal.
ECNBA singular reason for not clearing me is that at the point of nomination, that my NEC Membership is less than 2years.
I will appeal because by virtue of my position as a National officer for two years I should be deemed to be seen as a NEC member for two years.
So I will implore everyone to keep calm until I go through the process of appeal within the stipulated time frame of 7 days.
Thank you for all your support, encouragement and prayers.
I really appreciate
all those that have called to show concerns, I owe you all this explanations and I appreciate you all for the immense support and show of love.
Thank you and thank you.

DR. RAPULU ERNEST NDUKA
Dearest Colleagues.
Yesterday the Electoral Committee cleared me for contest for the office of the Publicity Secretary of our noble Association.
This clearance the first step and very crucial in my bid to serve you is down to your support and prayers.
I could not have gotten this far without your prayers, support and counsel.
This is the first step. It is not yet uhuru. We should not relent till we get to the end of the race.
Once again I say a big thank you!

DR. GERALD ABONYI
Having received information on from ECNBA on the lack of information on my Nominator and Seconder, I am taking necessary steps to rectify same. There is no room for retreat. Thanks for believing in me. Keep the faith.

UCHENNA NWADIALO
Good evening colleagues!
To God be the glory, I have been provisionally cleared by ECNBA to contest for the office of ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY of our great association in the forthcoming NBA NATIONAL elections.
Thank you all for your support.

ANNE AGI
Good afternoon dear colleagues. I am happy to inform you that I have been cleared by the ECNBA to contest for the office of *Assistant Secretary* in the NBA National Elections which comes up next month (July 2020).
Thank you so very much for your support all along and your congratulatory messages. I am honoured and very grateful.
Having been cleared, I need your help to scale through. I respectfully appeal for your support. Please spread the word for me in all your branches. It is with your help that I succeed.
Thank you.

AHMED ALHAJI
Disqualification not the End, I Take It in Good Faith
” _I thank all my supporters near and far. Thank you so much for being here. This is not the outcome we wanted or we worked for, and I’m sorry we did not make it to the election race for the values we share and the vision we hold for our beloved bar.”

OSAGIE OAIKHENA
I am most grateful to God Almighty , for the privilege to be cleared to contest the office of Assistant Secretary of the Bar, and the Chairman of my home branch, Prince C. B Ogiegbean Esq . I thank my nominator, the erudite bencher, Razak Isenalumhe Esquire, my seconder, Mr. Ebosele Okifo, and leaders including Solomon Odiase Esq, Olawyiwola Afolabi Esq, as well as those who have believe in me… I promise not to dissapoint you all, God bless the Nigerian Bar, and may the Bar never be an undergrowth.

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