UMUAHIA

COURT RULES BAN: AKPATA IN TALKS WITH ABIA CHIEF JUDGE

• SIT-AT-HOME ORDER DISRUPTS NBA/CJ PARLEY

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata has waded into the brewing crisis in the Abia State Judiciary following a directive by the Abia State Chief Judge, Justice Onuoha Ogwe to bar lawyers from its courts.

Justice Ogwe had in a letter to NBA branches in the state informed them of his directive to judges to deny audience to lawyers without original copies of the controversial Abia State High Court (Practice and Procedure) Rules, 2021.

CITY LAWYER gathered from impeccable sources that NBA branches in the state are bracing for a battle with the state chief judge over the directive which a senior lawyer described as “insulting and degrading.”

But apparently to stave off a full-blown face-off with lawyers which may cause total shutdown of the court system, Akpata told CITY LAWYER that he has waded into the matter with a view to reaching a resolution.

Aside from engaging the embattled chief judge on the matter, the NBA President has also directed the chairmen of NBA Umuahia and Aba branches to meet with Justice Ogwe in order to hammer out a win-win solution to the debacle.

Akpata told CITY LAWYER that “I have reached out to the CJ and I have also asked the Chairmen of our Umuahia and Aba Branches to see him today.”

On the position of the NBA on the controversial directive, Akpata said: “This directive really is not tenable and I have told the CJ that much. Firstly, right of audience before a Court cannot be circumscribed except by virtue of clear statutory provisions in this regard. Secondly, in this day and age it is a bit strange to insist that every lawyer must possess a hard copy of the Rules when technology provides us with other alternatives.”

The NBA President was however confident that an amicable resolution would be reached on the face-off, saying: “I am hopeful that the matter will be resolved today after the meeting between the CJ and our Chairmen.”

However, there are strong indications that today’s meeting may not hold due to the weekly sit-at-home in the South East originally ordered by the pro-independence group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

When CITY LAWYER contacted the chairman of NBA Umuahia Branch on whether the meeting was underway, he said: “The time of our meeting with the CJ is not yet settled. Today is sit-at-home in the East.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that the chief judge had in the letter observed that “lawyers have refused to purchase the new High Court Rules, while some photocopied the Rules for use in court.”

Dated June 16 and signed by the Chief Registrar of Abia State High Court, Mr. V. C. Okey-Nwokeukwu, the letter warned: “The Hon. Chief Judge directs that as from the date of this letter, any lawyer that appears in our High Court without his copy of the High Court Rules shall not be granted audience.”

But a senior lawyer who practices in the state told CITY LAWYER that many lawyers in the state are “agitated” by the directive, adding that they view it as “insulting and degrading.”

He said that while it is inappropriate for lawyers to photocopy the Rules as this may infringe copyright laws, “I can tell you that the directive will be ignored by most lawyers. Also, no judge can enforce that directive. On what basis will they do so? It is not compulsory for any lawyer to go to court with any Rules of court. It is optional. More importantly, it is payment of Bar Practising Fee that accords a lawyer audience in court, not possession of any court rules.”

Apart from Umuahia and Aba, the other NBA branches in Abia State are Isiala Ngwa, Ohafia, and Ukwa.

CITY LAWYER investigation shows that at least one jurist, Justice C. U. Okoroafor has refused to recognize the new Rules given that it bears the name of the former chief judge of the state as the signatory.

It was gathered that though the current chief judge had ‘corrected’ the defect through a Practice Direction, Justice Okoroafor does not permit the use of the Rules in his court, leading to a face-off with NBA Aba Branch which directed its members to boycott Justice Okoroafor’s court, citing “particularly his blatant refusal to use and or allow lawyers to rely on and or use the Abia State (Practice & procedure) Rules, 2021 in his court on the erroneous premise that there was no High Court Civil Procedure Rules in existence in Abia State.”

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NBA BRANCHES SET TO BATTLE ABIA CJ OVER DIRECTIVE

A recent directive by the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Onuoha Ogwe to judges in the Abia State Judiciary to deny audience to lawyers without original copies of the new Abia State High Court (Practice and Procedure) Rules, 2021 may cause a fresh rift with Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches in the state.

The directive obtained by CITY LAWYER and addressed to Nigerian Bar Association branches in the state noted that “lawyers have refused to purchase the new High Court Rules, while some photocopied the Rules for use in court.”

Dated June 16 and signed by the Chief Registrar of Abia State High Court, Mr. V. C. Okey-Nwokeukwu, the circular warned: “The Hon. Chief Judge directs that as from the date of this letter, any lawyer that appears in our High Court without his copy of the High Court Rules shall not be granted audience.”

CITY LAWYER investigation shows that lawyers in Abia State may be bracing for a battle with the state judiciary over the directive. A senior lawyer who spoke to CITY LAWYER on the controversy said that many lawyers in the state are “agitated” by the directive, adding that they view it as “insulting and degrading.”

He said that while it is inappropriate for lawyers to photocopy the Rules as this may infringe copyright laws, “I can tell you that the directive will be ignored by most lawyers. Also, no judge can enforce that directive. On what basis will they do so? It is not compulsory for any lawyer to go to court with any Rules of court. It is optional. More importantly, it is payment of Bar Practising Fee that accords a lawyer audience in court, not possession of any court rules.”

On his part, the Chairman of NBA Umuahia Branch, Mr. Oliver Amuzie told CITY LAWYER that he is in receipt of the letter, adding that “I am aware that other branch chairmen in the state have just received their copies of the letter.”

He said that the branch chairmen would discuss the matter this weekend with a view to have a common position on it. “I am already reaching out to my brother-chairmen on the issue,” he said. “We have a common platform and we would soon arrive at a resolution on the matter.”

Apart from Umuahia and Aba, the other NBA branches in Abia State are Isiala Ngwa, Ohafia, and Ukwa.

CITY LAWYER gathered that the ongoing boycott of courts by lawyers under the aegis of NBA Aba Branch may not be unconnected with the controversy surrounding the new Rules.

It is recalled that the branch had in a resolution dated 10th June, 2022 and signed by Messrs Bertram Faotu and Chinedu Nwaozuzu, its Chairman and Secretary respectively, ordered its members to boycott the court of Justice C. U. Okoroafor.

The branch leadership said that “the resolution was arrived pursuant to the learned Justice’s continued show of absolute disdain for proper judicial conduct and particularly his blatant refusal to use and or allow lawyers to rely on and or use the Abia State (Practice & procedure) Rules, 2021 in his court on the erroneous premise that there was no High Court Civil Procedure Rules in existence in Abia State.”

CITY LAWYER investigation showed that the jurist had allegedly taken the position that the signing of the Abia State (Practice & procedure) Rules, 2021 was defective, given that it bears the name of the former chief judge of the state.

It was gathered that though the current chief judge had ‘corrected’ the defect through a Practice Direction, Justice Okoroafor does not permit the use of the Rules in his court, leading to a face-off with NBA Aba Branch.

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GADZAMA TOURS NBA UMUAHIA, ABAKALIKI, BIRNIN-KEBBI ENDORSES HIM

A leading aspirant in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections and Chairman of the NBA Security Agencies Relations Committee, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN has visited NBA Abakaliki, Owerri and Birnin-Kebbi branches to felicitate with them.

Below are the statements on the visits.

NBA ABAKILIKI BRANCH HOSTED J-K GADZAMA, SAN TO AN INTERACTIVE SESSION

Recently, the former Governor of the Eastern Bar Forum, Arthur Chukwu, Esq. Barr. Okorie (Chairman, Abakaliki Branch) ( Okwuluora of Ukpo ) and his entourage including Chukwuma Ezeala, Esq. (President, National Association of Catholic Lawyers of Nigeria), Chief Prince Chukwudi (Director-General Vox Populi Foundation for Leadership), Clement Chukwuemeka, Esq., V.O Ehiosun, Esq. and Ebube Okpogu, Esq.

The interaction kicked off with opening prayer which was led by the Executives of the Abakiliki Branch. Afterwards, the session was called to order and Arthur Chukwu, Esq. addressed the attendees on the reason for the meeting. Speaking to all who were present, the Former Governor of Eastern Bar Forum, expressed his full and unreserved support and commitment to the aspiration of Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN in fostering the development of the Nigerian Bar Association.

The Former Attorney General, Mr. Jossy Eze, also reiterated his support for the vision of Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN and his commitment to ensuring its implementation in Abakiliki. The Chairman of the Branch, also assured the attendees that the vision of J-K Gadzama, SAN was an all-inclusive one which every lawyer should key into. He also reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the Abakiliki Bar supports the vision.

In addressing the attendees on behalf of J-K Gadzama, SAN, Chukwuma Ezeala, Esq. thanked all the attendees and asked that they continue to support the vision wholeheartedly. He introduced J-K Gadzama, SAN as a one who was one of them and not just a visitor and urged members of the Abakiliki Branch to be supportive in creating a better NBA.

Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN finally addressed the attendees; telling them his personal experiences and how God had saved his life in several occasions. He said, “God has spared my life so that I can continue to serve humanity and in my service to the NBA, my loyalty is to first the Constitution of the NBA, second, the Nigerian Constitution and finally, God Almighty. This is not a speech making event. I know you are committed to the course of the NBA and so, I have come to thank you.

The session closed with closing prayers and an aura of merriment as the members and executives of the Branch were treated to sumptuous delicacies.

EQUITY BAR ENDORSES J-K GADZAMA, SAN.

The members of NBA Birnin Kebbi Branch (Equity Bar), came out in their numbers to endorse J-K Gadzama, SAN as their candidate for NBA President in the forthcoming NBA election.

They made this endorsement on Friday, May 20, 2022 when J-K Gadzama, SAN and his distinguished entourage paid the branch a visit.

Speaking on behalf of the members of the branch who came out in their numbers for J-K Gadzama, SAN, Abubakar Abdullahi, Esq., The Principal Partner of A. Abdullahi & Co., who mobilized Counsel from the branch, said the Learned Silk is a man of many good things, a man of pedigree and that he has never had any doubt about the ability of the learned senior advocate to lead the Bar.

He stated that none of the three presidential aspirants is a member of the Equity Bar and as such, they will be equitable and fair in their choice more so that the only geographical zone that is yet to produce the NBA President is the North East.

“The Branch will be objective, we will vote with our conscience and without sentiments”. He said.

Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed an elder of the Branch stated that the Branch believes in merit and judging from all areas, J-K Gadzama, SAN has merited to be the NBA President.

Elder Mohammed Audie promised to support the learned silk. He stated that he had decided to stay away from the politics of NBA but that he is making a u-turn because of the the good works that trail J-K Gadzama.

While reacting to comments, Chief J-K Gadzama, SAN stated that he will promote constitutional democracy, rule of law, transparency, accountability and good governance.

He further stated that he will be loyal to the NBA Constitution and the Nigerian Constitution.

It is worthy of note that the Branch came out in their numbers to endorse the Learned Silk.

Notable attendees included H.E Alh. Garba Gajam, former Nigerian Ambassador to the State of Kuwait and Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, Esq., Managing Partner, Castle of Law and a human rights activist, Junaidu Abubakar, Esq., Chairman, NBA Gusau Branch, Abubakar Abdullahi, Esq., Principal Partner A. Abdullahi & co. A. A. Umar, Esq., Elder Mohammed Audie, Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed, Esq., Clement Chinedum, Esq.,

Also in attendance were members of the Young Lawyers Forum, Kebbi Branch and Members of the Nigerian Youth Service Corps, Members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Birnin Kebbi, members of the CLASFON, and MULAN, Birnin Kebbi.

J-K Gadzama SAN and entourage later that day paid a courtesy call on K.T. Turaki SAN, the Dan Masanin Gwandu and a former Minister for special duties and NLS classmate of J-K Gadzama of the 1986 set who hosted us to a lavish dinner at his palatial home in Birnin Kebbi.

REMINISCENCE: J-K GADZAMA, SAN SIT-OUT SESSIONS WITH NBA UMUAHIA BRANCH.

The Learned Silk and Bar Patriot, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN recently had a sit-out session with the Members, Executives and Young Lawyers’ Forum of the NBA Umuahia Branch at Unique Life Hotel Suits.

The session which began at about 6:30pm saw the attendance of Executives of the Young Lawyers’ Forum, Bar Leaders, Elders and Members of the NBA Umuahia Branch. The Chairman of the NBA Umuahia Branch was also present to welcome the Learned Silk and his entourage of friends.

Mrs. Chioma Ferguson, Esq. gave addressed the attendees after the opening remarks of the Chairman of the Branch. She greeted all the attendees and welcomed them to the gathering. According to her, their attendance and show of hospitality was reflective of a true spirit of compadre which is the disposition all lawyers must have in piloting the affairs of the Nigerian Bar and moving it towards higher heights. She said the Learned Silk was not one to be introduced and that the gathering was not for formalities but was called together to harmonize efforts and cross-pollinate ideas towards achieving the betterment of the Nigerian Bar. She then urged all members and executives of the NBA Umuahia Branch to be steadfast in their support and unwavering as the times ahead would determine the future of the NBA.

In addressing all the attendees, the Learned Silk said that the event was not one to make long speeches but one to accord everyone an opportunity to familiarize with each other, exchange ideas and see how collective efforts can be made towards ensuring that the Nigerian Bar Association culminates to its fullest potential and attain higher heights. He applauded the administration of the President, Mr. Olumide Akpata and commended the giant strides of the NBA under his tenure in office. The Learned Silk further mentioned that the good works of the President must be maintained and continued.

Thereafter, representatives from different factions of the Branch made comments, following which an interactive session ensued which was closed with a treat to a buffet.

As a spin off from the evening sit-out, the Learned Silk had a breakfast session with the members of the NBA Umuahia and Aba Branch the following morning before bidding them final farewells. Whilst addressing them, the Learned Silk reiterated the need for consistency in commitment to the improvement of the legal profession in Nigeria. He talked on the need for adherence to the Constitution of the NBA and the Nigerian Constitution in the discharge of official duties and urged the Young Lawyers to imbibe and conform to the etiquettes and tenents of the profession even in their career pursuits.

He thanked all the attendees and the the Vice Chairman of the Young Lawyers’Forum, Umuahia gave the closing remarks.

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Lawyers Protest, Courts Shut as Police Detain Law Prof

• Lawyers Storm Police Station
• Police Cave In, Release Law Teacher, Apologize

Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Umuahia Branch yesterday stormed the Umuahia Area Command of the Nigerian Police to rescue Prof. Patrick Ugochukwu from the clutches of police operatives. Continue Reading