The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • CIArb Nigeria branch gets new exco

    CIArb Nigeria branch gets new exco

    A new Executive Committee has been inaugurated by the Nigeria Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

    Leading the renowned arbitrators is Mrs. Olusola Adegbonmire, a Chartered Arbitrator, who has been sworn-in as the new Chairman of the Branch. She replaces foremost Chartered Arbitrator and Senior Lawyer, Chief Akingbola Akinola, SAN, whose three-year tenure ended during the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Institute held at its Lekki, Lagos Headquarters.

    Mrs. Adegbonmire is a consummate legal practitioner and partner at the Lagos law firm of Sola Ajijola and Co. where she has practiced for over 35 years. She is a Chartered Arbitrator and has been a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators for 25 years.

    Adegbonmire is listed on the approved faculty list of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators as a tutor and assessor, and has taught within Nigeria and in other countries such as Dubai, Rwanda and Ghana.

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    She serves on the board of the prestigious Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC), Rwanda. She is also an accredited mediator of the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), United Kingdom, and a member of the Panel of Neutrals of the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse where she has a very active practice as an Arbitrator and a Mediator.

    Others elected into the Executive Committee are Mr. Seyilayo Ojo, SAN, C.Arb, who retains his position as Chairman, Training Sub-Committee; Mrs. Funke Agbor, SAN, FCIArb; Dr. Adeyemi Agbelusi, FCIArb, Secretary; Dr. Kola Mayomi, FCIArb, Treasurer and Mrs. Chioma S. Jack, MCIArb, Public Relations Officer.

    Following their stellar services to the Branch, Mrs. Miannaya Essien, SAN, C.Arb (3rd Vice Chairman/Chair, Membership Sub-Committee); immediate past Branch Treasurer, Mr. Emeka Nwadioke, MCIArb (Press Liaison Officer) and erstwhile Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Olushola Adeniran, ACIArb (Events Coordinator) were co-opted into the Executive Committee.

    Other members of the Executive Committee are Chief Akinola (Immediate Past Chairman); Prof. Paul Idornigie, SAN, C.Arb (1st Vice Chairman); Mrs. Obosa Akpata, C.Arb, (2nd Vice Chairman); Mrs. Yejide Osunkeye, FCIArb; Mr. Esosa Omo-Usoh, MCIArb; Mr. Ikenna Okoli SAN, FCIArb; Hon. Mela Audu Nunghe, SAN, FCIArb and Mr. Agba Eimunjeze, FCIArb.

    Also included as Members of the Executive Committee are Hon. Olusola Ephraim-Oluwanuga, mni, C.Arb (Chairman, Abuja Chapter); Mr. Emeka Onyeka, FCIArb (Chairman, Port Harcourt Chapter);  Mr. Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN, MCIArb (Chairman, Ibadan Chapter), Mrs. Nania Owusu Ankomah-Sackey, FCIArb (Chairman, Ghana Chapter), and Mr. Emoubonuvie Majemite, ACIArb (Chairman, Young Members Group).

    Following her election, Mrs. Adegbonmire promised to work with all relevant stakeholders in ensuring the growth of arbitration in Nigeria.

    CIArb is the recognised global thought leader on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), and has the world’s largest community of private dispute resolution professionals. The Institute’s membership of over 17,500 professionals spans over 40 active Branches across approximately 150 jurisdictions.

  • Lagos CJ restates commitment to rule of law

    Lagos CJ restates commitment to rule of law

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has promised to ensure continuous synergy of the state judiciary with members of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in promotion of rule of law in the state.

    Justice Alogba gave this assurance during a cocktail party held  as part of the activities for the National Conference of Egbe Omo Odua 2024 holding in Lagos.

    The Chief Judge who was represented by Admin Judge,  Justice Olutoyin Ipaye said the cocktail became necessary to enable the bench and bar have a good interaction for the success of the conference.

    She encouraged members of Egbe Amofin to always promote the Omoluabi culture that the Yoruba race is known for in Nigeria.

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    She urged the group to advocate mentorship among it’s members as a way of guiding the young lawyers.

    In his remarks, the Chairman of the Conference, Kunle Adegoke, SAN, emphasised that the group is not created for ethnic disunity but rather created for the uniqueness of promoting the cultural value.

    He said the former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Pastor Tunde Bakare, Kemi Pinhero (SAN),  among other dignitaries, would  deliver a keynote address at the conference with the theme  “Towards achieving effective justice delivery”.

  • 2024 legal awards to feature 26 categories

    2024 legal awards to feature 26 categories

    The 13th edition of the Nigerian Legal Awards (NLA) will feature 26 categories, organisers have said.

    The categories will recognise excellence through practice-based awards for law firms, corporate in-house counsel, rising stars under 40, and editors’ merit awards for outstanding legal icons.

    Past recipients include former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former chief justices Muhammed Uwais and Alfa Belgore; Chief Folake Solanke (SAN), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), among other icons.

    NLA Chief Organiser and Publisher of ESQ Legal Practice Magazine, Lere Fashola, said at a briefing that this year’s edition has the theme: “Flamboyantly Nigerian”.

    It will be held on July 7 at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos.

    He said the evaluation process to select winners will be overseen by carefully selected panellists to ensure transparency.

    Since its inception, the NLA has become a sterling benchmark for the legal profession in Nigeria.

    It is endorsed by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the British Nigerian Law Forum, and the Nigerian Lawyers Association (USA), and enjoys support from prominent corporations.

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    Fashola said this year’s awards will focus on the impact and innovations of the recipients in promoting legal practice within the changing socio-political landscape of Nigeria.

    Fashola said: “The Nigerian Legal Awards, now in its 13th edition, represents a beacon of excellence within the Nigerian legal landscape.

    “Established by ESQ Legal Practice Magazine, these awards celebrate the pivotal role of lawyers as catalysts for economic prosperity and societal development.

    “They serve as a platform for spotlighting exceptional achievements, innovation, and unwavering dedication within the legal profession.

    “By recognising and celebrating outstanding achievements, these awards inspire legal practitioners to continually strive for greatness and uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.

    “Moreover, the awards provide a platform for law firms and legal departments to showcase their expertise and leadership in various practice areas, fostering healthy competition and driving innovation across the industry.

    “I am committed to providing a platform for legal practitioners to achieve excellence and economic well-being through their professional endeavours.”

    He believes by showcasing the achievements of Nigerian legal professionals on a prestigious platform, the awards elevate the profile of the Nigerian legal industry on the global stage.

    “The awards provide valuable networking opportunities, bringing together legal practitioners, corporate executives, and other stakeholders to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and advance the collective interests of the legal community.

    “Over the years, the NLA has recognised and honoured numerous legal icons and trailblazers who have made significant contributions to the legal profession and society.

    “Past awardees exemplify the prestigious legacy of this award and affirm its status as the pinnacle of recognition within the Nigerian legal and business community.

    “On D-day, the evening will begin with a red carpet opening at 5 pm, promising an evening of elegance, celebration, and recognition.”

  • Groups fault AGF’s take-over of $8.4m fraud case

    Groups fault AGF’s take-over of $8.4m fraud case

    The Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence  (CAIDOV) and Advocate for Social Justice and Defence of Rule of Law have queried the takeover of a case involving a foreign oil company and five others accused of $8.4million fraud by Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

    Trafigura Beheer BV Trafigura PTE Ltd is facing trial alongside two oil marketers – Osahon Asemota and Yusuf Kwande as well as Mettle Energy and Gas, Renbrandt Ltd. and Jil Engineering and Oil Services Limited.

    The defendants were charged six years ago with three counts of conspiracy, stealing and receiving stolen property by the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) before Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

    The prosecution accused the foreign oil company alongside its four co-defendants of stealing 6.4 metric tonnes of diesel oil worth $8.4million belonging to Nadabo Energy Limited in October 2008.

    Exactly 17 witnesses testified on behalf of the prosecution before the agency closed its case while the defendants have so far, presented four witnesses.

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    According to the conveners of the groups, Gbenga Soloki and Barrister Niyi Adekanla, the trial took a puzzling turn when the Director of Public Prosecution of Federation,  Mr M.A. Abubakar by a letter dated February 29, 2024, announced the take-over of the prosecution of the matter by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

    According to the letter, the take-over of the prosecution of the case is in  exercise of AGF’s powers under section 174(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.

    CAIDOV believes the AGF’s take-over of the prosecution of the case will lead to more delays in the matter which has been in court for six years.

    The groups noted that the same Section 174(3) of 1999 Constitution (as amended) which empowers the AGF to take over prosecution of matters also provides: “ In exercising his powers under this section, the Attorney-General of the Federation shall have regard to the public interest, the interest of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process”.

    The group queried why other options as provided by law which would not cause further delay in the case were not explored before the aggrieved parties in the suit resorted to writing to the office of the AGF.

    “It is our humble view that there are quite a number of options available for any of the parties before the court that has any complaint against the handling of such matter by the judge.

    “Such party(ies) can complain directly to the National Judicial Council (NJC), a body responsible for discipline of judicial officers or lodge a complaint with the Chief Judge of the state who has the administrative power to look at such complaint and reassign the matter to another Judge or ask the trial judge to continue if such complaint usually initiated via a petition is found unmeritorious.

    “However, in the instant case, fear is being expressed in some quarters that the matter may have been infested with virus of delay,” the group said.

    Describing Fagbemi as a quiet achiever, CAIDOV noted that he is also a stickler for rule of law and a notable combatant in the defence of justice.

    The group pleaded with the AGF to ensure fairness and justice to all parties by allowing the trial court to decide suit based on merit and evidence before it.

    “We are calling on the AGF to always look at the larger picture of his office as commanded by Section 174(3) of the 1999 Constitution.

    “We urge the Honourable Attorney- General to continue to work as he has started well on restoration of public confidence in the system and etch his own name in gold anytime the history of administration of criminal justice system of the country is being told.

    “There is no doubt, history beckons on the AGF and this is the time to make the difference. No affinity to any institutions, persons or group should stop him from making history at this period of time in our nation.”

  • Tariff hike: N230m monthly electricity bill not sustainable, says UNILORIN VC

    Tariff hike: N230m monthly electricity bill not sustainable, says UNILORIN VC

     The monthly electricity bill of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has jumped from N70 million to N230 million, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Egbewole, has said.

    Prof. Egbewole, in an e-mail message to staff members and students, said the new bill is not sustainable. According to him, recent hike in electricity tariffs by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has affected the institution’s budget.

    He stressed the urgent need for critical re-assessment of the current electricity usage in the university.

    The don appealed to staff members and students to adopt more responsible consumption habits and support the administration’s efforts to implement cost-saving measures.

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    According to him, the management has intensified efforts in negotiations for alternative power supply to the university. He said buildings under construction in the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Environmental Science, Law and Social Sciences would include provisions for alternative power sources as part of their designs.

    Prof. Egbewole also added that strategies were being developed to ensure that all faculties and units were equipped with reliable alternative power options.

  • Lagos warns against using harmful substance to preserve food

    Lagos warns against using harmful substance to preserve food

    Lagos State Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi has warned food traders to stop using harmful preservatives to preserve food.              

    Abayomi spoke at a one-day market sensitisation to mark the World Food Safety Day 2024 at the Ayobo Market Garage in Agege. The theme was ‘Food Safety; Prepared for the Unexpected’.  

    The commissioner, represented by the Director of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Dr. Ajayi Folarin, said: “Using dangerous chemicals like sniper to preserve food can lead to food poisoning, cerebral damage, destruction of vital organs in the body, and a food crisis.

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    “We are doing a lot of advocacies and sensitisation on food safety, and that is why the Babajide Sanwo-Olu asked us to educate the market men and women on food safety.

    “We need to educate and sensitise our market men and women about food poisoning because most traders use dangerous chemical, such as sniper, to preserve food. About two weeks ago, a young man fell into a coma after eating food preserved with sniper.”

    Executive Chairman of Orile Agege Local Council Development Area, Babatunde Johnson, said the programme is very impactful on the traders. “It is an enlightenment campaign to educate food traders about the DOs and DON’Ts of their business.

  • Edo 2024: why NNPP won’t reverse suspension of candidate’

    Edo 2024: why NNPP won’t reverse suspension of candidate’

     Leaders of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State have said suspension of the governorship candidate, Pastor Azemhe Azena, will not be reversed because of his anti-party activities.

    This was contained in a letter by the chairman, Chief Paul Ogwemoh, Secretary John Obeakhemhe; Assistant Youth Leader Vice Ogiriga, and some ward chairmen, addressed to the state leadership. The letter was also copied to the

    Southsouth zonal Chairman and the National Chairman for ratification.

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    The letter accused Azena of publicly endorsing governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, which ‘caused NNPP shame, ridicule and embarrassment’.

    The aggrieved leaders also said Azena has no regard for the party leaders and members in Etsako East which, according to them, caused disunity in the party.

    But Azena insisted he remains the standard bearer of NNPP in Edo, and urged the public to disregard his ‘alleged’ suspension.

  • Severance gratuity: Amosun’s ex-aides seek Tinubu’s intervention

    Severance gratuity: Amosun’s ex-aides seek Tinubu’s intervention

    former aides to  former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun have called on President Bola Tinubu to persuade Governor Dapo Abiodun to pay their severance gratuity denied them since 2019.

    They lamented that despite the humongous amount accruing to the state, and the president’s charge that governors cushion the economic hardship through payments of outstanding debts to their people, Governor Abiodun was yet to fulfil his pledge to offset the severance allowance.

    But the special Adviser totheGovernor on media and strategy, Kayode Akinrinade,faulted the aides and accused them of playing to the gallery.

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    He said that Amosun paid all his political appointees their severance allowances before leaving office but left out his assistants.

    The special assistants served between 2015 and 2019. Their representatives – Fakorede Adesanya, Okoya Babatunde and Musiliu Oladeinde – said Governor Abiodun met them ahead of the 2023 elections and promised to pay the severance allowance.

    A statement by the former officials reads: “This is an acknowledgement that we are entitled to and deserve the allowance. The governor has denied us the legitimate entitlement for five years. This has caused us psychological trauma. In the course of time, the value of the gratuity has depreciated considerably. Many of our colleagues who resigned their jobs to serve Ogun State could not return to the jobs. Many of them and their families are in financial straits, hence our appeal for President Tinubu’s intervention.”      

  • Ogun sells subsidised rice to pensioners

    Ogun sells subsidised rice to pensioners

    Ogun State government has extended the sale of subsidised rice to pensioners.

    The Head of Service (HoS), Kehinde Onasanya, while monitoring the sales to members of the Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria (LOGPAN) at its secretariat in Ita Oshin, Abeokuta, said the government decided on the initiative since the economic situation cuts across all ages.

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    Onasanya, who urged the pensioners to take advantage of the gesture, said the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration is pensioners’ friendly and concerned about their welfare.

    He noted that bringing the rice to their doorsteps was to eliminate any hardship they may likely face in purchasing the commodity. He urged them to take advantage of the initiative and buy according to their levels while in service.

    Chairman of LOGPAN, Pastor Benedict Ademoye, thanked the governor for the intervention, saying it would go a long way to alleviate their hardship.

  • I’ll resist attempts to sideline me from PDP congresses, says Fayose

    I’ll resist attempts to sideline me from PDP congresses, says Fayose

    Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has accused some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of ganging up against him ahead of the party congresses.

    Fayose said the gang up against him and his supporters, aimed to deliberately sideline them in the PDP leadership structures, would be resisted.

    The former governor spoke during a meeting with members of his Osoko Political Assembly (OPA) in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, called on party leaders to stop the blackmail against him over his support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

    Fayose also dismissed insinuations that he had dumped the PDP for the APC, saying he only supported President Tinubu based on principle.

    He said: “I have no apology for anyone over my decision to support President Tinubu. Asiwaju remains our kinsman and, to the best of my knowledge, he is doing his best for the country.

    “Some of our people will go a little further and blackmail me that Governor Biodun Oyebanji is always coming to meet me, some will say I have soft spot for the governor. But one thing I will say is that I have gone beyond politics of bitterness that I will destroy people just because I want to take their position or my party, you won’t find me there.

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    “When we get to an election year, we will slug it out but, so far so good, Governor Oyebanji is trying, he is uniting the state because without peace you can’t do anything. If someone (governor) comes to my house 13 times, will I say he should go out of my house? It is not possible.

    “When the other former governors were in the office, we were all fighting each other but Oyebanji has shown a kind of politics of embracing everybody. The current governor so far has done well and we can’t crucify him because this is not an election year or season.