The Nation Newspaper

Category: Law

  • Managing Africa’s ‘second busiest’ judiciary

    Managing Africa’s ‘second busiest’ judiciary

     Managing the Lagos State Judiciary, reportedly Africa’s second busiest, is no mean task. The person on whose shoulders the task falls is  the Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke. What are her plans? Robert Egbe writes.

    Lagos State prides itself as one of Africa’s foremost socio-economic frontiers. Its claims are, in many respects, meritorious. Last May, its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was calculated at $136 billion, giving credence to the assertion of Lagos State Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode that the state has the fifth largest economy on the continent, larger than that of any African country except South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Angola and Morocco.

    Also, although it is the smallest in area of Nigeria’s 36 states, its estimated 24 million residents make it Africa’s most populous city.

    The state’s economic and demographic vibrancy now appears to have spilled to its judicial system, with claims being made that it is sub-Saharan Africa’s second judicial powerhouse.

    This hint was first given on October 9, 2017 by Ambode when, at a church service to mark the Lagos State golden jubilee 2017/2018 legal year, he described the state’s judiciary as Nigeria’s busiest.

    The service was also the first public event organised by then acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke.

    Justice Oke was sworn in as Acting Chief Judge in September 2017 to replace Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, who retired on September 24 at the statutory retirement age of 65.

    Last Friday, Governor Ambode swore her in as the substantive Chief Judge of Lagos State.

    Her swearing-in followed the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and confirmation by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

    Ambode said: “I congratulate members of the busiest judiciary in Nigeria in maintaining a high standard of integrity….Indeed Lagos State has a general reputation for trailblazing reforms in the justice sector and in many other sectors.”

    On October 10, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun described the Lagos State Judiciary as the busiest in Africa, apart from South Africa’s.

    Olanipekun said the statistics showed that the volume of cases filed in Lagos courts were unmatched by that of any African judicial system, except, perhaps, that of the Rainbow Nation.

    He stated this in his keynote address: Promoting a pace-setting and productive judiciary in Lagos State, during a Bar and Bench Forum, which was part of activities marking the state’s legal year.

    The problem with size

    One major problem with its size is that the Lagos judiciary must continuously up its investment in manpower and infrastructure to keep up with the pace of cases filed in its high, magistrates and customary courts as well as other judicial panels.

    According to Olanipekun, between 2015 and October 4, 2017, a total of 3548 civil and criminal cases were filed before the Lagos State High Court.

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, had a total of 3963 cases within the same period. Yet the Federal High Court has about 100 judges as against 56 judges in Lagos.

    The lawyer called for an urgent recruitment of more hands for the state’s judiciary, particularly on the High Court Bench, to cater for the judicial challenges facing it.

    Failure to do so would worsen the problem of delay in the administration of justice that the Nigerian judicial system is often accused of.

    Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) believes the recruitment of more judicial officers would ease their burden.

    He said: “I believe some of the things that contribute to the delays are found in the way the courts have been set up.

    “Another issue is  the volume of cases being handled by judges on a daily basis. When a judge has about 30 cases to handle in a day, he can only do as much as he is able to cope with, particularly, considering the fact that we still go the analogue way.”

    According to Ambode, the state is aware of the problem.

    “Indeed Lagos State has a general reputation for trailblazing reforms in the justice sector and in many other sectors.

    The volume of cases handled by the judges and magistrates has necessitated the appointment of additional judicial officials with improved welfare and continuous infrastructural development to further enhance the quality of justice delivery,” Ambode said.

    All eyes on Justice Oke

    The legal community got its first public glimpse of the Chief Judge at the simultaneous Christian and Muslim services at the Cathedral Church of Christ and Central Mosque, Lagos Island, during the special opening service for the 2017/18 legal year.

    Justice Oke’s comments at the event left no one in doubt that there was a new sheriff in town who was determined to raise the bar of the administration of justice in the state.

    The CJ, whose tenure ends on June 10, 2019, explained that her mission was to create “a judiciary that epitomises discipline, honesty, hard work, integrity, credence, dignity, honour and zeal for results and excellence.”

    She pledged to, among others, uphold the rule of law, “stamp out all forms of official corruption, make speedy dispensation of justice a hallmark of Lagos State Judiciary and improve on the reputation of Lagos State Judiciary as a pace setter and the best in Nigeria and Africa.”

    ‘Oaths of secrecy, allegiance’

    One of the ways the CJ plans to safeguard the integrity of the system is for judiciary workers attached to judges to swear to oaths of secrecy and allegiance.

    Justice Oke observed that the work judges do is sensitive and secrecy oaths will shield their support staff from the temptation to divulge sensitive information about cases.

    She said: “One of the things that we are going to do soon, is to make sure that every member of staff of the judiciary will swear to an oath of office, oath of secrecy and oath of allegiance; and that is very, very important.

    “We have sworn to an oath and we have members of staff that have not done so. So, they have that as an excuse. We have to let them know that every supporting staff of a judge must also swear to that oath.”

    The CJ also warned lawyers that lawyers that delay tactics would no longer be entertained.

    “…It’s going to be tough this time; it’s a new era and no longer Christmas as it used to.

    “We are not going to allow unnecessary adjournments, we are going to talk to ourselves as judges and we are going to be firm, because there are certain things members of the Bar do here that they won’t dare do in Europe or America. Unnecessary adjournments will cost you your practising licence, but you come here and you do all these.”

    Other reforms

    Justice Oke revealed that as part of the reforms of her administration, lawyers will now serveý as court registrars and that 28 legal practitioners are already undergoing training for that purpose.

    She pledged to look into the issue of increment in filing fees and flush out the bad eggs tarnishing the judiciary’s image.

    The CJ added: “The committee for the 2018 Rules of Court has been set up and is chaired by Hon. Justice K Alogba.

    “An “APP” will be introduced which can be installed to enable counsels have access to the diary of the court.

    “Members of the bar who are trained mediators would be invited to sit as mediators (pro bono) on old cases so as to decongest the courts.”

     

     

  • Firm seeks judgment in N31.2m suit against bank

    An estate agent, Jetland Proper-ties Limited, has prayed the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere to enter judgment in its favour in a suit against Ecobank Nigeria Limited for alleged breach of contract.

    It is praying for an order entering final judgment for it against the defendant for N21million, being four per cent agency fee due it.

    Jetland said it sold a property for the bank at Plot 7, Block 10, Lekki Peninsular Phase 1, Lagos, and was entitled to the commission.

    The claimant also prayed for an order awarding interest on the N21million at the rate of 35 per cent per annum from August 1 until judgment is delivered, and thereafter at the rate of 15 per cent per annum until final liquidation.

    Jetland asked for N10million as legal fees paid, and N250,000 as cost of the action.

    The claimant, in a supporting affidavit to the motion for judgment, sworn to by its Managing Director Mr Jude Azekwoh, said the respondent, Ecobank, engaged it to find a buyer for the property.

    Jetland Properties said it deployed all efforts and resources in search of a buyer, and that the bank rejected the first offer of N500million from a prospective buyer.

    The claimant said it found another buyer, Punuka Investment Ltd, through another real estate firm, Messrs Barin Epega & Co, with an offer of N525million, following which it informed the bank about the new offer as well as its agency fee of five per cent of the purchase price.

    Jetland Properties said the bank responded via a November 28, 2016 letter stating its intention not to pay the agency fee.

    The firm said it wrote the bank on November 29, 2016 explaining that the eventual purchaser had engaged Messrs Barin Epega & Co, and affirming its entitlement to the agency fee, which it subsequently reduced to four per cent.

    Jetland Properties said the bank did not reject the four percent commission, adding that it was actively involved in getting documentations for Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) approval of the sale, among other services.

    It further claimed that upon consummation of the transaction at the sum of N525million between Ecobank and the purchaser, it made several demands for the payment of its four per cent agency fee.

    “The respondent remained recalcitrant and continued to deny it of its fruits of labour,” the claimant said.

    Jetland Properties said its lawyer, Messrs Dipo Okpeseyi (SAN) & Co, wrote several demand letters, yet the bank refused to comply.

    The applicant said “the respondent has no defence whatsoever to this action,” nor does it intend to pay the fees, which it said ought to have been paid since July.

    “The respondent has been paid its N525million purchase price. The respondent is deliberately denying the applicant its fees for no justifiable reason. The respondent took full benefit of applicant’s services,” Jetland Properties said.

    In a written address in support of the motion for judgment, the applicant’s lawyer Oladipo Opeseyi (SAN) said: “It is our humble submission that the respondent cannot set up a defence to the applicant’s claim.

    “By the totality of the exhibits attached, it is unambiguous and unequivocal that the respondent is indebted to the applicant and has not paid the 4% agency fee due to the applicant for carrying out the respondent’s instructions.”

    Citing several authorities, the claimant’s counsel said it would amount to a travesty of justice if the respondent is allowed to defend the action without a good defence, thereby wasting the court’s time and denying the applicant the summary judgment it deserves.

    The SAN said due to non-payment of the commission, his client was put under hardship, unnecessary embarrassment, and was on he verge of being blacklisted by other real estate firms it worked with and whose contacts and resources it used to get the buyer.

    “It is our contention that the respondent has no defence whatsoever to the applicant’s claim. We respectfully urge this Honourable Court to enter judgment against the respondent and for the applicant and prevent the respondent from further delay in meeting its obligation and indebtedness,” Opeseyi added.

    However, Ecobank, in its letters to the applicant’s counsel, dated July 21 and 31, insisted that the Jetland Properties was acting on behalf of Punuka Investment and therefore it does not owe the firm.

    One of the letters reads in part: “We have reviewed the contents of your letter and do not understand the basis of your demand for agency fee as the bank did not at any time engage your client as its agent for the sale of the above referenced property.

    “Our interpretation of your client’s communications with the bank pertaining to the property was that your client (in conjunction with Messrs Barin Epega & Co) was acting on behalf of the then proposed purchaser.

    “Accordingly, we were quite perplexed by the request for agency fee and immediately responded… clearly stating that the bank will not pay any fees or commission upon consummation of the sale.

    “Therefore, our unwavering position remains succinctly enumerated above and in our letter of  November 28 2016. The bank does not owe your client any obligation to pay any purported commission and/or agency fee.”

     

     

  • ‘Sanction fake whistleblowers’

    ‘Sanction fake whistleblowers’

    Mr. Steven Unachukwu teaches in the Faculty of Law, Anambra State University, Awka. In this interview with Legal Editor John Austin Unachukwu, he shares his views on falling standards of education, the anti-corruption fight and the Anambra State election.

    There are concerns about the falling standards of legal education. What is your reaction to this?

    I agree with such concerns. A visit to any of our courts will  confirm these facts to any one in doubt.

    People have blamed the quality of teachers. Do you agree?

    I refuse to buy such argument wholesale. Just like every other profession that recruits its membership from the products of Nigerian universities, the quality of training available to prospective Barristers in Nigeria has been greatly eroded. The poverty of skill found among some law graduates can be traced to what happens from the time of their training in the secondary school to the manner they secured their O’ Level certificates and admission into the university. A poorly trained graduate of secondary school, who cheated at a “Special Centre” to pass his O’ level exams and UTME exams, would hardly cope with his training in the university. Where you have a compromised system, he will escape from the university to the Law School. What I am not in position to comment on is how such students  manage to pass their exams at the Law School and get called to the Nigerian Bar. It may be that the proliferation of the campuses of the Nigerian Law School has affected the standard at that level. More effort is really required to save the legal profession from the debasement of its standard that is currently plaguing the profession.

     What is your appraisal of the anti corruption war of the Federal Government?

    The all important war against corruption in Nigeria has always been trivialised to the  extent that it has become a slogan and red flag used by every government in power at the federal level to scare away opposition and/or divert the attention of the public from its activities which more often than not evinces more of corruption than piety. The case of the present Federal Government may not be different. Even when we applaud and commend the Federal Government for the little effort and success recorded in respect of the war against corruption, we know too well that such effort is too weak, selective and hypocritical and for these reasons are yet unable to overthrow corruption from its position as a national character. 

    There was public outcry recently, that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has consistently lost some  high profile cases in recent  times in its  anti corruption war, how  do you think we can strengthen the war to  ensure victory over corruption?

     We can only get the war on corruption right when we have shown enough determination to purge ourselves as a people of negative tendencies. For instance, the Chairman of the EFCC, Magu is a man who ought not be at any place around an anti-corruption institution in organised societies by virtue of what has been said and written about him. Even if he is clean, he ought to have stepped aside in the face of the barrage of reports, resolutions of the National Assembly and criticisms. Unfortunately, we have painted a picture that Magu and Magu alone is suitable for that job to an extent that ulterior motives were ascribed to those that have vowed to sustain Magu in that office at all cost. It takes two to  tango and if the fish head is rotten you can hardly achieve sanity in the rest of its body.

    There have been calls for states Attorneys-General and other prosecutorial agencies of states to take over prosecution of corrupt politicians while the EFCC will focus on the prosecution of those who commit financial crimes as envisaged by the EFCC Act, what is your reaction to this?

     The problem with our country is not in the dearth of sound policies or legal frame work to carry on government businesses. The problem with the country rather is the tendency by people in power at all levels to abuse power. If you allow the Attorneys-General of the states and other agencies that prosecute for crimes to also persecute corruption cases, the country would not fare any better as the tendency to abuse is more rampant at the state level than at the federal level. What the governors have done with State Electoral Commissions should be an eye opener. Such powers in the hands of the State Attorneys-General would be turned to instruments of witchhunting the opposition. After all, the problem is nothing in the system we have now but with operators of the system.

     How do we strengthen the whistle blowing policy to make it more efficient and efficient?

    The whistle blowing policy, commendable as it is is also prone to abuses. We can strengthen the system by invoking sanctions against people that may be tempted to deliberately mislead security agencies for the lure of the cash reward tied to such exercise. Also, much should be done to guarantee the safety of the identity and persons of such whistle blowers to encourage others to follow their steps.

    Law cannot be separated from politics. How do you think the two can go in deepening democratic ideals?

     Laws are the lubricant of the democratic process. Our problem in Nigeria is not dearth of good laws to regulate the process rather our problem can be traced to the lack of will to enforce most of our laws. For instance, it is undemocratic for a person that won election under the platform of one political party to dump that party and cross carpet to another party on flimsy excuses. Our law has got adequate provisions to prevent this scenario. The question however is the number of persons that have lost their seats as a result of their decamping from the party that sponsored their election. Another case in point is the provisions for the recall of a non-performing legislator. It seems that those provisions are mere dead letter words or a toothless paper tiger. No single legislator has ever been successfully recalled in Nigeria for the reason that we return inflated figures at elections, making it impossible to raise the percentage required of the figure returned to back up a move to recall. The readiness of our courts to entertain complaints on matters that can be classified as political questions has not helped matters either. What is happening in Dino Melaye’s case is instructive in that respect.

    What is your appraisal of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State?

    The election in Anambra State is basically between three political parties. The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP),  the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)  and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Each of the parties has what goes for it and what goes against it. The PDP is being haunted by the fallout from its primary election where many believed that the former Governor Peter Obi hijacked the exercise in favour of his political god son, Oseloka Obaze. Most of the bigwigs in the party did not take kindly to that and have abandoned the cause of the party. Further to that, Governor Obi has always projected himself as if he is the candidate of PDP to the annoyance of many who harbour the feeling that he created so many problems in Anambra State. That Mr. Obi polarised Anambra State along religious denominational lines, relegating non Roman Catholics to second class citizens is something many Anambrians find difficult to come to terms with. Moreover, that the election is coming at a time when almost all the roads in Anambra State have collapsed creating unprecedented traffic gridlock and suffering for the people of Anambra State is an indictment on Mr. Obi who claimed to have done most of those roads during his tenure that ended less than four years ago. Roads were done properly do not last less than four years.

     What of the other political parties?

    On its part, APGA and its own candidate, the incumbent Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano ought to stand shoulders above the other candidates because it is the party in power. But it seems the reverse is the case as the government of Willie Obiano seems to have fallen short of the expectations of the people of the state in infrastructure development. That there are no roads to pass through most parts of the state resulting in unprecedented suffering for the masses of the state is not to the credit of the incumbent government. Furthermore, the present government of APGA restricted its activities and patronage to a tiny fraction of the people of the state, particularly, the Governor’s enclave in Aguleri. Many indigenes of Anambra State see the efforts of APGA to reach out to them now as an attempt to recruit them as mercenaries fit to be used at elections and to be discarded thereafter. Generally, the governor has performed below expectation and many believe that if he could not perform during his first term of office, it is doubtful if he would perform during his second term.

    What of the APC?

    The APC and its candidate are not free of problems in respect of the election. Chief among the problems of the APC and its candidate Hon. Tony Nwoye  is the frosty relationship between the people of the Southeast and the Presidency under the control of the APC. However, the party was able to overcome the said prejudices and has launched itself into reckoning in respect of the election by its right choice of candidate that emerged from a transparent primary election. That almost all the aspirants that contested the primaries of the party in the state were able to close ranks towards campaign for the election is a plus for the party. By subtle and co-ordinated campaign of issues, the APC seems to have convinced many Anambra people to look beyond Abuja and get leadership right in the state. The youthfulness of the party’s candidate and his captivating message to the youths of Anambra State seems to be the tonic the youths have been waiting for as they seem to have bought into the all youth ticket of the APC.

    So who do you think will win the election?

    Unarguably, it is still too early to predict the likely winner. It is very likely that the people would at the end of the day settle for a new arrangement all together, far from the gladiators that have held down the state and made it undeveloped for eighteen years whether they are new wines or old wines in new wine skin.

    What do you make of criminalisation of hate speeches?

    Hate speech has its origin in feelings of disenchantment with the federation which feelings emanated from the belief that a section of the country is being marginalised. That the Igbo man is being marginalised in Nigeria is no longer news but that the present Federal Government of Mohammed Buhari has elevated marginalisation to a national policy is disheartening. Personally, I would prefer a restructured Nigeria to a balkanised tiny part of it. But at the end of the day whether Nigeria survives as a peaceful united country or not will be determined by the approach adopted towards governance by the elites and political leaders. A situation where political offices are given to people as a ladder to climb up to the national treasury and loot it is recipe to anarchy that would not be restricted to the North or the South as hunger and deprivation does not distinguish the Northerner from a Southerner. The earlier we honestly take steps to kill corruption in Nigeria the better off we would be in terms of security, development and national cohesion.

     Can you honestly say that the judiciary is still the last hope of the common man?

     The Judiciary remains the last hope of the common man by virtue of its position and powers derivable from the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That it is on trial in the country is equally a recognised fact. The truth is that it is the Nigerian State, particularly, the leadership of the state that corrupted the Judiciary and turned around and accuse it of corruption. Much of the corruption that destroyed the Nigerian Judiciary arose from the contact between judicial officers and politicians during election proceedings. So there is no point playing the Ostrich. All the actors involved in election and adjudication flowing from it as well as law enforcement in Nigeria should be engaged in exercises aimed at reawakening their consciences towards the hazard which their acts have put the nation into. If they can, through such a soul searching, purge themselves of corruption and impunity, there would be hope for the nation. As it is now, Nigerian and its judiciary have become the laughing stock of the world.

     

     

  • ‘NAFDAC prosecuting over 64 cases’

    ‘NAFDAC prosecuting over 64 cases’

    The Acting Director-General (DG) of theNational Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Mr. Ademola Magbojuri has said the agency is prosecuting over 64 cases.

    According to him, the figure would have been higher but for a deliberate policy to explore other means of stemming the drug counterfeiting menace.

    The DG, who spoke with reporters at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos, urged the National Assembly to enact laws stipulating stiff punishment for drug counterfeiters.

    Magbojuri said:”If we were to prosecute every offender, we would have about 500 cases in court. That is why we have provisions for notarised undertaking where we ask offenders to pledge to not go back, then we profile them; we have all of that. It serves as a deterrent. It’s like we’re pulling your ear, ‘Don’t do it. The next time you do it, we’ll charge you to court.’

    “So, we have all of that in place. That is why we don’t have as many cases in court as the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for instance.”

    He urged the lawmakers to uphold the agency’s recommendations that perpetrators of such acts be compelled to compensate their victims and also forfeit proceeds of the crime.

    Last November 3, a Bill to review the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act Cap C34 Laws of the Federation 2004, scaled through the third reading stage at the Senate.

    Magbojuri encouraged the House of Representatives to hasten the passage of the bill.

    He explainedthat the agency was carrying out coordinated nationwide enforcement operations to rid the country of counterfeit and fake medical products.

    NAFDAC Director of Investigation & Enforcement, Mr Kingsley Ejiofor urged the public to spread the message on the danger of counterfeit drugs.

    Ejiofor identified several constraints faced by the agency including the incessant transfer of investigating police officers involved in prosecuting offenders.

    He said: “Sometimes when they transfer them, to get them to come back to prosecute is a problem. Another one is when suspects are granted bail, some of them jump bail and are never found again.

    Ejiofor encouraged firms to include NAFDAC in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.

    “We need all the support we can get, such as vehicles to convey people, materials etc,” he said.

     

  • Will their trials ever end?

    Will their trials ever end?

    Apart from several former governors whose trials have lasted for over 10 years, some other high-profile cases are still pending in courts. JOSEPH JIBUEZE highlights some of the cases and why they have been delayed.

    In Nigeria, there is a perception that justice is for the rich. When the rich and powerful are brought to court, there is never an end to their trial.

    Defence counsel often adopts all forms of technicalities to delay the cases, including obtaining stay of proceedings pending determination of interlocutory appeals.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which is prosecuting most of the high-profile suspects, may have secured 125 convictions last year, but most of the convictions did not fall into the high-profile category.

    Even with the advent of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, little progress has been made in most of the cases. Among key provisions of the Act is that there will be no stay of proceedings, that any ruling on any objection shall be at the end of the cases along with the judgment, and that trial shall be day-to-day, with minimal adjournments.

    Yet, judges, sometimes, still indulge senior counsel who find ways to circumvent the law.

     

    Some of the cases

    In mid-August 2009, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) “hammer” fell on five bank chief executives: Sebastin Adigwe (Afribank), Okey Nwosu (Finbank), Erastus Akingbola (Intercontinental Bank), Cecilia Ibru (Oceanic Bank) and Bath Ebong (Union Bank).

    The CBN Governor at the time, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said they were sacked due to the banks’ high-level of non-performing loans and non-adherence to best practices in risk management.

    The five banks were subsequently rescued with a N400 billion government bail-out as they were found to have low cash reserves because of bad loans and corrupt practices.

    Three weeks after their sack, the sensational trial of the bank chiefs began. However, eight years after their arraignment, the cases are still pending in courts with no end in sight.

    Of the five bank chiefs, only the case against Ibru has been concluded – after she pleaded guilty in a plea bargain. On October 8, 2010, the court sentenced her to 18 months imprisonment for mismanaging depositors’ funds and granting credit facilities worth $20 million and N2 billion far above CBN’s approved limit.

    Ibru forfeited assets worth N191 billion, which comprises 94 choice properties in the United States and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. She also gave up shares in about 80 listed companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and in 20 unlisted companies. She was ordered to reimburse N1.29 billion.

     

    Akingbola

    While the case at the Federal High Court was pending, the EFCC charged Akingbola and the others at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, with theft of depositors’ funds.

    On May 31, 2011, Akingbola and an associate Bayo Dada, were arraigned before Justice Habib Abiru on a 22-count charge bordering on conspiracy and alleged stealing of N47.1 billion belonging to the bank.

    After much delay, caused by preliminary objections and application for stay of proceedings, which were all dismissed, trial began. Witnesses testified. But there were twists.

    The defence counsel, which initially included three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Messrs Felix Fagbohungbe, Deji Sasegbon, and Rickey Tarfa, tried to stop the arraignment. Even after the EFCC filed the charges, the matter suffered three adjournments before the arraignment took place.

    Before the arraignment, the defence challenged the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the charges. The objection was on the basis that it was the Lagos State Attorney-General and not Attorney-General of the Federation through the EFCC that ought to file the charges.

    Justice Abiru, in a ruling on May 31, 2011, dismissed the application and ordered that Akingbola be arraigned. After he pleaded not guilty, the judge adjourned for trial.

    As the EFCC sought to open its case, the defence sought a stay of proceedings pending the determination of their appeal against Justice Abiru’s May 31 ruling.

    Justice Abiru dismissed it and held that Section 277 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of Lagos State and Section 40 of the EFCC Act did not give room for stopping a trial in criminal proceedings before the delivery of judgment.

    The defence then sought adjournments on the ground that the prosecution counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), served them a counter-affidavit to their pending motions late.

    They also sought an adjournment because the court was on vacation; therefore, the judge lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case.

    Justice Abiru heard the applications in October 2011 and struck them out for lacking merit.

    After these delays, EFCC called its first witness. The trial continued till April 15, 2012 when the EFCC closed its case.

    Rather than open their defence, the defendants filed an application for a no-case submission (in which a defendant seeks acquittal without having to present a defence). Justice Abiru, on May 30, 2012, dismissed the no-case answer.

    Eventually, the defence called four witnesses, including Akingbola and Dada, who denied all the allegations by the EFCC. Akingbola, who was the last defence witness to testify, denied allegations of theft against him, describing them as “false, incorrect and malicious”.

    On September 11, 2012, the defence counsel accused the judge of bias on the ground that the judge overruled a request for an adjournment to continue leading Dada in evidence on another day.

    Fagbohungbe said he wanted an adjournment to carry out investigation on “certain things”. He also complained that the judge was not writing down part of Dada’s testimonies. But the judge said the request for an adjournment was unnecessary.

    On October 22, 2012, the defence team sought an adjournment because they were unable to produce a witness they had promised to bring.

    Justice Abiru refused the prayer, and ordered defence to close their case. The judge said his order followed an undertaking by Fagbohungbe that the defence’s case would be closed if the witness was not produced in court that day.

    Justice Abiru then adjourned till November 15, 2012, for adoption of final written addresses by parties. A date for judgment would have been fixed that day, but it never happened.

    It was announced on November 2, 2012 that Justice Abiru had been elevated to the Court of Appeal. In effect, the case, which was almost concluded, would start de novo (all over again) before another judge.

    Akingbola and Dada were re-arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo on February 26, 2013. Again, EFCC went through the process of recalling its witnesses. When it closed its case, Akingbola again made a no-case submission.

    On July 15, 2013, Justice Onigbanjo dismissed the no-case application, holding that it lacked merit and that a prima facie case was established against the accused. He directed Akingbola to open his defence.

    But there was a further twist in the tale. The judge was redeployed from the court’s criminal division to the commercial division. This development again cancelled previous proceedings in the case. The trial would begin de novo once again.

    The case was re-assigned to Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo. Akingbola was billed to be re-arraigned on December 9, 2013. Curiously, the court’s registrars ‘erroneously’ failed to include Akingbola’s case in the list of matters for the day. This led to a further adjournment till March 24 2014. The re-arraignment never held.

    Akingbola, through his new lawyer, former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), challenged Justice Lawal-Akapo’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

    The defence counsel also sought to quash the charges on the basis that they related to banking and capital market issues which he said were within the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction.

    On May 2, 2014, Justice Lawal-Akapo dismissed the objections for lacking in merit and assumed jurisdiction in the case. On June 23, 2014, Olanipekun prayed the court to stay proceedings in the trial until an interlocutory appeal against the May 2 ruling is determined at the Court of Appeal.

    On December 31, 2014, the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos quashed the 22-count charge against Akingbola.

    Justice Amina Augie held that Justice Lawal-Akapo lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the case.

    Case status: The EFCC, reacting to the Supreme Court’s verdict in the case of another bank chief, Okey Nwosu, indicated that Akingbola’s trial would resume again.

     

    Nwosu

    Former Managing Director of the defunct Finbank Plc, Okey Nwosu, was charged with N10.9 billion fraud at the Lagos State High Court.

    He is standing trial along with three former directors – Dayo Famoroti, Danjuma Ocholi and Agnes Ebubedike.

    Nwosu challenged the charge on the grounds that it was an abuse of court process. He also questioned the court’s jurisdiction. The Lagos High Court dismissed his objection. Nwosu appealed and won on November 21, 2014.

    EFCC appealed to the Supreme Court. The apex xourt, in its judgment, upheld EFCC’s appeal and set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division.

    The apex court faulted the Court of Appeal’s reasoning and directed Nwosu and directors in his bank to submit themselves for trial.

    The EFCC hailed the judgment, describing it as a victory in its fight against corruption.

    It said: “The EFCC has won a major victory in the war against economic and financial crimes as the Supreme Court categorically ruled that Nwosu, who is being prosecuted by the EFCC over N18billion shares scam, should face his trial.

    “Nwosu’s previous victories at the lower court slowed down the prosecution of other bank chiefs, who aligned with his victory, to ask that their cases be struck out.

    “But with this ruling of the apex court, the trial of the likes of Atuche and Akingbola would receive a major boost.”

    Case status: Trial has resumed in Nwosu’s case before Justice Lateefat Okunnu

     

    Atuche

    The EFCC re-arraigned former Managing Director of Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank) Mr. Francis Atuche at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    He was charged along with a former defunct Spring Bank Plc Managing Director Mr. Charles Ojo on an amended 45-count charge bordering on alleged N125 billion fraud.

    The re-arraignment was caused by the transfer of Justice Saliu Saidu to another division after trial had commenced.

    The case began afresh for the fifth time before Justice Ayokunle Faji. Atuche and Ojo were first arraigned on October 20, 2009 on 45 counts before Justice Akinjide Ajakaiye. They were subsequently re-arraigned before Justice Murtala Nyako on February 3, 2012.

    They were again re-arraigned on November 15, 2012 before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, who later withdrew after being accused of bias.

    Case status: Trial still ongoing before Justice Faji, eight years after.

     

    Ebong

    Former Union Bank Plc Managing Director Barthlomew Ebong was among bank chiefs sensationally removed by the CBN in August 2009.

    Ebong was charged along with former directors Niyi Opeodu, Henry Onyemem and Samuel Anyininuola. EFCC alleged they unlawfully granted loan facilities to themselves without security and above the approved limit without lawful authority from the Central Bank of Nigeria. About N83.67 billion bank funds were alleged to have been used.

    They were also alleged to have granted credit facilities to Falcon Securities, in connivance with its Directo,r Peter Ololo, without collateral. Ololo is also standing trial.

    The defendants were re-arraigned on November 15, 2012 before Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia. However, following the judge’s transfer to Ilorin, the defendants were again re-arraigned before Justice Oluremi Oguntoyibo.

    Case status: Trial ongoing

     

    Other pending high-profile cases

     

    The Lawan/Farouk case

    A former chairman, House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy, Farouk Lawan, and its Secretary, Boniface Emenalo, were charged with collecting bribe from oil magnate Femi Otedola.

    They were arraigned on February 1, 2013 at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gudu, Abuja.

    The Federal Government, through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, is prosecuting Lawan on amended four counts of corrupt collection of $500,000 out of the $3million bribe he allegedly requested from Otedola.

    Lawan was accused of accepting $500,000 to remove Otedola’s company’s name, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, from the list of firms indicted by the Lawan-led House committee for allegedly abusing the fuel subsidy regime in 2012.

    Their trial started under Justice Mudasiru Oniyangi. As progress was being made, the judge, as in the Akingbola case, was elevated to the Court of Appeal.

    After the loss of several months, the case was re-assigned to Justice Adebukola Banjoko on June 11, 2014.

    On November 18, 2014, Justice Banjoko surprised a packed courtroom when she announced that she was withdrawing from the case.

    Her reason: to stem an unfounded allegation that sought to impugn her integrity. The judge ordered the casefile to be returned to the FCT Chief Judge.

    The case was subsequently re-assigned to Justice Angela Otaluka.

    While the matter was before Justice Otaluka, the prosecution was getting to the end of its case having called four out of its five proposed witnesses.

    But, the Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, suddenly withdrew the case from Justice Otaluka and re-assigned it to Justice Yusuf Halilu. The Chief Judge acted on a petition filed by Lawan in March.

    Justice Halilu on October 17 dismissed an application by the Federal Government seeking the return of the case to Justice Otaluka.

    Prosecuting counsel Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) had contended in his motion that the case was transferred in violation of Section 98 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

    The prosecution said the transfer of the case to Justice Halilu on the basis of Lawan’s unproven allegations of bias against Justice Otaluka “is against the interest of justice, good governance and public opinion.”

    In a supporting affidavit deposed to by a lawyer in Awomolo’s law firm, Mr. Olamide Oyetayo, the prosecution explained that the Chief Judge refused to set up a panel to investigate the alleged bias before transferring the case to another judge.

    But, Justice Halilu held that the Chief Judge did not owe anybody any explanation for the transfer of such case, and that the law did not provide that the Chief Judge must disclose the outcome of any investigation before the transfer of a case from one judge to the other.

    Case status: Justice Halilu adjourned until today for re-arraignment.

     

    Ex-Pension director

    The trial of former Director of Pension Administration in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu and some others in relation to their alleged involvement in N4.56 billion pension scam is still pending.

    The case has been before the Federal High Court since 2011 when they were arraigned before Justice Adamu Bello.

    Upon his retirement in 2013, the case was transferred to Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

    Teidi accused Justice Ademola of bias and sought the transfer of the trial to another judge. The request was granted. The case is now before Justice Gabriel Kolawole.

    Case status: Trial ongoing

     

  • How Lagos is tackling domestic, sexual violence

    How Lagos is tackling domestic, sexual violence

    Domestic and sexual violence are twin societal vices that have ravaged humanity since the beginning of time. Unfortunately, with the passage of time, they have become increasingly more regular and widespread. The consequences, which include physical, psychological, social and health risk factors are quite devastating for both the victims and their loved ones. Available recent statistics show that -one  in three women and one  in four men experience violence from their partners in their lifetimes.

    One in three teens experience sexual or physical abuse or threats from a boyfriend or girlfriend in one year. One in five women are survivors of rape. One in two women and one  in five men have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lives. One  in four women and one in six men were sexually abused before the age of 18.

    Global and national efforts have been made at different times to tackle this menace, with minimal, but encouraging result. With specific reference to Lagos State, the trail blazer in pursuit of excellence at different fronts, various policies and laws have been put in place to provide an enabling environment for the prevention and cure of domestic and sexual violence in the state.

    One of the most recent efforts was the establishment of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) in September 2014. The team’s goal is to increase victim safety and offender responsibility by providing a cross jurisdictional approach in the handling of rape, domestic violence and child abuse cases.

    In the past three years of its existence, the DSVRT, working in collaboration with the Lagos State government and relevant non-governmental organisations, has, through its activities, not only achieved an increased reporting of domestic and sexual violence cases, but has provided succour and redress to many victims and seen to an appreciable reduction in cases of domestic and sexual violence in Lagos State.

    In a bid to share its experiences and success stories, the DSVRT has published this resource tool, which qualifies as a best practice tool for other stakeholders and responder teams within and outside the Lagos jurisdiction. This is a commendable step. It is an indication of the selfless outlook of the DSVRT towards resolving the problem of domestic and sexual violence beyond the boundaries of Lagos State.

    Overcoming Sexual and Gender-Based Violence:The Lagos State Experience, Lagos State Experience, a 143-paged resource tool, unravels Lagos State’s approach to confronting domestic and sexual violence, the various challenges faced and the innovative, but practical solutions employed to tackle the issues from the root. It contains 11 chapters, written by experts in the relevant field.

    Understanding the ideology of sexual abuse and domestic violence in Africa is key to resolving the problem. Adults are generally ignorant of the great potentials of children; they merely take a mental notice of them without a corresponding actual notice. For example, domestic violence is rooted in the culture that promotes marriage based on marriageable age rather than maturity in character, self-leadership and self-discipline. By implication, it is the peoples’ cultural values that get married and not the couple.

    The culture of silence compounds the problem, resulting in a near total  neglect, especially of children and their well-being. The solution to both sexual abuse of children and domestic violence lies in change of peoples’ orientation. Consequently, any strategy for the successful implementation of ideas regarding domestic and sexual violence must take the culture factor into consideration. One needs to read TaiwoAkinlami’s thoughtful contribution in Chapter one to fully appreciate these problems and his suggested solutions.

    Of course, there is also a psychology of domestic and sexual violence; and there are plethora of theories – developmental, feminist and self-control. There are also theories underpinning the perpetrator’s reason for victims’ abuse, among them attachment, social learning and cognitive behavioural theories.

    Whatever the theory, gender-based violence affects survivors in a variety of ways, including depression and suicidal ideations.Its impact on the child include its negative effect on the cognitive, emotional and social development. Olive Ogedengbe interrogates these issues in her rich contribution in Chapter Two, though she failed to prescribe possible solutions to the problems she outlined.

    The role of religion in addressing the menace of sexual and gender-based violence is critical. Both the Bible and Koran strongly condemn all ramifications of sexual and gender based violence as they absolutely oppose God’s plan for families. God expects couples to live in love and mutual respect for each other and to care for and properly raise their children in the confines of a loving family.

    The Church and Mosque have a responsibility to prevent the problem of sexual and gender based violence by, among other things, teaching the adherents of their faith the values and rewards of good behaviour as well as the consequences of bad behaviour as enunciated in the Bible and Koran respectively. Where cases of sexual and gender based violence occur, they should provide adequate therapy and counselling for victims. These and more are the perspectives of Pastor Fredrick Thomas and Alhaji Imam Luqman in Chapter three, which though well presented, generally assumed that domestic violence occurs only to women.

    Although SGBV is a criminal offence which is currently being addressed by the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015, a more holistic approach is required since it is not all matters of sexual and domestic violence that deserve the hammer of the law. Research has shown that many perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence have often, as children, been victims or witnesses of such acts. This, in turn, has had such negative psychological effect on such children who have now grown to be a perpetrators themselves. Such children need help, not punishment. The adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which focuses on restorative justice, as is now being done in jurisdictions such as Australia and Canada will better serve the interest of this class of perpetrators. The direct on point and very well written contribution of Mrs. Omotilewa Ibirogba in Chapter Four fully encapsulates this viewpoint.

    Policy and law are basic tools for addressing societal vices. Lagos State has characteristically deployed these tools in addressing the menace of SGBV. Chapter five of the book outlines these relevant tools and their positive impact on the resolution of SGBV in the State.

    Beyond law and policy, effective resolution of endemic vices often requires co-ordinated effort. Recognising this fact, the Lagos State government in 2014 set up the DSVRT, a collection of professional service providers and officials that respond essentially as a group to the various needs of domestic and sexual survivors in a judicious manner. The main goal DSVRT is “to encourage and create unprecedented levels of collaboration among professionals working to end gender and sexual based violence in Lagos State. In Chapter Six of the book, TitilolaVivourAdeniyi outlines the team’s vision, mission and core values as well as the roles of its wide ranging collaborating responder agencies, in addition to some success stories of the team. In a world where individualism and personal egoism hold sway, even among professional bodies and organs, which has been the bane of countless lofty ideas, this is a refreshing move.

    The DSVRT, in addressing the menace of SGBV in Lagos State, adopts a three-pronged approach – the provision of medical services; awareness and sensitisation; and quick dispensation of justice. In doing this, the team has encountered various challenges to which it has developed innovative solutions. These challenges and strategic interventions of the team are explored in details in Chapter 10 of the book. Having travelled this uncharted and challenging, but fulfilling route, the DSVRT looks into the future with a projection of its expected achievements in the next two years as a way of institutionalising its reform effort in the fight against SGBV in the closing Chapter, 11.

    The book ends with an appendix of Survivors Stories/Memoirs, graphic trends in domestic violence and worrisome current statistics on domestic and sexual violence in the various local governments and LCDAs of  Lagos State. Apposite recommendations are equally made, based on the overall analysis of the report findings.

     

    • Dr. Udombana is a Senior Research Fellow & Head, Continuing Legal Education and Consultancy, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS).

  • Man arraigned for allegedly raping girl, 14

    An aged man, Isiaka Alade, has been arraigned before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old girl (names withheld).

    Alade was arraigned before Justice Sedoten Ogunsanya on a one- count charge of child defilement contrary to section 137 Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

    According to the prosecutor, Mrs T.N. Aderiye, the defendant, who on account of his old age was allowed to sit in the dock, had between 2013 and December 2014 at 23, Baale Lawan Street, Ayobo defiled his 14-year-old victim “by having sexual intercourse with her”.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the one count charge offence preferred against him by the state government.

    The charge, which was written in English, was interpreted to the defendant in Yoruba by a court registrar.

     

  • Does EFCC ‘torture’ detainees?

    Does EFCC ‘torture’ detainees?

    Some detainees have accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of torturing them emotionally and psychologically. But, the commission has denied the allegations. JOSEPH JIBUEZE recalls two instances of such allegations against the EFCC and its strident denial.

    A former Administrative Secretary at the Kwara State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mr Christian Nwosu, was accused of receiving N30million bribe from Mrs Alison-Madueke.

    After rejecting a plea bargain agreement he earlier reached with the EFCC, Justice Idris gave Nwosu the option of changing his plea to not guilty, or accepting a heavier sentence, including N10million fine as provided in the law.

    When the defendants were re-arraigned, Nwosu changed his plea to not guilty.

    Testifying in the trial within trial to determine the truthfulness of statements he made at EFCC, Nwosu said he was induced to surrender his property.

    On how he was compelled to forfeit his property, Nwosu said: “On December 28, 2016, I was invited to EFCC. I was interviewed by Mr Moses. I  made a statement of three pages. He said his boss Mr Zakari wanted to see me. Zakari said: ‘No, you have not written what I want’, that he would not take that rubbish from me.

    “He said he had signed a detention order and that he was going to keep me in custody for as long as he wanted, that even if I brought 10 lawyers or more, they would not help me, that unless I wrote what he would dictate to me, he was going to make that place my home for a very long time.

    “At this threat, I was shaking because I had never had any encounter with the police or a cell. My entire body system collapsed. My head was aching seriously. My eyeballs were heavy as if they would fall off their sockets. My health was failing me. I pleaded with him to please allow me access to my drug in my bag at the gate. He bluntly said ‘no’.

    “He told me that Adedoyin had admitted collecting N28 million and was released; that being a senior officer, there was no way I would not have benefitted N30 million (sic). He said unless I stated that I benefitted N30 million, he would dump me in the cell. I quickly told him I benefitted. He dictated to me that I should write it; I did.”

    Nwosu said he was also forced to write that he would take the EFCC operatives to the bank to make a refund of the money he received. He said he told them he had only N5 million in his account. He said an officer and two armed policemen accompanied him to the bank where he raised a draft of N4 million and handed it over to Zakari. He said Zakari asked him to bring another draft for N1 milion, which he brought on March 15.

    He said EFCC’s prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo walked into the office and asked Zakari not to let him go, but to keep him in custody.

    “I knelt before Rotimi. He said: ‘Baba get up; I’ll only advise you to cooperate with us. He said he would not want me to go through the stress of litigation. He asked if I had landed property and cars. He said I should write out the property worth N30 million that I had. He said he would ensure that I was convicted and jailed at all cost if I didn’t cooperate,” he said.

    Nwosu said he asked to be allowed to consult with his lawyer but was told a lawyer would be provided for him to ensure his freedom.

    “I told them my wife and I have a property in Delta State and an empty plot under development. He said I should write their values. He said I should write that the money used to acquire it was the one handed to me by my former accountant and that it should be forfeited to the Federal Government. I wrote. He said I should bring the documents and picture to show the stage of the property’s development.

    “I brought the picture and handed to Zakari, who also dictated that I should write that I would forfeit them to the Federal Government, that it was from the N30 million my former accountant gave me,” he said.

    But, Head of Special Task Force at EFCC in Lagos, Usman Zakari, who also testified, said Nwosu made his statement voluntarily.

    Zakari said Nwosu gave his statement voluntarily after being cautioned and was never forced to do so. He said Nwosu also elected to make his statements without a lawyer being present.

    “He was given a bail condition to produce a surety, but he pleaded that he did not know anybody in Lagos. It was three days to new year. I took a risk and gave him bail on self-cognisance,” Zakari said.

    According to him, Nwosu also returned on March 15 and 22 and agreed to make further statements and was also cautioned. He was also granted bail on self-cognisance.

    “He was never detained until he was served with his charge sheet, because I had to produce him in court on the day of his arraignment. The statements were devoid of threat, duress or any promise whatsoever. He was never threatened or promised anything to admit to a crime,” Zakari said.

    Justice Mohamed Idris adjourned until November 2 and 15 for continuation of trial within trial.

     

    EFCC: No need to torture suspects

     

    EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu said the commission has no reason to torture suspects. He said the agency’s functions involve the use of facts and figures, which suspects are asked to explain. He denied that the commission tortures suspects in its detention centres to extract confessions. Magu said suspects who get sick are immediately taken to the commission’s clinic or referred to a hospital.

    The EFCC chairman, represented at a briefing in September last year by a Deputy Director, Mr illiyasu Kwarbai, said suspects are only detained beyond 48 hours with a court order.

    According to him, medical bills incurred by anyone in detention were borne by the commission. Suspects, he said, are fed three times daily, adding that EFCC has an open-door policy.

    “We don’t need confessional statements to gather facts and figures. We go to the banks and other places and get our facts. There is no need for us to introduce any harsh method of interrogation at all. We don’t do it,” he said.

  • Court acquits nurse of murder charge

    After four years of trial, an Ikeja high court has discharged and acquitted a 55-year-old nurse, Nkese Iroakasi, of the offence of murder.

    Justice Raliat Adebiyi pronounced Iroakasi  not guilty of the murder of her ward, Eno Bassey, aged nine.

    The court held that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

    Iroakasi was facing a charge of murdering Bassey at her residence on 7, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos at 2.30pm on July 27, 2013.

    “The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the deceased died as a result of the defendant’s action. She is hereby discharged and acquitted and shall be released forthwith from custody,” the judge held.

    During trial, the prosecution led by Mrs R.O Ahmed-Muili, had alleged  that Iroakasi set Bassey alight over an allegation that she (Bassey) stole a piece of meat.

    It was further alleged that Bassey, after being set ablaze ran outside their house into the streets with the flames on her body.

    The prosecution said the flames were doused by passersby whom she allegedly told that her boss set her alight because of theft.

    Five witnesses- a security guard, an architect who was a passerby, two police officers and a medical doctor testified during the trial.

    Iroakasi, in her defence on March 20, denied the claims of the prosecution.

    According to her, Bassey had set herself ablaze while playing with the kerosene stove in the kitchen.

    Adebiyi in her judgment, held that the evidence of the prosecution was not strong enough to secure a conviction.

  • Legal experts to examine PIGB

    Legal experts in the oil and gas industry will gather in Lagos to fashion a roadmap for effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB).

    It will hold at the Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi, from Thursday to Friday.

    Managing Director of Bromshy Communications Limited, an oil and gas legal training consultancy firm, Ms. Raqeebah Oloko, said the theme is: Petroleum Industry Bill: Its implementation a panacea for sustainable growth and self reliance.

    Other issues to be tackled include the high cost of production, price cuts, high demand of the United States shale crude, alternative sources of energy and introduction of electronic vehicles into the market, among others.

    The retreat also aims to provide petroleum industry stakeholders with a platform to rethink the legal framework for the oil and gas industry, position the industry as a global player, and ensure sustainable local utilisation and effective management of the hydrocarbon resource.