The Nation Newspaper

Category: Law

  • NBA, Egbe Amofin, others endorse EBF officers

    THE Nigerian Bar Association  (NBA), Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF)  and  Egbe Amofin have endorsed the election of new officers of the  Eastern Bar Forum ( EBF), describing the process as a model for others to follow.

    The EBF penultimate Tuesday in Calabar elected new members of its governing council  to run the affairs of the forum for the next two years. The newly elected members  are  Chairman of the Governing Council  Chief Arthur Elvis Chukwu,  Vice-Chairman, Mr. Anthony E. Okorodas,  Secretary Mr.  Paul  S .T.Ubom, and Treasurer  Mr.  Egbunonu Emmanuel.

    Others are Financial Secretary Mr. Joe K. Berebon, Publicity Secretary Georde l. Fortune, Asst. Secretary  Mr. Damian  O. Nosike while  Mr. Ogunji. C. kingsley and Augustine I. Owo.

    Third Vice President of the NBA, Mr. Ben Oji, who represented the NBA President, A. B. Mahmoud (SAN), said: “This is the EBF has been and remains at the forefront our fora. It is the most organised NBA forum, that is why  EBF was the first to be consulted when the Mid-West Bar Forum was nurtured. This is a model for others to follow, it is good in structure and almost everybody is here and every other forum is  represented here. We must not always agree, but as lawyers, we must always show leadership,” Oji said.

    In his goodwill massage, the Assistant  Secretary of the Arewa Lawyers Forum, Mr. T. T. Hyndu, said: “ This is the best election I have ever seen. We have a lot to learn from the EBF and if you  sustain this practice, then sky will be your limit.’’

    Secretary of Egbe Amofin, Mr. Ranti Ajeleti said: “We thank you for the honour done to our chairman Chief Bandele Aiku (SAN) when he changed from mortality to immortality. Ironically, it is at death that he would answer his name because  Aiku in Yoruba language means immortality,  thus he had all along borrowed the name.

    “The import of your invitation to us at this trying time of the nation’s  history is germane and we can derive a much utility value from  the meeting more than it is intended in solving our problems as a country. Initially we had one national body and  along the line our elders thought that the centre would find it difficult to man our growth.

    “As we now have 100 branches of the NBA and  if a branch is on fire, it would have burnt to ashes before Abuja could bring in its fire fighters. Our elders therefore formed  the regional bodies to take care of our peculiarities. The Eastern Bar Forum  takes  care of the East. The Arewa Lawyers Forum takes care of the North and the Egbe Amofin takes care of the west.’’

    ajeleti continued: “In fact, it is the peculiarity of the West that it calls itself  Egbe in Yoruba language. Egbe means a group union or better still league (League of nations) while. Amofin means lawyer. Thus  Egbe Amofin is the union of lawyers or league of lawyers In our own little way. Egbe Amofin has succeeded in resolving many local problems without necessarily involving the national body.’’

    “In fact, the idea behind the formation of regional bodies is reminiscent of creating a federal union where all the federating states and regions will have equal stake and each federating state will have the opportunity to develop along her peculiarities. Values and socio  economic needs.

    “Thus the divided opinion on the future of Nigeria would not have arisen if we have followed the principle of federalism as propounded by Prof. K. C. Wheare and as further amplified by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his celebrated Book ‘’Path to Nigerian freedom’’.

    ‘’Shortly before I boarded the plane to this meeting,  a friend of mine asked me what is the national question now? I pondered a little and I said I am not right. I said the national question has graduated sadly from restructuring to renegotiation of the Nigerian federation. It is regrettable that the vehicle of our nation rather than being placed in the  drive,  it is put in reverse gear. It is sad that we are more disunited today than pre- independence era, thus making nonsense of the labour of our heroes past. Like the sage Awolowo once said: “The omens are bad what role can this meeting play”.

    ‘’ I will urge you as learned colleagues to let us unite together. Let us use our knowledge of law and our regional forum to find solutions to our elites made problems. We should not contemplate going into war at all because everybody will be the looser,” Ajeleti said.

     

  • Lalong urges council committees to be prudent

    Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State, has charged  members of the State Local Government Management Committees to be prudent in the management of resources in the respective Local Governments to reflect the current economic recession in the country.

    He stated this while swearing in new members of the council management team for the 17 Local Government Areas in the State

    He said: “Your appointment was informed by the need to assemble a team of representatives from amongst our people across the Local Governments to fill in the gap that has been created with the recent dissolution of the Management Committees of the various Councils

    The underscore the underlying philosophy of our Rescue Team for a broad based participation and the ability of all stakeholders to subsume any self-serving interest for the greater good of all. This will speak volume of our togetherness and capacity to submit to true democratic ideals for the benefit of all.

    “For emphasis and good measure, it is the resolve of this administration that the unique nature of appointments of the Management Committees will deeply entrench robust party activities at the grassroots as well as mobilization of the people. All hands must therefore be on deck to ensure both the successes and sustainability of our noble objectives.

    “With the absence of elected Council Chairmen and Councilors, for which we await the conduct of election by the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), Government is concerned with the creation of representative leadership at the Local levels. This composition will guarantee inclusive governance that will guide against the existence of a vacuum in the Local Government Administration. It will also save the Local Government Service from the politicization of its bureaucracy when Civil Servants are allowed to partake in the Political Administration of the Local Government Councils.

  • ‘What young lawyers need to survive’

    Chief Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN) has urged the Nigerian Bar Association to develop a policy framework that will improve young lawyers’ welfare and equip them to compete.

    Okafor said every effort to improve and develop the legal profession must be synchronised with efforts to increase opportunities for young lawyers.

    He spoke on ‘Young lawyers in legal practice: Venturing beyond usual borders’, at the maiden edition of the NBA Young Lawyers’ Forum, Calabar branch, penultimate week Tuesday.

    Okafor said: “In recent times, the main problem of young lawyers in Nigeria has been locating opportunities for employment.

    “This in itself is not the only problem, but from time to time we need to pause and examine the efforts, means and methods by which young lawyers can engage in expanding the frontiers of legal practice, appraise their successes, challenges and failures and adapt positively especially in line with the professional circumstances and realities in Nigeria and the world today.”

    He identified the challenges facing the young lawyer playing across borders to include demand for specialisation.

    Okafor said: “There is increased demand for specialisations in areas of practice in the global legal services sector that requires multidisciplinary skills, for instance a decent knowledge of accounting and finance in order to have a basic understanding of corporate governance issues etc.

    “Law is increasingly becoming multidisciplinary in nature as a lawyer is now required to understand many socio-political issues, and happenings in other areas such as oil and gas, capital market etc.

    “This is the effect of globalisation on legal practice. The reality is therefore that a lawyer should continuously pursue skills in related fields to remain relevant and employable in today’s rather overpopulated legal landscape.”

    On the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on the young lawyer, he noted that knowledge and proficiency in ICT is a mandatory requirement in the 21st century legal marketplace.

    He said: “Clients often communicate through ICT systems and Lawyers must be in a position to access and have proficiency in utilization of ICT facilities. These include video conferencing, advanced document formats for sensitive documents etc.

    “A Nigerian lawyer and indeed any lawyer anywhere in the world must therefore be abreast of latest developments in ICT as it is a requirement for effective use of ICT systems and devices.”

    Okafor observed that the rules of professional conduct also affect the performance of the young lawyer. He said: “Every lawyer no matter how brilliant and smart must at all times bear in mind the strict rules of professional conduct for Nigerian lawyers and lawyers everywhere.

    “A high regard for ethical standards and rules of professional conduct is an absolute necessity for success in the legal profession. The legal profession places a high premium on integrity, honesty, decency, dedication and discipline all over the world. A successful lawyer must always represent the high moral values and discipline which distinguishes lawyers in the society.

    “A lawyer should act within the prescriptions of the Rules of Professional Conduct. It can never be over-emphasized that without integrity, no lawyer can succeed in the long run. Practicing across borders may throw-up ethical issues. All lawyers should be careful not to breach rules of professional conduct in discharging legal duties.”

    He advised young lawyers to deliver solutions before making demands, as “the best way to make yourself valuable is to solve problems and find innovative solutions to legal problems that you encounter in your chosen area of practice.

    “Instead of complaining, motivate yourself and constantly think of ways to solve problems. This adds    value and helps you in the long run.”

    The silk urged young lawyers to try and specialise in different areas of law.

    He said: “A lawyer is a better asset to himself and society if he can demonstrate excellent skills in a niche within the profession. It makes you significantly more valuable and gives you potential to attract more clients. If you are known as a specialist in a particular area, for instance; medical negligence cases, your value will greatly increase.

    “Take your employer’s office as your own: any aspect of legal practice is a “business enterprise”, a young lawyer must become part of the “business” and relate properly with the employer and clients. This is important in building a career and a reputation. Without owning the business and treating the “business” and clients’ right,  it will be difficult to build a reputation and            develop in your chosen area of practice.”

  • Court orders police to produce suspects on Oct. 23

    Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of the Ikeja High Court has ordered Lagos State Commissioner of Police to produce those who allegedly forged the documents of a land belonging to the Registered Trustees  of the Estate of the late Madam Efunroye Tinubu for arraignment on October 23.

    Justice Ipaye made the order following the absence of the defendants in court for their arraignment. The prosecutor was also absent.

    The police have, on three occasions, failed to produce the defendants in court.

    The defendants are Buhari Oloto, Tomori Williams, Adeyemi Adewale, Jimoh Jafar, Kunle Olajide, Chief Edward Ajayi, Adejumo Tajudeen, Abeden Akinoki, Lukeman Bakari, Junaid Akeem, Ogundele Olatunji and Alawe Adeniyi.

    The defendants are to face a three–count charge of unlawful interference of property, forcible entry and forcible possession of land belonging to the estate of late Madam Efunroye Tinubu.

    According to the charge, the defendants also unlawfully interfered with and forged  the title documents of vast expance of land belonging to the Registered Trustees of the Estate of late Madam Efunroye Tinubu located at the the Alaka area of Lagos.

    The alleged offences, according to the prosecution, were contrary to Sections 52, 53 and 338 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

    The investigating police officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)  Paul Ajayi, who was present during the proceedings, told the court that the case was filed last November 7, and that the defendants were granted administrative bail.

    Ajayi said, “My Lord, when the case was set to be prosecuted, I received a directive to transfer the original case file to Abuja and that is why the file is not before the court.

    “The file was transferred to the office of the DIG since November, 2016 and has not been returned”, he said.

    However, the judge, who queried Ajayi over the manner in which the prosecution team was handling the matter, said: “You are the ones interested in this matter and this is not the best way to carry out such duties.

    “You should communicate this information to whoever is in charge because if the file was transferred to Abuja, what then brings you before this court?

    “I’ll give you one more opportunity on the October 23 for arraignment after which the matter would be struck out”, Justice Ipaye added.

  • Akarigbo is head of 33 Remo towns, says witness

    A Sagamu High Court has been told that the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland is the head of the 33 towns that make up Remoland.

    Ekeji Asipa Odi of Isara-Remo, Chief Tunde Kalejaiye made this known while being cross examined by a counsel Muyiwa Obanewa.

    Obanewa is counsel to Prince Adetayo Odunsi, who is challenging Albert Mayungbe’s selection to the stool of Odemo of Isara-Remo by the kingmakers before Justice A.A. Babawale.

    He described Isara as one of the 33 towns that make up Remoland.

    Both Mayungbe and the third defendant, Chief Victor Awolusi, in their testimonies, said Akarigbo is the Paramount Ruler of Remoland, and not the head of the 33 Remo towns and communities.

    Kalejaiye said: “Anybody in the position of Akarigbo, the Paramount ruler of Remoland must be vast in the knowledge of the tradition and culture of Remoland”.

    Kalejaiye, who is an Inspector of Education at the Ministry of Education Zonal office in Ilaro, said the Odemo chieftaincy is regulated by a declaration, a copy of which he claimed to have seen before and affirmed  to be genuine when exhibited before the court.

    The witness claimed not to have any relationship with the first defendant despite both of them being from Igan ruling house.

    “We are related at Igan Ruling House but on the role that brought me here, we are not related”, he contended.

    Chief Kalejaiye answered in the affirmative when asked if he was aware that Isara and other Remo towns share same culture and tradition with other Yoruba towns on kingship matters.

    Obanewa further asked the witness, “in your knowledge of customs and tradition of the Yorubas which also applied to Remo, the Odis are normally not related to the kings”.

    The witness responded saying, “in Isara, you must be from a royal family before you can be an Odi”.

    On why he claimed to be acting Olotu Odibo in his deposition before the court, the witness explained that he was Ekeji Asipa Odi until after the demise of Chief Osibote.

    He said he was appointed Asipa Ekeji Odi in 2007 and that he became a king maker by the virtue of that position.

    The witness, however, could not remember a meeting of March 23, 2011 by members of Erinsiba Arolejoye ruling house to select a candidate for the Odemo stool.

    Aside from Albert Mayungbe, other defendants in the suit are: Secretary, Remo North Local Government; Oliwo of Isara, Chief Ajibowu Ogunfowodu; Apena of Isara, Chief Jimoh Soyombo; Chief Ladipo Ogunyemi; Ogbeni Odi of Isara, Chief Olajubu Osibote; Ekeji Asipa Odi, Chief Tunde Kalejaiye; Asipa Odi of Isara, Chief Owuye Logba as second to ninth defendants respectively.

    Others are Ekeji Asipa Odi of Isara, Chief Efuwape Sotikare; Olori Emo of Isara, Chief Bashiru Awoniyi; Ekeji Olori Emo of Isara, Chief Korede Ogunwole; Asipa Emo of Isara, Chief Nosiru Sodipe; Ekeji Asipa Emo, Chief Adewole Sopitan; Governor of Ogun State; Executive Council of Ogun State; the State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Local Government and the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    In his 32-point statement of claim, Prince Odunsi claimed to be a direct descendant of the late king Oyemade Mayungbe and progenitor of Erinsiba Ayoledoye Ruling House and averred that he is the one lawfully entitled to the stool of Odemo of Isara.

    But the first defendant Albert Mayungbe insisted on being a bonafide member and descendant of the Erinsiba Ayoledoye Ruling House.

    Justice Babawale adjourned the matter till November 6 for cross examination  of  the fifth defence witness.

     

  • OBJ to mediate in varsity’s law school programme suspension

    Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has promised to assist the Houdegbe North American University, Benin Republic, get re-accreditation for its Law Faculty in Nigeria.

    Accreditation for the university’s law programme was withdrawn in 2015 and its Faculty of Law suspended by the National University Commission (NUC) and the Council of Legal Education (CLE).

    Its students were subsequently barred from attending the Nigerian Law School.

    However, the management of the university, in a recent visit to Obasanjo at Abeokuta, pleaded for his intervention.

    The team led by the Chancellor President, Professor Octave Cossi Houdegbe, lamented that the disagreement had affected the morale and psychology of its Nigerian students as it has stalled their plans for the future.

    Houdegbe said: “I plead that the Council of Legal Education and the National Universities Commission accept and forgive Houdegbe North American University and its law faculty by lifting the their suspension of admission of the university’s graduates to the Law School, Abuja.”

    Obasanjo, in his response, commended the school’s management for the move taken so far at resolving the issue amicably, promising to discuss the matter with the regulatory bodies if all means of resolving it been exhausted.

    He noted that the move by the university would further strengthen good brotherliness among the ECOWAS community.

    Obasanjo said: “If at the end of seeing this process through and there is further complaint, I will appreciate your bringing it to my notice, so that I can take it up with any of the authorities, the NUC, the Law School and the Council of Legal Education, or even the three of them at the same time.”

  • Stand up for human rights, SAN urges lawyers

    Prof. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) has called on lawyers to stand up for the rights of the less privileged.

    He spoke on ‘The Role of Religious Bodies in the Dispensation of Social Justice’ at the annual dinner of the Lagos Diocese of the National Association of Catholic Layers (NACL) last Friday.

    The event was chaired by Professor Pat Utomi and anchored by TV personality Soni Irabor and Chima Ezife.

    Ajogwu  highlighted scriptural injunctions to aid the less privileged, in this case prisoners, and observed that a legal practitioner, by virtue of his profession, is in a natural position to stand up for human rights.

    He enjoined lawyers to take seriously the task of being their brother’s keepers, which is in line with the tenets of the Catholic faith, adding that Catholic lawyers are to regard their admission to the legal profession  not just as a  career, but also a vocation.

    NACL President Geraldine Wey highlighted the role of faith in the lives of Nigerians.

    She said: “One way or another, our faith is a fundamental feature of our lives as Nigerians. Now, how much this impacts positively on our relationship with our neighbour and loyalty to our nation is uncertain.

    “Our role as Catholic lawyers demands that we operate in the arena of social justice and give voice particularly to the voiceless.”

    Deputy Comptroller of the Women’s Prison, Kiri-Kiri, Mrs. Lizzy Ekpendu, called for societal change of mindset towards persons unfortunate to be in prison custody and requested more visits to the Women’s Prison.

    She said: “The Keynote Address laid the foundation for the launch of the adopt-a-prisoner project of the association.

    “By virtue of its calling, the National Association of Catholic Lawyers Lagos Archdiocese does much work in the Prisons and for this purpose has what is called the Prison Action/Pro Bono Committee.

    “From time to time they call for contributions from their members and make formal visits to any of the five prisons in Lagos State stretching from Ikoyi to Badagry.

    “The prison visits and intervention is two-fold, to take provisions to the inmates and to interview the indigent ones who have no legal representation, with a view to assisting them to litigate their matters Pro Bono.”

    She observed that so far, the Prison Action/Pro Bono Committee and a few of their members have borne the expenses.

    Ekpendu added: “The purpose of this project is to engage more volunteers and donors to contribute their resources in terms of legal services and financial support towards the association’s work in Prison Ministry.

    “It is expected that via this project, a partnership between donors and volunteers will be created for the primary purpose of providing for the legal and material welfare of prison inmates in Lagos State thereby achieving a measure of decongestion in the prisons.”

    A guest, Dr Egbert Imomoh, emphasised the need to engage stakeholders particularly the Office of the Attorney-General with a view to carrying out mass prison decongestion.

    The Chairperson of the 2017 Dinner Planning Committee Ande Egbe, expressed hope that the guests both individual and corporate, would be moved to sponsor the project.

    The event which held at the Sir Adetokunbo Ademola Hall at the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School, was reminiscent of the student days when would-be lawyers were required to eat mandatory dinners as a requirement for admission to the Bar.

  • Lawyers kick as Lagos AG discontinues $8.8m fraud case against Briton

    A GROUP of lawyers under the aegis of Centre for Law and Civil Culture has protested the decision of Lagos State Attorney-General Adeniji Kazeem to discontinue an $8.8million fraud proceedings against a Briton, Deepak Khilnan.

    Its leader, Olayinka Ola-Daniels described the group as amicus curia (friends of the court) during the resumed hearing of the case  before  Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye.

    Ola-Daniels accused the AG of failing to give any reasonable excuse why the case initiated by his predecessor in 2015, should be discontinued.

    Khilnani, a chartered accountant of Indian descent, was charged to court alongside his alleged accomplice, an Indian national, Sushil Chandra, by the state government.

    They were accused of defrauding Gree Fuels Limited of  $8, 776, 862 in 2008.

    At resumed proceedings last Thursday, Ola-Daniels  told the court that the matter was of public interest and that the Attorney-General ought not to discontinue such matter without any reason.

    He said since the police and the DPP had investigated the matter and concluded that the defendants had a case to answer and the court having issued a warrant for the defendant’s arrest on the request of the state counsel on April 3 this year, the AG cannot discontinue the case without reasonable excuse.

    He also also noted that since the case commenced in 2015, none of the defendants had appeared in court for arraignment.

    According to Ola-Daniels, the Nigerian partners of Khilnani in 2013 petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) accusing the defendants  of financial crimes.

    The petition claimed that in 2008 the complainants opened a Letter of Credit in favour of Khilnani’s firm, Gentec Energy Plc. UK, for the purchase of equipment for the local partnership.

    Based on the petition, Khilnani  was arrested by the police but granted administrative bail  with his lawyer, Chris Okunowo, standing as his surety.

    Ola-Daniels said the Briton was later arraigned before a Lagos Magistrates’ Court  on  a six-count charge under sections 323(1), 285(8), 321(1) and 312 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

    He noted that Prosecuting Inspector Stephen Molo told the court that Khilnani reportedly jumped administrative bail granted by the police and fled to the United Kingdom.

    He narrated that based on the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP)’s recommendation the AG took over the case and charged Khilnani and Chandra before the High Court in 2015 for alleged fraud.

    Earlier the prosecution team led by Akin George informed the court that the state had filed a notice of discontinuance dated June 29, 2017 after reviewing the charges against the defendants.

    George said it was  the AG’s view that there was no need to pursue the trial.

    “My Lord, we did inform this court at the last adjourned date that the Attorney-General is reviewing this matter. The outcome of this review is that the state has filed a notice of discontinuance of this trial. We pray the court to strike out this matter,” he said.

    Following his submission defence counsel, George Oguntade, (SAN), urged the court to strike out the charge against both defendants.

    Oguntade also prayed the court to strike out an earlier arrest warrant issued against them.

    Ruling, Justice Ipaye held that the statutory powers to initiate and discontinue a criminal proceeding in Lagos State lies with the Attorney-General.

    “The state represented by the Attorney-General has the absolute powers to initiate and discontinue a criminal proceeding.

    “It is not for this court to mitigate or investigate the exercise of these legitimate powers.

    “I see no reason why this charge should not be struck out. This charge is hereby struck out,” Justice Ipaye held.

    The judge also vacated the warrant issued earlier for the arrest of both defendants.

    “An order of arrest made by this court for the arrest of the defendants dated April 3, 2017 is hereby vacated. This matter is adjourned sine die,” she held.

  • ‘Illegal’ demolition: Lawyer petitions AG over DPP’s advice

    A lawyer, Tomilola Taiwo, has asked the Lagos State Attorney-General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice to review a Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advice dropping armed robbery and attempted murder allegations against a property developer, Felix Ezeamama.

    Ezeamama was remanded by Mrs Abimbola Komolafe of a Lagos Chief Magistrates’ Court last May 30, pending the DPP’s advice.

    This was after an application by the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) Panti, which accused him of armed robbery, attempted murder and unlawfully damaging a bungalow at 41, Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    But when the matter came up on July 4, Chief Magistrate Komolafe reviewed the DPP’s advice and struck out the charge.

    The advice, the court noted, stated that the facts of the case better supported a charge of illegal demolition of property, assault and stealing.

    The DPP report also queried why the complainant, Alhaja Halima Abubakar, still inhabited a federal government building four years after her retirement.

    Chief Magistrate Komolafe observed that since the High Court had already assumed jurisdiction over the case, the Magistrate Court could not go ahead with the case.

    But, Taiwo, in his petition, said police investigation showed that the complainant was lawfully allocated Flats A and B of ‘Block A bungalow’ at 41, Alfred Rewane Road and had been living there before and after her retirement as a principal accountant.

    He said the police report stated that the defendant with others now at large invaded Abubakar’s property and demolished it.

    In the process, the defendant allegedly attempted to kill Abubakar, her 91-year-old mother and also carted away £7000, $5000 and N5million as well as some jewellery.

    He urged the AG to review the facts and ensure that the perpetrators “of the heinous crime face the full wrath of the law.”

    Taiwo said: “We strongly disagree with the charge brought against the defendant as we believe there is enough evidence to warrant the addition of the charge of conspiracy and attempted murder.

    “Our client and her household have been severely traumatised by the savage attack and fear for their lives and endangered property.”

    He said Abubakar and her mother had to undergo knee surgery following the injuries they sustained during the alleged attack.

    The complainant, Alhaja Abubakar, according to Taiwo, said: “Where is the justice in this matter? I could have lost my life and that of my 91-year-old mother during the attack and yet the Justice Ministry ignored all the facts provided by the police in its investigation.”

    The letter urged the AG “to cause an urgent review into the attack and bring perpetrators of the heinous act to justice.”

  • Church’s suit for building permit adjourned till Oct 11

    A Lagos High Court has adjourned till October 11 a suit by the Incorporated Trustees of Word of Life Bible Church against the Lagos State Government over non-issuance of building permit.

    In the suit marked LD/3040/14, which is before Justice Christopher Balogun, the church claims that it is the lawful owner of Block 1, Plot 21E, Victoria Island Annex Residential Scheme in Eti Osa Local Government Area.

    It is asking the court to order the government to issue it with building permit for the land, “having paid all necessary fees assessed by the state in respect of the planned structure”.

    Joined as defendants are the Governor, Attorney-General, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Building Control Agency, Physical Planning Permit Authority and Task Force on Environmental Sanitation.

    In a March 16, 2015 statement of claim, the church, through its counsel, Kayode Bankole, averred that it acquired the property in 2003 with Certificate of Occupancy No. 68/68.199AR from Habib Nigeria Bank Ltd.

    It said it secured “an approval for change of use of the land from residential to institutional (place of worship)” via a September 7, 2004 letter and that its application for a building plan approval was “received, processed and assessed for payment of various sums of money which the claimant paid’’.