The Nation Newspaper

Category: Law

  • NBA: military must respect human rights

    NBA: military must respect human rights

    There have been allegations of rights abuses by the army in the war against terrorism. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has, therefore, held a workshop on human rights for the military, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA

    There have been allegations, mainly from bodies like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, including the United States’ Department of State that military and security forces in Nigeria engaged in counter terrorism have violated huiman rights guaranteed under national and international laws.

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), therefore, resolved to organise a workshop for the military to create awareness on the need to respect human rights during conflicts.

    The workshop titled: Human  rights in times of conflict, was held at 7 Division Maimalari Barracks, Baga Road, Maiduguri. It attracted legal practitioners of repute and senior military officers, including the Attorney-General of the Federation and minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami(SAN); Chief Judge of Borno State, Justice Kashim Zannah; state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Kahim Shehu Lawani; former Attorney General, Ekiti State, Olawale Fapohunda, Life Benchers including Ibrahim Mark, Joe Gadzama(SAN), A.B. Mahmud(SAN), Dele Oye, Gen. I.O. Alli, Gen. Y.M.A. Abubakar and Gen. A.B. Abubakar, among others.

    NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN) described the issue of human rights abuse as very sensitive and one that should be adequately handled.

    He emphasised the need for soldiers to ensure that they do not breach any law or international statutues to which Nigeria is a signatory.

    He stressed that the NBA would continue to stand firm in advocating for and observance of the rule of law in the country.

    Alegeh reiterated the association’s commitment to collaborate with governmentto ensure that issues of human rights abuse are tackled on all fronts and offenders are prosecuted accordingly.

    Chairman, Planning committee of the workshop, Emeka Obegolu wondered whether the fight against terrorism is being conducted within the ambit of the law

    “By law, we mean the Constitution and the Terrorism Prevention Act 2011, and of course International obligations of Nigeria with particular reference to the United Nations General Assembly affirmation that all states must ensure that any measure taken to combat terrorism complies with their obligation under international law, in particular International human rights, refugee and humanitarian law,” he said.

    The Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lt. General Tukur Yusufu Buratai said that the military has always conducted its counter insurgency operation against Boko Haram within the confines of the Rules of Engagement (ROE) which encompasses human rights.

    He assured that the Nigerian Army would continue to ensure observance of human rights, uphold and promote the rule of lawý in particular.

    General Buratai said the Nigerian Army is no longer a haven for violators of  human rights, stressing that since he assumed office, investigations have always been conducted on any allegation or petition against any member of the Army.

    He pointed out that the military will ensure that human rights of civilians and those involved in the hostilities in the on-going counter insurgency operation against Boko Haram are respected.

    He disclosed that the International Community of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC) have been on hand to train Nigerian Army contingents that are to be inducted into peace keeping operations while its officers are sent to courses at home and abroad yearly in order to update them on the issue of human rights.

    Former Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, who delivered the keynote address, emphasised that “by training all Armed Forces, including Nigerian armed force are obliged to comply with the basic tenets of protection of human and humanitarian rights in all conflict situations. If they commit abuse of human rights whilst engaging insurgents, appropriate disciplinary options are open to the leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Nigerian State has a duty to bring such member(s) of the military to book”.

    Prince Kayode said even if Boko Haram has no respect for human rights, the Nigerian state and its agents must comply with the principles of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.

    ”It is the duty of the Nigerian State and all of us to ensure that the human rights of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of this conflict, and who are now refugees or Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), are protected,” he said.

    Kayode, therefore, emphasised the need for  intelligence, dedicated and specialised training and moderation,  to help avoid mass casualties that may be termed genocide or war crimes or human rights violations.  To avoid criminal sanctions at the international level, he stressed that it is better and indeed mandatory for the military to respect human rights.

    The former Attorney-General of the Federation/Ministry for Justice also emphasised the need to review the operations of the civilian JTF in the fight against Boko Haram so that they do not become another monster on the country in the future.

    “We all agree that unless properly thought out vigilantes may exacerbate to an insurgency or other anti state activities. The need for vigilantes to observe human rights is also very important and there could be criminal and civil consequences for actions which violate these rights.

    He said the government should also ensure that state-supported groups like the CJTF are not used for political purposes.

    Borno State Governor, Kashim Shetima, who was represented by the Attorney General, Kashim Lawani, disclosed that his administration has concluded plans to set up a law reform commission next year with a view to addressing modern trends in the protection of human rights.

    Shetima saiýd his government has already established the department of citizens right in the Ministry of Justice to strengthen the office of the Attorney General to handle cases of abuses of human rights.

    He said in addition the the state alongside other I8 states in the northern Nigeria ýare actively engaged in reviewing the Penal Code and explore all legitimate means to strengthen their legal system with the primary aim of protecting the rights of the citizens among others.

  • Anambra High Court burgled

    YeT-to-be-identified persons penultimate Saturday burgled the Otuocha High Court in Anaocha Local Government of Anambra State.

    The Assistant  Chief Registrar of the Court, Nwuba Charity, said: “Some offices and  Chambers of Court No. 2,  its Secretary’s office, the Asst. Chief Registrar’s Office and file room for Court No. 1 were burgled by thieves on the night of  January 2.

    “When I came to the office early in the morning of January 4, upon resumption of work following the recent suspension of Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) strike, I went round the offices  and found out that Court 2 chamber’s back window was forcibly opened, the iron burglary proof broken, files and papers were scattered in the chambers

    “At the Secretary’s office, I found out that the iron burglary proofs were damaged and the window open, the room was turned upside down

    “My office louvers were removed and carefully packed, the iron burglary proof and louvers were all removed leaving the windows open and unsecured.  The chairs inside my office  were turned upside down, the room littered with loose documents from files, administrative files and staff personal files, materials etc and my fridge left open.  At present,  it is difficult for me to find out if any document or anything is missing.

    “At Court No. 1 file room,  I found that some files were scattered but they key to the room was safely locked.  Nevertheless,  I also found out that the padlock was tampered with.

    “ I summoned all the security men in the office to find out what happened but I was not satisfied with their responses, I  took photographs of the affected areas and  reported  the matter to the police at the Central Police Station, Otuocha for investigation and necessary action. The Police came to the scene and saw things for themselves and also took photographs.  The security men were summoned to the Police Station by the police for investigation and interrogations”

    The Divisional Police Officer for Otuocha  Central Police Station could not be reached at press time as his mobile telephone number remained switched off.

     

     

     

  • ‘Judiciary risks loss of credibility through conflicting judgments’

    ‘Judiciary risks loss of credibility through conflicting judgments’

    Activist-lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has warned that the judiciary could lose credibility if election petition and appeal tribunals continue to give conflicting judgments.

    He urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmoud Mohammed, to intervene to save the judiciary from imminent loss of integrity and respect.

    “The judiciary ought to have graduated to the extent that there must be a coordinating unit monitoring the decisions of the tribunals to avoid these inconsistencies because these judgments belong to Nigeria.

    “Once we begin to see contrary decisions and inconsistencies most especially when different parties are involved, then people are bound to read meanings even though there are no undercurrents,” Adegboruwa said.

    He said the Supreme Court can set a precedent by correcting what he described as the confusion created by the tribunal judgments in the cases of Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Taraba states.

    According to him, there is an impression that different standards of judgment exist for different people, political parties and interests.

    “In the case of Rivers State for instance, a serving judge, Justice Muazu Pindigi, who was the first judge to head the Rivers State Elections Petition Tribunal, made an allegation that he was approached to decide the election petition in a particular way and that he declined the offer. Justice Pindigi’s panel was dissolved abruptly.

    “We cannot sit by and accept such political influence of the judiciary by politicians. And it is not surprising, therefore, that the tribunal in Rivers State proceeded to nullify the elections of virtually all House of Assembly and House of Representatives members as well as Senators and eventually that of the governor. That is unacceptable.

    “It is pertinent to caution the ruling party against this seemly attitude of ‘I must take it all’. The reason why I am saying this is because we are fighting corruption. And in doing so, we must be aware that there is moral and financial corruption. If you will win the battle against corruption, you must win the battle against moral corruption.

    “It is not possible to succeed in influencing the minds of judges and expect to win the battle against corruption. Because if we are to go by what Justice Pindigi said, then APC has a lot of questions to answer in respect of certain verdicts,” Adegboruwa said.

    The lawyer said the CJN should intervene because the verdicts run contrary to existing judgments of the Supreme Court on similar facts, adding that there should be a settled principle of law in relation to election petitions, as it is in land, matrimonial, chieftaincy cases, among others.

    “I call on the President and his ruling party not to give the impression of seeking a one party state at all costs. Let there be a viable opposition, as was the case under Goodluck Jonathan, which was what led to the defeat of an incumbent president by the opposition,” he said.

    For the corruption battle to be won, Adegboruwa said the judiciary must also be well funded.

    “The judiciary has been a bridge linking one government to another and the only permanent structure that has kept the country together. But go to the judges and see what they are going through, you will pity them. There are judges in Lagos State who drive themselves. No personal driver, no personal assistants, and with very poor office facilities. Salaries are delayed and in most cases they are overworked.

    “It is like the executive arm of government is frustrating the judiciary. The judiciary is the one that will check the excesses of the executive and that is why there is frustration. There was a particular judge, who, during his retirement ceremony, said: ‘I am retiring today, but don’t have a house to retired to’. This is amazing and bad.

    “But having said these, there are bad eggs among judges. We need to save our judiciary. The Supreme Court should do something to take the judiciary away from politics. The responsibility of the judiciary must be limited to only righting perceived wrongs. The judiciary must decide cases for Nigeria because they will become precedents tomorrow.”

    The lawyer said the fight against graft must not be seen to be selective. “There is no way anybody can tell me that all these All Progressives Congress (APC) politicians are saints. A regime of vengeance will not move the country anywhere,” he said.

    On his expectations of President Muhammadu Buhari, Adegboruwa said: “President Buhari should know that whatever happened to his government today, he will bear the responsibility and not any other person. I believe in him and his ability, but he should assert himself now and be the Buhari that we all voted for and bring the change we all expect in this country.

    “And there should be consistency in policies, not what we are having now that the president will say oil subsidy will be removed by January 2016 and the minister will say something to the contrary. It is also shocking to note that up till now, there is no policy to improve power supply.

    “If I say am going to produce 5000 megawatt during my term, the way I will judge you is you must produce part of that in the first year of your reign. Again, there are no policies on law reforms, aviation, transportation. So what is the president working on? None!.

    “We love President Buhari and his sterling qualities but this is not taking us anywhere. Nigerians want him to succeed. And I am sorry to say, he should wake up.”

  • ‘Stop addressing yourselves as barristers’

    Legal luminary, Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson (SAN) has taken a swipe at lawyers who  address themselves as barristers.

    Benson, who retired from active legal practice after 50 years at the Bar, said it was wrong for lawyers to call themselves barristers.

    He spoke at the dedication of the new Law Office of former Ikorodu branch Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Anthony Ebeh, in Ikorodu.

    He said lawyers would earn more respect when they address themselves as ‘misters and misses’.

    Chief Benson, who arrived the new law office promptly, also lectured the young and upcoming lawyers on the importance of keeping to time, saying that they would be well respected by their clients if they have respect for time.

    He praised Ebeh for putting up the new structure  and for laying a good precedence for other lawyers in the ancient town to emulate.

    Former NBA General Secretary, Dele Adesina (SAN), who reminiscenced about a lawyer who lost a big client because he operared from a dingy office to a colleague whose office had a better ambience, urged other lawyers to emulate Ebeh and set up befitting offices.

    Adesina, who  said he learnt a good lesson from that incident, stressed the need for upcoming lawyers to have their own chamber and ensure that it is befitting enough to behold.

    The learned silk said it took the Spirit of God to make Ebeh to deliver the edifice that would henceforth serve as his chamber.

    Justice Peter Affen of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who said Ebeh was his school mate at the universityý remarked that the completion of the building was an indication that Ebeh was getting somewhere.

    Ebeh said he was inspired to put the building by some judges and senior lawyers like Justice Peter Affen of the Federal High Court, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja,  Dele Adesina (SAN), Chief Benson(SAN), Layi Babatunde (SAN) among others adding that he often shared his thoughts with them in  private discussion.

    The former Ikorodu NBA chairman said that it took divine intervention for him to be able to complete the law office. He said he would continue to develop the chamber until it becomes a world class law office and asked for prayers from his colleagues to achieve the feat.

    Other dignitaries at the ceremony included Layi Babatunde (SAN), Pastor and Mrs. Olusegun Osunsan, Publisher Oriwu Sun, Chief Monzor Olowosago and wife Abiodun, Pastor Darlington Osobase, Chairman, NBA Ikeja, Yinka Farounbi, former Secretary, NBA Ikeja Adesina Adegbite, former Ikeja NBA Vice chairman Adesina Ogunlana, former chairmen, NBA Ikorodu, Prince kazeem Adebanjo and Said Shillings among others.

  • Firm rewards lawyers

    The law firm of J-K Gadzama LLP has honoured  some  lawyers who distinguished themselves in the chambers.

    The awards were presented during a Christmas  Carol organised by the law firm for its staff, clients and friends. The Abuja International Choir entertained guests at the ceremony.

    Yemta Ali received the long- service award  for being longest serving counsel while Sunday Dzarma  received the  long-service award  for support staff  as  the longest serving support staff in the firm.

    Darlinghton Onyekwere received the  merit award as most dedicated and hardworking counsel in chambers.

    Nura Sani won the merit award  for being the most dedicated and hardworking support staff. The awardees received a month’s salary as prize. Other awardees include: Mr. Tajudeen Ayeni who came first in the Table Tennis Champion (Male Category); Miss  Rachel Nsefik-Eyo who came first in  Table Tennis Championship (Female Category).

    Others are Jacob Ogiri Ajene (First runner-up, Table Tennis, male category) and Miss Stephanie Ere Tobi (First Runner-Up, Female Category).

     

     

  • N8b scam: Group seeks detainees’ release

    A socio-political group, Southwest Youth Front (SYF, has petitioned the National Human Right Commission (NHRC) and the National Assembly over the continued detention of staff of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) for seven months over their involvement in the N8 billion currency fraud.

    The group said it was an infringement on the fundamental human rights of the detainees not to be granted bail whereas some others whom were charged with them have since gone home.

    At least six top officials of the CBN and 16 other workers of commercial banks were arrested last May for the alleged massive fraud.

    The suspects were arrested by the EFCC for stealing and putting into circulation defaced and mutilated Nigerian currency notes to the tune of N8 billion.

    But a statement by its Chairman, Comrade Kehinde Bello and its Secretary, Comrade Segun Adio, SYF wondered why five out of the suspects that were alleged to have committed the same crime were granted bail, while the remaining 16 were still languishing in Agodi prison custody awaiting trail.

    He said: “We believe as a group that it’s an infringement on their fundamental human right. Is it that their continuous detention was because they are from Southwest Nigeria? They are yet to be convicted and we taught it wise that they deserve bail, because the offence is bailable.

    “The alleged suspects are suffering and rotting in jail because their health is deteriorating, while their family are been threatened and harassed by the EFCC Some have been dismissed from work and have been no means of livelihood again.’’

  • Businessmen sue lawyer, others for alleged libel

    Two businessmen, Ola Rosiji and Anil Ahluwalia, have filed a N520 million libel suit against a Lagos lawyer, Chief Chris Okunowo and a news medium over an alleged libelous publication.

    The plaintiffs are claiming N500 million damages and N20 million as legal cost.

    They also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, whether by themselves, servants or privies from further publishing the libelous material.

    The claimants said they were allegedly defamed by a publication titled: $8.8bn fraud: lawyer faults Briton’s extradition plan.

    They claimed that the publication was malicious, extremely offensive and calculated to disparage their image, integrity and business.

    According to them, sometime in 2007, they formed Green Fuels Limited (GFL) as a joint venture between them (Rosiji, Ahluwalia), Comcraft Group and Mr. Deepak Khinani (a Briton).

    They said GFL was formed on October 9, 2007 with an authorised share capital of N10,000,000.00 to engage in the business of supplying compressed natural gas to industries in areas where piped natural gas is not available.

    The claimants said they were the initial subscribers of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of GFL and equally held 1,250,000 units of shares, while Khilnani ran GFL’s affairs.

    They said the board, on January 20, 2010, increased GFL’s share capital to 150 million ordinary shares and re-allotted with 75 percent of the shares to IEAL (one of Khilnani’s companies).

    They alleged that while Khilnani’s oversaw the affairs of GFL, the company had business dealings and transactions with IEAL, Gentec and CNGT (all owned by Khilnani).

    The plaintiffs said they later discovered that Khilnani allegedly defrauded GFL of huge sums of money. They reported to the police, which filed criminal charges against him.

    Okunowo had denied that Khilnani, charged with $ 8.8m fraud before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, jumped police administrative bail or absconded.

    He said his client was a foreigner doing legitimate business in Nigeria, adding that the insinuation that Khilnani might be extradited to Nigeria to face trial was misconceived.

     

  • Ex-worker sues firm for alleged wrongful dismissal

    A former employee of Buhler Limited has sued  the company for alleged wrongful dismissal after working for them for 13 years.

    Buhler Ltd and Buhler Holdings A.G are the first and second defendants in the suit before Justice Mohammed Yinusa of the Federal High court in Lagos.

    The plaintiff, Rotimi Salako, claimed that he was employed in the United Kingdom in 2002 as a store person by a company Buhler-Sortex a subsidiary of the second defendant.

    Salako also claimed that he rose through the ranks over the years through promotions to the position of the Applications specialist (grain specialist).

    Salako also claimed that he has dual citizenship that he is a British and Nigerian citizen and his primary place of residence with his family is the United Kingdom.

    The plaintiff averred that on July 1, 2013, he was deployed by Buhler Group to Nigeria as an expatriate with the designation as an Area Sales Manager to come and set up and build the second defendant’s company in Nigeria with a salary package of $68,000 per annum.

    He also claimed that he rented an office in Lagos, hired staff and he was designated to be the Managing Director of the first defendant.

    Salako claimed that on 24 November 2014, he received a letter of termination of contract from two of the Directors of the company, Andreas Fluckiger and Roman Sonderegger both Swiss nationals.

    The plaintiff however claimed that being a Managing Director of the company, he did not receive any notice of writing of the meeting where the decision to terminate his contract was made.

    He further averred that some of the problems that he started having within the company was with some other expatriate staff, claiming that the Swiss nationals were apprehensive that he would become privy to the inner workings of the Buhler Group in Nigeria and their modus operandi of doing business.

    He also added that under the British law when a company makes a staff of over 12 years redundant, some redundancy payments should be made to the laid off staff.

    Salako, however, averred that his contract was terminated wrongfully and unlawfully and is therefore urging the court to grant an order that defendant’s board of Directors cannot lawfully hold a meeting about the termination of his contract without giving him a notice.

    He asked the court for an order for the payment of N100 million by the defendants for service rendered as a Director and a Managing Director.

    He is also asking the defendant for £14,250  being the redundancy payments for the 13 years of service for the second defendant.

    The matter has been adjourned till February 10 for hearing.

  • Alegeh: why NBA has not prosecuted fake lawyers

    Although the Stamp and Seal policy of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has thrown up a large number of  fake lawyers in the branches across the country, the association has not been able to  begin criminal proceedings against those found not to be genuine lawyers in the court of law.

    NBA President, Augustine Alegeh  disclosed last week during a meeting held in Lagos with judicial editors to mark the end of the year 2015.

    Alegeh said the over 1,000 fake lawyers were discovered when they applied to be issued with the instruments and the secretariat could not find their names in the roll call of lawyers at the Supreme Court.

    He explained that the fake lawyers would not have been discovered if their application for the Stamp and Seal had come through the branch executives, especially since some of the fake lawyers happened to have been actively involved in NBA activities and have always paid their practice fee and others as and when due.

    While admitting that what the fake lawyers did amounted to criminal acts, the NBA President lamented that the association has not been able to begin  criminal proceedings against them because  the executives  were still trying to clear the challenges created by the judgement  of the Supreme Court on the new policy.

    He denied claims that the apex court judgement on the new policy was conflicting, explaining that what the second judgement of the court did was to confirm the earlier one and to give further clarification to the judgement.

    He however, assured that all those discovered to be fake lawyers would not go scot free but would be made to face criminal proceedings in the court, even after he must have left office in August.

    He said his successor would have to cue into his vision and go ahead with the process of prosecution especially since the Supreme Court has bought into the Stamp and Seal policy of the NBA by making it mandatory that all pages of applications and other processes must bear the seal of the legal practitioner who filed them.

    Alegeh disclosed that stakeholders in justice sector are already holding various meetings to review the 46 bills passed by the 7th National Assembly on the eve of their departure in May last year.

    He said stakeholders will work on the different areas of the bills, after which they would be represented to the new Senate for their deliberation and passage before they would be presented to President Muhammadu  Buhari to assent his signature.

    The NBA president explained that the meeting of the stakeholders became necessary because it would be illegal and unconstitutional for the sitting president to assent to bills that were passed under the former president.

    He said for instance that stakeholders have already held a meeting on the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2015 which according to contained a lot of flaws and duplicated some offences.

    He said the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) was controversial because there are many versions of the bill prepared by different interest groups as against what is contained in the original bill.

    He berated senior lawyers who have taken to commenting on their cases that are on-going in the court,  pointing out that the NBA would henceforth view such conduct as an offence.

    “We would prefer that senior lawyers don’t speak on their on-going cases in court on the television. If at all they must do it, they must first de-robe before they can discuss the matter in general terms without going into submissions made inside the court”, he emphasised.

     

     

     

  • Tribute to Joe Igunbor

    Tribute to Joe Igunbor

    African Bar Association (AFBA) president Hannibal Uwaifo pays tribute to a true Bar man, the late Jonathan Nofe Igunbor

    To live in the hearts of those we love is not to die.

    To the old rugged cross I will ever be true. Its share and reproach I gladly bear. Then he’ll call me some day to a home far away, where His glory I will forever share.

    The difficulty of extolling a man becomes very apparent in choosing befitting words to accurately capture the essence of any one’s life. It is even more difficult when the man is unassuming and simply simple.

    Joe Igunbor, Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.  One of the leaders of the African Bar Association passed on on December 23, 2015. He was 56.

    While alive Joe Igunbor played his role in the affairs of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and in the process acquired a political family with whom he was true to the end.

    Joe as we fondly called him was not a traitor; he never betrayed the cause of professional politics within his circle of friends and never over-reached anyone.

    Joe was very intelligent, unassuming and humble to a fault.

    His amiable disposition to everything about life belies his unbelievable eloquence, oratory and orderly presentation of legal arguments.

    He loved the legal profession and he showed it by his quick and persuasive intervention in legal matters and issues of national discourse.

    He loved the NBA by the resilient ways he joined friends of the same belief to work for the resuscitation of the NBA after the Port-Harcourt fiasco.

    At the level of the African Bar Association (AFBA), Joe was one of his oldest members and recently offered variety of advice on the AFBA rebirth, after what he described as an unbelievable long lull in its activities.

    Joe was a true friend, a true bar man and an easy going and loving family man.

    Joe in one of his moments of poetic disposition showed his hidden thoughts; “I have lived long enough to know the truth and to separate white from  black, joy from sadness, riches from rags.

    I know true friends from fair weather friends.

    I have gone so far with friends and colleagues that I can only vouch for a few with certainty  in most cases I don’t know which one to trust, friend today, enemy tomorrow”.

    Joe was always content with what he had,  and never vengeful in his response to betrayal or disappointment.

    Joe taught us lessons in humility. Joe taught us lessons of love, forbearing and forgiveness. Joe taught us to know that the sun shines on everyone no matter the status, creed or accent.

    This gentleman taught simplicity. This Edo man taught detribalisation, this lawyer taught us that life is not how much you acquire but how much you live in the hearts of others. This legal guru taught us what justice means, giving to others that we might have.

    We beg God almighty to forgive Joe his many failings like all of us and prepare a place for him in his eternal Grace.

    Rest in solemn peace Mighty Joe.

    Adios brother, Adieu gentle heart, Rest in peace Great Son of African law, Goodnight and goodbye.