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Tag: Abubakar Mahmoud

  • NBA faults Buhari on rule of law

    *Frowns at disobedience to court orders

    The Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ) has faulted argument by President Muhammadu Buhari that National interest/security takes priority over rule of law.

    Reading the communique issued by NBA on Friday, its President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) said rule of law is supreme in every democracy.

    The communique was issued at end of NBA’s 2018 Annual General Conference being rounded off today in Abuja.

    The NBA frowned at the practice “where the Executive selects which court order to obey.”

    NBA called for a non-selective fight against corruption by the Federal Government.

    It advocated for peaceful, free and fair elections next year.

     

    …Details later.

  • DSS siege: NBA, SAN, Adegboruwa hail Osinbajo

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Tuesday praised the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for the “prompt and decisive action taken on the siege of the National Assembly”.

    NBA had earlier condemned the prevention of lawmakers from accessing the National Assembly by men of the Department of State Services (DSS).

    In a statement by its president Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), the association said: “The action taken by the Acting President has reassured Nigerians that security personnel and Nigerian armed forces are under the authority of constitutionally elected Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and would not be deployed for undemocratic purposes.

    “Whilst commending the Acting President for his courageous decision, the NBA will remain vigilant and will continue to monitor the current situation and urge our security agencies to remain faithful to their constitutional roles and responsibilities.”

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof Ernest Ojukwu, said Osinbajo’s action renews hope in democracy.

    “The immediate and unequivocal condemnation of the illegal DSS-Police siege on the National Assembly and the decisive termination of the appointment of the DSS boss by His Excellency Acting President Osinbajo have renewed great hopes that our democracy shall survive.

    Read Also: Breaking: Osinbajo sacks DSS boss

    “I am excited to be counted as a Nigerian, a lawyer and a law teacher by this example of leadership by our Acting President.

    “I urge all Nigerians, the NBA inclusive, to play more proactive roles in protecting our democracy, rule of law and human rights.

    “We should not allow a few men and women to destroy our country by their impunity,” Prof Ojukwu said.

    Activist-lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa praised the lawmakers for their vigilance.

    “The Constitution in Sections 4, 5 and 6 established the three arms of government with separate powers and functions.

    “They are to act independently and autonomously, without any interference from one arm of government in the affairs of the other.

    “The DSS and the police are all part of the executive arm of government and it is totally unconstitutional for the DSS to have invaded the premises of the National Assembly in such commando fashion, as if we are under military rule.

    “I commend the action taken by the Acting President, in due consultations with the President, I believe.

    “This should be extended to all other security and law enforcement agencies, to follow the law and observe the due process of law in all their dealings.

    “Let us never allow security operatives, to take our people for granted,” Adegboruwa said.

     

  • NBA unveils 2018 Conference logo, says 2019 elections top on agenda

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Friday in Abuja unveiled its 2018 annual general conference logo and website with a charge to lawyers to leverage on the conference to ensure the success of the 2019 elections.

    Unveiling the logo, the NBA President, Mr Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), said the 2018 conference would evolve solutions to address the current and contemporary issues affecting the country.

    Mahmoud also said that the theme for the 2018 conference, “Transition, Transmission and Sustainable Institutions”, was apt considering that the country was preparing for elections in 2019.

    “Last year’s conference had the theme “African Business: Penetrating through Institution Building”, so we are building on the theme of last year.

    Read Also: NBA to Fed Govt: stop killings

    “We are, however, trying to address the more current and more contemporary issues of transition and transformation and we are not only focusing on local transformation but global trends,” he said.

    Mahmoud said that they were expecting over 10,000 lawyers to attend the conference and urged lawyers to log onto the website and register, adding that registration would only be via online.

    Mr George Etomi, Chairman, Technical Committee for the Conference Planning, said the NBA’s annual conference was the largest gathering of lawyers in the world.

    Etomi said that they gathered to play a pivotal role in reshaping and reforming the nation by analysing burning issues and evolving possible solutions.

    He noted that the theme for the 2018 conference was carefully chosen to afford lawyers the opportunity to x-ray their role in the country and on the continent as a whole.

    According to him, being the penultimate electioneering year, the conference will afford lawyers the opportunity to set an agenda to help the country achieve successful elections.

    He said that  Ghanian President, Mr Nana Akufo-Addo is expected to give the keynote address at the conference which would hold from Aug. 26 to Aug. 30 in Abuja.

    NAN

  • Shun corruption, CJN warns SANs

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen on Thursday warned Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs)  lawyers not to dabble in corrupt practices.

    Onnoghen decried misconduct of some senior lawyers which had brought disrepute to the profession.

    He spoke in Lagos Thursday at the maiden annual lecture of the Body Of Senior Advocates Of Nigeria (BOSAN).

    Onnoghen said: “I urge you all to shun corruption and avoid all forms of misconduct, because if one is not qualified to wear silk as a judicial officer, he remains unqualified to wear same as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.”

    Guests at the event included retired Supreme Court Justice, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Chief Bayo Ojo, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Abubakar Mahmoud, first female SAN Chief ‘Folake Solanke among others.

    The CJN berated SANs who disrespect judges, advising them to change their ways.

    Read Also: CJN urges new Justices to be courageous

    He said: “We feel so big, in fact, the way some of you address the Bench, you look down on the judges. Yes, it’s the truth. Let’s talk to each other man to man. You look down on the judges.

    “…because you have continued in private practice – some branched out – and you become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, you think by virtue of that of that position, the other one no longer has any grey matter in his head. I don’t think you are thinking right. No, it can’t be so.”

    According to him judges, particularly at the Supreme Court level, were nearly being worked to death.

    Onnoghen said: “Look at the job of a judge, particularly with political matters all over: nobody wants to do justice to his fellow human being except it goes to court. Even when it gets to court, you are not ready to accept what the court says, whatever the court says, it must have been compromised one way or another.

    “So, you create these problems and we are there, like these election matters, they have started already, pre-election matters, disputes about (party) congresses all over the place. Good! They will come back to the judicial officer and we’ll work, like at the Supreme Court, we work and we’re almost dropping dead.”

  • NBA inaugurates conference team

    Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) has inaugurated the Technical Committee for Conference Planning (TCCP) for this year’s NBA Annual General Conference (AGC).

    The 30-member committee is chaired by Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi (SAN).

    Former Defence Minister Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN) is the Alternate Chairman; Ramatu Umar Bako is the Secretary.

    Mahmoud urged the committee to lift this year’s conference above the landmark standard  of last year’s edition held in Lagos.

    He reminded the committee that the world was watching, and that the only way to go was to take NBA AGC to greater heights.

    He said:  “This year’s theme will focus on institution-building, relating more to challenges facing the country. We want to face the theme of institution building which we feel is more germane and critical to the challenges facing the country.

    “The committee will be working on thematic areas of the conference, to attract resource persons all over the globe.

    “It is well to known that American Bar Association has indicated interest to work with us for the Conference as well as the British/Nigeria Bar Forum.”

    Prof Ajayi thanked Mahmoud for giving the committee members the privilege to serve and assured him that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.

    Other members of the committee are: Chief Ogwo James  Onaja (SAN),  Bisi Soyebeo (SAN),  Olasupo Shasore (SAN), A. A. Akinkunmi, Muritala Abdul-Rasheed, Hafsat Lawal, Yusuf Abdullah AbdulKadir,   Mrs. Funmi Roberts, Akin Ajibola, Bello Aminu Abdullah, Mrs. Mfon Usoro, Emeka Obegolu, Steve Emelize, Sagir Gezawa, Princess Frank-Chuwuani, Mohammad Tsav , Aisha Ado Abdullah, Adesina Adegbite, Ummahani Amin, Wada S. Wada, Anulika Osuigwe, Paulyn Abuleme, Hauwa Yakubu,  Mohammed Wahab, Inna Ali Member and Dolapo Okunniga.

    On his expectation, Mahmoud said: “The expectation is that we will build on the successes of last years’ conference which has been acknowledged to be one of the best in the history of the association.

    “So, we will give them all the necessary assistance to make sure they deliver another world class conference.”

    Prof Ajayi said there would be improvements in this year’s conference.

    “I feel very happy because it is the beginning of a greater future, for not just for NBA but for the re-emergence of Nigeria as the true leader of the black world,” he said.

    On the improvements to expect this year, he said: “The improvements will be outstanding and will be for the sight to behold.”

    On his advice to lawyers, the Senior Advocate said:”We must remember that we are privileged members of the society with a lot of rights under the law. We are the oldest profession in the country, the foremost profession in the country.

    “So, there is great responsibility upon us and we must take our profession with all sense of responsibility to make sure that there is rule of law in Nigeria in all its ramifications.”

  • FG’s anti-corruption strategy defective – NBA

    FG’s anti-corruption strategy defective – NBA

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has faulted the current anti-corruption strategy of the Federal Government.

    It suggested an urgent review, with attention directed at strengthening existing investigating and prosecuting agencies.

    The group expressed worry that over eight months after some judges were suspended for misconduct, no major progress has been made by the investigating agency.

    It called for the discontinuance of such investigations to enable the affected judge resume their official duties.

    NBA President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), stated these in Abuja on Monday.

    He said: “It is no longer news that there is endemic corruption in Nigeria. The issue is how we are fighting it.

    “While the current efforts by anti-corruption agencies are commendable, it is important to note that the present framework, which is in place for anti-corruption crusade, is defective in structure and does not make for effectiveness of these agencies.

    “The NBA still believes that a lot needs to be done in improving the general institutional framework for the fight against corruption.

    “Though some successes have been recorded especially following the whistle blowing policy of the government, yet it must be remembered that reliance on this whistle blowing itself is a signal to the overall weakness of policing and anti-crime agencies.

    “The NBA therefore calls for more investment in the development of the capacity of anti-corruption agencies. The NBA also calls for greater demonstration of commitment and synergy between the various branches of government.

    “As it is, there is clear dissonance between the executive and legislative branches. A situation where the branches of government are unable to agree on the leadership of a key agency of government such as the EFCC is not only unfortunate but highly regrettable.

    “This exposes our country to ridicule and questions the commitment of our leaders to the fight against corruption. We call on both the legislature and executive branches to as matter of urgency address the lingering issue of the leadership of the EFCC.

    “The NBA also calls on all agencies of government involved in the criminal justice sector to demonstrate a greater level of cooperation and synergy.”

     

  • ‘NBA not in contempt of court’

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) leadership is not in contempt of court by refusing to vacate office following a Federal High Court judgment nullifying the association’s constitution, its president, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), has said.

    Justice John Tsoho declared the association’s 2015 amended constitution illegal for non-compliance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and for not being registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

    The judge granted the plaintiff’s reliefs, including an injunction restraining NBA and its officers from conducting the association’s affairs on the basis of the constitution.

    Mahmoud said the leadership was aware of the judgment which nullified all NBA constitutions since 2001 and had engaged with members and NBA trustees on the way forward.

    He said the association has appealed the judgment and asked for a stay of execution, adding that further meeting would be held with the trustees “to discuss the judgment and find a way around it.”

    The NBA president spoke in Lagos at a briefing on the inauguration of a Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) for the association’s Annual General Conference to be held from August 25 to 31 at Eko Hotel and Suites and at other venues in Lagos.

    Mahmoud said: “In the meantime, the Bar association has appealed that judgment and there is also an application to set it aside on the ground that the action was improperly constituted, the plaintiff having sued the wrong parties.

    “We think this is very disruptive and we shouldn’t allow it to distract us from what we were doing.

    “We understand the need to respect court judgments, but we have been advised that once we have filed an application for stay, we’ll not be technically in contempt of that judgment.

    “There is also another judgment which was brought to my attention which says exactly the opposite about the NBA constitution. These are part of the challenges which I think we should be able to overcome.

    “Hopefully we should build enough consensuses in the Bar to address these challenges.”