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Tag: African Bar

  • African Bar demands probe of Customs officer for man’s death

    The African Bar Association (AfBA) has condemned the killing of a citizen by an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service around Sagamu area, Ogun State Nigeria, on February 17.

    In the video of the shooting that trended on social media, the lifeless body of the deceased could be seen on the ground, with blood around the neck areas.

    The Customs Service claimed to be preventing anti-smuggling, leading to accidental discharge.

    It claimed that the victim is an errand boy who served Customs officers when they retire home.

    AfBA, in a statement by its Justice Sector Reform Commission Chairman Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, urged the Federal Government to investigation the shooting.

    The statement reads in part: “Whether as an errand boy or a traveler, the victim did not deserve to die by summary execution, as has happened in this case.

    “AFBA recalls that Nigeria is a signatory to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which has been domesticated as part of its municipal laws and recognized by the Supreme Court of Nigeria as an enforceable legislation.

    “Article 4 of the African Charter provides as follows: ‘Human beings are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of this right.’

    “The shooting of Citizen Godwin by the Customs men amounts to summary execution and it is a cause for worry, especially in a country where the misuse of firearms by security personnel has been on the increase.

    “AFBA urges a thorough investigation of this event by the government of Nigeria and the African Union, and if there is an established violation of the African Charter or any other municipal legislation by this misconduct, it should be addressed squarely and the perpetrators brought to justice.

    “In this regard, AFBA will inaugurate an independent Commission of Inquiry into this incidence where the Nigerian government fails to act decisively.

    “The narratives of the Customs on this unfortunate occurrence raised too many ambiguities and posed more questions than answers, given the graphic video recording of the event, the venue of the incident and the sequence of occurrences.

    “Human life should be precious to all security agencies bearing arms and government owes it as a sacred responsibility to properly train and educate all security personnel on the rules of engagement in relation to the use of arms in non-combat situations, in order to minimize casualties to innocent civilians.”

     

  •  African Bar to hold conference in Port Harcourt

    The African Bar Association (AFBA) has assured lawyers of a world-class international conference in Port Harcourt in August.

    Its President Mr. Hannibal Uwaifo said no no fewer than 2,500 lawyers are expected.

    He said judicial officers, lawmakers, businessmen and women, captains of industry and diverse interest groups from the continent and across the world.

    He said: “On behalf of the African Bar Association, we respectfully invite Nigerian lawyers to the 2017 Annual Conference of the Association holding in Port Harcourt, South Nigeria from August 6 to 10, 2017.”

    The theme is: Overcoming the legal challenges of doing business in Africa.

    Immediate past President of the Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Jakaya M. Kikwete, will be the keynote speaker.

    “The Annual Conference  provides a unique opportunity to meet and network with diverse Participants from all walks of life in Africa and across the globe and will focus on sectors relating to legal practice, cross boarder practice, immigration, cybercrime, economics, politics, governance, professional Etiquette, Environ-ment.

    “There will be Showcase Sessions and the African Business Roundtable where eminent African Business-men and Women will chart a veritable course for doing business in Africa the Legal way.

    “The conference will also deal with e-commerce, women, children and minority rights,” Uwaifo said.

     

  • PALU, African Bar, others condemn lawyer’s murder

    The Pan African Lawyers’ Union (PALU), continental umbrella association for African lawyers and other lawyers’ associations has condemned the brutal murder of their member, Mr. Willie Kimani, in Kenya.

    Other associations that condemned the killing of Kimani includeLaw Society of Kenya (LSK), the East Africa Law Society and the African Bar Association ( AFBA).

    Kimani, his client Mr. Josphat Mwendwa and their driver Mr. Joseph Muiruri were abducted last month after filing a complaint against the police. Their bodies were found last week.

    Though four police officers have been arrested in connection with their murder,  they have not commented on the incident.

    In a condolence message issued during the weekend, PALU said it was disturbed that the abductions and killings of the deceased persons took place immediately after a hearing in a judicial process in which the young advocate was defending the rights of a lay, indigent victim of Police misconduct.

    “We salute the young fallen advocate for his courage and steadfastness in providing legal aid and assistance to a weak and helpless person, and standing up against the might of the Police officers. We call upon other advocates, young and old, male and female to emulate such valour and fidelity to the ethics and ideals of our noble legal profession,’’ the body.

    The union identified with the views of LSK and EALS, on the   international law regulating the legal profession as well as international human rights law which expressly provides for the right of a client to legal representation; the right of a lawyer to provide that legal representation; and the further the right of a lawyer not to be identified with his or her client’s case.

    It also noted that these laws specify that a lawyer shall be enabled and protected by law to perform his or her professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference. The very integrity of our legal and judicial systems, and of the just rule of law, depends on the strict observance of these rights and obligations.

    PALU  condoled the families of the victims and expressed its solidarity with the leadership and members of LSK and EALS, the human rights community and the people of Kenya endorsed the plan of action formulated by LSK and the human rights community of Kenya to bring the perpetrators to book.

    In a statement signed by its  President, Mr. Hannibal Uwaifo, the African Bar Association ( AFBA) also condemned the assassinations.

    Noting that the incident happened in the line of duty, AFBA said it  exposed the intolerance in our policy and the hazards lawyers are exposed to in the performance of their legitimate duties as recognised by the Constitution and various extant laws world wide.

    “Arising from the quarterly meeting of the governing council of the association, which held in Beua, Cameroon from  July 1 to 3, this year in which the report of this cowardly acts was received, extensively discussed and resolution condemning same was unanimously carried,  the African bar Association joins the president and members of the Law society of Kenya, the family and friends of our fallen Colleague and the families of those murdered with him in demanding for answers and justice,’’ it said.

  • African Bar appoints council, women’s forum heads

    African Bar appoints council, women’s forum heads

    The African Bar Association (AFBA)  has elected a former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Joseph Daudu (SAN) as chairman of its governing council.

    Its Director of Information and Protocol, Ochieng Nyamago, in a statement issued in  Nairobi, Kenya, said Daudu was elected at a joint meeting of AFBA’s Executive Council and the Technical Board held on March 6 in Nairobi.

    He said Daudu’s credential as a seasoned lawyer, his interest in AFBA’s activities and his impeccable character stood him out among two other candidates. Daudu will serve for five years.

    AFBA also announced the appointment of  Mrs Josephine Anenih as the Chairperson of its African Women Lawyers ‘ forum.

    In a statement issued in Abuja by the Special Adviser on media affairs, Mr. Samuel Abasilim, AFBA said the association took the decision at the last Executive Council meeting held at the New Africa hotel  in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania from February 13 to 14, presided over by its president Hannibal Uwaifo.

    Mrs Anenih, a former Minister of Women Affairs, was called to Bar in 1990. She is expected to  coordinate all women groups across the continent on AFBA’s activities, including conferences.

    Abasilim said AFBA’s Rebirth Conference will hold in Banjul, the Gambia  with the theme: The rule of law: sure pathway to Africa ‘s  prosperity.

  • African Bar to partner states on good governance, others

    African Bar to partner states on good governance, others

    The African Bar Association (AFBA) will partner with heads of government in Africa to enthrone good governance, its President, Hannnibal Uwaifo,  has said.

    He stated this in a message on the last elections.

    He praised Nigerians for ensuring credible election that led to the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari and Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

    He said: “The demonstration and steadfastness and love for fatherland displayed by Nigerians has now put Nigeria and indeed Africa on the threshold of democratic  culture. Indeed, Nigeria now truly represents the touch for Africa and growing democracies across the world.’’

    The AFBA chief argued that the concession of victory and the congratulatory message by President Goodluck Jonathan to the President-elect, Major-General Buhari even  before the final votes were counted “speaks volume of the content of the  character of President Jonathan”.

    “While we congratulate General Buhari on this well deserved victory, we urged him to live true to his character, ‘’’ it stated.

    AFBA suggested eight-point agenda to the President-elect upon assuming duty next  month.

    It urged the in-coming government to deal with corruption, stressing that there should be a code of conduct for public officers.

    It said the rule of law must be adhered to and extra-judicial activities of all security agencies must be checked and punished where it occurred in the new government.

    According to AFBA, the independence of the judiciary of the judiciary must be ensured and wrong doings promptly investigated and punished.

    He suggested that official salaries of political office holders be set to reflect the lean purse of the country and to make more finances available for social services, adding that deliberate welfare policies must be put in place as a priority to cater for the vulnerable and less endowed in Nigeria.

    AFBA advised that the rate of unemployment among youths must be tackled decisively, adding that government and social services must be also be improved upon for the betterment of the country.

    While advocating a robust foreign policies for the country and greater move towards African integration, AFBA canvassed  for the encouragement of a free enterprise through deliberate government policies and programmes especially in Agriculture technology and small and medium scale businesses.

  • African Bar seeks free, fair elections

    The African Bar Association (AFBA) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the March 28 and April 11 elections are free and fair.

    At its maiden press briefing in Lagos by its interim executive committee led by Mr Hannibal Uwaifo, the association said it would pay close attention to the general elections even though it was not accredited as an observer by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) because it applied late.

    Uwaifo, who is the interim president, said AFBA would do its bit towards ensuring violence-free exercise.

    “We’re going to be monitoring the elections from our own vantage point. I also know that our colleagues in the African Bar Association are also monitoring it, such as the Director of Information and Protocol. We’ll be issuing statements of a broad nature in due course.

    “We’ll encourage a fair electoral process, an independent umpire, political tolerance and we’ll be discouraging violence. We’ll urge those who win to be magnanimous in victory and those who lose to take it with all sense of equanimity,” Uwaifo said.

    Members of the interim executive are Uwaifo (Nigeria), Mr Dev Erriah, Vice-President (Mauritius); Mrs Flavania Charles (Tanzania), General Secretary; Mrs Obele Akinniranye, Deputy General Secretary; Mr Nyamordi Ochieng-Nyamogo, Director of Information/Protocol (Kenya) and Mr George Chisanga (Zambia). Mr Stenford Moyo of Zimbabwe is the governing council chair, while Mrs Funmi Oluyede is the co-chair.

    To assist the AFBA interim executive are former Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Director-General, Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN), who will serve as Chairman, African Bar Research Council; Mrs Joseph Anenih (Chairperson, African Women Lawyers’ Forum and Inter-Governmental Relations); former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Chairman, Chijioke Okoli (Co-ordinator, Nigeria Committee) and Gogo Karibi Whyte as Chairman, Organisation and Planning.

    Also appointed were Mr. Kolade Adegboyega, who is the Director for Budget & Planning; Rudolf Ezeani, executive director; Mr. Val Oaiya as Chairman AFBA conferences; Chukwuma Ezeala as Chairman, elections committee West Africa; Mrs Tola Rotimi Chairperson Public Rights Reference Council and John Austin Unachukwu, who was appointed as the Media Officer.

    Uwaifo said AFBA is a non-governmental organisation formed in 1972 in Lusaka, Zambia, to foster unity and encourage cross border practice; corporation amongst lawyers in advancing the legal profession and promoting rule of law and good governance in Africa; helping members to defend citizens’ rights; and helping African nations attain high level of transparency in governance as well as eliminating corruption.

    AFBA suffered setback due to political interference, but in order to sustain its founding fathers’ dreams, the immediate past President Charles Idehen constituted the interim committee pending the next AFBA conference when elections would be held into substantive offices.

    Uwauifo said membership of AFBA is open to individual lawyers in Africa, and registration forms can be obtained from its temporary secretariat on 8, Ribadu Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

     

     

  • African Bar gets interim executive committee

    The outgoing President of the African Bar Association (AFBA), Mr. Charles Idehen has appointed a new executive committee to run the association’s affairs.

    In a statement, he said: “Arising from the meeting of concerned lawyers of the African Regional Forum of the International Bar Association (IBA)  on the continued docility of AFBA, a steering committee  was formed in September last year in Dar es Salaam Tanzania,  during the IBA Regional meeting.

    “The steering committee later submitted its report to me and after due consultation with stakeholders and leaders of AFBA, I constituted the interim Executive Committee to pilot the affairs of the association till its next conference.”

    Members of the interim Executive Committee are Mr. Hannibal Uwaifo, president (Nigeria); Dev Eriah, Vice-President (Mauritus); Mrs Flaviana Charles, General Secretary (Tanzania); Nyamordi Ochieng-Nyamogo, Director of Protocol and Publicity (Kenya); Mrs. Obele Akinniranye, Deputy General Secretary, and the current chairman of the International Bar Association Human Rights Council, Sternford Moyo (Zimbabwe).

    Idehen said other appointments will be announced in due course, while urging the interim Committee to work with chairpersons of the Interim Bar Council Mrs. Funmi Oluyede (Nigeria) and Moyo to constitute a new council for AFBA pending its next conference.

    Idehen said: “As a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), I regret the political circumstances that led to the docility of the African Bar Association in the past 16 years and promise to work with and encourage the new team to make AFBA vibrant and indispensable

    “Perhaps, it may not be too much to call on other past leaders to join hands with the interim Executive in order to keep the dreams of the founding fathers alive, which is already working

    “The new team is expected to visit and sensitise every African lawyer in the different countries of Africa,” Idehen said.