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Tag: Daudu

  • Daudu vows to sustain wife’s legacy

    Daudu vows to sustain wife’s legacy

    For late Mrs. Ranti Bosede Daudu, wife of former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Mr. Joseph  Bodunrin Daudu (SAN), it was a harvest of tributes.

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bar leaders, her colleagues,  lawyers, clerics, friends and others eulogised her.

    Mrs Dauda’s remains were buried at Commonwealth Cemetery, Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna, Kaduna State.

    The late Mrs. Daudu, a lawyer, humanist, care giver, and former Commissioner at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), died on July 6, after a brief illness.

    In his sermon at the Holy Family Catholic Church, Barnawa,  Kaduna where the Daudu family worships, the  Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah urged Christians to always live life worthy of emulation because: “ Christianity is the only religion that has a definite assurance for its adherents that is,  Jesus Christ came down from heaven, lived and died and went back to heaven to prepare a place for us, many mansions for us. He will come back to take us. He has given us assurance of what will happen to us when we leave this world, there is no speculation about that.

    “Since Ranti’s death, there have been speculations, people have been speculating, even when I die, this same people will speculate. Death is a reality which will come when it will come, but as Christians, our own is to pray because there will always be challenges. We should always put off anger, frustration and human sentiments  and put our trust in God”

    He cited the story of  Lazarus in the Bible and concluded that every dimension of the family is now under assault, whether economic, social, political etc but it is only faith and belief in God that will sustain us in the time of trouble. Mrs Daudu lived an exemplary life in caring for the vulnerable and less privileged in the society”  Kukah stated

    In his letter and tribute to his wife, J.B.Daudu ( SAN) said “ I remember  when we married,  you told me the story of how your father would himself have loved you  to be a lawyer and how he wished you read law. I took the hint and encouraged you to read law after your first degree in political science.

    “You were called to  the Nigerian Bar in October 1995, five months after I took silk and  one  year after the birth of our daughter Kikelomo (Beatrice) and you plunged yourself into legal practice with the same assiduousness and dedication, with which you executed all projects and assignments you chose to undertake.

    “But for the fact that you discovered your true calling in working for the less privileged, you would today have been a senior counsel (SAN) or even a judge. I remember when we were in Zaria, you came back one evening in tears that the pregnant mentally unstable woman that you used to take care of  had put to bed and was nursing her baby by the roadside near First Bank and that she would not let any person come near her and the baby except you that she recognised.

    “Indeed no one including government was willing or able to assist her and the new born baby. You requested for funds to enable you  take her and the baby to the hospital, after her treatment and discharge from the hospital, you took her to your parents’ house in Sabon-Gari, Zaria where she and her baby were housed and fed for six  weeks before you sent her to her home town. Such was the empathy and love with which you carried out your charitable work that I suggested that,  one day you will win the Noble Peace prize. Never mind that you did not win the Norwegian award but in my heart and for all times, you are always a Noble laureate, for that is how the Good Lord made you.

    “You evolved your charitable work into the All Children Charity International Foundation (ACCIF),  a non-governmental and civil organisation founded with the aim of meeting the needs of specially challenged persons and the underprivileged  especially children their civil rights and educational development. ACCIF’s mission is to be a passionate voice for change in all aspects of persons living with disabilities in Nigeria through better education, sustainable economic development, gainful employment and social protection for their special circumstances. To ceaselessly promote the rights and meet the needs of specially challenged persons and the underpriviledge particularly children. My evidence is relevant and admissible  that since 2005 when you set up this platform to assist special needs children, you achieved the mission and objective that you set out to achieve. I can assure you that as far as it is humanly possible we will ensure that the dream that ACCIF connotes will not die with your passage to eternal glory.

    ”In your lifetime, you were a loving mother, you showered motherly affection on our children such that till today each of them believes that he or she is your favourite. I used to marvel as a young lawyer,  how within our limited resources you used to ensure that your two  boys, Paul and Ben, wore new clothes to church every Sunday and when the girls came you continued with the same pattern. You were passionate about education and together we gave our children the best education in the world.

    At no time in all the homes that we lived in after 1991 did we have less than 10 people living with us; at a point, the number rose to 23, I am sure each of them can attest to the fact that you treated them in a motherly fashion and made the home conducive for them during the period of their stay, we had a happy home. Love pervaded the air, but as it is in every human relationship, particularly that of matrimony, there are bound to be hiccups and disagreements but whatever we disagreed upon was positive, loving and calculated to improve the unity and well-being of the family.

    ‘’There was no vicious abuse as some people  have alleged. Indeed, they have never visited our home. They are not my friends and I am sure that it was the Human Rights Commission that brought you together. Notwithstanding, I feel very pained that people of their  like  should insult your legacy because they want to take cheap political shots at me. They know that you are not around to deny or agree with them and so it is convenient to lie against your memory.  That is the aspect that pains me.

    “Some of your friends also went viral, dabbling into what they know little or nothing about, raining curses at perceived villains. I beg you to forgive them as I have done. I am tempted to mention names but I have restrained myself as I know you saw them and have forgiven them too. However, I find it difficult to overlook the mendacious statements of  a  former NHRC Chairman. I am torn between the words of Psalmist in Psalm 38.

    Darling, I know you are resting in peace and I take solace in John Donne’s holy sonnet ‘Death be not proud’

    ‘’As I stated all marriages have their ups and down but our disagreements started about five  years ago. We could have worked things out but it was not to happen. I thought there could still be a settlement in the middle of the court proceedings. God knows best. I know, however, that you are resting in peace; far removed from the cares and worries of this world. Rest in peace my love until we meet to part no more” Daudu ( SAN) stated. 

    Mr. Paul Babatunde Daudu said: “A princess whose very nature it was to nurture, regardless of whether the egg was from  her nest or not. It was not fault, it must be because she was royalty, born of a noble king, trust me she could not help it, like Princess Diana it was her DNA to care.

    ‘’As we today mark her passing on from this world to the next, we have an opportunity to examine her life with deep retrospect. Mrs. Ranti Daudu was simply put a “superwoman’’ A woman of many facets, she was mother extra-ordinaire, voice of the voiceless, matriarch to the community and an advocate for those living with disability. How did she find time for all this?

    Nevertheless, her pride and joy were always her children who she described as her “jewels of inestimable value’’ it was her wish for her precious to shine for the world to see no matter the cost. Our Pain was her pain and she celebrated milestone moments in our lives even more than us.

    ‘’Our mother meant the world to us and we to her as we shared an unimaginable bond. The  epitome of a devout Christian mother and a loving wife to our father. We are  indeed grateful for the role she played in nurturing all six of us into the persons we have all become today. We only pray that the Lord God this time grant us the fortitude to bear this loss and stand united to honour our dearly departed ‘’mommy’’ Paul Daudu stated

    Mr. Benedict Daudu said: “Albeit your departure was sudden and immensely painful, I now see more lucidly the magnificence of God’s work through you. Your achievements both as a mother and a leader are unfathomable . Shaping and guiding me and my brothers and sisters through life was your primary goal but over time God  showed you that there was so much love in your heart it was enough for the whole universe.

    Over the year, our families increased in number and your love continued   to flow relentlessly. I am often in awe at how you were always 10 steps ahead of a problem we were going to face. You were the epitome of kindness and humility. You pushed me to meet my goal and never hesitated to correct me when I was wrong. I have learnt so much from you mommy, but I know your sprit shall guide me. If angels walked amongst us, you were surely one of them. Your steps lit so many dark paths for people to follow and find footing your smile calmed the worried hearts and put shame to the wicked. Your voice soothed the needful and empowered those who lacked strength. Indeed you were a gift to not only our family but also the worlds. We  will miss you greatly mom! Our only solace is the knowledge that you are in a better place”. Benedict Daudu said.

    Former President of the NBA, Lanke Odogiyan described her as a great woman who lived out her life in the service of humanity and prayed God to help the family to sustain her legacy.

    In the same vein, the immediate past President of the NBA , Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN): “Commen-ded the Daudu family for giving her befitting farewell stating that the only consolation for the family is that she has gone to be with the Lord and may the good Lord give the family the fortitude, the strength and unity to move together as a family” Alegeh said.

    In their condolence massages, the Barnawa  branch of the NBA said:  “ The late Mrs. Ranti  Daudu was a great wife, sister, mother friend, colleague and above all, a humanitarian who touched the lives of many others. She lived well and has gone to be in the bosom of the Lord”

    Asiwaju  Adegboyega Solomon  Awomolo ( SAN) said: “  Ranti was a great mother  who sacrificially  kept her children  like the mother hen. She was a champion for preservation of women and children’s rights, particularly children that are challenged, her commitment to humanity was legendary, and we should celebrate her for a fulfilled life and career as legal practitioner of  repute” Awomolo ( SAN) said.

     

  • Why Nigeria is underdeveloped, by Daudu, others

    Why Nigeria is underdeveloped, by Daudu, others

    The Eket Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has held its law week. The guest speaker at the opening ceremony, a former NBA president, Joseph Daudu (SAN), identified how to reverse Nigeria’s underdevelopment. JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU reports.

    Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN),  has said Nigeria’s underdevelopment should not be blamed on the leadership alone. He said the citizens are culpable too.

    Both groups, he said, have shown a lack of understanding of democratic principles such as due process, rule of law, good governance and accountability.

    Daudu spoke on The rule of law, democracy in Nigeria and good governance-matters arising at the opening ceremony of the NBA Eket branch’s Annual Law Week.

    Daudu said majority of Nigerians are poor even though they are “in an ocean of plenty”.

    “The people and even those who loot the nation’s assets are in poverty and bankruptcy of resources and ideas.

    “What, then, is responsible for this state of affairs? Some have blamed it on our understanding of the concept of democracy, while some have ascribed it to absence of credible leadership. Some think that it is a failure of followership.

    “The inability of both to comprehend these are democratic concepts have  put them in jeopardy,” Daudu said.

    According to him, corruption is the antithesis of democratic ideals; while the corrupt sees in every official act profit for himself. On the other hand, democracy expects that the service rendered is for the people.

    “This irreconcilable conflict of interest between these two parallel ideals if it continues at this pace will comprehensively destroy the entity known as Nigeria.

    “Unfortunately in all departments, the indices that a developing nation should be adjudged by do not add up for us.

    “Our greatest assets, which are our teeming population and our diversity have become for us a disadvantage brought about by greed and mistrust. This has affected us in every sphere of department, infrastructural and human,” Daudu said.

    First NBA Vice-President Francis Ekwere; Justice John Okoro of the Supreme Court and NBA Second Vice-President Taiwo O. Taiwo.
    First NBA Vice-President Francis Ekwere; Justice John Okoro of the Supreme Court and NBA Second Vice-President Taiwo O. Taiwo.

    The former NBA president said it is not too late to change course. The corrupt, he said, should seek new pre-occupation where they can work for themselves and make profit.

    “Even when working for themselves, they would soon discover that they are bound by the strict rules of corporate governance, which promotes accountability and sound ethics just as the rules of good governance promotes similar ideals in the public service,” he said.

    In the legal profession, Daudu said corrupt behaviour has spread, thereby affecting the honour and dignity with which lawyers are held.

    “The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee continues to grapple with dozens of cases involving our colleagues who have unfortunately been accused of corrupt practices within the ambit of their professional expectations.

    “It is hoped that both the central and state governments will tackle the spectre of corruption in the system as the legal profession through the Body of Benchers and the NBA have done.

    “It is hoped that other agencies in the country both public and private will positively engage and join in the reversal process against corruption.

    “While the leadership have a responsibility to provide good and indeed, exemplary leadership, the people have a corresponding duty, nay social contract to obey extant laws and demand accountability from her leaders

    “Failure or omission on the side of both parties to keep the faith as described above, will plunge Nigeria into unspeakable cataclysm. Our generation must not let that happen,” Daudu added.

    In his paper titled: Insurgency in Nigeria, where did we get it wrong,’ Paul Erokoro (SAN) said there can be no development without peace.

    According to him, insurgency has hampered Nigeria’s development and must be dealt with decisively.

    He defined an insurgent as  a person who, for political purposes, engages in armed hostility against an established government.

    He said: “The United States Department of Defence in 2002 defined terrorism as: ‘the unlawful use of our threatened use of force or violence against individuals or property to coerce and intimidate government or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives.

    “Section 46 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004 (EFCC Act) defines terrorism, Section 15 of the Act also provides for the offence of terrorism and surprisingly prescribes a term of life imprisonment for any person convicted for either supporting terrorism, funding terrorism, or committing terrorist acts.

    “From the two legislations, there appear to be conflicts with regards to the terms of imprisonment upon conviction. For the purpose of this paper, I will apply the words insurgent and insurgency to reflect the topic of discussion. Insurgency can be defined in its simplest form, as a rebellion against a constituted authority,” he said.

    Erokoro said development could only thrive in a peaceful environment.

    “Insurgency is inimical to sustainable national development. He urged the government to embark on poverty alleviation programmes, especially in the North, adding that these would impact positively on the lives of its citizenry,” Erekoro said.

    Youth unemployment, he said, should be addressed by the government.

    “Education must be a right not privilege and where possible, free/compulsory education should be implemented in the North.

    “Government should intensify border control and intelligence gathering/promote information and computer technology training for our security forces.

    “The government must eschew corruption in the fight against insurgency and improve the welfare of our security personnel.

    “Merit system should be adopted in employment and distribution of natural resources. The military should stay off from partisan politics while ensuring good governance.

    “There is need for government to urgently look into the take home pay of political office holders and drastically reduce their entitlements. By this only those who genuinely want to serve will contest for elections.

    “There is need for urgent overhauling of the investigating and prosecuting authority on terrorism. The Judiciary should, as a matter of urgency, establish special procedures for the quick dispensation of terrorism cases.  The case of Charles Okah, who was accused of October 1, 2010 bombing is still pending while his brother, Henry has been long tried and convicted in South Africa, he said.

    He cited the case of Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, the alleged mastermind of the April 14, last year Nyanya, Abuja bomb blast, saying it seemed to have suffered prosecutorial setbacks.

    “The above recommendations are not exhaustive, but if government can urgently address them, we will be on the path to a better Nigeria where we  can live the words of our national anthem and truly live in a “nation bound in freedom, peace and unity,” Erokoro said.

    The branch’s chairman, Mr. Akpadiaha Ebitu, said the Law Week was unique because it included a lecture in honour of Senator Effiong Bob, the Pro-Chancellor of University of Benin.

    The branch’s bar journal was launched, while a fund-raiser for N80million for the Bar Centre was held. The week ended with a dinner.

    Among those who attended were the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Idongesit Ntem Isua; Hon Justice Joy Unwana, past secretary of the branch and Founder, Heritage Polytechnic, Eket,  Emmanuel Ekott, Mr.  Scoot Tommy.

  • What the law says

    What the law says

    Section 50(1) (b) of the Constitution says: “There shall be a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House among themselves.”

    Order 1 Rule 2 and Order 2 Rule 3(1) only ask the House to regulate its conduct. It is silent on whether the Speaker should emerge from the ruling party or the opposition.

    Order 1(2) says: “In all cases not provided for hereinafter, or by sessional or others, precedents or practices of the House, the House shall by resolution regulate its procedure.”

    Order 3(1) says: “3(1) The election of Speaker shall take precedence over any other motion. No any other motion shall be accepted while it is proceeding and the House shall continue to meet if necessary beyond its ordinary daily time of adjournment, notwithstanding any Standing or Special Order, until a Speaker declared elected.

    Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution says a member of the Senate or House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that house was elected.

    Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more ýpolitical parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.

  • Daudu,Gadzama, Akpedeye for forum tomorrow

    Former President, Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN), former chairman NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) Mr. Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN) are among dignitaries expected at the Lawyers in the Media (LIM) programme tomorrow at the ongoing 54th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) holding at the Hotel Owerri, Imo State.

    Former  Director-General, Nigerian  Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN) will  chair the  session, while Mr.Dafe Akpedeye (SAN) will be the keynote speaker.

    The  NBA Conference began in the Imo State capital on Sunday amid several challenges, including late registration of conference participants, late arrival of conference materials, and non completion of the surroundings of the conference venue.

    The Theme for this year is:  Nigeria, 100 years after and consequently, the lawyers in the Media Forum will be looking, at the topics:  Media, Law and the struggle for good governance in Nigeria in 100 years-the Journey so far and  Pronouncing and enforcing legal penalties for the violation of political advertisements in Nigeria: Issues, Prospects and Challenges.

    Chairman, Lawyers in the Media Forum, Mr. Charles Odenigbo said: “The objective of the  topics is to update  and broaden the knowledge of Media Lawyers in the broadcast, newspapers and magazines, Public Relations, advertising, law and ethics and  also promote strict adherence to, and advance the frontiers of media law among others”

    Speakers and discussants at the sessions include the Registrar of  Advitising Practioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and  Festus Okoye. This will be followed by the election of new officers.

  • Olanipekun, Daudu, others get fellowship

    Olanipekun, Daudu, others get fellowship

    The Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) has conferred its fellowship on two former presidents of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Joseph Daudu (SAN).

    Others are Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN), Damian Dodo (SAN), pioneer chairman of the NBA Section on Business Law (SBL) Mr. George Etomi, and Justices Tanko Muhammed and Mary Odili of the Supreme Court.

    NIALS Director-General, Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN), said the institute’s fellowship is only conferred on lawyers who have made meaningful contributions to law and have assisted it in fulfilling the dreams of its founding fathers.

    “As a Fellow of the institute, one is automatically part of the faculty of the Institute. In this regard, a Fellow is expected to participate in the scholarly programmes and activities of the institute and of the institute and advise management on the best ways to achieve international standards.

    “Fellows are also entitled to oversight activities of the institute and act as Ambassadors of the institute have been engaged in independent scholarly conversation on some burning issues of national importance.

    “Just recently at the Festival of Legal Scholarship organised by the institute in October 2013, Fellows of the institute participated actively in the conversation on standard of legal education in Nigeria and the views canvassed and arguments preferred undoubtedly enriched the whole proceedings.”

    The conferment/Lecture is coming on the heels of two important activities of the institute. On December 4, President Museveni of Uganda delivered the Convocation Lecture.

    Azinge said: “For us, it was as epochal as it was historic because for the first time in the 34 years’ history of the institute, a sitting President of a sister African country delivered the Convocation Lecture of the institute.

    “Also, on December 7, 2013, history was made when the institute produced its first set of PhD graduates with the conferment of Doctor of Philosophy in legislative drafting on two well-deserving candidates.

    “This conferment presents a platform for us to chronicle some achievements of the institute in the year under review. Our socio-legal research has proved highly successful, particularly our Restatement of Customary Law. “

    He continued: “The Centenary Law Summit has been internationally applauded as the best scholarly engagement by any tertiary institution this year. So, also is the Festival of Legal Scholarship adjudged locally and internationally as the most innovative and brilliantly conceived programme globally this year. “

    He also said the institute publishes 20 peer reviewed journals of international standard and this were miles ahead of any institution. He added that the public lectures, roundtables, books had contributed to raising the status of the institute to an enviable position.

    He added: “The institute is proud to confer its highly coveted fellowship on jurists, legal scholars and luminaries who have contributed immeasurably to shifting the frontiers of law in this country.

    “These illustrious sons and daughters of Nigeria in many ways than one have over the years identified with the activities of the institute either by delivering public lectures or by helping out as resource persons in our annual capacity building programmes.

    “The institute is immensely proud of their contributions and believes that by acknowledging their efforts through conferment of fellowship, it will ginger them to continue to participate and identify with activities and programmes of the institute.”

     

  • Daudu thanks God as wife turns 50

    FOR the family of the former President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN), penultimate weekend was a happy and memorable one.
    That weekend, Daudu (SAN), handed over to Okey Wali (SAN), the 26th President of the NBA. That same weekend, Daudu’s wife Ranti Bosede, popularly called the Gimbiyya by admirers, turned 50.
    The two events were marked by the family in a grand style. Immediately after handing over to Wali on August 31, the Daudu family, friends and well wishers went for a thanksgiving mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Galadinma Gwarinpa II, Abuja. The mass was to thank God for the successful completion of his tenure as the 25th President of the NBA.
    Friends, well wishers and Bar leaders who attended the mass followed the Daudus home where they were entertained.
    The programme continued on Sunday, September 2, with thanksgiving mass and reception.
    The event was attended by prominent Nigerians, including Wali, Governor of Kaduna State Patrick Yakowa, wife of Katsina State Governor Dr Fatima Ibrahim Shema, and Corps Marshal of the Federal Roads Safety Corps(FRSC) Osita Chidoka etc.