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Tag: NBA chief

  • Gunmen shoot at NBA chief

    Unknown gunmen allegedly shot at the National Welfare Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Adesina Adegbite, wounding him in the head.

    Adegbite said he suspected the gunmen were kidnappers.

    The incident occurred on Friday near OPIC Estate off the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    Adegbite told The Nation that after watching the World Cup match between England and Sweden, he went to Ikeja to buy roasted meat (Suya).

    He said: “I drove in my Cadillac Escalade Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and went to Allen Junction to buy Suya. I did not stop anywhere along the way. Nobody also knew I was going to buy Suya.

    “I was racing back home when I observed a car very far behind me. Through Alausa, I joined the expressway and at Berger, I raced past all the vehicles ahead of me and headed towards Isheri North, towards my estate near Channels Television.

    “As I passed Kara Bridge, because I was always mindful when driving, I overtook the only vehicle ahead of me and at the end of the bridge, I slowed down a little.

    “Suddenly, the car I saw far behind me drew level and I saw it was a Toyota Camry. The man sitting near the driver in front waved a gun at me and shouted, ‘Stop! Stop! Stop!’”

    Adegbite said he refused to stop because he was close to his eastate gate. He said he pressed down on the accelerator and sped off while the car came after him.

    “Luckily, I was close to OPIC gate leading to my estate. As I was about to turn, the man beside the driver fired a shot, forcing the security men at the gate to come out.

    “When the men in the Camry car saw the security men, they sped towards Ibafo while I drove into the estate”,

    The NBA chief said he did not know that the bullet scraped his head until one of the security men drew his attention to the blood dripping from his head to his shirt.

    “I didn’t know I was actually shot in the head when they were making attempts to block me. For them attempting to stop me, I know they wanted to take my life, or kidnap me for ransom, but thank God, I escaped from the hoodlums,” he said.

    Adegbite said he reported the incident at Isheri-Berger Police Station after receiving treatment.

    The next day, he reported the matter to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Imohimi Edgal through a text message, after he made several calls to him.

    In his response, the CP stated: “Noted, Will find out details”.

  • Abia CJ’s suspension illegal, say NBA chief, activists

    Abia CJ’s suspension illegal, say NBA chief, activists

    Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Second Vice President Onyekachi Ubani and a human rights group, the Access to Justice (A2Justice), yesterday condemned the suspension of Chief Judge of Abia State by the House of Assembly, saying it was illegal.

    According to them, only the National Judicial Council (NJC) is constitutionally empowered to discipline or suspend a judge.

    A2Justice, in a statement by its Director Joseph Otteh, said the CJ’s suspension amounted to a grievous assault on the Judiciary’s independence.

    The Abia House of Assembly purportedly suspended Justice Uzokwe for alleged acts of tyranny and gross misconduct and, by a resolution, asked the Governor to appoint an acting Chief Judge.

    A2Justice said the suspension was “a brutal violation of the Constitution, and a deliberate affront to the independence of the Judiciary guaranteed by the Constitution.”

    It said the Abia State legislature has no powers to suspend the Chief Judge or any Judge, adding that the lawmakers overreached their powers.

    The group said neither the legislature nor the Governor can appoint an acting Chief Judge without NJC’s recommendation.

    The group urged the NJC demand the immediate restoration of Justice Uzokwe’s rights and duties as CJ.

    “Additionally, the NJC should investigate the state of affairs of the Judiciary in Abia State and clarify that the Chief Judge is providing the sort of leadership that is conducive to the proper administration of justice in the State and take any necessary actions from its findings.

    “We urge the NJC to set up a fact-finding Committee to investigate the state of affairs of the Judiciary in Abia State for this purpose,” A2Justice said.

    Ubani said the 1999 Constitution does not allow a state House of Assembly to suspend or discipline an erring judge.

    “Disciplinary measures against any judge resides with the NJC. It is after the disciplinary measures are taken by the NJC that the Executive and the Legislature can come in to complete the process,” he said.

    Ubani said he does not think the Abia House received quality legal advice before it took the decision.

    “We desire peace in  Abia State including the judiciary; we advice that due process must be employed,” he said.

  • Buhari misunderstood restructuring, says NBA chief

    Buhari misunderstood restructuring, says NBA chief

    Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Second Vice President Monday Ubani yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari must have misunderstood Nigerians’ demand for restructuring.

    The lawyer said an aspect of the restructuring Nigerians seek is the devolution of power from the Federal Government to the states.

    According to him, the President appeared to understand restructuring to strictly mean a return to the Parliamentary system of government.

    The President said: “We tried the Parliamentary system: we jettisoned it. Now there are shrill cries for a return to the Parliamentary structure. In older democracies these systems took centuries to evolve so we cannot expect a copied system to fit neatly our purposes. We must give a long period of trial and improvement before the system we have adopted is anywhere near fit for purpose.”

    Ubani said: “Maybe he misunderstood what restructuring really means.  The restructuring we’re talking about is removing most of the things being handled by the Federal Government. Let them be decentralised.

    “States should share some of these duties in order to ensure good governance, proper structure and a well-run federation.”

    Ubani said the President’s New Year speech was otherwise inspiring, and urged him to match words with action.

    “Every other thing he said is very inspiring and I’m very happy that the government is making some level of progress, such as in agriculture and stabilising the naira.

    “A lot of things he said really inspires hope, especially in the development of basic infrastructure. He mentioned the railways, electricity, and other key infrastructure suffering some level of deficiency.

    “Those are important in restarting the economy, especially power. So I urge him to match his words with action.”

    Lagos lawyer and University of Lagos (UNILAG), Mr Wahab Shittu, described the speech as balanced.

    He said: “President Buhari’s address is the last opportunity to deliver change to Nigerians by affirmative actions.

    “The speech is both an acknowledgment of concerns being raised by the citizenry as well as commitments to deliver on railways, roads, power projects, employment, security, enterprise, fair elections and the political challenges of the country.

    “Addressing huge infrastructural deficits is the central theme with marginal issues being political stability and other issues including cost of governance and appreciation to Nigerians for concerns raised during the period of his health challenges.

    “The speech set specific targets and objectives in the context of economic recovery and growth plan strategy of the administration.

    “Overall the speech reflected the concerns of Nigerians as well as firm commitments to address them mainly through the power, works and housing ministry, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), etc, utilising diversification into agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing, enterprise and job creation tools as driving force for the realisation of set objectives.

    “lt is a balanced address which also recognised the challenges of energy crisis, power outage, security threats, derelict infrastructure and citizen disenchantment arising mainly from poverty and lingering fuel crisis which marred the Christmas and New Year holidays.

    “Nigeria will hold the president on his word to fish out those responsible for the blackmail resulting in the artificial fuel scarcity inspite of efforts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in making products available.”

    Former member Ogun State Judicial Service Commission, Mr Abayomi Omoyinmi, said the speech was hope-inspiring.

    “My general impression of the President’s broadcast is that the speech has given hope to the people of the country in that there is continuity in the process of development of infrastructure by his government that will turn around the economy.

    “The infrastructure that has for a long time been neglected my previous administration. The fact that he recognises the problems staring the people of Nigeria in the face and consistently gives assurances of better things to come rather than pretending that those problems do not exist portends hope rather than hopelessness.

    “The broadcast is a reaffirmation of the Buhari government’s commitment to rebuilding the country for a better tomorrow,” Omoyinmi said.

  • Eastern Bar Forum, others greet NBA chief at 55

    Eastern Bar Forum, others greet NBA chief at 55

    The Chairman of the Governing Council of the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) and members of the Forum, have congratulated the President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr Okey Wali (SAN) on his 55th birthday.

    Wali, who was 55 on Tuesday, October 29, marked the event in his country home in Port Harcourt. It was gathered that he went to court that morning, after which he went to church for thankgiving. He later dined with close friends and associates.

    A statement by Mr. Ogbonna O. Igwenyi and S. Longwilliams, chairman and secretary of the EBF read: “Birthday to great achievers like any event in their life is a memorable one, because by their achievements, they brightened the world of others who perhaps might not even be close to them.

    “Chief Okechukwu Emmanuel Wali’s life at 55 epitomises one well-lived in the service of God and humanity, his vision and mission to say the least have brought joy and fulfillment to many especially in the Nigerian Bar Association where he presides as the 26th president.

    “The Governing Council of the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) and indeed the entire members associate with Mr President in thanking God for preserving his rich life all these years and will continue to pray for many more years of fruitful service to man by our mercurial and tireless leader”

    The First Vice President of the NBA, Justy O. Erhabor, said: “I sincerely rejoice with President Okey Wali and his lovely family on this auspicious occasion  of his 55th birthday. At 55, he has done well for himself, his family, profession, country and mankind. I have had the privilege of working closely with him this past year as his first Vice-President of Nigerian Bar Association.

    “I appreciate the grace of God upon him, particularly the grace to remain focused in the face of  distractions, a very deliberate man not given to rash comments and not quick in joining issue with any one even when thoroughly misunderstood or unfairly criticised.

    “I wish you long and exciting life and more prosperous years of dedicated service to the Nigerian Bar Association and mankind.”

    The Chairman of NBA, Abuja branch, Mr Desmond U. M. Yamah said: “You have been a source of inspiration to us. Many happy years ahead.”

    In his good will message, the Chairman of the Middle Belt Lawyers Forum, Emmanuel. A. Haruna said: “Long life and material possession are desired by all in this life. However, our Lord Jesus Christ defined what life is by what it is not, that is, life does not consist in the abundance of one’s possession. It is also not necessarily how long, but how well life is lived that counts here and I dare say, also hereafter. Mr President, you are quite fortunate to have lived an eventful life at 55.

    “As I wish you many more years of fruitful life, I pray that the definition of life by our Saviour will continue to rule your heart and mind. Happy birthday, Mr President.”