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  • NBA lists ways to revitalise Nigerian economy

    NBA lists ways to revitalise Nigerian economy

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said that the Federal Government must refocus efforts on infrastructure development, improve power generation, improve agricultural productivity, and expand jobs in rural areas if the economy must be revived.

    The association said a strong, independent judiciary must be emphasised by the government if a virile and peaceful Nigerian society is desired.

    While presenting the communiqué of the just concluded 2023 annual conference of the NBA yesterday in Abuja, the President of the association, Yakubu Maikyau, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) also stressed the need for greater investment in the military, including providing support for civil-military coordination framework as well as a comprehensive endowment framework for critical military facilities and equipment.

    There were 16,340 registered conferees while the conference comprised six plenary sessions, 21 breakout sessions, 26 speakers, 99 panelists and 23 moderators.

    Read Also: Why Portable performed at our conference – NBA

    Recall that the conference was declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while the keynote was delivered by Tony Elumelu, founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

    According to Maikyau, the working sessions of the conference focused on three main themes: Economy, Administration of Justice, and Security, saying, after exhaustive discussions on the papers and extensive deliberations on the themes of the conference, the conference rose with the following observations and recommendations.

    From the observations from the conference, the NBA made recommendations to the government which Maikyau said would be followed by engagements with the Legislature and the Executive for implementation.

    On the economy, administration of justice and security, the NBA recommended that:

    “Sustained broad-based economic growth and poverty reduction are critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and stability. 

    “Specifically, the Conference called on the Federal and State Governments to refocus efforts on infrastructure development, improve power generation, improve agricultural productivity, and expand jobs in rural areas. There should also be greater attention on youth employment through education and entrepreneurship skills training.

    “Conference issued a cautionary message, highlighting the diminishing relevance of Nigeria’s current natural resources in the face of the imperative shift towards renewable energy solutions driven by climate change concerns. It stressed the urgency of embracing the new economic realities of the 21st century that will overshadow the significance of present natural resources.

    “Beneficial policies for the revitalization of the Nigerian economy must be formulated and implemented for the sake of not just the current generation but for future generations as well. Some of these policies may have consequences that are not immediately comfortable but will be beneficial for the overall economy and in the long term. Citizens are therefore encouraged to be patient in the renewed hope for the development and growth of the economy of this great nation.

    “Achieving the desired justice system will be a process, not an event. Nevertheless, change must be accelerated to keep up with the expectations of Nigerians, particularly those of the poorest and most vulnerable communities. Such change must be properly planned and carefully managed.

    “The importance of a strong, independent judiciary was emphasized. Conference affirmed the need for an urgent upward review of judicial remuneration. Conference recommends the separation of Judicial Remuneration from public sector including the removal of the remuneration of judicial officers from the purview of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission {RMAFC}. Conference also recommended an independent salary scale for judicial officers. Conference recommends that urgent attention be paid to the plight of magistrates and other lower court judges.

    “Conference recommends that the Federal and State governments extend financial support to pro bono schemes in Nigeria to bolster their effectiveness. That there must be collaborative efforts between the Nigerian Bar Association and other relevant stakeholders to enhance the provision of pro bono services and narrowing the gap in access to justice.

    “Conference identified the need for greater investment in the Military including providing support for civil-military coordination framework as well as a comprehensive endowment framework for critical military facilities and equipment.

    “Conference recommended practical strategies to address security concerns. These include community involvement in policing, youth engagement through job creation, enhanced regional cooperation, media sensitization, comprehensive police reforms, religious school regulation, strengthening the judiciary, and observance of human rights. The adoption of State security forces, proper land management, international resource acquisition, and meticulous implementation of approved plans were also suggested.”

  • NBA president at loss why constitution amendment was rejected by members

    NBA president at loss why constitution amendment was rejected by members

    …says visit to President Tinubu in order

    The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has expressed bewilderment over the rejection of the proposed amendments to the extent constitution of the group.

    According to him, the well-intentioned amendments aimed at the financial and ethical development of the members could not have come at a better time considering the prevailing economic changes the country is undergoing.

    While responding to a question yesterday during the presentation of the communique of the 2023 NBA conference held in Abuja, Maikyau noted that the reason(s) for the rejection should be advanced by those who rejected it.

    Recall that following the conclusion of the 2023 annual conference of the NBA, the annual general meeting was held on Thursday, August 31st during which after the President put the question three times for the adoption of the proposed amendments, the members rejected it the three times.

    Read Also: Governor Mutfwang bags NBA ambassador award, vows to enhance justice system

    According to him, how proposals in the amendment were rejected remains baffling as one of the proposals is seeking to increase the statutory 10% remittance to the NBA branches based on what the members pay as Bar practice fees as contained in the extant constitution.

    He said the proposal was an increment from 10 to 20 percent believing that the increment would give the state branches access to more funds with which to run the affairs of the state organs.

    The second proposal was the Stabilization Fund, which he said would expose members to funds for personal development, which was an innovation.

    “Our lawyers have been very desirous and they need support. Young lawyers can make money across the globe on the go by reason of technological know-how. So we’ve been talking about access to finance for our lawyers.

    “So that when we put the package together, we have a fund that we described in the proposed constitution as the Stabilization Fund.

    “We decided to put it in the constitution to reinforce that fund so that nobody comes tomorrow and will do something different.

    “What was the purpose of that proposal is to say okay, for instance, now we have a deposit of N1.5 billion.

    “Maikyau also stated that the controversy generated over his visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa was unnecessary because he had not acted in contravention of the constitution.

    He said the occupant of the Presidential Villa did not get there of his own volition but through what the constitution says and according to the body empowered to pronounce him as the winner of the process through which he won.

    “It is based on the provisions of the Constitution and the relevant extant laws promulgated by the National Assembly.

    “Enjoy every single thing that is done, the conduct of the elections, is it in accordance with somebody’s custom?

    “No, we have the constitution. We have the Electoral Act, it prescribes everything. And then we have the Evidence Act, which says that if a declaration is made by a public officer, that declaration is presumed to be right. And that everything that needed to be done for that to happen had been done. 

    “There is nowhere you will find any law that says because an election is being challenged, then a person’s election that is being challenged is an illegal government, is unconstitutional.

    “That is wrong, that is absolutely an abdication of our responsibility to give direction to the people of the country.

    “We are misleading the people. And let me tell you, we (lawyers) are very influential by reason of the position we hold because the people of this country expect us to guide them on the provisions of the law.

    “That is why we must be measured in the way we speak. We can’t afford to speak Anyhow because of that responsibility”.

    “So please, I went to the president because today, there is only one president and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic. If you are a petitioner in the Election Petition Tribunal, the law calls you a petitioner, not president.

    “And that is the law. If there’s anybody who questions this position of the law, let me know. So, that is why we went to him. We are very cultured people, if the law says this is what it is, we will follow it.” he President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has expressed bewilderment over the rejection of the proposed amendments to the extent constitution of the group.

    According to him, the well-intentioned amendments aimed at the financial and ethical development of the members could not have come at a better time considering the prevailing economic changes the country is undergoing.

    While responding to a question yesterday during the presentation of the communique of the 2023 NBA conference held in Abuja, Maikyau noted that the reason(s) for the rejection should be advanced by those who rejected it.

    Recall that following the conclusion of the 2023 annual conference of the NBA, the annual general meeting was held on Thursday, August 31st during which after the President put the question three times for the adoption of the proposed amendments, the members rejected it the three times.

    According to him, how proposals in the amendment were rejected remains baffling as one of the proposals is seeking to increase the statutory 10% remittance to the NBA branches based on what the members pay as Bar practice fees as contained in the extant constitution.

    He said the proposal was an increment from 10 to 20 percent believing that the increment would give the state branches access to more funds with which to run the affairs of the state organs.

    The second proposal was the Stabilization Fund, which he said would expose members to funds for personal development, which was an innovation.

    “Our lawyers have been very desirous and they need support. Young lawyers can make money across the globe on the go by reason of technological know-how. So we’ve been talking about access to finance for our lawyers.

    “So that when we put the package together, we have a fund that we described in the proposed constitution as the Stabilization Fund.

    “We decided to put it in the constitution to reinforce that fund so that nobody comes tomorrow and will do something different.

    “What was the purpose of that proposal is to say okay, for instance, now we have a deposit of N1.5 billion.

    “Maikyau also stated that the controversy generated over his visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa was unnecessary because he had not acted in contravention of the constitution.

    He said the occupant of the Presidential Villa did not get there of his own volition but through what the constitution says and according to the body empowered to pronounce him as the winner of the process through which he won.

    “It is based on the provisions of the Constitution and the relevant extant laws promulgated by the National Assembly.

    “Enjoy every single thing that is done, the conduct of the elections, is it in accordance with somebody’s custom?

    “No, we have the constitution. We have the Electoral Act, it prescribes everything. And then we have the Evidence Act, which says that if a declaration is made by a public officer, that declaration is presumed to be right. And that everything that needed to be done for that to happen had been done. 

    “There is nowhere you will find any law that says because an election is being challenged, then a person’s election that is being challenged is an illegal government, is unconstitutional.

    “That is wrong, that is absolutely an abdication of our responsibility to give direction to the people of the country.

    “We are misleading the people. And let me tell you, we (lawyers) are very influential by reason of the position we hold because the people of this country expect us to guide them on the provisions of the law.

    “That is why we must be measured in the way we speak. We can’t afford to speak Anyhow because of that responsibility”.

    “So please, I went to the president because today, there is only one president and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic. If you are a petitioner in the Election Petition Tribunal, the law calls you a petitioner, not president.

    “And that is the law. If there’s anybody who questions this position of the law, let me know. So, that is why we went to him. We are very cultured people, if the law says this is what it is, we will follow it.”

  • NBA seeks increased wages for CJN, Chief Judges, Magistrate judges, others

    NBA seeks increased wages for CJN, Chief Judges, Magistrate judges, others

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has declared to further push for an improvement in the remuneration of judicial officers.

    The body said its resolve to push for a review of judicial officers’ remuneration stems from the fact that besides being poorly paid, access to justice by Nigerians might be affected considering the harsh prevailing economic realities of the country.

    Speaking on Tuesday at a breakout session at the ongoing 2023 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) holding in Abuja, panelists on the ‘Overview of NBA’s Memo to RMAFC on judicial remuneration’ said the peculiarities of the judicial officers made it imperative that their remuneration reflect the circumstances governing their role in safeguarding justice for all.

    The NBA has also demanded that the Federal government remove from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and establish a separate body that will determine the remuneration of the judicial officers.

    The lead speaker at the session, Olawale Fapohunda, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekiti State said the NBA had a report on the subject that took into consideration all the peculiarities of the sector about the prevailing economic realities.

    He said the NBA is recommending a 200% increment in the judicial officer’s remuneration.

    The Revenue Mobilizations Allocation Commissioner said it recommended a 114% increment based on the new salary structure.

    Fapohunda, in his lead presentation said the NBA took into consideration the need to ensure judicial independence and the effects of its suppression under any guise on the society before taking on the task of reviewing the situation.

    He said the need to properly remunerate the judicial officer led to a comprehensive comparative study of some African countries including South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana and where it was discovered that the Nigerian judicial officers are the least paid.

    Fapohunda said the NBA will continue to engage all critical stakeholders towards the realization of the review.

    However, Farouk Abubakar, the RMAFC Commissioner for Kano State disclosed that while the NBA studied judges’ remunerations from 6 African countries, the Commission went around several countries beyond Africa before action was taken on the subject.

    He also disclosed that the prevailing remuneration package of the judicial officer did not suggest that the government was not oblivious to their importance to society.

    He said the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) currently earns more than the Vice President and the Senate President while the Justices of the Supreme Court earn higher than Senators while in the States, the Chief Judges earn higher than the State legislators.

    He however stated that in a report on the review of the judicial officers, the Commission has proposed an increment of 114 percent in line with the new extant salary structure.

    He said though the immediate past President could not sign the report, the Commission would seize the opportunity to further review the remunerations to conform with the fuel subsidy removal and other economic changes.

    Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rivers State gave the Rivers State experience under the last political dispensation which he implored other State governments to emulate.

    He said the independence of the judiciary cannot be guaranteed without financial independence.

    According to him, the then governor believed that judicial officers of Rivers State origin either by birth or marriage, even as Federal workers were given special recognition with special incentives to motivate them against compromising their work.

    He said comprehensive financial security, with enhanced remuneration package, secured accommodation incentive, comprehensive and enduring transportation scheme as well as a very good working environment were provided for the State Judges across the board.

    He said when these are taken care of, the judicial officers would be able to carry out their duties without apprehension.

    Anthony Ojukwu (NSA), who is the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said judicial officers are entitled to wages that will consider their peculiarities.

    He said fair wages for judicial officers are important because of their importance to society and if they are exposed then society will be endangered.

    He said: “Today the greatest challenge facing the Judiciary and the legal profession as a whole relates to allegations of corruption against judicial officers.

    “This impinges directly ability of the judiciary and the legal profession towards ‘getting it right’ to dispense justice impartially and independently.

    “It is my position that a practical approach to ‘getting it right’ in dealing with alleged cases of rampant corruption will be to pay judicial officers “fair wages” in line with the recommendation of NBA to RMAFC”.

    The conference continues tomorrow.

  • Proposed amendments: is NBA scheming its collapse?

    Proposed amendments: is NBA scheming its collapse?

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has released the new proposed amendments to its 2015 Constitution. When the Committee was set up again to amend the NBA Constitution and called for memoranda from lawyers, I deliberately chose not to send any, unlike in the previous amendment of 2020.

    Why must an association derive pleasure from the ritual of amending its constitution virtually under every regime? Is such constant amendment not questionable? Upon going through the latest proposed amendments, my reaction was that: “Reading through some of these amendments, it is like asking the children of Israel to go back to Egypt after crossing the Red Sea. Why must the NBA make amending its Constitution an incessant ritual? When you say the Presidency should now be by succession after 2024 rather than by election, does this not question the motto of the NBA that says ‘Promoting the Rule of Law’? To me, some of these amendments are worse than the military coups in the African continent, now being condemned by many people.”

    Read Also: Curbing rivalry among law enforcement agencies

    While civilised institutions and associations are embracing democracy, why must a professional association such as the NBA (an association of learned individuals) be contemplating a different route? There are certain things I cannot keep silent on, and I will continue to write, talk, and make suggestions. It is the choice of those concerned to either heed or ignore, as Chinua Achebe had said: “A fly that has no one to advise it follows the corpse to the grave.”

    Proposed amendments

    Now, let us examine some of these new proposed amendments to see whether, if the NBA eventually approves them in its forthcoming Annual General Conference (AGC), it can lay claim to being truly democratic.

    Under Part II Section 7, which deals with the General Council of the Bar, the composition of the Representatives of the Association in the council is 20 members, 9 of whom must be senior members of the Association of not less than 25 years post-call, and another 9 members of the Association of not less than 10 years post-call, all spread across the 3 geographical zones. The incumbent President and his predecessor in that office are to fill the remaining 2 slots to make 20. The initial 18 members are to be elected in the National election and must have the following qualifications according to the new proposal:

    “Any member of the Association seeking election into the General Council of the Bar shall be qualified for such election if he /she:

    (a) Is a full member of the Association and has paid, as of the date of his/her nomination, his/her Bar Practicing Fees and Branch Dues for the three (3) consecutive years immediately preceding the year of the election, inclusive of the year of election.

    (b) Is in private practice.

    (c) Has at any time not less than two (2) years prior to his/her nomination been a member of the National Executive Council or served as a National Officer in the National Executive Committee or served as Chairman of a Branch or Chairman of a Section or Chairman of a Forum in the Association.”

    Although one may not find any quarrel with sub-paragraphs (a) and (b) above, the problem lies in sub-paragraph (c), which has to some extent been taken care of by the previous amendment done in 2020 to the NBA Constitution. This particular sub-paragraph (c) as contained in the new proposed amendment is like bringing back the discriminatory provision that had already been done away with in 2020. Why must some people continue to insist that for a qualified lawyer to contest for an election in NBA, such a lawyer must have been a member of the National Executive Council or served as a National Officer in the National Executive Committee or served as Chairman of a Branch or Chairman of a Section or Chairman of a Forum in the Association, at any time not less than two (2) years prior to his/her nomination?

    By the purport of this discriminatory provision, it means a lawyer who has qualified as such for over 10 years or 25 years, as well as having fulfilled sub-paragraphs (a) and (b), are not enough to qualify him/her to contest the election as a Representative of the Association to the General Council of the Bar unless he/she fulfills the requirement in sub-paragraph (c). I submit that this provision is not only very unjust and discriminatory to the majority of lawyers who are members of the NBA, but also very undemocratic. Sometimes I keep wondering what is so much special in the NBA’s position that the qualification required by a lawyer to hold an elective position in the NBA is more than what he requires to aspire to become the President of his/her country or the Governor of his/her home State, as provided for under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

    This discriminatory provision was part of the NBA Constitution for a very long time, but the NBA Committee that reviewed the Constitution in 2020, in their wisdom, saw reasons that the provision was truly discriminatory. The practice used to be that for any lawyer to contest for election as a National Officer (except for the position of Assistant), such a candidate must comply with the similarity of the sub-paragraph (c) stated above. However, the 2020 Review Committee then came up with a fantastic amendment that for a lawyer to be eligible to contest for an election as a National Officer, such a lawyer must not necessarily be or must have served as an (NEC) member, except if such a lawyer is contesting for the position of the President, 1st Vice President, and General Secretary. This discriminatory provision having earlier been expunged in 2020, why bring it back now as a condition precedent for a lawyer to be eligible to contest as a Representative of the Association at the Council of the General Bar in the new proposal? When the composition of the National Officers is being proposed to be drastically reduced to five (5), why then reintroduce the discriminatory provision to disenfranchise lawyers from contesting for a seat at the General Council of the Bar?

    Again, in the new proposal under review, it is stated as follows: “The National Executive Committee shall consist of the National Officers of the Association who, except for the President, shall be elected as provided under the Constitution for a single term of two years.” According to the proposal, (a) The President, (b) The Vice President, (c) The General Secretary, (d) The Assistant General Secretary, and (e) The Publicity Secretary are now the proposed composition of the National Executive Committee of the NBA. It may not be a bad idea to try to reduce the composition of the National Officers, but proposing that from after the 2024 election, the Presidency of the NBA will be by succession rather than by election is a terrible and very bad idea. From where did the idea come from? According to the new proposal:

    “With respect to the office of the President, the immediate past Vice President of the Association, FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, ascension to the office of the President of the Association shall be by succession, save for the circumstances listed in paragraph 4, part III of the second schedule to this Constitution.”

     Provided that where the office of the Vice President is vacant at the time of succession, an election may be held for the office of the President. This provision shall become operative after the 2024 elections of the Association.”

    When I read this provision, the question I asked was whether the NBA Presidency is now to be turned into a Chieftaincy Stool to be ascended to by succession, and how democratic is this continues to baffle me? It seems that what is now being suggested is that if this amendment scales through by the end of August this year (2023), whoever wins the 2024 election is going to be succeeded by his Vice President automatically without such a Vice President going through a fresh election to be the NBA President. This amendment being introduced is very strange. The proposal doing away with the 3 geographical Vice Presidency Structures is defeating the purpose for which it was brought in the first place, probably to have the 3 geographical zones to have a sense of belonging in the NBA political system. The final approval of these amendments will be left to the NBA Annual General Meeting to decide.

    If one may ask at this stage, is the NBA scheming its own collapse? I dare say that if these amendments are approved by the AGM of the NBA, that may mark the beginning of the collapse of the NBA, which is the utmost desire of those trying to checkmate its monopoly. I have said it somewhere that when things are not done properly and transparently in the NBA, the Association is bound to lose its potency and dynamism. Many lawyers, particularly the senior ones, have long been clamouring for the springing up of other Bar Associations, as being done in other countries, as lawyers are at liberty to form and join any Bar Association of their choice, as the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, guarantees the Freedom of Association to every Nigerian citizen, including lawyers. The monopoly of the NBA has continued to be questioned. A very senior member of the bar and a Life Bencher once told me that having multiple bar associations in Nigeria is just a question of time. This issue even featured prominently in the just-concluded first Annual Conference of the Nigerian Law Society. In advocating for Multiple Bar Associations in Nigeria, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, observed in his address:

    “In Nambia, lawyers have the opportunity to be part of multiple law-related associations such as Society of Advocates of Namibia and the Law Society of Namibia. Ukraine, too, boasts more than one umbrella body devoted to protecting the interest and welfare of legal practitioners. The Ukrainian National Bar Association and Ukrainian Bar Association, both non-governmental and non-profit organisations, unite lawyers across the country, striving to uphold the principles of the legal profession. Even in the United Kingdom, lawyers have the privilege of belonging to various law-related professional associations such as the Law Society of England and Wales and Bar Society of England and Wales. Indeed, on a continental level, Africa is home to two prominent legal associations: the African Bar Association (AFBA) and Pan African Law Union (PALU)…”

    Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) in his own paper titled “Freedom of Association of Legal Professional – Navigating the Web of Statutory Professional Regulations”:

    “Lawyers can have freedom of association to create and join associations such as Nigerian Bar Association and any other association that will foster legal reforms and development and aid justice delivery…The NBA is mentioned not just in Section 1 of the Legal Practitioner Act (LPA), but indeed, the NBA enjoys quite a great number of mentions in the LPA and Bar Council’s Rule of Professional Conduct (RPC). But can these mentions serve as the basis for overriding the lawyer’s fundamental right to freedom of association? I think not. The only exceptions to the fundamental right of freedom of association must be traceable to the Constitution. If the 1999 Constitution intended to regulate professional occupations through mandatory associations, it would have stated so under item 49 of the Exclusive Legislative List. Such intention would, however, have had to be reconciled with Section 45. A fundamental right such as the right to freedom of association simply cannot be derogated from in the manner attempted by Section 1 of the LPA. In consequence of the foregoing, since the NBA is neither a body made pursuant to Section 45 of the 1999 Constitution, nor is it even a body established under the LPA, Section 1 of the LPA is in breach of Section 40 of the Constitution and must be considered void.”

    With this kind of powerful submission, the NBA needs to be very cautious in its way of doing things. I have advised in the past that it will not be in the interest of the NBA to retain unnecessarily discriminatory provisions in its Constitution. If interested members of the Association are unnecessarily being disallowed or disenfranchised from taking part in the NBA politics, some may ask what is the essence of discharging their obligations, whether financial or otherwise, to the NBA. The Association must continue to be democratic rather than being despotic in its electoral system. With these new proposed amendments awaiting the decision of the AGM of the NBA, I doubt if many lawyers will be comfortable continuing to stay or remain in the professional association that is planning to go the way of ascension or succession to the throne, choosing its President as if we live in a Royal Kingdom. Is there any rational alternative to being democratic?

    Note: Anyone is at liberty to disagree with my above submissions, as I will surely appreciate a balanced, fair, and objective rebuttal. Contact: 08055476823, 08164683735, Email: abdulrasheedibrahim362@gmail.com.

    • Mr. Ibrahim is a Lagos-based lawyer.

  • NBA conference: Lawyers’ bold push for nation-building

    NBA conference: Lawyers’ bold push for nation-building

    Many lawyers and delegates are expected at the 63rd edition of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference (AGC) which kicks off in Abuja on Friday. ROBERT EGBE reports that the NBA’s flagship programme with its array of world-class experts across the legal, socioeconomic and political spectrum, is expected to chart a credible course for nation building.

    The 63rd edition of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference (AGC) gets underway in Abuja on Friday with over 20,000 delegates expected to attend.

    Already, over 15,000 lawyers have registered for the one-week event which will be held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, between August 25 and September 1.

    According to the organisers, President Bola Tinubu will be the guest of honour, while economist and philanthropist Tony Elumelu will be the keynote speaker.

    The theme for this year is: Getting It Right: – Charting the course for Nigeria’s nation- building. The opening is on Sunday, at 3pm.

    The programme will begin with a Jumat service on Friday, at the Central Mosque Abuja, at 1pm.

    There will be a 5km Health Walk on Saturday, between 7am and 10am, from the NBA National Secretariat to the National Stadium, Abuja.

    A tree planting session will also go side by side with the health Walk on Saturday.

    The annual health walk is aimed at encouraging healthy living through regular exercise.

      Maikyau: platform for knowledge exchange

    NBA President Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) said: “The conference represents a novel platform for knowledge exchange on the continent as we bring together world leaders, political icons, judges, leading lawyers, thought leaders, policymakers, business icons, and civil society to not just discuss but produce an implementation plan to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices leading to socio-political stability, economic growth, sustainable and infrastructural development for accelerated regional and economic integration.”

    ‘Theme carefully thought-out’

    Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee (CPC) Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) noted that the theme was well thought-out against the backdrop of “arguably the most contentious election cycle in our recent history and the first since the passing of the amended Electoral Act.”

    He noted that lawyers have been “front and centre of the pre and post-election activity that has dominated our national discourse for the last several months and there will certainly be a lot to examine at the conference.

    “Against this backdrop, the theme of this year’s conference: Getting it right – Charting the Course for Nigeria’s Nation Building, is most apposite. It is a carefully thought-out theme that reflects our current realities. We are on the cusp of a new administration and demands are stringent for our leaders to get it right in all areas of our national development.

    “The role of the legal profession in the quest for getting it right will be central to discussions at the conference. (We have) the enviable reputation of being the largest annual gathering of lawyers anywhere in the world, (and) a whopping 20,000 delegates are expected to attend this year’s AGC.

    “This number has informed the choice of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja as the venue for this year’s conference and we daresay, delegates will not be disappointed. From the religious services to kick off the event, the golf and football tournaments, the health walks, the plenary and breakout sessions, to the ever-vibrant Friendship Centre and Mammy market, the bustling Exhibition Hall, the ‘Unbarred’ concert and the President’s Dinner, the Annual General Conference has always provided something for everyone, and this year will be no exception!”

    Conference bags distribution underway

    Ahead of the event, conference bags have arrived at the NBA secretariat in Abuja and are already being distributed to branches through chairmen or their verified representatives.

    As of August 19 about 21 branches in the Northern region including Abuja, Keffi, Sokoto, Makurdi, Zaria, Suleja, Gwagwalada, Garki, Katsina, Bwari, Kaduna, Gusau, Lokoja, Barnawa, Minna, Asaba, Kafanchan, Dutse, Lafia, Kano, Ungogo, and Nyanya/Karu were reported to have collected conference bags for their branches.

    This was in addition to 20 groups/law firms who also collected their bags in that period.

    This early collection was to prevent the bag fiasco of the last conference in Lagos. Lawyers went on a rampage last August following a shortage of conference materials.

    Videos of lawyers vandalising conference booths and looting bags at the Eko Atlantic Victoria Island conference centre shocked the country.

    Then outgoing Nigeria Bar Association President, Olumide Akpata, vowed that any lawyer found complicit in the vandalisation of conference booths, theft of phones, and assault on officials would be prosecuted.

     ‘Best bags’ in NBA AGC history

    NBA Assistant Publicity Secretary, Ajiboye Charles Olawale, praised the Maikyau-led administration for his commitment “to organising a conference like no other and has put in all that is required to ensure that the bags and materials arrived well ahead of the conference.”

    He noted that the availability of conference bags was one major issue with some past NBA AGCs.

    Olawale said: “This problem has therefore been solved and nipped in the bud by the Afam Osigwe (SAN) and Oyinkan Badejo-Okusanya-led planning committee.

    “So far about 15,000 people have registered to attend this year’s conference in-person. Nonetheless, 18,000 premium bespoke conference bags and world-class pens have been produced and are ready for collection.

    “This year’s conference bags are of top-notch quality. Finely finished and detailed. They are durable bags fit with multiple compartments for files, books, tablets, and personal belongings. The bags easily qualify as the best in the history of NBA AGC conference bags.”

  • Suspended REC to NBA: don’t refer me to LPDC

    Suspended REC to NBA: don’t refer me to LPDC

    The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State, Hudu Yunusa Ari, has urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) not to refer him to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

    Ari, in a letter to NBA President Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), contended that issues relating to his conduct during the last governorship election in Adamawa are the subject of a case before the state’s High Court in a charge numbered HC/ADSY/15/2023, filed on July 5.

    The suspended REC argued that it would amount to double jeopardy for the NBA to probe him despite the pendency of the case.

    Ari said his letter followed reports that he would be referred to the LPDC over his role in the supplementary gubernatorial elections of April 15.

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    Ari told the NBA that the same issues were also the subject-matter in a suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/935/2023 and an election petition numbered EPT/AD/GV/01/2023.

    Ari explained that the various suits seek the interpretation of sections 144 and 145 of the Electoral Act 2022 on the proprietary or otherwise of his declaration of Aishatu Ahmed Dahiru as the winner of the Adamawa governorship election

    The letter reads: “Mr President, your alleged anticipated referring me to the LPDC may result in double jeopardy against me and a breach of my fair hearing contrary to the provisions of Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). 

    “The NBA has been at the forefront of advising against comments or taking steps on matters pending before courts of law in the overall interest of justice. 

    “It is in the light of the above, especially the pending cases and criminal charge on the same subject matter, that I request that you stay any action regarding the subject matter of my duties as Resident Electoral Commissioner during the Adamawa gubernatorial elections and to refrain from referring the matter to the LPDC.

    “To do otherwise would violate sections 144, 145 and 149 of the Electoral Act; Section 36 of the Constitution and will grossly undermine the proceedings in the various courts.”

  • Eid-el Kabir: NBA, Lalong greet Muslims

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has felicited with Muslims as they join others to celebrate Eid-el Kabir.

    Also, Plateau State Governor/Northern Governors Forum Chairman Simon Bako Lalong urged Muslim faithful to live peacefully with others.

    NBA Assistant National Publicity Secretary Akorede Lawal said in a statement: “NBA President, Paul Usoro (SAN) on behalf of the national officers of the Bar, felicitates with Muslim lawyers and indeed the entire Muslim Ummah on the celebration of another Eid-el-Kabir.

    “The significance of Eid-el-Kabir revolves around the virtues of faith, trust, sacrifice and belief.

    “It is the hope of the NBA that Muslim faithful will continue to imbibe and live by these virtues as they join hands in building a prosperous and secured nation.

    “The NBA President enjoins Muslim faithful to pray for a just and peaceful Nigeria as they worship at Eid grounds.”

    Lalong urged the Muslim Ummah to practice the virtues of sacrifice, peaceful coexistence, reconciliation and tolerance as professed by Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

    In a statement by his Director of Press Affairs, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, the governor urged Muslims to mark the festival by practicing the teachings of the Holy Quran which advocate goodwill and respect for humanity irrespective of religious, ethnic, political and other affiliations.

    Lalong also appeals to the people of Plateau State to sustain the peace and harmony that currently exists so as to promote development and security, which are crucial to achieving the objectives of his Rescue Mandate.

    He urged religious and community leaders as well as security agencies to work in harmony as they provide a safe and secure environment for the people to observe a hitch-free Eid-El-Kabir.

    Lalong reaffirmed his administration’s determination to serve the people assiduously through implementation of legacy projects that impact directly on the well-being of the citizens in line with the renewed mandate given to him in the last elections.

    The governor wished all Muslims a Happy Sallah celebration and called for continued prayers for the leadership of the country at all levels.

  • CBL initiative gave birth to NBA Africa league – Ugo Udezue

    Ugo Udezue is a former Nigeria international basketball player who worked in the USA developing African players after he retired professionally. He resigned his lucrative job in the USA and returned to Lagos where he is helping the African continent with Continental Basketball League and AFA Sports products. He spoke with a group of reporters in Lagos…

    What are your thoughts on the new NBA League in Africa BAL?

    I am excited about the NBA coming to Africa. It quite obvious the CBL (Continental Basketball League) initiative showed the opportunity for a private basketball league in Africa, so in a way we are happy to be part of the process. Basketball serves as a catalyst to empower Africa which has the youngest demography in the world.

    How do you think the NBA/BAL will benefit Africa?

    We hope it drives the local sports industry not just a talent acquisition plan for the NBA, and revenue generated is used to push a holistic local sports industry around the BAL. I understand it is a business and most investors will rather look at the bottom line than a long term opportunity driven by a social empowerment approach versus profits.

    What’s the latest plan for the CBL?

    We will announce the commencement of our league soon. We have been focused in infrastructure development and long term strategies and partnerships. As matter of fact we have added up more teams and more countries and so the expansion continues.

    How do you intend to compete with the NBA?

    We do not see the NBA as a competition. I believe our directions and opportunities are different. Africa needs about 10 leagues to tap into its vast resources. I think its myopic to look at it in terms of competition. There are 54 countries in Africa and the NBA cannot cover it all, I think our league should be encouraged and not looked as a competition. Our only advantage is that we are first in the market and understand the grassroots better.

    Have you resolved any issues with FIBA?

    In my opinion I don’t see any issues between us and FIBA. We are a private sports enterprise that’s not affiliated with government or federations. We have approached them for help in the past. The CBL has brought attention to the opportunities of a league in Africa and I believe with more support from the federations and FIBA the opportunities will continue to grow for all parties. In most continents we have multiple leagues and most recently the BIG3 in the United States and Africa is a fairly untapped sports market.

    And what about your relationship with the Nigerian Federation?

    As you must have noted, there was no issues with even the former NBBF board during our second season and so everyone is getting along now as they now see a bigger picture. And you know that a board is in place now with Musa Kida as the head.

    I can say there is greater understanding and partnership than we had. We are confident that CBL will help Nigeria basketball league develop greatly in terms of the game and business and this the new board understands.

    What is the future of CBL?

    We have actually garnered a lot of support in the past couple of months. We intend to escalate our investments. We are focused on markets that are the hardest to develop in terms of opportunity but lucrative in terms of the love of the game and social engagements. After the euphoria and exfoliation we will have a clear advantage of been Africa owned and Africa focused.

  • NBA bars members from kidnap cases in Edo

    The Benin Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), on Thursday, barred its members from handling cases of kidnapping.

    The branch made this known in a communiqué signed by its Chairman Mr Collins Ogiegbaen and Secretary Mr Pius Oiwoh on Thursday in Benin.

    The association said it is withdrawing its services from all suspects whose offences are related to kidnapping against the background of incessant cases of kidnap and attempted kidnap of its members.

    “The branch hereby order the immediate withdrawal of services of all lawyers registered with it from defending persons charged with the grievous and felonious offences of kidnapping and armed robbery.

    “İn this regard and for purposes of emphasis, the branch resolves that all lawyers registered with it are forthwith prohibited from appearing for kidnap suspects either at the police station or in any court within the state.

    “That this order for the withdrawal of services to persons charged with the aforementioned offences shall be with immediate effect until otherwise reviewed by a subsequent meeting of the branch.

    “Consequently, any member of the bar found flouting the resolution/directive shall be heavily sanctioned accordingly,” it said.

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    The branch added: “That the bar resolves to write to the judges of the criminal division of the high court of the state to dispense speedily with cases of kidnapping and armed robbery pending before them.

    “They are also to formally report to the branch counsel who appears indolent or shows lack of capacity or diligence in prosecuting these cases including members of the bar who are fond of filing frivolous applications before the court to delay the speedy hearing and determination of these cases, for sanctions.

    “The bar resolves to inflict maximum sanctions and punishments on state counsel who are found to have compromised their briefs or show lack of capacity or appears indolent in the prosecution of persons charged with the heinous crimes of kidnapping and armed robbery.

    “And on defence counsel who have formed the habit of aiding criminals through unconventional methods and unlawful means to escape the long arm of justice,” it added. (NAN)

  • Court restrains NBA from suspending Ikorodu branch chairman

    An Ikeja High Court on Friday restrained the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) from suspending the Chairman of its Ikorodu Branch, Bayo Akinlade.

    Justice Babajide Candide-Johnson granted an injunction restraining the NBA from taking such a step against Akinlade.

    Justice Candide-Johnson granted the injunction while ruling in a motion exparte filed by Mr Femi Falana (SAN), counsel to Akinlade.

    Other defendants in the matter are the registered trustees of the NBA and the acting Chairman of the Ikorodu Branch of the NBA, Ezekiel Ogbaide.

    In the motion exparte before the court, the applicant had sought among others, an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from acting on his purported suspension as the Chairman of the branch on March 28 pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    Justice Candide-Johnson in his ruling said “I hold that this present case is covered by the case law of 7up Bottling Company vs Abiola and Sons Nigeria Limited.

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    “The motion exparte dated April 2 succeeds, the interim injunction is hereby granted as order as prayed.

    “The lifespan of the interim injunction granted this Friday, April 5, 2019 shall operate until midnight of April 12, 2019.

    “Substantial hearing of the motion on notice is fixed for Tuesday April 16, 2019″, the trial judge ruled.

    Akinlade was suspended on March 28 during the National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting of the NBA.

    He was alleged to have flouted an order from the national body of the NBA to halt the March 15 bye-election of the branch.