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Tag: NBA

  • NBA tackles fake lawyers with identification stamp

    NBA tackles fake lawyers with identification stamp

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Augustine Alegeh (SAN) yesterday noted that the activities of fake lawyers were negatively affecting the practice of law.

    They spoke in Abuja at the launch of special identification stamp for lawyers by the NBA.

    While the CJN observed that judges were finding it difficult to differentiate between “real” and “fake” lawyers, Alegeh explained that such difficulties informed why the NBA, under his leadership, decided on the stamp.

    Justice Mohammed said: “The prevalence of fake lawyers in the country negatively affects the integrity of the legal profession and casts a shadow of disrepute upon us all.  Indeed, Judges find it difficult to identify which counsel, appearing before them, is genuine or otherwise.  “Of even greater concern is the fact that members of the public are often left in a quandary over who they can place their trust, property and even lives in.

    “We must not forget that the credibility of the Bar has a direct impact on respect for the Rule of Law and the independence of the Courts.

    “This is why it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the stamp is used as a veritable means of authenticating a qualified legal practitioner and the documents emanating from him.

    “I believe that the stamp can, if properly deployed, become a hallmark of a firm’s work and a way for prospective clients to better identify their counsel- a veritable means to ‘Know Your Counsel’. “Thus, having an innovation, which may bestow a ‘stamp’ of integrity and respect, is indeed welcome.

    This event is also timely in its occurrence.

    “Our Judiciary is similarly introducing the greater use of information and communications technology solutions like legal email and court automation into the administration of justice in the tri-strata of our superior courts.

    “I believe that an enhanced synergistic use and adoption of appropriate ICT innovations will further enhance our ability to bring the legal profession into the 21st century and re-position the temple of justice to provide effectively a qualitative justice dispensation system that meets the complex demands of our dynamic society.  “These innovations will soon include the electronic service of hearing notices from the Supreme Court and more secure inter- and intra- communications platforms between the courts and legal practitioners.”

    Alegeh hoped that the stamp would eradicate the problem of fake lawyers in the country.

    Acting Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello hailed the NBA leadership for the innovation. He was optimistic that the stamp would  help reduce cases where non-lawyers pretend to be lawyers.

  • NBA holds conference

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law (SBL) will hold its Ninth conference from June 7-9 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos

    In a statement, its Chairman, Conference Planning Committee Mr. Ayuli Jemide said the theme of the conference is Regulators as catalysts for economic growth. He said the event will enable regulators, lawyers and business executives to engage in a dialogue on how policies and regulations will shape economic growth

    He said: “With key note presentations and panel discussions led by top industry experts nationally and internationally, the conference sessions will prove to be an impactful forum for information sharing.”

    He said session topics will include Long term global economic trends and implications for Nigeria; Improving Nigeria’s ease of doing Business Index; Raising money for projects; Latest trends in Nigerian financing; Nigeria’s power privatisation process: Learning curves and next steps; Young lawyers visit to law firms; and Value-based pricing for legal services

     

  • NBA Commission to partner agencies on corruption

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Anti-Corruption Commission has said it would embark on necessary interface with appropriate agencies and organisations to duly imbibe best practices in order to tackle corruption in the country.

    Its Chairman, Dr. Theo Osanakpo (SAN), disclosed this in Abuja, at the inauguration of the committee by the NBA President, Augustin Alegeh (SAN). The event held at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) Auditorium Abuja, the nation’s capital.

    Alegeh said: “It is imperative for NBA to properly address decadent corruption issues in the country,” adding that the NBA Anti Corruption Commission is headed by a spotless Senior Advocate of Nigeria in the person of Dr Theo Osanakpo.

    Dr Osanakpo, in his response, said: “The Commission will duly assist the NBA to take informed position on corruption issues prevalent in the Nigerian State.

    “The Commission will embark on necessary interface with appropriate agencies and organisations to duly imbibe best practices in order to effectively tackle endemic corruption issues in the Nigerian State.”

  • How to reduce rigging, electoral malpractices, by Sagay, Alegeh, others

    How to reduce rigging, electoral malpractices, by Sagay, Alegeh, others

    Renowned professor of law, Itsay Sagay (SAN) on Tuesday blamed the judiciary for encouraging electoral malpractices at the highest level.

    “The loser to a president never wins in court. You can only know the truth in a minority judgment,” he said.

    He said for instance, the 2007 elections were adjudged the worst in Nigeria’s history, yet despite damning verdict, the judiciary never nullified the late president Umaru Yar’Adua’s tainted victory.

    The court, he said, found that ballot papers were not serialised in line with the Electoral Act, which meant that no one could trace where they came from or were printed or what quantity was produced.

    That alone, he believes, was enough to invalidate the entire process.

    Sagay spoke at a one-day workshop organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches in Lagos (Ikeja, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Badagry) in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.

    The workshop had the theme: “Countdown to the 2015 General Elections: Are Nigerians Ready?”

    Other speakers were NBA president, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), a former Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo; Lagos Attorney-General, Ade Ipaye; former Secretary-General, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Malachy Ugwumadu and chairman NBA election monitoring team, Dr. Momodu Kazeem Momodu.

    Sagay said while the 2011 elections witnessed slight improvements, voting patterns were highly questionable, except in Lagos State.

    For instance, he said in Rivers State, President Goodluck Jonathan polled 1.8million votes compared to the governor’s 1.1million, in Delta, it was 1.3million to 535,000 for the governor and in Akwa Ibom it was 1.1million to the President and 900,000 for the governor.

    It was only in Lagos that the governor polled 1.5million votes compared to the president’s 1.2million, which to Sagay, “is a normal thing.”

    He said elections in pre-independence Nigeria were devoid of malpractices and violence, but those conducted from 1964 till 2011 were characterised by rigging.

    He also pointed out that elections conducted by military regimes were less problematic than those handled by civilian administrations.

    The professor of law said there was need to make politics less attractive in Nigeria by reducing the jumbo salaries and allowances of political office holders.

    He also recommended part-time sittings for legislators as well as devolution of powers at the centre to make it less attractive.

    Alegeh said the security challenges cited by the Independent National Electoral Commission as well as the inability of millions of registered voters to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were sufficient reasons to shift the polls.

    “The postponement affords us the opportunity to have a proper election. It is in order for now but we will not allow any further postponement,” the NBA president said.

    Alegeh also disclosed that the NBA would deploy 8,400 observers to monitor the elections, adding that lawyers had a duty to help in the success of Nigeria’s democracy.

    Oyewo urged Nigerians to make sure their vote count, as the ballot is an infinitesimal power of the people to determine who governs the country.

     

  • NBA inaugurates Anti-Corruption Committee

    NBA inaugurates Anti-Corruption Committee

    NIGERIAN Bar Association (NBA) President Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN) has inaugurated the association’s Anti-Corruption Committee.

    Dr. Theo. Osanakpo is the Chairman; John Baiyeshea (SAN) is Alternate Chairman and Joshua Usman  is the Secretary

    Alegeh urged the committee to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Commission, which is headed by Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), to eradicate corruption from the association and the nation.

    Alegeh said: “As the proponent of rule of law and voice of the people, the NBA under my watch has declared a zero tolerance on corruption, thereby reforming and strengthening the NBA Anti–Corruption Commission to monitor and report cases.

    “The fight against corruption by the NBA will not be taken seriously by any Nigerian except the NBA is seen as having done a serious battle against the perceived corruption within the Association.

    He continued: “Corruption, no doubt, is one of the major cankerworms that have eaten deep into the fabric of our national lives. It is responsible for the underdevelopment of our nation as resources meant for development are brazenly looted by few shylock individuals.

    “Over the years in Nigeria, the issue of corruption is a malaise in our society and in the whole world as well.  The NBA intends to join in the crusade against corruption in our country for the promotion of rule of law and entrenchment of tenets of democracy in our society.”

    Alegeh said example abounds on how some greedy Nigerians have cornered and looted the country’s resources. The ones that readily come to mind, he said, are the $180 million Halliburton scam, $4.5 billion fuel subsidy probe scam, $16 billion power probe, and N32.8billion pension scam to mention, but a few.

    “As part of its effort to develop and promote our nascent democracy, the Nigerian Bar Association has always been involved in the vibrant advocacy over the issue of corruption in Nigeria.

    “The leadership of the NBA issued a press statement at the last International Anti-Corruption Day on the 9th of December, 2014 that it will help the government at all levels to fight and break the corruption chain as it undermines the social and economic development in our society,” Alegeh said.

    Alegeh listed the committee’s terms of reference to include: “To Work with the 109 Branches of the NBA to set up an Anti-Corruption Committee each, to set and maintain the highest standards of conduct aimed at avoiding corrupt practices at the Bar and the Bench; to develop and facilitate policy dialogue and anti-corruption training courses/workshop for stakeholders in the fight against corruption, to develop feedback mechanism from anti corruption agencies and the public and to do all things necessary to ensure a corruption free society.”

    The President also inaugurated the NBA Prosecutors team and the Young Lawyers Forum.

  • NBA Abuja inaugurates new officers

    The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice I. M. Bukar has inaugurated new officers of the Abuja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

    Justice Bukar, represented by Justice Jude Okeke, administered the oath to the 10 new officers who would run the association for the next two years.

    They are Mr. Agada Elachi (Chairman), Betty Umegbulem (Vice Chairman); Kola Omotunigbon, Secretary; Christopher Eiche, Treasurer; Chinedu Obienu, Welfare Secretary;  Silas Joseph Onu, Publicity Secretary and Obioma Ezenwabodo as Provost.

    Others are Nduka Okatta, Social Secretary; Philemon Yakubu, Financial Secretary and U.M.D. Umukoro as Assistant Social Secretary.

    The officers were elected on December 12, last year, but their swearing-in was delayed due to the strike by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) until January 29.

    The event was noted as the most attended inauguration in the history of the Branch.  Justice Ishaq U. Bello of the FCT High Court made glowing remarks on the cordial relationship that exists between the Bar and the Bench in the FCT.

    The event was attended by prominent Bar leaders in the FCT, including the NBA President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN).

    He praised the branch for blazing the trail in conducting the first electronic voting by any branch of the NBA.

    Also at te event were the General Secretary of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), who was represented by a Director from the Ministry of Justice, Mr. P. I. Oteh. Two former Presidents of the NBA, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) and J. B. Daudu (SAN) were also present.

    Also present were: Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), Chief IkechuKwu Ezechukwu (SAN),  Chief Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN),  Chief S.I. Ameh (SAN), Chief Godwin Obla (SAN),  Chief Karina Tunyan (SAN),  Dr. Garba Tetengi (SAN) and Director, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Pius I.  Oteh.

    Past and present national officers of the NBA were also in attendance.

  • Rivers NBA begins voters’ sensitisation awareness

    The Nigerian Bar Association, Isiokpo branch in Ikwerre Local government of Rivers State has kicked off voters sensitisation exercise to educate the people especially the youths on how to vote wisely.

    The campaign which started  on Monday at the palace of the paramount ruler of Emohua, HRM, Eze V.C.D Okor was attended by traditional rulers, chiefs, clan heads, women and youths of the area.

    Educating the voters, the chairman of Nigerian Bar association Isiokpo branch Mr. Promise Wobo Iwezor said the sensitization campaign came as a result of the task given to all branches of NBA by the National president, Augustine Alege.

    Iwezor said their mission is to sensitize end mobilize the people of area on election and voting matters to promote peace and orderliness during the February general election.

    He thanked the paramount ruler of Emohua for given them the opportunity to address his subjects, adding their effort would contribute to the success of the 2015 general election.

    “From today we have started the voters’ sensitization awareness; thank God we started from the palace. The objective is to create voters awareness with believe that we will achieve desired result.

    “We are doing everything possible to ensure crisis free election; the awareness campaign is going down to the grassroots. Of course, what we are doing is in line with NBA’s agreement at the end of her National workshop in Abuja.”

     

     

  • INEC in Rivers set for poll

    INEC in Rivers set for poll

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Gesila Khan, has said the commission is ready to conduct the February 14ad 28 elections.

    The commission said in spite of the lapses associated with the collection of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC), the agency would not abandon the use of PVCs for the elections.

    Khan spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital at a voter’s sensitisation forum organised by the Rivers State branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

    The resident commissioner, who was represented by INEC Head of Department (HOD), Voters Education and Publicity, Mr. Achibie Godfrey, said the commission welcomes the NBA initiation of door-to-door voter’s sanitisation.

    He said there had been challenges in the distribution of the PVCs but its abandonment cannot be contemplated because it would help to eliminate fraudulent electoral practices.

    “I believe that there will be challenges, which are already in the public domain but we are confident that with the various mechanisms the commission had put in places such as the card reader, which was introduced to hasten accreditation, are expected to check fraud.

    ”We are prepared to conduct credible polls. But we are appealing to the political parties and the electorate to play by the rules to achieve a peaceful exercise. We must not forget to thank Rivers NBA for initiating voters’ awareness.”

  • NBA sets up election monitoring team

    NBA sets up election monitoring team

    THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has inaugurated its Election Working Group to monitor next month’s general elections.

    Among its terms of reference, the group is to develop a platform from which reports from lawyers from different polling units can be collated and documented.

    The 27-man committee headed by Dafe Akpedeye (SAN) will coordinate in different polling units, monitor and initiate discussions with security agencies to ensure a secured environment.

    It will also meet with traditional and religious leaders as well as partner civil society organisations and other stakeholders on electoral reforms.

    NBA’s President Augustine Alegeh (SAN) said: “Disturbing electoral trends such as intimidation of voters, snatching of ballot boxes and other vices shall be the focal-point of the Election Working Group.

    “Proactive steps must be adopted to checkmate incidences of electoral violence and malpractice. The Election Working Group shall set up a communication platform for efficient reporting of the elections by lawyers serving as election monitors/observers in various polling units in the country.”

  • Lawyer advocates strengthening of EFCC, ICPC

    Lawyer advocates strengthening of EFCC, ICPC

    Mr Onyekachi Ubani, a former Chairman, Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Thursday called for the strengthening of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies.

    Ubani, who made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, urged the government to intensify its campaign against corruption.

    He said both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) should be granted administrative and financial independence.

    “The government must grant them autonomy. If they want to prosecute anybody, they should not look towards the presidency whether the person is politically connected.

    “Our institutions must be strengthened. They should be allowed to carry out their investigation and prosecute anybody the way it is being done in advanced countries,’’ Ubani said.

    According to him, empowering these institutions and ensuring that they maintain independence in the discharge of their duties is key to fighting corruption.

    The former NBA chairman said proper funding of the agencies would improve the morale of their investigators and prosecutors which would transform to more conviction of offenders.

    Ubani also called for a review of the laws establishing the agencies, adding that their chairmen should not be solely appointed by the president.

    He decried the slow pace of prosecution of high-profile corruption cases in the country which he attributed to systemic corruption within the justice system.

    “Our justice system must wake up to its responsibilities and our judges should be more courageous.

    “They should not entertain frivolous applications aimed at delaying the trials of these persons.”

    He said corruption was one of the major causes of Nigeria’s under-development and must be checked for the country to move forward.