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Tag: Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)

  • Freezing CJN’s accounts contemptuous, say Agbakoba, Falana, Ozekhome

    Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and activist-lawyers Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and Femi Falana (SAN) on Thursday urged the Federal Government to withdraw the order freezing the bank accounts of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Ononghen.

    They described the directive issued by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to freeze the accounts as illegal and sub judice.

    This was as activist-lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa argued that the Executive Order 6 relied on by the AGF was inapplicable in Onnoghen’s case.

    Agbakoba believes the AGF does not have the authority to issues such directive to NFIU.

    He said: “To repeat, the AGF has no authority to issue a directive to NFIU to freeze the CJN’s bank accounts as the matter is already pending before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) and is therefore sub judice.

    “The proper forum to issue the order at all would be the CCT itself and not the AGF.”

    Falana, in a statement, said since a charge is pending before the CCT, neither the prosecutor nor the defence counsel is permitted by law to resort to self-help under the pretext of preserving the “res” or the subject matter of the criminal proceedings.

    Though the Presidential Executive Order No 6 of 2018 has been validated by the Federal High Court, Falana argued that it does not authorize the freezing of the bank accounts or assets of any defendant who has been charged with economic or financial crime or the contravention of the code of conduct for public officers.

    The SAN said: “It is trite law that once a charge has been instituted in a criminal court or at the CCT, the freezing of the bank accounts or seizure of the assets of the defendant has to be anchored on the valid order of the trial court based on the application of the prosecution. This procedure accords with the rule of law.

    “For the umpteenth time, the Buhari administration ought to be reminded that even under a fascist military junta, Andrew Otutu Obaseki J.S.C. of blessed memory spoke for the Supreme Court when he said inter alia: ‘In the area where the rule of law operates, the rule of self-help by force is abandoned. Nigeria being  one of the  countries in the world, even in the third world which proclaim loudly to follow the rule of law, there is no room for the rule of self-help by force to operate.

    “‘Once a dispute has arisen between a person and the government or authority and the dispute has been brought before the court thereby invoking the judicial powers of the State, it is the duty of the government to allow the legal and judicial process to run its full course.’”

    The activist-lawyer said he was compelled to call on the Federal Government to withdraw the charge as it was inexorably designed to end in a prosecutorial fiasco.

    “Since it has now been confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari was not taken into confidence before the charge was filed by the Code of Conduct Bureau, it is high time that the Federal Government terminated the criminal proceedings and advised the petitioner to submit his complaint to the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    “No doubt, the Federal Government may not like the much cited case of Nganjiwa v Federal Republic of Nigeria. Personally, I have had cause to criticise the judgment.

    “But until it is set aside by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the discipline of judicial officers has to be conducted and concluded by the NJC before they are subjected to criminal proceedings,” Falana maintained.

    Ozekhome described the directive as “doubly illegal, unconstitutional, wrongful and unlawful.”

    According to him, the AGF contravened the order of a Federal High Court judgment which required the government to obtain a court order before it can lawfully deploy Presidential Executive Order No: 6.

    Ozekhome said: “Firstly, the Presidency said it was not aware that the CJN was going to be arraigned. Now, on the same Monday it was making its denial, the AGF was writing a letter, which has since gone viral, to the NFIU to freeze the CJN’s accounts, based allegedly on the provisions of Order 6.

    “I argued last July when this order was rolled out that the order itself was illegal, unconstitutional, invalid and even immoral, because it was trying to empower the President to seize or block a citizen’s account, or prevent a Nigerian citizen from travelling without a court order to that effect.

    “The government then tried to rely on a judgment by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu which validated the order as not being unconstitutional.

    “But Justice Ojukwu’s judgment made it very clear that for the order to be valid, for any citizen’s account to be blocked, or for any citizen to be prevented from travelling abroad, the government must first obtain a valid court order empowering it to do so.

    “The judgment is there and it’s very clear, because that is the order the AGF is relying on. You cannot rely on an order beyond what the order itself provides. Therefore, the judgment directly overrode the provisions of the order.

    “In this case, it has not been shown that the Attorney-General obtained any court order, prior to allegedly directing the NFIU to freeze the account.

    “That again makes it doubly illegal, unconstitutional, wrongful and unlawful.”

    For Adegboruwa, the letter written by the AGF to the NFIU “is misplaced”, adding that CJN’s current travails “is unnecessary”.

    He said: “The Executive Order 6 has to do with those who have corruption cases still pending in court, and their names were actually listed in that order – about 155 cases. At the time the order was enforced, this case had not started.

    “The charge against the CJN is not about corruption. It’s a matter of omission to declare assets. There is nobody who has said that the assets are proceeds of crime. There is no such allegation now at all. So Executive Order 6 cannot apply.”

    Adegboruwa disagreed with those asking Chief Justice Onnoghen to clear his name, saying things must be done properly.

    “I support that nobody is above the law but I think that the current effort to demonise the Judiciary through the office of the CJN is not in the best interest of this nation. It will be counter-productive.

    “Our law accommodates everything. You must have a key to enter the courtroom. There is nothing technical about jurisdiction. It was raised on behalf of President Buhari during his certificate case. You don’t jump the gun. There is what we call condition precedent.

    “After all, judges that were taken before the NJC, like Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, has since been dismissed. We can’t bury anything under the ground but we’re saying follow due process,” the lawyer said.

    He also faulted the manner in which details about the charge was made public, saying the CJN’s family is being endangered.

    “Now we have the form filled by the CJN with his handwriting all over the social media, with his private telephone number, names of his family members, his children. Tat is not how to treat the number four citizen of this country. I don’t think the government can be fighting against itself. A house divided against itself cannot stand,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has summoned a meeting of all SANs to discuss Chief Justice Onnoghen’s travails.

    A Senior Advocate, whose views were sought on the issue, said: “The Body of Senior Advocates has scheduled a meeting to discuss the matter on Saturday.

    “So, I don’t want to pre-empt what we have to discuss. All the SANs will be there. We’ll table the issues and take a position together. If I say anything now I might undermine their position.”

  • Nigeria gaining ‘nearly nothing’ from China trade – Agbakoba

    A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), on Thursday lamented Nigeria’s trade imbalance with China.

    Agbakoba warned that the country was losing business opportunities by not taking advantage of its bilateral relations with the Asian superpower.

    According to him, the country’s large population provides a ready market for Chinese goods, but Nigeria, being import-dependent, gets “nearly nothing” in return.

    He spoke at the annual conference of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb), which held at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The conference’s theme was, “Enforcement of arbitral awards and economic growth in West Africa.”

    Agbakoba said: “The trade between Nigeria and China is so skewed in favour of China and we are getting nothing; we are import-dependent; everything is imported. If everything continues to be imported where is our hope? We import toothpicks from China.

    “I was listening to the Director-General of NAFDAC (National Food and Drugs Administration and Control) today (Thursday) talking about drugs; we import everything. This has just got to change.”

    He warned Nigeria to be wary of becoming overexposed to Chinese loans in a way that could affect its sovereignty.

    Read Also: Agbakoba decries high cost of election petitions

    Agbakoba said: “The other day I saw in Zambia, the head of Zambian Police decorating a Chinese policeman who had taken over the Zambian Police because Zambia defaulted on a loan. So, there are wider implications.

    “There is no way we can develop if we don’t take an interest in the immediate environment.”

    The rights activist lamented that the country was losing jobs and revenue from a failure to enact a national arbitration policy, as obtainable in China, Singapore and most Western countries.

    He observed that despite the existence of a highly competent arbitration community in Nigeria, most of the high-value disputes involving companies operating in Nigeria are still being taken abroad to be resolved by foreigners.

    He explained that a national arbitration policy could compel multinationals doing business in Nigeria to put a clause in their contracts stipulating that all arising disputes must be resolved in Nigeria.

    Agbakoba said: “When (former) Governor (Babatunde) Fashola was in office and I was the NBA President, I approached him and there were some policy initiatives by (former) Governor Fashola, to the effect that all the trades and transactions within Lagos State had embedded in them an arbitration clause making Lagos the venue and that created jobs.

    “We can’t sit down here and be training as arbitrators and becoming fellows and we don’t have jobs. The key thing in arbitration is to have work to do.”

    Also speaking, the 2nd Vice-President of NICArb, Prof Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), shared in Agbakoba’s concern that Nigerian-origin disputes were being taken abroad for resolution “to the detriment of jobs and wealth creation in Nigeria”.

    He blamed the trend on “the consumption attitude” of Nigerians and speed with which Nigerian courts set aside arbitration awards.

    The conference had in attendance the Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, Justice Mohammed Garba, who represented appeal court President, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa.

    Also in attendance were the President, National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo; and Mr Muniru Liadi, who represented NBA President, Mr Paul Usoro (SAN).

  • APC primaries exposed Oshiomhole’s incompetence, says Akeredolu

    Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday said the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries exposed the incompetence of its chairman Adams Oshiomhole.

    He described the primaries as “political charade”, saying they not only exposed the “sheer incompetence” of APC’s national leadership, but revealed “a shocking proclivity towards banditry and impunity”.

    Akeredolu said recent events justified his opposition to Oshiomhole’s choice as party chairman.

    According to him, those who feel aggrieved reserve the right to demand justice, including calling for Oshiomhole’s removal.

    The governor, however, restated his commitment to work “assiduously” for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, who he said is loved by the people of Ondo who see his re-election as a “patriotic duty”.

    Akeredolu, in a statement by his Senior Special Adviser on Special Duties and Strategy Dr Doyin Odebowale, was reacting to an allegation that three governors, led by Akeredolu, was bent on sabotaging the party.

    During a pro-Oshiomhole protest at the APC Secretariat in Abuja, Akeredolu’s name was mentioned as the “leader” of “conservatives” bent on working against the re-election bid of President  Buhari the removal of Oshiomole as APC chairman.

    But, Akeredolu, who described organizers of the protest as “opportunists”, denied the allegation that he led governors of Ogun, Kaduna Adamawa and Ekiti States against Oshiomole’s leadership.

    Akeredolu said he found the report laughable and distracting, adding that as a fiercely independent personality, he was not about to change his attitude to please any person or a group of persons.

    “There is no truth in the whole contrivance. The governor has been pre-occupied with matters of governance in Ondo State for which he was elected,” the statement said.

    Read Also: No development without unity, says Akeredolu

    Akeredolu recalled his “noble interventions” as Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President at critical moments in the cause of the progressives, including in restoring Oshiomole’s stolen mandate.

    The statement said: “The Governor had expressed preference for someone else during the contest for the office of the Chairman of the Party.

    “He did not hide his opposition to Mr Oshiomole’s aspiration for the simple reason that the leadership of a party, especially the one just emerging from a merger, should distance itself from egregious and inherently destructive narcissism.

    “Recent events seem to justify this position as prescient. Only sycophants will fail to see the obvious. Mr President would not have expressed worries over the crises in the Party if everything had gone on smoothly.

    “The handlers of the mob strive in vain to set the President against certain government functionaries considered antagonistic to their pernicious scheme for dominance.

    “Their devious plot to outsmart those perceived as opposing their expansionist tendency compelled them to take desperate measures. Anyone endowed with an attitude of sobriety should have seen the need for calm.

    “Rather than retrace their steps and display genuine contrition, their desperation pushes them to embrace measures capable of not only hurting the Party, but, regrettably, the President, whom they pretend to love so much.”

    Akeredolu said it was ludicrous that anyone would consider him a conservative.

    “Those who collected varying and humongous amounts as fees from aspirants during the last grandiose charade called primaries and submitted names dictated to them by a cabal, notorious for capturing political power for unbridled pillage, should be bold to explain their real motives to the people. They should be honest enough to deal with the issues.

    “Events, which took place across the country during the political charade, have exposed not only sheer incompetence on the part of the national leadership of the party, but painfully, it has revealed a shocking proclivity towards banditry and impunity.

    “It is becoming clear, increasingly, that party leadership at that level is seriously challenged in terms of capacity for serious engagements.

    “Arakunrin Akeredolu, SAN, does not need to move from ‘North’ to ‘South’ to collect signatures from victims of electoral heist. He was in Ondo State throughout last week.

    “He was at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, to deliver a lecture on restructuring a few days ago. He is at presently in Canada on a working visit.

    “Only the mob and their hirers can explain the imagined movement from North to South. However, those who feel aggrieved reserve the right to demand that justice be done. If this includes the removal of Mr Oshiomole, so be it.

    “May we seize this opportunity to reiterate the fact that the people of Ondo State are favourably disposed to the second term bid of Mr President.

    “Our people are unique; they are unwavering in their support for justice. They alone determine what is in their best interest at all times. The President is loved by the people of Ondo State.

    “All of us shall work, assiduously, for the President’s victory at the polls next year. We do not need any band of mendicants ready for hire to remind us of this sacred patriotic duty,” the statement added.

  • NBA to politicians: Don’t pollute judiciary with do-or-die politics

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Monday warned politicians not to pollute the judiciary in a bid to achieve political power by all means.

    It said leaders must be reminded that the quest for offices must not divide the people or lead to violence and deaths, but should unify people and yield dividends of democracy.

    In a statement by its president Paul Usoro (SAN) issued to mark Independence Day, the association said do-or-die politicians must not be allowed to debase the temple of justice ahead of next year’s general election.

    “Politics must not be our bane; it must be for us, a unifying force and the vehicle for our prosperity and enhanced living standards. These are the critical issues that must occupy our leaders’ minds on this Independence Anniversary day and beyond.

    “Politics must not be allowed to debase our temple of justice and the rule of law in our country. Our judiciary and the rule of law must remain sacrosanct,” NBA said.

    The lawyers’ body noted that the absence of rule of law is anarchy and a descent into abyss, adding that lawyers and the Bench must do their part to build confidence in the Judiciary.

    NBA said: “We must not in the name of politics and for political reasons pollute our fountain of justice.

    “The judiciary is one institution that has constantly kept our country united through its pronouncements; the decisions of our courts more often than not ward off ethnic strives, political unrests, chaos, bedlam and riots – the fingerlings of anarchy.

    “It is seemly as well that we, as workers and ministers in Nigeria’s temple of justice – ranging from their Lordships to lawyers and other stakeholders in the justice sector – constantly remind ourselves of the need to uphold the core values and sanctity of our noble profession in and through our words, deeds, actions and conducts, at all times.”

    NBA said Nigeria cannot continue to make excuses for its underdevelopment, and called for better management of the country’s abundant resources.

    “In making excuses for our 58-year old country, we often fall back on the arcane saying that ‘Rome was not built in a day’ and that a country’s journey to maturity takes longer than that of an individual or a person.  That is not true or correct.

    “Singapore, illustratively, attained self-government in 1959 and became an independent and sovereign nation in 1965 after the collapse of its merger with Malaysia in 1963 and, as at date, that country is miles ahead of Nigeria in terms of development.

    “Yes, Singapore does not have our population size and diversity with its attendant challenges, but it also does not have the gamut of our natural resources ranging from mineral resources, fertile arable land, a pool of talented citizens who continuously make us proud outside Nigeria.

    “What has consistently been lacking in our country is, perhaps, the ability to coalesce these abundant resources and talent which, it must be emphasised, can be found in all the nooks and crannies of this great country, into a unified and productive whole that could and would easily turn Nigeria into the figurative Eldorado and, in the process, turn our diversity into strength and our abounding population into a productive work force.

    “These are reflections that must today occupy the minds of our leaders, of all strata, as we mark 58 years of Nigeria’s independence and declaration as a sovereign nation.

    “This is also particularly apposite as we enter another season of National Elections, the precursor of which has been the recently conducted Osun State Governorship Election.

    “With that in mind, our leaders need to consciously resolve, on this Independence Anniversary day of our nation, to make a difference in the lives of our people.

    “Governments at all levels must renew their pledges to work for the betterment of the lives of our people thereby recording tangible dividends of independence for the Nigerian people,” NBA said.

    The association praised the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for calling off its warning strike on the eve of independence anniversary.

    “Their maturity in calling off the strike should not be misunderstood as a lack of merit in labour’s demand for an increased minimum wage, from the stagnant N18, 000.00 that takes no account of inflationary and living condition trends.

    “It is our hope and expectation that the government negotiators will continue apace with the labour negotiations, notwithstanding the fact that the strike has been called off and, in the process, achieve a resolution that the parties could live with,” NBA said.

  • Agbakoba: Creation of state police more than necessary

    A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ), Mr Olisa Agbakoba on Monday said the creation of state police was “more than necessary” to address the security issues in the country.

    Agbakoba made this known in an interview with the News men in Lagos.

    He was reacting to renewed clamour for the creation of state police in view of the prevailing security situation in the country.

    The Senate had on Tuesday, July 3 passed a resolution directing its Constitutional Review Committee to set up a mechanism to amend the constitution to allow for state police.

    The resolution followed concerns raised by Sen. Jonah Jang about killings in Plateau State and other parts of the country.

    Agbakoba said the centrally-controlled police could not provide adequate security cover for the country, pointing out that state police would strengthen security.

    “The new momentum for state police is a welcome development. The creation of state police at this critical time is more than necessary.

    “You see, I feel sorry for the Inspector-General of Police who have to sit down in Abuja and monitor the entire criminal justice system in Nigeria.

    “It is not just possible .There is nowhere in the world where you have the kind of the Nigerian policing structure where everything is controlled from the centre.

    Read Also: Agbakoba, activists seek ‘people’s constitution’

    “The typical thing is that not only you need the state police to provide adequate security, you also need local government police,’’ he said.

    Agbakoba said that the state police was part of what had been widely discussed in the larger issue of restructuring.

    He said the broader issue in the discussion was devolution of powers from Federal Government to States.

    Agbakoba added that there was the need for the central government to devolve powers to the states to allow the latter run their affairs efficiently, including security.

    On whether state police would not be abused by governors to fight opposition, Agbakoba answered in the negative.

    He said once the policing option was anchored on the right constitutional provisions to guard against abuse, state police would operate efficiently.

    “What we need to do is just introduce into the constitution, regulations that would not allow governors to control the police.

    “The governors will not have authority to appoint or dismiss police heads. All these will be guaranteed.

    “After all, the judiciary is functioning independently. It is functioning because there is the National Judicial Council in the constitution performing the functions of judicial policies, appointments, dismissals and retirements,’’ Agbakoba said.

  • Ekiti 2018: NBA tasks security agencies on peaceful election

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ado-Ekiti Branch, has urged security agencies to ensure safety of lives and property before, during and after the July 14 governorship poll in Ekiti State.

    Ado-Ekiti NBA Chairman, Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola, made the call while addressing a press conference to mark the commencement of the 8th Annual Law Week of the association.

    The theme for this year’s Ado-Ekiti NBA Law Week is: “Insecurity in Nigeria’s Stunted Metamorphosis to Greatness.”

    Those that will be honoured at the weeklong event are Justice Bamidele Omotoso, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, Chief Ibuoye Gbadebo and Mr. Oluwadare Oluwatayo with prestigious eminent lawyers’ awards by NBA National President, A.B. Mahmoud.

    Read ALSO: Ekiti 2018: 15,000 corps members to participate in election

    Adaramola called for strong legal frameworks on how insurgents can be tackled, describing the act of terrorism as a serious danger to peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

    The NBA boss noted that although Ekiti is a peaceful state, he tasked the security agencies to ensure that there is breach of peace as the governorship poll approaches.

    Adaramola said: “I have the belief that security agencies are up to the task. For the past four years, there is relative peace in Ekiti State.

    “I believe that security agencies like the Police, DSS and NSCDC have the capacity to curtail any uprising. Ekiti is peaceful and we believe that this will be maintained during the election.”

    In his keynote address, the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, lamented that policemen in Nigeria are underpaid, this affects their morale to tackle security challenges.

    According to him, insecurity of life will deny the country of investment and retard its development.

    He said: “Any nation that lacks adequate security of lives and property will remain undeveloped and will forever struggling to make any meaningful impact in the comity of nations.

    “Insecurity is a major disincentive to foreign investments which a developing country like ours seriously needs to quicken its growth.”

  • State police can curb insecurity, lawyers

    Lawyers have advocated that states should be allowed to set up and operate their own police force, saying it was the only panacea to the prevailing insecurity in the land.

    The lawyers under the aegis of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Eket Branch said collaboration between Federal and State police would rid the country of needless bloodshed.

    Prof. Ernest Ojukwu (SAN) gave the remarks in his keynote address titled: ‘Prevailing Security Challenges in Nigeria: Is state police the answer?’ during the 2018 Bar Week.

    According to Ojukwu, personnel of state police are likely to do better intelligence gathering and rapid response actions because they know the terrain, speak the local languages and probably know the criminals.

    “Implementation of criminal reforms of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act will be difficult or impossible without a state controlled police,” he said.

    Read Also: State police can curb insecurity, lawyers

    Ojukwu said that state police would enhance the federal system of government, adding that a state police should not be watered down by the little challenges its implementation may pose.

    “The challenges is how to fashion out a good model for the implementation of the state police model.

    “The 2014 National Conference has proposed a workable model and this model must be critically reviewed to get the best.

    “All states must be allowed to take their destiny in their hands and this is the best way for state to blossom,” he said.

    Ojukwu added that the courts should be alive to their responsibility of safeguarding the Constitution and all citizens must be ready to abide by these constitutional provisions.

    According to him, this will reduce conflicts on constitutional issues.

    Also speaking, Barrister Emeka Obegolu, in a keynote address, entitled ‘Democratic Rule in Nigeria 1999-2018: Lessons and Challenges’, said that democracy works when holders of Executive or Presidential powers respect the decisions of courts.

    He said the objective of the paper was to appraise democratic rule in Nigeria from 1999 to 2018, examination it’s benefits as well as challenges and proffer suggestions for a better democratic Nigeria.

    Obegolu listed the challenges faced by democratic government as lack of enthronement and respect for rule of law, challenges in the conduct of free and fair elections, non-abiding to the rule of separation of power and corruption.

    “On the corollary, the weakest link of the sort of distorted democracy that is practiced in Nigeria is the lack of obedience and compliance with court judgements and orders,

    “Perhaps, due to the absence of strong institutional mechanisms for compelling the executive arm of government to play by the rule of the democratic norms.”

    Justice Abraham, the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom, said the theme of the Bar week, ‘Law, Politics and National Development: The Role of Lawyers’ , was apt and most appropriate in view of the challenging times the people are passing through as a nation.

    He said that the growing threat to the fundamental existence of the country often calls for a radical and pragmatic intervention by our judicial process.

    Also speaking, Udoh Imeh, Chairman, NBA Eket Branch, said Eket Bar has produced the number two lawyer in the country, adding that a member of the General Council of the Bar and several members in different National Committee.

  • NBA threatens to sue Buhari over constitutional dereliction

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Friday threatened  to institute a legal action against President Muhammadu Buhari, should he continue with what it described as  “constitutional dereliction” in governance.

    NBA President, A. B. Mahmoud, who gave the warning in his address, during the opening of the association’s two-day National Executive Committee meeting in Kano, accused President Buhari of neglecting to act on the recommendations of the National Judicial Council to appoint 13 justices of the Court of Appeal since November 2017.

    “Similarly, several recommendations for appointments to the Bench of the Federal High Court and other Federal courts are still pending many months after these recommendations to the President.

    ”Acting on the recommendations of the NJC is not a matter of presidential discretion, to be exercised whenever the President deems fit. It is a constitutional duty.

    ”Whilst the President is not bound to accept the recommendations, failure to act is a breach of the Constitution. I therefore call on the President to act without further delay! This failure to act is causing unnecessary delays and avoidable negative consequences on the administration of justice across the country.

    However, the Publicity Secretary of the Kano branch of the NBA, Yusuf Abdulsalami told Reporters at the event that the gathering of the leaders of the Bar in Kano is a “quarterly constitutional requirement in our association, and the aim has always been to review the state of affairs in the association, in the judiciary and in the country at large.

    According to him, ‘The Kano meeting is peculiar because it is about the last to be held under the leadership of A. B. Mahmoud.”

    Read Also: NBA honours criminal justice ‘gladiators’

  • Buhari mourns former NBA President, Sofola

    President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Nigerian Body of Benchers in mourning the passing away of a prominent lawyer, bencher and jurist, Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN), who led both groups at various times.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari commiserated with the government and people of Ogun State, the Yoruba Elders Council, family and friends of the legal luminary whose successful career over the years chronicles the history and shaping of Nigeria’s legal framework.

    As the first African to be elected Secretary General of the International Bar Association, the President believed the elder statesman’s lifelong commitment to learning, and yearning for a better life for the weak and vulnerable, distinguished him early as a leader and role model among his peers.

    President Buhari commended Chief Sofola’s contribution to national development, especially in community and human services that have seen many get right judgements, while others got inspirations to rise in the legal profession, reaching the peak of their careers as Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

    The President prayed that God will comfort the family he left behind, and grant his soul eternal rest.

    Read Also: Idowu Sofola, YCE president, dies at 84

  • Gov. Badaru facilitates release of 82 inmates – NBA

    Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa has facilitated the release of 82 inmates from various prisons in the state, Mr Baffa Alhassan, the state Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ) said.

    Alhassan told our reporter in Dutse on Friday that the governor paid a total fine of over N2 million to facilitate the release of the inmates with minor cases.

    He said “this is commendable and an act of charity.

    “I believe this is as a result of efforts by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Aminu Ringim, after we toured prisons across the state and found that some of the facilities are congested.

    “Part of recommendations of the committee raised to work on decongestion of prisons is that inmates with minor offences should be released and be reformed so that they will become useful to the society.

    “So, I believe this is what prompted the governor to graciously pay N2 million to free the inmates.”

    Alhassan urged the governor to maintain the tempo to further trim down prisons’ population.

    The Jigawa Government recently constituted a committee under the leadership of the state Chief Judge to ascertain the number of inmates serving various jail terms with a view to ensuring justice.

    The governor had in July 2015 facilitated the release of 40 inmates from various prisons in the state.

    NAN