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Tag: SANs

  • Fun as SANs, others unite for Ogunba at 50

    Fun as SANs, others unite for Ogunba at 50

    It was billed to be a night of fun and so it proved last Saturday. The occasion was the 50th birthday celebration of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Adekunle Babatunde Ogunba, fondly called “ABO the Silk” by his friends.

    Shell Hall, Muson Centre, venue of the event, was filled to capacity with friends, colleagues, business associates and family members who were thrilled to rib-cracking jokes by leading comedians, including Basketmouth and Gordons. Frank Edoho (of the Who wants to be a Millionaire fame) was the master of ceremony.

    Outside the hall, a giant board was placed for those who wished to write their birthday wishes for the celebrator. Before 5pm when the event was billed to start, the board was filled with signatures. It lived up to its billing as a red carpet event.

    A live band entertained the guests, and a short documentary on Ogunba was shown on giant screen, in which his children and workers spoke on his virtues and wished him long life.

    Guests were also thrilled by Ogunba’s love for football when clips from a game he played with his “Lekki Strikers” team was shown. They clapped to Ogunba’s dribbling skills.

    Family and friends joined him to cut a giant cake with two others beside it, one designed in form of a law book and gavel, as well as one done in form of a cheque book.  Guests had plenty to eat and drink. Even drivers who brought the dignitaries had their meal vouchers.

    Ogunba, who became a SAN in 2009 at 43, owns the Insolvency Forte, a commercial law firm of insolvency experts.

    Quoting Marcel Proust, he said: “Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are they charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”

    At the event was Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters, Senator Ita Enang.

    Among the SANs present were Olusina Sofola, Fabian Ajogwu, Anthony Idigbe, Kemi Pinheiro, Mike Igbokwe and Lawal Pedro, among others. Several banks which are Ogunba’s clients were represented, as well as members of the Bench.

  • SANs won’t shield corrupt colleagues

    The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has backed the Federal Government’s anti-corruption fight, saying even corrupt lawyers should not be spared.

    It, however, said the anti-graft agencies must ensure that the anti-corruption war is fought within the ambit of law.

    “The Body of SANs condemns all forms of corruption and money laundering by anyone, lawyers inclusive, and wholeheartedly supports appropriate efforts of the government aimed at curbing the menace of corruption through thorough investigation and prosecution of offenders in a fair trial that complies with due process of the law and ensures equal access to justice by the prosecutor and the accused, while guaranteeing the fundamental rights of all persons as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” it said.

    BOSAN, a group comprising all SANs, met at the weekend at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos, in a communiqué jointly signed by Mr. Ebun Sofunde (SAN) and Mr. Seyi Sowemimo (SAN), said it “welcomes the investigation of any lawyer, no matter how highly placed”.

    The group said members have “a duty and a responsibility to hold ourselves to the highest professional and moral standards and are determined to continue to ensure that those standards are maintained.”

    It warned against disobedience of “valid orders of courts of competent jurisdiction” by the government or its agencies, adding that disregarding court orders “is a step towards anarchy, which does not and cannot augur well for a democratic society such as Nigeria.”

    BOSAN expressed concern with the “spate of disparaging remarks and attacks on the Judiciary and judicial officers, often made in a generalised manner and perhaps calculated to intimidate and infuse fear in Judges, who are sworn to dispense justice without fear or favour.”

    “It is the Body’s view that it is unfair to the many honest and hard-working judges in our country to be painted with the same brush as the few who have been found wanting for misconduct or those who bring the office into disrepute and violate their sacred oaths of office,” BOSAN said.

    It also warned lawyers to desist from joining the bandwagon of issuing “generalised statements of a disparaging nature” against judges, describing such conduct as “unprofessional.”

    BOSAN also condemned what it called the “evolving practice of delays and non-payment of judges and judicial workers their salaries and allowances,” stating that this practice “severely undermines” the much cherished independence of the judiciary.

    On the right of accused persons to counsel of their choice, the Senior Advocates said: “The harassment and intimidation of lawyers in any form in the course of their legitimate work is unlawful and counter-productive in a democratic society. Such actions are not only unlawful but antithetical to the rule of law.

    “Nothing is further from the truth that once a lawyer undertakes the defence of an accused person, particularly a professional colleague, then he must be in active support of the alleged crime or be working against the anti-corruption crusade.

    “The Nigerian Constitution, for good reason, presumes a person innocent until proven guilty before a court of competent jurisdiction following a fair hearing, with an opportunity to conduct his defence by a counsel of his choice.”

    BOSAN urged lawyers to continue to represent their clients “to the best of their abilities, within the ambit of the law, and in compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007.”

    It noted that the body “continues to endorse” the core values of professional excellence, integrity, industry, professional ethics, and leadership by example as its overarching principles, adding that it “has taken appropriate measures to ensure that the rank is not brought to disrepute as a whole by the actions of those adjudged of wrong-doing.”

     

  • Two SANs arraigned for allegedly bribing two judges

    Two SANs arraigned for allegedly bribing two judges

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Rickey Tarfa and Dr. Joseph Nwobike, at the Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere on bribery allegations.

    In two separate charges filed by the anti-graft agency before separate judges, the SANs were accused of allegedly bribing  a Federal High Court judge, Justice Mohammad Yunusa, to influence his judgement.

    Nwobike was arraigned before Justice Raliat Adebiyi on a five-count of offering gratification to a public official and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

    Two of the counts read: “That you Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) on March 19, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, intentionally gave N750, 000.00 to  Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court directly through your United Bank for Africa Plc Account No. 1002664061 in order that the judge acts in the exercise of his official duties.

    “That you Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), on September 28, 2015, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this court, intentionally gave N300,00.00 to Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court indirectly through Awa Ajia Nigeria Limited’s account No. 0000971931 domicilled in Access Bank Plc belonging to Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira Ajiya of the Federal High Court in order that Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa acts in the exercise of his official duties”.

    Nwobike, in a statement to EFCC, had explained that the money was not meant to bribe the judge.

    He said the judge asked him for financial assistance to treat his mother undergoing dialysis due to failing kidney.

    “Sometime ago, Justice Yunusa requested to see me. When I got there, he pleaded with me to assist him with some funds since his mother was under dialysis.

    “He stated that her kidney had packed up and that he needed assistance to cure her. I felt sorry for him. I told him I did not have funds, but that I would assist him when I had some money.

    “I requested his account details, which he obliged me. When I got some money about two weeks later, I gave the money to him and he thanked me when he saw me on the corridor of the court of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi,” Nwobike said.

    Tarfa was arraigned before Justice A. A. Akintoye on a 27-count of  failure and refusal to declare his assets, making of a false statement, offering of gratification to a public official and failure to declare his assets in the EFCC Declaration of Assets (DOA) Form after his arrest.

    Prosecuting Counsel Rotimi Oyedipo alleged that on February 5, 2016, Tarfa made a false statement to Usman Zakari, a senior detective superintendent of the EFCC, by claiming that he was 43 years, while on February 10, 2016, he failed and refused to declare his assets.

    He also alleged that several payments were made by the defendants to two judges either to induce them to act in the exercise of their official duties or to persuade them to refrain from acting in the exercise of their official duties.

    The allegations are as follows:

    “That on June 27, 2012, Tarfa internationally gave N1.5 million and N500, 000.00  to Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira Ajiya of the Federal High Court in Lagos, directly from his Zenith Bank Account No. 1002926967.

    “That on August 6, 2013, the defendant intentionally gave  N500,000.00 to Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira Ajiya of the Federal High Court directly from his Zenith Bank Account.

    ‘’That on January 29, 2014, the defendant intentionally gave the same judge N1.5 million from his account.

    “That on October 3, 2014, Tarfa gave the judge N835, 000.00.

    “That on December 22, 2014, he intentionally gave the Judge N500, 000.00.

    “That on October 27, 2015, the defendant intentionally gave N1.5 million to Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira Ajiya of the Federal High Court by directly depositing the sum into Awa Ajia Nigeria Ltd’s account No. 0000971931 domicilled in Access Bank Plc, belonging to the judge.

    “That on December 30, 2015, the defendant gave the Judge N500, 000.00 by directly depositing the sum into the account of the judge.

    The defendant was also alleged to have given N200, 000.00 to Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court in Lagos, through Awa Ajia Nigeria Ltd’s account No. 0000971931 domicilled in Access Bank Plc, belonging to Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira Ajiya, on November 30, 2015.”

    Both Nwobike and Tarfa pleaded not guilty and were granted bail on self recognition.

    Nwobike’s case was adjourned to April 11, 21, 22, for trial, while Tarfa’s case was adjourned till March 22 and 23.

  • SANs sans wisdom

    SANs sans wisdom

    Senior lawyers’ unusual solidarity with a colleague

    What did Lagos lawyer Ricky Tarfa (SAN) think he was doing when he allegedly tried to foil the arrest of two Benin Republic nationals by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)? Also, why are dozens of SANs supporting him?

    For about five hours on February 5, Tarfa allegedly hid two Beninoise suspects – Nazaire Sorou Gnanhoue and Modeste Finagnon– in his Mercedes Benz Sport Utility Vehicle, following a move by the EFCC to re-arrest them. The men, Tarfa’s clients, were standing trial for alleged fraud. They were out on bail, but were also being investigated for alleged tax evasion running into millions of naira, which prompted the move by the anti-graft agency to re-arrest them.

    It was at this point that Tarfa perhaps forgot that he was not just a lawyer, but a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), a title that placed him in the elite circle of legal practitioners in the country. He rubbished professionalism and professional honour by allegedly shielding the Beninoise from EFCC agents in such a spectacular manner that raised questions not only about his understanding of the ethics of his profession, but also about his appreciation of the meaning of justice.

    It is interesting that a report described Tarfa as “a lawyer with over two decades of experience at the Bar and runs a law firm with over 50 lawyers, 30 paralegal and support staff, as well as two retired judges as consultants-in-chamber.”

    Ironically, Tarfa staged the drama on the premises of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, Lagos. It was at the place of justice that Tarfa allegedly attempted to frustrate the process of justice.

    Lawyers usually describe their profession as noble, but there was nothing noble about Tarfa’s alleged conduct. Indeed, by his alleged action, he demonstrated that being a lawyer, or even a SAN, is no argument against ignoble behaviour.

    It is food for thought that Tarfa’s arrest and detention by the EFCC for alleged willful obstruction of the course of justice provoked narrow-minded reactions from some prominent members of the elitist circle of Senior Advocates who shockingly glossed over his alleged offence. A report said: “Former Presidents of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Joseph Bodunrin Daudu (SAN), Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Prof. Kanyisola Ajayi (SAN) and Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) all condemned the detention without bail.” Dauda said: “We shall consult with the president and take a united action against that at the Bar to protect the interest of Nigerian lawyers.” Akeredolu attributed the arrest to overzealousness of the commission’s operatives. “This is utter disregard for the rule of law and the sanctity of the legal profession guaranteed by the constitution,” he said.”

    The report continued: “Ajayi said: ‘I don’t know what the allegation against Ricky Tarfa is, but if he was arrested for obstructing justice, then it would be most unfortunate if he isn’t given bail because it is not that serious an offence that should even require any form of detention.’” Ngige urged the commission to follow due process in carrying out its duties. He said: “Nobody is against the war against corruption, nobody is against the EFCC; we support the anti-graft war 100 per cent, but let due process be followed in doing this.”

    It is curious that the logic of these senior lawyers accommodated the illogic of Tarfa’s alleged attempt to hinder justice. Their skewed perspective does a great disservice to the concept of even-handed justice by overlooking Tarfa’s alleged anti-justice conduct and focusing on his detention that lasted almost 48 hours.

    It is noteworthy that Tarfa was released to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN), suggesting elite-circle solidarity. Would the NBA chief have been involved in the bail process if Tarfa wasn’t a SAN?

    The solidarity of seniors was also demonstrated when Tarfa took the EFCC to court barely 24 hours after his release, demanding N2.5billion damages for unlawful arrest and detention. Tarfa was reportedly accompanied by 32 Senior Advocates led by former NBA president, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), to file the suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    What was the objective of this army of Senior Advocates on this journey to the court? If it needed 32 of them to help Tarfa file the suit, how many of them would be needed to help him achieve his aim? It would appear that the Senior Advocates were on a mission of intimidation.

    It is reassuring that the EFCC is fighting back. The commission wants Tarfa tried for obstruction of justice and attempted perversion of justice. It was reported that he would also be arraigned for illegally and unethically communicating with a judge in a suit involving the EFCC and two companies.

    More importantly, this is not just about Tarfa and his alleged misconduct. EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Magu has urged the NBA to sanitise itself. Magu was quoted as saying during a meeting with members of the NBA Executive:  ”We must tell ourselves the truth: there are lawyers within the fold of the NBA who ought not to be among your noble ranks. Those people are not fit to be called ministers; rather, they are vandals of the temple of justice.”

    It is true that the temple of justice is desecrated by dishonourable behaviour.

  • $2.1bn arms deal: Jonathan right to keep mum for now —Ango Abdullahi, Coomassie, SANs

    Former Presidential Special Adviser, Professor Ango Abdulahi, former Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Coomassie, two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) – Chief Ladi Williams and Chief Niyi Akintola – say former President Goodluck Jonathan is right to be silent for now on the $2.1billion arms scandal .

    A number of  top government officials and  military officers who served under Jonathan have been indicted for swindling the nation of billions of naira originally earmarked to buy arms for the armed forces in the fight against terror sect, Boko Haram.

    The funds were allegedly disbursed by the former President’s National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd),  who said he acted under instruction from Jonathan who said during the week in Geneva, Switzerland that he could not comment on the issue for now since some of the suspects have been charged to court.

    Reacting, Professor Abdullahi, who spoke to Saturday Nation in a telephone interview, said since the EFCC had told the world that there is no documented evidence linking President Jonathan with the diversion of the $2.1bn, he (Jonathan) should be left out of the scandal.

    He said: “My recollection of that aspect of the present issue  is that the investigating body, that is, EFCC, has told the public that, as of now, they have not seen any documented evidence that links the former President to the expenditure which was intended for arms purchase, but which was allegedly diverted to other issues. All the documents they said they got are approvals which they said he gave specifically for money intended for purchase of arms for our military.

    “They said there is nothing that has connected the former President to expenditure that has appeared to be a diversion from what the money he approved was intended for. That is what they said and that is why I will advise that since the EFCC has not found any document connecting him (Jonathan) to expenditure of the $2.1bn, he should be left alone. Why should he talk?

    “I am not his spokesman, but I am saying, logically that, all these investigations on Sambo Dasuki and all those that are so far connected to the issue have been mentioned specifically by EFCC, so, maybe at a later stage, EFCC will have evidence to say that the former President is involved, but until then, he should be left alone.” Professor Ango said.

    Alhaji Ibrahim  Coomasie who is  the Chairman,Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF),   in his own reaction  said Jonathan’s decision to remain silent  “should be respected by the EFCC. But, at appropriate time, when it becomes necessary, they will contact him. So, it is not wrong for him to say he will not talk until the right time.

    “So, EFCC should give him (Jonathan) time to put his own evidence together. This is what I advise, but I know, somehow the authority investigating will get to him. So, let us fold our arms and watch the development.

    “Former President Goodluck Jonathan has the right to remain silent for now, until he is called upon by the appropriate authority.”

    Chief Ladi Williams (SAN) said: “ It was clever of the former President to have refrained from  making comments on the issue. Whatever he says would be prejudicial. Whoever advised him against it did the right thing. Aside from being prejudicial, whatever he says at the moment has the tendency of heating up the polity.”

    He, however, noted that the former President is not immune from being investigated if there are reasons for such to be done.

    “The EFCC can invite him for a chat if it has sufficient reasons to do that. They can subpoena and put him in the witness box to be a witness if there is need for that as well. In  fact, he can be prosecuted if there is substantial evidence against him.”

    Chief Niyi Akintola also applauded the former President for the decision to keep quiet on the arms scandal. He, however, took exception to his invitation by the EFCC.

    “Whatever the former president says would have great implication on the polity. If they have anything against him, they can confront him but we should respect the office he held before. Nothing stops the EFCC from inviting him but I will not advise that they do that. There is more to the matter than meets the eyes.

    “Mr President should borrow a leave from former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida, who took on his enemies one at a time.”

    In the same vein, the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) commended Jonathan for eschewing to make comments on the scandal, urging the EFCC to fish out more culprits in the  scam.

    The president of  the group, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said: “The former president took a wise decision by choosing not to make any comment on the issue because it is still in court. That shows that he has deep respect for the judiciary.  Aside from his respect for the judiciary, the decision from our point of view is also  in the best interest of the country as whatever comment he makes on the issue is capable of aggravating the polity.

    “We, therefore, urge President Buhari and the EFCC to respect the former president’s decision and ignore pressures from every quarter to bring him into the ongoing probe. We appreciate and support President Buhari’s anti-corruption war and want to urge him and the EFCC to stop at nothing in fishing out other culprits in the scam. All those that were given a certain period of time to respond to the charges against them should be made to return to the courts to give their sides of the story.

  • Of new SANs and congratulatory Ads

    SIR: Last Monday September 21, Nigeria’s Supreme Court formally admitted another batch of lawyers into the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).  But this was also probably the most little-celebrated SAN investiture in the history of the award, no small thanks to the umbrella body of lawyers in the country, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). Just a few days to the induction ceremony, the association announced it was forbidding advertisements in any medium of mass communication to congratulate the new SAN inductees. It specifically warned the new SANs to prevail on their friends, family members and acquaintances not to place any such advertisements in the media.

    The NBA, in condemning the practice it said had “gone on for years”, added that it infringed on Rule 39 (2) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners in Nigeria, promulgated in 2007.

    Rules of Professional Conduct are an important – and interesting – feature of legal practice in every jurisdiction, particularly those that have their origins in the Anglo-Saxon legal tradition such as the United Kingdom, the United States and the member-countries of the Commonwealth.   The rules are “interesting” because they reflect that unique character of most modern professions, especially law: the ability of practitioners to regulate their own conduct, including setting standards for those who practice the profession and disciplining erring members.

    Rule 39 (2) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners in Nigeria is the Rule against “Improper Attraction of Business”; it is subsumed under Section E of the Rules, which governs advertising and client solicitation by Nigerian lawyers. Rule 39 (2) is further divided into five sub-sections (a-e), which inter-alia admonish a lawyer in Nigeria not to engage or be involved in any advertising or promotion that “…is inaccurate or likely to mislead; is likely to diminish public confidence in the legal profession, or the administration of justice, or otherwise bring the legal profession into disrepute; makes comparison with or criticizes other lawyers or other professions or professionals; includes any statement about the quality of the lawyer’s work, the size or success of his practice or his success rate; or is so frequent or obstructive as to cause annoyance to those to whom it is directed”.

    While this multi-layered rule patently tries to fulfill its duty of regulating how Nigerian lawyers advertise their practice and solicit clients, the NBA (or, presumably and more appropriately, the Body of Benchers in Nigeria) misses the point when it also deploys the same rule against friends, family, acquaintances and even clients of the new SANs.

    The legal profession enjoys self-regulation in most jurisdictions around the world precisely because its practitioners commit themselves to protecting the public from the excesses of lawyers or all others involved with the legal profession, or in the administration of justice (i.e. judges.) It stands to reason that in protecting the rights of members of the public, lawyers – or those charged with regulating the profession –cannot then proceed to violate same. This is precisely the sad result the directive clearly achieved.

    As one assumes the intent was to act in the true spirit and scope of the profession’s rules, those who regulate Nigeria’s legal profession should have directed all lawyers – and lawyers only – to refrain from taking paid spaces in the mass media to congratulate those being honoured.

    Banning all adverts placed by non-lawyer members of the public to congratulate new SANs affect the constitutionally-guaranteed rights of people who do not belong to the legal profession and have thus not impliedly agreed to abide by the rules that govern how lawyers practice their profession.

    The NBA, Body of Benchers and all those charged with regulating the legal profession in Nigeria and enforcing the rules of professional conduct should rightly be concerned with ensuring practitioners uphold the rules and standards therein.  However, legal regulatory bodies in Nigeria must come up with more creative, effective and constitutionally-sanctioned ways of tackling the issue, rather than trample on the constitutional rights and privileges of those the rules are meant to protect in the first place.

     

    • Akeem Soboyede Esq;

    akeem.soboyede@comcast.net

     

  • SANs: prosecute Senate rules forgery suspects

    SANs: prosecute Senate rules forgery suspects

    National Assembly Clerk Salisu Maikasuwa, senators and any other person found culpable in the illegal amendment to the Senate Standing Order should be prosecuted, some eminent lawyers said yesterday.

    The police have declared the Standing Order, which was used for the June 9 election of Dr. Bukola Saraki as the President of the Eighth Senate, a forgery.

    Prof. Itsay Sagay,  Yusuf Ali (SAN) and Monday Ubani yesterday called for the prosecution of those who had a hand in the alteration of the standing rules applied to pick the Senate President, his deputy and four principal officers.

    But the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice in the defunct Second Republic, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), held a contrary position.

     He argued that the police lacked the power to meddle in what he described as the Senate’s internal affairs.

    Sagay said he was not surprised by Maikasuwa’s alleged involvement in the matter.

    He said the Clerk should be suspended immediately and be put on trial.

    His words: “Forgery is forgery. It is a crime. And it is a crime that should be prosecuted. As far as I am concerned, the first thing is that he should be suspended as clerk of the NASS and then should be prosecuted for forgery.

    “It has always been my view from the very first day (June 9, 2015) that Saraki fraudulently got himself into Senate presidency, that it would not have been possible without him compromising the clerk of the NASS.

    “It was the clerk himself who convoked the little crowd of PDP senators that were there and APC senators that were there.

    “In other words, he was the one who got the proceedings started when over 60 of the APC senators were away somewhere else. I am, therefore, not surprised that he was involved in altering the rules of the Senate illegally.”

    Ali urged law enforcement agencies to do their work.

     “If a crime has been committed by anybody, the rule of law should take its course,” he said, adding that the  police know the appropriate organ to report to if there is need to prosecute the suspects.

    Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Monday Ubani also maintained that all those found culpable in the alleged forgery should be prosecuted.

    Ubani said: “The only thing we expect now is that those involved be arraigned and charged to court.  Even if they are senators and are involved in the forgery case, we expect that the appropriate agency should take up that matter  and prosecute them and to also ensure that the case is tried speedily and concluded because it is very important to us.”

    Ubani cited China where he said the rule of law will be allowed to take its full course in such a matter to buttress his view for the prosecution of those found culpable.

    “China is not a godly nation. They don’t go to church on Sunday. But do you know why China is working today? It is because they allow their laws to work. The rule of law is supreme in China”, he noted, emphasising, “as long as we don’t allow our laws to work, Nigeria would not grow.”

    “The moment we begin to obey our laws and do the right thing with our laws, Nigeria will begin to work. Let whoever is culpable be charged to court and be prosecuted successfully.”

    Second Republic lawmaker Dr Junaid Muhammed said if the police report was correct, Maikasuwa should face the music.

    Muhammed, a House of Representatives member in the Second Republic, condemned the clerk for his involvement in the conspiracy against due process in the National Assembly.

    “Maikasuwa, as a civil servant should have acted in a manner that will support a vibrant institution like the National Assembly, but he has undermined the process of the second era of government,” Muhammed said.

    He advised Maikasuwa to go back to his  state if he want to be a politician. “What  he did to undermine the democratic  process is treachery,” Muhammed said.

    However, to a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN), the police lack the power to meddle in the Senate’s internal affairs.

    Akinjide is in doubt if any lawmaker can be prosecuted on the basis of the police report.

    He said: “It would have been better to first see the police report and rules which governs the Senate. But don’t forget, the National Assembly is sovereign. You cannot mix National Assembly rules with party rules. They are two different things. I was in parliament for two terms and I know that party rules are different from parliament rules.

    “If they break the rules of the National Assembly, they have not committed any offence. Two, this is not a matter for the police. The National Assembly is sovereign, so it is not a matter the police should be investigating.

    “It will be absurd in the House of Commons in London or parliament in America for the police to investigate what they did well or didn’t do well. With the greatest respect to the police, I think they are wrong in what they’re doing.”

  • Our 2015 expectations, by NBA, SANs

    Our 2015 expectations, by NBA, SANs

    he Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said it hopes that this year’s general election will be the best in Nigeria’s history.

    It also wants the government to change its strategies in the fight against insurgency.

    Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) Mr Mike Igbokwe and Dr Joseph Nwobike, urged Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Mahmud Mohammed to ensure speedy justice delivery and greater respect for the rule of law.

    NBA urged lawyers to contribute positively to voter education and mobilisation.

    In a statement by its president Augustine Alegeh (SAN), the association said: “We must individually and collectively shun any action that may negatively affect the general elections.

    “Our development and advancement as a nation are dependent on the leaders that we elect as well as the entire electoral process.”

    On insecurity, the NBA said: “We expect that our security agencies would effectively confront the Boko Haram religious sect and other criminal groups with renewed zeal in 2015.

    “It is our fervent prayer that the security and welfare of all Nigerians would receive prime attention from the government as Nigerians cannot continue to live with fear and insecurity.

    “We pray that 2015 would be a year of success, progress, advancement and prosperity for us all.”

    Igbokwe urged the CJN to ensure speedy justice delivery, especially in admiralty cases, and better workers’ welfare.

    His expectations from the CJN and the judiciary include: “Taking all reasonable steps to ensure speedy administration of justice than we have now as justice delayed is justice denied; and ensuring the empowerment of the  judicial officers and staff to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently, thus avoiding denial of justice by delaying justice.”

    He said the universal principle that admiralty matters must be expeditiously heard and determined must be encouraged.

    “Since 1999 when election matters started rising and taking the attention of the judiciary, the hearing and determination of admiralty matters by the trial and appellate courts had gradually been relegated to the background,” Igbokwe said.

    Nwobike said the Judiciary has an important role to play in the settlement of election related disputes from the forthcoming general elections.

    “As expected, members of that arm of the government at all levels would face a myriad of pressures and temptations from the political class and their beneficiaries.

    “I advise the Chief Justice of Nigeria to find a framework that would insulate these judicial officers from opportunities to pervert justice.

    “A well thought out and implemented framework would deepen the independence of the judiciary and drive the democratic process towards a more rewarding and sustainable end.

    “It will also be important for the other agencies of government charged with law enforcement to collaborate with the Judiciary in this regard.

    “Considering the level of which the politicians have heated up the polity along primordial and religious lines, the opportunity to pervert justice is now more prevalent than before.

    “It is for this reason that all willing and unwilling hands must be forced on deck to ensure that the fabric of the modern Nigeria is not distorted this year,” Nwobike said.

  • Ex-AGF, Onagoruwa,16 others become SANs

    Ex-AGF, Onagoruwa,16 others become SANs

    •LPPC fixes Sept 22 for inauguration

    Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Dr. Olu Onagoruwa, was yesterday named among 17 lawyers awarded the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) this year.

    The Registrar of the Supreme Court, Sunday Olorundahunsi, who made the list public in Abuja, said 109 lawyers applied for the rank this year, among who were three women, two of whom are from the academics.

    Olorundahunsi said two out of the lucky 17 are from the academics. He said the choice of who to award the rank was taken at the LPPC’s  general meeting held yesterday.

    Named with Onagoruwa, who served under the late Gen. Sani Abacha government, include Sylvanus Aghumele Ogwemoh, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (University of Jos), Olusola Olaseni Idowu, Dr. Ernest Mabuachi Ojukwu (Nigerian Law School), Ahamefula Ikechukwu Eke Ejelam, Chike George Onyemenam, Tawo Eja Tawo and Olatunde Oluranti Adejuyigbe.

    Others are Dr. Adewale Adedamola Olawoyin, Dr. Joshua Olukayode Olatoke, Teslim Olatunde Busari, Kelvin Chukwudi Nwufo, Dr. Amuda-Kannike Abiodun, Oluwakemi Mufutau Balogun, Hakeem Olatunde Afolabi and Gerald Godwin E. Ezeuko.

    Olorundahunsi said the provision of the guideline for the award of the rank was “strictly adhered to this year.”

    He said the new SANs will be inaugurated on September 22 during the new legal year celebration.

  • Anambra tribunal begins pre-hearing Feb 4

    Anambra tribunal begins pre-hearing Feb 4

    •Ngige, Obiano, INEC case starts

    Anambra State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal will begin pre-hearing of the governorship election case on February 4.

    The three-man tribunal is led by Justice Ishak Bello. It will hear petitions arising from the November 16, 2013 poll.

    Justice Bello, who spoke at the inaugural sitting in Awka yesterday, said the date was chosen to enable parties file their replies.

    He urged prompt filing of replies and timely sittings, adding that the panel would not entertain unnecessary adjournments.

    Justice Bello sought the cooperation and understanding of the parties to ensure that Nigeria was placed among the nations where dispensation of justice was not delayed.

    He enjoined the media to be cautious in their reports, saying peaceful co-existence does not lie in the hands of the judiciary alone.

    Ten Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) were present at the tribunal’s inaugural sitting, including the lead counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr. Adegboyega Awomolo.

    Others are counsel to Chief Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN); counsel to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Mr. Patrick Ikweto (SAN); counsel to Senator Chris Ngige and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), among others.

    Other lawyers, who announced appearance for parties, included Chief Clems Ezike for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mr. George Igbokwe, counsel to Mr. Tony Nwoye, the PDP governorship candidate.

    Awomolo said they would discharge their duties efficiently. Another lawyer, Ngige, pledged cooperation.