| nigeria bar association
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FROM THE DESK OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY It is with great pleasure that I welcome our distinguished NEC members to the last 2019 quarterly NEC meeting holding in the NBA House, Abuja. From the Pre-Annual General Conference NEC Meeting which held on 25th August, 2019 some developments occurred which are in accordance with the set standards of our National Secretariat. In order to keep NEC well informed of all the activities of this administration, the team at the National Secretariat prepared for presentation to this distinguished body, a comprehensive report of all the activities within the reporting period.
The Secretariat Report is in two parts: Part A focuses on reports from the National Officers Part B focuses on reports from members of staff of the National Secretariat Our NEC, as the highest decision-making authority, second only to the Annual General Meeting, is in a position to formulate and endorse positive reforms that will enhance the standards of practice and wellbeing of our members, and provide direction for the Association. While welcoming our distinguished NEC members, I urge you all to devote quality time in formulating policies that will promote the rule of law and impact positively on the society,
particularly as the Bar remains critical to any effort to chart the future of our dear country, Nigeria. Once again, I welcome you all to the NBA House and wish us fruitful deliberations. Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq. General Secretary
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
NBA PRAYER 2
PRESIDENT 3
GENERAL SECRETARY 4
EXECUTIVES 5
FROM THE DESK OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY 6
CONTENT 7
PART A: REPORTS FROM NATIONAL OFFICERS 8
REPORT FROM THE 2ND VP 8
REPORT FROM THE 3RD VP 11
REPORT FROM THE TREASURER 13
REPORT FROM FINANCIAL SECRETARY 16
PART B: SECRETARIAT REPORT 17
ADMININISTRATION AND FINANCE 17
MEMBERSHIP AND BAR SERVICES 25
LEGAL DEPARTMENT 38
PROGRAMMES DEPARTMENT 42
INSTITUTE OF CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION 50
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QUARTERLY REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SECOND VICE PRESIDENT, NIGERIAN BAR
ASSOCIATION DR. FOLUKE O. DADA HELD DECEMBER 4TH – 6TH, 2019 HELD AT THE NBA
HOUSE, ABUJA.
Introduction:
Distinguished members of NEC, it is indeed a pleasure to present this report highlighting some
of the activities and occurrences from the Western Branches of the Nigerian Bar Association.
1. The Kidnap of Honourable Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme, JCA Ph.D, Benin Judicial Division on the 30th of October, 2019 in the course of performing her duty as a judicial officer came as a shock to everyone. This sad event particularly caused a general anxiety across the country. Particularly, the gruesome killing of her orderly was nothing short of a barbaric and dastardly act in the carousel of illegality perpetrated by the kidnappers. The President of the Bar, Paul Usoro SAN, in his release published on the 12th of November, 2019, 2 weeks after the abduction of the judge, reiterated his earlier published statement appealing for the release of the judge of the superior court and wondered why the Federal government who were employers of the honourable judge seemed unperturbed by the occurrence! The NBA therefore demanded for urgent action by the security forces and daily bulletin reports from the Federal Government of Nigeria or their agents whilst calling on the law enforcement agencies to ‘own up to their responsibility of protecting Nigerians and to satisfy the debt and responsibility of fishing out and meting justice to the criminals who so brutally and heinously murdered’ one of their own. Gratefully, the erudite judge was released on the 13th of November, 2019. The news of this abduction and the brutality of it sent shivers down the spine of many of our judges and the entire citizenry. We call on our government and law enforcement officers to work more assiduously
with relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the country.
I am confident that the current leadership of the NBA will not relent in mounting
pressure on the relevant authorities to ensure the protection and promotion of public
safety and well-being of our judges, lawyers and Nigerians as a whole.
2. The Delta State Judiciary Crisis – The Warri Branch of the NBA has been in an on-going crisis with the CJ of the State primarily based on the recent process of appointment of new judges in the State. The Warri Branch, through her Chairman, in a petition dated the 9th of November, 2019 addressed to the NJC and copied to my office, expressed their concern on the process adopted by the CJ of the State and alleged that there occurred a breach of Rules 3(1) (a) (i), Rules 3(1) (a) (iii), and Rules 3(2)(3)(4)(6)(8) of the National Judicial Council guidelines for the appointment of Judges, appointment of relatives of the heads of Court in the State in breach of Section 5 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap C15, Laws of the Federation and Rules 1(1), 1(3),
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8(2) and 8(3) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria among other allegations. A request was also made of the Council of Legal Education through the Secretary and the DG for the verification of some credentials. The President of the Nigerian Bar Association is working with the leaders of the Bar in the State to forge a way forward and avoid any embarrassment to the leadership and membership of the Bar in the State.
3. Ikeja Branch – The EFCC case against Ademola Ogunlana Esq., Yinka Farounbi Esq. (past Chairmen of the Branch) and Derin Kappo Esq., (past Treasurer) is currently ongoing before Hon. Justice Dada of the Special Offenses Court, Ikeja. I have also been briefed that there are two more cases going on at the Magistrate Court, Ikeja instituted by the EFCC against some members of the Ikeja Branch who were alleged to have obstructed or assaulted the officers in the course of their duty. The distinguished members of NEC will be informed in due course as the matter unfolds in court.
4. Epe Branch – My office received the report from the Chairman of the Epe Branch on the morning of December 4th, 2019 that a group of lawyers led by one Dotun Hassan and Ayo Ademiluyi who are allegedly about 5years at the Bar have constituted a Forum carrying out as a Branch with visitations and other activities similar to those performed by a fully constituted Branch. The Branch Chairman has informed me that a motion has been forwarded to the Secretariat for presentation to NEC. I await NEC’s decision on this matter.
5. Surulere Lawyers Forum – This Forum predates my election into the office of the Second Vice President and has been operating like a Branch. The Forum has advertised a Law Week Celebration as an “NBA body”. The office of the Second Vice President has not been approached or informed about the Forum’s activities officially and has no record of their operation. The Secretariat may need to provide a complete list of the Fora registered under the NBA in order to prevent the arbitrary and sometimes illegal use of the NBA name and logo.
NEC is hereby presented with the recommendation to declare unethical and pronounce an
outright ban on the use of the NBA name and Logo by any group not properly registered or
authorized by the Secretariat as a Forum.
6. Eti-Osa/Lekki Forum? – The operation of this group is questionable as it has been fraught with internal squabbles, territorial upheavals and problems with the nomenclature. This group has been advised once against the use of the NBA name and logo without approval. One is not even sure of the group identity.
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Again, NEC is hereby presented with the recommendation to declare unethical and
pronounce an outright ban on the use of the NBA name and Logo by any group not properly
registered or authorized by the Secretariat as a Forum.
7. Ikorodu Branch – The court case instituted by Bayo Akinlade Esq. against the Trustees of the NBA is still on-going. As NEC directed, my office has opened up communications but it is difficult if the matter is still in court as we will not be able to compel any party seeking legal recourse in the court of law to act in any specific manner or the other. NEC is hereby reminded that the provisions of the Constitution of the NBA 2015 as amended provides for arbitration prior to the institution of any court case. NEC will be informed of the progress or otherwise in due course.
8. Branch activities around the Western region of the Nigerian Bar Association have been successful throughout the quarter. Several Branches in the region have organized Annual Law Week programs and other programs that sought to promote continuous legal education and the Rule of Law brought closer to the communities they serve.
I want to conclude by thanking distinguished NEC Members for their commitment and service
to our dear Association, the Nigerian Bar Association.
Thank you.
Dr. Foluke Dada
2VP NBA
December, 2019.
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REPORT FROM THE 3RD NATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
I warmly greet the President, National Officers and distinguished members of NEC.
1. AFRICAN BAR ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE, MONROVIA, LIBERIA
The President of Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN nominated me to
represent him at the African Bar Association annual conference in Monrovia,
Liberia, from 21st – 24th, October, 2019. On behalf of the President, I presented a
goodwill message at the opening ceremony on the 21st October, 2019. The theme
of the conference was, “Tackling Contemporary issues facing the African
Continent: How Lawyers can drive a renaissance”, and it was attended by
conferees from across the continent with large number from Nigeria. Most of the
paper presenters were also from Nigeria.
The keynote speaker at the conference was Mr. Karim Khan QC, Immediate past
President, International Criminal Court Bar Association.
Papers presented at the conference were on the following topics- Illegal
Immigration and Modern Slavery; Rule of Law; International Criminal Law;
Entertainment Law; Privacy Law; Legal Practice and Aviation Law.
I was a speaker at the Rule of Law Seminar and was issued a certificate to that
effect.
There was a call on lawyers in Africa to rise up to the challenges facing Africa
especially good governance, democracy and respect for the Rule of Law.
The final resolutions and the communiqué issued at the end of the conference
were to be sent to all conferees so that it can be discussed at various National Bar
Associations and a way forward chattered for the African continent.
Let me state here that, the President, African Bar Association, Mr. Hannibal E.
Uwaifo was happy to see the representative of the President, Nigerian Bar
Association at the conference and did send his appreciation to the President and
members of NBA. The President, Liberian National Bar Association, Cllr. Tiawan S.
Gongloe also sent his appreciation to the President and members of the NBA.
The President of Liberia, His Excellency, George Weah received the conferees very
well and treated them to a dinner at the president’s lodge.
On the 24th of October, 2019, the conference was declared closed.
2. NBA WUKARI BRANCH
I had in the previous NEC meeting reported the crisis between the Tiv and the Jukun
in Wukari, Taraba State and its environs which started on the 1st of April, 2019
wherein several persons were killed and properties destroyed.
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I also did report that on Tuesday, 2nd April, 2019, a past Chairman of the branch,
Lowuruga Obadiah Yabura (called to the bar in 1986) and his driver, Caleb Aken
were kidnapped at Ahmadu Village, Takum L. G. A, Taraba State. Contacts and
negotiations were made and on Thursday 11th April, 2019, the sum of Two Million,
Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,500.000) ransom was paid and additional sum of
Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) was paid but they were not released
as promised. I did a follow up with the Chairman of the branch as to the case of our
colleague but the report I received from him is that, 7 months after his kidnap and
even with the ransom paid, our colleague with his driver has not been released
neither has there been any clue as to whether he is alive or dead.
3. JUSUN STRIKE IN NASARAWA STATE AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.
I had also reported on this issue at the last NEC meeting and the efforts made by
the Chairmen of Lafia and Keffi branches of the association to resolve the crisis.
The two Chairmen continued with the struggle on the issue and on the 17th of
October, 2019, the state JSC released a press statement reinstating the 20 staff
whose appointments were terminated but with the following conditions:
(a) That there will be no refund of the salaries accruing to them from November
2018 – 16th October, 2019.
(b) That the reinstatement is with effect from 16th October, 2019.
(c) That the affected staff will be demoted with a grade level downward to
serve as deterrence to others.
(d) That the commission is withdrawing all its administrative and technical
support to all unions and associations in the state judiciary.
The National body of JUSUN and the State chapter as well as the NLC have rejected
these conditions and as such, ultimatum has been given for another JUSUN strike
in Nasarawa state.
A committee has been set up by the Governor of Nasarawa State to resolve the
issue once and for all.
Once more, I praise the efforts of the Chairmen of Lafia and Keffi branches for their
untiring efforts in this struggle as I am always on discussions with them on this issue
and it is worth mentioning to members of NEC the efforts of these two Chairmen
in seeing to it that the problem is resolved once and for all.
I thank all members of NEC for their attention.
T. T. Igba, Esq
3rd Vice President, NBA.
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REPORT OF THE NATIONAL TREASURER FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2019.
Distinguished NEC members, I welcome you to this NEC meeting.
I am pleased to present to you, our financial report and status for the period ended 30th September, 2019.
The Financial Statement as captured in the Management Account consists of the following:
- Statement of Financial Position
-Statement of Comprehensive Income
-Statement of Changes in Net Assets
-Notes to the Financial Statements
-Appendix.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The summary/highlights of the Financial Statement are as presented below:
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2019
30-Sep-19 31-July-19
NGN NGN
ASSETS
Total non-current assets 2,117,537,578 2,124,648,462
Total Current assets 848,083,453 1,133,649,888
Total Current Liabilities 282,404,018 613,814,505
Net Assets 2,683,217,013 2,644,528,845
FUNDS AND RESERVES
Unrestricted net assets 2,057,315,312 2,064,513,019
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Restricted net assets 625,901,700 580,015,826
Members' funds 2,683,217,013 2,644,528,845
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STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2019
30-Sep-2019 31-July-19 Income NGN NGN
Total Income 919,810,963 1,824,928,422
Expenditure Total Expenditure 882,419,574 1,543,809,558 Finance cost ------ ------
Surplus/ (Deficit) for the period 37,391,389 281,118,863
FINANCIAL POSITION
The Statement of Activities of our Association as at 30th September 2019 showed a surplus of
37,391,389 arising from a total income of 919,810,963 less a total expenditure of 882,419,574,
with no finance cost whatsoever.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents
Diamond Bank Plc 1 - 34,133
Diamond Bank Plc 2 - 46,199
Diamond Bank Plc- Human Rights Institute 207,108 211,308 Diamond Bank Plc- Macarthur Foundation account - 22,043
Access Bank Plc - AGC Account 196,799,783 349,568,998
Access Bank Plc - Bar Practicing Fee Account 40,334,944 24,042,765
Access Bank Plc - Project Account 73,027 73,027
Access Bank Plc - Admin Account 13,442,650 3,543,365
Access Bank Plc - North East Account 2,082,155 2,082,205
Access Bank Plc - Stamp and seal account 23,418,653 28,057,108
Access Bank Plc - NEC account 24,935,661 24,341,811
Access Bank Plc - NBA Naira MacArthur Foundation acct 3,906,582 1,820,407
Access Bank Plc - NBA Dollar MacArthur Foundation acct 64,993,684 64,992,595
Access Bank Plc - Pounds 582,956 582,956
Access Bank Plc - Dollar 107,282 84,374
Fixed Deposit Account 450,000,000 550,000,000
Total 820,884,486 1,049,503,295
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For the period ended 30th September 2019, our total Bank balances was 820,884,486 naira out of which 450,000,000 is in a Fixed Deposit Account. While a substantial part of the remainder remains as special funds, for specific projects in restricted accounts as evidently captured above.
CONCLUSION
Distinguished NEC members and leaders of the Bar, for full details and breakdown of the
highlights captured above, please see the Management Account and its explanatory notes. It
is contained in the NEC bundle. Thank you for your attention and the rare opportunity to serve! BANKE OLAGBEGI-OLOBA, TREASURER.
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ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Administration and Finance Department
The department is charged with the responsibility of ensuring the smooth running of the
NBA Secretariat. Under the administration and Finance Department, we have a total number
of 20 administrative staff serving in various capacities as, Administrative officers, Account
Officer, Front desk Officer, Official Drivers and Office assistants.
Activities carried out by the Administrative Department:
• General Administration of the admin department of the NBA Secretariat
• Supervise, manage and ensure availability, installation, repair and maintenance of
office equipment’s as the need arises.
• Prompt payment of Electricity bills and water bills
• Implementation of administrative policies
• Co-ordinate, manage, supervise special duties and projects of the NBA
• Ensure compliance with internal Office procedure
• Respond to various correspondences ETC
Front Desk
The front Desk is the face of the NBA, this is where enquires are made, directions given and
General information required by lawyers and visitors to the Association are obtained. The
front desk officers also answer phone calls from within and outside Nigeria, giving out
information professionally and courteously under strict supervision. In the same vain they
also receive and deliver messages to members of staff. Incoming mails and outgoing mails
are also sorted by the officers.
They are also required to escort visitors who have the correct official floor tag to the right
floors and offices. Visitors without tags are quickly reported to the security officers. Most
importantly they are required to ensure that the Associations Policy and rules for proper
conduct of persons in the secretariat building are carried out.
In conclusion they provide Clerical support to all the departments in the secretariat
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THE ICT UNIT REPORT
The ICT Unit is charged with the responsibilities of deploying ICT infrastructure and services
for administration and communication with all lawyers. It also assists departments and units
in providing secure, reliable, wide IT operations; To Promote Innovative Use of Information
Technology that adds value to members of staff.
The ICT Unit also provides technical supports to lawyers on legalmail registration and other
online application solutions.
1. Installation of Wireless Local Area Network (Wifi)
The IT Unit supervise the installation of the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) Wireless Local Area Network (Wifi) which is powered by Ubiquiti line of network products. There are 27 wireless access points (WAPs) carefully distributed between the 6th to 8th floors and the auditorium allowing access to the NBA network. A 32u data rack is located on the 7th floor in the ICT Unit that houses the switches/router, routing data traffic between client devices and also the internet. We have also provided an Uninterruptible Power Supply unit (UPS) to prevent down times during change of power source.
2. Social Media [Online, Digital & Social Media] The ICT Unit utilized social media assets such as (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Bloggers and YouTube Channels), to keep members of the association up-to-date in real-time especially during conferences and other activities carried out by the Association.
i. The Social Media Analytics: We operated two social media handles, viz: NigBarAssoc and the NBAconferenceNG handles; specifically used during the Annual General Conferences.
ii. NigBarAssoc Handles:
- Twitter Analytics
Followers Tweets Mentions Tweets Impression
Profile visits
13,000 1017 1237 147K 3,587
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- Instagram Analytics.
Followers Post Profile visits Impression Post reach
1,786 145 593 36, 589 13, 974
- Facebook Analytics
Followers Posts Reach Post engagements
10,766 127 47,035 19,258
iii. NBA conference NG Handles
- Twitter Analytics
Followers Tweets Mentions Tweets Impression
Profile visits
1982 523 357 176K 8,796
- Instagram Analytics
Followers Post Profile visits Impression Following (Post reach)
1043 145 593 21, 589 11, 974
Facebook Analytics
Followers Posts Reach Post engagements
756 1245 11,124 4350
3. NBA WEBSITE
This unit is also in charge of updating information on the NBA website. The site is kept active
without stale information, and information for all lawyers has often been put on the website
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and the unit usually used different means of communication to alert all NBA members at all
time.
4. Membership Profile:
All members of the NBA now have personal profile on NBA web portal, where they can carry
out their individual activities, with an access username and password, after signing up on the
portal. This profile enables each member to access his or her bio-data details and update
them when necessary. It also gives everyone access to the Payment Menu by which they can
carry out payment activities, as at when due, and receive alerts and notifications on
Sections, Fora, branch and national news and events, publications, and even ICLE credit
grades and units.
5. NBA DATABASE VERIFICATION
The NBA Database Verification exercise is an ongoing process, the list of over 49, 855 active
lawyers who have carried out their verification exercise. You may recall that the Nigerian Bar
Association in 2011, made it mandatory for all active lawyers in Nigeria to undertake a
verification exercise to enable the Association update vital details of its members.
PROCUREMENT AND FACILITY UNIT
This unit is in charge of procurement and also the maintenance of the NBA Building.
BRANDING AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS UNIT The Branding & Corporate Affairs Unit is
saddled with the responsibility of managing welfare schemes for NBA members, creating
and maintaining relationships with prospective vendors and Service Providers of the NBA,
among other tasks.
We currently oversee / carry out the following partnerships/responsibilities:
• Access Bank – Bar Card registration, ancillary enquiries;
• Management of relationship between NBA and Hotel Service Providers
• Make logistics arrangement for meetings and events
PROCESSING OF NBA AFFINITY BAR CARD
The Nigerian Bar Association (In Partnership with Access Bank Plc) introduced a
Unified Multi-purpose Identification Card known as the NBA Bar
Card.
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This Card serves the multiple purposes of identifying a lawyer as well as a Debit Card
for ATM, POS and online transactions. The Card which is issued at no cost can be
used for the payment of Bar Practicing Fees and all NBA Conference fees. It entitles a
lawyer to a variety of discount packages negotiated by the NBA.
• To qualify for a Bar Card, a lawyer must have paid his/her Bar Practicing Fees for the
year in full, and should have been verified with his / her complete data enrolled in the
NBA Data Base.
• The NBA Bar card enrollment process is ongoing. There is an online registration portal that has been developed and deployed by Access Bank through their service providers Secure ID (sidios).
Hotel Partnerships
We currently have over 50 Hotels spread across the cities of Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Kano and
Kaduna. For the list of NBA Hotel Partners and their respective rates, please visit the NBA
website www.nigerianbar.org.ng.
Please note that the negotiated discounts on room rates can only be accessed by
NBA/Access Bar Card carrying members. Members who do not have their cards can forward
reservation request to [email protected] which will then be sent to the
Hotel on the member’s behalf for further processing.
NBA STORE
The Branding & Corporate Affairs Unit is in charge of the NBA Store which deals with sales and exhibition of NBA branded items/souvenirs to its members. These items include NBA Car Stickers, Ties, Bowties, Neck scarves, Card holders, as well as NBA publications.
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Lawyers are encouraged to visit the NBA website www.nigerianbar.org.ng and click on the
“NBA Shop” to buy the items in store online or visit the NBA House located at Plot 1101
Muhammadu Buhari Way, A00 Cadastral Zone, Central Business District, Abuja for direct
purchase.
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OUR TEAM.
SALAMATU SIDI
HEAD ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE
MIRABEL MOSUGU- GABRIEL
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT
ELIZABETH WOSU
PROCUREMENT & LOGISTICS
IT
UMAR GEZAWA
WOLE EFUWAPE
KEMI BEATRICE ODENIYI (Mrs)
BRANDING & CORPORATE AFFAIRS UNIT
NASIR KAZEEM
PROTOCOL
URSULA AGBAMUCHE
FINANCE OFFICER
DAMIAN ORBAN
ADMIN OFFICER
AZUNNA CHUKWUMA NELSON
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BRANDING AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS UNIT
GLORY LAWRENCE
SECRETARY TO THE GENERAL SECRETARY
OLALEKAN HAMMED IDOWU
MAINTENANCE OFFICER
• OFFICE ASSISTANTS
• PHILIP BULUS
• ISAAC BARNABAS- At the front desk down stairs
• JERRY STEPHEN- At the front desk downstairs
• TIMOTHY SAMUEL- Assists the office of the President
• OBED ZAKA- Assists in the General Secretary’s Office
DRIVERS
• CHRISTOPHER MATTHEW
• WASIU YOMI OWOLABI
• MONDAY THOMAS MUSA
• OKEKE IGNATIUS NWANNEKA
• TIMOTHY SUNDAY
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MEMBERSHIP AND BAR SERVICE TEAM
TO: - NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
FROM: - THE MEMBERSHIP AND BAR SERVICES TEAM
SUBJECT: - QUARTERLY REPORT
DATE: - DECEMBER 2019
OBEJECTIVES
The Membership and Bar Services Unit liaise between all the 125 Branches of the Association,
the National Secretariat, between members and the Public.
The unit is also set up to provide various professional services to the members of the Nigerian
Bar Association. The services includes; producing stamp/seal, ensuring the yearly production
of service license to members, ensuring payments of practice fees of lawyers, conducting
credible election for the Association, managing the professional database and ensuring the
proper management of quarterly meeting for the Association. The essence of this unit is to
ensure that the relationship between the NBA and its members is efficient and effective.
BAR PRACTICING FEES
Pursuant to Rules 9 (1) - (3) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
Legal practitioners are expected to pay their practicing fees in full before the 31st of March,
every year. The Membership and Compliance unit is saddled with the responsibility of
ensuring adherence to the aforementioned. We therefore encourage all branch Chairmen to
inform members on the need to pay their bar practicing fee early next year so as to be of good
standing with the bar. The following are the summary of the activities for the period of three
months
VERIFICATION
The verification exercise is to enlist the names of all legal practitioners in Nigeria on the
membership database. The membership base is about One Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand
and sees below the requirements for the exercise:
• Provision of call to Bar Certificate
• Proof of payment of Bar Practice Fees
• Proof of payment of Branch Dues
• Proof of Payment of Non –refundable administrative fee of N2000
• Evidence of Change of Name (If any)
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• Means of identification
Verification Uploaded and Activated.
For ease lawyers can activate through the NBA portal: - nigerian.org.ng/verification/get
verified on NBA’s portal.
All members who are yet to be verified can now go online (www.nigerianbar.org.ng, click on
Membership and select Get Verified) to get verified by filling in the required information,
upload all evidence of payment and also attach a recent passport photo.
The following are the summary of the activities for the period of three months.
Within this last quarter the unit recorded additional verified lawyers of about Five Hundred
and Forty - One (541) which makes it a total of Fifty-Six Thousand Five Hundred and Twenty-
Six names are now recorded.
STAMP AND SEAL
The unit recorded the total number of Three Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty-One
(3,721) processed applications and delivered to their respective branches.
SEPTEMBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
IKEJA RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
OJI-RIVER RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
AKURE RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
ENUGU RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
OWO RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
IKIRUN RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
SAGAMU RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
GUSAU RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
JOS RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
MAKURDI RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
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OWERRI RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
LAGOS RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
PORT
HARCOURT
RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
ILORIN RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
ILE-IFE RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS -25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
BAUCHI RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
IDAH RECEIVED AT NEC LAGOS - 25/08/2019 05/09/2019 06/09/2019
SEPTEMBER 2019
NBA BRANCHES DATE RECEIVED DATE
PRODUCED
DATE
DISPATCHED
UDU 07/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
KATSINA 07/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
ORON 07/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
WARRI 07/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
KABBA 07/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
EPE 07/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
OWERRI 07/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
ABAKALIKI 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
OTA 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
ASABA 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
BIRNIN-KEBBI 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
UGHELLI 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
IKEJA 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
BORI 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
MAIDUGURI/BIU 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
29
OSOGBO 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
ORLU 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
MBAISE 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
NSUKKA 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
AHOADA 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
AWKA 08/09/2019 09/09/2019 11/09/2019
SEPTEMBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
UYO 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
KANO 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
MAIDUGURI 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
YOLA 10/09/2019 11/09/2019 13/09/2019
ISIOKPO 11/09/2019 12/09/2019 12/09/2019
UKWA 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
ONDO 10/09/2019 11/09/2019 13/09/2019
OYO 11/09/2019 12/09/2019 12/09/2019
MBANO-ETITI 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
IKOLE-EKITI 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
KADUNA 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
AGUATA 10/09/2019 11/09/2019 13/09/2019
OGBOMOSO 11/09/2019 12/09/2019 12/09/2019
ONITSHA 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
GBOKO 10/09/2019 11/09/2019 13/09/2019
CALABAR 11/09/2019 12/09/2019 12/09/2019
30
KATSINA 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
LAGOS 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
PORT
HARCOURT
09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
AUCHI 10/09/2019 11/09/2019 13/09/2019
IDEMILI 11/09/2019 12/09/2019 12/09/2019
IKEJA 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
IBADAN 10/09/2019 11/09/2019 13/09/2019
UMUAHIA 11/09/2019 12/09/2019 12/09/2019
OWERRI 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
YENAGOA 09/09/2019 10/09/2019 13/09/2019
SEPTEMBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
GOMBE 12/09/2019 14/09/2019 18/09/2019
KANO 13/09/2019 14/09/2019 18/09/2019
UYO 15/09/2019 16/09/2019 18/09/2019
LAGOS 16/09/2019 17/09/2019 18/09/2019
PORT
HARCOURT
13/09/2019 14/09/2019 18/09/2019
ZENITH CAREX SEPTEMBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
ONUEKE 18/09/2019 19/09/2019 20/09/2019
31
ILORIN 18/09/2019 19/09/2019 20/09/2019
PORT
HARCOURT
18/09/2019 19/09/2019 20/09/2019
LAGOS 18/09/2019 19/09/2019 20/09/2019
SAGAMU 18/09/2019 19/09/2019 20/09/2019
ONITSHA 18/09/2019 19/09/2019 20/09/2019
UYO 18/09/2019 19/09/2019 20/09/2019
OKITIPUPA 18/09/2019 19/09/2019 20/09/2019
OTA 18/09/2019 19/09/2019 20/09/2019
SEPTEMBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
BUKURU 24/09/2019 25/09/2019 27/09/2019
ONUEKE 23/09/2019 24/09/2019 27/09/2019
IKIRUN 25/09/2019 26/09/2019 27/09/2019
KANO 24/09/2019 25/09/2019 27/09/2019
BENIN 23/09/2019 24/09/2019 27/09/2019
PORT
HARCOURT
25/09/2019 26/09/2019 27/09/2019
IDEMILI 24/09/2019 25/09/2019 27/09/2019
BAUCHI 23/09/2019 24/09/2019 27/09/2019
BADAGRY 25/09/2019 26/09/2019 27/09/2019
LAGOS 24/09/2019 25/09/2019 27/09/2019
NNEWI 23/09/2019 24/09/2019 27/09/2019
UNGOGO 25/09/2019 26/09/2019 27/09/2019
UGHELLI 24/09/2019 25/09/2019 27/09/2019
AWKA 23/09/2019 24/09/2019 27/09/2019
32
IJEBU-ODE 24/09/2019 25/09/2019 27/09/2019
WARRI 23/09/2019 24/09/2019 27/09/2019
ANAOCHA 25/09/2019 26/09/2019 27/09/2019
SEPTEMBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
IHIALA 29/09/2019 02/10/2019 03/10/2019
PORT
HARCOURT
29/09/2019 02/10/2019 03/10/2019
ASABA 29/09/2019 02/10/2019 03/10/2019
LAGOS 29/09/2019 02/10/2019 03/10/2019
BENIN 29/09/2019 02/10/2019 03/10/2019
OYO 29/09/2019 02/10/2019 03/10/2019
IKORODU 29/09/2019 02/10/2019 03/10/2019
OJI-RIVER 29/09/2019 02/10/2019 03/10/2019
OCTOBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
OTUOCHA 02/10/2019 03/09/2019 04/09/2019
ZARIA 02/10/2019 03/09/2019 04/09/2019
UDU 02/10/2019 03/09/2019 04/09/2019
WARRI 02/10/2019 03/09/2019 04/09/2019
UYO 02/10/2019 03/09/2019 04/09/2019
BADAGRY 02/10/2019 03/09/2019 04/09/2019
OWERRI 02/10/2019 03/09/2019 04/09/2019
33
AUCHI 02/10/2019 03/09/2019 04/09/2019
BENIN 02/10/2019 03/09/2019 04/09/2019
EKOT-EKPENE 02/10/2019 03/09/2019 04/09/2019
OCTOBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
OSOGBO 07/10/2019 09/019/2019 11/10/2019
ISIOKPO 08/10/2019 09/10/2019 11/10/2019
OTA 09/10/2019 10/10/2019 11/10/2019
UYO 07/10/2019 09/019/2019 11/10/2019
DUTSE 08/10/2019 09/10/2019 11/10/2019
ADO-EKITI 09/10/2019 10/10/2019 11/10/2019
PORT
HARCOURT
07/10/2019 09/019/2019 11/10/2019
BADAGRY 08/10/2019 09/10/2019 11/10/2019
CALABAR 09/10/2019 10/10/2019 11/10/2019
SOKOTO 07/10/2019 09/019/2019 11/10/2019
AGUATA 07/10/2019 09/019/2019 11/10/2019
AKURE 08/10/2019 09/10/2019 11/10/2019
EFFURUN 07/10/2019 09/019/2019 11/10/2019
IBADAN 08/10/2019 09/10/2019 11/10/2019
ENUGU 09/10/2019 10/10/2019 11/10/2019
OCTOBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
AUCHI 15/10/2019 15/10/2019 16/10/2019
34
LAGOS 15/10/2019 16/10/2019 17/10/2019
OCTOBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
AWKA 16/10/2019 17/10/2019 18/10/2019
BADAGRY 17/10/2019 18/10/2019 18/10/2019
BUKURU 16/10/2019 17/10/2019 18/10/2019
EKET 17/10/2019 18/10/2019 18/10/2019
AKURE 16/10/2019 17/10/2019 18/10/2019
IJEBU-ODE 17/10/2019 18/10/2019 18/10/2019
KANO 16/10/2019 17/10/2019 18/10/2019
MBANO-ETITI 17/10/2019 18/10/2019 18/10/2019
KEFFI 16/10/2019 17/10/2019 18/10/2019
PORT
HARCOURT
16/10/2019 17/10/2019 18/10/2019
OCTOBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
JOS 18/10/2019 20/10/2019 22/10/2019
ILARO 18/10/2019 20/10/2019 22/10/2019
ISIOKPO 18/10/2019 20/10/2019 22/10/2019
IKEJA 18/10/2019 20/10/2019 22/10/2019
OCTOBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
35
LAGOS 22/10/2019 23/10/2019 24/10/2019
BADAGRY 21/10/2019 22/10/2019 24/10/2019
CALABAR 23/10/2019 24/10/2019 24/10/2019
OWERRI 22/10/2019 23/10/2019 24/10/2019
MAKURDI 21/10/2019 22/10/2019 24/10/2019
NKIRUN 23/10/2019 24/10/2019 24/10/2019
UGHELLI 22/10/2019 23/10/2019 24/10/2019
IDEMILI 21/10/2019 22/10/2019 24/10/2019
ABEOKUTA 22/10/2019 23/10/2019 24/10/2019
ILORIN 21/10/2019 22/10/2019 24/10/2019
IKEJA 23/10/2019 24/10/2019 24/10/2019
OCTOBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
OSOGBO 22/10/2019 23/10/2019 25/10/2019
PORT
HARCOURT
24/10/2019 25/10/2019 25/10/2019
NSUKKA 23/10/2019 24/10/2019 25/10/2019
BUKURU 22/10/2019 23/10/2019 25/10/2019
IDAH 24/10/2019 25/10/2019 25/10/2019
AGUATA 22/10/2019 23/10/2019 25/10/2019
YOLA 24/10/2019 25/10/2019 25/10/2019
OLEH 23/10/2019 24/10/2019 25/10/2019
OCTOBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
IKEJA 27/10/2019 28/10/2019 29/10/2019
36
MUBI 28/10/2019 28/10/2019 29/10/2019
SAGBAMA 27/10/2019 28/10/2019 29/10/2019
ONITSHA 28/10/2019 28/10/2019 29/10/2019
OCTOBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
PORT
HARCOURT
29/10/2019 30/10/2019 01/11/2019
ORLU 29/10/2019 30/10/2019 01/11/2019
AHOADA 29/10/2019 30/10/2019 01/11/2019
KANO 29/10/2019 30/10/2019 01/11/2019
DEGEMA 29/10/2019 30/10/2019 01/11/2019
UYO 29/10/2019 30/10/2019 01/11/2019
LAGOS 29/10/2019 30/10/2019 01/11/2019
WARRI 29/10/2019 30/10/2019 01/11/2019
NOVEMBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
AWKA 04/11/2019 05/11/2019 08/11/2019
IDAH 05/11/2019 06/11/2019 08/11/2019
OWERRI 06/11/2019 07/11/2019 08/11/2019
IKORODU 07/11/2019 07/11/2019 08/11/2019
OLEH 04/11/2019 05/11/2019 08/11/2019
EFFURUN 05/11/2019 06/11/2019 08/11/2019
IKEJA 04/11/2019 05/11/2019 08/11/2019
MAIDUGURI 05/11/2019 06/11/2019 08/11/2019
37
JALINGO 06/11/2019 07/11/2019 08/11/2019
PORT
HARCOURT
07/11/2019 07/11/2019 08/11/2019
NOVEMBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
BAUCHI 11/11/2019 12/11/2019 15/11/2019
IKEJA 12/11/2019 13/11/2019 15/11/2019
ASABA 13/11/2019 14/11/2019 15/11/2019
ANAOCHA 11/11/2019 12/11/2019 15/11/2019
IBADAN 12/11/2019 13/11/2019 15/11/2019
PORT
HARCOURT
13/11/2019 14/11/2019 15/11/2019
UDU 11/11/2019 12/11/2019 15/11/2019
ENUGU 12/11/2019 13/11/2019 15/11/2019
UGHELLI 13/11/2019 14/11/2019 15/11/2019
WUKARI 11/11/2019 12/11/2019 15/11/2019
IHIALA 12/11/2019 13/11/2019 15/11/2019
OKRIKA 13/11/2019 14/11/2019 15/11/2019
KANO 11/11/2019 12/11/2019 15/11/2019
YENAGOA 12/11/2019 13/11/2019 15/11/2019
OKITIPUPA 13/11/2019 14/11/2019 15/11/2019
YOLA 11/11/2019 12/11/2019 15/11/2019
NOVEMBER 2019
NBA
BRANCHES
DATE RECEIVED DATE PRODUCED DATE
DISPATCHED
38
IDAH 16/11/2019 17/11/2019 22/11/2019
UYO 17/11/2019 18/11/2019 22/11/2019
MAKURDI 18/11/2019 19/11/2019 22/11/2019
POR
HARCOURT
19/11/2019 20/11/2019 22/11/2019
JOS 20/11/2019 21/11/2019 22/11/2019
EPE 17/11/2019 18/11/2019 22/11/2019
KANO 18/11/2019 19/11/2019 22/11/2019
BADAGRY 19/11/2019 20/11/2019 22/11/2019
ABAKALIKI 20/11/2019 21/11/2019 22/11/2019
OWERRI 17/11/2019 18/11/2019 22/11/2019
ONITSHA 18/11/2019 19/11/2019 22/11/2019
BENIN 19/11/2019 20/11/2019 22/11/2019
IHIALA 20/11/2019 21/11/2019 22/11/2019
ADO-EKITI 17/11/2019 18/11/2019 22/11/2019
AKURE 18/11/2019 19/11/2019 22/11/2019
GBOKO 19/11/2019 20/11/2019 22/11/2019
NSUKKA 20/11/2019 21/11/2019 22/11/2019
AUCHI 16/11/2019 17/11/2019 22/11/2019
UDU 17/11/2019 18/11/2019 22/11/2019
IDEMILI 18/11/2019 19/11/2019 22/11/2019
LAGOS 19/11/2019 20/11/2019 22/11/2019
OKEHI 20/11/2019 21/11/2019 22/11/2019
For more information and complain simply dial our toll-free line 0800333111 and to
communicate with the membership and Bar Services Unit press 1.
39
REPORT FROM THE LEGAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION AT THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC) MEETING OF THE NBA HOLDING AT THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT AUDITORIUM, NBA HOUSE, ABUJA ON THE 5TH OF DECEMBER, 2019.
The Legal Services Department of the Nigerian Bar Association, National Secretariat is honored to have members of the National Executive Council (NEC) at its quarterly meeting holding at the National Secretariat Auditorium, Abuja.
The Legal Department of the Nigerian Bar Association is primarily saddled with the responsibility of processing petitions/complaints of brought against of the legal profession. This responsibility ensures that members of the legal profession conform to the established rules guiding professional conduct of legal practitioners in Nigeria, thereby ensuring that the profession is not brought to disrepute. The department also handles other ancillary legal matters and activities in the secretariat.
Below are listed some of the core activities carried out during the period under review;
COMPLAINTS OF PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCTS/PETITIONS
The Legal Services Department database has a total number of 2071 active petitions as at November, 2019. New petitions received for the period under review (September to November, 2019) were a total of 92 while 5 petitions were withdrawn by petitioners and subsequently dismissed during the period under review.
A total number of 394 petitions are currently ready for Disciplinary Panel and are awaiting a disciplinary panel to determine a prima facie case or otherwise.
The Department ensures that all petitions received from persons bordering on professional misconduct against legal practitioners are dealt with accordingly. Upon successful documentation of petitions and correspondences, same is then forwarded to various Disciplinary Panels.
There are fifteen (15) Disciplinary Panels across the six (6) geo-political zones. It is the duty of the Disciplinary Panels to determine a prima facie case or otherwise against a legal practitioner(s). Where a prima facie case is established, such petition(s) is then forwarded to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for hearing and appropriate disciplinary action.
40
THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS’ DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
The Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee did not sit in the period under review. This is premised on the recent Supreme Court judgment delivered on the 21st February, 2019 in the case of Wome Moses V. Nigerian Bar Association wherein the court held amongst other things that the Nigerian Bar Association is not a juristic person and as such can neither sue or be sued in a court of law.
Efforts are however being made to tackle the challenges highlighted in the aforementioned case and ensure that the sittings resume accordingly.
FILING OF AND REGULARISATION OF PROCESSES OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION AT THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION
It would be recalled that at the last Annual General Meeting of the NBA which held on the 29th day of August 2019 at the Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, certain aspects of the NBA Constitution 2015 were amended. New Trustees were appointed because the tenures of the ones who had been in services had elapsed. The Department ensured that the appropriate filings and regularisations were carried out at the Corporate Affairs Commission as required by Law.
COURT CASES
The Legal Services Department liaises with legal practitioners who have been briefed to handle cases/matters involving the Nigerian Bar Association. The Legal Department as part of its duties, keep records and monitor progress level of such cases.
During the period under review, the department received 2 court processes which were served on the Association. It was also served with one (1) new court process as listed below.
S/N SUIT NO. PARTIES
1. FHC/L/CS/1101/19 John Williams Dong V. Nigerian Bar Association& 9 Ors
PRO BONO DESK AND PUBLIC DEFENDER UNIT
The Nigerian Bar Association’s Pro Bono Desk and Public Defender Unit both under the legal department are part of the NBA’s effort aimed at providing legal services to indigent persons and individuals who are unable to afford basic legal representation.
41
In the period under review, no Pro Bono case was received. The NBA PRO BONO SERVICE HOTLINE is 07065810100 and we can be reached on every working day between the hours of 10 and 4 pm.
CHALLENGES
The disciplinary process at each stage is quite cumbersome and as such, a large number of petitions are yet to be fully dispensed with.
Legal Practitioners/Respondents when served with correspondences arising from a petition, oftentimes refuse/neglect to respond to same. In another instance, some Respondents even evade service for dubious reasons. These lawyers treat the disciplinary process with levity.
Petitioners sometimes do not have or provide adequate information on the lawyers whom they petition. This poses as a major challenge as they expect the secretariat to have a record of its members. The secretariat in turn is handicapped as there are many unverified lawyers whose data is not captured on the database of lawyers kept by the National Secretariat.
In the instance where a petition is brought against such lawyers, it is difficult to access them.
WAY FORWARD
There is need to put in place, an effective compliance mechanism in order to ensure that legal practitioners take the disciplinary process without levity.
Members of the legal profession should be encouraged and sensitized on the need to get their data captured in the database of lawyers kept by the NBA at the National Secretariat and periodically update same as the need arises. This ensures that when the need to locate a particular lawyer arises, it would be easy to do so by reverting to our records.
CONCLUSION
We wish you all a safe stay, fruitful deliberations and journey mercies as back to your various
destinations.
For further inquiries about the work we do in the Department please contact the NBA
LEGAL SERVICES DEPARMENT HOTLINE; 07080932564 or the NBA TOLL FREE LINE;
08003331111. You can also send an email to [email protected]
42
LEGAL TEAM GRACE IGYO, ESQ. (HEAD, LEGAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT) RABIAH A. HASSAN, ESQ. (LEGAL OFFICER) DAMILAREOJO, ESQ (LEGAL OFFICER) ANUDU FRANKLIN, ESQ (LEGAL OFFICER) HALIMAT YUSUPH, ESQ. (LEGAL OFFICER) NIMFEL, MWARMIKAT JERUSA, ESQ. (LEGAL OFFICER) ADAEZE O. OPARA, ESQ. (LEGAL OFFICER) MARTHA O. BENSON (CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY) ADEDEJI S. YINUSA (DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR/ASST. CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY) JOSEPH BITRUS MAIWADA (DISPATCH CLERK)
43
REPORT OF PROGRAMMES DEPARTMENT: NOVEMBER 2019 NEC MEETING
The Program department is saddled amongst other objectives with building partnerships
and networking with development partners, Civil Society Organizations both locally and
internationally, building and strengthening the program thematic areas which include:
a. Administration of Justice
b. Anti-Corruption
c. Conflict Resolution
d. Human Rights
e. Justice Sector Reforms
f. Elections and Democracy
g. Rule of Law and Access to Justice
The department is also responsible in developing new strategies for the continuity and
sustainability of programs due to changes in the leadership of the NBA, repositioning and
projecting the department through our programs in a way that would benefit public interest
and also achieve sustainable good governance for the benefit of the entire Nigeria.
ACTIVITIES SO FAR:
1. THE NBA MACARTHUR PROJECT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
An agreement to promote and advocate for the domestication and implementation of the
Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 Project that will run for a duration of three (3)
consecutive years between August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2020 was signed between the Nigerian
Bar Association (Grantee) and John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation (Grantor) on
July 31, 2017.
This project was designed to improve the state adoption rates of the Administration of
Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA), which is a Federal Legislation. The aim is to ensure that
the innovations introduced in the ACJA are uniformly and independently adopted by all
states of the Federation. In order to strengthen the criminal justice system in Nigeria
leading to a more expeditious dispensation of justice which would reduce the incidence
of corruption in Nigeria, the NBA-ACJA Project commenced in 2017.
44
The NBA Project have been able to complete the first ten project states in the first phase
as provided in the agreement with the Foundation and is currently working on
concluding the states engagements in the second phase. The team has successfully
covered eight states in the second phase and currently working on having review
regional meetings.
The Current NBA-ACJA Project Team has undertaken to implement the activities listed
under the Project Year 2 Work Plan. Based on the work plan, please find below the
following project activities that has been undertaken from May 2019-till date;
a. A One-day State Validation Public Forum on the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill
of Nasawara State on Tuesday 14 May, 2019.
b. State-level Legislative Advocacy and Sensitization Workshop on the Domestication
and Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 in Imo State on
Thursday 23 May, 2019.
c. State-level Legislative Advocacy and Sensitization Workshop on the Domestication
and Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 in Niger State
on Tuesday 28 May, 2019.
d. A One-day State Validation Public Forum on the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill of Jigawa State held on Tuesday 17th September, 2019
e. State-level Legislative Advocacy and Sensitization Workshop on the Domestication and Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 in Kebbi State on Tuesday 15 October, 2019
f. A One-day State Validation Public Forum on the Administration of Criminal Justice of Bauchi State held on Thursday 31October, 2019
g. State-level Legislative Advocacy and Sensitization Workshop on the domestication and implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 in Gombe State on Tuesday 22 October, 2019
h. A One-day State Validation Public Forum on the Administration of Criminal Justice of Kano State held on Thursday 28 November, 2019
i. One day State Validation Public Forum on the Administration of Criminal Justice of Sokoto State held on Monday 2 December, 2019
45
Continuing Legal Education and Capacity Development for Legal Practitioners Collation of
Database and Development of Course Contents Under the ACJA 2015 Project;
The ICLE holds a major responsibility for the formal training of legal practitioners on the
provisions of the ACJA through the development of an ICLE e-learning platform which is
currently being developed. The e-learning platform will have certifiable training courses on
the ACJA and Criminal Procedure (speedy trials, accelerated hearings, limitations on appeals,
prosecutorial powers, stay on proceedings, etc.) which will be provided to legal
practitioners, ACJA Practitioners and the general public.
The ICLE also is currently planning to engage in the certification of ACJA Trainers across
Nigeria through annual National Training of Trainer workshops. This training should
commence sometime in the second week of December, 2019.
2. NBA SECTION ON PUBLIC INTEREST AND DEVELOPMENT LAW (SPIDEL) The Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) is the 3rd Section established by the Nigerian Bar Association. Its aim is to foster NBA’s commitment to promoting the role and application of law to economic development and growth of public interest Law in Nigeria. The section organized its 2019 Annual Conference with the theme “Lawyering in the Public
Interest” a three day conference held from 6 - 8 November, 2019 in Aba, Abia State. The
Conference had about 14 Sessions where subject matter experts led conversations primarily
aimed at envisioning the role of lawyers and the legal profession in public interest within the
context of the various public interest challenges that Nigeria is facing at the moment.
At the Conference, there were lead presentations by eminent speakers and moderators
Following the Presentations, discussions and interactions, the following observations were
made:
1. That the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) is critical to
the legal profession and the nation especially in terms of public interest enlightenment
and litigation. There is therefore need to develop a legal and political culture and the
NBA-SPIDEL has to be at the centre of this agitation.
2. That SPIDEL’s renewed determined to prioritize activities that will reverse the failings
in governance, public administration and the legal institutions in order to alleviate the
suffering of the masses is commendable.
46
3. That Nigeria is at a critical crossroad in its quest for development, and only public
interest and people-centered policies can provide credible and enabling environment
for sustainable development.
4. That Public Interest and development being intertwined, public interest should be the
basis for law-making, as anything short of that would inevitably result in bad laws.
5. That alternative dispute resolution (ADR) can help to resolve companies-host
communities-conflicts and the various multi-door court houses can help in this regard.
Recommendations Made at the Conference
In the light of all the observations above, recommendations made include but not limited to:
1. The conference called on all lawyers in Nigeria to view public interest lawyering as a
challenge that must be tackled squarely, bearing in mind that a lawyer’s primary
responsibility is to promote the rule of law and the public interest.
In this regard, all branches of the NBA are urged to take on the challenge of public
interest lawyering in earnest.
2. All lawyers were urged to awaken to their responsibility as gatekeepers of the law, and
be ready to test these laws in courts for the protection of the rights of citizens against
violations by the government and its agencies.
3. The Conference noted that lawyers are more protagonists of the rich and of corruption
rather than protagonists of the common good. To prevent the rise of injustice,
Conference calls on all legal practitioners to live for the cause of the people and the
advancement of country and be ready to go the extra mile, failure of which injustice
will prevail.
4. Lawyers must responsibly utilize courts and the social media in advancing the interests
of the public and Nigeria’s development; they must give life to extant socio-economic
policy objectives through the use of legal instruments available in that regard. Every
lawyer is encourage to build capacity to achieve this goal.
5. The Conference called on all justice sector stakeholders, especially the Judiciary to
collaborate and mutually reinforce one another’s efforts in the collective effort to
protect the rights of the weak and vulnerable in the society. Judges must rise up to
the challenge and be ready to award punitive and exemplary damages where
necessary to ensure the promotion of the public interest.
6. Conference called on the judiciary to maintain and sustain the present liberal approach
to matters of public litigation and eschew timidity in exercising their functions.
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7. Extra-judicial killings is on the increase as a result of non-enforcement of laws, we must
therefore take steps to interrogate issues of non enforcement of our laws.
8. The process of rehabilitating convicts should not be left to the correctional agencies
alone. The community should be involved in the rehabilitation process of these
offenders.
9. SPIDEL acknowledges the need for the NBA to comply with the MOU signed between
Legal Aid Council and the NBA to handle more pro bono cases as this will go a long way
to decongest correctional facilities.
10. SPIDEL pledges to join the call for the upgrading of technological equipment in prisons
so as to capture the biometrics of offenders.
11. SPIDEL notes that the development and growth or wealth of a nation is largely created
by the private sector; the duty of the government for the development of the country
is therefore to create an enabling environment and also serve as a regulator to ensure
that the inherent competition is carried out fairly and not to be a business competitor
herself.
3. ELECTIONS
Bayelsa and Kogi States Gubernatorial Elections
The NBA through its Election Working Group observed the Bayelsa and Kogi States Gubernatorial Election.
The NBA Election Working Group (NBA EWG) deployed election observers in NBA’s six (6) branches in the two (2) States (four branches in Kogi and two in Bayelsa) with the following objectives:
i. To observe the extent of compliance of all stakeholders with the governing laws and regulations in the conduct of the elections;
ii. To observe and report on the freeness, fairness and credibility of the election; and iii. To observe and note whether the results announced reflected the voters’ choices. iv. To observe if there had been an improvement in the electoral process flowing from
the general elections.
The Programmes team worked closely with the NBA Election Working Group (EWG) chaired by Mazi Afam Osigwe with other members to observe the Bayelsa and Kogi Elections held on the Saturday 16 November, 2019.
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To ensure a seamless operation, the EWG also worked with the NBA National Publicity Officer and his Assistant to ensure a seamless social media platform where live feeds and real-time reports were gotten from observers across both states. Lawyers and observers could send videos and pictures as evidence of events that transpired at their locations.
The EWG also procured a toll-free line where observers and other lawyers could call in with their reports. A dedicated number was also created on the WhatsApp platform where lawyers and observers could send videos and pictures as evidence of events that transpired at their locations.
Some Recommendations by the EWG on the Bayelsa and Kogi States Election
1. Governments and the law enforcement agencies must develop the political will and muscle that would enable them bring to book all persons and/or parties including members of any security agency who are involved in any form of electoral offences as was recorded during the elections.
2. Security agencies deployed for election duties should be alive to their responsibilities by
apprehending persons who break the law or perpetrate any form of electoral malpractice.
Security agencies should not form part of the criminal disruptors of election processes or
aid and or condone same by their wilful refusal and or failure to take any action to prevent
the commission of electoral offences.
3. Personnel of security agencies at national and state levels must always exhibit neutrality and professionalism in carrying out their election-related assignments in order to engender a peaceful environment for the smooth conduct of elections. Respect of the law by security officials should be promoted and enforced.
4. Adequate protection must be provided during the elections exercise for the Electoral
officials and the general populace particularly persons who come out to exercise their voting rights.
Programmes Team:
Oti Edah Head of Programmes Department
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Okechuchu Uzoechi Senior Program Officer
Folake Peters Senior Program Officer
Edidiong Peter Program Officer
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NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION INSTITUTE OF CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
INTRODUCTION The Nigerian Bar Association Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE) serves as the CLE regulatory authority for the NBA—and its members—by providing standards and scope for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, (MCLE) programme. The ICLE is overseen by a Governing Board and works closely with NBA Sections, Fora and the various local branches at large in developing programmes on MCLE. The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NBA approved the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Rules (MCLE Rules) at its meeting of 15th February, 2007 in Owerri, Imo State. All Nigerian Lawyers in legal practice or employment must comply with the Nigerian Bar Association Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Programme. Lawyers are required to take Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) courses for their credits in order to qualify to practice law within our jurisdiction. Accreditation The Institute of Continuing Legal Education has monitored and evaluated various workshops since inception with the support from NBA Branches and the Sections of NBA. The Institute of Continuing Legal Education core responsibility is to serve as a platform to improve the knowledge and skills of lawyers. It is also an avenue for creating opportunities and keeping legal professionals abreast of the development in law and ensuring best practices. The Institute issues certificate that reflects the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) hours earned by participants/conferees at workshops, seminars and conferences. In compliance with the provisions of Rule 11 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007 and a contributory development stride to the Nigerian Bar Association Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the NBA–ICLE introduced its electronic certificate through the Nigerian Bar Association Certificate Automated System (NCAS). Presently the electronic certificates are issued to participants/conferees at workshops to reflect compliance with continuous professional development. Reporting Period/Compliance with MCLE The MCLE Rules and the MCLE Board’s Guidelines prescribe the following reporting periods and credits to satisfy the MCLE requirements: Benchers/SANs -24 credits every 3 years
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Other Lawyers -30 credits every 2 years
Private Service Providers
The NBA ICLE Accredited Service Providers are;
Spindlar Cyberlaw Centre Limited Association of Legislative Drafters and Advocacy Practitioners of Nigeria Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates (SCMA) Legal Defence & Assistance Project (LEDAP)
Activities at the Institute:
The Institute of Continuing Legal Education within the reporting period (August 2019 to December 2019) has approved and monitored these lists of workshops:-
Christian Lawyers’ Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) 2019 Conference
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria, (CLASFON) is organising its National Conference
slated to hold from 7th to 11th of August, 2019 at Ibadan, Oyo State. The Christian Lawyers’
Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) sent a mail to the NBA- ICLE requesting for the award of CLE
points to participants at its annual Conference scheduled to hold from 7th – 11th August 2019
with the theme “Help from Above” at University of Ibadan, Ibadan Oyo State. The conference programme was reviewed and it satisfied the requirement for continuing professional development, which was thereafter approved by the General Secretary of the NBA.
CLASFON Conference is a gathering of Christian Lawyers from all over the federation and
during the conference aside spiritual sermons, legal seminars are held for the continues
professional development of participants. The keynote address was by Prof Yemi Osibanjo, GCON, SAN (Vice President of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria)represented by Pst. Joseph Oluseyi (Chaplain, Aso Rock Chapel) The Session 1. The challenge of insecurity in Nigeria: is help on the way?
Chairman of the session - Hon. Justice Emmanuel O. Ayoola, Lead Speaker- His Excellency,
Akakunrin Oluwarotimi O. Akerelodu SAN (Executive Governor Ondo State) rep. by Kola
Olawoye SAN, AG Ondo State
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Discussants- Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert (Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies U.I), Mr
Shina Olukolu (COP Oyo State) rep. by APC Oke Collins Nwagbufor (Area Commander
Moniya Ibadan), Mr S.O Adeoye (Director Public Prosecution Oyo State Rep by Oolabisi
Olubodi (Deputy Director Public Prosecution)
2. Legal Framework for Effective Family Asset Management
Chair of the Session -Dr Wole Olufon (Pioneer President of CLASFON and Chairman
CLASFON Board of Trustees), Discussants- Ikeazor Akaraiwe (Past 1st vice -president of
NBA), Dr Oluyemisi Abimbola (Lead City University and Prime Solicitors, Ibadan)
3. Electronic Evidence Chair of the Session – Chief O. E. B Offiong SAN rep by Dr G.O.A Ogunyomi, Lead Speaker-
Hon. Justice Alabi Omolaye- Ajileye (HC of Kogi State) Discussants- Panmark Mark Lere
(faculty of Law University of Jos)
4. Safe Guarding Investments: Legal Service Opportunities in the Securities and Exchange
Sector. Chair of the Session- Prof. Bbankole Sodipo rep. Prof Andrew Chukwumerie SAN, Lead
Speaker- Mrs Ijeoma Okpara (Director Legal Service Dept SEC Abuja)
5. Digital Marketing for Lawyers and the Landmines of the RPC
Lead Speaker- Busola Ajala (founder Strictly Law Business Lagos) Discussant- Dr
Olubukola A. Olusoga (School of Law and Security Studies, Babcock University, Ilishan
Remo, Ogun State)
6. Remedying Discrimination and Workplace Harassment Chair of the Session- Hon. Peter Jiya (Past President, CLASFON) rep by Pst. Suuny Akanni,
(President, Advocate Africa) Lead Speaker- Hon. Justice O.O Oyewumi, NICN, Discussant-
Evelyn Membere- Asimiea, (National President FIDA)
7. The Perspective of In-house Counsel and External Counsel in Corporate Practice
Discussant- Mrs Abiola Ajayi (Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, Odua Investment
Company ltd Cocoa House Ibadan), Dr Emmanuel Idaka (Past Chairman, NBA, Calabar
Branch)
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In conclusion, the conference was rich in content and it witnessed other events such as
CLASFON African praise and Variety Night, Health and Safety talks and the CLASFON Dinner.
Two Day Seminar Held by the Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja Branch from the 8th to 9 th of October 2019 at Adetiloye Hall Arch Bishop Vinig Memorial Cathedral Ikeja, Lagos State The Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja Branch held its two day seminar/ interactive session from
Tuesday 8th – Wednesday 9th October, 2019 at Adetiloye Hall, Arch Bishop Vining Memorial
Cathedral Church Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme ”The 21st Lawyer Indispensability of Continuous
Legal Education”. The NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education was in attendance for monitoring and evaluation.
The seminar/interactive session which had in attendance many eminent legal practitioners across the bar and bench focused on different area of legal jurisprudence and the importance
of continuing legal education in the 21st century legal practice.
The seminar/interactive session featured three educative and interactive CLE sessions, each session had its panelist discussing extensively the various changes in the legal profession and how to develop competence in the various fields of practice. Some of the topics discussed include:
1. Effective utilization of garnishee proceedings in recovery of debt and effective defense thereto
2. Appeals: dissatisfaction with decision of court, exercising and fast tracking rights of
appeals, avoiding pitfalls
3. Extradition: instituting and defending extradition proceedings in court contemporary challenges”
In discussing the topics, the discussants took their time to explain the role of the Attorney General in garnishee proceeding and why it is important according to the law to get his consent before garnishee proceeding can duly or validly commence for the attachment of any judgment debt against the affected government. Citing Section 84 of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Acts, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Also the procedure of appeals from Customary Courts to Magistrate Courts and to High Courts, and the extradition process and the court charged with the duty of extradition amongst others.
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In attendance where eminent legal practitioners some of them are: Mr Olumide Fusika SAN, Hon. Justice Oke Lawal, Hon. Justice Ogungbesan , Hon. Justice Serifat Solebo , Mrs. Shodip, Mr Rotimi Seyin, Phillip O Jimoh – Lasisi SAN, Olusegun Fabunmi, Hon. Adanson, Dcn. Dele Adesina SAN, Femi Falana SAN, Prince Dele Oloke, Dr Babajide Ajibade, Proff. Niyi Olatunbosun, Rotimi Oyedepo and Akinola Tunji.
The seminar which was well attended was brought to a close on the second day with a vote of thanks by the chairman of the organizing committee Mr Opara and the presentation of certificate of attendance to the discussants and participants followed by a photo session of the participants.
Ondo State Judiciary Chief Judges Seminar, Volume 3, 2019
The Ondo State Judiciary sent a mail to the NBA- ICLE requesting for the award of CLE points
to participants at its annual Chief Judge’s seminar scheduled to hold from 29th – 31st October
2019 at the International Events & Cultural Centre (The Dome), Parliament (Igbatoro) Road,
Alagbaka Akure, Ondo State, with the theme “Independence of the Judiciary: Pathway to
Democratic Development” The conference programme was reviewed and it satisfied the
requirement for continuing professional development, which was thereafter approved by the
General Secretary of the NBA. The Annual Seminar attracts eminent legal minds and scholars from all walks of life in Nigeria
particularly the south west. This year’s theme is an avenue to revolve round topical issues
which is very pertinent in the light of the judiciary’s quest for the implementation of financial
autonomy as provided for in section 121 (3) of the 1999 constitution (as amended). The seminar witnessed the presence of dignitaries such as Hon. Justice Olanrewaju Olutoyin
Akeredolu (chief judge of Ondo State) Mrs Funke Adekoya (Keynote Speaker) Prof Taiwo
Osipitan, SAN amongst other stakeholders. Below are the highlights at the Seminar;
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Financial Autonomy : A sine qua non to the independence of the Judiciary
Chairman of the session- Hon. Justice M.M Fasanmi, JCA (RTD) Paper presenter – Mr Femi Falana SAN Represented by Dr Kayode Ajilo, Discussant – Ms
Jumoke Akindele Fmr Speaker, ODHA, Mr. Bode Olanipekun, SAN
A new face of Justice in Alternative Dispute Resolution Chairman of the session – Hon. Justice S.A. Bola, Paper presenter- Mr Kehinde Aina,
Discussant- Hon. Justice M.A Owoyemi, FCIArb, Chief Emeka Obegolu rep, Akinyode, Mrs
Banke Olagbegi-Oloba
Appointment, Discipline and Retirement of Judicial Officers vis a vis Independence of
the Judiciary Chairman of the session- Hon. Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi (Rtd CJ of Ondo State) Paper
presenter- Hon. Justice B.A Adejumo, OFR(former president NICN) Discussant- Hon.
Justice F.O. Aguda-Taiwo (Rtd PCCA, Ondo State), Hon Justice N.S. Adeyanju (rtd), Dr Ola
Kayode Ajulo
The ethical roles of the Bar in the Administration of Justice
Chairman of the session-Hon Justice O.F.Omoleye, JCA rep Hon Justice Danjuma
Mohammed (JCA) Paper presenter- Mr Henry Micheal-Ihunde, Discussant- Chief Wale
Taiwo, SAN
A critical Appraisal of the rights of citizens under consumer protection laws vis a vis
banking, entertainment, energy and communication. Chairman of the session- Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, JSC GCON rep. Danjuma
Mohammed Paper presenter-Hon Justice O.F.Ogbuinya, JCA, OFR re. Justice Kolawole,
Discussant- Hon. Justice Deji Akanbi (Osun State High Court), Mr Richard Ayodele Akintunde,
SAN, Prof. Olubayo Oluduro
Searchlight from the effectiveness of the ACJA 2015 thus far: feedback from
stakeholders Chairman of the session- Hon. Justice W.A. Akintoroye, Paper presenter-
Hon. Adekola Olawoye, SAN (AG Ondo State) Discussant-Prof. Amos Idowu, DCP, State
CID, Ondo State Police Command, Controller Nigerian Correctional Service, Ondo State
Command
Separation of Powers as a pillar of the True Democracy
Chairman of the session- Prof Yomi Dinakin, Paper Presenter: Dr J.A Olatoke, SAN,
Discussant- Hon. Justice A.O. Adebusoye, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan SAN, Dr O. Ijabadeniyi
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Stress Management in the legal Profession
Paper presenter- Dr Adekunle Adesokan, (Consultant Psychiatrist)
In conclusion, various topics selected for the seminar cut across areas of law that enlightened
participants in the judicial system. The resource persons and paper discussants were robust
in their various topics and it was indeed a knowledge enriching seminar.
The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) Annual
Conference Which Held on the 5th -9th November 2019 The NBA-SPIDEL wrote a letter to the NBA- ICLE requesting for the award of CLE points to
participants at its annual conference scheduled to hold from 5th-9th November 2019 with the
theme “lawyering in the public interest” at Addrex Hotel Aba Abia State. The conference
programme was reviewed and it satisfied the requirement for continuing professional
development, which was thereafter approved by the General Secretary of the NBA. The NBA-SPIDEL mission statement is NBA’s commitment to promoting the role and
application of law to economic development and growth of public interest law in Nigeria.
Though it’s a new-fangled section of the NBA invigorated by the administration of Abubakar
Mahmoud former president of the NBA, the conference was rich in content and had over 200
participants who were mostly lawyers. The session had in attendance Mr Paul Usoro SAN (President of the Nigerian Bar Association)
Paul Ananaba SAN (SPIDEL Chairman) Olumide Akpata, Mr Uche Ihediwa Esq. (Attorney-
General of Abia State) amongst other stakeholders. The Session 1. Topic- Public Interest lawyering, global best practices and Development.
Chairperson- Hon.Justice O.A.K Ogwe, Lead speaker: Ddr Sam Amadi, Panelists: Chief
Assam Assam SAN, Mr Festus Okoye, Dr Onyeachi Ikpeazu
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2. Topic- Executive Orders as Tools of Governance- Prospects and challenges Chairperson – HE Dr Solomon Jere, Lead Speaker –Solomon Umoh, Panelists: Mrs. Joyce
Odua, Mr Udochi Iheanacho, Dr Victor Odoeme 3. Topic – Managing Security Challenges and Public Interest Issues
Lead speaker- DIG Marvel Akpoyibo (Rtd) Panelist- Mr Emeka Obegolu, Dr. Paul Ebiala,
Mr Isreal Usman. 4. Topic- Business and Human rights, global principles and best practices
Chairperson- Olumuyiwa Akinboro SAN, Lead Speaker –Babatunde Ajala, Panelist- Mr
Franklin Oseya Esq,
5. Topic- Public Protest and the Law Lead Speaker- Mr Femi Falana, SAN, represented by Monday Ubani. Chief Obafemi
Adewale represented by Shade Abiodun
6. Alternative Dispute Resolution: utilizing Institutions and Legal Strategies for managing
and resolving companies- Host-communities (C-H-C) Conflicts. Chairperson- Mrs Carol Etuk, Lead Speaker –Mr Olumide Akpata Panelist- Mr Hamid
Abdulkareem.
7. Promoting the Rule of Law; roles and perspectives of Attorneys- General as State
Actors. Speakers- Hon. Justice L.T.C Eruba, Panelist- Uche Ihediwa Esq.
8. Implementation of the Nigerian Correctional service Act 2019: The Role of Civil Society
Organisations and Legal Community Lead Speaker- Ogechi Ogu, panelist- Mr Sylvester Elema, Mrs Grace Osariemen Omoruyi
9. The Judiciary, Human Rights and Public Interest Litigations Panelist-
Hon Justice Alabi, Mr Tony Ojukwu, Dr Nkiruka Mduekwe
10. Examining Legal Frameworks on Extra Judicial Killings
Chairperson- Abiodun Owonikolo, Lead Speaker Prof D.Dada, Panelist- Dr Dorcas
Odunaike 11. Framework for combating corruption in Nigeria: Developing a sustainable and
Institutional Model Chairperson- Hon. Justice I. Nwabughogu, Lead Speaker- Dr Usman
Abubakar, Panelist- Mr. Jonathan Taidi 12. Beneficial Ownership Reforms in Natural Resources Exploitation in Nigeria:
Implementation Timelines and Role of Lawyers
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Lead speaker-Peter Ogbobine, Panelists-Dr Micheal Uzoigwe, Mmr Kola Banwo, Mr
Leonard Ugbajah, Mr Gabriel Okeowo, Mr Okechukwu Uwanna
13. Regulating in Public Interest- Imperative of Regulation in Economic Development and
Growth. Lead speaker-Engr Chidi Izuwa, Dr Joseph Chiedu Ugbo, Mrs Akinloye Yetunde
14. Class Action: Proposal for legislative, Legal and judicial Frameworks for achieving mass
remedies in Nigeria. Lead speaker –Okey Ilofulunwa Esq, Chairperson –Babatunde Ajibabde SAN Panelist- Mr
Val. Uche Obi, SAN represented by Mr Jude, Ms Atonte Diete Spiff Upcoming Accredited CLE Programme by the NBA Jos Branch 2019 Law Week The Nigerian Bar Association, Jos Branch is organising its Law Week scheduled to hold from
Friday 29th November to Wednesday 4th December, 2019 themed “Efficacy of the Nigerian
Constitution in the face of Current Realities” at Jos, Plateau State. Upcoming Accredited CLE Programme by the NBA Yola Branch Law Week The Nigerian Bar Association, Yola Branch is organising its Law Week scheduled to hold from
Monday 2nd- 6th December, 2019 themed; “The Law , the land and its future" at Yola,
Adamawa State. For inquiries on ICLE related issues, kindly contact [email protected] ;
[email protected] or dial 0800-333-1111 and press 4 or call 0803 917 7886.
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Distinguished NEC members, the ICLE welcome you and wish us all a fruitful
deliberation.
Thank you.
ICLE Team:
Omega Sarah Ajijola (Mrs) Bukola Ekundayo (Mrs) Chidera Ifeanyi-Agbo (Mrs)
Head Institute of Continuing Legal Education Programme Officer, ICLE Intern, ICLE
