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NIGERIAN BAR NEWSLETTER

Vol.1, NO. 02 SATURday, MARCH 31, 2018 Promoting the rule of law, justice for all Page 1

Malami restores law reform commission's mandate

By John Austin Unachukwu Nigerian Law Reform articulated in the Commission's A Law Revision
Commission (NLRC) to revise Establishment Act. Committee was constituted

T HE Attorney-General the Laws of the Federation

of the Federation and In a chat with Nigerian Bar
Minister of Justice, Newsletter, NLRC Chairman Mr. Kefas
Abubakar Malami (SAN) has Magaji stated that exercise was part of
restored the mandate of the t h e C o m m i s s i o n ' s m a n d a t e a s
Successive Attorneys-General have
over the years appropriated the
exercise by constituting law revision
committees to undertake law
revision.
to produce the Laws of
Federation 1990 and also the
Laws of Federation 2004.

Continued on page 10

NBA okays 49,000 lawyers

By John Austin Unachukwu
Tackle insecurity, NBA urges FG
By John Austin Unachukwu arising from heightened killings in that part of the country."

M EMBERSHIP and Bar

Services Directorate of
the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) has verified
T HE Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) has
urged the Federal
conflict between herders and
farmers that have assumed a
dangerous dimension
threatening national security.
The NBA decried the killings,
saying more needs to be done to
secure the country.
"NBA condemns these killings
49,000 lawyers across the country.
Government to find new means of "To demonstrate our concern and very strongly and calls on the
The exercise is aimed at
addressing insecurity in the to bring our knowledge and skills Federal Government to do all
sanitising the legal profession and
country, asking the government to to bear in the search for solution to within its powers to address these
reduce the incidence of fake
rise up to its responsibilities. the herders/farmers conflict, I led security challenges and do more to
lawyers and quackery.
Its President, Abubakar the NBA on a fact-finding mission secure lives and property in all
NBA General Secretary Aare
Mahmoud (SAN), made the call in to Benue State early in February. In parts of the country.
Isiaka Abiola Olagunju presented a
an address during the association's Zamfara State, we witnessed "We must not allow the country to
report on the exercise at the just-
National Executive Committee heightened banditry which is creep into anarchy, which will be
concluded National Executive
(NEC) meeting in Ilorin, the Kwara inexplicable in any modern state. the consequence of massive loss of
Committee (NEC) meeting in
State capital. "Only on February 14, the nation confidence in the ability of the state
Ilorin, Kwara State.
He said: "In the last few was rudely awakened with the to protect its citizens. These killings
He said: "The NBA Database
months we have witnessed the massacre of 41 persons in Birane are unacceptable and must be
Verification exercise is an ongoing
terrible events in Taraba, Benue village in Zurmi Local brought to an end," Mahmoud said.
process. Over 49,855 active lawyers
and several states that have Government Area, representing a The association said it acknowledged
have carried out their verification
caused loss of hundreds of significant deterioration of the the progress made in addressing the
exercise.
human lives and property security situation and incessant insecurity in the Northeast.
"You may recall that the NBA in
2011 made it mandatory for active
lawyers in Nigeria to undertake a
verification to enable the
association update vital details of
its members.
"Right now, we are working on
creating a membership platform on
verification, whereby any lawyer
can update his or her phone
numbers, e-mail address, contact
address and branch, if and when
any of these has been changed From left:Kwara State Governor, Abdulfattah Ahmed, NBA President, AB Mahmoud SAN, NBA General Secretary Aare
"When the unit receives Isiaka Abiola Olagunju and first Vice President, NBA, Caleb Dajan, during the meeting.
complaint regarding verification of
a lawyer, such application is
forwarded to the General Secretary NBA president inaugurates electoral committee
and then acted upon.

N Prof. Auwalu Yadudu (SAN)

IGERIAN Bar Association national secretariat in Abuja on
"Lawyers may send request for
(NBA) president Mr includes Mr. Tunde Busari March 12.
such services to the secretariat
Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) (alternate chairman), Mr. The members were approved
individually, or through their
(SAN) has inaugurated a five-man Bolaji Agoro (Secretary), Prof. during the NBA National
branches, international bar
Electoral Committee to organise the Augustin Agom and Ms Gloria Executive Committee (NEC)
association, organisation, and
association's election. Ohia. meeting held in Ilorin, the
parastatals, etc.
The committee headed by The event held at the NBA Kwara State capital.

Page 2
NBA
partners
JRI on pro
bono
T HE Nigerian Bar
Association is partnering
the Justice Research
Institute (JRI) to promote access to
pro bono services.
It signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with the
institute in Abuja.
NBA President Abubakar
Mahmoud (SAN) said the
promotion of pro bono was aimed
at building confidence in the courts.
He said: "We have in the last year
and a half pursued aggressive
public interest engagements in a
number of areas and this entirely
falls within that broad framework.
"We have prioritised the
Northeast and the Niger Delta
regions, but we are mindful of other
regions because we are interested in
access to justice, human rights
protection and provision of pro
bono legal services.
"We recognise that there is serious
Lawyers honour Pa Gomez at 90
L AWYERS and human
rights activists turned out
in their numbers recently
to honour one of Nigeria's oldest
and most vibrant lawyers, Pa
Olatunji Gomez, who was 90.
A lecture was organised by a
group, the Legal Torchbearers, as
part of events by the Lagos Branch
of the Nigerian Bar Association
(NBA) to celebrate Pa Gomez,
popularly known as "It is a matter
of conscience".
The theme was: "Bar Activism in
Nigeria: Past, Present and Future."
Alhaji Olufemi Okunnu (SAN), a
long-time close associate of Pa
Gomez, lamented what he
described as the slow, but sure
extinction of firebrand activism
among members of the Bar.
He said things had changed from
the fervour of the 1960s, 70s and 80s
NIGERIAN BAR NEWSLETTER
NBA President, Mahmoud SAN (middle) and others during the signing of the MoU.
demand for these services and we
are very delighted to encourage
lawyers to show interest and
commitment to these services to
members of the public.''
The deal signed with the
institute, Mahmoud said, was one
of many by the association.
"The NBA entered into some
MoUs with some partners, some of
which are related to training for
our members while others were on
the provision of pro bono services.
"I believe that this partnership
would wax strong and translate to
putting smiles on the face of
as witnessed during the eventful
tenure of Alao Aka-Bashorun as
NBA president.
Okunnu said the dampening of
revolutionary fire and collusion
with public office holders was to
the public's detriment.
He urged lawyers to gird their
loins and play the leading role in
the fight for true federalism.
NBA Criminal Justice Reform
Committee Chairman, Chief
Arthur-Obi Okafor (SAN), urged
lawyers to stand for the rule of law.
According to him, it was the only
way to fight injustice and promote
equity and fairness.
Former Civil Liberties
Organisation (CLO) Chair, Ms.
Ayo Obe, urged the Bar to embrace
activism to save Nigeria.
"A lawyer must always be ready
to test every bad action or policy in
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SATURDAY, MARCH 31,2018
Nigerians who benefit from the "So, we can only expect that the
services," Mahmoud said. interaction within this space will
JRI Executive Director Mr Ikem lead to the need to protect rights
Isiekwene, who signed for his were there are obvious violations.
organisation, said the MoU was ''The objective is to deepen pro bono
borne out of the realisation that practice within the legal profession across
societal structures were full of Nigeria by establishing a system that
inequalities and that many leveraged private sector resources to help
Nigerians were ignorant of their increase access to legal resources for more
rights. disadvantaged individuals and groups.''
He said: "We live in demanding He said the institute and the NBA, with the
times with an increasing population support of the Open Society For West Africa
and a significant number of the (OSIWA), intended to institutionalise a pro
populace impoverished, who also bono initiative that connected
do not know their rights or how to demand and supply for free legal
access these rights. services.
the court of law. We cannot all be former chairman Mr. Alex Muoka
activists, but what we cannot do is said lawyers have critical roles to
to throw away activism," Obe said. play in a society's survival.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Chidi Adegboruwa said: "It is my firm belief that
Anselm Odinkalu, who is a Senior all lawyers are by nature and profession,
Visiting Fellow at the Centre for the activists. The NBA motto and Constitution are
Study of Human Rights at the very clear on this issue by stating clearly that
London School of Economics (LSE), all lawyers must promote: the Rule of Law;
spoke on the evolution of legal the integrity and independence of the Bar and
activism. the Judiciary; the right of access to court at
Odinkalu situated Pa Gomez's reasonably affordable cost; and the
central role as the living conscience promotion and protection of the principle of
of an activist's heritage from his the rule of law, respect for the enforcement of
student days at King's College. fundamental rights, human rights and
"It was a role," Odinkalu said, people's rights.
"which came at a steep price which "So, I urge all lawyers to x-ray all
Pa Gomez was nevertheless willing contestants to the various offices in the NBA
to pay, comforted as he was by the by their pedigree and vote in genuine
armour of his social conscience, in activists, remembering the times of Chief Alao
accordance with his personal credo: Aka-Bashorun, Chief Wole Olanipekun
It's a Matter of Conscience." (SAN), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN),
Lagos lawyer Mr Ebun-Olu Chief Priscilla Kuye, Augustine
Adegboruwa and the branch's Alegeh (SAN), etc.

SATURDAY, MARCH 31,2018
Mahmoud: I'm committed to free, fair election
N IGERIAN Bar Association
(NBA) President
Abubakar Mahmoud
(SAN) has restated his
commitment to the free and fair
election of his successor and other
national officers.
He said he had no preferred
candidates, warning those
dropping his name to desist from
the act.
Speaking at a meeting of the
Arewa Lawyers Forum (ALF),
Mahmoud said the candidates
would get equal treatment.
Mahmoud, whose tenure ends in
August, said he had directed the
NBA Electoral Committee to
disqualify any candidate who
contravenes the rules.
The NBA helmsman frowned at a
situation where some go about
dropping his name and claiming
that he was supporting their
ambition.
He stated that his ultimate goal
was to deliver a credible, free and
fair election for the association.
ALF, at the meeting held in
Kaduna, elected a caretaker
committee to manage its affairs in
the interim.
The members are Mr. Elisha
Kurah (SAN), Liman Salihu,
Fatima Mohammed, Rabiatu Musa
and Mohammed Mongonu.
žChief Arthur Obi-Okafor (SAN)
T
HE Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA)
Criminal Justice Reform
Conference will hold from April 24
to 26 at the Asaba Convention
Centre in Delta State.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
(SAN) is expected to deliver the
keynote address at the opening
ceremony on April 25.
The theme is: Criminal justice in
Nigeria: The journey so far.The is
NIGERIAN BAR NEWSLETTER
The committee is to manage the
affairs of the association until it
conducts its election after that of
the NBA in July.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Bar
Association (EBF) has submitted
its adopted candidates to ALF.
The EBF adopted the candidates
after a screening in line with its
constitution.
The EBF and ALF are among the
NBA fora. The association's
election will hold in July.
EBF Publicity Secretary Mr.
George Fortune submitted the list
of the candidates to the former
From left: Former Assistant Secretary, ALF T.T. Hyndu, first VP NBA, Caleb Dajan, NBA President, Mahmoud (SAN),
former Vice Chairman, ALF, Garba Pwul (SAN) and ALF, Hussein Garungabbas, at the mmeting.
NBA holds Criminal Justice Conference April 24
designed to fashion a roadmap for
Nigeria's troubled criminal justice
sector.
Aside goodwill messages from the
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter
Onnoghen; Senate President Bukola
Saraki and House of Representatives
Speaker Yakubu Dogara, the opening
ceremony will also witness speeches by
Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi
Okowa and the state Chief Judge,
Justice Marshal Umukoro.
NBA President Mr. Abubakar
Mahmoud (SAN) and the association's
Criminal Justice Reform Committee
Chairman Chief Arthur Obi-Okafor
(SAN) will also speak.
A statement by the Head of
Publicity Sub-committee, Mr.
Emeka Nwadioke, said the plenary
session on Unlocking the
innovations of criminal justice
legislation would herald the
technical sessions.
It will be chaired by former NBA
President Mr. Joseph Daudu
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Page 3
ALF Vice-Chairman Mr. Garba
Pwul (SAN).
It was done shortly before ALF
dissolved its executive committee,
He said the EBF submitted the list
to ALF and other regional fora to
avoid confusion and to convey
forum's position on the candidates.
which included Pwul. The EBF had at a meeting in Port
Harcourt, the Rivers State capital,
he ALF at its meeting in Kaduna
endorsed the following candidates:
dissolved the exco and constituted Chief Arthur Obi Okafor ( SAN) for
and interim executives with Elish President, Stanley Chidozie Imo
Kurah (SAN) as Chairman. (First Vice-President), Sabastine
The new executives will manage Anyia (Welfare Secretary), Uju
the ALF's affairs pending the Mary Chukwuma-Okafor
election of new officers. (Treasurer), Innocent Nnamdi
Fortune said the submission of the Ezeh (Legal Adviser), Emeka
letter of adoption from the EBF was Anosike (Financial Secretary) and
Mr. Seth Nwokolo (Assistant
in keeping with the finest traditions
Publicity Secretary).
of the Bar.
(SAN), with Justice Ishaq Bello of General of Prisons, Mr. Ja'afaru
the High Court of FCT as the lead Ahmed; Inspector-General of
speaker. Police Mr. Ibrahim Idris; Director-
Independent National Electoral General of the Legal Aid Council of
Commission (INEC) Chairman Nigeria, Mrs. Joy Bob-manuel and
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu will veteran prison reform advocate
present a paper on: Prosecution and Executive Director of PRAWA,
and punishment of electoral Dr. Uju Agomoh. Justice Umukoro,
offences in Nigeria. will chair the session.
The session will be charged by the
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Chief Judge of Anambra State, NIGERIAN BAR NEWSLETTER
Justice Peter Umeadi.
Asiwaju Solomon Awomolo Nigerian Bar Newsletter is a monthly
publication of the office of NBA Publicity
(SAN), Mr. Emmanuel Ukala
Secretary.
(SAN), Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), Dr. Send your stories, opinions and comments to:
Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), and Chief Email:
Ferdinand Orbih (SAN) will unachukwu.john@nigerianbar.org.ng
discuss the paper. johnaustinlegal@gmail.com
Former Delta State Deputy and nbapublicity1@gmail.com
Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama Sms: 08034960188
(SAN) will speak on: Arrest, Editor
remand and awaiting trial John Austin Unachukwu
syndrome in criminal justice: Editorial Assistant
Fixing the jigsaw to end prison Joseph Jibueze
congestion.
Panelists include the Controller-
 Page 4
NBA inaugurates SBL club at UNILAG
T HE Nigerian Bar
Association Section on
Business Law (NBA-
SBL) has inaugurated the first SBL
Club at the Faculty of Law,
University of Lagos (UNILAG),
Akoka.
The initiative is part of the
section's objectives to build
capacity and promote commercial
law practice development in
Nigeria.
At the event were the faculty's
Dean, law professors, members of
the NBA-SBL Council, Committee
chairpersons, members of the
ADR Committee of the NBA-SBL,
executives of the UNILAG Law
Students Society (LSS), among
others.
It is the first in a series of clubs
being set up in selected
universities across the country.
SBL Chairman Mr Olumide
Akpata expressed delight at the
ž From left: Mrs Josephine Akinwunmi, Mr Isaiah Bozimo, Mrs Kemi Eweje, Mr Seni Adio (SAN), Ms. Olubukola Olabiyi, Mr Olumide Akpata,
Mr Afam Nwokedi, Mrs Obosa Apata, Dean of Law, Ayo Atsenuwa, Mr Basil Udotai and Mr Rotimi Ogunyemi
NBA chair urges police to tackle militiamen
ŸBauchi Young Lawyers Forum gets new chair
By John Austin Unachukwu
T HE Chairman, Bauchi State
Branch of the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA), Mr.
Mahmud Mohammed Maidoki,
has urged the Police to tackle the
militiamen known as 'Yan Ba beli.
He accused them of extra-
judicially executing suspected
criminals in the state.
He spoke while inaugurating the
newly elected officials of Young
Lawyers Forum of the NBA.
Maidoki lamented that the
activities of Yan Ba beli group in
some communities were not only
illegal but worrisome.
He alleged that they kill innocent
takeoff of the first club.
"The SBL Club is primarily aimed at
introducing Law undergraduates to
contemporary issues in Commercial
Law and Practice that may not yet form
part of their curricula, but are a 'must-
have' if they are to effectively compete
on the global stage as Law students
and, ultimately, in the future, as
Commercial Law practitioners.
UNILAG Law Faculty Dean,
Prof Ayo Asenuwa, welcomed the
initiative, expressing faith in the
students' ability to utilise the
opportunity.
"We are happy that you have
considered our faculty for the very first
of this capacity building project and we
pledge the support of the management
to ensure the success of this laudable
initiative," she said.
Vice President of the Law Students
Society, Ms. Oluwatamilore Sowunmi,
thanked the Council of the NBA-SBL
for the initiative.
people without fair hearing.
While charging security
operatives to intensify efforts in
fighting crimes in the state to
protect the citizens, the branch
chairman said the militiamen had
illegally accorded to themselves
the power of adjudicating and
executing suspected criminals
without authorisation.
"My lords, I want to register our
utmost dismay on the attitude of
the Nigeria Police inhandling the
emerging militia, particularly
called 'Yan Ba Beli'," he said.
According to him, the group
engages in the adjudication of
supposed crimes and executes
innocent people, adding that its
SATURDAY, MARCH 31,2018
NBA-SBL Young Lawyers'
Committee Chairperson, Olubukola
Olabiyi, said the Section had keen
interest in the development of the legal
capacity of law students.
She said:"It is hoped that through
the Young Lawyers Committee of
the NBA-SBL, we would facilitate
this development by way of
mentorship and internship
initiatives as well as invitations to
SBL committee programmes
focused on various areas of
specialisation."
After the event, a special ADR
session was held by the NBA-SBL
committee on Arbitration & ADR,
for the benefit of the students.
Chair, Advisory Board of the
Lagos Court of Arbitration -
Young Arbitrators Network
(LCA-YAN), Mr Isaiah Bozimo,
introduced the students to the
practice of ADR.
žMaidoki
modus operandi was "devoid of the
notion of fair hearing."
Outgoing YLF chairman, Mr Idris
Safiyanu Gambo, explained that
the forum was established in 2016
with the aim of grooming young
lawyers between one and seven
years' post call.
Editorial Suite
Distinguished readers
I
WELCOME you to this second
edition of the Nigerian Bar
Newsletter, a monthly
publication of the office of the
National Publicity Secretary of the
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
A lot has happened in the
association since we returned from
the ancient city of Ilorin after the
National Executive Committee
(NEC) meeting.
The president and national
officers of the association have been
busy prosecuting the motto of our
great association: Promoting the
rule of law.
During this period, many
committees have been inaugurated
and many functions carried out.
Many branches have also
organised many programmes to
keep the flag of the association
flying.
As we look forward to a highly-
rewarding Section on Legal Practice
conference in Port Harcourt and
Administration of Criminal Justice
conference in Asaba this month, I
welcome you and wish you a very
happy Easter.
Once again, I thank my colleagues
and team for the privilege of producing
this newsletter. They have really done a
great job.
However, I take responsibility for
the short comings, mistakes and
imperfections therein. We shall
keep improving for the greatest
room in life is that of
improvements.
I welcome you, once again, and wish
you happy reading.
John Austin Unachukwu
National Publicity Secretary, NBA
 website: nigerianbar.org.ng. twitter@nigerianbarnewsletter

NIGERIAN BAR NEWSLETTER

SATURDAY, MARCH 31,2018 Page 5

'NBA committed to promoting electoral integrity’

By John Austin Unachukwu

N IGERIAN Bar
Association (NBA)
NBA Abubakar
Mahmoud (SAN) has restated
the association's commitment to
a transparent electoral process in
the country.
He spoke at this year's
Founders Day lecture of the
Nigerian Institute of Advanced
Legal Studies (NIALS) held at
the Nigerian Judicial Institute,
Abuja.
Mahmoud, represented by the
First-Vice President Mr. Caleb
Dajan, said NBA had been
working with the Independent
National Electoral Commission
(INEC) to promote electoral
integrity in the country.
He said: "The duty of the NBA
Election Observer Group is to
observe Nigeria elections and
give report of their observations
on the process and conduct of
the elections.
"In view of the above, the NBA
in conjunction with INEC has
since 2011 till date, engaged
lawyers that would act as
observers representing the NBA
in Elections.
"The elections observation
exercise provides the
opportunity for lawyers to
display the very fabric on which
the law profession is built upon:
integrity, excellence, courage
žFrom left: Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Dr. Ali Ahmad, Special Assistant to the President on
Research, Sylvester Imhanobe, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen and Keynote Speaker,
Prof Attahiru Jega, at the event.
and professionalism in the
way and manner they observe
the election."
Dejan said the election
monitoring group was in line
with NBA's determination to
provide an unbiased
reportage and stance on the
conduct of elections.
The keynote speaker,
former INEC chairman Prof.
Attahiru Jega said electoral
integrity was the key to
žCommissioner,Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Mr P.C. Okorie (left) and
Chairman, FRSC Board, Bukhari Bello, at the event.
democratisation.
"No matter how elections globally as a serious business deserving disputes are resolved.
are regularly held, if they do serious attention," he said. At the event were prominent
not represent the true voters, NIALS Director-General Prof. Adedeji personalities including: Chief
in which vote does not Adekunle (SAN) said the Institute has Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo
actually and truly count, introduced an online learning model to (SAN) and his wife Chief Victoria
vitiate the substance enable students learn in the comfort of their Olufunmilayo Awomolo (SAN),
attributes of democracy and homes. Senator Shehu Sani, Kwara State
undermine democracy, then He also said that the founding Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad, Nigerian
such election lacks integrity. fathers designed the institute such Copyright Commission Director-
"The extent and magnitude that it will not only advance in General Mr. Afam Ezekude, Cardinal
of electoral fraud is what research and learning but in law, John Olorunfem Onaiyekan,
undermines electoral adding that the Institute has not Chairman Federal Road Safety
integrity and that electoral only discharged its duty in terms of Commission board, Mr. Bukhari
integrity is now considered research but on how legal and social Bello, among others.

NBA mourns its ex-general secretary Sofola

By John Austin Unachukwu March 24, 2018 and had since been before travelling to the United Kingdom
buried in accordance with Islamic where he obtained his L.L.B from

T HE Nigerian Bar Injunction. London School of Commerce and

Association (NBA) has
mourned its former
General Secretary Chief Idowu
Sofola (SAN), who died on March
24.
A statement by the General
Secretary Aare Isiaka Abiola
Olagunju reads in part: "The NBA
mourns the passage of one of its
leaders and legal titan Chief Idowu
Sofola (SAN) who died peacefully
  Late Sofola
in the early hours of Saturday,
"Chief Sofola was a very Holborn College. In 1962, Chief Sofola
prominent legal practitioner, born was called to the English Bar and in the
on September 29, 1934 in Ikene- same year, he was enrolled as a Barrister
Remo, Ogun State. He attended St. & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of
Saviour School in Ikene-Remo for Nigeria.
his primary education. In 1952, he "In his years as a legal
was admitted into Eko Boys High practitioner, Chief Sofola was an
School, where he finished his erudite legal juggernaut of
secondary education. exemplary character. He had a deep
"Upon completion of his secondary knowledge of the law which,
education, he had a stint at the Lagos indeed, helped in his approach to
State Judiciary as a court clerk in 1958 several legal matters.

Page 6
NBA SLP holds conference April 12
T HE Nigerian Bar
Association's (NBAS)
Section on Legal Practice
(NBA-SLP) has invited lawyers to
its yearly conference billed for
April 12 to 13 at the NBA Port
Harcourt Branch House, Bank, Port
Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The theme is: Re-Thinking and
Re-Tooling Legal Practice for the
Challenges of Our Time.
A statement by the section's
Chairman Mrs. Miannaya Essen
said a range of topics would be
covered during the two-day event.
They include ethics and
disciplinary issues, lawyers' fee-
earning capabilities, election,
effective prosecution of white
collar and economic crimes.
Admission to the conference will
be free for SLP members who must
register to attend. The Section has
called for articles for publication in
SLP Journal.
Mrs Essien said: "This theme is
apt and expedient now more than
ever, considering recent ethical
issues and changes in substantive
law that keep occurring.
"There are over 50,000 lawyers in
Nigeria and, perhaps as a result of
the number, there has been an
increase in allegations of sharp
ž Bauchi State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, H.D. Mohammed (middle), former General Secretary NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe at the
Arewa Lawyers’ Forum meeting held in Kaduna.
Wike urges new judges to uphold rule of law
By John Austin Unachukwu
R IVERS State Governor
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has
urged the new judges in
the state to uphold the rule of law,
be fearless and resist intimidation
from agents of the political class in
NIGERIAN BAR NEWSLETTER
practices, complaints and petitions
against lawyers.
"Some have been barred or
suspended. What can lawyers do
about their practice and drive their
increase in income? How can we
equip ourselves to be more
relevant in these times?
"This conference is intended to
address these issues and answer
your questions on the way
forward.
"The conference will have as
Chairman and Special Guest, the
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN),
Hon. Justice Walter S. N.
Onnoghen.
''Others are President of the
NBA, A. B. Mahmoud, SAN; the
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom
Ezenwo Wik; Presiding Justice of
the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt
Judicial Division, Justices of the
Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of
Rivers State, the Chief Judge of
Anambra State, and judges from
other courts.
"The first day, April 12, will
feature the first of three sessions.
Session one will be chaired by the
Chief Justice of Nigeria, with the
topic: Practicing law in a regulated
environment - what we need to
know.
the dispensation of justice.
He spoke while swearing in four
new judges of the state High Court
and Customary Court of Appeal.
The governor reminded them
that they would be required by
God to account of their
stewardship.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 31,2018
"The law as it is today will be
considered and the speaker will be
Uwa Etigwe, SAN. The reality of
the law will also be considered by
Yemi Candide Johnson, SAN, as
speaker. Discussants of the topic in
the first session will be a formidable
team of Funke Adekoya, SAN;
Charles Ajuyah, SAN; Folashade
Alli, Esq.; Ayo Akintunde, SAN
and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN.
"Mamuud, SAN, will speak on
"The future", which will culminate
as an interactive session.
"Session two will be chaired by
the Honourable Attorney-General
of Rivers State, Chinwe Aguma,
SAN, with topic: Economic and
white-collar crimes- Is the
Administration of Criminal Justice
Act the right tool for effective
justice delivery.
"Speakers will be Chile Okoroma
Esq. Director Legal and ž Essien SAN
Prosecution of Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission and Presiding Justice of the Court of
Mr. Mahmod Magaji, SAN, who Appeal, which has as topic: The
will give the perspective from the bench & the bar - managing our
defence. Mr. Charles Adeogun- symbiotic relationship.
Philips Esq., a former genocide and "The Chief Justice of Nigeria will
war crimes prosecutor, will be the nominate a speaker, who will speak
discussant. from the perspective of the bench
"Session three will be chaired by while Yakubu Maikyau, SAN will
Hon. Justice A. A. B. Gumel, speak from the bar's perspective.
He added that they had an
opportunity to make the state a
better place by enthroning justice.
The new judges include: Justices
Godwin Ollor, Uche Chuku of the
state High Court and Justices Legor
Senewo and Frank Onyiri of the
state Customary Court of Appeal. žGov Wike
 website: nigerianbar.org.ng. twitter@nigerianbarnewsletter

NIGERIAN BAR NEWSLETTER

SATURDAY, MARCH 31,2018 Page 7

Bauchi indigenes get scholarship

State set for new fertiliser firm
By John Austin Unachukwu Phosphates (OCP-Africa) in
Casablanca in fulfilment of

B AUCHI State Governor bilateral agreement between

Mohammed Abubakar has
secured scholarship
opportunities for Bauchi State
indigenes at the King Mohammed
VI Polytechnic University, Ben
Guerir, Morocco.
It was one of the outcomes of his
visit to the Kingdom of Morocco at
the instance of Office Chérifien des
Phosphates (OCP) Africa.
Abubakar and his entourage also
visited King Mohammed VI
Polytecnic University, Ben Guerir,
where he secured capacity building
and scholarship opportunities for
Bauchi government and the
Kingdom of Morocco.
"The Moroccan company, Office
Chérifien des Phosphates, OCP-
Group are the largest exporters of
Phosphate worldwide and the
world's first exporters of žFrom left: Chief Arthur Obi-Okafor SAN, Bauchi State Governor, M.A.
Abubakar, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwa, Plataeu State
phosphate-based products. Governor, Rt. Hon Simon Bako Lalong, Prof Agbo Madaki, Chairman Editorial
Phosphate is used for making high Board of The Nation newspaper, Sam Omatseye and Prof Maxwell Gidado, at the
quality fertiliser. The governor, in 2017 NBA Jos branch law week held in Jos.
company of the Nigerian
Ambassador to the Kingdom of
Morocco, Amb Abubakar Baba Lalong felicitates with Christians at Easter
visited one of OCP's Chemical By John Austin Unachukwu impaired.
Complexes, Jorf Lasfar Chemical He, therefore, called for sober

Bauchi State indigenes.
A statement signed by the Special
Adviser to the Governor on
Communication, Mr.
Shamsuddeen Lukman Abubakar
reads: "The governor used the
opportunity to solicit admission
and scholarship opportunities for
indigenes of Bauchi State and
capacity building courses for civil
servants. The university graciously
granted His Excellency's
solicitation.
"The Bauchi State Government
and the university management
agreed on the following: Offer of
full scholarship to indigenes of
Bauchi State for undergraduate
studies, full scholarship for staff of
the State Ministry of Agriculture at
Masters level, collaboration
between the university and the
state College of Agriculture and
also the state University's newly
established faculty of Agriculture
in areas of research, technology
transfer and staff training.
"The university is owned by the
OCP-Group."
The governor also visited King
Mohammed VI Polytechnic
University, Ben Guerir where he
sought and got consent for the
building of a new Fertiliser plant in
Bauchi State.
The spokesman added:
"Governor Mohammed Abubakar
and a team from the state Ministry
of Agriculture are in the Kingdom
of Morocco to attend the
programme of Office Chérifien des
Complex, the largest in the world.
"The Executive Director, Industry
Operations took the governor and
his entourage round the 504. HA
complex. The Jorf Lasfar Industrial
Complex have the capacity to
supply Phosphate to the whole
world as they comfortably produce
13 million tonnes daily and six
million kilo-tonnes per annum," he
said.
He said a strategy meeting held
between the Bauchi government
delegation headed by Abubakar
and the Management of the OCP
Group headed by the Chief
Executive Officer of the group, Mr.
Karim Lotfi Senhadji.
According to him, agreements
were concluded whereby the OCP
Group agreed to: "Collaborate with
the Bauchi government in
numerous areas of modern
agricultural development."
"As result of the governor's
unwavering commitment to the
development of agriculture and his
outstanding achievements in the
sector particularly the resuscitation
of the Bauchi Fertiliser company
"The OCP Group has resolved
to complement the efforts of the
governor by building a brand
new world-class standard
fertiliser company in the state.
The new company will be large
enough to cater for the needs of
the entire northern region. The
group also promised to
upgrade the Bauchi Fertiliser
Company.
P
LATEAU State Governor reflection on the sacrifices and
Simon Bako Lalong has practical demonstration of the love
urged Christians to live by of Christ which all Nigerians must
the principles behind Easter. make in order to build a Nation
In a statement, his Director of that will remain the envy of other
Press and Public Affairs, Mr. countries in the comity of Nations.
Emmanuel Samuel Nanle said: Lalong called on the citizens of
"The Governor has reminded the state to pray for a peaceful state
Christians that the death of Jesus and country, where patriotism
Christ on Good Friday and his supersedes selfish interest in
resurrection on Easter Sunday, Private and Public life.
gives hope to a world in need of While wishing Christians a peaceful
Physical and Spiritual healing." Easter celebration, he enjoined all
He noted that the crucifixion, citizens of the state to be vigilant, and to
death and resurrection of Jesus intensify community policing in
Christ demonstrate God's love and collaboration with the security
grace to humanity, which should agencies in the state, who are working
guide all Christians in living by the round the clock to ensure a hitch-free
virtues of love, sacrifice and celebration.
perseverance for the good of The governor prayed for a spiritually-
mankind. rewarding celebration, assuring
The governor added that without citizens that Plateau will be better for
these virtues, the development of those working for its peace and
the society would be greatly progress.
žThe company Executive presenting a plaque to Govervor Mohammed Abubakar,
during the visit.

Page 8
'ACJA has restored dignity to our criminal justice system’
Prof Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN) was one of those who conceived and pursued the passage of the Administration of Criminal
Justice Act 2015 into law. In this interview with Nigerian Bar Newsletter Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU, he shares his views
on the impact of the Act, its challenges and the way forward.
Y
OU were involved in the
conception and passage of
the Administration of
Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
Would you say that the Act has
achieved it objectives in criminal
justice administration in the
country?
Thanks for your kind words and
appreciation of my role in
coordinating the various processes
which led to the passage of the
ACJA at the Federal level. The Act
will be three years old on May 14,
2018. It has restored agility and
dignity to the Nigerian criminal
justice system. The Supreme Court
has endorsed the Act in the case of
Saraki v. FRN where the Chief
Justice of the Federation, Justice
Walter Nkanu Onnoghen (JSC) (as
then was) held that the ACJA
applies to the Code of Conduct
Tribunal and that it has replaced the
old criminal procedure laws.
Similarly,with the endorsement by
the Supreme Court of the
constitutionality of the ACJA
prohibition of Stay of Proceedings
in Criminal trials, the Act has
become the single most
revolutionary reform in criminal
procedure law of the country since
Independence.
Why do you say this?
It has compelled the introduction
of specialised courts to handle high-
profile corruption cases and the
issuance of new guidelines and
practice directions for speedy trial
on day to day basis. The ACJA has
brought about tremendous changes
in the criminal justice system.
Similarly, the ACJA has brought
about the establishment of the
Administration of Criminal Justice
Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) at
the Federal level. The ACJA has
been domesticated in about 14
states.
Can we say that the Act has
realised its objectives?
Well, the Act has not yet fully
realised its objectives of speedy
trial. The necessary resources
needed to ensure proper
implementation of the ACJA have
NIGERIAN BAR NEWSLETTER
not been provided by the
government. Several of its
laudable innovative provisions
have not been given effect.
Investigators and prosecutors
need to strengthened and
challenged to give full effect to the
Act. Relevant data mandated by
the Act are not yet being collated.
So there is still a large room for
improvement.
The Nigerian Bar Association
(NBA) led by Abubakar
Mahmoud (SAN) is pushing for
the adoption and implementation
of the Act in all states, including
the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT). What is your appraisal of
these efforts and how do we
improve on them?
The NBA President, A. B.
Mahmud is a social reformer and
gentleman. He and the Secretary,
Aare Olagunju and other members
of the NBA Executive have done a
lot to advance the domestication of
the ACJA all over the country. The
collaboration between the NBA
and the MacArthur Foundation is
highly commendable. Mr
Mahmoud is a law reformer and a
progressive SAN with broad
outlook. He has introduced far-
reaching reforms. However, the
NBA and the body of SANs and,
indeed, all lawyers must do more
to protect the judiciary. The
welfare of judges must be looked
into urgently.
Why do you say so?
Several of them have been on the
same salary scale for decades. New
žFrom left; Dr Sarah Jubril, first Vice President, NBA, Caleb Dajan representing NBA President, A.B.
Mahmoud SAN, Prof N Udombama, at the launching of the final report of the end electoral impunity project
held at the National Human Rights Commission, Abuja.
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SATURDAY, MARCH 31,2018
prosecution. There should be
proper coordination between the
Office of the AG of the Federation
and the prosecutorial agencies.
Then a solid witness support and
protection system should be put in
place, especially in regard to high-
profile cases. Electronic recording
of proceedings should be
introduced urgently beginning
with the specialised courts such
that the practice of starting part-
heard cases de novo should cease.
The new judges can watch the
previous proceedings and continue
from there. Judges too should be
well motivated. Their salary should
žProf. Akinseye-George SAN be increased and their working
conditions transformed. Ten per
judges are paid the same salary as cent of funds and assets recovered
the senior judges. That's highly should be channelled toward
demoralising. The NBA should set improving the justice system. A
up a strong committee to advocate sound justice system will
and push for significant strengthen the economy and the
improvement in the welfare of political system.
judges. The politicians will not do it How can this feat be achieved?
because they fear a strong, President Muhammadu
independent and incorruptible Buhari should set up a high-
judiciary, which cannot be easily powered national committee
compromised. The ACJA has been under the Vice President and
domesticated in about 14 states. give the committee the mandate
Several others are in the process of and resources to turn around
passing the law. We salute the NBA the Justice sector. The Vice
president and his able team for this President is the foremost justice
remarkable achievement. reformer in the country. The
How best can ACJA be fast- country should take advantage
tracked to actualise its objectives? of his being in the government
There is need to strengthen and to turn around the sector.
monitor the work of investigators The Attorney-General of the
and prosecutors.They should only Federation must be part of the
take water tight cases with solid Presidential Committee to turn
evidence and witnesses to court for around the justice sector.

SATURDAY, MARCH 31,2018
Herders’ crisis: Lawyer advocates use of feedlots
By John Austin Unachukwu
A
N Abuja lawyer, Mr. Felix
Isimepken Okonti, has
recommended the use of
feedlot as a way out of disputes
between farmers and herdsmen.
He said feedlots would boost the
country’s meat export capacity.
In a chat with the Nigerian Bar
Newsletter, Okonti said having
feedlots would end open grazing.
“As a lawyer, a rancher and
feedlot operator, it behoves on me
to lend my professional voice to the
ongoing controversies about open
grazing, grazing reserve, grazing
routes, cattle ranching, and feedlot.
“In the first place, open range is a
land where livestock roam freely
regardless of land ownership. This
tallies with the Fulani cultural
belief that land is a free gift of
nature or from God, just like sun,
moon, air and water in lakes and
rivers, which no man is free to lay
hold on as to claim ownership.
“This brings in the concept of
clash of cultures as the Fulani world
view of land is at variance with
many sedentary crop farming
communities and cultures where
there is legally speaking regard to
land ownership as a private
property with rights to defend
against its encroachment or
criminal trespass.
“The clash of cultures of the
Normadic Herdsmen and
Sedentary Framers must be
resolved through a well thought
out strategy of development of
management system that will
create a buffer that will sustain the
delicate balance in the ecosystem
that supports both cultures,” he
said.
According to him, open range or
free grazing of animals may be both
uneconomic, a nuisance,
dangerous and a health hazard and
may not be sustainable in Nigeria in
the long run.
“Although this position is held
against the temptation to resist
being dragged into the ongoing
debate on the clashes and crisis
between the Normadic herders and
Sedentary farmers, of which a lot is
being said.
NIGERIAN BAR NEWSLETTER
“In Nigeria, combination of
factors, such as global warming,
receding Lake Chad, desert
encroachment, population
pressures on land, deforestation
and poor water management have
conspired to trigger up crisis of
monumental proportion across all
geopolitical and ecological zones.
“The major cause of it all is the
leadership failures over decades
that have accounted for failure for
the development of management
of Animal Agriculture which has
lagged far behind the growth of
human population.
“This is further compounded by
the crises thrown up that are
somewhat cultural, political,
economic and ecological in nature.
“The UN Food and Agricultural
Organisation (FAO) 2016 statistics
states that Nigeria has 20.6 million
cattle herds and is ranked 14t
globally against Brazil, ranked
first, with 218 million herds and
Ethiopia with 59.5 million herds
(ranked first in Africa), South
Africa 13.4 million and Botswana
with just over two million,” Okonti
said.
According to him, while South
Africa and Botswana are able to
export cattle and beef products
internationally, Nigeria cannot
due to poor animal agricultural
practices.
This, he said, is mainly
associated with the continued
preponderance of open grazing of
livestock across the land.
“This comes with animal health
žFrom left: Dele Adesina SAN, S.T. Hon SAN, Yusuf Ali San and Kemi Pinheiro, at the public presentation of a book to mark
Adesina’s 30 years of practice and 10 years of being called to the Inner Bar held at Muson Centre, Lagos.
website: nigerianbar.org.ng. twitter@nigerianbarnewsletter
Page 9
view. This has made a lot of
practitioners, experts and policy
makers to canvass for Ranching as a
way of keeping cattle restricted to
demarcate fenced land reserves to
avoid the overrun of farmlands
with the attendant conflicts such
destructions will result to with
crops farmers and other farming
communities.
“My take is to canvass the
adoption of the practice of feedlot
over ranching as a way of attaining
economic advancement through
animal agriculture, environmental
management, good animal health
that translates to human health,
national peace and food security,”
Okonti said.
The lawyer said feedlot was first
used in 1889 and has become a
common and successful animal
agriculture practice in Canada,
Okonti
South Africa and Ethiopia.
issues, as well as issues of ‘’A Feedlot is a parcel of land or
acceptable international best yard on which livestock are
breeding and grazing best intensively stocked, confined and
practices, animal ration and some scientifically-planned rations
feeding which go to affect their and feeds are administered to the
taste and structure of the meat. cattle or hogs for the market.
“The toughness of our meat from “Feedlot can range in size from
cattle bred from open grazing will few plots of land to tens and
not make it acceptable to health hundreds of hectares of land
conscious overseas markets as our against ranches which cover
cattle lack Identification and expansive land, requiring
Tracing which are crucial for hundreds to thousands of hectares
international market acceptability. “In ranching, free range livestock
“The practice of open grazing of is permitted. A ranch is a large
cattle has been found to be no parcel of land with assortment of
longer acceptable both from structures used primarily for the
economic, environmental, health raising of grazing livestock mainly
and social coherence points of cattle, goat and sheep.

Page 10 Vol.1, NO. 02 SATURday, MARCH 31, 2018
Mahmoud inaugurates TCCP
By John Austin Unachuwu
N IGERIAN Bar Association
(NBA) President
Abubakar Mahmoud
(SAN) has inaugurated the
Technical Committee for
Conference Planning (TCCP) for
this year's NBA Annual General
Conference (AGC).
The 30-member committee is
chaired by Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi
(SAN).
Former Defence Minister Prince
Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN) is the
Alternate Chairman; Ramatu
Umar Bako is the Secretary.
Mahmoud charged the
committee to lift this year's
conference above the landmark
standard of last year's edition held
in Lagos.
He reminded the committee that
the world was watching, and that
the only way to go was to take NBA
NBA President, Mahmoud SAN (middle), and members of the TCCP after their inauguration at NBA Secretariat, Abuja.
Malami restores law reform commission's mandate
Continued from page 1
He said: "By convention law
revision is undertaken after every
10 years and this is to allow for laws
to be amended, repealed or new
laws enacted.
"The Attorney General of the
Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami
(SAN) deemed it fit to restore to the
Commission the mandate of Law
revision. The Commission is ready
to undertake this task and it has the
capacity to deliver."
NIGERIAN BAR NEWSLETTER
AGC to greater heights.
He said: "This year's theme will
focus on institution-building,
relating more to challenges facing
the country. We want to face the
theme of institution building
which we feel is more germane and
critical to the challenges facing the
country.
"The committee will be working
on thematic areas of the
conference, to attract resource
persons all over the globe.
"It is well to known that
American Bar Association has
indicated interest to work with us
for the Conference as well as the
British/Nigeria Bar Forum."
Ajayi thanked Mahmoud for
giving the committee members the
privilege to serve in the critical
assignment and assured him that
they would justify the confidence
reposed in them.
Other members of the committee
On the challenges before the
commission, Magaji said: "The
greatest challenge would be the
issue of funding, but there is the
willingness and determination
on the part of the staff and legal
experts in Nigeria to participate
in the exercise and ensure that
accurate laws as enacted by the
National Assembly are
produced.
"It is also important to state
that, record keeping culture in
this country leaves a lot to be
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Promoting the rule of law, justice for all
are: Chief Ogwo James Onaja
(SAN), Bisi Soyebeo (SAN),
Olasupo Shasore (SAN), A. A.
Akinkunmi, Muritala Abdul-
Rasheed, Hafsat Lawal, Yusuf
Abdullah AbdulKadir, Mrs.
Funmi Roberts, Akin Ajibola, Bello
Aminu Abdullah, Mrs. Mfon
Usoro, Emeka Obegolu, Steve
Emelize, Sagir Gezawa, Princess
Frank-Chuwuani, Mohammad
Tsav , Aisha Ado Abdullah,
Adesina Adegbite, Ummahani
Amin, Wada S. Wada, Anulika
Osuigwe, Paulyn Abuleme, Hauwa
Yakubu, Mohammed Wahab, Inna
Ali and Dolapo Okunniga.
On his expectation, Mahmoud
said: "The expectation is that we
will build on the successes of last
years' conference which has been
acknowledged to be one of the best
in the history of the association.
"So, we will give them all the
necessary assistance to make sure
desired, as most institutions
that should have copies of laws
passed by the National
Assembly and subsidiary
legislation made in the past 10
years do not have them.
"Also, serious research is being
undertaken by consultants to
identify laws or provisions of laws
that have been struck down by
courts within the periods under
review are identified and deleted
from the text of the law."
On the scope of work involved in
they deliver another world-class
conference."
Ajayi said there would be
improvements in this year's
conference.
"I feel very happy because it is
the beginning of a greater
future, not just for NBA but also
for the re-emergence of Nigeria
as the true leader of the black
world," he said.
On the improvements to
expect this year, he said: "The
improvements will be
outstanding and will be for the
sight to behold."
On his advice to lawyers, the
Senior Advocate said:"We must
remember that we are
privileged members of the
society with a lot of rights under
the law. We are the oldest
profession in the country, the
foremost profession in the
country.
the exercise, he said: "Law revision
exercise covers all federal laws in
Nigeria. It includes laws enacted
after 2002 to date, laws
inadvertently omitted in Laws of
Federation 2004, laws repealed by
later laws, laws repealed by courts
of competent jurisdiction and the
663 laws contained in Laws of
Federation 2004
"This law revision will culminate
in the production of up to date and
authentic Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria (LFN) for Nigeria.