#AllinclusiveBar: AOOSAN’s Camp Challenges Faceless Persons to Desist from Malice against Arthur Obi Okafor SAN

Following discoveries of malicious attempts and actions by faceless persons to create ill agitations in the camp of NBA Presidential aspirant Arthur Obi Okafor SAN, a public letter has been written by O.O.Olowokure Esq to these faceless persons to desist from such acts.

Read the letter below:

Dear Colleagues 

Our attention has been drawn to a series of publications whereby supporters of a rival political faction are distributing various false statements purporting to give endorsements to our Presidential candidate Arthur Obi Okafor SAN.

One of such statements purports to have been authored by Afam Mazi Osigwe while another claims that the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN endorsed Arthur Obi Okafor SAN for the  NBA Presidency. We suspect other such amateurishly concocted statements will continue to be published by faceless individuals in order to give the general public the impression that the statements originated from AOOSAN’s camp. It is also clear that the purpose of these false statements is to agitate the supposed authors , entice them into heated rebuttals and energize supporters of other Presidential candidates into engaging in a negative social media war.
This cheap and ignominious tactic will fail because AOOSAN is clearly already streets ahead in all opinion polls. 

AOOSAN’s camp challenges the faceless originators’ of these false and ridiculous statements of endorsement to show how such statements are linked with AOOSAN’s camp or forever hold their peace.

Be rest assured our Presidential candidate being a proven man of integrity,a gentleman and peace loving does not and need not leverage on falsehood in any shape, form or manner. Consequently AOOSAN will continue to run an issue based campaign .

Members of the NBA and the general public are advised to ignore the trend of formulated false statements of endorsement published with evil intent and designed by members of opposing camps to damage our candidate’s unassailable reputation.

Thank you.

O.O.Olowokure Esq
For #AllinclusiveBar

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LEADERS OF NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION IN LAGOS STATE

NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (LAGOS BRANCH) OFFICERS

Martin A. Ogunleye, Esq. ChMc                                 -              Chairman

Stephen O. Obajaja                                                      -              Secretary

Uche S. Ikwueme (Mrs.) ACl Arb                               -              1^st Vice Chairman/ Chairman

                                                                                                              Human Right Committee

Mrs. Omohafe T. Opara                                               -              2^nd Vice Chairman

Philips Njeteneh                                                           -              Treasurer

Emmanuel Orhoro                                                        -              Financial Secretary

Chinyere Gladys Obasi                                                 -              Social Secretary

Emeka Nwadioke                                                          -              Publicity Secretary

Uchenna Nwadialo                                                        -              Assistant Secretary

Celestine A. Nwankwo                                                  -              Asst. Fin. Secretary

NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (IKEJA BRANCH) OFFICERS

Adesina Ogunlana                                                         -              Chairman

Caroline Ibharuneafe (Mrs.)                                          -              Vice Chairman

Olusegun Fatoki                                                            -              Interim Secretary

Adedokun Issa Akanji                                                   -              Asst. Secretary

Thelma Coco-Bassey (Miss)                                         -              Treasurer

Okeke Peace Uju                                                           -              Financial Secretary

Tanimowo Adebanke Oluranti (Mrs.)                           -              Welfare Secretary

Akinwale Ajibola                                                          -              Publicity Secretary

Eyimofe Jemerigbe                                                       -              Social Secretary

NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (IKORODU BRANCH) OFFICERS

Adikwaone Chukwuka Levi                                         -              Chairman

Ladega Adetayo. B                                                       -              Vice Chairman

Fagade Charity Mrs.                                                     -              Secretary

Adegbenro Oluwole. N                                                 -              Assistant Secretary

Jegede Morenike Odunola Mrs                                     -              Social Secretary

Ademola Adenaike                                                        -              Publicity Secretary

Oladipo Adewunmi Abisola Mrs.                                  -              Financial Secretary

Babasola Bolatilo Christiana                                          -              Treasurer

Titilayo Azeke Mrs.                                                        -              Welfare Secretary

Gloria Ukeje Mrs.                                                           -              Provost

Nicodemus Abumchukwu Okoye                                   -              Legal Adviser

NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (BADAGRY BRANCH) OFFICER

Kiki James Deyon, Esq                                                  -              Chaiman

M.A Sodipo                                                                    -              Vice Chairman

Ezemba Nkolika P.                                                         -              Secretary

Adaobi Okonkwo                                                           -              Treasurer

Adegoke Okoya                                                             -              Financial Secretary

Gladys C. Egbe (Mrs.)                                                   -              Welfare Secretary

Callistus C. Ubah                                                           -              Legal Adviser

Chris Okoje                                                                    -              Nec Representative

Source : Lagos State Judiciary Diary, 2017

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NBA moves to review rules against professional misconduct

 

THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is set to review the rules guiding the conduct of its members in the discharge of their professional duties.

Its General Secretary, Mr. Isiaka Olagunju, who said this in a statement in Ibadan, added that the move was to reposition the legal practice, improve its acceptability and sustain its leading position among professional bodies.

He said the main focus of the review is to curb professional misconduct among members and nudge them to higher moral and ethical standards.
Olagunju said the body was disturbed and often embarrassed by the deluge of petitions against some members on allegations of misconduct.

He added that the NBA was making moves to re-invigorate the disciplinary processes and improve on ethics development.

Olagunju said the first step would be to constitute a Legal Professional Regulation Review Committee, which will be inaugurated by the NBA President, Mr. Mahmoud Balarabe (SAN), in Abuja this week.
“The core mandate of the committee is to review the current regulatory objectives and the regulatory architecture of the legal profession,” he said.
Olagunju said the association would treat every petition fairly, while there would be no sacred cow in handling professional misconduct cases against members.
“If there is a rule and you are in breach of that rule, of course you will face the wrath of the law. It is going to be a holistic process of regulating the legal profession in Nigeria.
“Some members have been dealt with in the past and some more will face disciplinary action as soon as allegations against them are established.
“Nigerians expect a high-level of integrity from lawyers. And that has been our strength as professionals.

“The moment you are a lawyer, people believe you must be incorruptible. So, if any lawyer is found wanting in his conduct, the fellow will face proper disciplinary measures.

“We want the whole world to know that there is a new sheriff in town now in the NBA in person of Mahmoud Balarabe (SAN), who is bent on regulating the legal profession for the benefit of the entire Nigeria,’’ he said.

The Nation

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Abubakar Mahmoud Wins 2016 NBA Election

Mr. Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, SAN was around 1 o’clock this morning declared winner of the hotly contested presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Mahmoud polled 3055 votes to beat Gadzama who got 2384 votes.

Other winners are Mr. Caleb Gal Dajan, First Vice President; Mr. Monday Ubani, Second Vice President and Mr. Benedict Oji, Third Vice President, all of whom were returned unopposed.

Mr. Isiaka Olagunju polled 2721 votes to beat Mr. Desmond Yamah who polled 2510 votes, while the post of First Assistant Secretary went to Mr. Okey Leo Ohagba who received 2402 votes to beat his closet rival, Mr. Olukunle Edun who polled 1653 votes.

Mr. Enebi Mohammed Salihu polled 1067 votes to place third.
Other winners are Ugbuji Cecilia Ngede, Second Assistant Secretary; Ado Aisha Abdullahi, Treasurer; Adesina Adegbite, Welfare Secretary; Ngozi Udodi, Financial Secretary; Dorcas Ngwu, Assistant Financial Secretary; Chuwuemeka Mbamala, Assistant Publicity Secretary, and Oyeyemi Rafiu Balogun, Legal Adviser.

Thenigerialawyer

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Lawyers express concern over NBA’s stamp, seal policy

Some lawyers at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday expressed concern on the challenges they encountered in obtaining the Nigeria Bar Association’s (NBA) stamp and seal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the NBA introduced the stamp and seal to be affixed on all the documents filed in courts by lawyers throughout the federation.

The Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2007, empowers the NBA to issue the stamp and seal and ensure compliance accordingly to all lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar.

Some of the lawyers on Tuesday expressed concerns on the challenges they were facing in obtaining the stamp and seal.

Mr Shaka Awaliene, a legal practitioner, applauded the policy, but noted that like any new policy it had its own initial challenges.

Awaliene, however, said these challenges had far reaching implications and might slow down the process of legal practice for a while.

“This is a new policy and it would take some time for every lawyer to key into it and what this means is that any lawyer without the seal will not file any process in court.

“Secondly, it has a monetary implication the national dues must be paid as well as the branch dues before the seal is paid for and obtained.

“With the harsh economic situation private legal practitioners are facing, this may constitute a problem for them,’’ he said.

The lawyer said that the new seal policy was one of the measures that could reduce the incidences of fake lawyers in the country.

He said the policy would strengthen legal practice and brings about professionalism as only genuine lawyers would likely engage in legal practice.

Awaliene also advised that the policy needed to be extended to corporate practice, particularly with the Corporate Affairs Commission as accountants and chartered secretaries.

Another lawyer, Christie Nwaka, complained of the time it took before the seal and stamp could be issued after the requisite payments had been made.

“When you apply for the seal it is not issued immediately, it takes a minimum of three weeks to be issued and that keeps on hold whatever process the lawyer wants to file.

“For the new lawyers, it is also a big challenge because they are yet to get started and will need some money to satisfy the financial requirement.

“It appears that adequate arrangements were not put in place before the commencement of the scheme,’’ she said.

Mr. Dan Nwobodo, former NBA Publicity Secretary, Abuja branch, noted that people found it difficult to switch over to any new policy.

“In this case, the policy is to sanitise legal practice and should be embraced by any well meaning lawyer.

“The Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners Section 10 (1-2) provides that a lawyer acting in his capacity as a legal practitioner, legal officer or adviser of any government; Department or ministry or any corporation, shall not sign or file a legal document unless a seal and stamp approved by the NBA is affixed on such document.

“For the purpose of this rule, legal documents shall include, pleadings, affidavits, depositions, applications, instruments, agreements, deeds, letters, memoranda, reports, legal opinions or any similar documents,” he said.

He said once you paid the Bar practising fees, and called to the Nigerian Bar and your name and number were verified from the Supreme Court Roll and NBA database, you would be issued the stamp and seal.

The Nation

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NBA to NLC: We are opposed to capital punishment for corruption

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has opposed the call by the organised labour for capital punishment for public officers found guilty of corruption and corrupt practices in the country.

President of the Association, Barrister Augustine Alegeh (SAN) while receiving the National President of the Nigeria a Labour Congress (NLC) at the Bar House in Abuja said it was not ideal that while other countries are moving away from capital punishment, Nigerians will be advocating for such.

He said needs to be done to stem corruption in the country is for the government to evolve measures that will prevent people from looting the treasury, pointing out that the newly introduced Treasury Single Account was a measure in the right direction.
Alegeh argued that the plea bargain which has formed part of the Justice system in the country is a good measure of recovering stolen money for people, pointing out that if the government had applied it since 2007, a lot of money would have been recovered from those accused of corruption.

He said: “It was on the front pages last week that people who are involved in corruption matters should be sent to the gallows and be killed, that there should be capital punishment and I said no.
“The international trend is that every country is moving away from capital punishment. So, where the world is moving away from, why are we going there? In corruption cases, the focus is on recovering of the money. Let us recover that money and use it to develop our country and not to kill the man.

“If you kill the man and the family has the money, have we made any progress? So, let us go for what is right. For us, plea bargain which is in our new criminal justice act is very good. If we had done plea bargain with some of the governors in 2007, we would have had more money in the system than today.
“Chelsea Hotel was seized from somebody and is now infested with rats and the man they seized it from now has New Chelsea Hotel. The one that government seized is infested with rats. Assuming that hotel was functional and the revenue going into our consolidated revenue fund or the federations account, is that not adding more money for us. The seized the hotel from somebody they said embezzled money and the place is dead today. That can’t be right.”
“Where ever there is corruption, it is money meant for development that has been take away. The first thing that we should be looking at is how do we get this money and put back into the system to aid development. Punishment should take the back stage, while you reform. Internationally.

What we should be concerned about is what measure do we put in place to ensure that we are not looted, instead of waiting to be looted and then kill the person. We must be proactive and that is our stand. Our position is that the government will put in place proactive measure to ensure that pilfering of government resources is termed.
“The Treasury Single Account being introduced by the government now is a step in that direction. Let us first know where the money is, we know what we are expecting, we know the account.
“If you know that every body is looking at that account, you cannot say that the money has not come or the money is in one account or the other. I commend government, but I think there are more steps government can take.
“For us, we believe that the present administration has taken many steps in the right direction. No man is without error or mistake, but on the whole, the government has taken the right steps in the right direction and we support the administration. As long as they continue to work in the right part, the part of getting our country back on a solid footing, we will continue to support them and offer ideas. We encourage NLC to also consider the government long those lines”.

On accusations that lawyers defend often defend people accused of corruption, he said, while NBA will do all within its power to maintain its position on the rule of law, it is the duty of every lawyer to defend a client even when such a person plead guilty to the crime.

The Nation

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