27.12.2016
NEWS/5
L-R: Mr. Ola Olanipekun SAN, former Ekiti State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Akilaja SAN and Mrs. funmi Falana at the 2016 End of the Year Award Dinner and Lecture, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikere Ekiti branch
NBA IKEJA BRANCH Mr. Dele Oloke (left) and Mr. Beckley Abioye at the press briefing to address the leadership crisis in NBA Ikeja Branch last Thursday
Lawyers Tasked on Public Confidence, as NBA Honours Olanipekun, Falana Stories by Akinwale Akintunde Lawyers have been urged to see themselves as critical stakeholders in the judicial process. They have also been advised to take up the gauntlet of vigil professionals, working hard to defend the rights and privileges of lawful citizens in the country. Speaking as a guest speaker at the 2016 End of the Year Award Dinner and Lecture, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikere Ekiti branch, a former House of Representative member, Mr Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, called on lawyers not to shy away from their traditional duty as watchdogs of democracy and
defenders of human rights. The theme of the event was; ‘Restoring Public Confidence in the Justice Sector: The Role of Lawyers’. “We must be ready to provide leadership and champion the struggle for a more humane, peaceful, decent and prosperous society. We must uphold the constitution as the grundnorm, while playing active roles in its constant review, to meet emerging needs of democratic advancement, and we must ensure compliance to the Rule of Law in line with contemporary international legal order and global best practices." The guest speaker also pointed out that the Judiciary has an important role to play in promoting and sustaining constitutional
democracy. He adduced reasons for this, by making reference to the popular saying that the judiciary is often referred to as the last hope of the common man. To this end, Bamidele called for collaboration between the bar and the bench, towards restoring public confidence in the judicial process. Also speaking at the event, a Lagos Lawyer, Mrs. Funmi Falana, who received an award at the occasion, advised legal practitioners to play active roles in ensuring corruption-free judicial process. She accused some lawyers of complicity in the corruption in the judicial system, adding that corruption in the judiciary should be of great
concern to lawyers and Nigerians. Mrs. Falana advised lawyers to monitor their colleagues and judges, to prevent corruption. The climax of the event was when a former NBA President, Wole Olanipekun, SAN, was announced for an award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the legal profession. The legal icon, who was represented by a former Attorney-General of Ekiti State, Mr. Dayo Akilaja SAN, got a standing ovation from guests at the event. Another person who was given award was Mr Ola Olanipekun, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. While paying tribute to the former NBA boss, an Abuja
based lawyer, Mr. Ola Olanipekun, SAN, described him as a blessing to Ekiti State and Nigeria, as a whole. He said the former NBA boss deserved all the honour for his contribution to the development of legal profession and Ekiti State. “Chief Olanipekun is our father in whom we are so pleased. Aside contributing the Ikere Bar Centre, where this event is being held, he has done many things in other areas of human endeavours to develop humanity. I commend the Ikere NBA for considering this illustrious son of Ekiti for the honour." According to the ViceChairman of the professional body, who played a prominent
role in organising the event, Barrister Oludayo Olorunfemi, the legal giant was not considered for the award for his contribution to the body of law alone, but also for his contribution to humanity. “Chief Olanipekun is a colossus and a gift to humanity, and the best way to appreciate such a man is to honour him. To me, if one successful man from every community could rise up and contribute to their communities the way Chief Olanipekun is doing, the society would be better for it. Our decision to recognise him goes beyond his gargantuan contribution to the growth of the legal profession in Nigeria, but is also as a result of his huge contribution to humanity.”
Young Lawyers Forum Decries Assault on Junior Lawyers from their Seniors Young Lawyers’ Forum (YLF) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, has decried the incessant assault on young lawyers by their senior colleagues, in recent times. The chairman of the forum, Mr. Charles Ajiboye, at a press briefing held last Thursday, said YLF frowns at the assault trend, which is fast becoming the order of the day. Baring their minds in a communique, particularly on a recent incident between a junior lawyer, Mr. Issa Adedokun and his senior colleague, Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo, the group expressed shock and disappointment, and felt let down at what it termed a show of emotional weakness, often exhibited by senior lawyers at the bar. According to YLF, on December 19, 2016, an ugly incident occurred as the incumbent Assistant Secretary of NBA Ikeja Branch, Adedokun, who is also the immediate past Chairman of YLF was physically assaulted by Mr. Aguegbodo, a former Chairmanship candidate of NBA Ikeja branch, after a minor argument ensued between them. "Seniority at the bar used to
mean nobility, wisdom and in turn earn huge respect, but it is ufortunate that a few of those who are being looked up to as role models, have allowed their weaker and ugly selves take the better part of them. “Upon investigations and meeting with the victim and other eye witnesses, the YLF made several resolutions. “While we would have been persuaded to hear from Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo, his open admission of guilt on his page on facebook and his complete abandonment of any form of remorse, only strengthened the fact that no explanation would justify the physical assault of a professional colleague; none whatsoever. One wonders what would have happened, had the victim of the assault acted in like manner, or his friends and colleagues retaliated in the same style. “The truth is that the only reason Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo had the thought and eventually took steps to assault Mr. Issa Adedokun, is because he is a young lawyer. It evidenced his lack of respect and regard for young lawyers. It wouldn’t
have come to his mind had the argument been with his fellow senior colleague”, the group stated. YLF stated that it will no longer tolerate the assault of its members, hence, the association urged senior lawyers in some law firms treating their lawyers like slaves, to desist from constantly abusing them verbally and physically, male and female lawyers inclusive, saying that injury to one, is injury to all. The forum used the opportunity to call on the President of the NBA, Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN to urgently wade into the leadership crisis of the NBA, Ikeja. According to the Young Lawyers’ Forum, the crisis should be given the needed attention, as Ikeja branch is one of the largest branches of the NBA. YLF added that it would not be a good experience that the strength of the branch, is used by it against itself, because, if the silence and/or delay continues, the President will have by omission, heaped up a coal of complicated fire, that may be unable to be quenched
easily thereafter. It is also their view that the NBA leadership, the government and all stakeholders, engage the younger generation and commit to them responsibilities, by allowing competent youth in every cabinet or committee at any level, Federal, State, Local Government, agencies of government, etc. Also speaking to the press on the same day, Mr. Dele Oloke, restated that he remained the chairman of NBA Ikeja branch, and dismissed allegations that the branch is in crisis, as is being speculated in some quarters. Oloke maintained that the election of Mr. Adesina Ogunlana was annulled by the NEC of NBA held at Benin, on June 16, 2016. “The election was nullified by the provisions of Article 6 (3), of the By Laws of NBA branches in Nigeria. Before the election, at the meeting of the branches in April 2016, NEC asked the former chairman Mr. Adeyinka Faronbi to tell the floor that election will be conducted based on the rules of the uniform bye law of NBA. “Article 6(3) of the Uniform
By Law of NBA states that, any would be aspirant to an elective position of NBA, who has held position twice in the executive of any branch within 5 years before the year of election, is ineligible to contest for election until 5 years later. It should be noted that on the 18th of February, the conference where this law was amended Mr. Adesina Ogunlana was present as an observer. Also, the minimum attendance of any aspirant according to NBA Ikeja by law, should be 11, while a voter will be eligible if he/she pays their dues for the year of election. “Mr. Yinka Faronbi put together the first electoral committee of the branch and single handedly announced Dr. Gbenga Akingbeji, his friend as the chairman of the body. The chairmanship aspirants are Mr. Adeshina Ogunlana, Mr. Bathlomew Aguegbodo, Mrs. Gloria Nwaeze and Mr. Lateef Abdusalam. “By reason of Article 6 (3) of the Uniform By Law, they are all ineligible. When it became obvious that these fellows were ineligible, the past chairman Mr. Yinka Faronbi,
maneuvered and disbanded the electoral committee he set up on the floor of the house. Members challenged him that he lacked the capacity to disband the committee. This made the chairman of the committee Mr. Gbenga Akingbeji resign. “Mr. Faronbi went ahead to appoint another candidate, Mr. Adebamigbe Omole, who was not eligible, on the ground that he had not attended the meetings of the branch for two years, and did not qualify to be the NEC chairman. “Then, Mr. Nurudeen Ogbara, former chairman of NBA Ikorodu branch, was appointed to conduct a by election for the chairmanship of NBA Ikeja branch. I participated and won the election unopposed. Later, I received a mail from the national body addressing me as the chairman of the branch. I am the chairman of NBA Ikeja branch. “Nevertheless, we are peace lovers and our prayer is that everything be settled soon. Two years is just around the corner, the other party can just wait till then. Leaders of the bar should
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6