Tag Archives: NBA

NBA Offers Free Lega Services To 1000 IDPs In Borno

Posted on by
19

The Borno State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said it has offered free legal services and counselling to 1,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The State NBA Chairman, Babakura Kaka, stated this on Wednesday at the 2017 Legal Year celebration, during a court session at the Borno State High Court in Maiduguri.

Mr Kaka said that so far the NBA has treated and won 300 cases bordering on IDPs free of charge in courts.

He explained that the project, Legal Protection for IDPs, was designed to provide justice for all and ensure the people get the required justice.

“We are partnering with UNHCR to carry out humanitarian assistance to the IDPs by providing free legal services,” said the chairman.

 

Source: Channels TV

NBA shortlists Agbakoba, Kalu, 7 others for Supreme Court justices

Posted on by
1

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has forwarded the names of nine eligible applicants to the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, Judicial Service Commission, Walter Samuel Onnoghen, for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

This followed a rigorous process of shortlisting done by a select committee chaired by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abubakar Mahmoud, with eight other eminent lawyers as members.

Applicants shortlisted by the NBA for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court are the following:

(1) Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN
Year of Call: 1978
State: Anambra

(2) Anthony Ikemefuna Idigbe, SAN
Year of Call: 1983
State: Delta

(3) Yunus Ustas Usman, SAN
Year of Call: 1983
State: Kogi

(4) Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN
Year of Call: 1988
State: Ondo

(5) Miannayaaja Essien, SAN
Year of Call: 1985
State: Rivers

(6) Awa Uma Kalu, SAN
Year of Call: 1978
State: Abia

(7) Professor Awalu Hamish Yadudu
Year of Call: 1979
State: Kano

(8) Tajudeen Oladoja
Year of Call: 1985
State: Kwara

(9) Ayuba Giwa
Year of Call: 1983
State: Edo

The above mentioned applicants were shortlisted from a total of 89 Expressions of Interest that were scrutinized.

It would be recalled that the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, had earlier forwarded a request to the President of NBA, Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN “to nominate suitable candidate for consideration as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

NBA President vows to deal with “bad eggs” in Nigeria’s judiciary.

Posted on by
1

The President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Abubakar Mahmud, said on Thursday that the association was working towards restoring the integrity of the judiciary and legal profession.

 

Mr. Mahmud made this known on the sidelines of the first National Executive Committee Meeting of the Bar, held in Minna.

 

“We acknowledge that there are problems affecting the Nigerian society and it’s institutions, including the institution of the judiciary.

 

“But I want to assure you that we are on top of the situation as we are working to rescue and better the integrity of the legal profession and judiciary,” he said

 

He stressed that allegations of corruption against some members of the Bar and the Bench should not undermine the significant contribution of the judiciary to nation building?.

 

“The current situation should not underrate the contribution that the legal profession and judiciary are making.

 

“A few bad eggs in the system should not lead to a total condemnation of the institution of the judiciary”, he added.

 

On Federal Government’s prosecution of members of the Bar accused of corruption, Mr. Mahmud said the NBA would follow up with its own disciplinary processes if the allegations were established at the end of the day?.

 

According to him, the legal profession and the judiciary still enjoy enormous goodwill and respect of Nigerians despite? the recent development.

 

He stated that the NBA was willing to cooperate with the Federal Government in fishing out corrupt elements, adding that the war on corruption should be done in accordance with due process.

NBA and the trial of judges – Nwaozor

Posted on by
1

It’s indeed interesting to realize that after all the grandstanding made by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) alongside its allies, following the recent clampdown on some judges by the Department of State Service (DSS), it has thought it wise to present reality.

Speaking a few weeks ago during the valedictory court session in honour of Justice Sotonye Denton-West of the Akure Division of the Court of Appeal, the association’s President Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) noted that in safeguarding the sanctity of the judiciary, it has become necessary for the arrested judges to excuse themselves from further judicial functions.

He equally suggested that these judges could proceed on compulsory leave until their innocence is fully established. The NBA boss went further to state that the bar has set up a task force after its meeting with the Attorney General of the Federation as well as past and serving leaders of the association, to review the recent developments and come up with specific recommendations on how best to clean up the nation’s judiciary and rebuild the confidence of the citizenry. He assured that the report would be available in two weeks time, having called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to suspend the judges if they fail to comply with the directive.

It’s noteworthy that four of the judges arrested between October 7 and 8, 2016 are still serving while the other three had been recommended for compulsory retirement and dismissal by the NJC prior to the clampdown. Suffice it to say that the NBA boss was actually referring to the four.

I was not surprised regarding the abrupt U-turn made by the NBA. I knew they would surely agree with the content of the constitution. The drama earlier was what is known as ‘self defence’. Self-defence is a legal measure required by one to save himself when his life is in danger, or when someone else is making physical attempt to claim it. If one commits murder while employing self-defence, the law is liable to forgive him for such crime committed if proven beyond doubts that his actions weren’t informed by any criminal intension.

So, the NBA, alongside the NJC were trying to safeguard the integrity of the judiciary that was ostensibly under ‘attack’ as was staged by the DSS. The Judges were taken unawares and they were of the view that their lives were in danger. As a result, they decided to employ self-defence tactics. Remember, the Judges hadn’t experienced such before. Hence, making such a U-turn was something I saw coming. I wasn’t taken unawares, that’s why I only smiled the moment I got the news on my desk. I am sure the NJC has also jettisoned its sword, even though the Chairman has disclosed that none of the indicted judges would be suspended.

Now, one is deeply perturbed. Some of the arrested justices, such as Justices John Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta, have alleged that the serving ministers tried to bribe them over a few of the court cases they handled recently. They made the shocking allegations via separate epistles they sent to the NJC. Should we fold our arms and allow such striking accusations to be buried? Something must be done. Doing otherwise will perhaps be the biggest mistake to be made by the relevant law enforcement agencies. Thus, investigations in that regard ought to commence without much ado. This is when the Federal Government needs to practically prove to the people that it is not biased.

One is baffled at the way and manner most of these anti-graft agencies have handled cases in recent times. Sometimes, we would observe that investigation commences after an accused person had been arrested; this is absurd and totally unconstitutional. Arrest is meant to be preceded by investigation, and not otherwise. An arrest marks the end of any ongoing investigation in respect of the case in question. As soon as an allegation or petition is tendered, investigation commences, then followed by an arrest. An arrest is constitutionally succeeded by arraignment; meaning literally that the moment an indicted person is arrested, you are expected to file a suit against him/her in relevant court of competent jurisdiction.

My other concern is the duration of court proceedings in Nigeria. Some prosecutions linger for many years. The legislature really needs to address this lapse if we must get it right. Let’s amend the constitution and other relevant Acts by creating a stipulated duration a certain prosecution is supposed to last. Civil, criminal, and electoral cases ought to have a particular period of time they are meant to last in any court of law they are being entertained, irrespective of its jurisdiction.

However, now that some judges have been charged, and they are required to be tried by a law court soon, the question is: who is going to try them? It’s obvious that they would be prosecuted and perhaps be convicted, if found guilty, by their colleagues. So, what’s the guarantee that the proposed prosecution, would be done dispassionately by these judicial officers?

– Nwaozor writes from Owerri

Judges Accused of Corruption Should go on Compulsory Leave – NBA

Posted on by
1

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has advised judges facing allegations of corruption to proceed on compulsory leave until their innocence is proven.

The judges are Sylvester Ngwuta and John Okoro (supreme court); Adeniyi Ademola and Nnamdi Dimgba (federal high court); Mohammed Tsamiya (appeal court, Ilorin); Kabri Auta (high court, Kano) and Muazu Pindiga (high court, Gombe).

On October 8, the Department of State Services arrested the judges after raiding their homes, claiming it recovered huge amounts of money, including foreign currencies from some of them.

The NBA had called for the release of the judges, threatening “consequences” if they were not released.

Speaking at a valedictory session held in honour of Sotonye Denton-West, a retiring appeal court judge, in Abuja, on Thursday, Abubakar Mahmoud, president of NBA, advised the accused judges to cease performing judicial functions until their innocence has been proven.

“My Lords, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, permit me to digress a little. I am sure that many here will be expecting me to make further statements on the ongoing events affecting the nation’s judiciary,” he said.

“I have, in the course of the last two weeks or so, made several statements and remarks on these developments. Our position is therefore well-known. We have emphasised our commitment to safeguarding the independence of the nation’s judiciary.

“That is corruption in the judiciary. On Thursday 13th of October at the meeting of bar leaders comprising past NBA presidents, past general secretaries and past attorneys-general of the federation, we reviewed very carefully the developments after listening to detailed briefings from both the attorney-general and minister of justice as well the secretary of the National Judicial Council.

“One of the resolutions we took was to set up a Task Force to urgently review the current developments and come up with clear specific recommendations on how best to clean up the nation’s judiciary and rebuild the confidence of Nigerians in our law courts. I am expecting the report of that task force in two weeks.

“In the meantime, we have continued with our consultations and engagements. We will be coming up with bold and clear recommendations, which we will pass to the National Judicial Council and the Government.

“In the interim, however, particularly having regards to what appears to ongoing accusations and counter-accusations between some of the judges and other personalities or agencies, it appears to the NBA that it is extremely important that the NJC takes very urgent steps to safeguard the public image and sanctity of the courts.

“We therefore strongly recommend that, without prejudice to the innocence or otherwise of the judges involved in the ongoing investigations, they should be required to recuse themselves from further judicial functions or required to proceed on compulsory leave until their innocence is fully and completely established or until the conclusion of all judicial or disciplinary proceedings.

“We believe this will be necessary in order to protect the sanctity and integrity of judicial processes that may involve the judges concerned and safeguard the public image of the institution.”?

BREAKING: Arrested judges to step aside pending trial.

Posted on by
Reply

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on Thursday, asked all the judges being investigated over their alleged involvement in acts of corruption to excuse themselves from further judicial functions or proceed on compulsory leave, until their innocence is fully and completely established.

The legal body said such step was not only necessary in order to protect the sanctity and integrity of judicial processes that may involve the judges concerned, but to also safeguard the public image of the judiciary as an institution.

NBA, which made its position known at a valedictory court session that was held in honour of a retiring Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Sotonye Denton-West, further urged the National Judicial Council, NJC, to take very urgent steps to restore the sanctity of the courts.

It will be recalled that among Judges whose homes were raided by operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, between October 8 and 9, included two Supreme Court Justices- Iyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta. Others included Justices Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court Abuja, Kabir Auta of the Kano High Court, Muazu Pindiga of Gombe High Court, Mohammed Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal in Ilorin, and the Chief Judge of Enugu State, I. A. Umezulike.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is equally probing some judges allegedly involved in fraudulent transactions.

Meanwhile, the National President of the NBA, Mr. A.B Mahmoud, SAN, in an address he presented at the special court session, said:

“My Lords, distinguished ladies and gentlemen permit me digress a little. I am sure that many here will be expecting me to make further statements on the ongoing events affecting the nation’s judiciary.

“I have in the course of the last two weeks or so made several statements and remarks on these developments. Our position is therefore well known. We have emphasized our commitment to safeguarding the independence of the nation’s judiciary.

“We have also spoken firmly on our commitment to rid the judiciary and indeed the bar of all corrupt elements. I will like to say we remain resolute on these. In the course of the last several days, the NBA has continued to hold high level consultations with all segments of the bar and other stakeholders and indeed the administration on how to address what has obviously become a major concern to all Nigerians within and outside the country. Ngwuta, Okoro and Ademola “That is corruption in the judiciary.

On Thursday 13th of October at the meeting of bar leaders comprising past NBA Presidents, Past General Secretaries and past Attorneys –General of the Federation, we reviewed very carefully the developments after listening to detailed briefings from both the Attorney General and Minister of Justice as well the Secretary of the National Judicial Council.

“One of the resolutions we took was to set up a Task Force to urgently review the current developments and come up with clear specific recommendations on how best to clean up the nation’s judiciary and rebuild confidence of Nigerians in our law courts. I am expecting the report of that task force in two weeks.

“In the meantime we have continued with our consultations and engagements. We will be coming up with bold and clear recommendations which we will pass to the National Judicial Council and the Government.

“In the interim however, particularly having regards to what appears to an ongoing accusations and counter accusations between the some of the Judges and other personalities or agencies, it appears to the NBA that it is extremely important that the NJC takes very urgent steps to safeguard the public image and sanctity of the courts.

“We therefore strongly recommend that, without prejudice to the innocence or otherwise of the Judges involved in the ongoing investigations, they should be required to recuse themselves from further judicial functions or required to proceed on compulsory leave until their innocence is fully and completely established or until the conclusion of all judicial or disciplinary proceedings.

“We believe this will be necessary in order to protect the sanctity and integrity of judicial processes that may involve the judges concerned and safeguard the public image of the institution”.

Similarly, Chairman of Akure branch of the NBA, Mr. Oso Adetunji, in his own address, said there was need to deal with corrupt judges without desecrating the sacredness of the judiciary as an institution.

“The task before us as a nation is not to debate whether there are corrupt judges in our judiciary, the task is how to remove or deal with the few corrupt ones on the Bench, without destroying the judiciary.

“A corrupt judge on the bench is a cancer to the system. It eats deep into the system and will eventually kill the system if not removed. But let us remove such cancerous judges with care and due processes so that in our attempt to kill the cancer, we don’t inadvertently kill the system too.

“Let us deal with the corrupt judges in the judiciary without desecrating the sacredness of the institution. In dealing with the corrupt judges in our midst, let us treat the system with decency and dignity, so as to preserve the awe with which the ordinary man holds the court.

“Let every corrupt judge first be subjected to the disciplinary procedure of the NJC, disciplined and removed before subjecting him to the ridicule and treatment of a common criminal. It is not for him. It is for the sake of the system. I would be happy to see a corrupt judge handcuffed, paraded and docked. But for the sake of the system, let such be arraigned and docked as dismissed judicial officers. After all, the Nigeria Police Force will not submit its officer, no matter how junior he is, for prosecution without first removing his uniform.

“We all know that the NJC does not have the statutory power to prosecute. It is only saddled with the power to by virtue of section 292(1), Paragraph 20 (b) (d) of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, to discipline a judge.

“Let the NJC first discipline, by removing a judge from office, before handing him over for prosecution. To be able to this, the NJC must embark on a confidence building process by repositioning itself for this task.

“We suggest that petition against and judicial official be treated thoroughly and with dispatch. It must act without fear or favour. Spouses of any politically exposed person should not be elevated to the Bench. Where the spouse of any politically exposed person is serving before his or her spouse was elevated to the Bench, let such spouse step down from the Bench”, Adetunji added.

Meanwhile, Justice Denton-West who bowed out of the appellate court bench having clocked the 70 years mandatory retirement age, in her speech, said she was a victim of corruption in the judiciary.

Justice Denton-West, who was the first female judge in Rivers State, said: “I would be failing in my duties as a senior citizen of this country, if I fail to comment on the recent goings in the judiciary. Indeed I know and believe that there is corruption unfortunately even in the folds of the judiciary. I have personally been a victim of corrupt acts from the judiciary on some occasions”.

However, she called on the authorities to revisit the remuneration of justices.

“The workload is heavy. Something should be done to give comfort to both serving judges and those that have retired. We spend almost all our time to make the society liveable, so, giving us a liveable life should not be too much. The judiciary still remains the common hope of all. So please may everybody treat the judiciary with respect”, she added.

Among dignitaries at the event included Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

Femi Falana (SAN) blasts the NBA for shielding corrupt judges

Posted on by
1

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), on Sunday, criticised the Nigerian Bar Association for shielding corrupt judges despite having information about their activities.

He described the failure of NBA to deal with corrupt officials in the judiciary as an embarrassment to the “incorruptible members of the bar,” adding that it was responsible for the current state of the country’s judiciary.

He said this while reacting to the raid on the homes of some judges and the arrest of four of them by the Department of State Services between Friday and Saturday. The operatives of the DSS had raided the official quarters of judges at Abuja, Gombe, Kano and Port Harcourt and ended up arresting at least four judicial officers.

The arrested judicial officers comprised two Justices of the Supreme Court – Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and John Okoro – as well as Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court and another judge of the Gombe State High Court, Justice Mu’azu Pindiga.

In a statement issued at the end of the raid, the DSS alleged that the suspects had engaged in judicial misconduct and corrupt practices, adding that a huge amount of money was recovered from three of the judges.

In response to the raid, the NBA had declared a state of emergency and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the judges.

Falana, however, criticised the NBA, saying, “In particular, the Nigerian Bar Association which has information on all corrupt judges and lawyers in the country has continued to shield them to the embarrassment of incorruptible members of the bar and the bench.

“The few lawyers who have plucked up the courage to expose corrupt judges and lawyers have been stigmatised and treated like lepers by their colleagues.

“It is on record that when both the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission sent invitation letters to judges suspected of corruption they had rushed to the Federal High Court to obtain interlocutory injunctions to prevent their arrest, investigation, and prosecution.”

He said members of the legal profession had themselves to blame for the harassment of judges by security forces as they had failed to take advantage of the relevant statutory disciplinary bodies to purge the bar and the bench of corrupt elements.

“It is on account of negligence on the part of the legal profession that the SSS which screens candidates before they are recommended by the National Judicial Council for appointment as judges has now engaged in the arrest of judges for alleged corruption and abuse of office,” he said.

Falana, however, said because the detained judges “are presumed innocent until the contrary is proved by the State, they should be admitted to bail in self-recognizance.”

He urged the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, to ensure that the judges were immediately arraigned without delay.

He lamented the state of the legal profession, saying, “It is a matter of grave concern that the legal profession has allowed the denigration of the hallowed temple of justice because of the misconduct of a few corrupt judges.

“For several years, judges who committed grave criminal offences were not prosecuted but merely retired by the authorities on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council.

“Although the National Judicial Council recently recommended the dismissal and prosecution of a judge for extorting the sum of N197m from a litigant the authorities had paid lip service to the menace of judicial corruption in the country.”

Nigerians Condemn NBA’s Threat Over Judges’ Arrest

Posted on by
10

Some Nigerians have condemned the threat by the leadership of Nigeria Bar Association to Nigerians over the arrest of some judges for alleged corruption and professional misconduct.

Those who made the call in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria in Makurdi on Sunday urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to succumb to pressure but to ensure that the judges faced the law.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the State Security Services, DSS, on Friday night arrested some judges for alleged corruption.

The agency stated that it recovered huge sums in local and foreign currencies from the judges.
Following their arrest, the leadership of NBA headed by Abubakar Mahmoud at a news conference, demanded the judges’ immediate release on the ground that due process was not followed in their arrest.

The association said, “It is not the responsibility of DSS to arrest judges.”
It described the action of the agency as unconstitutional and a way of intimidating the judiciary and undermining its independence.
“President Muhammadu Buhari should order immediate release of the affected judges or there would be consequences,” NBA said.

Some of those who responded to the threat accused NBA of encouraging corruption, adding that it was an indication that “corruption is fighting back” against the anti-corruption campaign of the government .

They said the action of NBA had vindicated the president, who had said that the judiciary was a major hindrance to the fight against corruption.

A resident of Makurdi, James Audu, wondered why NBA would ask the Federal Government to immediately release the judges.
“I am not sure I understand why the NBA is asking the Federal Government to order the immediate release of some judges that have been arrested over allegations of corruption.
“Were they arrested without warrants? Is it unlawful to investigate a judge on allegations of corruption? Or are our laws meant to be obeyed by some people while others breach them and go free?
“Do judges also enjoy immunity under our laws? Are judges not subject to our laws?
‘’Is there no rule of law here or are judges above the law?” he asked.

Another resident, Shidoon Agbe, said the judges should be prosecuted according to the law.
Ms. Agbe said that it was a shame that a respected legal body, such as NBA, would allow itself to be used by corrupt politicians to achieve their goals.

“The Nigerian Constitution does not make provision for judges’ immunity neither does it exclude them from investigations.
“In fact, even the Mr President can be investigated while still in office,” she said.
Ms. Agbe said that in other parts of the world judges were arrested and tried like other citizens.
“Few months ago, South African President was investigated and tried even with his immunity and nobody complained about it.
‘’Examples of cases of this nature are too many to mention.

“This is a legal issue, all we expected of NBA during their press conference was for them to clearly quote the various sections of the constitution that prohibit security agencies from investigating and arresting judges,” she said.

Arrest of judges: The DSS, the NBA, the media and the rest of us – Chris Nwaokobia

Posted on by
1

The media is awash with insults, invective and repudiation hurled at the DSS and the Govt for the raid on allegedly corrupt Judicial Officers. Even the find of huge cash and documentary details of malfeasance count for nothing to the critics of the DSS and Govt.

I’m compelled to analogize with what obtains in climes truly desirous of breakup with corruption. A year ago a total 34 Judges in Ghana were rounded up for malfeasance, investigated and 20 of them sent packing. The Legal Community and the media did not cry foul or call for boycott of Courts or State Emergency knowing that judicial corruption is grievous.

As a Lawyer, I’m worried that my colleagues are taken by the legalese undermining the full picture. A corrupt, corruptive and corruptible judiciary is evil, it deepens impunity and erodes the right to justice. Where justice is for sale to the highest bidder morality atrophies, the Law suffers, and self-help festers.

Agreed that the Judiciary is an independent arm of Govt, nothing in our Laws forbid the arrest of any person for criminal investigation but the President, the Vice President, a Governor and his Deputy. I therefore advise the NBA to exercise restraint so it does not become a clog in the wheel of an effort to rid the Judiciary of corruption.

I hold without equivocation that Judicial Corruption is the worst kind of corruption, but must add that I expect the DSS, the EFCC and the Police to take similar action on the mind-blowing stench from the National Assembly, the details from Hon. Jibrin should validate such. I also expect a look into the many allegations against our Dear President’s Chief of Staff, and the Secretary to the Federal Govt., now is the time to do right.

God Bless Nigeria.

#COUNTRYFIRST
#SAVEOURFUTURE
#YESWECAN

Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr

Help the poor to get justice – Wike tells NBA

Posted on by
Reply

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has called on the state branch of the Nigerian Bar Association to assist the poor who cannot foot the cost of litigation.

Wike made the call on Tuesday while inaugurating a building donated to the NBA by the state government.

The governor said some indigenes of the state had been denied justice because they could not afford the services of lawyers.

He urged the NBA to make its presence felt in the state by helping to deepen the rule of law to make the judiciary in Rivers one of the best.

He added that “the greatest return that you can give to us and all those that organised the realisation of this project is to ensure that this property is adequately utilised and cared for to serve the purpose for which it was built.

“As government, we shall always call on you to join forces with us to deepen the rule of law to ensure that judiciary embraces the law and the interest of the poor in the state.

“We urge the NBA in Rivers to strive toward excellence in the discharge of its duties so as to be counted as one of the best in the country.”

The governor also said that the donation became necessary to accommodate the growing size of the Rivers State branch of the Association.

He said the edifice would enable the NBA to operate independently outside the official premises of the judiciary.

Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), the President of the NBA, commended the governor for the achievements so far and for donating the edifice to the Association.

Mahmoud said: “I have heard so many testimonies since I came to Rivers in the last couple of weeks about the giant strides being made by this administration.”

The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Adama Iyaye-Lamikara, on behalf of the NBA, thanked the state government for the donation and promised the Association’s support in enhancing judicial activities.

NBA Demands Apology From EFCC

Posted on by
Reply

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is demanding an apology from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the withdrawal of a statement it has described as unacceptable.

A statement from the General Secretary of the NBA, Isiaka Abiola Olagunju, on August 29th 2016, said The NBA condemns in the strongest terms the use of abusive and uncivil language of ‘rogues and vultures’ by a public authority.

He added that: “It is unacceptable. The NBA demands unequivocal withdrawal of this statement and an unreserved apology from the EFCC.”

Olagunju explained that NBA president during his inaugural address in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State on Friday 26th August, 2016, commended the achievements of the EFCC but called for the reform of the Agency to enhance its capabilities to deliver on its mandate on a ‘consistent and sustainable’ basis devoid of political interference.

He said the call for reform was made on the basis of well-established institutional safeguards that demand the proper regulation of the wide discretionary powers involved in the investigation and prosecution of criminal matters.

He pointed out that combining investigative powers with prosecutorial powers in one single agency, (called the Roskill Model in England), is the exception rather than the norm.

Olagunju noted that: “In the UK only the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) enjoys such combined powers. But given the institutional safeguards, both within the SFO and the maturity that characterizes the UK Criminal Justice Institutions, the abuse of such powers will be highly unlikely.”

He added that the NBA Constitution demands that it promotes law reform and legal development. It, therefore, commits itself to promoting healthy public debate about our institutions and interrogating their capabilities and performance, including all criminal justice agencies such as the EFCC.

He said the NBA President Mr. Mahmoud, SAN has over the years supported the work of the EFCC in many ways and acted as counsel in a number of matters on behalf of the organization.

However, the EFCC in a statement by its spokesman Wilson Uwujaren also on 29th August 2016 said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission Did Not say the whole of the NBA is populated by rogues and vultures.”

Read More: dailytrust

LeBron James Donates $41 Million To Send 1,100 Kids To College

Posted on by
Reply

Basketball star Lebron James didn’t have the easiest childhood. Born in Akron, Ohio, his parents often struggled to make ends meet, which is why they sent him to live with the family of Frank Walker. It is a fortunate thing they did because it was through Walker that James learned of his love and talent for basketball.

Now a professional athlete, James has the ability to help others. And, he’s proven just how loyal he is to the community that raised him by donating a momentous amount of funds to help kids from Akron go to college.

ESPN reports that the star, who often refers to himself “as just a kid from Akron,” partnered with the University of Akron to provide a guaranteed four-year scholarships to the school for students in his “I Promise” program who qualify.

The scholarship will cover tuition and the university’s general service fee – approximately $9,500 per year. All in all, the scholarship should cover the costs for 1,100 kids, which will cost his foundation a total of $41.8 million.

The NBA star announced the good news in June while hosting an event for students at Cedar Point Amusement Park. He said:

“It’s the reason I do what I do. These students have big dreams, and I’m happy to do everything I can to help them get there. They’re going to have to earn it, but I’m excited to see what these kids can accomplish knowing that college is in their futures.”

The criteria to qualify for the scholarship is still being determined, but most likely will entail students needing to graduate high school within Akron’s public school system and achieve standard testing requirements. Applicants will also likely be required to fulfill a community service obligation.

 

“It means so much because, as a kid growing up in the inner city and a lot of African-American kids, you don’t really think past high school,” said James, who bypassed college to jump to the NBA. “You don’t really know your future. You hear high school all the time, and you graduate high school and then you never think past that because either it’s not possible or your family’s not financially stable to even be able to support a kid going to college.”

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Gets New President.

Posted on by
Reply

A former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Kano State, Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, has been elected as the new president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

 

The new NBA President was elected at the 2016 National Elections held in Abuja, in contested election conducted through e-voting.

 

Mr. Mahmoud polled 3,055 votes to defeat Joe-Kyari Gadzama who polled 2,384 votes.

 

The position of General Secretary was won by Mr. Olagunju Isiaka who polled 2,721 votes against Yamah Desmond who scored 2,510 votes.

 

Mr. Dajan Gal emerged as the first Vice President with 4057 votes and Mr. Monday Ubani, second Vice President with 4375 votes.

 

Olagunju Isiaka polled 2721 votes to emerge General Secretary as against Yama Desmond who secured 2,510 votes.

 

Announcing the results in the early hours of Monday, the chairman of the NBA Electoral Committee, Mr. Ken Mozia (Senior Advocate of Nigeria) said both the first and second Vice Presidents emerged unopposed.

Ohagba Loe polled 2,402 votes to emerge first Assistant Secretary, while Balogun Oyeyemi emerged Legal Adviser with 3068 votes as against Onwuzuike Christopher who polled 2,043 votes.

 

The election was monitored by the Deputy Director, Legal of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mariam Musa.

 

This is the first election conducted through electronic voting by the Nigerian Bar Association.

 

At the end of the E-voting process, the Chairman of the NBA Electoral Committee, Ken Mozia announced the result while the outgoing President of the Association advised contestants who lost the election to shun acrimony.

 

The new NBA President, Mr. Mahmoud in his response promised that the new executive will hit the ground running once they are sworn in.

 

The new executives of the NBA are expected to be sworn on August 26, 2016 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Photos From Kobe Bryant’s Final Duel With Rival LeBron James

Posted on by
Reply

Kobe Bryant and Lebron James, the Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of Basket ball, battled for the last time last night at the Staples center and it was an emotional as well as magical night.

LeBron James sent out an emotional tribute to Bryant before tip-off. “Best of luck with your new journey after you leave this beautiful game behind,” James wrote on Bleacher Report’s Uninterrupted. “I’ll do my part to grow it, to make it as great as you made it and leave it for the next group that comes behind me and the rest of the guys.”

Kobe Bryant scored 26 points compared to Lebon’s 24 as the retiring Kobe still showed he was the
better player despite his imminent retirement.

NBA Accuses Buhari Of Plot To Intimidate Judiciary

Posted on by
2

The Nigerian Bar Association has condemned in strong terms the recent criticism of the judiciary in the fight against corruption.

Speaking at the valedictory session organised in honour of a retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Mohammed Muntaka-Coomassie, NBA President, Augustine Alegeh, said the recent attack directed at the judiciary over the ongoing anti-corruption war was unacceptable.

“The NBA condemns in its entirety the generalisation and/or categorisation of the Judiciary as being corrupt and an impediment to the zero corruption policy of the present administration,” Mr. Alegeh said.

Mr. Alegeh noted that although there were bad eggs in the system, the categorisation of the entire judiciary as corrupt was a strong misconception, and an attempt to intimidate the judiciary, which he said would not be tolerated.

Although the NBA chief did not mention President Muhammadu Buhari in his speech, it was clear the President was one of those to which the comment was directed.

Mr. Buhari is the most prominent Nigerian official to criticise the judiciary in recent times.

The President had while speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on January 31, said his biggest headache in the ongoing fight against corruption in Nigeria remained the actions and inactions of the judiciary.

Credit: PremiumTimes

EFCC Seeks NBA’s Collaboration In Fight Against Corruption

Posted on by
Reply

Mr Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to join hands with the Commission in the fight against corruption.

 
This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Mr Wilson Uwujaren ,EFCC’s Head, Media and Publicity.

 
It said that Magu made the call when the national executive of the NBA paid him a courtesy visit.

 
Magu said that some members of the association had given it a bad name as a result of their unprofessional conducts.
He said that some lawyers were aiding some individuals and corporate bodies to perpetrate economic and financial crimes.

 
“Society is not served when prominent members of the Bar not only take clearly tainted briefs, but even facilitate the commission of crimes by knowingly supplying the technical know-how and later helping in the dispersal of the proceeds of crime.

 

There are lawyers within the fold of the NBA who ought not to be among your noble ranks. Those people are not fit to be called barristers; rather, they are vandals of the temple of justice’’, the statement said.
He, however, said that to effectively fight the war against corruption, the input of lawyers was needed.

 
“Law enforcement, just as the judiciary, encompassing the Bar and the Bench, is a critical link in the justice delivery system of any society. I dare say that even when opinions and tactics differ, the interest of the two blocs cannot but converge on the overriding interest of the people.’’

 
According to the statement, he noted that no other anti-graft agency had beaten the record of the EFCC in the areas of prosecutions and convictions.

 
Describing ordinary Nigerians as the victims of fraud, diversion of funds and embezzlement, he urged the Bar to share in the vision of the present administration to eradicate corruption.

 
According to the statement, the NBA President, Mr Augustin Alegeh (SAN), stressed the need for EFCC and the NBA to synergise in the fight against corruption.

 
Alegeh said that the Bar’s anti-corruption Commission had developed a Know-Your-Customer (KYC) template for lawyers to address the issue of members accepting questionable briefs.

 

 

(NAN)

NBA Chairman Advocates Death Penalty For Corrupt Public Officers

Posted on by
1

Mr Mansuma Issa, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, has advocated capital punishment for corrupt public servants in the country.

 

Issa, who made the suggestion in llorin, Kwara, on Sunday while speaking with newsmen, also said that the punishment should be extended to other African countries. He decried the level of corruption in Africa, especially in Nigeria, and said that capital punishment would stem graft and brazen looting of public funds.

 

According to him, countries like Singapore, China, Taiwan, Vietnam and South Korea which adopted death penalty to curb corruption had succeeded in fight against corruption.

 

The NBA chairman said that corruption had become endemic in Africa and had necessitated the association’s support for the corruption war being fought by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. He lamented that funds which would have been spent on the health, education and agriculture as well as for the fight against terrorism were diverted to individual pockets.

 

He called for the strengthening of the judiciary so that offenders could face trial in accordance with the law.

 

Issa said that the Nigerian judiciary was still operating pre-independence pattern and in colonial courts where judges still wrote in long hands, describing the act as “very stressful and retrogressive’’. He appealed to the federal and state governments to provide the judiciary with verbatim recording machines to ease their assignments.

 

He assured that judges in the country could still be trusted, especially in the fight against corruption.

 

Issa, however, admitted that there might be few cases of corruption in the judiciary and urged the disciplinary committee of NBA not to take the issue of corruption in the judiciary lightly. He said that any judge found guilty should be dealt with accordingly.

 

On Constitution amendment, he said that the 1979 Constitution was well crafted except for the variation in the laws of the principles of federalism and the control of resources.

 

He called for the modification of those areas of the Constitution, noting that there was no “perfect constitution’’ anywhere in the world but a “workable constitution’’.

 

Issa disclosed that the greatest challenge facing NBA in Kwara was allegations of diversion of clients’ funds by some of its members.

 

He warned that anyone found wanting in such allegation would be forwarded to the national disciplinary committee of the association for necessary action.

 

He urged the government to improve the condition of the prisons, saying that it was also part of the challenges the association faced while fighting for the right of its clients.

 

He described the condition of Nigerian prisons as embarrassing and dehumanising and said that inmates should not be treated as enemies of the people.

 

 

(NAN)

Watch Young Nigerian NBA Fan, Analyze The Game Of Basketball With Such Apt Knowledge

Posted on by
315

Isaac Emiefile is such a young man with a wide Knowledge of the NBA Game. He was invited as a guest on a Radio show and boy did he deliver with facts and records like a pro. But who says Professionalism on Knowledge comes with age? See Video below and Remember you saw him as a Kid here first when he takes the Center stage for NBA Commentary in years to Come.

NBA Exonerates Saraki’s Lawyers On ‘Walkout’

Posted on by
Reply

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has exonerated lawyers to Senate President Bukola Saraki over reports that they allegedly walked out on the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting at Abuja.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP had earlier called on the association to urgently investigate the conduct of lawyers describing the move by the lawyers as “disrespectful”.
Speaking on Monday at Udu, Delta State during the inauguration of the Udu branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, president of the association, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN, while giving details on the disciplinary measures put in place by the association against erring members, stated that “the lawyers did nothing wrong in their action.”
He said: “I was at the airport on that Thursday and within an hour we caused letters to be issued to the lawyers involved.

They replied us the next day stating clearly that they applied to the court for a withdraw appearance for their client.
“The application was granted and they respectfully took leave of court and that words such as judicial rascality were never used and any reference to words of that nature was when they were reading to the court, the judgement of the Supreme Court in a case which they had cited.
“We have come out boldly to say that the lawyers have done nothing wrong if they had applied to the court to be allowed and they were discharged from further appearance, they were entitled to leave the court room, additionally, we confirmed that counsel Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, and a team of about 10 junior lawyers remained in court and the court did not have to bow to an empty bar.”

 

Credit : Vanguard

Probe Saraki’s Lawyer For Walking Out On CCT, SERAP tells NBA

Posted on by
21

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to “urgently investigate the conduct of lawyers to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for walking out on the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Thursday.

The tribunal had refused their application for stay of proceedings in the asset falsification trial against the Senate President.

SERAP said that “It is the role of Sakari’s lawyers to serve their client’s best interests but in doing so they should not act in a manner that would put the administration of justice and the society’s confidence in the judicial system and the fight against corruption at risk.”
In a statement Thursday by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, the organisation said that, “walking out on the Code of Conduct Tribunal for simply and correctly applying section 305(e) of the newly enacted Administration of Criminal Justice Act is disrespectful.

“SERAP believes that a lawyer’s duty to the court is a fundamental obligation that defines a lawyer’s role within the adversarial system. Lawyers should at all times act to promote the rule of law and the public’s confidence in the administration of justice and not to be seen to undermine it or facilitate an infringement of the law.

“As we have seen many times, without the rule of law, the rule of the jungle takes hold and the economically and socially vulnerable fall victim to the strong and nobody is safe. The rule of law also creates a disincentive for would-be corrupt officials.

“Senior lawyers especially have a responsibility to act as the guardians of the rule of law by contributing to a strong judicial and legal system which is crucial to a well-functioning democracy and which in turn is necessary to satisfactorily prevent and combat years of official corruption in the country.
“If at all Saraki’s lawyers are dissatisfied with the ruling of the Tribunal, there are laid down processes that they should have followed to demonstrate their role as officers in the temple of justice rather than granting media interviews and literally abusing the Tribunal.

“We urge the NBA to urgently investigate what exactly happened and to punish any professional misconduct that may have occurred.”

 

 

Credit : Daily Post

Former Gov Fashola pictured at NBA conference

Posted on by
1

Former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) pictured in a group photograph with the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Augustine Alegeh, SAN (5th right) during the NBA Showcase Session with the theme, “Contribution of Lawyers in Public Office to National Development”, at the 55th Annual General Conference 2015 of the Association in Abuja on Tuesday, August 25, 2015.

fashola-at-NBA-conference

 

Also present was the Head of Service, Federal Government of Nigeria, Danladi Kifasi (left), Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong (2nd left), Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal (3rd left), Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar (4th left), former Governor of Akwa Ibom and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio (left behind), Hon Linda Ikpeazu (2nd left behind) and others.

 

Wike Blasts Rivers NBA For Failing To Resist Interference In Judiciary

Posted on by
Reply

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, yesterday lashed out at the state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, for failing to fight against the issues that crippled the judiciary in the state for almost one year.

Meanwhile, workers resumed early yesterday at the judiciary complex in Port Harcourt with most of  them saying  “happy new year,” apparently referring to the protracted strike that kept them at home since June last year.

The governor, yesterday in Government House, Port Harcourt, while swearing in Justice Daisy Okocha as the acting Chief Judge in the state, said he was surprised that senior lawyers who should have resisted  what he termed the evil that rose against the judiciary, kept quiet.

Wike, who also swore in Justice Christy Nwankwo as acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal, recalled failed efforts by the previous government to stop his swearing in as governor of the state on May 29.

Read More: vanguardngr

NBA Queries Bayelsa Governor, Dickson, Over Attack On Court

Posted on by
1

The Nigerian Bar Association has queried the Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, for leading thugs to attack a Federal Court in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The governor was caught on video, walking into the court premises, accompanied by his police guards and hangers on, before hooligans, including rifle-wielding police officers, invaded and attacked the court. The video, sparked outrage with many Nigerians demanding an independent investigation into the attack.

Mr. Dickson, a lawyer, is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, and a onetime attorney general of Bayelsa State. He is also a former member of the House of Representatives. The NBA president, Augustine Alegeh, said the association of lawyers in Nigeria had sent a letter to the governor, asking him to explain his actions in the court.

Read More: premiumtimesng

Basketball Legend Michael Jordan Joins Forbes List Of Billionaires

Posted on by
Reply

Basketball great, Michael Jordan, has been included in the new billionaires list, released by Forbes today.

There are 290 newcomers on the list and the 52-year-old who played for 15 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, is the 513th richest person in the USA.

Jordan is estimated to be worth around $1.0 billion.

According to the report: “The most famous rookie on the billionaires list? Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time and indisputably the best-paid athlete of all time. Most of his cash comes from Nike payouts on his iconic brand. The Jordan brand grossed an estimated $2.25 billion in 2013, earning his Airness some $90m. But his most valuable asset is his stake in the Charlotte Hornets, worth more than $500m.

“When ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer bought the Los Angeles Clippers for a stunning $2 billion, values of all NBA teams skyrocketed, creating three new billionaires. Jordan’s old boss Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Chicago Bulls, joined the list with a fortune of $1.3 billion, and Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander boosted his net worth to $1.6 billion.”

APC, NBA Call for 3-Days Holiday for PVC Collection

Posted on by
1

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have called on the federal government to declare a three-day public holiday to give working Nigerians the opportunity to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).

They also urged the government to work in tandem with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the PVCs are distributed at the polling units.

Lai Mohammed, APC’s National Publicity Secretary,noted that if these are taken by the government, the issue of distribution and collection of PVS would be solved within five days.

Read More: punchng.com

Prof Osinbajo To Be Honoured With Integrity Awards – NBA

Posted on by
1

The Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja branch will on Thursday honour the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo(SAN), as the recipient of its second edition of Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award.

Also to be honoured with the same award post-humously is the late human rights lawyer, Bamidele Aturu.

The two men, according to the NBA, were chosen “after a vigorous and painstaking search” as men who exemplified Fawehinmi’s guiding principles while alive.

Fawehimmi, a rights lawyer, died on September 5, 2009.

The NBA said the award was inaugurated two years ago in recognition of what Fawehinmi stood for.

“We know what Gani stood for all his life. He hated corruption with a passion. He was all for the uplift of the standard of living of the Nigerian poor masses.

“This award is given to men and women of very high integrity in a society where such people are few and far between,” the NBA told journalists in Lagos on Wednesday.

Osinbajo and Aturu will be honoured during the 11th Gani Fawehinmi annual lecture/symposium and second NBA Ikeja Gani Fawehimi Integrity Award slated for Thursday.

The lecture for this year, the NBA said, is with the theme: “Ethnicity, Religion, Illiteracy: Promises and Illusions of Democracy in the struggle to uplift the masses from impoverishment.”

The event will hold at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja and it would be chaired by Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie.