SQUIB INTERVIEW

On Saturday 21^st February 2015, Squib correspondent, Kunle Smith interviewed Adesina Ogunlana Esq., the national co-ordinator for Lawyers4Change on the emergence and activities of the group. Please read on.

SQUIB: MAY WE MEET YOU SIR?

OGUNLANA: My name is Adesina Ogunlana. I am a legal practitioner and was from 2012 – 2014 the 1st Vice Chairman Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja Branch. Presently I am the National Co-ordinator Lawyers4Change

SQUIB: SIR WHAT IS LAWYERS4CHANGE?

OGUNLANA: L4C is an association of legal practitioners who are concerned about the current political situation in our country. We identify participating individuals in the coming elections, whom we consider credible, who can add value to governance and then support them to win and after they have won monitor their activities in office so as to encourage their performance. L4C is specially identifying with Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN who is the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The professor is well known to us as a decent, knowledgeable, industrious system builder and we witnessed his great achievements in the office of Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lagos State between 1999 and 2007 and we believe he can deliver even at a higher level. That is why we are supporting him. He is our specific person of interest and because we are supporting him we are supporting the Buhari presidential ticket of cause we admire General Buhari too but we know Osinbajo better. The Professor is a gem.  However we are not APC members. We are just an interest group. Our group is not an organ of the APC, so while we are political, we are not into party politics.

SQUIB: HOW DID LAWYERS4CHANGE COME INTO EXISTENCE?

OGUNLANA: The group actually started as a reaction to a particular development in the body politic of the country. You know the APC became the major opposition party in Nigeria upon the merger of the Congress for Progressive Change and the Action Congress of Nigeria. When this merger happened, the new born baby proved to be a behemoth. It was very large indeed and it became more formidable because for one reason or the other, big wigs who were disgruntled or dissatisfied with the ruling party the Peoples Democratic Party, started leaving that party for the APC. When the APC later held her primaries in December 2014, General Muhammadu Buhari won the presidential ticket and some days later the news came that a fairly unlikely choice in the person of Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN had been picked as running mate to General Muhammadu Buhari. When we learnt of the selection of Professor Yemi Osinbajo as the vice presidential candidate of the APC we became elated. The first thing I did was to put a call across to Prof who is very well known to me.

I have known him now for upwards 23 years now, I first knew him as a teacher, he taught me Law of evidence in the year 1992 at the Lagos State University (LASU). I was the captain of the class and interacted with him a little more than most other class members because of my position. He struck me then as exceptionally cerebral, highly organized, gentle, accommodating, polished and humble. So humble indeed that he never called me Sina for many years but always 'Mr.Ogunlana' to the extent some of his staff in his Chambers thought I was a friend to him!

So when I put a call across to him and it was to pull his legs, I said something like, “you have to go out now oga and buy more agbadas because you will be needing them now” and he just laughed. Then I teased him further saying “but oga why were you wearing that child looks on the podium when your hands was raised up on the podium as the running mate to General Buhari”? Then he laughed again and said “Sina you know I am not used to that kind of a thing but went on to say something that touched me. He said “Shina I need your help, this is a very big opportunity for those of us who consider ourselves serious minded to work for the betterment of this country and do our best”. That really touched me because I know that he was stepping out of his comfort zone, he was stepping out of his safety zone. As we all know, politics in our country is played roughly, crudely, even violently. I remember that M.K.O. Abiola also stepped out of his comfort zone to play leadership politics in Nigeria but perished along the way. Professor Yemi Osinbajo is a successful and highly respected legal practitioner. He is comfortable, he may not be fabulously rich like the Dangotes, the Otedolas and the Adenugas but he is very far away from poverty.

I later put calls across to two of my friends Dare Akande and Dave Ajetomobi who are my longtime political associates in the Bar and discussed with them on the necessity for us and all those who believe in Professor Osinbajo to rally round him. My friends agreed with me and after three brainstorming sessions, we went to meet Professor Yemi Osinbajo and presented to him a position paper. The professor liked it.

After the meeting we invited three other lawyers to join us at the formative stage. They are Isa Mohammed Buhari, SOK Shillings and Yinka Farounbi. The six of us brainstormed more and together we agreed to have a meeting of the association of our contemplation. We invited 30 people to a meeting. The meeting held on January 2nd, 2015. Out of the 30 people invited, 26 people turned up and the rest is history.

SQUIB: WHAT ACHIEVEMENTS HAS L4C RECORDED SO FAR?

OGUNLANA: That may not be for me to say. I would rather want to comment on our efforts, it is for people to say what we have achieved. Our efforts are targeted at achieving our goal and our goal is to promote the Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential ticket in the public. Our method is to enlighten our people via direct social interactions while we work with the press to ensure maximum publicity of our efforts. That we have been doing. We have done about three press conferences, we have addressed lawyers’ gatherings, and we have been doing what we called Walk4Change at first, which has now become March4Change. On our campaigns we have distributed thousands of leaflets to members of the public in the natural habitat of streets, markets, shops, motor parks, homes, fields, yards, etc and in the process walking several kilometers. Thus we bring the gown to the town so to say, we bring our intellect to the grassroots and our people do give us respect saying “for lawyers to be doing this, to be out on the streets, they must know what they are doing”. We have campaigned in Lagos, Ibadan, Oshogbo, Ilorin, Abeokuta, Abuja and Ikorodu and we are still going to many other places in South West Nigeria. There is no place we have been that we met hostile reception. Generally, our message has been well received by people although there are some reservations on the part of a few.  See; http://www.lawyers4change.blogspot.com 
 

SQUIB: WHAT CHALLENGES HAS LAWYERS4CHANGE AS A GROUP ENCOUNTERD SO FAR?

OGUNLANA: As a group, the first challenge is the challenge of suspicion of our motive. Our critics claim without any proof that L4C was formed for pecuniary gains. They say, “you cannot be so organized and active except that politicians have given you a lot of money”. You know in this country, our successive rulers have corrupted the psyche of our people so badly, they don’t believe again that somebody can do something noble or patriotic without expecting a gain. When we go out canvassing and are distributing our pamphlets, you hear some people say “add money to the paper, after all you have been well paid to do this.”

Another challenge is the claim that we are working for the APC while masquerading as neutrals. They say our nomenclature tallies with the APCS’s slogan of “change” and so therefore we must be APC funded but this is not true. We are not members of the APC. I am the coordinator of L4C but I am not a member of the APC, likewise so many other members of L4C. I see propaganda at work but we are not deterred. Another challenge, and this is funny is the claim that L4C dragging the Nigerian Bar Association into partisan politics. How that is possible am yet to understand. The NBA is the umbrella body for all lawyers at the professional level. L4C is just a group with particular political orientation and beliefs and membership is free for those who share its beliefs. The focus and agenda of the two groups are clearly different. Instead of raising this type of curious allegations against us our friends who do not believe in our political agenda should go ahead and form their own groupings. For example they can set up 'Lawyers4Continuity' or 'Lawyers4Peace&Continuity' or even 'Lawyers4Nothing!'

SQUIB: HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO INTEREST LAWYERS IN JOINING YOUR GROUP GIVEN THE FACT THAT LAWYERS ARE KNOWN ELITES AND SOPHISTICATES AND MAY NOT BE INTERESTED IN ACTIVISIM?

OGUNLANA: What we have done is to provide leadership to our colleagues, to galvanize them to action. You cannot force a lawyer to do anything. Lawyers are perhaps the most difficult people in the world over to force to do anything. We first spoke to them about our ideas and programmes and they were persuaded. Our members have been working ardently with us showing great commitment. They are learning that there is much joy and sense of fulfillment in been interested in lawful efforts to make Nigeria a better place. At any rate it is the interest of legal practitioners as a class of professionals to ensure that democracy does not fail in Nigeria.

SQUIB: HOW ARE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE GROUP BEING FINANCED?

OGUNLANA: It is financed by donations, from people of goodwill. Some of them are not members of Lawyers4Change but they are lawyers. They give their widows mite and we have been carrying on with the little we have because our passion to succeed is so hot.

SQUIB: SIR, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE MEMBERSHIP STRENGTH OF LAWYERS4CHANGE?

OGUNLANA: Let’s say about three hundred lawyers.

SQUIB: SIR, AFTER THE 2015 ELECTION WHAT NEXT FOR LAWYERS4CHANGE?

OGUNLANA: We shall turn into a watchdog, of our elected officials and their activities in government

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONLY A SEASONED BAR MAN CAN LEAD THE IKEJA BAR WELL

On Saturday the Squib held an interview with Yinka Farounbi esq., the 1^st Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja branch. Farounbi is a candidate for the post of chairman in the forthcoming elections of the branch which will take place on the 7^th May 2012.

He spoke about his aspiration and the Ikeja Bar among other things. Please read on.

QUESTION: PLEASE CAN WE KNOW YINKA FAROUNBI BETTER?

ANSWER: My name is Olayinka Oyeniyi Farounbi. I am from Ora-Igbomina Osun State. After my secondary school education, I worked for about five years as a factory operator with Poly Ventures Nig. Ltd. Lagos from where I gained admission to the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to read law. I graduated in 1992 and was called to the Bar in 1993. I did my National Youth Service with Fola Ajijola & Co at 5, Adesina Street, Ikeja, Lagos. I thereafter joined the chambers of Olubunmi Oyewole & Co (now Hon. Justice Olubunmi Oyewole) from 1995 to 1999 before I became the Principal Partner of Messrs. Yinka Oyeniyi Farounbi & Co of 114, Ikorodu Road, Fadeyi, Lagos. I am the legal secretary to Osun North East of the Anglican Diocese. Ever since I was called, I have been in active private legal practice and I have handled cases in all our courts.

I am married to Biodun Farounbi, a caterer of exceptional quality. To the glory of God we have children of both sexes. I am the incumbent 1^st Vice Chairman of NBA Ikeja Branch. Before this, I was the Auditor of the branch between 2000/2002. Again I was the Assistant General Secretary between 2002/2004 and between 2006/2008 I was the Financial Secretary of the branch. I joined and was actively involved in the activities of the branch since 1998; that was about five years after my call to the Bar. Ever since then I have been attending the national NBA meetings and the NEC (National Executive Committee) meetings also.

QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE TERM “BAR MAN” AND HOW FAR APPLICABLE IS IT TO YOU?

ANSWER: Someone that is not just a legal practitioner and merely a financial member of the N.B.A. he is someone who participates in what can be termed the day to day affairs of the organization. He is someone who cannot be regarded as a stranger to the affairs of the organization. As I said earlier, I have been participating fully in the affairs of the NBA Ikeja since 1998 though prior to 1998 I have been attending most of the meetings of the branch but I became very actively involved in 1998. Since 1998 till date the number of meetings of our branch that I did not attend can be counted on the fingers of one hand ditto the conferences and NEC meetings. It is only a “Bar Man” to the core who is dedicated to the affairs of the organization that can go through the things myself and my colleagues go through in the service of the NBA. For the sake of the Bar we have had cause to leave our homes for days on end in the service of the Bar.

QUESTION: IN YOUR VIEW, HOW RELEVANT IS THE BAR TO THE ISSUE OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

ANSWER: The Bar is very relevant indeed to the development of the nation. By our training, lawyers are natural leaders are operators of the political system of democracy that we practice.

You will note that a third of government, that is, the judiciary, is exclusively manned and maintained by members of the Bar, legal practitioners. Even in the executive arm of government, the very important post of Attorney General and Minister of Justice is exclusively reserved for legal practitioners.

In short in a society of laws, the Bar must be very relevant. We are the enlightened ones and we are the wise men of our community. And you will also note that there is very high ethical content in our legal training and if we would not encourage mismanagement, corruption and other vices in our leaders and society, our country will be much better for it.

QUESTION: PLEASE ASSESS THE IKEJA BAR IN THE COMMUNITY OF OTHER BRANCHES?

ANSWER: This question is a little difficult for me to answer not because I do not know what to say but because my answer could be regarded as self serving. However which all due respect, Ikeja is first among equals among the 96 branches of the NBA. Ikeja stands like a colossus. Locally, nationally and internationally, Ikeja is known for its objectivity, activism, courage and welfarism. But for the Ikeja Bar, there would not have been NBA today. In 1992, in the aftermath of the disrupted Port Harcourt conference, the NBA went into limbo and it was the Ikeja Bar that provided the leadership for the restoration of the Bar. It is on record that Ikeja again provided leadership and even the muscle at the 2011 Annual Conference to frustrate the plans of the current national leadership of the NBA to impose unpopular policies like the creation of State Bar on Nigerian lawyers.

Our Bar is one of the biggest branches and we are not big for nothing. We take care of our members during conferences and NEC meetings and we have successfully built an attractive and imposing secretariat, which even now not fully developed is already the envy of others.

Our voice in and outside the legal profession is highly respected and in fact to so many members of the public the only NBA they know and care for is NBA Ikeja Branch.

QUESTION: YOU ARE ASPIRING TO BECOME THE NEXT CHAIRMAN, WHY?

ANSWER: Thank you very much for this question. Candidly NBA Ikeja Branch at this period of time needs a dedicated and experienced “Bar Man” to lead it and I have got the qualification. I have worked successfully with no less than four administrations an during this period I have not only understudied them I have equally cut my teeth as an administrator within these periods. The NBA assignment is not one to be taken up over night otherwise no success will ever be recorded, it is not at five minutes to twelve midnight that you can adjust to the demands of that office if you are not hitherto used to the system as a “Bar Man” it will be impossible to make any meaningful impact in that office, you will just be “A stranger in the Bar.” It has happened before at the national level and we all paid dearly for it. No matter what detractors may say, our Branch, the Ikeja Bar is already a success story.

The reality of this success story is evident to all except those who out of malice, ignorance or mischief choose to close their eyes to it.

Internally and externally, for reasons I have enumerated earlier in this interview, the Ikeja Bar is a force to be reckoned with in the NBA and in the country. I wish to say with due modesty, that I am one of the architects of the success story of the Ikeja Bar. I have the requisite standing, experience and knowledge not only to maintain and sustain the present standards but to excel them.

I am not a newcomer to the affairs of our dear Branch. I am not going to be an experimenter or somebody learning on the job, using “try and miss” tactics. Remember I have been part and parcel of four different administrations in the past ten years and I have understudied all of them, in fact it will be a waste of my years of tutelage if someone like me chooses not to offer myself to the extremely tasking service of Chairman of the Ikeja Bar.

It is now that Ikeja Bar is admired all over the world that some people want to join the train, thinking only of the glamour of the office of Chairman. I have been tested and tried. This is the time to serve the Ikeja Bar at its highest level.

QUESTION: WHAT ARE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING THE ELECTION?

ANSWER: My chances are very bright. Our colleagues know their true leaders, they know those who have been serving them with dedication, industry, integrity an intelligence. They have accepted our candidacy and bought into our programme.

We don’t need to tell them lies or exaggerate on our strengths and capacities. I am very sure of the wide acceptability of the Omole Regime in which in which I now serve as the immediate Deputy and I am sure that the electorate will not ignore or disregard our record of service. By the grace of God on May 7^th 2012, we shall be elected into office as Chairman to continue the good work. Remember, nobody changes a winning team.         

“IKEJA BAR’S TRIP TO GHANA WILL BE WONDERFUL” Amina Imana

On Wednesday the 12th November 2008, the Squib spoke with pretty Barrister Amina Imana an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association Ikeja Branch and the Secretary of the Junior Lawyers Forum of the Ikeja Bar on a few issues including the forthcoming December 2008 Excursion of the Branch to Accra Ghana. Amina is the co-ordinator of the Trip to Ghana. Please read on.

Squib: Our readers will like to meet Barrister Amina Imana.
Imana: My name is Amina Ohiovoluwa Imana. I was called to the Bar in November 2006 after graduating from the Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo Lagos. I am presently an associate in Adekunle Ojo & Co. Legal Practitioners. Before now I was with Olatunji Sofowora & Co. I did a stint with the U.N Information Technology Services (UNITES). After freelancing with UNITES them I joined Adekunle Ojo & Associates.

Squib: Can you tell us a little about the Junior Lawyers Forum (JLF) of the Ikeja Bar since you are the secretary?
Imana: I am the Publicity Secretary of the JLF of the Ikeja Bar. The JLF is a platform for the new-wigs to get to know what it entails to be a lawyer. In short getting to know the ropes of being a very good lawyer. Our chairman is Olawunmi Oluwaseyi. We meet every last Friday of the month to discuss issues, relevant to junior lawyers; issues like how to handle briefs well, how to over come court room fright. It is also a forum for young lawyers to ventilate their grievances in the profession and make known their observations. The JLF also presents the opportunity for young lawyers to embrace continuous legal education

Squib: We understand the NBA Ikeja is planning to take interested member on a one week visit to Ghana in December?
Imana: Yes that is true. In fact I was directed by Mr. Dave Ajetomobi the chairman of the branch to co-ordinate the plans to take our members to Ghana. The branch wants to use this travel programme to bring her members together in a serene and relaxed atmosphere whereby the seniors and juniors can mix freely. We want to create a situation where lawyers will for a little while abandon the normal high pressure life style of their work. To that end the leadership intend to take interested members to a seven day visit to Accra the capital of Ghana. We intend to visit the Ghana Parliament and the Supreme Court. We shall also visit the Elmina Castle, Kakun Park, (a game reserve) and the famous Mokola Market.

Squib: What's the cost implication of the trip?
Imana: It is not expensive. For only N50,000.00 participants will, for 7 days be transported, accommodated and secured in and about Accra, Ghana. You will agree with me that the fee of N50,000.00 is very reasonable. I hope none of our members will missed out of this wonderful opportunity.

“LAW IS A WONDERFUL PROFESSION” - Stephen Oteju

On Friday, the 7th November 2008, the Squib had a short but very interesting interview with Stephen Afolabi Babalola Oteju, Esq. a member of the 1968 graduate set of the Nigerian Law School in his expansive Palmgrove Estate Lagos home. Now about 74 years old, Mr. Oteju a widely traveled and successful businessman was the best over all student at the Law School (Bar Part 1) but practiced law for only a few months after qualifying as a solicitor and barrister of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Mr. Oteju hails from Ikorodu, Lagos State.

SQUIB: In your time how was the legal profession regarded?
OTEJU: The law profession as at that time, just like now was highly regarded. Most people who went into law did so because we realised it is a field where you can be many things at a time. As a lawyer, you can also be a businessman. A lawyer can really be anything he wants. The very nature of law and the training make this so. I read law, I wanted to be lawyer all my life. At the same time, even when I was in London I was doing business. When I came back and qualified I practiced for some months before going back to business. But even as a businessman, I am very much interested in the law profession. The knowledge of law has been very useful to me in my life as a businessman. Two of my children are lawyers. This is a field that I very much admire. To me law is a wonderful profession. I was in London between 1961-1966 for my legal studies, I studied law at the Holborn College of Law. You must have the University degree of that College before coming back to Nigeria to qualify from the Nigerian Law School. We are the first set to do nine months of training at the Law School but usually it was three months. We are the 1967-1968 set.

SQUIB: What is your memory of the Nigerian Law School?
OTEJU: The Law School then was very strict, and we were very careful. Those of us who came from outside Lagos were accommodated in the legislative quarters at Victoria Island. Most of us were using one bedroom flat apartment. Dr. Orojo, was the Director of the Law School then. It was a beautiful arrangement.
The training then, was very good. People like Ogendegbe, Ibironke our lecturers.The lecturers were very dedicated. G.O.K Ajayi was also one of them though he was a part time lecturer. I remember that we were just a little above 100 students in our class but have lost 34 of us over the years.
If you don't pass Bar part one, you can not go to Bar part 2 then. Lawyers have always been looked up to, the society respects lawyers. Some people believe they are clever, intelligent. In our time many parents prefered their children to become either lawyers or doctors.
Dr. Elias the Attorney-General of Federation then, was a pillar of Nigerian Law School, I had the privilege of coming first in our Bar part one examination and I got a prize from Elias.
The Director of the Law School then Dr. Orojo was so pleased with me, after we qualified that he advised me and introduced me to Gani Fawehinmi (three years my senior) to practice with him. Gani and I were to form a partnership but the arrangement did not work out. After about six months of practice, I left to join my family in the U.K. I love law but my inclination has always been business. But I make sure that two of my children became lawyers.

SQUIB: Can you remember some of your Law School mates?
OTEJU: Some of my classmates, for instance are Kolapo Gambari (now Emir of Ilorin). I remember James Ogebe and Umaru Abdulilah (they are the one who organized this great occasion.) Goodie Ibru, James Ademiluyi and his wife (they met at the Law School). Moshood Olugbani, Mustapha the Court of Appeal. Are also my mates at the Law school
Of course when we met in Abuja, November 1, 2008 after 40 years of leaving the Law School, we were all happy to see one another. It was our first re-union. We all have changed. Our hairs are now white, but we related as if we were still students. it was a great occasion. We were so happy meeting ourselves. I really appreciate the organisers of the 40th anniversary celebration for our set, James Ogebe and Umaru Abdullahi. I told our people that we must continue this re-union and make it biennial. We must also do something for the Law School, and for the Nigerian Bar Association. We must improve the practice of law. We must make our mark in that area. Those of us at the bar and on the bench, must not abuse our powers. Law is a wonderful profession. I must not forget to appreciate Goodie Ibru too. He gave us free dinner at the Sheraton Hotel.

BODE MAKINDE ESQ 3RD VICE PRESIDENT CANDIDATE

PERSONALITY PROFILE
BODE MAKINDE

MISSION STATEMENT
* To effectively coordinate with every sense of responsibility and commitment the branches assigned to me as the 3rd Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association.

*To impact positively on these branches for growth, efficiency and development.

* To support the incoming President in all his programmes and efforts to build a greater Bar and a better society.

* In paying periodic visits to branches assigned to me, I shall encourage the branches to support the President thereby ensuring an effective delivery or execution of the programmes of the incoming administration to the overall benefits of members in the branches.

BRIEF PROFILE OF BODE MAKINDE

1. Call to the Bar in November 1990

2. Happily married with two children

3. Social Secretary NBA Yola Branch 1992

4. Publicity Secretary NBA Yola Branch 1994

5. Secretary NBA Yola Branch 2003 to 2005

6. Member Conference Planning Committee NBA Annual General Conference Jos 2005

7. Member Council of Legal Education 2004 to 2006

8. National Financial Secretary NBA 2006 to 2008

9. NBA NEC member 2003 to date

10. Member Nigerian Bar Association Election Working Group

11. Founder Action for Justice and Human Rights, a non governmental organisation (NGO)

12. Has attended nearly all NEC meetings and Bar Conferences of the NBA since 1992 to date.

GC IGBOKWE ESQ GEN SEC CANDIDATE

Who is G.C. Igbokwe?
I am a Benin City based legal practitioner, called to Bar in 1985 and have been in serious active practice since then with a bias for litigation. I am from Anambra State, born on the 17th day of June 1962 and married to Mrs. A.S Igbokwe, a Magistrate, with 5 kids. I got my LL.B Hons. from University of London and did my postgraduate course in University of Ekpoma. I am a Notary Public.

In what ways are your antecedents in the bar relevant to your present aspiration?
My antecedents in the NBA constitute what I call relevant experience. They stand me out in the field of contestants. I started my NBA activities with my branch Benin where I served as the Social Secretary form 1989-1990 and later as Secretary from 1996-1998.
At the national level I was elected the 1st Assistant Secretary in 1990 and served in that position till 1992. In that office I was privileged to serve under two very vibrant and respectable General Secretaries in the persons of Obafemi Adewale Esq. and now Hon. Justice Suji Olateru-Olagbegi. In that same office I also served under three very divergent but principled and committed leaders of the bar as presidents namely Charles Idehen, Sir Clement Akpangbo SAN (of blessed memory) and the indomitable Chief (Mrs) Pricilla Kuye SAN. Again in the year 1998, I was elected as the national publicity secretary. These positions give me an edge over other candidates for this position who cannot boast of equivalent exposure. The Association places very high premium on experience and cannot mortgage it for any other consideration. With this background and history of service, I understand the running of the Secretariat and the ideology of the leaders past and present.

If the office of the General Secretary of the bar is the engine room of the association, what special qualities are you bringing to that office?
If elected, I will bring my entire experience to bear on the affairs of the Secretariat. I am mature, dedicated, committed, resolute, realistic, competent, dependable and accountable. I have been tried, tested and trusted in my past activities and offices. I’ll run the Secretariat with so much candour and objectivity that members will be amazed at the level of inattention they had received in the past.

Can you expatiate here on your key programmes and how you intend to achieve them?
My major programme will be to take the Association back to the members who are its primary constituency and have been alienated from it for a long time. I will give them value for their membership by giving them what I term freedom of information on all NBA activities including publication of a comprehensive list of our representatives in corporate bodies including their branches and rationale for appointment so that they can personally aspire to equally be appointed to represent the Association. I will establish and sustain a newsletter that will publicise all the activities of the NBA. I will create periodic fora for interactions with members through their branches for questions and answers on NBA affairs, policies and activities. I will create an avenue for recognizing, honouring and acknowledging members both old and new who have rendered invaluable and selfless service to this Association. In fact, in all ramifications, my regime will be members oriented without losing sight of the secretariats oversight functions.

In your view, how can legal education be strengthened in Nigeria and how can the practice of law be made more lucrative for legal practitioners?
Legal education can be strengthened in Nigeria with a strict control and monitoring of law faculties of our universities. Admission quota must be respected and strictly adhered to while accreditation must be reviewed periodically with a direct involvement of the NBA and other professional organs like the council of Legal education and the disciplinary committees.
As to making legal practice more lucrative, it is high time legislation come in to restrain the encroachment of other professions into areas of practice of lawyers. Accountants and other professions are seriously encroaching into the areas of practice of lawyers with impunity. This has to be stopped. The Legal Practitioners (Documentary Service) Remuneration Act has to be strictly enforced and then the courts must be prepared to assist whenever a lawyer approaches them for relief. Besides, this, the rule of law, sustained democracy and strong judiciary when firmly in place will increase the confidence of the public in adjudication and need for lawyers. These we must fight for with all our strength and with all arsenal at our disposal. We must be courageous in the struggle for enthronement of constitutionality and respect for rule of law in all aspects of life.

You are contesting the office for the third time; why the insistence?
This is my 3rd attempt at this office and this is my golden opportunity. I have not seen any improvements in the service I wish to offer the Bar as General Secretary. Deacon Dele Adesina SAN became secretary on his 3rd attempt and is arguably the best secretary in recent history. I am encouraged because the loss in the last two attempts was not because of incompetence or rejection but as a result of political alignments and realignments bordering on zoning. Now the coast is clear and there is no impediment for my victory.

As a Benin based lawyer, how do you hope to effectively discharge the heavy burdens of the office of the General Secretary of the NBA?
The Association has grown beyond fixed secretariat or restricted operations. With IT era, the whole world is a global village and Nigeria is certainly one. Since we won, the battle to make the position of General Secretary open, the Association has not been disappointed. And don’t forget that for all service practitioners, the whole federation is their constituency.

Again, I am equipped with enough information technology to operate a network of services. I have a staff strength of Ten lawyers and associates to manage my chambers. Besides, I perfectly understand that I am offering selfless service to the Association that will cause some inconveniences in my legal practice. Again, the immediate past and last General Secretaries come from Port Harcourt and Ilorin respectively. They have done well from branches that are further to Lagos than Benin. Sincerely, expect to do as well if not better than them in the service of the Association.

G.C., can you win this office, this time?
Yes, I can win this office. I am in the race and running to win by the Grace of God and goodwill of all well meaning and objective delegates who believe in history of service, experience and maturity. This is my time and I’ll surely make it.

CAROL AJIE GEN SEC CANDIDATE

In a few days Ms Carol Ajie, the Nigerian Bar Association will be electing a new set of officers to run the affairs of NBA for two years. What policy direction would the new EXCO follow; an EXCO that you expect to be a part of, if elected?

As you know the President of NBA is the head of the administration, the General Secretary is there to take instructions from him and the National Executive Committee looking at Article 13(3) of the NBA Constitution 2001, the Chief Scribe is not the boss or power-house but may influence decisions only as long as it does not conflict with the President because the NBA is not like party politics where those who should serve engage in ego war. ln my twenty one years of Bar activism, the General Secretary only had leadership tussle only during the 2004-2006 regime. Those who have been groomed to serve NBA know the limits of the power of the Chief Scribe and would badly avoid a conflict because it has the tendency to de-stabilize the association. Also a General Secretary who is stuck on alcohol or associated with the use of thugs during campaigns, will not be able to serve and the association will be worse for it, whoever their sponsors are. The President will be the one to issue policy direction, not the General Secretary.

How ready are you for service to NBA? What are your credentials? Are you hoping to draw on sentiments to win because you are a woman or the most popular candidate?

Not a stranger to Bar activism, l got appointed into the National Executive Committee at a very young age of 3 or 4 years post-call by dint of hard work. Sir Clement Akpamgbo SAN of blessed memory was the first who recognized my potentials and then Mrs Priscillia Kuye followed, both brought me into NEC at a young age and greatly encouraged me to serve the only association we have. I am profoundly greatful to them and many others who helped me build-up and improve on my abilities. As the Secretary of Lagos premier branch, the most populous branch in NBA, l was the Editor of the maiden edition of the Bar journal Lagos Branch and a member of the
national editorial board. As secretary of Lagos branch, l gave puntuality prizes to the first twenty lawyers who arrived the venue of the meeting to encourage attendance and participation at meetings, at no cost to the branch. l was also good at fund raising and thereby brought us to the million Naira club range which we have maintained to date. My minutes were clear, my reports well articulated and information flow was free because we need a knowledgeable NBA, not one gropping in the dark over simple and unharmful information.

The Chief Scribe should keep an update of record of members and being in the internet age, being internet savvy, being computer literate that l am are great advantages to working an efficient and effective secretariat. in 1994, l joined the lnternational Bar Association and remained thereon till date. I started being rapporteur to conferences of NBA and African Bar Association when l was under ten years post-call. l bagged the distinguished service award of NBA in June 2004. l belong to several service and professional bodies and have traversed the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific Rim and America attending professional events and conferences. The experience and exposure garnered l will put at the doorstep of my colleagues. l have the time to give to NBA the best it deserves.

As the Executive Secretary of Rules Watch 2004 to date, l did organize successful international workshops and brought resource persons from UK and USA to talk about antitrust law, to compare our new court rules with those propounded by Lord Woolf in
England from where the Lagos High Court Rules was modelled. We shall not rest on our oars until we get our National Assembly to enact a legislation on antitrust, the new economic world order.

I am not running this election on sentiments. Women are human beings with right to aspire to be any position in life, so says Hillary Clinton.They say what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. Let us not fight a gender war; women are our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters; men are our fathers, husbands, brothers and sons. We are in this world for each other, in the legal profession to recognize and complement one another and create semblances of gender balance following global trends where the merit of the situation allows it. Let us advocate for competence irrespective of sex, let us not see competence and de-recognize it because the cloak is a lady's, that will break the heart. We have elected a male President for NBA free of rancour, giving him a capable woman General Secretary becomes a natural choice. ln Nigeria women head sensitive ministries. A woman is EFCC Chair, women have been Presidents of ICAN, CIBN etc and the NBA is not an exception to empowering women. We had a woman General Secretary of NBA in the person of Hon. Hairat Balogun thirty years ago, great woman, great achiever, competent secretary she earns my profound respect any day any time. Many think it is time to try another woman after thirty years, if they found one that is competent and that squarely rests on me, l have been adjudged a competent secretary, even the lawyers who support other candidates concede that l am the best secretariat material this year.

OKEY OWHONDA ESQ - GEN SEC CANDIDATE

On Friday the 27th June 2008, The Squib met with Mr. Okey Owhonda former chairman of the NBA Port-Harcourt branch and a leading candidate for the post of Secretary General of the NBA in the forth coming elections of the association in August. A veteran bar man, Owhonda in this engaging interview spoke about his aspiration to become the next General Secretary of the Nigeria Bar Association and what he hopes to achieve in office if elected.
Can we meet you sir?
My name is Okey Owhonda. I was born in 1963 and I am from Rumuigbo Obiakpor Local Government in Rivers State. I attended Federal Government College Warri. I proceeded to the University of Ife in 1979 and graduated in 1983. I went to the Law School and was called to the bar 1984. I did my Youth Service with the Legal Aid Council in Enugu between 1984-1985, thereafter, I returned to Port-Harcourt and joined the firm of Okocha and Okocha in 1985, and rose to become the deputy managing solicitor there. In 1988 I went back for Masters and graduated in 1989. I opened my own firm, Okey Owhonda and Co. about September 1994. The firm has grown now, to 11 solicitors and paralegals aside myself. I am married to Irene with whom I have 3 children.

You are a member of the NBA, do you also belong to any other professional bodies?
Apart from being a member of the NBA, I also belong to the International Bar Association and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association. I participate well and attend their conferences and their activities. I am also an active member of Jaycees, a leadership training association.

Your religion?
I am a Christian (Anglican communion)

You are aspiring to a post at the National level of the NBA, what are you antecedent at the NBA, asides being a member?
Aside being a member, I have tried to play a role at all levels. First, I have taken interest in the activites of NBA such that when I was called to the bar, from my first year at the bar, I have attended every bar conference, from 1985 to date. In my branch I have been a member of many committees, such as welfare committee, dinner committee and human rights committee, all this between 1985-1996. In 1996 I became the secretary of my branch
I was also a member of the decision and resolution to get the NBA back on track. That motion was moved by Chief Akuro George in Jos for the resuscitation of the NBA. The committee of chairmen and secretaries to the NBA was set up to achieve this purpose. I was a member of that committee and we rounded up our work, by organizing the Unity Conference of 1998, in Abuja, where new excos were elected. I was one of those given awards for contributing well to the growth of the NBA.
I have remained a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) from 1996 and since then have attended all NEC meetings of the NBA as a NEC member except the meeting in Yola in 1998. In 2000, I was appointed the Secretary of the Constitution amendment committee. It is on record, that, that committee has turned out the only successful amendment of the 1998 constitution so far. This feat was achieved under the chairmanship of B.M. Wifa S.A.N at the Calabar conference 2001.
I have never held any office just for the sake of it. In every opportunity I have been given to serve, I have worked for positive change. When I was secretary of Port-Harcourt branch we raised participation of our members in the branch activities to a high level. And when I was the vice chairman of the same branch we started developing the branch's permanent structure and institution like the human right scheme. When I became branch chairman from 2002 to 2004, everyone of the bar then, can attest to the fact that we served excellently well, we did not hold anything back. Am also a member of three very important committees of the NBA-Constitution review committee, National Law centre committee and National Privatisation committee. And I was also the alternate chair of the National Planning conference committee Port-Harcourt 2006
Now it's our intention, if elected, firstly that our secretariat will function efficiently and profusely, in keeping records, keeping minutes, summoning meetings, e.t.c. We will not provide excuses for not doing this, and for the very first time, everybody would see that the NBA can have an efficient secretariat.

How do you want to achieve that, even with the current structure?
To me the NBA, has enough staff and competent desk officers, to do the work.

So, you are saying we have adequate staff?
Owhonda: Yes, some are even lawyers, I think, it is an advantage for us to utilize them, one of the areas they have not addressed adequately is the conference planning desk, both locally and internationally. We should have a permanent conference department desk to organize conferences. We must be able to have plans for the next conference, immediately when one finishes.
I think, with the contribution of NBA to IBA, CLA, our association is not getting enough from them. They should be able to give programmes that would benefit our members. Our profession should be more developed, specialised and focused so that our practice would be more organized and we will earn better incomes. Barrister Chijioke Orji has brought up a programme of welfare for our lawyers in a document called MEMORANDUM FOR THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF LAWYERS, by the grace of God we shall resurrect that paper

Why do you think you can head the NBA's Secretariat?
I have served, in our branch as the secretary, vice chairman and chairman. I have also served as a member secretary and chairman of various national committees. I am a team player by nature, I know how to operate in a team environment, I also know that in NBA, once officers were elected the preliminary thing, they do, is to collate their ideas, I appreciate that the president of the organization is the leader so the leader, also ask the members to contribute their ideas. At that stage, we can use all these ideas, to contribute to the greatness of our bar.
When I became the chairman of our branch, I called our opponents, even though they are not part of the exco, collected their ideas, and adopted them as our own, so far, it would affect our member positively, so in a nutshell, I can operate under anybody, relate with anybody.
I have been a change agent and I know how to drive successful change. To succeed in bringing positive change to the people, the honestly of purpose driving the mission to serve the people and the capacity must also be there on the part of the leader. I humbly believe I have all these qualities. Experience has shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer why evils are sufferable, than to change, the system, they are used to. What that means is this-every group of human beings would rather stay with what they are doing now, if they can bear the inconvenience rather than change. My experience, in life generally, is that for you to effect change successfully, as a leader, you must have the vision and the mission, which is the good intention.

Lets assume, you win, what are we to expect at our NBA NEC meetings?
Owhonda: Everywhere we go on our campaigns, this question always comes up. The larger number of our members are yearning for the old days NEC meetings. We would take the advantage of what is happening now. Frankly speaking the pre-meetings documentation is better that what we used to have in the past, and we would adopt that, to have the documents in place, and make sure all members have their documents before the next NEC meeting but we will also make sure that decisions are made at the larger house, because some members are beginning to think, that only a small class of select people are the ones making decisions for the whole house.
We will also want to use NEC meetings as relaxation time for our members, in effect our Thursdays and Fridays for NEC meetings, will be fully utilized for NEC meetings. Another thing is also that, we are going to have calendars, at least for the next 2 years, and if possible identify the venues, so that members can have enough time to prepare their diaries.

If you become the next General Secretary what direction will you influence Exco to go with respect to national issues?
I believe that the NBA has a critical role to play in ensuring that constitutional democracy succeeds in Nigeria. And so the NBA must act as a watch dog. We (NBA) must speak out so clearly on the side of legality, justice and due process that the average man on the street, will see any lawyer and imagine he had seen another Gani Fawehinmi. It is the failure of the NBA, that has led to the presence of all those unscrupulous people, claiming they are fighting for human rights, whereas they are fighting for their pockets. So in a nutshell if we are elected into office I will serve the NBA to regain her voice.

If you become the General Secretary of the NBA and you are now given government appointment, will you take it?
People who know me, know me for my passion for the bar. They also know that as matter of policy, I have set out the first 25 years of my career for the bar, which has brought me to the position I am so far. I would have been lured into partisan politics before now but I chose to stay in my profession. I was one of those who in 1997/1998 included that clause in our constitution, that nobody who holding any national office in the NBA, should go for any political position. So I can not go against that clause. I think it is immoral. I am also against partisan politicians holding offices in the NBA. In my branch, you can't be a card carrying member of a political party and hold any of our offices at the same time. We have a case Chinwo vs Owhonda & 2 ors pt 1064 of NWLR still pending in the Supreme court on this issue.
We won in the High Court, even at the Appeal court over this point and under my chairmanship, the rule was included in our bye-laws.

How do you rate your chances of getting elected, if cleared to run?
Our chances are quite high. First our colleagues have quite appreciated our past records of service. Secondly, those who have served with me can attest, to my passion for the bar and my commitment. More importantly, we didn't just join the race. Before we did so we consulted widely, and we are still reaching out to every branch for support, without undermining any quarters and we have been getting good response. With all this we are believing God to win this election.

I was told that under the presidency of Agbakoba, that the Secretariat has become 'ethnicised', that is people of his ethnic group have taken over the secretariat say, what should we be looking for under you?
When I became the chairman of my branch a question was put to me that, supposing a judge of my ethnic background is involved in corruption, as the NBA chief, can I support his removal? Then I answered that, I know that corruption has no brother, a corrupt judge is a disgrace to the bar. One corrupt judge at least puts 200 lawyers out of work. If we win and enter office, we will not remove anybody, doing well at his or her work but if we notice that any staff is working below acceptable standards we will disengage such. So our main concern is merit and competence of our staff and not their ethnic backgrounds.

ADEKUNLE AJASA ESQ

Who is Prince Adekunle Ajasa?
Prince Adekunle Ajasa was born in Ikorodu in Lagos State of Nigeria on the 13th December 1960. I attended Salvation Army Primary School in Ikorodu and obtained First School Leaving Certificate in 1971. I attended Lagos City College, Yaba for my Secondary School and Passed my WASC in 1977.
I graduated from the Lagos State University, Ojo in 1998. I attended Nigerian Law School, Bwari Abuja, and was called to Bar on 31st July, 1999. I am a Registered Associate of Nigerian Institute of Management (ANIM) with Chartered Number 29567 and became chartered in 1993. I worked in various banks, up to management level and voluntarily retired in 1995 from Nigerian Merchant Bank Plc, Cowries House at Adeyemo Alakija, Victoria Island, Lagos. I am an active and registered member of ICAN with registration No. 14362 and passed the Professional Examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria (ICAN) in May 1991with Candidate No 911/10644/PZ/Z. During the period of working in banks, I passed all the levels of professional Banking Examinations such as Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (ACIB) professional Examinations part 1 and 2 (Final) and became Chartered Banker on the 29th July 1994 with Chartered Number of ANA 404.
I am an active Member of Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association from 1999 to 2008 and have attended all Conferences from year 2000 to 2008 and all NEC meetings from 2000 till date. I have been in active Legal Practice since I was called to Bar and did pupilage in the Chambers of Mr. Abiodun Dabiri who was the former Chairman of Lagos (Premier) Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association. I have been participating in Bar Activities in Ikeja Branch of NBA since 1999. I have been actively involved in the running of the affairs of the NBA Ikeja Branch since year 2002 till date. I have served as an Officer of the Ikeja Branch from 2002 to 2004 as an Ex-Officio. I have served as “Social Secretary” of Ikeja from year 2004 to 2006. I have served as “Welfare Secretary” of Ikeja Branch from year 2006 to 2008. I have also served in various Committees at Ikeja Branch of our great association from year 2000 to 2008 such as “welfare, Human Rights, New Legal year and Court Monitoring” etc. I equally served in various Committees at National Level of our great Association in the past. I am a practicing Catholic and I attend Saint Ferdinand’s Catholic Church Boys Town, Ipaja, Lagos. I am the General Secretary of Catholic Men Organization of St. Ferdinand’s Catholic Church Boys Town, Ipaja, Lagos. I am the Agege Deanery General Secretary of Catholic Men Organisation. I am the Assistant Public Relation Officer of Catholic Men Organisation of Archdiocese of Lagos, which is the highest decision body of Catholic Men in Lagos. I am happily married and we have three Lovely Children: Two (2) Boys and One (1) Girl.
My philosophy in life is determination to succeed through hardwork and self discipline as a man. I also believe strongly in the words of God, and have fear of God in all things I lay my hands upon. I strongly believe in Rule of Law, equity and justice and hate cheating, Injustice to fellow mankind.

What qualities and antecedents do you have to warrant you become the Assistant Financial Secretary of the NBA?
I have a good pedigree in occupying the post of Assistant Financial Secretary due to the followings reasons:
I am a professional man to the core who specialized in the field of accounting, banking, finance and law. As a chartered banker of high repute who had worked in various banks, and risen to the position of Management Staff in the Nigeria Banking Industry. I have the capacity to discharge my duties better than my opponents who do not have such professional qualifications as I possess. As a tested accountant, in which I did the examination from foundation level to professional level, I passed my ICAN Examinations right from foundation level to professional level in the field of accounting.
Therefore, I am well qualified to occupy the post of Assistant Financial Secretary of our great Association; even qualify to occupy the post of Financial Secretary based on my qualifications.
I am a tested leader and have track records of tremendous achievements which can be seen through records at Ikeja Branch during the six years I served the branch as an officer.

Do you agree with the suggestion that the post of Assistant Financial Secretary is one of the innocuous posts in the NBA Executive Committee that should be done away with?
I do not agree with the suggestion that the post of Assistant Financial Secretary is an innocuous one that can be done away with, anyway. Section 13(8) spells out the duties of Financial Secretary including collecting practising fees of all Lawyers throughout the country and to ensure that all lawyers pay their practicing fees. When I win the election, I will ensure that;
1. All Lawyers, practising or not, pay their practicing fees.
2. I will introduce data banking, where all practising fees collected from all the 88 Branches can be verified and 10% Rebate are remitted to Branches and can be verified by members.
3. I will assist the Financial Secretary to ensure accountability, probity will be our watchword while Honesty, trustworthiness will be my hallmarks during our administration.
4. My programs for the post of Assistant Financial Secretary will be in line with Section 13(8),(9) of our constitution, as follows:
i To ensure all lawyers pay their practising fees as at when due.
ii To ensure that all branches enjoy the approved 10% Rebate which I will personally deliver the cheques to all branch chairmen throughout the country.
iii I will assist branches in setting up good financial records, where there are none and to ensure that all non-trading accounts are opened. E.g (1) Receipt and payment Account, (2) Income and Expenditure Account, (3) Balance Sheet, (4) Ensuring that all Branch Assets are valued and reflected in their branch accounts.
iv I will ensure all NBA assets throughout the country are valued by professional bodies and the current market rate are used as this will be reflect in our financial records.
v I will work very well to ensure that quarterly financial Report of all our financial transactions are presented to the NEC through the national President of NBA.
vi I will carry out other duties assigned to me to perform by the President and NEC
vii I will attend all meetings called by the executives, NEC and all conferences.
viii I will be a good team player and work closely with the Financial Secretary to ensure we succeed during our tenure.

How can legal education be strengthened in Nigeria and the practice of law made more lucrative?
Legal Education can be strengthened in Nigeria through continuous legal education programmes, by mandating all Branches to carry out Seminars, Lectures and at very moderate fees for all lawyers to benefit.

What are your chances of success in this elections?
My chances of success are very high, because of my past track records of great achievements in education, and practical performance from my branch, relationship with colleagues, which I stand out better than my two opponents; this was confirmed at Onitsha when three of us addressed the NEC members; and as a core professional, my chances are very high to win the Election as Assistant Secretary of our great Association.
Thanks.

BARTH OKOYE ANICHE ESQ

WHO IS BARTH OKOYE-ANICHE ESQ?
Barth Okoye Aniche Esq. is a legal practitioner of No. 89 Jubilee Road, Aba, Abia State. He attended University of Nigeria and was called to the Nigerian Bar in December 1991. Has served the Nigerian Bar Association as Publicity Secretary 2004-2006 and is still serving as Welfare Secretary 2006 – August, 2008.

You are not a new face in the Executive Committee, infact you have held so far three different offices and you are now gunning for the fourth (3rd Vice President) why is this so?
The truth of the matter is that I have held two different offices in the National Executive Committee and not three as suggested. I am gunning for the 3rd Vice president because I want to position myself well in a manner to affect decisions at the National Exco. Moreover because I have been there by popular mandate since 2004, leaving at this stage will mean taking away all the experiences I have gained. If I take it away just like that, it will make no meaning because our great association which has given me the exposure will not benefit. So the whole idea is to give it all back to Nigerian bar Association. It will be too illegitimate to quit at this stage.

About four of you are in the race to become the 3rd Vice President of the NBA; why do you want the voters to choose you over others?
Yes originally, we were Four gunning for this office viz (1) Barth Okoye Aniche Esq. (2) Bode Makinde Esq (3) Sir Idike of NBA Agbor Branch (4) Grandville 1. Abibo Esq. but at Onitsha NEC, Grandville 1 Abibo Esq. withdrew from the race leaving off the three of us. I want the voters to choose me over the rest because of my antecedents as a National Officer. As the Publicity Secretary NBA, I tried my best to give a good image to the NBA and discharged very well other functions delegated or relegated to my office. Somehow I want to believe that it was because of that performance that I was elected unopposed in 2006 unanimously by the members of our great Association. I have gannered the experience to move NBA forward. No other contestant with me is as experienced as my self.
Meanwhile I have been regular and has used my positions selflessly, touching the lives and associating with the members very well. All these and more I believe will make the voters choose me over the rest. I am not posing if I say that I am a candidate to be reckoned with in this election.

In the last two years what in your opinion is the greatest achievement of the Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) administration and what should be the most important achievement of the incoming Rotimi Akeredolu SAN administration?
I think the greatest achievements of Olisa Agbakoba’s administration are:
i. Rebranding the NBA (giving the name NBA a meaning). The most crucial of this rebranding formular is the repositioning of the NBA and making it more formidable within and without the country.

ii. The mandatory continuing legal education which I suggest should be dissolved and targeted to benefit the members depending on the nature and features of law practice applicable to the area.

iii. The NBA Human Rights Institute. I think the time has come for Human Rights to be taken seriously in this country.

The incoming Oluwarotimi Akeredola SAN administration should focus on;
(1) Strengthening and maintaining the tempo of the new NBA

(2) Do more work on the mandatory continuing legal education by giving it a heart by this I mean that the MCLE should target to train lawyers more on their necessary area of practice. Query,: would teaching a lawyer in Aba or Abuja Marine law and Practice make any difference?

(3) Furthermore the NBA Human Rights Institute should be further strengthened and positioned to meet with the challenges within its terms of reference.

What do you think can be done to Strengthen legal education in Nigeria and how can the practice of law be made more lucrative in the Country?
It is my view and I think a lot of lawyers share the same view that legal education in Nigeria can be strengthened if the teaching methodology is changed and improved.

Moreover the teachers can still be improved to maintain high standards. If the teachers are improved by training and their teaching methodology improved, I have no doubt that it will go a long way to strengthen legal education. A fortiori the measure we give will be the measure we will receive and or input will be equal to the out put.

Practice of law will be made more lucrative in the country if we fashion our laws and or practice to suit our circumstance(s). For example what is this De novo proceedings during in our practice system?

Secondly, Court orders must be obeyed by all even the mighty. When Court order(s) are not obeyed or obeyed tactically it leads to an organized disenchantment with the whole judicial process and this will make the practice of law less lucrative.

Thirdly, we have to revisit our Evidence Act to see how we can take care of the recent technological improvement in the way documents are made and or gotten. This is very important since it will change the course of legal practice and make it more lucrative.

Fourth, I want to think that a lot of lawyers don’t give their best because of lack of tutelage/know how. I suggest that tutelage of not less five years be re-established. You can see that lawyers worth their onions are fast getting old without imparting their stuff. You see young lawyers opening offices here and there without the stuff/know how. How can they make it except by chance or luck.

Finally, law firm partnership has to be encouraged and developed this will equally make legal practice more lucrative.

Your opponents in this race look so formidable do you really think you can win this race?
In the first place, I believe power and other things, come from God, who created the heavens and earth. Accordingly if it is His wish I will surely win. Moreover, I make bold to say that though my opponents look formidable, Barth Okoye Aniche is more formidable and because of my antecedents and experience I hope to win this race. You know one thing about our members, as you are serving them or relating with them, they are watching you. I have served and still serving the members know me and will vote for me because I want to believe that members will only vote for the person they know and or for the person introduced to them by those who know. I will win this race by the grace of God. You will see.
Thank you.

NKECHI OGBONNA NWANNUNU ESQ

WHO IS IKECHI OGBONNA NWANNUNU?

I was born on 5th July 1967 at Umuacha Village, Isiala Ngwa South LGA of Abia State of Ngwa (Igbo) parents.
I attended Umuacha/Amuzu Central School, Umuacha, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Abia State and obtained my First School Leaving Certificate at Credit level.

I then proceeded to the Grammar School, Nbawsi, Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Abia State and obtained the West African School Certificate in 1983. Because that result was delayed, I enrolled at St. Ephraim’s Secondary School, Owerrinta, Isiala Ngwa South LGA, Abia State and obtained another West African School Certificate in 1984. I then proceeded to Ngwa High School, Abayi, Aba, Abia State where I obtained the West African Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1986.
I then gained admission into the University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State and obtained an LL.B. (Hons) degree in 1991 which qualified me to be admitted to the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos. I was called to the Nigerian Bar on December 16, 1992 and was duly enrolled at the Supreme Court the next day. I did my National Service (NYSC) at Guyuk LGA and U.J. Yohanna & Associates, Mubi Road, Yola, Adamawa State and passed out in October 1993.
I then joined the law firm of Chief C.O.C. Izima & Co., Aba in 1993 and later established Ogbonna Nwannunu & Co., Aba in 1998. I am now a principal Partner in the law firm of Agomuo, Nwannunu, Nwannunu & Co., 15, Asa Road, Aba, Abia State. Between 1999 and 2003, I was legislative aide at the senate of the National Assembly, Abuja.
I am a Christian, a Knight of St Christopher in the Anglican Communion and the pioneer Registrar of the Anglican Diocese of Isiala Ngwa South. I am currently the Charter President of Aba Metropolitan Lions Club, the Assistant State Scout Commissioner for Abia State and the President General of The Elite Movement, a pan-Ngwa socio-cultural organization in Aba.

WHAT ARE YOUR ANTECEDENTS IN THE NBA?
I joined the NBA, Aba branch immediately I started law practice in Aba in 1993. I was later appointed to several committees over the years including Law Week and Dinner Planning Committees, Human Rights committee, Disciplinary Appeal Rules Committee and Judiciary Monitoring Committee to mention but a few.
Upon the establishment of Isiala Ngwa Branch, I joined the young branch and became a pillar in its development. I served in the Byelaw Drafting Committee and later as the secretary of the Branch Transition Committee. I later became Branch Secretary and later Branch Chairman a position I relinquished after the most memorable and democratic election in the history of the branch. I am currently the Branch NEC Representative. During my tenure as chairman, the population of the branch grew to what it is today and our Temporary Bar Centre was established at Nbawsi. My administrative and communication skills and innovations brought the branch to limelight at both state and national levels.

DO YOU AGREE THAT THE POST OF PUBLICITY SECRETARY IS LARGELY DECORATIVE IN NBA?
A million times NO! I do not agree! The NBA Constitution is clear on the position of the NBA Publicity Secretary. He is to, inter alia, ensure adequate and prompt publicity of NBA activities, present a good and progressive image of NBA to the public and issue statements and releases on sundry matters of general public and professional interest.
To my mind, the issue of interpretation may have been the bane of the NBA Publicity Portfolio over the years. The Publicity Portfolio means much more than passing microphones at NEC meetings! Rather than being ornamental, I see the position as very daunting and challenging if the occupier must perform well and in accordance with the constitutional provisions. How does the Publicity Secretary present a good and progressive image of NBA if he does not actively manage the information machinery of the organization? Any material going out to the public from NBA is a serious concern for the Publicity Secretary. It is his job also to manage reactions to such information from the public. Same goes for internal information.
I see the position of the Publicity Secretary as a multi-facetted one in that he manages both internal and external information of NBA as he must publicize the activities of NBA to both members and the public. My vision is to interpret the functions as tailored towards the best good for the members as well as the best-synthesized information about the Bar to the public. For instance, our plan of using the NBA website as our primary organ of publicity and information management and dissemination may sound revolutionary but it is actually easy, practicable and cheaply achievable. If we post all the raw judgments and decisions of our superior courts on our website, imagine what that will achieve. Regular law reports still remain relevant and essential as they ease and fasten legal research and their editorial inputs are invaluable. If we make our database of Nigerian lawyers NBA Branches-driven and have only the duly registered and licensed lawyers posted on the website, imagine what that would achieve for both the NBA and the global public.
Following events and matters as they unfold and issuing constructive and well-considered statements and releases on them cannot be seen as a mean vocation. Do you know that ideally speaking, the Publicity Secretary must be part of anything the President of NBA has to release to the public at any point in time? The President, as a major spokesperson of NBA, issues the policy thrusts and statements (the hard news) while the Publicity Secretary as the spokesperson and image maker distils these into analytic details and analysis (the news analysis). The Publicity Secretary will make the difference between the news and the features of any NBA activity, issue or matter.
So, the position could never correctly be described as decorative.

CAN YOU EXPATIATE HERE ON YOUR KEY PROGRAMMES FOR THE NBA?
Our main programme is to bring the NBA Publicity Portfolio to the correct digital pedestal that today’s practice at the bar demands and requires. The out-going administration did well to re-brand the NBA and elevate her practices to a level that a measure of global best practices seem to be employed. The Secretariat has been overhauled but the publicity office seems to be in the woods as to how best to cope and keep up with the changes. The President has been functioning as both President and Information/Foreign Minister. We intend to change this and effectively manage the information and publicity table to support a modern re-branded NBA and give the President the support he needs in thinking out cogent solutions to the myriad problems of the Nigerian lawyer and society by promoting the rule of law in its entire ramification. Thank God that the man returned already as the Assistant Publicity Secretary is a tested and proven hand in journalism and journalistic management.
We intend to redesign and/or update the NBA website to reflect today’s realities on the global web as it relates to professional organizations such as ours in line with our mission statement. I must note that there is some recent improvement in this area but a lot still needs to be done. Along this line, we intend to galvanize the expansion of the Computerize Nigeria Project in the legal sector to ensure that every serious legal practitioner can acquire an internet-enabled computer terminal for his use with the consent and authority of our ebullient president who is very ardent about these developments.
We also intend to make the judgment depository already established by the outgoing administration relevant to lawyers by posting the judgments on a section of the NBA website designed for it. This will ensure promptness in the information of lawyers concerning new trends and directions as enunciated by our superior courts of record. I believe this would serve practitioners well and increase their appetite for law reports where such judgments may be dissected with very piquant editorial embellishments and innovations that will sharpen our skills and widen our horizon. Since the judgments of courts are public documents, the service we need perform here is to bring them to your law office without suffering you a trip to the relevant registry.
We also intend to update the database of Nigerian Lawyers making it more relevant to today by making it NBA Branches-driven. What this means is that only those who are duly registered in NBA branches as cleared by such branches will make it to the database of Nigerian lawyers every year. This definitely will assist the branches grow and monitor their membership in a closer fashion while eliminating the situation where you have the name of more dead lawyers than living lawyers on the database. With the take-off of the Practice License regime, this should be dynamic and routine..
There are so many things to be done and we hope to accomplish as much as possible especially given the progressive disposition of the incoming president.

IN YOUR VIEW HOW CAN LEGAL EDUCATION BE STRENGTHENED AND LAW PRACTICE MADE MORE LUCRATIVE?
I believe legal education can be strengthened if it is made more prosaic and forensic in nature. By this, I mean that the study of the law should be made less classical or poetic if you like, and made more simplified with the everyday language of a modern Nigerian. To this end, a degree should be made the minimum qualification for the entry point to study the course. The curriculum and course content should be more practical and reality-oriented rather than outright academic in nature. I believe that this way, the budding lawyer realizes early in his study how deep and serious the course is and ideally throws himself into it.
With better education and the mandatory continuing legal education for lawyers already in place, practitioners are bound to gravitate towards specialization and build more and better capacity thus making practice more manageable and lucrative. With a stronger regulation of members by NBA branches, sharp and fraudulent practices are bound to be minimized and quackery checked. A closer implementation and monitoring of practice in such areas as estate agency and land instrument preparation and registration may also ensure and enhance lawyers’ earnings. Most importantly, a sincere adherence to the rule of law by all concerned will no doubt restore public confidence in the legal process and conflict resolution procedures that will enhance lawyers’ earnings considerably.

CONSIDERING THE FORMIDABILITY OF YOUR OPPONENTS, CAN YOU WIN THIS RACE?
Yes, I have all it takes to win the race. I believe that my opponents are eminently formidable in their own rights, but as Shakespeare would say, good reasons will always give way to better. I am the only candidate that has taken time to study the requirements and challenges of the NBA Publicity Portfolio and articulated programmes that will enhance the running of the NBA in today’s world with a robust information and publicity apparatus. I have been involved in information management both at the University and outside of it including at the Senate of the National Assembly of Nigeria. Information management is important and we must not subject Akeredolu, SAN to what Agbakoba, SAN went through as both president and publicity secretary in one bundle. We must grow and for that growth to be meaningful and even phenomenal, the publicity portfolio must be knowledgeable and robust. I am the candidate with that poise and promise and lawyers, being discerning learned individuals, I have no doubt in my mind that they will go for the best quality at the polls. There lies my assurance.
Thank you for this opportunity.