G.O.K WAS MORE THAN A HUSBAND TO ME: CHIEF MRS. M.O. AJAYI

VOL.14. NO.9, 07-04-14

JUDGEMENT (DELIVERED BY JOSEPH SHAGABOR IKYEGH, JCA)

VOL.14.NO.8   17-03-14

The interlocutory appeal is from a ruling delivered by the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos (the court below) by which it granted an order of temporary injunction restraining the appellants from collecting the increased Bar practicing fees (practicing fees) from practicing members of the legal profession of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), pending the determination of the substantive suit filed at the court below by the respondents against the appellants challenging the legality of the increased practicing fees.

SHAME: ANOTHER CORRUPT LAGOS MAGISTRATE BITES THE DUST

VOL.14.NO.7  10-02-14

In a move that stunned many observers, the Lagos State Judiciary chopped off twenty-two members of its magistracy on account of corruption and allied misconduct in 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

EGBE AMOFIN AND THE WIND OF “DEMOCRATIC REVOLUTION” 2: TIGER BAR HOLDS 10TH FAWEHINMIISM LECTURE

VOL.14. NO.6 20-01-14

18^th of January 2014 has come and gone but watchers of the Western Nigerian Lawyers’ Forum, called ‘Egbe Amofin’ know that it was no ordinary day

 

 

 

 

 

 

DELE ADESINA SAN: THE POLITICS OF ADOPTION AND REBIRTH OF EGBE AMOFIN (SOUTH WEST BAR FORUM)

VOL.14 NO.5 23-03-13

They were lawyers, Nigerian lawyers called to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, not yesterday or last week or last year, but many years, even decades ago, but a moment came when they threw gravitas, sobriety aside and exhibited their excitement vigorously, openly and spontaneously.

MORE HONOURS FOR DELE ADESINA SAN

VOL. 14. NO.4   02-12-13

FUNKE ADEKOYA SAN: BUILDING A BETTER AND STRONGER NBA

VOL. 14. NO. 3  11-11-13

One bright November morning this very year 2013, in a quiet corner of Abeokuta, a group of legal practitioners, eventually totaling seventy-three, gathered to a sumptuous intellectual feast,

SIR, WHY DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN A ROB PAUL AND PAY PETER PROGRAMME?

VOL. 14. NO. 2   28-1-14

 

LAGOS STATE JUDICIARY MARKS 2013/2014 NEW LEGAL YEAR

VOL.14 NO. 1  07-10-13

Your Lordship,

          Good morning sir. I believe that you still enjoy excellent health, courtesy of his Grace. We remain grateful to God for your life.

          I feel constrained to write this letter to you, not only because you are a former (not retired) justice of our nation’s apex court, or because you are now an old man, a gallant elder at those that may be properly regarded as fathers in the law.

          I have been at a few for a where you spoke on the state of affairs of our nation, particularly vis a vis the legal profession.

          On these different occasions, the distinct impressions I took away from your contributions were that you are one jurist who is an incurable champion of justice delivery, justice promotion, ethnical and responsible conduct on the part of judges and lawyers alike.

          Thus I was absolutely shocked even bewildered to see you on the ripened morning of Thursday 24^th October 2013 at the Foyer, of the Lagos High Court Igboseere, playing the role of Chairmanship at the launch of a book dedicated in honour of Hon. Justice Ayotunde Phillips, the Chief Judge of Lagos State.

          I really thought a jurist of such a high should not be caught at such a function!

          Are you surprised sir at my contention? You may wonder at my taking you to task over your presence a boo launch in honour of a judge?

          My grouse sir, is not with the Book that was launched, the bodies who launched same and the worthy in whom honour of whom it was dedicated.

My grouse is the timing of the launch – 11.00am on a working day! Sir what do you think the goddess of justice thought of such an event holding in the heart of her hours?

          As you would agree with me sir, aside the honouree of the day, to wit Hon. Justice Ayo Phillips herself, there were no less than forty serving Lagos State High Court judges and several magistrates in attendance.

          Clearly the programme which essentially was a private affair of the publishers of the book (ENTITLED “A REFORMATORY APPROACH TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN NIGERIA) disrupted the administration of Justice in Lagos State on Thursday 24 October.

          Out of the fifty high court judges in Lagos, less than fifteen sat on that day. And of thus number, not up to four sat for more than an hour or two.

          And, all for what?-The affected judges and magistrates shut their various temples of justice to spectate on a fund Raising Ceremony.

          And where is the money raised at the Book launch going to? Coffers of the Lagos Judiciary or the Lagos State Government? Of course the answer is ‘no’

          The proceeds go to the account of the publishers of the book. Now because of the book launch hundreds of litigants and their respective counsel could not have their day in court. Some came even outside jurisdiction. Some came with great difficulty and cost but almost all would have came with reasonable expectation of adjudication on their matters.

          Alas most went home disappointed-the judges were not there for them. And only for the reason that the judges had left their courts for a social event!

          I really feel that your Lordship as an elder of a commanding height ought to have counseled against holding the Book Launch on a work day and if it Must be a work day then certainly not before 3.00pm, thus, so that our judges and magistrates would have done first things, first.

In my candid opinion that Book Launch of Thursday 24^th October 2013 that started about 11.00am and ended at about 2.00pm was insensitive, abuse of office, abuse of privilege and smacks quite strongly of what Yoruba people call “Iwa a wa lawance, ta ni o mu wa? (we are in power and who dare challenge us?) and overall unjust.

          One may like to ask what example was the Chief Judge setting by allowing a book in her honour to be launched during at the peak time of office hours in a work day.

          Would the Chief Judge have approved such a programme of any other judge, magistrate or any judiciary staff?

Thank you sir for your kind and patient perusal of my feeble writing.

I only hope it makes more sense than nonsense to your Lordship

 

Very faithfully yours

Adesina Ogunlana Esq.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I AM NOT A LOOTER” AKANDE C.J TELLS LAGOS GOVERNOR OVER ALLEGATIONS OF VANDALISATION OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY

VOL 13 NO 17  15-07-13

It was fairly common knowledge in the Lagos State judiciary between year 2009 and 2012 when Hon. Justice Inumidun Akande was the Chief Judge that the relationship between her and her immediate subordinate then, Hon. Justice Ayotunde Phillips was a far cry from amity.

Informed watchers of the Lagos Judiciary knew that the (needless) competition that arose between the two jurists in the (needless) race to succeed Adetula Alabi J. as Chief Judge contributed hugely to the discord.

And so it was that when Akande J. eventually became the Chief Judge, the two jurists just had to manage themselves, forever mutually suspicious of themselves.

Unfortunately, as the Squib can authoritatively reveal, even with the exit of Akande C.J from the system upon her retirement from office in June  2012 the unfriendly and unhealthy relationship between the duo has not abated.

The latest source of the “war of attrition” and discord between the two Chief Judges is located at No 4 Thompson Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, the official quarters of Lagos State Chief Judge. Extra-judicial and multi-faceted geckos briefed the Squib’s Gecko Intelligence Agency (S.G.I.A) that the said No 4 Thompson Street, which was renovated under the supervision and control of the Ministries of Justice and Works sometimes in 2011 at the cost of one hundred and thirty nine million naira, in the regime of Akande C.J has once again undergone another renovation in 2013 in the regime of Phillips C.J at the alleged cost of three hundred and sixty nine million naira.

According to our impeccable sources, Ayo Phillips J the new Chief Judge of the State ordered the latest renovation upon findings showed that No 4 Thompson Street, Ikoyi, Lagos as used and left by her predecessor in office was in a sorry state of disrepair, looted, vandalised and grossly unbefitting to be the official quarters of the Chief Judge of Lagos State.

The Squib gathered that when Inumidun Akande C.J who retired in June 2012, vacated the residence in February 2013 heard claims from certain quarters that she left the official quarters in poor and sordid condition, she  forwarded a petition to Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, restating her innocence and calling for a probe. According to sources in the Governor’s office and the ministry of Justice the Governor was surprised and embarrassed to receive the former Chief Judge’s letter.

Akande in her letter asserted that she never looted or vandalized No 4, Thompson Street  in any form or take away any government property.  She said she surrendered the keys to the Quarters on the same 27^th February 2013 when she moved out, to the incumbent Chief Judge through the office of the then Chief Registrar of the Lagos State High Court, Mr, now Honourable Justice Gani Safari.

She further asserted that she requested for an inventory of the house to be taken by the new administration with her representatives present but that no such exercise has ever been carried out. She further stated in her petition that her own investigation showed that it was the Chief Security Officer of the incumbent Chief Judge and some other persons who actually stormed the house to effect the removal of government property in the house by the truck-load to unknown destinations, after she had vacated the house.

The petition of the former Chief Judge was said to be backed up with several pictures of the condition of the house, especially furniture, electronic gadgets, carpets, blinds in various parts of the house as at the time of her exit, painting a credible picture of leaving No 4, Thompson Avenue in a very tenantable state.

The Squib further gathered that even before the aggrieved ex-Chief Judge dropped her petition with the Governor, the Governor had caused an investigation of the situation at 4 Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi Lagos.  Sometimes in late April 2013 or early May 2013, the Governor invited Akande, ex-Chief Judge and Phillips C.J to his official residence to a meeting. Neither of the jurists knew the other was coming.

Other people at the meeting, we gathered were Mr. Ogunlewe, the Head of Service, Mrs. Oguntuase, the Chairman of the Lagos State Tenders Board and Mr. Ade Ipaye, the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Lagos State.

The Governor at the meeting, expressed his great displeasure and embarrassment at having to call a meeting to look into a matter involving two very senior judges of the state and upon allegations bordering on misconduct and criminality.

He called for a report from officers of state who had gone to inspect 4, Thompson Avenue. The report stated that the place was at the time of visitation and investigation, in shambles. After hearing the committee out and asking a few questions, the governor ‘ruled’ that the report was untenable in view of the claims and assertions of Inumidun Akande Chief Judge in her petition.

The Governor was particularly surprised to learn that despite the alleged massive looting and vandalisation of the residence, the new Chief Judge had not only renovated same but had moved in already within two months and was demanding for the sum of three hundred and sixty nine million naira for the said renovation when it as only in 2011 that the very house was renovated at the cost of one hundred and thirty nine million naira.

Government sources told the Squib that due process in awarding and executing government contracts for developing and renovation of government properties, is a long and rigorous one, designed to eliminate or reduce arbitrary decisions, mismanagement and misappropriation of government funds. The due process in renovation of such government property must involve the Ministry of Works, the State Tenders Board as well as the office of the Governor. Even the Governor himself must pass through the State Tenders Board once a contract (to be executed) or a project cost more than ten million naira.

At the end of the meeting which saw the two antagonists sitting far apart, Akande spoke asserting and reiterating her innocence while her successor, the normally ebullient Phillips C.J, declined any comments.

The Governor there and then set up a new Investigating Panel into the matter to be headed by the Commissioner of Works, Doctor Hamzat. This new panel ordered by the Governor to submit its reports within two weeks however is yet to do so.

The S.G.I.A has however learnt that the Hamzat committee had made some significant discoveries is in the course of their work which included interviewing the contractor who renovated 4, Thompson Avenue in 2011. The gentle-man is said to have submitted to the Hamzat Committee.

(1) Photographs of the house before he started renovation in 2010.

(2) Photographs of the house upon full renovation in November 2011.

(3) Photographs of the house on March 3 2013 (four days after the exit of Akande C.J from the house) to the panel.

 

Geckos equipped with infra-red eyes specially deployed to the state Government Secretariat assure that the pictures for the 2001 contractor tallied with the pictures of the house affixed to the petition of Akande C.J to the Governor.

 

AYANLAJA SAN - TIGER BAR CELEBRATES FINE GENTLEMAN OF LAW

VOL. 13, NO. 16

COUP AND COUNTER-COUP!” IS OLUFEMI ISAACS BACK TO POWER AS CHIEF REGISTRAR

VOL.13, NO.15    25-06-13

 

On Monday 17^th June 2013, the Squib (many thanks to her numerous geckos) broke the news of the sudden and sodden removal of Mr. Olufemi Isaacs from the office of the Acting Chief Registrar of the Laos State High Court.

The removal was tagged a “coup” because it was not only unexpected but amounted to a change of personnel and dynamics in the corridor of power, as well as affect the career prospect of the removed officer.

However “further and better” information has come to light that the (intended) replacement for Mr. Isaacs in the highly coveted office of Chief Registrar, is not Miss. Serifat Solebo Chief Magistrate II as wrongly reported last week by this medium.

The news is thick in the air that the alternate candidate preferred by certain powers that be is a female Chief Magistrate 1, a Deputy Chief Registrar of the Lagos High Court Igbosere.

The Squib has it on good authority, that upon experiencing his “un expected dethronement” on or about Thursday 13^th June 2013 a distraught Acting Chief Registrar Isaacs promptly fell sick and landed in hospital. Certain forces however rallied round to “fight” the cause of the gentleman whom has a lot of sympathy credit in the upper echelon of the Lagos State Judiciary and save him the embarrassment of a painful your-eyes-will-see-it but-your-mouth-will-never-taste-it experience.

The Squib further learnt that Honourable Ayo Phillips Chief Judge of Lagos State who was not in the country reportedly dissociated her office from any ousting of Isaacs and gave instruction that the man should return to the office of Chief Registrar. Thus by Tuesday 18^th June 2013 the distressed Mr. Olufemi Isaacs literally resurrected from the dead to take over the office of the Chief Registrar and has been running it since.

Observers however are not agreed on the actual status of Mr. Isaacs in the office of the Chief Registrar. While the man had resumed to the office as early as Tuesday 18^th June 2013 and has held a meeting on Wednesday 19^th June 2013 with all Deputy Chief Registrars (DCR Akinkugbe and DCR Femi Segun (?) absent), controversy is still on whether Mr. Olufemi Isaacs remains an acting Chief registrar or has become the substantive Chief Registrar of Lagos State High Court. Nonetheless there a few senior extra terrestrial geckos who boldly assert the Mr. Isaacs has received a letter confirming him Chief Registrar.

Predictably the picture would become clearer in a few days time as Honourable Justice Ayo Phillips the Lagos State Chief Judge and chairman of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission would resume work on Monday 24^th June 2013.

WHY I WANT TO BECOME NBA LAGOS CHAIRMAN – ALEX MUOKA

VOL 13, NO.14  17-06-13

Squib Interview – 17-6-2013

SQUIB: WHO IS ALEX MUOKA?

 

MUOKA: Alex Muoka was born and bred in Lagos. I attended Methodist Boys' High School, Broad Street, Lagos, and the Lagos State University where I graduated with a law degree in 1990. I made a Second Class Upper Degree at the Nigerian Law School, won the 'Company Law and Commercial Practice' prize, and was called to the Bar in 1991. I have a Master of Laws Degree from the University of Lagos. I have been in private legal practice since 1992, and presently run a commercial, intellectual property and litigation law firm.

 

I have been active in the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association for many years, and am currently the Secretary of the Branch, and a Member of the Nigerian Bar Association-National Executive Committee. I am also a Member of the Steering Committee LCF of the Lagos Court of Arbitration, and Treasurer of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria.

 

I have held several earlier positions in the Lagos Branch of the NBA, including Secretary of the Branch Building Committee from November 2006 – July 2009, Member of the 2007 NBA-Lagos Branch Law Week Committee, Member of the 2006 NBA-Lagos Branch Law Week Committee, and Ex-Officio Member of the Branch Executive Committee from December 2005 – July 2007.

SQUIB: YOU'VE BEEN THE SCRIBE OF THE NBA LAGOS FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, HOW IS THE EXPERIENCE AND WHAT LEGACY WILL YOU SAY YOU ARE LEAVING BEHIND?

 

MUOKA: It has been an interesting two years. I have had the opportunity of working with a diverse set of people from different backgrounds in the Executive Committee and in the Branch, and it has been an incredible learning experience for me. I introduced some innovations in Branch Secretarial Administration which have been very well received. I changed the format of our Minutes to a more professional and contemporary style, and ensured that minutes are free of typographical and grammatical errors and reflect the discussions and decisions at meetings.

 

I pioneered the use of an electronic mailing platform to send detailed information about activities of the Branch and the National Body, conferences, workshops and other events (as well as non-legal issues of burning national interest) to members via a regular chatty newsletter. This newsletter has been so well received that hundreds of members of the Branch of all ages look forward to receiving and reading it.

 

Partly through my suggestions, the Branch Executive (led by Mr. Taiwo O. Taiwo) has ensured that Branch Meetings are timely – starting at about 1.00 pm or a few minutes thereafter and running for an average of two hours – so that busy lawyers can schedule their calendars and plan to attend. Again, my suggestion drove the holding of two annual black-tie bar dinners in our administration – which were well-attended, and much talked about high-octane events.

 

I have also raised the profile of the office of Branch Secretary to a new height of conscientious respectability.

SQUIB: NBA LAGOS IS PROUDLY KNOWN AS THE "PREMIER BAR", WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE HISTORY DYNAMICS AND PEDIGREE OF YOUR BRANCH?

MUOKA: Lagos is unarguably the cradle of the legal profession in Nigeria. It was the colonial capital and therefore the place where the judiciary and legal profession first took proper roots in Nigeria. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeal were in Lagos. The Federal High Court (then Federal Revenue Court) started here as well. It is not surprising that back then the finest crop of lawyers were to be found in Lagos.

 

The pace of legal practice in Lagos made the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association the most vibrant and progressive Branch. It still is. The Lagos Branch is 'primus inter pares' and this makes it the Premier Branch. It has a history of providing leadership and direction to the other Branches and the National Bar. It is also arguably the largest Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association with a membership of over 3,000 legal practitioners.

 

The Lagos Branch has over the years boasted of the finest and best amongst its members. Lagos has the highest number of Senior Advocates and the majority of them are members of the Premier Branch. It also has the highest number of large commercial firms – whose partners and associates are again members of the Premier Branch. It would interest you to know that the current Governor of Lagos State (and at least one other serving Governor) practised in Lagos and were members of the Premier Branch.

SQUIB: WHY DO YOU WANT TO BECOME THE LEADER OF THE LAGOS BRANCH?

MUOKA: The Premier Branch boasts of over 3,000 members including a large number of senior advocates, senior lawyers, lawyers in large multi-disciplinary practices, lawyers in multinationals and large corporations, and numerous solo-practitioners – with diverse backgrounds, interests and aspirations. I believe that the Branch should continue to show leadership in the quality and commitment of its elected officers. Chairmanship of the Branch is an important office and must not be left to the vagaries of sentiment or parochial considerations. The Branch should ensure that only a charismatic, committed, competent, capable and sincere leader is elected to steer its affairs.

 

The Premier Branch has had a history of very distinguished and capable Branch Chairmen – many of whom are still active in the service of the bar. The quality and cosmopolitan nature of the membership of the Premier Branch has over the years been demonstrated in the pedigree of its elected leaders.

 

I have carefully considered the qualities that should be expected of the chairman of the most powerful and important branch of the Nigerian Bar Association - qualities of leadership, integrity, charisma, erudition, competence, quiet dignity, gentlemanly comportment, a capacity for work, preoccupation with excellence, and an ability to inspire others to action. These are qualities I believe I possess and have demonstrated over the past two years whilst discharging the duties of the very technical office of Branch Secretary. 

 

As an active member of the Branch over many years, I have noted the concerns and complaints of members, and have given very careful consideration to areas of Branch administration where there is room for intervention, improvement and innovation. I have designed a five-point carefully articulated agenda that will address the complaints and concerns, carry the mantle of leadership forward, and transform the Premier Branch to a new level in the areas of leadership, institutional reform, capacity building, welfare, and discipline.

 

SQUIB: IN WHAT WAYS WILL THE LAGOS BAR UNDER YOUR WATCH IMPACT ON THE LAGOS JUDICIARY TO BE MORE USEFUL AND PRODUCTIVE AS AN INSTITUTION?

 

MUOKA: I must say that the Lagos State Judiciary under the current Chief Judge – Hon. Justice A.A. Phillips is being repositioned and strengthened for greater efficiency. And I must commend the laudable steps the Chief Judge is taking to enhance welfare and working conditions of judges, judicial officers and judiciary staff, as well as upgrade the court infrastructure and systems.

 

If elected as Chairman of the Premier Branch, I would seek to forge a closer working relationship between the bar and the bench to build on the gains of the bar-friendly leadership of the Judiciary that we have in place now and address some of the recurring problems that users of the Court system complain about.

 

I must add that the problems go beyond the Lagos State Judiciary. Lagos is also home to the Lagos Divisions of the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court and the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, and there is a need to extend the bar-bench forum to these other Court institutions too.

SQUIB: AS A PRACTITIONER DESCRIBE YOUR FIRM AND THE VALUE OF SAME

 

MUOKA: I manage a small five-lawyer firm that does mainly corporate/commercial, transactional and civil litigation work. The firm is blessed with very loyal and hard-working legal and para-legal staff - some of whom have been with the firm for over ten years. My colleagues have been very supportive of my bar activities and have freed me to devote time to the onerous duties of Secretary over the past two years.

 

My firm occupies a spacious office in the business district of Yaba, Lagos (off Commercial Avenue), with a decent modern law-library and IT infrastructure. I love art and my office is a mini-museum with paintings adorning every wall. All told, I would say that we have tried to create a convivial and friendly work environment – where people can learn, work and actualize their aspirations.

 

I consider that the value of the firm is the high quality of the professional service we offer to discerning clients, and our concern with stakeholders. We handle pro-bono cases for indigent people and run a mentoring scheme for law students/ young lawyers.