Benchmark Naija

 LAWYERS ARISE FOR JUSTICE Motto: Injustice to one is an injustice to all! A group of lawyers know as Lawyers Arise for Justice has petitioned the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata over the continued detention of Mr. INIBEHE Effiong. The content of the letter sighted by this reporter is reproduced below. Mr. Olumide Akpata, The President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA House, Plot 1101 Mohammadu Buhari Way,  Central Business District, Abuja. Dear Sir, INIBEHE EFFIONG: IS THE NBA HELPLESS IN THE FACE OF THIS IMPUNITY? Yesterday the 11th of August 2022, Inibehe Effiong was moved, handcuffed, from Ikot Ekpene correctional centre, Akwa Ibom, where he was held, to Uyo Correctional Centre, where he was forced to sit on the bare floor and have his head and beard shaved, among other degradations visited on him. NBA took a swift step to the applause of all when this matter happened and it is worthy of note that the NBA was courageous enough to say it, th...

The NBA Bwari Branch expressed her heart felt condolence to the family of Mr. Ogaga Emoghwanre,  the NBA Benin Branch and Mr President, Olumide Akpata. The Chairman, Mr.  Monday Adjeh expressed shock at the new of the demise of Ogaga who is a personal friend. He noted Ogaga has visited the Bwari Branch more than 4 times in the about a year of his administration. Ogaga is a personal friend and a jolly good fellow with an infectious smile. Ogaga Baba as he was fondly called until his sudden death was the Publicity Secretary of NBA Benin Branch, Secretary to the welfare Committee under the chairmanship of YC Maikyau, SAN and Personal assistant to our President Mr. Olumide Akpata. He dedicated himself to the service of NBA. He will be missed by not only his family but NBA in general.

  The Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Bwari-FCT branch has appealed to the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) for the 2022 Annual General Conference (AGC) of the NBA scheduled to hold in Lagos in August to extend the closing date of early registration for the said conference.  He noted that this is to enable the large numbers of lawyers who are mainly young Lawyers who are yet to register to do so.  He noted that the economic situation prevailing in the country has neccesitated the reason why most of the Young Lawyers have not registered.  He also appealed to the President of NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata to prevail on the committee to allow an extension of registration of early bird

A stakeholders meeting and press conference in furtherance of the 2022 NBA General elections was conveyed on Friday in Abuja as part of efforts to put finishing touches to grey areas which are instrumental to a successful conduct of the NBA General elections holding July 16, 2022. The committee members in attendance includes the ECNBA chairman: Mr Ayodele Akintunde, SAN, the Secretary Mrs Mabel Ekeke, Aisha Ado, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and Mr Basil who is also an IT expert. After a brief introduction and summary of ECNBA's activities, the chairman called on the Tech consultant to give an enlightenment on the process Mr Akin Akinwolire, the Tech consultant of Finesse Technology  noted that the payment of bar practicing fees is the first qualification to being a prospective voter and exercising ones franchise . According to him, this is also followed by the lawyer's update of their membership portal adding that from mid April till the close of verification, some members did not...

The Monday Adjeh-led Nigerian Bar Association, Bwari Branch on Friday, 15th July, 2022, conferred on the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Hon. Justice Salisu Garba, Rtd. with an award and investiture as Patron of the Branch. This timely award and investiture was in recognition of his Lordship's numerous contributions towards the welfare and development of the Branch.  The Chairman of the Branch, in his address, enumerated the numerous impacts of the retired Justice in the Branch.  The Chairman noted that his Lordship is a no-nonsense Judge, who upheld the tenets of the legal profession while at the helms of affairs of the FCT Judiciary. Responding, the Administrator stated that he was the first Presiding Judge of the Bwari Division and, therefore, a member of the NBA Bwari Branch.  He appreciated the Branch for the investiture and award and promised to assist the Branch in any means within the ambit of the law and available resources. The Chairman of the ...

 Monday Adjeh, the Chairman of NBA Bwari Branch has congratulated the Muslim Ummah of the branch and the country in general on this year’s Eid-El-Kabir. He called on all Muslim faithful to prioritize the virtues of sacrifice, tolerance and love which this moment signifies. He urges all citizens to pray for the prosperity and peace of the branch and the country at large; this moment  demands of all, irrespective of tribe and faith, to show love and promote those things that will foster our unity and  enhance progress.  C.J. Dimgba- Chairman, Publicity Committee Akpomiemie Akpomiemie- Secretary, Publicity Committee

The recent attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre  is a pure evidence of failure on the part of our security agencies and their units of  intelligence gathering.  With the influx of some of the criminal elements into the Federal Capital Territory further potend serious danger to the entire residents of the FCT that are already under the besiege by kindred gangs in the recent time.  The security agencies appear to have abandoned their primary duty of dealing with the common criminals within FCT and its environs but  are being seen on daily basis tormenting the innocent and harmless  citizens as if they were the real enemy of the nation.  We are in a country where security agencies  are busy terrorising lawyers and Judges and other members of the public from carrying out their lawful and constitutional duties and subjecting lawyers and other harmless members of the society to untold hardship in attending to their cases. Lawyers are no "threat" to th...

  Human rights lawyer attends Supreme Court proceedings in traditional worshippers’ attire, sitting briefly suspended. There was mild drama at the Supreme Court, Abuja, on Thursday as a Lagos-based human rights lawyer, Malcom Omoirhobo caused a stir in the courtroom when he appeared in the full traditional attire of an “Olokun priest” to attend court proceedings. The lawyer said he dressed to court in that manner to exercise his fundamental human rights following the judgment of the Supreme Court that allowed all Nigerians to express their way of worship and the use of hijab in schools and public places. It would be recalled that the Supreme Court had on Friday given approval to female Muslim students to wear hijab to school in Lagos State. Five out of the seven members of the court’s panel which sat on the case ruled in favour of hijab while the two remaining members dissented. The lawyer, who arrived at the court at about 9:05 am, created a scene in the courtroom when other lawye...

  In fulfilment of his campaign promises, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Bwari-FCT branch, Mr. Monday Adjeh, ACIArb.uk is on the verge of concluding partnership arrangement with ICSAN with a view of enlisting our members at a discounted rate.  ICSAN is a professional body dedicated to excellence in Corporate Governance and Public Administration. They offer a number of services to members, students and the general public which include but not limited to the following: 1. Customized Training Services: The Institute has a Training Department that can offer customized Training Services to both Public and Private Sectors of the economy on Corporate Governance and allied areas of interest. 2. Corporate Governance Platform: The Institute runs  Corporate Governance Platform on social media. This is a programme that is aimed at enlightening the  Public on the ethos of Corporate Governance. 3. Co ntributions to various Codes of Corporate Governance: The Institute...

  As part of his welfare agenda for the branch, Mr. Monday Adjeh, ACIArb.uk, Chairman of NBA Bwari Branch in company of Ifeanyi Chukwu ( Treasurer) and Princess Juliana has presented a cheque to Mr. Uche Obasi, the husband of Veronica Obasi, a deceased member of NBA Bwari Branch. In a brief ceremony on Sunday, 19th of June, 2022, the Chairman while consoling the family of the deceased, noted that death is ultimate end of all lives on earth but we must live well enough to make a mark on people  around us. Mr. Uche Obasi, the husband of the deceased member on behalf of the family thanked the chairman of the branch for the donation from the branch You may recall that the executives of this branch instituted a trust fund on behalf of Veronica to which members contributed generously. Chidi Dimgba , Chairman Publicity Committee Akpomiemie Akpomiemie, Secretary, Publicity Committee

  Professor Mahmood Yakubu The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the presidential and governorship candidates of the 18 registered political parties to pick and submit the lists of their running mates in the next eight days.   INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Thursday in Abuja at a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs). This means that the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and others have about a week more to nominate their vice presidential candidates to the commission. READ More  Labour Party Issues Peter Obi Certificate Of Return According to him, while the conventions and primaries of candidates by political parties for the 2023 general elections end on Thursday, the nomination of the candidates and their running mates commenced on F...

The cry of where is the justice by Ogbonnaya Onu, is a clarion call on all politicians, to drop all primordial vestiges of selfishness and greed, and to form a common, indivisible  and united front for the benefit of the of all regions in Nigeria, despite divergent political affiliations.  There is need for the members of the National Assembly to begin to push for a constitutional amendment to entrench rotational presidency between the South and North and further to the various sub rejoins that make up each of the two central zones in Nigeria. Given the numerical advantage of the north over the south, the hopes of having justice, by the minority regions producing the President of the FRN of Nigeria, will only continue to be a fading mirage, which will never come to fruition.  The only universal talisman, the waver of which will cure this perennial malady,is an urgent constitutional amendment. While I congratulate the Presidential candidates of the PDP,APC, Labour Party an...

 ** 1. Three New Branches were created. Garki and Nyanya/Karu Branches were created in FCT while Surulere/Yaba Branch was created in Lagos. The NBA President explained that Garki Branch was created to resolve the crisis in Abuja Branch while Nyanya Karu Branches were created to ease the administration of Abuja and Lagos Branches who has great number of lawyers. 2. World Renowned Novelist, Chimamanda Adichie will be the Keynote Speaker at the 2022 AGC. This was proposed by the Chairman of Technical Committee on Conference Planning [TCCP], for 2022 Annual General Conference [AGC] of the Association, Mr Tobenna Erojikwe and accepted by NEC Members. 3. The 2022 AGC will hold at Eco Atlantic and Eco Hotel and Suites between 19th – 26 August 2022. This was also Proposed by TCCP Chairman, Tobenna Erojikwe and accepted by NEC Members. 4. The AGC 2022 Rates will remain the same for as of 2021 for physical participants, But Flat rates of 5k, 10k, 15k for 1-5 years, 6-9 years and 10-14 years ...

 Ilofuan P. Igbuan, Esq has congratulated the Monday Adjeh led Nigerian Bar Association, Bwari-FCT branch otherwise known as Cradle Bar over the successful completion of their Law Week. Igbuan in a statement to press stated that the capacity of Monday Adjeh was never in doubt haven worked with him in the Young Lawyers Forum, National.  He also commended the choice of their theme ; The State of the Nation; Where are the Lawyers? as very laudable. He noted that lawyers are critical stakeholders in the development of the country and myst make themselves available to be counted.  He however hoped that the resolutions passe would be passed to the relevant authorities for implementation.  Igbuan was for National Young Lawyers Forum Chairman. 

 To every Elder, erudite Silk, senior Colleague and every Member of the Cradle Bar, on behalf of the Chairman of the Branch, we thank you all for making the just-concluded Law Week a huge success. Monday Adjeh is indeed grateful to the Chairman and the members of the Planning Committee for the Law Week for a job well planned and executed. Testimonials are already pouring in that the Law Week, 2022, was indeed a Law Week of all Law Weeks. Through the esteemed leadership of Monday Adjeh, we have, collectively, *Raised the Bar,* and we hope to sustain the momentum throughout this tenure. To all members of the Young Lawyers Forum, thank you very much for all your efforts and contributions to the success of the Law Week. The Chairman of the Branch is really proud of you. In his usual sagacity, Monday Adjeh has directed the Chairman and the members of the Law Week Planning Committee to prepare and make ready their financial report for the purpose of accountability. Once again, thank you ...

 The Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association Bwari-FCT branch continued today with sports activities.  In event that could be compared with Olympics in terms of the number of event was held at the sports ground of Public Service Institute, Kubwa Express Way. Volley ball, Badminton, table tennis, and several indoor games like scrabble, chess and other board games had participants and contestants. The football event saw the Young Lawyers fave off with the Senior Lawyer. The young Lawyers held their Seniors to a 2-2 draw.  Monday Adjeh, Chairman of the Branch distinguished himself as he tested the goal keeper of the Young Lawyers. Paul Daudu, the Chairman of the Law Week Committee also distinguished himself as he prevented the attackers from scoring more goal.  The Law Week continues with a Thanksgiving Service at The Gospel Faith Mission, Kubwa. 

 A Federal High Court sitting in has restored the right of statutory delegates to vote in primary APC Presidential Primary election. In a ruling delivered on Friday, 3rd of June, 2022 by Hon. Justice A. M. Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano, the court held that Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act, 2022 cannot be interpreted to have excluded statutory delegates from voting in the party conventions, congresses and meetings by virtue Section 233 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Article 20(I)(c) of the APC Constitution. You may wish to recall that Send. El-Jibrin Doguwa and two other members of the House of Representatives had approached the Federal High Court to interpret Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act, 2022. The respondents were the All Progressives Congress, INEC.

  The Nigerian Bar Association, Bwari-FCT (Cradle Bar) kicked off their Law Week with a Jumat Service. In a well attended service at the Islamic Da' wah Central Mosque, Kubwa, the Iman of the Mosque, Sheikh L. J. Ahmad admonished the Muslim faithfuls to have the fear of God and do what is right. He thereafter prayed for the leadership of the Branch.  The coordinator of the programme, Alhaji Danshitta Shittu, appreciated the Chairman of the branch, Mr. Monday Adjeh presented a gift on behalf of the branch as a token.  The law week continues with sports programmes on Saturday, 4th of June, 2022 at the Public Service Institute. 

The indefatigable chairman of the branch, Monday Adjeh, joined by  members of the branch, on Sunday the 29th of May,2022, celebrated and attended the  child dedication of the three members of the branch,who had their child dedication celebrations on the same day. The Chairman began the felicitation by attending the child dedication of Baby Zara’s Dedication, the daughter of  Mrs. Ruth Ogba, Esq,  and Mr. Eghe Ben-Enearu Esq, (both members of the branch),  at the  Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Dutse/Bwari Road, Kubwa, at 10:am. Thereafter,  the Chairman  attended the child dedication of the family of  Emmanuel Asuku and Odion Stephanie Asuku (both members of the branch), for the dedication of their child *Hephzibah Ovayioza Ofure ASUKU's*,  at about 10:40 am at the New Estate Baptist  Church, behind Silver Mall, Near Sokale Junction, Dutse Alhaji, Abuja. The chairman rounded off the felicitation of the child dedication, by at...

  ELECTIONS OF NATIONAL OFFICERS OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (NBA) AND NBA REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE BAR (ELECTIONS) GUIDELINE FOR ELECTRONIC VOTING 1.0 Pursuant to Part VI(1) Second Schedule of the Constitution of the NBA 2015 (as amended in 2021) (‘Constitution’), the Elections shall be conducted by electronic voting in accordance with the guidelines stipulated by the ECNBA  guideline is issued to ensure that the electronic voting processes for the Elections are seamless, free, and fair. 2.0 VOTERS VERIFICATION All members of the Association shall be eligible to vote at the general election for National offices provided that such member must belong to a Branch and must have paid their practicing fees as at when due and are duly registered to vote at that election (Part IV (6), Second Schedule of the Constitution. The full list of members of the Association qualified to vote (Voters’ Register) will be published by the ECNBA in an electronic format on t...

 Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has denied the bail application of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu. Justice Nyako held that the absence of the defendant (Nnamdi Kanu) in court after his bail was granted in 2017 must be discussed before another bail is granted and went ahead to deny the IPOB leader bail In the coming days, the Federal Government is expected to re-arraign Mr. Kanu on an amended six-count treasonable felony charges. In another development in the the Court premises, BBC Igbo correspondents were attacked by some unknown persons that accused the media outfit of peddling fake News “In the instant case, there is a bench warrant on the defendant (Kanu). Suffice to say, he is a fugitive before the court,” she said. The judge, who dismissed Kanu’s move to challenge the terrorism charge, upheld seven counts in the fresh charge filed by the federal government against the IPOB leader Nyako said that the federal gov...

  The Bwari Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association will hold their monthly general meeting on Friday, 20th of May, 2022. The meeting was postponed to enable the branch attend the marriage ceremony of Olumide Akpata, the NBA president in the ancient city of Benin City.  In a release sighted by our correspondent, the publicity Committee Chairman, Chidi Dimgba Esq. stated that  "The highly anticipated NBA Cradle Bar meeting holds this Friday. *Please, note the following:* 1. It is the meeting before the Law Week. 2. There will be FREE PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPH on Friday by 2:00pm/before the commencement of the meeting. 3. Members are urged to be properly dressed, as non compliance with the dressing code will not be captured (for the purpose of the free passport photograph). 4. Anyone who misses this opportunity will have to personally arranged for their own passport photograph and at their own cost. *-Publicity Committee*

 The Chairman of NBA Bwari Branch, Mr. Adjeh Monday wishes to congratulate the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata on the occasion of his marriage ceremony which comes up today 14th of May, 2022 at the ancient city of Benin.  The Chairman stated that "The entire Bwari Branch (Cradle Bar) rejoice with our own President Mr. Olumide Akpata on the special occasion of his wedding in the ancient city of Benin. It's our collective prayer that the Almighty God will bless this new home." The Chairman was present at the event with some other Executive members of the Cradle Bar including Akpomiemie M. Akpomiemie, Prince Amaechi, Paul Daudu, Henry Ehi Barnabas and others

 Mr. Ilofuan Igbuan, a foremost member of the Lion Bar has felicitated with Mr. Pius Oiwoh, the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch, also know as The Capital Bar on the occasion of his birthday. While thanking God for his life, he prayed that God should grant him wisdom and sound health to enable him meet up with the demand of the good work he is doing. He stated that it is a biblical injunction to celebrate birthdays. He quoted Psalm 90: 12; "Teach us to number our days so that we may apply our heart to wisdom". I.P. Igbuan, Esq is a former Treasurer under the administration of R.O. Isenalumhe, Esq and a former Chairman of Young Lawyers Forum. He is a core Bar man.

 Chief Arthur Nzeribe is died today. Though information are still sketchy at the time of filing this report.  Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe was born  on 2nd November 1938.  As a Nigerian politician, he was Senator for the Orlu Senatorial district of Imo State from October 1983 to December 1983 and May 1999 to May 2007 on the People's Democratic Party (PDP) slate. During his heydays, he responsible for convening the infamous Association for Better Nigerian, (ABN) that seek tp enthrone General Sanni Abacha as president of Nigeria  

Monday Adjeh has set up strong structures for the growth of NBA Bwari  Branch and the Committees are working and delivering on their tasks. He has continued to promote the welfare of members of Cradle Bar and build on the admirable legacies of the Branch among the institutions and notable dignitaries in the society. True to his campaign promises, Monday Adjeh is devoted to a purpose: #RaisetheBar. The forthcoming NBA Bwari Law Week promises to be with a stellar difference. In utmost respect and admiration of every learned Silk, Elder, Senior Members and Colleagues of Cradle Bar, Monday Adjeh urges everyone to attend the forthcoming NBA Bwari Branch meeting, as he unveils plans for the Law-Week-of-all-Law-Weeks in the Branch. In another statement by the PRO, Henry Barnabas Ehi, stated that there would be a photographer stationed at the venue of the meeting to take photographs of those without identify card. He advised that members should come properly dressed  Monday Adjeh, the...

  The Law Week committee members of the NBA BWARI BRANCH (CRADLE BAR) paid a courtesy visit to Senator Shehu Sani ( Former Senator representing Kaduna Central) on Friday the 6th of May, 2022 in preparation for the forthcoming Law Week in June.   The purpose of the courtesy call was to convey the appreciation of the branch for the acceptance of the Distinguished Senator to serve as the Keynote Speaker at the opening ceremony of the forthcoming NBA Bwari Branch Law Week 2022 themed: “The State of The Nation: Where Are The Lawyers?” commencing on the 6th of June, 2022 and scheduled to take place at GADIS EVENT CENTRE, Dutse , FCT, Abuja .   In accepting to play the role as a keynote speaker, the Distinguished Senator expressed his enthusiasm about the chosen topic of discussion given the current state of the nation. The Distinguished Senator further stated that there could be no better time for the chosen topic than now as the general public relies on lawyers as defenders of...