Benchmark Naija

So I went to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Headquarters in Abuja today to see a client and something happened that I desire to share with you all. If you are very familiar with visiting any of the Nigerian Security Agencies, you will know that it’s their internal basic law that phones are not allowed inside the premises, though EFCC extended their policy to include bags, smart watches, laptops, etc. The moment you get to the security post having any of those items in your possession, you will be required to drop them off with the security before the visitor's tag will be issued to you.  MY EXPERIENCE  Now the event that unfolded that amused me today went thus:  Upon my arrival with my colleague, we realized that we had left an important document in the office, my colleague and I agreed that he should drive back to the office and get the file while I proceed to see our client inside as the time for the interview was already close. My colleague was to ...

 A REVIEW OF THE MONEY LAUNDERING (PREVENTION AND PROHIBITION) ACT, 2022: THE IMPLICATION FOR LEGAL PRACTICE IN NIGERIA, BEING A PAPER PRESENTED BY J.S. OKUTEPA SAN ON THE 23RD MAY 2023 AT NBA BWARI LAW WEEK INTRODUCTION: I thank the leadership of NBA Bwari Branch for the privilege to present this paper. I am to review the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and then look at the implications for legal practice in Nigeria. Money laundering is a global problem that affects countries around the world, including Nigeria. The practice of money laundering involves the conversion of illegally obtained funds into legitimate funds. This process is carried out to conceal the true source of the funds and to evade law enforcement. In Nigeria, the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act of 2011 was enacted to address this problem. However, in 2022, the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act was passed into law, which updated and strengthened the already existing legal f...

 GOODWILL MESSAGE FROM AKPOMIEMIE M. AKPOMIEMIE TO NBA BWARI BRANCH (CRADLE BAR) ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 2023 LAW WEEK  Law is an instrument of socio-engineering and lawyers are nation builders. It is on this premise that I join the array of our friends, well-wishers, partners and the legal community in Nigeria in wishing members of the Cradle Bar, a happy Law Week.  It is through activities like law conferences, seminars and academic courses, that we enhance our continuing legal education as required by the Rules of Professional Conduct. Therefore, I thank the Monday Adheh, Esq. led Executive Council and 2023 Law Week Planning Committee of the NBA Bwari Branch for putting together a retinue of star-studded speakers at this year’s Law Week.  I wish all participants an enriching experience.  Akpomiemie M. Akpomiemie, Esq.  Lead Counsel, Judex Advocates,  Suite A62, Efab Mall, Ahmadu Bello Way, Area 11, Abuja. 

 Akpomiemie Monday The Young Lawyers of NBA Bwari were defeated by their senior counterpart in a match organised as part of the sports event of NBA Bwari 2023 Law Week.  In the pulsating encounter, the more illustrious and industrious senior members of the bar kept the attacks of the junior at bay with Yau Bawa standing like the war Gibraltar in the Defence.  Paul Daudu made several several saves to deny the young lawyers scoring chances. Substitute Clement Chukwuemeka Democrat, the 2nd Vice President of NBA National put up a man of the match performance as he scored a brace against the young lawyers.  The chairman of the branch, Monday Adjeh, who played as a winger missed many scoring chances as he failed to increase the tally.  Chidi Dimgba during his commentary stated that the match is nothing short of massacre.  Lesson learnt and we go again next year

 Chidi Dimgba DAY 2 of the NBA Bwari Branch Law Week 2022 will be full of lots of exciting sport activities and fun games. All is now set for the Young Lawyers Forum to challenge for the laurel against the Senior Members of the Branch. ⚽ N25,000 cash prize is up for grabs in the game of table tennis.🏓 There will much fun badminton, Scrabble, dart, ludo, chess, volleyball 🏐, Ayo, etc -and it promises to be an exciting time today during the Sports Day of the Law Week 2023.

Mentor Oriere, Esq.  Alternate Secretary, 2023 NBA Law Week Committee Rule 11(1) of the Rules of Professional Conduct provides that:  A Lawyer who wishes to carry on practice as a Legal Practitioner shall:  - Participate in and satisfy the requirements of the mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme operated by the Nigerian Bar Association; Rule 11(2) The activities in which a Lawyer is required to participate for the purpose of of the Continuing Professional Development Programme of the NBA shall include:- (a) Attendance and participation in accredited courses; (b) Lectures, Seminars, Workshops and Conferences on Law approved by the Nigerian Bar Association... This year's Law Week is loaded with a line up of star-studded Resource Persons to share their knowledge and industry experience on the various Topics put up for discuss. You will certainly find it academically enriching and intellectually stimulating. 

The Chairman of NBA Bwari Branch, Monday Adjeh led a delegation of the Branch on a courtesy visit to the Honourable Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, His Lordship, Honourable Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf. His Lordship, as a father to the Cradle Bar, expressed his commitment to be at the opening ceremony of the Law Week, being Monday,  22nd May, 2023. The theme of this year's Law Week is *A VIBRANT BAR: A PANACEA TOWARDS GOOD GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.* The event will kick off on Friday, 19th May, 2023 with Jumat Service and will come to a close on Thursday, 2023 with a dinner and an award night.  *Chidi Jude Dimgba* (Chairman, Publicity Committee) *Akpomiemie Akpomiemie* (Secretary, Publicity Committee)