Benchmark Naija

  CHIDI JUDE DIMGBA Vice Chairmanship Candidate for NBA Bwari Branch (Cradle Bar) INTRODUCTION The Office of the Vice Chairman of NBA Bwari Branch (Cradle Bar) is a sensitive and important one in the scheme of things towards the development of the Branch and the attainment of the objectives of the Nigerian Bar Association at the national level. The Office needs someone who is compassionate and keenly passionate in promoting the cause of justice and the rule of law, as they particularly concern the welfare of members of the Branch and of the profession as a whole. A person with proven records of human rights’ activities, particularly on human right cases prosecuted pro bono publico (in the interest of the public) is best suitable for the position of the Vice Chairman of this noble Branch of the NBA. Cradle Bar has tremendously gained a noble place of prominence in the comity of Branches of the NBA across the country. As such, the Vice Chairman of our highly-esteemed Branch must esse...

  “I want to specially congratulate and felicitate with the NBA Branch of the NBA known as Cradle Bar on the occasion of their law week which started on the 19th of May, 2023 and ended on the 25th of May, 2023. The theme of the law week which was “  A Vibrant Bar, A panacea to National Development”  is very simple and speaks for itself. This is because the essence of a vibrant bar is to ensure development at all time and in all circumstance. The theme speaks for itself in the sense that, it encapsulates the whole essence and role of the legal profession and the focus and vision of the Nigerian Bar Association which is “ Promoting the Rule of Law”. As such I commend the leadership of the branch and the entire members for putting up this law week together for the benefit of members and in fact the society in general. The theme is a clear reminder of our mandate as a profession and the urgent need to start ensuring that we all put our hands on desk to promote...

  The supreme court has dismissed the suit seeking the disqualification of Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC). A five-member panel of the supreme court on Friday held that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lacked the locus standi to institute the suit. The PDP had claimed that Shettima’s nomination as Tinubu’s running mate was in breach of the provisions of sections 29(1), 33, 35, and 84(1)(2) of the Electoral Act, 2022. The opposition party argued that Shettima’s nomination to contest the position of vice-president and Borno central senatorial seat — at the same time — contravened the law.

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