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NBA: Litmus test before Debo, Akpata’s, new executives

By Mumini Abdulkareem


The new leadership of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) just like the process that brought it in has found itself enmeshed in another round of leadership crisis threatening the unity of the bar in the country. For many lawyers and judiciary observers across Nigeria, the event that brought in the new leadership and what has transpired since then has only pointed to the reality that all is not well with the country’s bar and how its 30th President, Olumide Akpata, 2nd Vice President (North), Debo Kazeem Adeyemo (from Kwara) and the entire new leadership respond to it will determine to a large extent how the narrative will go whether the new sheriff and his lieutenants will achieve a hero or villain status at the end of tenure in 2022.
The litmus test for the new leadership is no doubt multifaceted and cut across a lot of issues within the bar and the bench.
To be sure, there are some top lawyers like the former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, who believed that the new leadership of NBA may not have the intellectualism to respond to the present challenges that is bedevilling the sector. But the Abuja based legal practitioner however said they can learn quick and fast to “leverage upon the civic resources in the Nigerian society to once again lead the country to fight and win the war against a relapse into authoritarianism, which is a present danger”.
“Clearly, the bar as constituted lacks the institutional integrity and intellectual resources to face (the) challenge. The new president and other executives, in spite of their campaign rhetoric, may not have the sufficient mental energies, values and ideas to mobilize a defeated and, one will say, conscripted legal profession to the heights of the likes of Aka-Bashorun and Priscilla Kuye. But if there is a will there is a way. They can learn quick and leverage upon the civic resources in the Nigerian society to once again lead the Nigerian society to fight and win the war against a relapse into authoritarianism, which is a present danger. They can learn fast and develop the commitment to speak truth to political power and restate the classical statement of Lord Atkin, that whether in war or peacetime, the law speaks the same language: the language of liberty”, he noted.
Presently, the New Nigeria Bar Association (NNBA) announcement of a new and parallel bar in the bar is no doubt litmus for the new Akpata leadership which intimidated and ruffled many members of the Inner Bar to seize power in one of the most audacious manners in NBA electoral history. The move has not only put the NBA facing existential crisis, the numbers of the “aggrieved” group has kept on rising according to its co-conveners, Nuhu Ibrahim and Abdulbasit Suleiman who are incidentally from Kaduna whose Governor’s disinvitation caused the hullabaloo in the first place.
“NNBA members interests are no longer taken into consideration in major decisions of the NBA hence the formation of this Association. Membership of the NBA is not mandatory, section 40 of the Constitution permits freedom of association. We are in consultations with very senior lawyers of Northern Nigeria extraction and those practicing therein with a view to constituting the Trustees and for purposes of fixing a date for the formal inauguration of the Association. Presently NBA offices were lopsided against Northern lawyers. The New Nigerian Bar Association feels that Lawyers, as professionals like Doctors and Accountants should have more than one Association regulated by the General Council of the Bar.”
In responding to the development, Akpata during his swearing- called for unity of the bar to make a force to be reckoned with in the country.
He said, “The election is over, we must retrace our step. The Bar I want to lead is that which is united as one force. But this task cannot be achieved if we divide at a time we should be united.”
Speaking with Pilot Judiciary about the issue, NBA 2nd Vice President (North) Debo Kazeem Adeyemo attributed his victory to God, the resilience of colleagues throughout Nigeria and their undaunting supports while describing the recent development as a fallout of the just concluded 60th AGC of NBA.
According to him “The latest development is just a reaction from the fallout of the exclusion of El-Rufai and disqualification from participating in the just concluded Annual General Conference of the NBA. Mind you, action and reactions are equal and opposite but it will be addressed and resolved. It is a family affair and we shall put it behind us soon.
“We are coming in at a time when the Bar and the legal profession is facing several challenges and needs a holistic approach to these plethora issues but we are trusting God to lead us through and guide us to achieve the objective as set out by the President of the NBA.
“I have no doubt in my mind that with what we have on the table and the calibre of men and women of impeccable integrity steering the affairs of the Bar, success is achievable. We are starting our tenure by hitting the ground running, albeit flying, and leaving no stone unturned. It will be a situation where we build on what is on the ground in the overall interest of the legal profession. It is call to service and I want to give my best as all eyes are on the new team”, he noted.
But how soon will that be coupled with all the eyes prying at Akpata’s executive remained to be seen against the backdrop of the castigation, counsel and concern from some senior lawyers.
And returning to Amadi, “…it is really surprising that the NBA is not playing leading role in helping to design effective policies for Nigerian governments. The bar no longer leads but now the patrimony of senior lawyers who are focused on professional fees and professional clientele rather than on public policy and the rule of law. …and the first challenge of the new bar will be to regain the confidence of the Nigerian people that the NBA can become the arrowhead of a new struggle to consolidate democracy based on the rule of law (unlike the sacking of former CJN). Furthermore, the leadership of the bar has been somehow too quiet and timid in the face of brutal suppression of the basic freedom of Nigerian citizens by political authorities, especially state governors. Another challenge that flows from the rule of law challenge is to how to create a policy environment that enables sustainable economic development and political stability that foster economic and political freedoms for Nigerians especially during this period of pandemic. The new leadership at the NBA should take up the challenge of making the NBA relevant to economic and social policymaking. It has lost both integrity and intelligence as an organisation. The new leadership has a difficult task to redirect the association and reinvest it with credibility and relevance. It can succeed if it is both humble and courageous. Humble to admit that it may not have what it takes to solve these problems but can always source from the rank of lawyers; courageous to disrupt the reign of sterile conservatism in the leadership of Nigerian lawyers”.
Profile of New NBA Leadership
Olumide Akpata – President: Olumide Akpata had his early education in Warri, Delta State, and thereafter attended King’s College, Lagos from where he proceeded to study Law at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and graduated in 1992. He was called to the Nigerian Bar on 15 December 1993. Having served the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Kano State, he joined the firm of Dr. Mudiaga Odje & Co. in Warri, Delta State where he cut his teeth under the tutelage of the late sage Dr. Mudiaga Odje, SAN, OFR, who was one of the most seasoned litigators of his time. In 1996, Akpata relocated to Lagos and teamed up with his cousin, Oghogho Akpata, who had just set up the law firm, Templars. Together they built a world-class, multi-sectoral and full-service law firm which is now in the 25th year of its existence and consists of over 100 fee-earners, including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria. Akpata began participating in the activities of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), as soon as he joined the law firm of Dr. Mudiaga Odje & Co., as a member of the NBA Warri Branch. Upon relocating to Lagos in 1996, he joined the NBA Lagos Branch. A foundation member of the NBA Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL) in 2004, Akpata worked closely with the pioneer Chairman of the section, Mr. George Etomi and his team, to operationalise the section after its inauguration in December 2004, by the then President of the NBA, Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN. His active participation in the NBA-SBL led to his election, in January 2012, as Secretary of the NBA-SBL Council, in August 2014 as Vice-Chairman and then in August 2016 as Chairman.
John Aikpokpo-Martins – First Vice President: John Aikpokpo-Martins, an indigene of Edo State, practices law as a full time private legal practitioner in Warri, Delta State. He graduated from Bendel State University, Ekpoma in 1989, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1990. He is the Principal Partner of Aikpokpo, Okeregha & Co. He had chaired the NBA Warri Branch (2014 – 2016) and his administration built a multi-million naira bar centre at Effurun High Court premises which comprises a 300-persons sitting capacity, offices, cloak rooms for male and female, etc. Aikpokpo-Martins had also served as the chairman of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, Delta State Chapter (APBN) from 2017 to 2019.
Adeyemo Kazeem Debo – Second Vice President: Having attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1998) and the Nigerian Law School, Bwari-Abuja (1999-2000), Chief Debo Adeyemo was called to the Nigerian Bar in October 2000. His law office attachment was with P.A.O. Olorunnishola (SAN). He was also with A.O. Mohammed (SAN) from 2000-2001, before moving to Deji Gbadeyan (Mni) in 2001 where he met the footprints of Chief Hakeem Afolabi (SAN). He became the deputy head of chambers there, before setting up his law practice Debo Adeyemo & Co in Offa on 3rd August 2003. Adeyemo’s movement to Offa from Ilorin coincided with the inauguration of the NBA Offa Branch which was made possible by the efforts of Chief R A Lawal Rabana (SAN) and others. Adeyemo had become active in the Bar activities when he was in Ilorin. He became the acting Secretary of the Offa Branch when the then Secretary, Sarafdeen Olajide Ibrahim Esq relocated to Ilorin to take up appointment and then became the substantive Secretary of the Branch from 2006-2011. He was also the Chairman of the Branch from 2011-2016, and from 2016 till date, became the NEC Representative. In 2015, he was bestowed with the Baamofin of Agbamu Kingdom and in November 2015, was honoured as the Otunba Atayese of Orun-Ekiti in Ekiti State.
Oduah Joyce – General Secretary: Joyce Oduah (Mrs.) is the Managing Partner of Joyce Oduah & Co., a law firm situated in Festac Town, Lagos. An Associate Certified Fraud Examiner, Joyce attended the University of Lagos where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Law in 1990. She was duly called to the Bar on the 10th of December 1991. Having worked with the Ministry of Justice, Ogun State from 1991 to 1992 during her National Youth Service, she was employed by General Oil Ltd as a Legal Officer in 1992. She was promoted in 1994 to the position of Legal Coordinator of the company and became the first lawyer in the history of the company to attend the company’s board meetings. Due to her cravings and desire for legal practice, she voluntarily relinquished her position in the corporate world in 1996 to join the law firm of Steve Nwagbo & Co. where she sharpened her edge in litigation practice before she proceeded to set up her law firm, Joyce Oduah & co., after she successfully completed her Master’s Degree programme in 1997. She had been 1st Assistant Secretary 2000-2002, Publicity Secretary 2007-2009 and Social Secretary 2009-2011 all at Lagos Branch and a member of the Federation of International Women Lawyer (FIDA), National Treasurer, NBA (2012-2014) and had been a member of the National Executive Committee of NBA. She was also a member of the Law Reform and Administration of Justice Reform Committee, Akwa Ibom State (2007-2009) among others.
Nwadialo Esther Uchenna – Assistant Secretary: Uchenna Esther Nwadialo, a Senior Associate in the law firm of Emeka Ngige & Co., holds a bachelor of law degree LL.B [Hons] from Madonna University and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2008. A financial member of the Lagos branch of NBA, she was Assistant Secretary and Social Secretary of the branch in 2015 and 2017 respectively. She is also a member of the International Bar Association [IBA], International Federation of Women Lawyers [FIDA], African Women Lawyers Association [AWLA], Nigerian Bar Association Women Lawyers [NBAWF], Lions Club International and is the Welfare Secretary of Surulere Lawyers Forum [SLF].
Mercy Ijato Agada – Treasurer: Mercy Ijato Agada, a native of Idoma in Benue State where she attended her primary and secondary schools. She proceeded to Kogi State University for her LL.B and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007. She has been in active private practice since her call till date. She works with Onche Adakole & Co. She is a member of the NBA Otukpo Branch wherein she served the Branch as a treasurer and then chairman. She has the passion for widows, orphans and less privileged and has done both civil and criminal cases pro-bono for them. She has served the Bar at the branch, state, and national levels at various times and held the following positions, amongst others: treasurer, NBA Otukpo Branch (2014-2016); delegate, Nigerian Bar Association National Delegate Conference Abuja (2014); member, Nigerian Bar Association Otukpo Branch Human Rights Committee (2012-2014); member Justice Sector Reform Committee, Benue State (2016-2018), and chairman, Nigerian Bar Association Otukpo Branch (2016-2018). Agada promised to “Work with the President and the General Secretary to facilitate that credit facilities are made available on time to young Lawyers who intend to carry out partnership.”
Edun Olukunle – Welfare Secretary: Kunle Edun had his senior secondary certificate from Rev. Kuti Memorial Grammar School, Abeokuta (1990), read law at the then Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye (1997), and then proceeded to Nigerian Law School, Abuja (1998). He was called to the bar in September, 1999 and had his LL.M at the University of Benin in 2006. He served at the law Firm of A.K. Osawota & Co, Warri (NYSC scheme) and was retained after the service year and rose to become the Head of Chambers within five years of post-call. He became the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser of Lonestar Drilling Nigeria Ltd, Nigeria’s first indigenous oil drilling company headquartered in Port Harcourt. He resigned from the company after five years to co-found Tri-Lex Partners LP in Warri. He is the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the NBA, member of NEC since 2016, vice chairman, NBA Warri (2016-2018), and chairman, NBA Warri Human Right Committee (2016-2018). He litigated many cases which are in public interest like the Suit No. UHC/186/2014: Olukunle Edun vs. Gov. Delta State & Ors., which successfully obtained judgment that restrained VIOs from stopping private vehicles on the road and declared the issuance of Road Worthiness Certificate to private vehicle owners as unlawful.
Anagor Raphael Nnamdi – Financial Secretary: Anagor Raphael Nnamdi graduated from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (2009), and attended Nigeria Law School Abuja – 2010, in addition to his OND and HND in Accounting; Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE); Post Graduate Diploma and Masters of Business Administration. Since 2010 he had been the Associate Senior Partner of Ifeanyichukwu Obiakor & Co. (Ezeamal Chambers) at Awka, Anambra State after initially working as auditor and accountant for various firms. He was Publicity Secretary (2013-2015), Secretary (2015-2017) all in NBA Awka branch and the Publicity Secretary of NBA Eastern Bar Forum.
Nduka Rapuluchukwu Ernest (PhD) – Publicity Secretary: Rapuluchukwu Ernest Nduka was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2005 and currently holds a Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B) from Abia State University, Master of Laws degree (LL.M) in Information Technology & Telecommunications Law from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Cyber Law from the University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
Naza Ferdinand Afam – Assistant Publicity Secretary: Ferdinand Afam Naza Esq. bagged his LL.B from Ebonyi State University (2009), had his BL from Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus and was called to the Bar on 30th November, 2010.
He is an active member of the NBA, Onitsha Branch; member, African Bar Association; member NBA Section on Legal Practice; and member, NBA Section on Business Law. Assistant Publicity Secretary, NBA Onitsha Branch (2014-2016); Alternate Chairman, NBA Onitsha Branch, Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) from 2016-2017; Chairman, NBA Onitsha Branch, Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) 2017-2018; Secretary, NBA Onitsha Branch, Committee on Continuing Legal Education, 2018-2020 and Secretary, NBA Onitsha Branch Conference Planning Committee 2019.

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