Majority leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila,was reportedly charged to court and found guilty of violating the rules of the bar of Georgia State in the United States of America.
According to Sahara Reporters, Gbajabiamila, a lawyer, admitted to withholding $25,000 of his client received as damage to personal injury claims.
He was said to have been prosecuted before the Supreme Court of Georgia in February, 2007.
The lawmaker, is contesting for speaker of the House of Representatives.
Sahara Reporters has uploaded a copy of the judgement of the supreme court of Georgia, detailing Gbajabiamila’s case.
The judgement read: “This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the Respondent Femi Gbaja’s Petition for Voluntary Discipline which was filed under Bar Rule 4-227 (b) (2) before a formal complaint was issued.
” In his petition, Gbaja admits violating Rule 1 .l 5 ( l) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct set forth in Bar Rule 4-102 (d). Although a violation of this rule is punishable by disbarment. Gbaja requests the imposition of a 24-month suspension.
“He agrees. however to accept a suspension of up to 36 months. The State Bar has no objection to the acceptance of Gbaja’s petition so long as the suspension is no less than 36 months in duration.
“Gbaja, who has only been a member of the Bar since 2001 admits that he accepted payment of $25,000 as settlement of a client’s personal injury claims, deposited those funds in his attorney trust account in January 2003, failed to promptly disburse those funds to his client. withdrew those funds for his own use. closed his practice and moved out of the country. Although Gbaja ultimately paid the $25,000 to his client in 2006. he admits his conduct violated Rule HS (1) and that. as a result, he is subject to disbarment. In mitigation of his actions, Gbaja asserts that he has cooperated fully with disciplinary authorities, repaid his client, and is extremely remorseful for the consequences of his conduct. Under these circumstances, we conclude that a 36-month suspension is an appropriate sanction. Accordingly, Gbaja hereby is suspended for a period of 36 months. He is reminded of his duties under Bar Rule 4-219(c).”
TheCable looked up Gbajabiamila’s profile on the website of the State Bar of Georgia where it was stated that he is under “administrative suspension (licence fees).”
It stated this to mean “member who has not paid license fees for a period of no less than one or greater than five consecutive bar years; not eligible to practice law in Georgia, but eligible for reinstatement by specific steps mandated in bar rules, but will not be required to take bar exam to reinstate.โ
ย …campaign organisation debunks allegation
Femi Gbajabiamila, majority leader of the house of representatives, was never convicted of any crime in the US, his campaign organisation has said.
A court in the Federal capital Territory (FCT) had asked Gbajabiamila to appear before it on Monday, the eve of the speakership contest, over a suit filed by Action Peoples Party (APP).
The party had asked the court to disqualify Gbajabiamila from the race on the grounds that he was convicted in a $25,000 fraud case.
But addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the campaign organisation led by Abdulmumin Jibrin, a lawmaker from Kano, said the speakership aspirant has also not been accused of any corruption in any country.
Jibrin described as “outright lies” claims that Gbajabiamila was once convicted in Georgia, US.
According to the lawmaker, the accusations were meant to distract Gbajabiamila from the race to become speaker of the house of representatives.
“Femi Gbajabiamila has never been convicted for any crime in the US, Nigeria or anywhere,” he said.
“He has never been accused of corruption and has no corruption case. He never committed perjury in Nigeria or any country of the world.
“He has provided clarifications and set records straight. The allegations have been tested and struck out in court. It has been stated that he is a full member of the Bar of Georgia.”
Jibrin also displayed what he said was a letter confirming Gbajabiamila’s membership of the Bar of Georgia as well as the copy of the Nigerian court judgement striking out the case.
“We further wish to state that Femi has not been served any court summons or notified by the clerk of the national assembly. The judiciary must not allow itself to be mixed in this โฆ campaign of calumny,” he said.
The lawmaker added that the campaign organisation has so far secured the support of 60 members of lawmakers who are not in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said members of other opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have also pledged their support for the APC consensus candidate.
He said: “Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Hon. Ahmed Wase will be on the floor of the house to be elected speaker and deputy speaker respectively.
“We wish to reiterate that Hon. Femi will run an all inclusive house. So far, we have secured the endorsement of parts of the PDP caucus and other opposition parties consisting of about 60 members.
“Hon. Femi has had a distinguished career both in the parliament and beyond. He is a loyal Nigerian and party man. He is honest, hardworking, team player and humble.
“He has worked tirelessly to support his friends but some of them including me let him down in 2015. I have since repented and I am also calling on all others to repent as well.โ
