SPIDEL Ends Annual Conference at Ibadan on a Cheerful Note

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) had until recently fallen on hard times, having been comatose for about seven years. It took the efforts of the Dr Paul Ananaba, SAN-led SPIDEL Council to resuscitate the once vibrant Section. This process was effectively started with the highly successful 2019 SPIDEL Annual Conference in Aba, but was cemented in a spectacular way by this year’s annual conference held in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State.

With an engaging theme such as “The Role of Public Interest in Governance in Nigeria”, the welcome cocktails hosted by the Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola on May 23, 2021 set the stage for the intellectual fireworks witnessed throughout the conference.

While the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Mr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani delivered a warm welcome address to herald the opening ceremony, Ananaba, the Chairman of the Section, gave the opening remarks which set the tone for the conference. The NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata in his address, emphasised the pivotal position of SPIDEL in defence of human rights and rule of law.

The address of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad was delivered by Justice Ejembi Eko of the Supreme Court, while goodwill messages were presented by the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Abimbola; the Attorney-General of Oyo State, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, SAN; pioneer SPIDEL Chairman, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN; Mrs. Folake Solanke, SAN and former NBA President, Mr. Austin Alegeh, SAN who made a virtual presentation. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde declared open the hybrid conference. He had during a courtesy visit by SPIDEL, committed to hosting a successful conference.

The conference featured nine technical sessions with over 50 Speakers who spoke on various sub-themes including the mega session on “The Imperatives of Public Interest in Governance in Nigeria”; “Internal Security: A Pre-Requisite for National Development”; “Legality and Efficacy of Public Inquiry by State Governments – Issues on Violent Protest and Recovery of Assets”; “When the State Truly Defends: Assessing the Role of the Office of the Public Defender of Lagos State & Other Institutional Schemes for Access to Justice by the Public”; and “Anti-Corruption Model: Assets Declaration, Public Access & Emerging Issues”.

Other sub-themes were “Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Assessing Nigeria’s Progress: Focus Discussion on Gender Equality, Climate Action, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”; “Third Party Data Capturing for National Identification Numbers Project: National Security and Privacy Issues”; “Paternity Fraud in Nigeria: Legal and Social Implications”; and “Showcase Session on Public Interest Lawyering”.

Among the Speakers who attended the conference were Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko, JSC, Prof. Pat Utomi, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN (ICPC Chairman), Aisha Yesufu, and Mr. Deji Adeyanju. Aside from leading human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, other Speakers also made virtual presentations.

After several robust debates, SPIDEL issued a communiqué outlining resolutions from the conference. The conference observed a disconnect between a large segment of the legal profession and the ideals of public interest lawyering, owing to gaps in the legal education curriculum. It noted that the current federating structure of the Nigerian State “is clearly unwieldy, and the debilitating situation is clearly seen in the spate of security crises in the country”, adding that aside from lack of local laws and an administrative structure for the administration of stolen funds in a manner that ensures that the funds are not re-looted, “it is constitutional and thus, lawful for States Houses of Assemblies to make anti-corruption laws and to establish State anti-corruption commissions to fight the menace at the State level.”

Curtains were drawn on the sold-out conference, with the unveiling of the “SORO SOKE” App by the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Folake Solanke, SAN, assisted by NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata.

Financial Autonomy: Until Judiciary Account is Credited, Strike Continues, JUSUN

Steve Aya

After ratification of its agreement with Federal and State Governments, the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has maintained that its members will continue the almost two-month-old strike, until the accounts of all State Judiciaries have been credited.

In a statement released on Thursday by the Union’s Publication Relations Officer, the workers acknowledged the meeting between their NWC , State Governors and officials of the Federal Government, and the MOA that was agreed upon on Thursday 20th May.

They however, maintained that the MOA is yet to be signed by NGF and returned to the concerned quarters, as agreed. They also confirmed their meeting with the body of CJs and the issues as discussed with the Government team, was raised.

“Earlier today, the NWC met with the body of CJs, and the issues as discussed with the Government team was raised. The Heads of Court are impressed with our efforts, observed a few clauses, and encouraged us to be firm and resolute.”

They reiterate their determination to go on with the strike action, until all State Judiciary accounts are credited.

“I am directed to reiterate that until the all-Judiciary Accts are credited, the strike continues.”

It would be recalled that the NWC met on Thursday 20th May, with the Government team, and an Understanding was reached. The MOA is yet to be signed by NGF and returned to the concerned quarters, according to report.

However, States like Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Lagos are said to have already complied with the provisions of Executive Order 10 by remitting money to the arms of Government.

But, they are yet to formalise the arrangement by setting up the fund disbursement structures as provided in the agreement.

FAAC met last Friday and shared allocations to the Federal, State and Local Governments. However, the Judiciary and the Legislature were yet to receive their direct allocations as agreed.

Under the agreement, the State Governors have a 45-day timeline from the date of signing of the agreement to implement the deal, or the Federal Government will be forced to invoke Executive Order 10, by asking the Accountant-General of the Federation to transfer funds directly to the State Judiciary and legislative arms.

The NGF Vice Chairman and Governor of Sokoto, Dr. Aminu Tambuwal, on Wednesday during a Colloquium organised by the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice Academy, in honour of the retiring Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, expressed delight that a consensus has finally been reached on the autonomy conundrum, and opined that the strike is expected to be suspended anytime soon.

Ubani, Adegoke, Nwadioke Now SPIDEL Council Members

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has noted that the new leadership of its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) was carefully chosen, to ensure that the Section does not become comatose again.

Speaking during the Annual General Meeting of the Section held at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre, NBA Ibadan Branch, NBA First Vice President and Chairman of the SPIDEL Electoral Committee, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, said that he was mandated by NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, “to ensure that those who will lead SPIDEL will be able to lead it from where we are now to greater heights, and to ensure that SPIDEL does not fall into the doldrums again”.

Aside from fiery human rights activist, Mr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani who was elected as the Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL Council, others are Mr. Steve Abah, Vice Chairman; Dr. Princess Frank-Chukwuani, Secretary; Funmilola Adeogun, Treasurer and Godfrey Echeho, Publicity Secretary. Council members include Dr Paul Ananaba, SAN; Mr. Kunle Adegoke, SAN; Mr. Kola Omotinugbon; Mr. Emeka Nwadioke, Mr. Kunle Edun, Dr. Paul Ebiala, Anne Uruegi Agi, Igbeaku Ukwueso Evulukwu, and Mr. Abdullahi Karaye.

Saying that the newly elected Council was not only in compliance with the NBA Constitution, but that “the list that we present to the AGM is the best possible team”, the NBA stalwart gave assurance that “By the grace of God, SPIDEL has been revived. What is left is to build on it”.

Dissecting the challenges that hobbled SPIDEL before its revival by the Dr Paul Ananaba, SAN leadership, the NBA chieftain said: “The mistake that I believe that was made in the past, was that those who had the passion were not in the driver’s seat of SPIDEL”.

On his part, the pioneer Chairman of SPIDEL, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN said: “I have enjoyed the conference; I have enjoyed the comradeship. I have reunited with colleagues, and made new friends. Ibadan is a nice place. I am happy for the success of the outgoing leadership. I am also praying for victory for MOU and the new Council”.

ABU Zaria Honours CJN 

Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed

Ahuraka Yusuf Isah

Students of the Faculty of Law of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in collaboration with the University’s authorities, over the weekend honoured the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Hon. Justice (Dr) Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.

The recognition for the CJN came while the students were making a public presentation of the maiden edition of their “ANNUR Chambers Annual Journal of Contemporary Issues in Shari’a and Comparative Law”.

A student, Miss Rukaiya Bello, who is the Head/Principal Partner of the Chambers, said that they chose to honour the CJN, for his immense contribution to the growth and development of the judicial system in the country.

According to Miss Bello, the CJN is a big source of inspiration to the students of the Faculty of Law of ABU, Zaria because ‘’he graduated from the institution with LLB (Shari’a), came back to obtain an LLM, and subsequently, bagged PhD from the same institution.

‘’Besides, Hon. Dr Justice I.T. Muhammad added huge pride to ABU, Zaria with his appointment as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. We are indeed proud of him”, she said.

However, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, who presented a paper on the contributions of the CJN to legal jurisprudence, said although His Lordship is an expert on Shari’a law, he has decided more cases on other areas of legal disputes.

“I can only enumerate a few of the decisions made by the CJN, to demonstrate his vast knowledge in law to assist the students on whose behalf this paper is mainly written.

‘’The efforts of the CJN, cannot be over-emphasised. As the grand custodian of the law, his Lordship’s feat in the dispensation of justice, given the constraints and challenges of the system, is remarkable and deserving a commendation’’, the SAN said.

However, Annur Chambers was established by the students of the ABU, Zaria Faculty of Law, to assist themselves in the areas of moot trial. Since the Chambers is made up of students, none of them can appear on behalf of litigants before any court of law.

The CJN urged the students not to allow the periodic publication of the journal be lost, and they should maintain the aims and objectives of their Chambers; which is the first of its kind.

The event was also attended by Justices Amiru Sanusi (Rtd), Abdu Aboki and Mohammed Lawal Garba of the Supreme Court; Justice (Dr) H. Mukhtar of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ishaq Bello,  the former Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who was the Chairman of the event. Others present were Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court, Prof Siraj Barau Abdulkarim (who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof Kabir Bala), Prof Yusuf Aboki, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima (former Governor of Zamfara State) and Alh Tajudeen Oladoja.

 

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