NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION – LAGOS BRANCH

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, LAGOS BRANCH HELD ON MONDAY 13TH MARCH, 2017 AT THE FOYER OF THE HIGH COURT, IGBOSERE, LAGOS STATE

1.0 ATTENDANCE

1.1 Officers

1. Martin A. Ogunleye - Chairman2. Stephen O. Obajaja - Secretary3. Uche Ikwueme (Mrs.) - 1st Vice Chairman4. OmohafeT. Opara (Mrs.) - 2nd Vice Chairman5. Philips Njeteneh - Treasurer6. Emmanuel Orhoro - Financial Secretary7. Emeka Nwadioke - Publicity Secretary8. Chinyere Obasi - Social Secretary9. Uchenna Nwadialo - Assistant Secretary10. Celestine Nwankwo - Asst. Financial Secretary

1.2 Members

1. Abioye Akerele 2) Andrew Enakhifo 3. Layo Olugbemi 4) Wale Akoni SAN 5. Folabi Kuti 6) Saheed A. Sanni 7. Aghaonu Chris 8) Rotimi Ogunlade 9. Jeffery Eboh 10) David Anakor 11. Akinwunmi Salau 12) Declan Kedmdirim 13. Ijomah Richard Bonny 14) Adeniyi Adegbomire SAN15. Kehinde Daodu 16) George Okusanya 17. Chioma Udeagbala 18) Oyinkan Etti19. Ogebe Ebiega Success 20) Olabode Olanipekun 21. Alfred Akinjo 22) John Osighala 23. Amarachi Abiaziem 24) Onyekachi C. Uko 25. Egbadon Matthew 26) Dise Obafunwa 27. Osayimenee Ogbita 28) Adefolake Adewusi 29. Osarieme Anita Omonuwa 30) George Nwabueze Ochi 31. Kehinde M. Padonu 32) Anthonia Eke 33. Nwani Oge 34) Toyin Adenugba35. Peter A. Oboyi 36) Oluwafemi E. Adeniyi 37. Nosika Omaliko Raphael 38) Godson Nwohamuo39. ADefemi Akindare 40) Adebola Lema 41. Ade Agunbiade 42) Philips N. Oyamma 43. Mike Moghalu 44) Oluwole Itemola

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45. Bode Omoboriowo 46) Chimezie Victor C. Ihekweazu 47. Agu Raphael Nnaemeka 48) Johnson Amaechi 49. Ikechukwu Uwana 50) Abraham A. Jande51. T.Y Iorse Sheriffs 52) Olubukonla Awofiranye53. John Duru 54) Tolulope Osho – Kazeem 55. Nonso Ngonadi 56) E. K. Ukwueze 57. Jude Ejiofor 58) Geoffery Eze 59. Olumide Aju 60) Olaore C. Oluwatoyin 61. Catherin U. Onabunne 62) Nelson Ogbuanya 63. Stanley Onworeh 64) Nnamdi Oragwu 65. Ayodeji Olubunmi Awobiyide 66) Ayodeji Abisola Fasehun 67. Maryam A. Abudu 68) Yakubu Galadinma 69. Muhammed Abdulmumini 70) Abama Nwukabu 71. Adeleke Adetola 72) Moshood Abiola 73. Bamidele Ajabaluku 74) Dennis O. Akhagba 75. Iheanyi D. Eme 76) Chijioke Okoli SAN 77. Taye Latilo 78) Chigbo Anaenugwu 79. Olaolu Akintunde Owolabi 80) Nwosu Chinedu Sabinus 81. Kaduru Chimezie D. 82) Adeleye S. Abiodun 83. Isioma Nwichi 84) E. A. Oyebanji 85. Sandy Diana 86) Otobong Umoh 87. M. A. Adebayo Abdulazeez 88) Megwai Ifeoma89. Akinjeji Omolara 90) Isu Ewa Isu 91. Mutiu Ganiyu 92) Yusuff B. Bello 93. M. A. Bashua 94) Eboh Thomas Okwudili 95. Winifred Otokhina 96) Chief E. A. Otokhina 97. Rebecca Dokun 98) Ifejesu Ogunleye 99. Gbadebo G. Awogboro 100) Adebayo Oriola 101. Ahmed Shittu 102) Ogo Onyia 103. Oladitan Oluseye 104) Yinka Sunmola 105. Kelechi Onuoha 106) Tome Onabajo 107. Joseph Ekene Ndibuagu 108) Ali Jubril Abiodun 109. Okeke Chidiebere Kingsley 110) Ihekweazu Ogechi Evagloria 111. Olaleye Oladimeji 112) Eziokwu A. Endurance 113. Alajuronye Obidi Cecil 114) Tamuno Atekebo 115. Peter A. Ugwu 116) Ifeatu Ihedidem117. Mustapha O. Olanrewaju 118) Mariam Jogai Ogundeji 119. Mark Mordi 120) Ifeoma T. Odibe 121. Afam Okeke 122) Ugochukwu Vincent Okoroafor 123. Uche Obiorah 124) Gibson Elumelu 125. Martina Aguocha 126) Olamide Aiyeola 127. Ebele Oliko 128) Frank B. A. Nabena 129. Marie Ukeke – Allen 130) Okoro Gabriel Bryne

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131. Nwabunike George 132) Fikayo Akintola 133. Modupe Sowho 134) Mike Idowu 135. Adefowoke Ayo – Ponle 136) Agazie Chinwe 137. Ayoade Olanrewaju 138) Tope Balami 139. Simi Shonibare 140) Onyenekwe Nkiruka P. 141. Eric Orji 142) Chukwunonso Ukamuke 143. Ayodeji Oyetunde 144) Oyedeji Olubunmi 145. Uchenna N. Ezeokeke 146) Olumide Akinnimi 147. Lotanna Nwodo 148) Chief Abudulahi Tony Dania 149. Gideon Okebu Ayobami 150) Osarieme Edokpolo151. Femi Fajolu 152) Olatoye Akinbode 153. Ibifubara Berenibara 154) A. A. Muhammed – Mikaaeel 155. Mene – Afejuku Tosanbami 156) Irase Ohiokpehai 157. Victoria Onyinye Lawrence 158) Emmanuel Oset 159. Joshua Amusan – Giwa 160) Pius Sodje 161. Uduak Bhavnaani 162) Oluwatoyin Ale163. Jacob Benedict 164) Anthony Atata 165. Amachree Victor 166) Anthony C. Eze 167. Henry Omu 168) Afolashade Osundosunmu169. Olalekan Idowu 170) Somtochukwu Ifedigbo 171. Olaomi Ibukun 172) Nwanneka Michael 173. Uzoeghelu – Nzube O. Joy 174) Onyejaka Nelson C175. Foluke Olubiyo 176) Anozie Awambu 177. Maduka Ken Nwanna 178) Eyube A. Cynthia 179. Kolawole Mayomi 180) L. Oni – Oguabor 181. Okereke Obinna N. C 182) Oyoje Bello 183. Oluwaseun Alao 184) Soilo Ovia – Idariah 185. Emmanuel Bassey 186) Olumide Babalola 187. Jennifer Aburime 188) Adesina Oluwatoyin 189. Elorina Ezulu 190) Olaide Arewa 191. Felix Ogunmade 192) Bode Iranloye 193. Kayode Ajiloye 194) Ajijola Tolulope 195. Layi Arikewuyo 196) Onigbinde S. Olumayowa 197. Boniface Ekong 198) Fatai Ajibona Daley 199. Bukola Adebayo 200) Oshinubi Solomon 201. Dolapo Roberts 202) Omonigho Erhonsele 203. Goungo Patrick Oluwasegun 204) Oladipo Osinowo205. Lanre Oyetunji 206) Azeezat Omolara Oladejo 207. Chukwuma Ezeala 208) Chief Chuks Ikokwu 209. Ugo S. Osuji 210) Onyeukwu Helen Nkiruka 211. Angela Maduagwuna 212) Wahab Ekundayo 213. Rita Okonkwo 214) Olushola M. Alamu 215. Adekunle – Fatokun Aramide 216) Uche Ajogwu

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217. Henry Obinna Ezeanyim 218) Egere Christy 219. Isaac O. Dada 220) Obi Obinna Kingsley 221. Adesina R. Erewele 222) Mojisola Jaiye – Gbenle 223. Kayode Odumosu 224) Kayode Odumosu 225. Moka Nnaebuka 226) Femi Onakoya 227. Rafiat Ojule 228) Ikponmwosa Uwaifo 229. Osahon Ukponahusi 230) Bernard Ehigiamusa 231. Okwor Kenneth 232) Afolabi Araromi 233. Obianuju Ibekwe 234) Oreoluwa Omotayo 235. Oghenevo Ideh 236) Eniye Ogbebor 237. Okechukwu Nwoko 238) Evelyn Agu 239. Clara Mbachu 240) Chief Guy Ikokwu 241. Tochukwu Chukwumerije 242) Richard Chukwuocha 243. Ifeoma Ben 244) Udechukwu Catherine 245. Uwala Murphy – Akpieyi 246) Chimaobi Adiele 247. Mike Ajaegbo 248) Titilola Akinlawon SAN 249. Folasade Adebayo 250) Julius A. O. Odupitan 251. Tolani Edu – Adeola 252) Ayodele Akintunde SAN253. S. B. Onu 254) Abe Ozioko 255. Bob C. O. Ijioma 256) Lilian Eronini 257. Chief Emeka Ngige SAN 258) Pa Tunji Gomez259. Stella Ugboma 260) Marian Jones 261. Emeka – Iloegbunam, Gerty 262) Animashaun Bolatunmi 263. Ogbonaya C. Agbafo 264) Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu 265. Francis Anwana 266) Benjamin Odeh 267. Egbe U. Andelene 268) Ikechukwu Onodi 269. Kenneth Kelle 270) Tobenna Nnagwi 271. Mbanugo Udenze 272) Abimbola Toluwaleke 273. Abayomi Asorobi 274) Christiana O. Obinzu – Dosunmu 275. Eric Ikwele 276) G. M. Sasore 277. Kenneth Ahia 278) Onyedika Nwosu 279. Emeka Opara 280) Rowland J. C. Eneje 281. Sandra Osaruchi Ovundah 282) Kehinde Akeremale 283. Chioma Eneze 284) Chidi Ezeikpe 285. Ademola Fashola 286) Naomi Amobi 287. Temitope Sowunmi 288) Frances O. Onwunali 289. Lawrence C. Ohineme 290) Chidinma Okoronkwo 291. Oritsetimeyin Yonwuren 292) Philomena Nneji 293. E. Robert Emukpoeruo 294) Queenette Hogan 295. Esther Opaaje 296) Okolois Ehiakhamen 297. Olusanya Falana 298) Amos Ogbonnaya 299. Adesuwa Omozubi 300) Oyetola Oshobi

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301. Mobolaji Kuti 302) Oluwakemi Yusuff303. Olatunde Kolawole 304) James Segun Omoyajowo305. Linda Adeoti 306) Oluwadamilare Ajao 307. Ikenna Onwusika 308) Adesola Falaiye309. Ale – Daniel Olaoluwa 310) Ukamaka Okoli 311. Onyinye Chukwu 312) Olayinka Babafemi 313. Chinedu Kenna 314) Fidelis Adewole 315. Akinhanmi Idowu 316) Yeside Akinbami 317. Chuma Kenneth Akana 318) Jude Ehiedu 319. Nnamdi Nwodo 320) Ibukun Owa 321. Oluseun Awonuga 322) Achinivu Okechukwu 323. Laurel Imuezerua 324) Uchenna Ogiro 325. Adebowale Aluko 326) Adenike Afun327. Olasunmbo Adejumo 328) Emmanuel Ukpai 329. Reginald Udom 330) John Justice 331. Unegbu Chinweizu 332) Almond Waive 333. Mercy Udosen 334) Dennis Ezika 335. Akoh Ocheni 336) Okey Eneh 337. Kelechi Uwanna 338) D. N. S. Torbari 339. Abdulrasheed Ibrahim 340) R. C. Maduagwu 341. Lawrence Austincoleman 342) Anthony Okplanozie 343. Kingsley Amaefule 344) Yinka Ajana 345. Omoniyi Onabule 346) Adekunle Adeniyi 347. Agbo Nwanneamaka 348) Onyekachi Asogwa 349. Oluyemisi Iwajomo 350) Ezeanochikwa Emeka351. Glory Njoku 352) Emmanuel Ofulue 353. Olugbenga Fabilola 354) W. A. Gbadebo 355. M. J. Ongbanjo SAN 356) Gloria C. Ireka 357. Ugo Ewelaku 358) Geraldine Wey 359. Kolade T. Olawuni 360) Egeonu Gloria 361. Okwuowulu Chioma Eloamuo 362) Gbolahan Gbadamosi 363. Olumide Oyesanya 364) Carol Obi 365. Foluke Akinmoladun 366) Tara Aisida 367. Ngozi Ngonadi 368) Ehumadu Augustine 369. Hannibal Uwaifo 370) Adenike Adeniji 371. Okechukwu Unegbu 372) Oliza Azinge 373. Margaret Akpoyoware 374) Gabriel Uduafi 375. Olushola Abiloye 376) Kelechi Okwujiakor 377. Chisa Uba 378) Orji Agwu Uka379. Ogungbe Deyon 380) Abiye Tam George 381. Okonkwo T. N. T 382) Babayomi Olutumbi 383. Momodu Aliu 384) Oche Adagagan 385. Donna Obaseki – Ogunaike 386) Nwana E. Chuks

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387. Umoh Augustine 388) Andrew Negbenebor 389. Umoru Milicent Joy 390) Chukwuka Ikwuazom 391. Alex Muoka 392) Oyindamola Johnson 393. Adebukola Lajide 394) Adeoye Akanji 395. Anne Osho 396) Bamidele Ibironke 397. Leke Ogunbambi 398) Uchenna Eze399. Ayo Adesanmi 400) Amaka Aneke 401. Godwin Omoaka 402) Gbenga Bello 403. Ogheaekevwe Okpobia 404) Bunmi Ibraheem 405. Colin Egemonye 406) Uba Onyema 407. Omolade Adeyemi 408) Amede Oputa 409. Ayodeji Fakolade 410) Chinwe Oduche 411. Chinwe Oduche 412) Tolu Olaloye 413. Asamah Kadiri 414) Imaobong Haastrup 415. Lawrence C. Okwara 416) Orji Mabel 417. Omotola Ishola 418) Timothy Boluwaji Akinyeye419. Mumini Damilola Rotimi 420) Kayode Adeniji 421. Anene Nwaduke 422) Aliu Akeem Adewale 423. Emuoboaniwie Majemite 424) Anayo Agbo 425. Rudolf Ezeani 426) Fred Onyeka 427. Omobola Aiyegbusi 428) Temitope Omogege429. K. M. Oduntan 430) Oluwatoyin Oladapo 431. Priscilla Ogwemoh 432) George U. Ukwuoma 433. Ikemefuna Stephen Nwoye 434) Lekan Dairo435. Adewale Akande 436) Musibau Ishola Alagbala437. Uchenna Obi 438) Tamunodepriye A Micah439. Okeke Ijeoma Tina 440) Onwuka Ngozi Rosemary 441. Comfort Ukeje 442) Kelechukwu Uzoka 443. Hakeem Oladipo Olanrewaju 444) Innocent David 445. Honesty Eguridu 446) Rebecca D. Tanga 447. Oboku Horsefall 448) Udoh Lucy P449. Obukohwo S. Odogon 450) Alfred Uwaka451. David Angya 452) Rita Uloko 453. Chikanso Ezitonye 454) David Ogbe455. Obiajulu Konwa 456) Ferguson Chioma457. Ibitoye Nwachukwu Omotunde 458) Vivian Uwadi 459. Chinwe Mbah 460) Ifeoma Ezenwa 461. Chibuzo Ezima 462) Erimakpe Godwin Adelemon 463. Ayogu Felix Buchi 464) Oladigbolu Abidemi 465. Marcus Eyarhono 466) Festus C. Madu 467. Love Ezemegbu 468) Patricia Atuchukwu 469. Silas Momoh 470) Nduka Enweluku 471. Tony Ezeani 472) Okey Akunyili

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473. Dioka Eneh 474) Oladipo Olukosi O475. Vincent Orizu 476) Ezeikpe Sisan 477. Barth Okonkwo 478) Vincent C Obianoyi 479. Riliwanu I. Are 480) Friday Idor Okike 481. Funke Henshew 482) Harry O. Ukaejiofor 483. Olugbenga Onalaja 484) Nta Ekpiken 485. Olufunmilayo Otsemobor 486) Chitua Uzoh 487. Unekuojo Idachaba 488) Abisayo Olawale – Cole 489. Ine Arome 490) Yimika Adesola 491. Jesutofunmi Olabenjo 492) Feyijinmi Lawanson 493. A. A. Farinmade 494) Chinasa Unaegbunam 495. Babatunde Ogungbamila 496) Owhofawhoraye S. A497. Ellias Olatunde Ajadi 498) E. M. Ihesiulo 499. Ayodeji Atere 500) Ngo – Martins Okonmah 501. Omono Blessing O. 502) Agbana Florence A503. Peter Omolodun 504) N. T. Aideyan 505. Mabel Ekeke 506) Eresi T. Uche 507. Onyeka E. Egbunike 508) Tokunbo Olugbenga 509. Amusa Tajudeen 510) Amusa Tajudeen Adebola 511. Muoka Chinyere C. 512) Alewo Etuk513. Otu Etuk 514) Ajayi Taiwo Mary 515. Sunday G. Okpeh 516) Olumide Awobona 517. Toyin Ajeboro 518) Ndubisi Onuoha 519. Oloko Raqeebah 520) Oluwafikayomi Ogunrinde 521. Kofo Dosekun 522) Oladimeji Oju523. Princes Nwankwo 524) Salewa Hassan – Odukale 525. Nwanta Ngozi Joann 526) Uchenna – Emezue Eyinnaya 527. Chidiebere Odoemenam 528) Banjo Vincent Kehinde 529. Ayeni – Idahosa Yeside 530) Agbebiyi Adesegun 531. Adetula Ayokunle 532) Sule M. Damian 533. Comfort Oyaniyi 534) Kerry Anakukre 535. Kafilat Umar 536) Olutunfese Taiwo Margaret 537. Lawrence B. Ochulor 538) Edward O. Porbeni 539. Nkwocha Chidi Uzoma 540) Jane Akpan – Udoh 541. Anne Abyem 542) Daniel Anumiten 543. Toluwalope Orumuyi 544) Temidayo Oketola 545. Sotonye Amachree 546) Tunji Adigun 547. Victor Nwakasi 548) Dania Yetunde Bilikis 549. Oluwole Okelana 550) Danlami Mohammed Awiral551. Yetunde Zainab Alabi 552) Chimezie Onwuoma 553. Folarin A. Dalmeda 554) Odebiyi Oluwatosin 555. Chukwunonso Nweke 556) Okwuosa Chukwuka 557. Mgboji Uchenna 558) Tomiwa Ogunbanwo

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559. Adeleke Alex – Adedipe 560) Sarumi Ayodeji 561. Stephen Chima Arubike 562) Mojisola John – Odulate 563. Joshua Abe 564) Fredrick Obiejesi 565. James Sonde 566) Ige Asemudara 567. Jamilu Habu Bashir 568) Shaibu Ridwan Aliyu 569. Ngozi N. Ibe 570) Opeyemi B. Ajibowu 571. Ugochukwu Ezeaba 572) Idris Hakeem 573. Christian Wogu 574) Olutoye Olufunke 575. Oguntuase Jadesola 576) Ken Etim 577. Kazeem I. A. 578) Adebisi Sanda 579. Isa Alade 580) Francis Oleghe 581. Nnamdi Ezeanochie 582) Oguike Nneka583. Shehu Popoola Taiwo 584) Ivongbe Precious 585. Fadahunsi Bukola 586) Uhandu Chidiebere Ogbuka587. Deborah Okemiri 588) Olusola Adegbonmire 589. Taofik Adeleke 590) Abaniwonda Kafilat Foluke 591. Anthony Nwaochei 592) Raph Amobi Chikezie 593. Ariyo Odole 594) Stephen Azubike 595. Stephen Azubike 596) Adejo Blessing597. Patience Patrick Udoh 598) Nkechi Nnajiofor 599. Martin Agoziem Akpaka 600) A. G. Anafi 601. Chief Frank Agbedo 602) Azeez Bukola 603. Uche Wigwe 604) Ajana Mary Adetola 605. Ekanem Nakanda 606) Folasade T. Raji 607. Josiah Agbi 608) Oludare Senbore 609. Ifelowo Emmanuel Adefolarin 610) O. Cheetham West 611. Okechukwu Joachim Okoro 612) Obele Akinniranye 613. Olubunmi Fayokun 614) Oribabor Isimeme615. Nkpubre O. N. O. 616) Chijioke Okoli SAN617. Lady Debbie N. Obodoukwu

1.3 APOLOGIES1) Biriyai Dambo, SAN2) Erimma Orie3) Tunde Akinrimisi4) Tokunbo Wahab5) Kayode Adeluola6) Carol Ajie

2.0 Opening prayer

2.1 The meeting commenced at 1:15pm with the opening prayer read by Hannibal Uwaifo, the President of the African Bar Association (AfBA) who

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led the branch in reciting the NBA prayer.

3.0 Minutes of the Last Monthly General Meeting

3.1 The Chairman reiterated the fact that hard copies of Minutes of Branch meetings have been phased out and urged members to log on to www.nbalagos.org.ng or follow with the projector as the minutes of the last meeting was considered.

3.2 Chuks Ikokwu opined that the 1st Vice Chairman, who presided over the meeting, should have been addressed as Chairman in the minutes and implored the Secretariat to post the minutes on the website earlier than it currently does so that members can have enough time to consider and react to the minutes.

3.3 There being no other corrections, Alex Muoka in moving the motion for adoption of the minutes however implored the Secretary to find ways to reduce the length of the minutes. The motion was seconded by Titi Akinlawon, SAN, and the minutes was accordingly adopted.

4.0 Matters Arising

4.1 The Chairman before going into the matters arising proper welcomed everyone to the March, 2017 meeting and pointed out to Alex Muoka that the attendance register alone took 9 pages and that accounts for the length of the minutes these days for obvious reasons – prescription for eligibility to vote in the forthcoming Branch Elections.

4.2 Head of Legal, Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos: C. J. Ozioko, the Head of Legal, EFCC represented the Head of Operations at the meeting to address the concerns of members of the Branch and their misgivings about the operations of the EFCC. He agreed that there are always issues of concern between the EFCC and Legal Practitioners in the discharge of their respective duties.

4.3 He first addressed the issue of sureties and stated that once a defendant jumps bail, the surety becomes liable to forfeit security for surety as he now stands in the place of the defendant whether he is a Lawyer or not as the Law is clear and definite on that score. He said in that circumstance if it is established that the Lawyer stood bail for pecuniary gains, he will be charged to Court for perversion of Justice but if he stood surety for friends and family members he will be merely required to show course. He advised practitioners not to stand surety for money.

4.4 He then said that the EFCC has a good working relationship with some Lawyers and it is ready to Partner with Lawyers who even correct them or call their attention to areas where they err. He reiterated the fact that Lawyers are men of distinction and excellence and called on some of them who do so to stop harassing the EFCC with Fundamental Human

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Rights Cases as soon as the EFCC extends an invitation to their clients.

4.5 In interventions that followed, Mazi Unegbu frowned at the practice of requesting Lawyers to stand surety and said it amounts to intimidation. He recalled his personal experiences and questioned why a Lawyer will not be allowed into the offices of the EFCC with his/her phone. He recommended more training for EFCC operatives and advised them to be more civil in their approach to matters.

4.6 Bob Ijioma expressed dismay that petitions without political undertones are not treated for years whereas the ones with political coloration are treated with dispatch.

4.7 Ayodele Akintunde, SAN, gave example of Liquidators, who by virtue of their appointment are officers of the Court yet are undermined by the EFCC. He said Creditors who cannot get all they want now enlist the EFCC to put pressure on Liquidators to subvert the powers of the Court to adjudicate and control Liquidators.

4.8 Lilian Eronini gave a personal example of how some senior Lawyers forged a nolle prosequi in a matter she was involved in and for many years now the EFCC could not charge the Lawyers involved to Court for forgery.

4.9 Bode Omoboriowo wondered why the EFCC prosecutors have not been better than the much maligned Police prosecutors. He noted that it is most degrading to force Lawyers to stand as sureties and deposit their Call to Bar Certificates with the EFCC. He implored the EFCC to make an exception for Lawyers when it comes to the issue of leaving phones at the reception as there could be an emergency call to attend to.

4.10 Marian Jones decried the attitude of the EFCC towards mediation. She said even when the parties are willing to do so the EFCC insists on Plea Bargain instead. She wondered why the EFCC is allergic to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

4.11 Jeff Eboh for the umpteenth time reported and sought explanations on the unwholesome act of the officials of the EFCC who reject Court processes ostensibly because there are no hearing notices accompanying the processes even when the processes are in respect of fresh matters.

4.12 Obiora Egwatu questioned the swiftness of the EFCC to freeze accounts exparte even before the conclusion of investigation and demanded an explanation on this.

4.13 Ogbonnaya Agbafo pointed out that the EFCC does not follow the provisions of Section 8 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in Criminal matters and equally sought an explanation on this.

4.14 Philips Njeteneh took the EFCC to task on why they do the last thing

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first and do the first thing last in the course of their operations. He questioned the propriety of making details of yet to be concluded investigations public. There are cases of details of statements made before the EFCC becoming general public knowledge even before the ink with which the statement was made has had time to dry he said.

4.15 C. J. Ozioko was afforded the opportunity to address the concerns raised by members of the Branch.

4.16 He explained that phones are not allowed in their offices for security reasons as there are now phones which can capture and record everything and no one will know. He apologized to all practitioners and stated that the rule is not to spite anyone but rather to aid the operational work of the EFCC.

4.17 He spoke on political cases and said that the EFCC does not take only political cases but rather sifts and act early in sensitive cases involving monumental fraud. He said that the Commission isolates cases because of the volume of petitions it receives everyday and urged practitioners to cooperate with the Legal Department of the EFCC as we are all stakeholders in the Administration of Criminal Justice.

4.18 On the Liquidators and Recievers issue he said the EFCC looks at the substance of a Petition and many a time an issue of Criminal liability may be couched in Civil terms so the Commission in pursuance of its statutory mandate will probe further to see if there an criminal issues for which somebody should be answerable.

4.19 On the issue of forging nolle presequi he made it known that the Commission has no favourites and it investigates and initiate criminal proceedings where necessary and lamented the fact that highly placed Lawyers at times do unthinkable things.

4.20 On the vexatious issue of surety he explained that the Commission and its prosecutors try to be professional at all times and that no one can force Lawyers to stand surety but where any Lawyer volunteers and there is no property to use as collateral the only thing to show the victim may be the Call to Bar Certificate.

4.21 On the question of ADR in Criminal cases he explained that ADR is practically impossible as the EFCC is not a debt recovery agency. For peculiar reasons of trying to get a corruption free society, the EFCC does not do ADR and will not get involved at all he said.

4.22 On the issue of refusal of processes he apologized to members and promised he will personally look into the matter and get it sorted out.

4.23 On the freezing of Accounts he said it is merely to ensure that the proceeds of crime are not frittered away and whenever investigations are

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concluded and there are no issues of criminality found the accounts are usually released.

4.24 The Chairman thanked him for his time and effort at explaining matters of concern the way he did and advised our Colleagues not to stand surety for pecuniary gains and to only do so as a last resort. He shared C.J Ozioko’s sentiments that we are partners in the fight against corruption and advised the EFCC to approach the Bar whenever the Commission needs something from the Bar.

4.25 Branch Secretariat/Bar Centre: The Chairman reported that the Branch has gotten even closer to concluding the transaction and informed members that the process of acquisition of the property is almost complete. He urged members of the Branch to pay their Building Levy so the project can be realized as soon as possible.

4.26 Lekki Land: The Chairman informed members of the fact that following the many resolutions of the Branch and the long search for Developers the Branch has now found an experienced and reputable firm of Architects and Developers which will now develop the Lekki Land at no cost to the Branch. He said relevant information on that will be posted on the Branch Website soon and he expressed the sentiment that if all goes well, the ground breaking ceremony of the proposed Town Houses will be done before this administration winds down in July, 2017.

4.27 Branch Elections: The Chairman announced to members that the EXCO has decided to retain the last Election Committee of the Branch led by Ayodele Akintunde, SAN, to conduct the forthcoming elections and that. He then invited the Chairman of the Committee to address members at the meeting.

4.28 The Chairman of the Committee expressed deep gratitude to members of the Branch for their support over the years which accounted for the success of past Elections. He informed members of the fact that the mandate of the Committee is to conduct electronic elections in the Branch. He said the Guidelines will soon be published and sought the cooperation of all Branch members to succeed yet again.

5.0 REPORTS

5.1 Secretary’s NEC Report: The Secretary took the members through the salient points of a comprehensive report of the National Executive Committee meeting of the NBA which held in Aba, Abia State from the 1 st

to 3rd of March, 2017.

5.2 Emeka Ngige, SAN moved the Motion for the Adoption of the Report which was seconded by Chuks Nwana and the Report was accordingly adopted for discussions.

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5.3 In discussions that followed, Pa Tunji Gomez commended the Secretary for a well written and comprehensive report but decried NEC for ratifying the recommended names for the Appellate Courts when same was not discussed at the Branches and sought to move the deferred motion from the last meeting.

5.4 The Chairman intervened here and informed members that the issue was exhaustively debated at NEC with many protesting the procedure but that the NBA President, A.B. Mahmoud, SAN explained how the process came to be and how the limited time given to the bar made it imperative to take action and conduct the nomination exercise. The Chairman counseled that we are members of NEC where decisions are taken by majority vote and therefore it would now be inappropriate for the Branch to take a contrary position.

5.5 Emeka Ngige, SAN expressed the sentiment that the Motion should not have been deferred in the first place as it now appears that the motion has been overtaken by events but stated that a motion can still be entertained and a letter of protest written to the NBA.

5.6 Alex Muoka reminded the Branch that NBA Lagos is not a legal entity as all the Branches are subsumed under the NBA. He further reported that two opposing views were hotly debated at NEC and a resolution was passed to adopt one of the positions. He advised that the best anyone can now do is to take out an individual action as passing a resolution at this time has been overtaken by events.

5.7 Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN opined that the Branch cannot pass a resolution because it lost out at NEC which he likened to the High Court reviewing a decision of the Supreme Court.

5.8 The Chairman finally implored the Branch to eschew its anger and let matters rest since NEC has already ratified the actions we are now debating and therefore closed discussions on the matter.

5.9 Chief Guy Ikokwu raised the issue of creating a new Branch in Abuja and the Chairman explained that the President proposed that as a possible way to resolve the crisis in the Abuja Branch but that NEC rejected the proposal.

5.10 Nduka Enweliku opined that it does appear that NEC does not discuss real issues affecting Practitioners but is rather pre-occupied with elections and the benefits of a privileged few. The Chairman advised him to actually read the NEC report and see that a lot of real issues affecting Lawyers were robustly discussed and many decisions taken.

5.11 Emeka Ngige, SAN said it was illegal for NEC to dissolve the EXCO’s of the warring Branches as there is already a NEC and AGM decision on that

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stating further that NEC does not have the powers to overrule decisions of the AGM in light of the fact that the parties involved were already in Court.

5.12 The Chairman reacted to this and informed members that all the parties involved were at NEC when the decision was taken and not one of them or their supporters mentioned that the matter was subjudice.

6.0 PRESENTATIONS:

6.1 Access Bank: Abiola Olaniyi, a staff of Access Bank spoke on the Partnership between Access Bank and the NBA including the new one between Access Bank and the Lagos Branch. She said the Partnership is meant to add value to practitioners and she spoke on the Bar Card which doubles as an Identity Card with multiple benefits attached.

6.2 Sundry queries were raised and she addressed them whereupon the Chairman observed that many Practitioners do not have the Bar card and advised them and those who have applied but did not receive the card to fill the forms at the end of the meeting so that their cards can be processed as the card may be used for payment of Bar Practising Fees someday soon.

6.3 Oil and Gas Conference: Chukwuka Ikwuazom, the Chairman of the Oil and Gas Conference Planning Committee spoke on the Conference with the theme “Current Issues in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry: Considering the Finance, Regulatory and Taxation Perspectives” scheduled for Thursday the 23rd of March, 2017 at Four Points by Sheraton, Lekki, Lagos at 8am - 6pm. He mentioned the experienced facilitators like Prof. Yinka Omoregbe, Dolapo Akinrele, SAN, Adepetun Caxton-Martins and many others. He further informed members of the Branch that the Conference fee is at the subsidized rate of N30,000 per person for 3 sessions which will be further subsidized for the first 40 Young Lawyers who register at the rate of 50% discount. He also introduced a draw for Young Lawyers between 1 – 5 years at the Bar.

6.4 The draw was done to select 15 Young Lawyers who will get a free pass to the event consequent upon which the Chairman of the Branch thanked him for a well thought out and packaged Conference to aid the Continuing Legal Education objectives of the Branch.

7.0 AOB

7.1 Chukwuama Ezeala spoke on a few issues ranging from the Town Hall Meeting of the Legal Profession Regulation Review Committee of the NBA at the Law School, Lagos, the need to propose and pass a Motion against the harassment of Lawyers, what to do about the misinformation put out there by some agencies like the EFCC with which Lawyers interface, the need for Branches to discuss matters of concern before each NEC meeting

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so Branch representatives can properly speak for their Branches and called on the NBA to give Lagos Branch priority in the processing and issuance of Stamp.

7.2 Marian Jones complained about the poor attitude of members who just come in to write their names on the Register and leave and the dishonest attitude of others who write the names of their colleagues even when such colleagues were nowhere near the meeting venue.

7.3 Patience Patrick Udoh complained about disrespect for Lawyers when Chairs are removed by the cleaners even before the end of the meeting and also complained about the unorganized manner in which food packs are distributed.

7.4 Chief Andrew Otokhina called the attention of the Branch to the fact that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act has not been domesticated in Edo State for example and therefore the Courts in Benin do not allow its use. He considered it is an important issue which affects the Legal Profession and called on all NBA Branches to work together and bring this to the notice of the Body of Attorneys General.

7.5 The Chairman addressed the concerns raised on AOB thus:

7.6 He elaborated on the activities of the Legal Profession Regulation Review Committee and called on all Lawyers to attend the meetings of the Committee and contribute to the proposed reforms. He encouraged any member of the Branch who has opinions or bright ideas on how to reform the profession to send same to the Branch Secretary by email at secretary@nbalagos.org.ng and same will be forwarded to the Committee.

7.7 On the issue of the Register, he opined that not much can be done about members who write their names and leave but promised that the Branch will ensure that no one writes more than one name going forward.

7.8 On the issue of the domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, he promised that the Branch will look into the matter and see the best way to proceed.

8.0 ANNOUNCEMENT

8.1 The Secretary announced the 10th Year Memorial Lecture in Honour of Kehinde Sofola, SAN, with the theme “The Role of Legal Profession in Nation Building: The Nigerian Context” at the Shell Nigeria Hall, Muson Centre on the 23rd of March, 2017 at 11am with Wale Babalakin, SAN as Keynote Lecturer.

8.2 He further announced that the Branch has negotiated with the Law Reform Commission and the Attorney General of Lagos State, Adeniji

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Kazeem, who graciously agreed that members of the Branch can purchase the complete Laws of Lagos State at the discounted rate of N140,000.00 (One Hundred & Forty Thousand Naira) instead of the going rate of N180,000.00 (One Hundred & Eighty Thousand Naira).

8.3 He equally announced the 2nd ICC Africa Regional Arbitration Conference scheduled to hold in Lagos on the 14th – 16th of May, 2017 at Eko Hotels & Suites.

8.4 Finally the Chairman announced Ibukun Ajomo of Akinlawon & Ajomo as the generous member who sponsored the March, 2017 meeting and pleaded with other members to sponsor Branch meetings in 2017. He also made it known that two or more persons can jointly sponsor a meeting.

8.5 The Chairman then invited March celebrants to cut their Anniversary cake and Emmanuel Ofulue coordinated the cutting of the cake as the veteran Bar Leader Pa. Tunji Gomez who turned 88 was serenaded with good birthday wishes.

9.0 CLOSING

9.1 There being no other business, Lilian Eronini moved the Motion for the Adjournment of the meeting and S.B Onu seconded same and the meeting was accordingly adjourned.

9.2 Joy Nzube-Uzoeghelu led the closing prayers thanking God for his guidance and presence at our deliberation. The meeting came to an end at 4:00pm.

Martin A. Ogunleye Stephen O. ObajajaChairman Secretary

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