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Statement of the NBA Lagos Branch Chairman on the killing of Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem

Dear Colleagues,

At about 5pm yesterday, 25th December, 2022, when everyone was celebrating the Christmas holiday, I received the sad news of the killing of one of our members, Mrs. Omobolanle Raheem, by an officer of the Nigerian Police Force under the Jubilee bridge at Ajah, Lagos State.

I immediately reached out to the Branch Vice Chairperson and Chairperson of the Human Rights Committee (Mrs. Abiye Tam-George) who with other members of her committee swung into action to confirm the veracity of the news.

Sadly, the news has since been confirmed to be true and the remains of our slain colleague deposited at the Mortuary.

The police authorities have confirmed that the police officer who shot and killed our colleague has been arrested and is currently being detained.

I have been in touch with Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer (Benjamin Hundeyin) and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State (Mr. Abiodun Alabi) who have been very sympathetic and have assured us that the investigation and prosecution of the killer of Mrs. Raheem will be swift.

The NBA President, Mr. Y. C. Maikyau SAN, and his Exco have also been monitoring the situation to ensure that the matter is given all the serious attention it deserves.

Members of our NBA Lagos Branch Human Rights Committee, led by Mrs. Tam-George, have met with the DPO of Ajiwe Police Station, and will meet with the Commissioner of Police later today to emphasize our mandate of ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor denied. The committee members have also proceeded to visit the family of our slain member as at the time of releasing this statement.

I urge us all to take a moment today to pray for the repose of the soul of our slain colleague, and that God will console her husband and family members.

We will provide updates as the matter develops.

Ikechukwu Uwanna
Chairman

NBA Lagos Branch

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Simulation of e-Filing on Lagos Judiciary Information System (JIS)

NBA Lagos Branch invites its members to a Zoom online Training on E-filing of Processes through the Lagos Judiciary Information System (JIS).

Date: Tuesday, 22nd February, 2022

Time: 2:00 PM

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkd–tpjkrE9fwZvH9koNTg9qAHIdkanJA

NOTE: Participants must attend with their laptops for practical simulation of the process.

Signed:
Elo Adhekpukoli
Publicity Secretary
NBA Lagos Branch

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NBA Lagos Branch celebrates Mr. Adeola Oyinlade’s trail-blazing Award by the American Bar Association

The Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch, celebrates one of its members, Mr. Adeola Oyinlade, who recently became the first Nigerian to receive the Award for International Human Rights of the Year Laureate from the American Bar Association.
In a congratulatory letter signed by the Chairman, Ikechukwu Uwanna and the Vice-Chair of the Branch Mrs. Abiye Tam-George who also doubles as the Head of the Human Rights Committee of the Branch, Mr. Oyinlade’s human rights advocacy skills were highlighted as exemplary.
The NBA Lagos Branch is proud of Mr. Oyinlade’s achievement, which is another attestation to the fact that our members continue to lead positive transformation both in Nigeria and globally.
Congratulations once again Mr. Oyinlade.
Signed:
Elo Adhekpukoli
Publicity Secretary
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Migrating to a new Chat Platform – Telegram!

The NBA Lagos Branch is estimated to have over 10,000 members as at the date of this press release. As at March 31, 2021, over 9,000 members were financially active and up to date with their Branch dues.

 

Moving on from WhatsApp

We currently use WhatsApp as the main messaging platform to disseminate information and receive feedback from members; and for members to interact and share professionally impactful information.

88% of members isolated: We have 5 WhatsApp groups with capacity to accommodate 256 members each. That is 1,280 participants or an estimated 12% of active members of our Branch, while the remaining 88% remain isolated from the robust interaction and information sharing on our Branch’s 5 WhatsApp groups. This is not tidy.

Division: Apart from uniform official communication from the leadership of our Branch circulated on all WhatsApp groups, members of each WhatsApp group are shut out of very important, career impacting information, ideas and discussions going on in the other 4 WhatsApp groups. This is some sort of division, which defeats the purpose of providing a chat platform for members to interact.

Proliferation of groups: We will need over 40 WhatsApp groups to accommodate at least an estimated 10,000 active members of our Branch. This could be clumsy, ridiculous and counter-productive from all perspectives of information sharing, information management and feedback mechanisms between members and the leadership of our Branch.

 

Why Telegram?

Telegram is a chat and messaging platform similar to WhatsApp, but with some unique features that make Telegram better suited to the peculiar circumstances of our Branch.

Single group for all members: We can solve all the challenges posed by the proliferation of WhatsApp groups, with a single Telegram group. A single Telegram group has a limit of 200,000 participants, whereas a WhatsApp group has a limit of 256 participants. At a growing number of over 10,000 active members, a single Telegram gives us enough space for both current and future members of our Branch.

Better control mechanisms: Telegram has features that allow the administrators to:

  • Automatically prevent an errant member from posting irrelevant or offensive messages.

On Whatsapp, we have had to suspend or expel members from the group for violating rules as there was no other way to prevent the violation of the rules of communication in the WhatsApp groups. We want to avoid suspending members from our chat platforms, while preventing abuse of the platforms.

  • Automatically prevent the use of distracting or offensive stickers, GIFs, videos and photographs.

We are unable to do these on WhatsApp, giving room for abuse of our WhatsApp groups by some members who share such materials distracting and offensive materials.

New members can see chat history: On Telegram, the group chat history can be viewed by new members irrespective of when they joined the group. This feature is not available on WhatsApp. New members do not miss out on very important information shared before their admission into the group. 

Lighter storage: Telegram utilizes cloud storage, which ensures that device storage space and memory are not clogged or filled up easily. Members do not have to worry so much about memory space on their devices.

Feedback and consultation mechanism: Telegram group has a feature that allows the leadership of the Branch to organize polls within the group to consult and receive feedback from members on important issues. Telegram is good for democratic principles and consensus building, which lawyers are jealous about.

The great migration

The current leadership of the Branch set up a new official private Telegram group for the Branch on August 4, 2021. As at the time of releasing this press statement, 730 members of our Branch have joined the Telegram group from our various WhatsApp groups. This number represents an estimated migration rate of 60%. It is the utmost desire of the leadership of our Branch that the remaining estimated 40% of members in our WhatsApp groups will join the single Telegram group as soon as possible.

The leadership of our Branch will like to notify members that all official WhatsApp groups of the Branch will be frozen at 11:59pm WAT on September 30, 2021. Telegram will become the sole messaging platform of the NBA Lagos Branch from 00:01am WAT on October 1, 2021. There will be no extension of this deadline.

Members who have joined Telegram but are yet to join the Branch’s Telegram group should contact the Publicity Secretary on 07025007928, to be added to the group. Members who are not on Telegram are encouraged to join as soon as possible.

Thank you.

Signed:
Elo Adhekpukoli
Publicity Secretary

 

Download PDF Version

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Lagos State Lands Bureau Guide

The Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch, hereby notifies her members that the Lagos State Lands Bureau has commenced the implementation of the reviewed fair market value rate from today, Monday, 9th August, 2021. Details of the reviewed rates are contained in the Lagos State of Nigeria Official Gazette Number 9, Volume 54 of 15th March 2021. Copies of the gazette can be obtained at the Lagos State Cabinet Office, Block 1, The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Branch, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, has encouraged members, especially those in active property law practice, to familiarize themselves with the Guide containing detailed reforms and relevant information on the real estate, released recently by the Lands Bureau. A copy of the Guide can be downloaded here for information purposes only.

The NBA Lagos Branch will continue to collaborate with the Lands Bureau on necessary reforms in the real estate sector in Lagos State.

 

Signed

Elo Adhekpukoli

Publicity Secretary

https://nbalagos.ng/download/2133/

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New NBA Lagos Branch Executive Members hit the Ground Running

Highlights:

  • Constitute all standing Committees.
  • Introduce Governance Charters for Executive Committee and Standing Committees.
  • Launch official communication lines for all Executive members.

The newly inaugurated Executive Members of the Nigerian Bar Association Lagos Branch started their two year tenure on a very bright note at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Branch held on Friday, July 30, 2021. The Chairman, Mr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, during his inaugural address, informed members of the Branch that his team has been consulting widely and building bridges to ensure that the necessary structures are in place to implement promises made during the election campaign.

The Chairman sought and obtained the approval of members present at the Annual General Meeting to ratify the appointment of the following persons to fill the following vacancies:

  • Omoyemi Akangbe – National Executive Committee Representative
  • Agba Eimunjeze – Legal Adviser
  • Olumayowa Owolabi – Co-opted Executive Member
  • Oluwatosin Iyayi – Co-opted Executive Member
  • Adefowope Ayo-Ponle – Co-opted Executive Member
  • Orji Uka – Co-opted Executive Member

The Chairman informed members about the introduction of Governance Charters to regulate the activities and meetings of the Standing Committees and Executive Committee of the Branch. The Chairman proceeded to reconstitute all Standing Committees of the Branch.

Members of the Executive Committee can be reached on the following official phone numbers:

  • Ikechukwu Uwanna (Chairman) – 07025007921
  • Abiye Tam-George (Vice Chairman) – 07025007922
  • Nta Ekpiken (Secretary) – 07025007923
  • Caroline Obi (Treasurer) – 07025007924
  • Anthonia Eke (Financial Secretary) – 07025007925
  • Eno Umoren Mbanugo (Social Secretary) – 07025007926
  • Chiwendu Ugochukwu (Welfare Secretary) – 07025007927
  • Elo Adhekpukoli (Publicity Secretary) – 07025007928
  • Rita Uloko (Provost) – 07025007930
  • Jude Iwelumo (Assistant Secretary) – 07025007931

The full text of the Chairman’s Inaugural Address will be made available on the Branch’s website www.nbalagos.ng and official social media handles.

Signed:

Elo Adhekpukoli

Publicity Secretary

 

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NBA Lagos Branch Begins 2021 Annual Law Week on July 23rd

All is set for the 2021 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch law week which will be hold in grand style, from the 23rd to 29th of July, 2021 at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

Themed: ‘Disruption, Innovation and the Bar’, the event will feature prominent personalities in the legal space and other sectors of the economy, who will be speaking on various topics.

This will set the tone for the Conference, as a faculty of distinguished Speakers will give overviews of how technology, innovation and trade liberalisation are disrupting the practice of law across the globe, and what it means for the Nigerian legal practitioner. Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN is also expected to be a guest at this event.

Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, Hon. Attorney-General, Lagos State and Mrs Efe Etomi, will formally open the two-day Conference of the NBA Lagos Branch Law Week 2021 with a welcome note.

There would be eight plenary sessions, with experts from various sectors of the economy.

The First plenary session will focus on the topic: ‘National Security and our Fundamental Rights’. This Panel will discuss the recent encroachments by the Government on fundamental rights, on the grounds of national security. Speakers who will speak on this topic, include Mr Femi Falana, SAN, Partner; Prof. Akin Oyebode and Prof. Chidi Odinkalu. The moderator for this panel is Mr. Charles ‘Deji Adeogun-Phillips – Former UN Genocide and War Crimes Prosecutor.

The Second plenary session will focus on ‘Built to Last: Creating World Class Law Firms in Nigeria’. Discussants will share their experiences of building law practices designed to stand the test of time. They will touch on their challenges, the future of law practice, and succession planning. The third plenary session is on the topic:
‘Bringing Justice Delivery in Nigeria into the 21st Century’. The Panelists will discuss the current state of justice delivery in Nigeria, causes of delays in justice delivery, the extent to which judicial officers should be involved in court administration and the ways in which technology can be deployed to birth a justice delivery system that is fit for purpose. The Moderator will be Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, JSC. Other Panelists include Mr Babajide Ogundipe, Justice A.O. Faji, Justice Lateefat Okunnu, Professor Fidelis Oditah QC, SAN and Gbolahan Adeniran (HAG Ogun State).

The 4th plenary session will focus on the topic, ‘The Changing Landscape of Arbitrator Disclosure Obligations’. The Panelists will discuss recent cases and developments relating to the obligation of Arbitrators to disclose possible conflicts of interest. For the 5th plenary session , the topic is ‘Financial Autonomy of the Judiciary: Key to Judicial Independence or Ruse?’ This panel will focus on the recent clamour for financial autonomy for the Judiciary, and examine whether it will deliver the much-desired judicial independence.

There are three other Plenary sessions with many other distinguished Speakers lined up, including Mrs Mia Essien, SAN, Olawale Fapohunda (HAG Ekiti State), Dr Babatunde Ajibade, SAN.

 

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How to pay for 2021 Branch Dues on the new NBA Lagos Portal

The new NBA Lagos Branch Portal provides an easy to use interface that allows you to make payment for your branch dues and insurance from the comfort of your smart devices.

To pay for your 2021 Branch Dues and Insurance, follow this process.

1. Sign up on the new portal on https://portal.nbalagos.org

2. Verify your email address by checking your email. (In case you do not receive the verification email in your inbox, check your spam/junk mail)

3. Go back to your dashboard.

4. Click on payments

5. Click on Pay for your branch dues.

6. Branch dues are automatically computed using your ‘Year of Call” or “Membership Status”

7. You can opt to pay for your insurance or pay later.

8. You will be redirected to a secure payment gateway powered by Paystack.

9. Once payment is made, you will be issued a receipt.

10. A receipt is also automatically sent to your email address.

11. Easy and Simple, you are done.

 

Visit this link to read more

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NBA Continuing Professional Development (CPD Committee) Survey

Dear Seniors and Colleagues,

Compliments of the season.

We hope that you are well and keeping safe.

You will recall that, 3 years ago, the Continuing Professional Development Committee (CPD Committee) had circulated a questionnaire regarding the training needs of members of the Branch. We found the responses received at the time very useful in determining the topics for our Knowledge Sharing Sessions, Firm Led Trainings, Training Collaborations , Group Mentorship events and other initiatives.

We are now setting the Branch’s training and career development agenda for the year 2021 and would be grateful if you could kindly complete the survey form in the link below.

Click Here

CPD Committee

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NBA Lagos Branch to Hold First 2021 Monthly Meeting

The Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch is set to hold the January 2021 Monthly meeting. Kindly find below the full details

Dear Colleagues,

The Monthly General Meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch will hold on Monday 11th January, 2021 by 1pm via Zoom.

Please find below the details on how to join in on the meeting;

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pceCvpj0jHNVySNK7srwuaCvgkv8QOIFe

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

*KSS Speaker* : Dr. Jude Odinkonigbo

*KSS Topic* : Understanding the African Free Trade Agreement and possible effects on Legal Practice in Nigeria.

Thank you.

Moshood Abiola
Secretary, NBA Lagos Branch.