A human rights lawyer representing the four victims of an explosion at the AIRTEL Networks Limited base station at Ikotun Lagos has written to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) seeking sanctions against the major telecoms provider. In a letter dated 22nd April, 2024, the Lead Counsel for the victims, Dr. Olubunmi Odeniyi urged the telecoms regulator to “Levy appropriate sanctions by way of fines as a deterrence” to others. The letter was titled “OFFICIAL REPORT/COMPLAINT OF NEGLIGENT AND RECKLESS OPERATION OF AIRTEL AT ITS BASE STATION BTS LAG 767) AT NO. 15/19, ABIODUN IBIDAPO STRE ..read more

OPTIONS OPEN TO A PARTY OR COUNSEL WHERE THERE IS GENUINE CAUSE FOR COMPLAINT AGAINST A JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE IN JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS Where a lawyer (or litigant) has good grounds for complaints against a judicial officer, in my opinion, below are the only options available in law and legal ethics, depending on the circumstances: 1⃣ Counsel can respectfully and politely call the court’s attention to such where it’s a minor default or slip — an example is default in following proper procedure. I was in Court in Lagos in 2022, when a judge tried to rebuke/punish a man for some perceived misbehavio ..read more

NEWS RELEASE Remuneration Order: Afam Osigwe, SAN Advocates for Fair Remuneration of Lawyers at NBA Makurdi Law Week At the opening ceremony of the Nigerian Bar Association Makurdi Branch Law Week, distinguished legal practitioner Afam Osigwe, SAN, delivered a captivating speech delving into the nuances of the Remuneration Order 2023. Notably, as Chairman of the Remuneration Committee of the NBA, Osigwe’s insights carried significant weight in elucidating this pivotal aspect of legal practice. In his address, Osigwe provided a thorough overview of the Remuneration Order 2023, meticulously high ..read more

Re: National Judiciary Reform Summit Beyond the Talk Shop, Simple Technology Based Innovations to Ease Justice Administration in Nigeria. By Douglas Ogbankwa  The Federal Government and the Nigerian Bar Association gathered all the players in the Justice Sector for a reform summit. Beyond that, they needed to have brought those who will say what they do not want to hear. How many of these names were there? Aikpokpo Martins, Kunle Edun, Bayo Akinlade, Inebehe Effiong, Ike Augustine, Maxwell Uzoka, Maxwell Opara, my humble self -Douglas Ogbankwa, etc? A reform summit should have reformists ..read more

SAYS MATTER IS SUB-JUDICE ECNBA SHIELDS WITHDRAWAL LETTER FROM ASPIRANT Leading law firm of Falana and Falana Chambers has distanced itself from the petition by its Head of Chambers, Mr. Samuel Ogala against the candidacy of embattled Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Treasurer and aspirant for the position of General Secretary, Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop. In a letter to the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) obtained by CITY LAWYER, Ogala claimed sole ownership of the petition. There are strong indications that the electoral committee also did not notify the aspirant that Ogala had withdr ..read more

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) is set to decide the fate of incumbent NBA Treasurer, Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop following conclusion of hearing on the petition filed against her candidacy. Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the leading law firm of Falana and Falana Chambers may have abandoned a petition by its Head of Chambers, Mr. Samuel Ogala, as the petitioner did not appear for the scheduled hearing of the petition yesterday. However, the second petitioner appeared to argue his petition while Anze-Bishop was also represented by counsel who defend ..read more

Embattled incumbent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Treasurer, Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop has yet another hurdle to cross in her quest for the coveted position of NBA General Secretary as a second petition has been slammed on her by another lawyer seeking her disqualification from the race. CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report stated how Falana and Falana Chambers had petitioned the ECNBA urging it to disqualify Anze-Bishop. The letter was signed by its Head of Chambers, Mr. Samuel Ogala who noted that he was a bonafide member of NBA Abuja Branch. Meanwhile, the ECNBA has forwarded the lates ..read more

The Court of Appeal, Lagos has reserved judgement in the appeal filed by a Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka James, alias Baba Ijesha challenging his conviction by a Lagos State High Court over the sexual assault of a minor. The three-member panel led by Justice Folasade Ojo reserved the judgement on Tuesday after listening to arguments of the appellant and the respondent. Other members of the panel are Justice Abdullahi Bayero and Justice Paul Bassi. Baba Ijesha in his Notice of Appeal marked CA/LAG/CR/544/23 asked the appellate court to set side the judgement of the lower court. He was co ..read more

These are not the best of times for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch as its members may have shunned a recent Special Court Session in honour of Sir Dixy Oddiri, its deceased one-time branch Secretary and Vice Chairman. It is recalled that the special court session was scheduled to hold on Monday, 22nd April, 2024 at 2 pm in the premises of the High Court of Lagos State, Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja, Lagos. Decrying the poor turn-out of branch members at the event, the Branch Secretary, Mr. Emuobonuvie Majemite described it as “less than encouraging.” He stated that “we had a sparse ..read more

A human rights lawyer, Dr. Olubunmi Odeniyi has petitioned major telecom service provider, Airtel Networks Limited over the inferno which engulfed its base station at Ikotun, Lagos killing one Chidi Emmanuel while inflicting “severe life-changing burns” on four others. In a letter dated 2nd April, 2024, Odeniyi stated that the lives of the victims who were passers-by and residents of the area “are presently at grave risk and danger.” Noting that the telecoms giant has not offered any assistance to the victims since the incident on March 19, Odeniyi demanded “that Airtel Networks Limited must i ..read more