Lawyers work under, for and around the law, hence the title,
officers of the law. Even the title, lawyer reinforces the
relationship between the person and thee law. It follows therefore,
that a lawyer has a special obligation to uphold the law.
Let me veer off a bit into the Nigeria state. You will agree
with me that the crux shortfall of our legal system is not dearth
of good laws, rather poor enforcement of same. Our laws are
beautifully thought and meticulously drafted but sorely
implemented.
This brings me to the recent lawful adoption process by the
NBA-Constitutionally recognized forum, The Eastern bar Forum (EBF)
where Chief, Sir, Arthur Obi-Okafor, FCIArb, SAN emerged
successful; there has been a few outcries owing chiefly to
misinformation and others, unsportsmanlike mien.
It is a bromide that there is hardly any election, selection,
adoption, nomination etc. without a dissent. Nonetheless, the
democratic principle of majority rule over minority stands tall in
this case, to the shocking dismay of mischief-makers and lonely
detractors.
At this juncture, I must commend Mr. S. Long-Williams, for
painstakingly shedding historical light on the conception and
age-long adoption practice of the EBF in his recently published
article titled; “Eastern Bar Forum: Victim of Jaundiced
Narratives”.
There is no gainsaying that the misconception of the EBF
adoption practice stems from finite knowledge of the enabling laws
in this regard by some and regrettably, the selfish desperation of
quondam beneficiaries of this practice, to deplete same on the
altar of self-serving and anti EBF ambitions.
It is pertinent to stress that the grundnorm of the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) is the 2015 NBA Constitution and Uniform Bye
Laws. Bearing in mind that the NBA is strictu sensu
a professional body, there was a need to give all sections and
divides a sense of belonging; to further promote national unity and
command loyalty as exemplified under chapter II,
Section 14, CFRN, 1999 (as amended). Therefore,
Section 2.2 (a), (b), (c), (d) & (e) of the Second
schedule to the 2015 NBA Constitution recognizes the
Northern, Eastern and Western zones; and equally provides for
zoning of the positions of the President and 1st
Vice-President of the Association to the respective zones in turn.
Following therefore, Article 11 of the EBF
Constitution entrenched the guidelines for adoption
of candidates for the NBA National offices.
The EBF is comprised of nine (9) states of the old eastern
region, to wit; Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River,
Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo & Rivers States and membership is
anchored on State of origin as against state of practice.
Furthermore, under the present day Nigeria geopolitical zoning
system, the EBF is comprised of both South/South (S/S) and
South/East (S/E) extractions though, united and bound together in
equality, under the EBF Constitution. This above reality signaled
the fair and equitable distribution cum rotation of positions
within the forum and the NBA national offices.
Sequel to this arrangement, Chief O.C.J. Okocha, SAN (of the
South/South extraction under the EBF) served as the NBA President
in the year 2000. In 2006 when it was the turn of the Eastern zone
to produce the Bar President, in keeping with this arrangement, the
South/East extraction took a turn with Messrs. Chris Uche, SAN and
Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, both of the S/E extraction, indicating
interest, the EBF adopted Mr. Agbakoba, SAN and he consequently
became President.
Again, after the other two zones, North and West took their
respective turns, in 2012, the baton returned to the EBF.
Recall that Mr. Agbakoba, SAN was the last President under
the EBF arrangement and was of the S/E extraction, it was clearly
the turn of the S/S extraction to produce the candidate. Chief
Emeka Ngige, SAN attempted to take a shot on the opening, but the
EBF advised against it. Mr. Okay Wali, SAN of the S/S extraction
indicated interest and thereafter, embarked on a Nation-wide
consultation to prominent EBF members of the S/S extraction.
Prominent among the members consulted was Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN who
explicitly declared his disinterestedness in running for the NBA
top seat, stating among other reasons that he had a lot in his
hands and isn’t disposed for the NBA headship. Consequently, Mr.
Okay Wali, SAN was returned as the 26th NBA
President.
Now, we are in the year 2018, the turn of the Eastern zone to
yet again produce the next NBA President for 2018-2020.
Accordingly, it is the turn of the S/E extraction. Four (4)
aspirants and EBF members are jostling for the job of the NBA top
seat. They are; Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN,
Chief, Sir, Arthur Obi-Okafor, SAN and Mazi Afam Osigwe, (Bencher).
Whereas, Mr. Usoro is of the S/S extraction, the other three are
all of the S/E extraction.
In line with Article 11, EBF
Constitution, aspirants were requested to submit
themselves to the Screening Committee as constituted by the Forum,
as well as furnish necessary documentations for the exercise, as it
is customary. Prof. Ojukwu, Mr. Usoro and Mazi Osigwe all failed,
refused, neglected, and disregarded the Screening Committee despite
the ample time provided. However, Chief Obi-Okafor submitted
himself to the Committee and process in absolute good faith with a
pledge to be bound by the decision of the Committee. At the end of
the exercise, Chief Obi-Okafor was certified to have met all the
requirements and accordingly adopted in consonance with the EBF
Constitution. The credibility of the adoption process remained
unshaken and was lauded by delegates from the zones of the country
as well as an overwhelming majority member of the EBF, both
including old and young.
If I may subtly refresh your memory, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN
had been the Chairman Governing Council of the Eastern Bar Forum,
also known as the EBF Governor for six (6) years and had
superintended over several adoptions exercises including that
of Chief O.C.J Okocha, SAN; while Mazi Afam Osigwe, (Bencher) is
the most recent beneficiary of the EBF adoption practice amongst
the listed aspirants, having been chosen/adopted over the dynamic
Mrs. Joyce Oduah, for the General Secretary position of the NBA in
2014.
It need also be reiterated that the EBF adoption of candidates
is not a campaign as wrongly peddled by a few ill-informed ones.
Campaign may only commence upon the ban been lifted by the
appropriate authority. It is therefore cogent to submit that the
EBF adoption has not in any way ran foul of the NBA Constitution or
any such applicable law(s). This is only a futile attempt by
mischief-makers to detract the EBF and the good leadership of the
NBA under the competent headship of Mr. A.B. Mahmoud, SAN
The EBF should therefore continue to promote the unity of the
Forum and defend her integrity at all times. I submit with respect
that the former EBF Governor, Prof. Ojukwu, the most recent
beneficiary of the EBF adoption amongst the Presidential
aspirants, Mazi Osigwe and Mr. Usoro who waived his right in 2012
to put the interest of the EBF above personal interest for the
betterment of the EBF.
Long Live EBF! NBA!! FRN!!!
Justice U. John, Esq
#Legalbreed
justiceujohn@gmail.com
Lawyers work under, for and around the law, hence the title,
officers of the law. Even the title, lawyer reinforces the
relationship between the person and thee law. It follows therefore,
that a lawyer has a special obligation to uphold the law.
Let me veer off a bit into the Nigeria state. You will agree
with me that the crux shortfall of our legal system is not dearth
of good laws, rather poor enforcement of same. Our laws are
beautifully thought and meticulously drafted but sorely
implemented.
This brings me to the recent lawful adoption process by the
NBA-Constitutionally recognized forum, The Eastern bar Forum (EBF)
where Chief, Sir, Arthur Obi-Okafor, FCIArb, SAN emerged
successful; there has been a few outcries owing chiefly to
misinformation and others, unsportsmanlike mien.
It is a bromide that there is hardly any election, selection,
adoption, nomination etc. without a dissent. Nonetheless, the
democratic principle of majority rule over minority stands tall in
this case, to the shocking dismay of mischief-makers and lonely
detractors.
At this juncture, I must commend Mr. S. Long-Williams, for
painstakingly shedding historical light on the conception and
age-long adoption practice of the EBF in his recently published
article titled; “Eastern Bar Forum: Victim of Jaundiced
Narratives”.
There is no gainsaying that the misconception of the EBF
adoption practice stems from finite knowledge of the enabling laws
in this regard by some and regrettably, the selfish desperation of
quondam beneficiaries of this practice, to deplete same on the
altar of self-serving and anti EBF ambitions.
It is pertinent to stress that the grundnorm of the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) is the 2015 NBA Constitution and Uniform Bye
Laws. Bearing in mind that the NBA is strictu sensu
a professional body, there was a need to give all sections and
divides a sense of belonging; to further promote national unity and
command loyalty as exemplified under chapter II,
Section 14, CFRN, 1999 (as amended). Therefore,
Section 2.2 (a), (b), (c), (d) & (e) of the Second
schedule to the 2015 NBA Constitution recognizes the
Northern, Eastern and Western zones; and equally provides for
zoning of the positions of the President and 1st
Vice-President of the Association to the respective zones in turn.
Following therefore, Article 11 of the EBF
Constitution entrenched the guidelines for adoption
of candidates for the NBA National offices.
The EBF is comprised of nine (9) states of the old eastern
region, to wit; Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River,
Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo & Rivers States and membership is
anchored on State of origin as against state of practice.
Furthermore, under the present day Nigeria geopolitical zoning
system, the EBF is comprised of both South/South (S/S) and
South/East (S/E) extractions though, united and bound together in
equality, under the EBF Constitution. This above reality signaled
the fair and equitable distribution cum rotation of positions
within the forum and the NBA national offices.
Sequel to this arrangement, Chief O.C.J. Okocha, SAN (of the
South/South extraction under the EBF) served as the NBA President
in the year 2000. In 2006 when it was the turn of the Eastern zone
to produce the Bar President, in keeping with this arrangement, the
South/East extraction took a turn with Messrs. Chris Uche, SAN and
Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, both of the S/E extraction, indicating
interest, the EBF adopted Mr. Agbakoba, SAN and he consequently
became President.
Again, after the other two zones, North and West took their
respective turns, in 2012, the baton returned to the EBF.
Recall that Mr. Agbakoba, SAN was the last President under
the EBF arrangement and was of the S/E extraction, it was clearly
the turn of the S/S extraction to produce the candidate. Chief
Emeka Ngige, SAN attempted to take a shot on the opening, but the
EBF advised against it. Mr. Okay Wali, SAN of the S/S extraction
indicated interest and thereafter, embarked on a Nation-wide
consultation to prominent EBF members of the S/S extraction.
Prominent among the members consulted was Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN who
explicitly declared his disinterestedness in running for the NBA
top seat, stating among other reasons that he had a lot in his
hands and isn’t disposed for the NBA headship. Consequently, Mr.
Okay Wali, SAN was returned as the 26th NBA
President.
Now, we are in the year 2018, the turn of the Eastern zone to
yet again produce the next NBA President for 2018-2020.
Accordingly, it is the turn of the S/E extraction. Four (4)
aspirants and EBF members are jostling for the job of the NBA top
seat. They are; Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN, Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN,
Chief, Sir, Arthur Obi-Okafor, SAN and Mazi Afam Osigwe, (Bencher).
Whereas, Mr. Usoro is of the S/S extraction, the other three are
all of the S/E extraction.
In line with Article 11, EBF
Constitution, aspirants were requested to submit
themselves to the Screening Committee as constituted by the Forum,
as well as furnish necessary documentations for the exercise, as it
is customary. Prof. Ojukwu, Mr. Usoro and Mazi Osigwe all failed,
refused, neglected, and disregarded the Screening Committee despite
the ample time provided. However, Chief Obi-Okafor submitted
himself to the Committee and process in absolute good faith with a
pledge to be bound by the decision of the Committee. At the end of
the exercise, Chief Obi-Okafor was certified to have met all the
requirements and accordingly adopted in consonance with the EBF
Constitution. The credibility of the adoption process remained
unshaken and was lauded by delegates from the zones of the country
as well as an overwhelming majority member of the EBF, both
including old and young.
If I may subtly refresh your memory, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN
had been the Chairman Governing Council of the Eastern Bar Forum,
also known as the EBF Governor for six (6) years and had
superintended over several adoptions exercises including that
of Chief O.C.J Okocha, SAN; while Mazi Afam Osigwe, (Bencher) is
the most recent beneficiary of the EBF adoption practice amongst
the listed aspirants, having been chosen/adopted over the dynamic
Mrs. Joyce Oduah, for the General Secretary position of the NBA in
2014.
It need also be reiterated that the EBF adoption of candidates
is not a campaign as wrongly peddled by a few ill-informed ones.
Campaign may only commence upon the ban been lifted by the
appropriate authority. It is therefore cogent to submit that the
EBF adoption has not in any way ran foul of the NBA Constitution or
any such applicable law(s). This is only a futile attempt by
mischief-makers to detract the EBF and the good leadership of the
NBA under the competent headship of Mr. A.B. Mahmoud, SAN
The EBF should therefore continue to promote the unity of the
Forum and defend her integrity at all times. I submit with respect
that the former EBF Governor, Prof. Ojukwu, the most recent
beneficiary of the EBF adoption amongst the Presidential
aspirants, Mazi Osigwe and Mr. Usoro who waived his right in 2012
to put the interest of the EBF above personal interest for the
betterment of the EBF.
Long Live EBF! NBA!! FRN!!!
Justice U. John, Esq
#Legalbreed
justiceujohn@gmail.com
Read more https://nairalaw.com/ebf-adoption-political-legal-perspectives-by-justice-u-john-esq/