* Says Lagos Branch did not resolve to engage in
public protests, We recognize the right Of our Colleagues to Do
same
The Chairman of the Lagos Branch of the NBA, Chukwuka Ikwuazom
Esq has finally released a statement concerning the attempted
arrest of the NBA Ikeja branch chairman, Mr. Adeshina Ogunlana by
armed men of the Nigerian Police Force.
Condemning in the strongest terms, the provocative conduct of
men of the Nigerian Police Force, the able chairman reassured bar
men of their collaboration with the Ikeja branch and their
willingness to do anything within the ambit of the law to fight
against oppressive laws and actions contrary to the rule of
law.
Below reads the press statement
STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN, LAGOS BRANCH OF THE NBA ON
THE ATTEMPT BY THE NIGERIAN POLICE TO ARREST MR. ADESHINA
OGUNLANA
Distinguished Colleagues,
Yesterday evening, I read about the disturbing news of an
attempt by men of the Nigerian Police to arrest Mr. Adeshina
Ogunlana, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja
Branch over a planned protest on Thursday, 29 March 2018 against
the recent increase in Land Use Charge in Lagos State.
I immediately called Mr. Ogunalna to ascertain what was going
on. His phone rang several times unanswered and I reckoned that the
prevailing circumstances at the time did not permit him to answer
his calls. I then called the Secretary of Ikeja Branch who also did
not answer her calls. I eventually spoke to a senior member of
Ikeja Branch who assured me that the situation was under
control.
I was only able to speak to Mr. Ogunlana late this morning. He
assured me that he is well and confirmed that police officers from
the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja had indeed come to his office
at the Ikeja Branch Bar Centre with instructions to bring him to
the Police Headquarters in Ikeja. He informed me that he declined
to go with them and that the prompt intervention of members of his
Branch who had responded to the news of his attempted arrest
ensured that he was not taken away.
I condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious and
provocative conduct of the Nigerian Police Force. Peaceful public
demonstrations are an acceptable way of expressing discontent. This
attempt by the Nigerian Police Force to intimidate and muzzle
opposing views is unlawful and should not be considered
acceptable.
Following extensive discussions at the meeting of the Nigerian
Bar Association, Lagos Branch which held on Monday, 12 March 2018,
it was resolved that the Lagos Branch would liaise with the other
NBA Branches in Lagos State and, with a view to jointly seeking to
engage with the Lagos State Government regarding the increase in
Land Use Charge by the Lagos State government.
It was also resolved that a team of lawyers should be assembled
to review the Land Use Charge Law to determine if there is any
legal basis for challenging it in court. While the Lagos Branch did
not resolve to engage in public protests at this time, many of our
members recognize the right of our colleagues in the Ikeja Bar to
adopt whatever lawful means they choose in expressing their
opposition to the increase in Land Use Charge.
In furtherance of the resolution to explore the possibility of
challenging the Land Use Charge Law, we have assembled a team of
lawyers led by a well-respected Senior Advocate member of our
Branch. This team of lawyers is currently studying the Land Use
Charge Law together with the proposed amendments with a view to
identifying possible grounds for challenging it.
In furtherance of the resolution of the Branch to engage the
Lagos State Government, I represented the Branch at a meeting with
the Honourable Attorney-General, and the Commissioner of Finance of
Lagos State on Tuesday, 13 March 2018. The Chairmen of Ikorodu, Epe
and Badagry branches of the NBA were in attendance at the meeting
as were Messrs. Dele Adesina, SAN and Femi Falana, SAN among other
Bar leaders. The Bar leaders at the meeting all spoke strongly
against various aspects of the Land Use Charge Law following which
the Honourable Attorney-General promised to take our concerns to
the Governor.
I also represented the Branch at the Public Hearing organized by
the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday, 27 March 2018 on the
proposed amendments to the Land Use Charge Law. The Public Hearing
was well attended and very important feedback was provided by
stakeholders on the Land Use Charge Law. The Lagos Branch of the
NBA is working on a detailed memorandum to be submitted to the
Lagos State House of Assembly since we were not able to submit one
at the Public Hearing given the shortness of the notice.
On the same day, I also convened a meeting of the NBA Branch
Chairmen in Lagos State. The meeting held at Mr. Ogunlana’s office
in Ikeja and was attended by Mr. Ogunlana, the Chairmen of Ikorodu
and Badagry Branches and myself. At the meeting, the Chairmen of
Ikorodu and Badagry Branches stated that a majority of their
members were in support of engaging with the Government rather than
embarking on public protests at this time. It was then resolved
that a letter be written jointly by all the five Branches of the
NBA in Lagos requesting a meeting with the Governor on this
issue.
I wish to assure members of our noble profession that the
leadership of the Branch will continue to do all that is required
within the law and noble traditions of our profession to fight
against any laws, policies and measures of Government that are
oppressive and anti-people.
Thank you.
Chukwuka Ikwuazom, Esq.
Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch
* Says Lagos Branch did not resolve to engage in
public protests, We recognize the right Of our Colleagues to Do
same
The Chairman of the Lagos Branch of the NBA, Chukwuka Ikwuazom
Esq has finally released a statement concerning the attempted
arrest of the NBA Ikeja branch chairman, Mr. Adeshina Ogunlana by
armed men of the Nigerian Police Force.
Condemning in the strongest terms, the provocative conduct of
men of the Nigerian Police Force, the able chairman reassured bar
men of their collaboration with the Ikeja branch and their
willingness to do anything within the ambit of the law to fight
against oppressive laws and actions contrary to the rule of
law.
Below reads the press statement
STATEMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN, LAGOS BRANCH OF THE NBA ON
THE ATTEMPT BY THE NIGERIAN POLICE TO ARREST MR. ADESHINA
OGUNLANA
Distinguished Colleagues,
Yesterday evening, I read about the disturbing news of an
attempt by men of the Nigerian Police to arrest Mr. Adeshina
Ogunlana, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja
Branch over a planned protest on Thursday, 29 March 2018 against
the recent increase in Land Use Charge in Lagos State.
I immediately called Mr. Ogunalna to ascertain what was going
on. His phone rang several times unanswered and I reckoned that the
prevailing circumstances at the time did not permit him to answer
his calls. I then called the Secretary of Ikeja Branch who also did
not answer her calls. I eventually spoke to a senior member of
Ikeja Branch who assured me that the situation was under
control.
I was only able to speak to Mr. Ogunlana late this morning. He
assured me that he is well and confirmed that police officers from
the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja had indeed come to his office
at the Ikeja Branch Bar Centre with instructions to bring him to
the Police Headquarters in Ikeja. He informed me that he declined
to go with them and that the prompt intervention of members of his
Branch who had responded to the news of his attempted arrest
ensured that he was not taken away.
I condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious and
provocative conduct of the Nigerian Police Force. Peaceful public
demonstrations are an acceptable way of expressing discontent. This
attempt by the Nigerian Police Force to intimidate and muzzle
opposing views is unlawful and should not be considered
acceptable.
Following extensive discussions at the meeting of the Nigerian
Bar Association, Lagos Branch which held on Monday, 12 March 2018,
it was resolved that the Lagos Branch would liaise with the other
NBA Branches in Lagos State and, with a view to jointly seeking to
engage with the Lagos State Government regarding the increase in
Land Use Charge by the Lagos State government.
It was also resolved that a team of lawyers should be assembled
to review the Land Use Charge Law to determine if there is any
legal basis for challenging it in court. While the Lagos Branch did
not resolve to engage in public protests at this time, many of our
members recognize the right of our colleagues in the Ikeja Bar to
adopt whatever lawful means they choose in expressing their
opposition to the increase in Land Use Charge.
In furtherance of the resolution to explore the possibility of
challenging the Land Use Charge Law, we have assembled a team of
lawyers led by a well-respected Senior Advocate member of our
Branch. This team of lawyers is currently studying the Land Use
Charge Law together with the proposed amendments with a view to
identifying possible grounds for challenging it.
In furtherance of the resolution of the Branch to engage the
Lagos State Government, I represented the Branch at a meeting with
the Honourable Attorney-General, and the Commissioner of Finance of
Lagos State on Tuesday, 13 March 2018. The Chairmen of Ikorodu, Epe
and Badagry branches of the NBA were in attendance at the meeting
as were Messrs. Dele Adesina, SAN and Femi Falana, SAN among other
Bar leaders. The Bar leaders at the meeting all spoke strongly
against various aspects of the Land Use Charge Law following which
the Honourable Attorney-General promised to take our concerns to
the Governor.
I also represented the Branch at the Public Hearing organized by
the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday, 27 March 2018 on the
proposed amendments to the Land Use Charge Law. The Public Hearing
was well attended and very important feedback was provided by
stakeholders on the Land Use Charge Law. The Lagos Branch of the
NBA is working on a detailed memorandum to be submitted to the
Lagos State House of Assembly since we were not able to submit one
at the Public Hearing given the shortness of the notice.
On the same day, I also convened a meeting of the NBA Branch
Chairmen in Lagos State. The meeting held at Mr. Ogunlana’s office
in Ikeja and was attended by Mr. Ogunlana, the Chairmen of Ikorodu
and Badagry Branches and myself. At the meeting, the Chairmen of
Ikorodu and Badagry Branches stated that a majority of their
members were in support of engaging with the Government rather than
embarking on public protests at this time. It was then resolved
that a letter be written jointly by all the five Branches of the
NBA in Lagos requesting a meeting with the Governor on this
issue.
I wish to assure members of our noble profession that the
leadership of the Branch will continue to do all that is required
within the law and noble traditions of our profession to fight
against any laws, policies and measures of Government that are
oppressive and anti-people.
Thank you.
Chukwuka Ikwuazom, Esq.
Chairman, NBA Lagos Branch