A Yenegoa based lawyer, Ebi Robert, Esq., has called on the NBA
Welfare Committee to review the conditions given for young lawyers
to benefit from the palliative to be made available by the
association.
In a letter dated the 24th day of April, 2020, which was made
available to TheNigerialawyer (TNL) Mr. Ebi Robert appealed to the
Committee to relax the conditions already attached for lawyers to
access the welfare package.
According to him, most of the young lawyers who need the
palliative are the ones who are not able to even pay their welfare
an bar dues.Therefore, it will achieve little if the NBA make
strict the criteria for young lawyers to access the welfare
package.
Read below the letter:
RE: COVID-19 NBA NATIONAL WELFARE COMMITTEE: REQUEST FOR
DATA OF YOUNG LAWYERS THAT NEEDS WELFARE ASSISTANCE
This is an appeal to the NBA National Welfare Committee.
I am writing the above-mentioned Committee with respect to the
circular/notice dated the 24th day of April, 2020, asking the
chairmen and secretaries of the various branches to furnish the
Committee with the data of young lawyers who need welfare
assistance.
I am aware that the notice included criteria for names of such
vulnerable young lawyers to be forwarded, and among the criteria
stated are evidence of payment of 2020 Bar Practicing Fees and Bar
dues .
Excerpt of the notice reads:
“The National Welfare Committee hereby request you to kindly
send to us via email: [email protected][1], [email protected][2], or [email protected][3]
the Full Names and Correct Banks Details of all young lawyers in
your Branch between 1-7 years post call who have paid their year
2020 Bar Practicing Fees and Branch Dues as at 31st March in one
Column and another Column containing the names of any other Young
None Financial Member and 10 other lawyers of what ever year at the
Bar who are also in need of the Welfare Scheme but who has paid
their 2020 Bar Practicing Fees and Branch Dues as at when dues.
Please note that the aforementioned list must be accompanied
with evidence of Payment of the 2020 Bar Practicing Fees and Branch
Due.”
I must first commend the Paul Usoro, SAN, led administration for
this wise move. It shows that our able bar leader has the welfare
of Lawyers at the top of his agenda.
I am aware that, perhaps, the reason for the conditions so
attached is to help give back support to well committed members of
the bar. However, I am making this appeal to the NBA, considering
the situation at hand, and I will try to highlight some of the
reasons for this appeal.
1. Most of the young lawyers are hunger-victims of this
lockdown. This is due to the fact that many of the young lawyers in
private practice are not being paid by their Principal. Worse still
is the fact that some of their principals are not so concerned
about the welfare of such young lawyers. They barely survive on the
little share of the appearance fee given to them by their
principals. This is the reality and seniors who are sincere will
attest to this. They have been victims of this culture anyways!
Not all young lawyers are opportune to be in well-to-do firms;
not all big firms can accommodate all young lawyers. This means
that, some young lawyers must somehow find themselves in developing
firms.
2. These young lawyers who fall into the above category more
often than not, find it difficult paying their Bar Practicing Fee,
not to talk of their welfare dues. Sometimes, while they are able
to pay one, they may not be able to pay the other. Not all though,
SOME!
I know that some lawyers may argue that: how is this possible?
How much is the bar Practicing Fee or the bar welfare dues that a
lawyer can not be able to pay?
With respect, it is possible. Some young lawyers pass through
serious challenges and may not be able to meet up with their
immediate needs. Some young lawyers eventually pay, but sometimes,
after the 31st day of March.
Although, I cannot rule out the fact that some lawyers
deliberately do not pay their legal and bar fees, the fact remains
that there are those who have not paid theirs for this year because
they sincerely to do not have the money to fulfil their obligation.
People pass through a lot! It is a fact.
Dear distinguished members of the NBA Welfare Committee,
These lawyers to some extent, make up the crop of Young lawyers
who indeed need this assistance.
Distinguished members of the NBA Welfare
Committee,
I am appealing to this great Committee to review the conditions
already laid down for lawyers to access the said palliative.
In this period of Covid-19, many young lawyers are not going to
Court, and whether they have been completely faithful with their
obligations to the bar or not, they need help. This is a period to
show and demonstrate humanity to the full. It is not a period
lawyers are to benefit from the ordinary benefits to be enjoyed as
members of the bar. It is a critical period when many pockets are
dry. If strict compliance of rules and laws are to be observed,
many affected by the lockdown of Court rooms will be kicked out and
perhaps, those who really need the help will be shot at the feet.
Believe me, many of the ones who need help are those who have not
been able to pay their bar fees to the full.
MY RECOMMENDATION:
In order not to trivialize the duty lawyers ordinarily owe to
the bar, I will advise that the criteria is not abandoned, but
amended or reviewed.
1. Young lawyers could be asked to forward evidence of payment
of the 2020 Bar Practicing Fees as well Bar dues, just as it is
requested; or
2. At least, Evidence of payment of 2020 Bar Practicing Fee, and
2019 Bar dues.
Covid-19 is a 2020 pandemic. 2019 is not far from 2020.
Those from 1-5 years post call can be given this option.
3. Or in the alternative, Evidence of 2020 Bar Practicing Fees
can be used.
4. The Committee can also do well to give less amount to those
who have not paid those of 2020 bar Practicing Fee, but that of
2019, and then give more to those who have paid that of 2020.
For instance, if N30,000 is given to those who have paid that of
2020, N20, 000 can be given to those who have paid for that of
2019. At least, this will be better than nothing at all.
PRAYER:
It is my prayer to you distinguished members, that the emphasis
on the 2020 bar dues be relaxed, else, the assistance to be
rendered by the NBA will achieve just little of what they intend to
achieve.
CALL:
I am equally using this opportunity to call on well-meaning
members of the bar to donate money to the NBA to help young lawyers
who sincerely need the help of the bar.
Thanks in anticipation of your consideration of my appeal.
Most respectfully, I know that the distinguished members know
and are far more experienced than me. My appeal is not in anyway an
instruction. It is an humble appeal, and my own contribution to the
effort already taken by the NBA.
I hope it is reasonably considered!
Yours Faithfully
Ebi Robert Esq.
A concerned bar-man
A Yenegoa based lawyer, Ebi Robert, Esq., has called on the NBA
Welfare Committee to review the conditions given for young lawyers
to benefit from the palliative to be made available by the
association.
In a letter dated the 24th day of April, 2020, which was made
available to TheNigerialawyer (TNL) Mr. Ebi Robert appealed to the
Committee to relax the conditions already attached for lawyers to
access the welfare package.
According to him, most of the young lawyers who need the
palliative are the ones who are not able to even pay their welfare
an bar dues.Therefore, it will achieve little if the NBA make
strict the criteria for young lawyers to access the welfare
package.
Read below the letter:
RE: COVID-19 NBA NATIONAL WELFARE COMMITTEE: REQUEST FOR
DATA OF YOUNG LAWYERS THAT NEEDS WELFARE ASSISTANCE
This is an appeal to the NBA National Welfare Committee.
I am writing the above-mentioned Committee with respect to the
circular/notice dated the 24th day of April, 2020, asking the
chairmen and secretaries of the various branches to furnish the
Committee with the data of young lawyers who need welfare
assistance.
I am aware that the notice included criteria for names of such
vulnerable young lawyers to be forwarded, and among the criteria
stated are evidence of payment of 2020 Bar Practicing Fees and Bar
dues .
Excerpt of the notice reads:
“The National Welfare Committee hereby request you to kindly
send to us via email: [email protected][1], [email protected][2], or [email protected][3]
the Full Names and Correct Banks Details of all young lawyers in
your Branch between 1-7 years post call who have paid their year
2020 Bar Practicing Fees and Branch Dues as at 31st March in one
Column and another Column containing the names of any other Young
None Financial Member and 10 other lawyers of what ever year at the
Bar who are also in need of the Welfare Scheme but who has paid
their 2020 Bar Practicing Fees and Branch Dues as at when dues.
Please note that the aforementioned list must be accompanied
with evidence of Payment of the 2020 Bar Practicing Fees and Branch
Due.”
I must first commend the Paul Usoro, SAN, led administration for
this wise move. It shows that our able bar leader has the welfare
of Lawyers at the top of his agenda.
I am aware that, perhaps, the reason for the conditions so
attached is to help give back support to well committed members of
the bar. However, I am making this appeal to the NBA, considering
the situation at hand, and I will try to highlight some of the
reasons for this appeal.
1. Most of the young lawyers are hunger-victims of this
lockdown. This is due to the fact that many of the young lawyers in
private practice are not being paid by their Principal. Worse still
is the fact that some of their principals are not so concerned
about the welfare of such young lawyers. They barely survive on the
little share of the appearance fee given to them by their
principals. This is the reality and seniors who are sincere will
attest to this. They have been victims of this culture anyways!
Not all young lawyers are opportune to be in well-to-do firms;
not all big firms can accommodate all young lawyers. This means
that, some young lawyers must somehow find themselves in developing
firms.
2. These young lawyers who fall into the above category more
often than not, find it difficult paying their Bar Practicing Fee,
not to talk of their welfare dues. Sometimes, while they are able
to pay one, they may not be able to pay the other. Not all though,
SOME!
I know that some lawyers may argue that: how is this possible?
How much is the bar Practicing Fee or the bar welfare dues that a
lawyer can not be able to pay?
With respect, it is possible. Some young lawyers pass through
serious challenges and may not be able to meet up with their
immediate needs. Some young lawyers eventually pay, but sometimes,
after the 31st day of March.
Although, I cannot rule out the fact that some lawyers
deliberately do not pay their legal and bar fees, the fact remains
that there are those who have not paid theirs for this year because
they sincerely to do not have the money to fulfil their obligation.
People pass through a lot! It is a fact.
Dear distinguished members of the NBA Welfare Committee,
These lawyers to some extent, make up the crop of Young lawyers
who indeed need this assistance.
Distinguished members of the NBA Welfare
Committee,
I am appealing to this great Committee to review the conditions
already laid down for lawyers to access the said palliative.
In this period of Covid-19, many young lawyers are not going to
Court, and whether they have been completely faithful with their
obligations to the bar or not, they need help. This is a period to
show and demonstrate humanity to the full. It is not a period
lawyers are to benefit from the ordinary benefits to be enjoyed as
members of the bar. It is a critical period when many pockets are
dry. If strict compliance of rules and laws are to be observed,
many affected by the lockdown of Court rooms will be kicked out and
perhaps, those who really need the help will be shot at the feet.
Believe me, many of the ones who need help are those who have not
been able to pay their bar fees to the full.
MY RECOMMENDATION:
In order not to trivialize the duty lawyers ordinarily owe to
the bar, I will advise that the criteria is not abandoned, but
amended or reviewed.
1. Young lawyers could be asked to forward evidence of payment
of the 2020 Bar Practicing Fees as well Bar dues, just as it is
requested; or
2. At least, Evidence of payment of 2020 Bar Practicing Fee, and
2019 Bar dues.
Covid-19 is a 2020 pandemic. 2019 is not far from 2020.
Those from 1-5 years post call can be given this option.
3. Or in the alternative, Evidence of 2020 Bar Practicing Fees
can be used.
4. The Committee can also do well to give less amount to those
who have not paid those of 2020 bar Practicing Fee, but that of
2019, and then give more to those who have paid that of 2020.
For instance, if N30,000 is given to those who have paid that of
2020, N20, 000 can be given to those who have paid for that of
2019. At least, this will be better than nothing at all.
PRAYER:
It is my prayer to you distinguished members, that the emphasis
on the 2020 bar dues be relaxed, else, the assistance to be
rendered by the NBA will achieve just little of what they intend to
achieve.
CALL:
I am equally using this opportunity to call on well-meaning
members of the bar to donate money to the NBA to help young lawyers
who sincerely need the help of the bar.
Thanks in anticipation of your consideration of my appeal.
Most respectfully, I know that the distinguished members know
and are far more experienced than me. My appeal is not in anyway an
instruction. It is an humble appeal, and my own contribution to the
effort already taken by the NBA.
I hope it is reasonably considered!
Yours Faithfully
Ebi Robert Esq.
A concerned bar-man