The family of Ondo State former governor, late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN has announced the establishment of scholarship fund for lawyers in honour of the deceased.
Wife of the late governor, Mrs Betty Akerodolu, made the announcement at the inauguration of the Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Bar Centre Annex, Iyaganku, ibadan
Mrs akeredolu noted that the gesture was in honour of the vision of late Akerodolu for advancement of the legal profession and appreciation of Nigeria Bar Association, Ibadan Branch and the national body.
She said the scholarship would be presented annually to aspiring lawyers, who have been admitted to the Nigerian Law School, demonstrating leadership potential and also academic excellence.
In a remark, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said the late Akeredolu deserved all the honours bestowed on him as he left indelible marks in every office he served.
Mr Fagbemi used the occasion to also reiterate his stand on proposal for the conduct of local government election to be handled by Independent National Electoral Commission instead of state electoral bodies.
Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa represented by the Deputy Governor Mr Olayide Adelami, maintained that the contribution of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to the development of Ondo State would never be forgotten.
Earlier in her opening remark,chairman,Nigeria Bar Association, Ibadan Branch,Mrs Folashade Aladeniyi while thanking all those who made the project possible noted that the edifice was named after the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his championing of the rule of law and social equality when he was alive.
Dignitaries at the Occasion included the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mrs Folake Solanke and Oyo State Chief Judge, Iyabo Yerima.
The Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, has demanded improved welfare for magistrates and presidents of Customary Courts in Osun State.
In a letter to Governor Ademola Adeleke, the NBA berated the poor conditions of service of the judicial personnel, ranging from poor emoluments, Infrastructure deficit and serviceable cars among others.
In the letter signed by the Chairman and the Secretary of the Osogbo Branch of the NBA, Messers Yemisi Abiona and Ibrahim Hassan, the Nigeria Lawyers’ Association called for the upward review of salary and emoluments of magistrates and presidents of Customary Courts.
“Many States in the Federation, including some of our neighbouring States like Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti with which we share common heritage have taken giant and commendable stride to guarantee enviable condition of service for their magistrates having regards to the delicate nature of their jobs and particularly the need to insulate them from any kind of immoral or corrupt inducement and distraction”.
The NBA also pointed out that most of the buildings housing the courts were old and almost dilapidating structures, leaking when it rained, while the crevices in their walls are safe haven for snakes and other reptiles.
The Lawyers also noted that “some of the officials had not been given official cars since appointment over ten years ago, while those who were allocated official cars got theirs twelve years ago or thereabouts”.
The NBA maintained that their concern for the judiciary as Lawyers was borne out of the pride of place which the judiciary occupies in a democracy and which the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria had entrusted on the Institution.
“As legal professionals within the State united under the Nigerian Bar Association with a mission to promote the Rule of Law, we feel obliged morally and ethically to inform Your Excellency about any development that is capable of hindering the smooth and efficient administration of Justice”.
The NBA commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for his indelible mark on the pattern of governance in Osun State and with this, Osun, in no time will become a model and State to beat among it’s peers in Nigeria.
The Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Dr. Mansur Liman has charged the newly admitted students of the National Broadcast Academy, NBA, to be dedicated to their course of study during the programme.
Dr. Liman gave the charge during an orientation programme for the Batch C students of the academy held at the FRCN Training School in Ikeja, Lagos.
The director-general who was represented by the Director of the Training School, Mallam Danladi Kwache, said a conducive learning environment has been provided by the school management to ease learning.
Mallam Kwache stated that the academy is poised to inculcate the prerequisite knowledge in students for them to become world-class professionals in the broadcast industry.
He urged the students to be disciplined and attentive throughout the academic programme.
Contributing, the Director of Academics, Mr. Segun Akinoya advised the students to attend classes regularly and maximize every opportunity to learn during their stay in the school.
Mr. Akioya added that the school would continue to maintain standards as it contributes to the growth of the broadcast industry.
Disturbed by the bribery allegations rocking the ongoing Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association in Kano, Sagir Gezawa, on Wednesday, formally wrote a letter to the Secretary of the EPT, demanding the identities of the lawyers attempting to bribe the judges.
The Kano NBA Chairman said, “We will want My Lord to disclose all details and particulars of the lawyer in question or those lawyers that are making attempts to bribe My Lords.”
Gezawa said copies of the letter were forwarded to the National Judicial Council, the President of the Court of Appeal and the President of the Nigeria Bar Association.
He said the Kano NBA was also seeking to have a meeting with the tribunal Justices, saying the Bar was committed to the fight against corruption.
“We are willing to do our own part of the fight, so, we are awaiting My Lord’s response,” he said.
The tribunal, led by Justice Azinge, had on Tuesday, raised the alarm that some lawyers were attempting to bribe judges in order to influence their verdict.
Justice Azinge said it was the second time a judge would complain about how some lawyers prosecuting election matters before them would attempt to offer them bribes.
She stated in the open court on Tuesday that “money is flying”, adding that “it’s being rumoured that a staff collected N10m.”
“In recent years, allegations of lawyers bribing judges have cast shadows over Nigeria’s judicial system, a complex issue that is threatening to erode the public trust in the pursuit of justice.
“While it is important to acknowledge that not all lawyers engage in unethical practices, the spectre of judicial corruption remains a concerning challenge that the Nigerian legal community must confront head-on,” the judge said.
Securing administrative bail of suspects in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, custody is free.
The Acting Commander of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Commission, ACE I Halima Mustafa Rufa’u stated this on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, when she received in her office, Executive Committee members of the Ibadan Branch of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, led by its chairman, Folashade Aladeniyi.
According to her, the Commission does not charge any fee from lawyers or family members of detained suspects before releasing them on bail.
She therefore warned lawyers to desist from standing as “surety” and legal representative, at the same time, to suspects, noting that such an act could not only get them into trouble, but does not portray the legal profession in good light.
“In the event the suspect was released and later jumps administrative bail, the Commission will have no choice than to arrest the lawyer first, before going after other sureties”, Rufa’u warned.
The Zonal Commander, however, commended the NBA for the visit, saying it would strengthen the existing collaboration and synergy between the two bodies.
In her remark, the chairman of the committee, Folashade Aladeniyi, commended the Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC for its efforts in curbing cybercrime and related fraud activities in Oyo State.
“I want to commend the Ibadan Zonal Command and the EFCC at large for its activities towards curbing economic and financial crimes, especially cybercrime in the country. This is evident in the statistics of convictions secured by the Commission over the years”, Aladeniyi stated.
She, however, appealed to the Zonal Commander to protect the rights of suspects in detention by ensuring their quick release, while also investigating the activities of politically exposed persons accused of corruption in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has opened its defence of the February 25 presidential election before the Presidential Election Petition Court sitting in Abuja.
This is coming after the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Labour Party, LP, and their presidential candidates had successfully closed their cases penultimate on the 23rd of last month, at the Court.
When the matter came up, INEC’s lead counsel and former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Mr Abubakar Mahmood informed the Court of his plan to call three witnesses to counter the allegations of the Labour Party and its Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
Mr Mahmood argued that none of the witnesses was in court due to domestic reasons for him to open the defense and pleaded for an adjournment.
The lead counsel for the petitioner, Dr Livy Uzuoku expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the electoral body.
However, Chief Wole Olanipekun, who stood for President Bola Tinubu and Prince Lateef Fagbemi, who represented the All Progressives Congress APC did not object to the request for adjournment by INEC.
The Chairman of the Court, Justice Haruna Tsammani subsequently adjourned until tomorrow for the electoral body to commence its defence.
The Nigerian Bar Association has said it will ensure that justice is served in the case of a lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, who was shot dead by a police officer on Christmas Day, while inside a vehicle with her husband in the Ajah area of Lagos State.
Reacting, the National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Akorede Lawal, described the incident as unfortunate, adding that the president of the association, Yakubu Maikyau, was monitoring the situation.
He tweeted, “We are aware of this unfortunate incident. This is yet another crime against a lawyer. Regrettably, our member is gone. The NBA President @YCMaikyauSAN is right on this and we shall ensure that justice is duly served.”
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, has said the officer responsible for the killing and others have been taken into custody.
He tweeted, “Unfortunate and avoidable incident that was. The ASP that shot and two others with him have since been taken into custody. They are to be moved to the SCID for further investigation.
“The Lagos State Police Command condoles with the family, friends and colleagues of Barrister Bolanle Raheem. “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi, has been in touch with the family and the Nigerian Bar Association since yesterday and has given firm assurances that just
National President, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Mr Olumide Apata says the association is investigating the issues of conflicting court orders from Judges in the country.
Mr Apata who stated this in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta when he paid a courtesy visit to the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun said any erring member of the association would be taken to the Disciplinary Committee for prosecution.
The NBA president who noted the ongoing developmental projects in the state expressed optimism that the private sector background of the governor would help to ensure that governance should be pragmatic in finding solutions to people’s problems.
Responding, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, commended the NBA for protecting human rights and the tenets of good governance, saying it was in tandem with his administration’s policy of fairness, equity and fair play.
The governor also announced that a law would soon be put in place to ensure that judges who had served the state would own houses, adding that all judges from Ogun State serving in various courts across the country would benefit from the arrangement.
The attention of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ibadan Branch, is drawn to a directive of the Oyo State Government issued on 15 June 2020 as it concerns the resumption of pupils and students in Primary 6, Junior Secondary School Class 3 and Senior Secondary School Class 3 for academic activities on Monday, 29 June, 2020.
The rationale for the resumption of the above categories of student is to enhance their preparation for forthcoming state and national examinations.
As at today, Oyo State has recorded 575 confirmed cases of Covid-19, 242 recoveries and 7 deaths. We sympathise with the bereaved and pray for the speedy recovery of those who are infected. We must state that the comparatively low figures above are due to the mercy of God and are direct consequences of the proactive steps taken by the State Government to curb the spread of the deadly disease. We commend the state government under the leadership of our Governor, His Excellency, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, FNSE on the efforts put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The new directive for resumption of pupils in final classes in primary, junior secondary and senior secondary schools is predicated on the assumption that in the next two weeks Covid-19 would have been eliminated or reduced to the barest level. This may be a very ambitious expectation.
The Government of Oyo State has in the past year invested heavily in education and it is of utmost importance that this huge investment be complemented by policies that focus on the best interest of children. Section 3 of the Child’s Rights Law of Oyo State provides:
In every action concerning a child, whether undertaken by an individual, public or private body, institutions or service, court of law, or administrative or legislative authority, the best interest of the child shall be the primary consideration. (Emphasis supplied)
It is our considered view, and judicial authorities have confirmed this position by recognizing the presumption, that children are naturally playful. One may be demanding too much from them to observe necessary safety precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Regrettably, some of our adult citizens still carry on their activities as if Covid-19 does not exist. In this context, we have not laid down good examples for our children to emulate.
Despite the efforts put in place by the government, particularly the protocols regarding social distancing and use of face mask, majority of our citizens do not adhere to these protocols. Even our transporters ignore safety measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. It is our considered view that opening our schools at this time may create a veritable avenue for community spread of this infectious disease.
There are instances of spikes in infection rates in some countries as a direct result of premature resumption of schools. In Western Cape Province, South Africa, 98 teachers, 1800 students tested positive for Covid-19 almost two weeks after school resumption. Three weeks after Israel reopened the doors to all its schools, 347 pupils and teachers tested positive. These are territories which have better health infrastructure than we do in Nigeria.
While it is desirable that our children, particularly those in the final classes of their present programme, prepare adequately for the state and external examinations they are to write in the nearest future, the immediate concern of Government and all stakeholders should be to secure the constitutional right of our children to life as well as their rights to survival and development and to enjoy the best attainable state of physical, mental and spiritual health guaranteed by the Child’s Right Law of Oyo State, other relevant national laws and norms contained in regional and international instruments.
In our humble opinion, only children who are alive and in sound health can sit and pass examinations. It is only through these healthy children the investment of government and parents and guardians will not be wasted.
On the auspicious occasion of the International Day of the African Child celebrated today, the 16th day of June, 2020 we call on the Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde FNSE, to reconsider the decision that schools some pupils and students resume on the 29th day of June, 2020, until there is sufficient scientific evidence that positively indicates that the safety and well-being of our pupils and students, their teachers and other workers, their parents and guardians and other family members, and the good people of Oyo State, are guaranteed.
We therefore appeal to the Government of Oyo State under the dynamic leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde to rescind the decision to reopen schools. We are assured of a decision in the best interest of children.
Former US president Barack Obama has paid tribute to
Kobe Bryant after the NBA legend and his daughter Gianna were killed in a
helicopter crash on Sunday.
Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were two of the nine passengers who died on board the helicopter which crashed outside the city of Calabasas, which is situated to the west of Los Angeles, at around 10 am on Sunday morning.
Bryant had visited Obama at the White House with his LA
Lakers teammates in January 2010 after the team became NBA champions.
Obama posted on Twitter, ‘Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act’. ‘To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. ‘Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.’
Messi posted on Instagram: ‘I have no words… all my love for Kobe’s family and friends. ‘It was a pleasure to meet you and share good times together. ‘You were a genius like few others.’
Ronaldo also posted his tribute following the news: ‘So sad to hear the heartbreaking news of the deaths of Kobe and his daughter Gianna. ‘Kobe was a true legend and inspiration to so many. ‘Sending my condolences to his family and friends and the families of all who lost their lives in the crash. RIP Legend.’
Identified victims on the flight
Hollywood’s elite have also flocked
online in their hundreds to commemorate Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, as
the news of the legendary star’s death broke, Khloe Kardashian was one of the
first struggling to believe the news as she said: ‘This can’t be real. There’s
no way!!! My heart hurts.’
Her mother, Kris Jenner, added:
‘Devastated by the news of losing our precious Kobe Bryant. Words cannot express
our sadness. All my deepest love and prayers are with Vanessa and Kobe’s family
at this time.’
Cher was also sending love to both his family, friends and those who were saddened by the loss, as she wrote: “My heart goes out to Kobe’s Family, Friends, Fans. ‘It’s so hard to deal with the death of a great star because we feel as if we knew them personally. Kobe Bryant was a great athlete, & all of America will feel his loss. The world has lost a bright light”.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences, who host the Oscar, also commemorated the star, who won an Oscar
in 2018 for his animated short for Dear Basketball. ‘They doubted a kid could
make it in the NBA and he proved them wrong,’ they wrote. ‘They doubted he
could win a championship and he proved them wrong. They doubted he could make
movies and he won an Oscar. Like all great artists, Kobe Bryant proved the
doubters wrong. Rest in peace.’
Actress Ayesha Curry, the wife of basketballer Steph Curry, wrote: ‘Dear Lord, please cover Vanessa and her family. Sending infinite prayers. My heart aches for her and the girls. I’ve written and deleted 100 times today. ‘I have no words and they’re never going to come out the way I want them to. Praying for peace and protection over this family and other families involved. Rest In Peace and power, Gigi and Kobe.’
Taylor Swift added: ‘My heart is in
pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy. I can’t fathom what the
families are going through. ‘Kobe meant so much to me and to us all. Sending my
prayers, love, and endless condolences to Vanessa and the family and anyone who
lost someone on that flight.’
Naomi Campbell was also among those
devastated by the loss as she wrote: ‘Heartbreaking Waking up this morning to
hear that you and one of your Angels are gone is devastating for us all beyond
any words. My deepest condolences to the beautiful Bryant family. ‘May you Rise
with the highest, and May your soul Rest in Power King.’
Kim Kardashian wrote a lengthy post remembering both Kobe and Gigi and said: ‘My heart is so heavy. No one should ever experience what the families involved are going through. ‘This has affected us all so much but I cannot begin to imagine what Vanessa is feeling losing her husband and her baby girl. I cry just thinking about it. I am praying for the Bryant family, the Altobelli family and the families of all who perished in this unthinkable tragedy. Rest In Peace Legend’
Husband Kanye West shared a photo of
him with Kobe in the recording studio, adding: ‘Kobe, We love you brother,
We’re praying for your family and appreciate the life you’ve lived and all the
inspiration you gave’
On hearing the news Cheryl wrote:
‘Oh my good God no. How utterly heart shattering. I can’t stop thinking about
his wife and children. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones
at this devastating time.’
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver called
Bryant one of the most extraordinary players in NBA history.
“The NBA family is devastated
by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna,” said NBA
Commissioner Adam Silver. “For 20 seasons, Kobe showed us what is possible
when remarkable talent blends with an absolute devotion to winning.”
NBA legend Michael Jordan recognized
Bryant for his talent and skill, but also praised his competitive streak,
calling him one of the game’s greats.
“I loved Kobe – he was like a
little brother to me,” Jordan said.
The LA Lakers legend was confirmed
dead by the LA County Sheriff’s department – with three others currently being
named. Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, 56, his daughter
Alyssa Altobelli and wife Keri Altobelli were also on board the helicopter.
‘There were no survivors, we have a
manifest that indicates there were nine people on the aircraft – the pilot plus
eight individuals,’ said L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.
Kobe, 41, was married to wife
Vanessa since 2001, and they had four daughters – Gianna, aka Gigi, and then
Natalia, 17, and Bianka, 3 and Capri, who was born last June.
The cause of the crash is currently
under investigation.
Kobe Bryant spent his entire 20-year career with the LA
Lakers and is widely regarded as one of the most successful basketball players
of all time having won five NBA championships during his 20-year career with LA
Lakers, appeared in 18 All-Star games and scoring 33,643 points before retiring
in 2016.
He was also named NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2008 and
the MVP in two NBA Finals. Bryant also won two gold medals for the USA at the
2008 and 2012 Olympics.