Dele Adesina Rallied The Bar To Fight Against Principalities – Prof. Ilochi Okafor SAN, FCIArb

Dele Adesina Rallied The Bar To Fight Against Principalities – Prof. Ilochi Okafor SAN, FCIArb

In the hours of our greatest crisis the very dark days following the gruesome murders of our brother sister and child Late B. C. Igwe Chairman NBA Onitsha Branch his pregnant wife our learned colleague and unborn child the NEC under the leadership of Wole and Dele Adesina in great courage rallied the entire Bar in unprecedented unity to fight for redress and support the Igwe family.
The fight was against principalities and powers wickedness and evil in the high places. 
The endowments established have funded the education of the children of our murdered colleagues. We are obliged in all decency to vote for Dele Adesina. Remember the wise saying of the fowl. VOTE DESAN

Prof. Ilochi Okafor SAN, FCI. Arb.

Dele Adesina SAN Condemns Killing Of Haro Gandu and Kidnap Of His Wife And Son

Dele Adesina SAN Condemns Killing Of Haro Gandu and Kidnap Of His Wife And Son

The very sad news of the murder of Haro Gandu was brought to my attention in the early hours of this morning. I learnt that his residence was invaded on Sunday night by persons suspected to be bandits.

These unrepentant men of the underworld shot Haro Gandu to death and abducted his wife and son. This is most tragic and worrisome. While sympathising with the Gandu family over the gruesome murder of our colleague, I call on the State and Federal Governments to step up security and ensure the killers of Haro Gandu are brought to justice. The State and Federal security agencies must collaborate effectively to ensure speedy and safe release of our deceased colleague’s wife and son.

This is another killing and abduction too many. Government must rise up to its responsibility of protecting the lives and security of the citizens. Just about a week ago, I read about the wanton killings in some parts of Kaduna State. These gruesome killings must stop.
We need peace in our land and it is my prayer that peace shall return to every troubled part of our country.

My heartfelt condolences to the Gandu family, his colleagues and friends, NBA Kaduna Branch, Ministry of Justice Kaduna State and the Government and people of Kaduna State over these mindless killings.

Haro Gandu was until his death a Deputy Director in the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice and an elder brother to one of the very vibrant young lawyers and my good friend, Fumen Gandu. May the good Lord bless his soul and grant him eternal rest.

Dele Adesina SAN, FCIArb

Dele Adesina Can Restore The NBA To Its Glory Days| Maurice Oru Ebam Esq

Dele Adesina Can Restore The NBA To Its Glory Days| Maurice Oru Ebam Esq

I know that I know  compared to all other presidential candidates (all due respect to my  seniors) in the forth coming NBA  General Elections DEACON DELE ADESINA (SAN) DASAN is the best candidate based on my persuasion beyond conviction.

We must change our mentality as lawyers and members of the biggest Bar in Africa for over the years the NBA has committed blunders becoming toothless bull dogs.

The NBA must take up its rightful place with boldness, confidence and uprightness.
Deacon Dele Adesina SAN (DASAN) is the only candidate with  antecedents in the Bar that can restore the NBA to its glory days with innovations.

Many lawyers are even unaware that the now celebrated ‘SBL’ of the NBA is the brainchild of Deacon Dele Adesina SAN (DASAN).

Iron sharpens iron for Deacon Dele Adesina SAN (DASAN) conducts helped determine my courage as my association determines my acceleration.

Maurice Oru Ebam Esq
NBA Abuja Unity Bar.

3 Things to Consider When Acquiring Art | Adedunmade Onibokun

3 Things to Consider When Acquiring Art | Adedunmade Onibokun

There are various reasons
why people buy art, it could be for investment, for some because they are
collectors, while for others because they are art enthusiasts and sometimes
even for emotional reasons, for instance when the buyer is drawn to what is
depicted by the artist on canvass.  Some
of the most expensive paintings ever sold include Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator
Mundi, which sold for $450.3 million at Christie’s on November 15, 2017, and Pablo
Picasso, Les Femmes d’Alger (“Version O”), which sold for $179.4 million also
at Christie’s on May 11, 2015[i].

With the price for some paintings
running into millions of naira or even dollars, one can deduce that buying art
is serious business and with such investments going into paintings, it is
important for patrons and those who seek to acquire art to note the following 3
legal points;
1.     
Due
Diligence
When buying art, due diligence
should be the watch word of every patron, for instance, due diligence helps to
ensure that you are buying from the right person and that the painting is
authentic. This would include tracing the provenance as far back as one can. Due
diligence will also ensure that the documentation for the paintings are not
falsified and that the paintings are not stolen or even war artifacts. A
classic example are the Benin Bronzes, some of Africa’s greatest treasures, which
were looted decades ago.
Some paintings could also
have been stolen from museums or collectors in various parts of the world and
depending on the position of the law and facts in any legal jurisdiction in
question, a purchaser of such art may lose the title to the painting or even be
prosecuted for obtaining stolen property. Due diligence can also help determine
if the painting is fake.
2.      Title
The second thing buyers of
art should consider is Title. i.e. does the seller or the seller’s principal
have the right to sell the item. A classic example is when the art work belongs
to the family but an unscrupulous member of that family goes ahead to sell the
item without the consent of other members of the family. Also, the title to the
property may be vested in some other party like a museum or the item may even
be the subject of several encumbrances. It is important to note that possession
does not necessary mean ownership. For instance, the fact that the painting is
in my possession does not necessarily make me the owner of the item.
3.      Have a written contract
Executing a contract of sale
is also important when acquiring art. Having such a contract helps the buyer
secure a reasonable amount of confidence in the sale. For instance, such
contract may provide that the buyer will be indemnified in the case a 3rd
party comes with valid title to the painting or if the art is discovered to be
different from what was represented at the point of sale. Such contracts may
also include a confidentiality if parties decide that certain parts of the
agreement remain confidential e.g. the price or even their names. A contract of
sale may also help show proof of provenance upon resale by the collector.
Finally, it is important for
art buyers to use the services of professionals when acquiring art so as to
prevent any losses that may arise from a bad sale. There are however times when
a party may not have the time to carry out detailed due diligence or even have
the time to inspect the title of the seller, for instance when the buyer is an
art fair for instance. It is however important that buyer takes reasonable steps
to ensure the authenticity and title of the item.   

Adedunmade
Onibokun

Adedunmade
is the Team Lead at Adedunmade Onibokun & Co. and practices in Lagos,
Nigeria. He may be reached via email on Dunmadeo@yahoo.com


[i]
Invaluable . (2019). 31 of the Most Expensive Paintings Ever Sold at
Auction.
 Available:
https://www.invaluable.com/blog/most-expensive-painting/. Last accessed 27th
July, 2020 .

Do Not Sell Your Votes For A Plate Of Porridge Like Esau Did | Seye Thompson

Do Not Sell Your Votes For A Plate Of Porridge Like Esau Did | Seye Thompson

‘I don’t believe in superstars
Organic food and foreign cars
I don’t believe the price of gold
The certainty of growing old
That right is right and left is wrong
That north and south can’t get along
That east is east and west is west
And being first is always best’

Do you know this song? Don Williams sang it years ago and for me, the song makes me look inwards when making decisions

Look at the reality of things. Can your candidate actually do all these things he has promised to do if elected? Does he even have the history of defending lawyers in the face of harassment? Amaka, think very well.

For my colleagues at Ilorin, Ikire, Abakaliki, Jalingo, etc (once you ain’t in Lagos or Abuja, you fall in this category. Don’t argue), how would your candidate help your legal practice with his policies?? You are jumping up and shouting for a candidate with jumbo sized multinational deals in his pocket and who probably you heard for the first time because of the elections yet you seem to have forgotten that your address on ‘no case submission’ is due by Monday. No be everybody dey do oil and gas or commercial transaction o. Think o.

Your candidate has laid claims to playing active roles in the NBA-SBL. Is it the NBA-SBL that requires annual subscription for membership and subscriptions for committee memberships? Is the NBA-SBL that you ain’t a member of? How is this different from the free seminars we see in the papers but which require registration fees? Idowu, why are you doing like this now? Be careful when a barefooted man offers u shoes.

Can your elitist client really identify with you? Yes, you. Are you not the one who struggles from Ikorodu to Igbosere everyday? Yes, your candidate pays juniors very well but then how is that commensurate with the rigours of waking up 4am everyday just for you to make it to work by 8am. Remember, all that glitters is not gold.

That your candidate has not been endorsed by any group or branch should get you worried. Is he a lone ranger? Is he that bad? My sister, wake up.

Do not sell your votes for a plate of porridge like Esau did. You owe the bar a duty to elect an experienced and cultured  President. You owe the bar a duty to ensure that it maintains its ideals and goals. We need a repositioning and not an overhaul. Nobody is more suited to achieve this than a candidate who has served as General secretary and who understands the terrain. Two years is too short to experiment.

Cast your vote for Dele Adesina SAN and join him in his quest at making our bar successful.

I am Adeboye Oluwaseye Thompson and I write from the Ilorin branch of the NBA

NBAAGC Session on Executive Order And Democratic Governance

NBAAGC Session on Executive Order And Democratic Governance

On May 20, 2020, President Buhari signed Executive Order No. 10 which guaranteed financial autonomy of
state legislature and judiciary. This Order was warmly welcomed by many as the
issue of financial autonomy has hampered the development of both arms of
government within the States.


In addition to this
Order, President Buhari has also signed other Orders including; Executive Order
No.1, on the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business
Environment; Executive Order No.2, on the Promotion of local content in public
procurement by the Federal Government;
Executive Order No.3,
for the Timely Submission of annual budgetary estimates by all statutory and
non-statutory agencies, including companies owned by the Federal Government; Executive
Order No.4, on the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), to
increase the level of Tax awareness and compliance, widen the tax net, and
reduce incidence of tax evasion in the country; Executive Order No.5, to
improve local content in public procurement with Science, Engineering and Technology
components; and  Executive Order No.6, on
the Preservation of Suspicious Assets connected with corruption and other
relevant offences. This order sought to fight corruption by curtailing certain
liberties and fundamental rights of Nigerians.

These Executive Orders
however, raise one question, “does it in any way erode on the powers of the
National Assembly to make laws?” or put in another way, “does the Executive
carry exercise law making powers via these Orders?”. Indeed, democracy cannot
flourish in the dearth of clear and precise separation of powers and an
operative system of checks and balances. This topic will be subject to debate
at the upcoming NBA Annual General Conference scheduled to hold in August,
2020, and lawyers are urged to participate actively in the session.
@Legalnaija 


The Need To Understand The Constitutional, Political And Policy Contexts Of Executive Powers

The Need To Understand The Constitutional, Political And Policy Contexts Of Executive Powers

Man’s increasing thirst
for power since the dawn of time is the premise for which Separation of Powers
and a system of Checks and Balances is ingrained in the roots of democratic
governance. If power corrupts, then absolute power corrupts absolutely. According
to Charles de Montesquieu, “
when the legislative and executive powers are
united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no
liberty
”. The essence of Democracy, the Rule of Law and the security of
Human rights is to give man a good life and liberty against arbitrary or
unrestrained exercise of power. If powers are not definitely shared, the path
to tyranny is not far-off.

The concept of
separation of powers stands frontward in the interaction of the three branches
of government; the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. The Nigerian
constitution captures the doctrine of separation of powers to prevent one arm
of government, specifically the executive, from becoming excessively powerful,
enough to destroy the system. Under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, federal legislative power is vested in the National
Assembly, while executive power is vested in the President and the judiciary with
the power to interpret laws, by virtue of Sections 4, 5 and 6 respectively.

In performing his
executive functions, the President may issue orders to agents and agencies of
the executive branch in respect of a project or programme. These orders may set
out government policies, issue directives or command action relating to
functions of the executive arm. An order issued by the President becomes rather
controversial when it purports to make law
(1). There is no express
mention of executive orders in the constitution, howbeit, executive orders are
an offspring of constitutional development, especially, in the history of the
development of presidential power in the United States
 (2). It is usually
following the presidential instinct to ‘execute and maintain’ the provisions of
the constitution
(3).

The President’s power
to issue executive orders raises the problem of lack of clarity in separation
of powers. If executive orders have the force of law, it goes without saying
that Presidents have the power to make laws by issuing executive orders.
However, there is a counterbalance considering that this power is also
controlled and checked by the Judiciary. Executive orders are advantageous
because they are required to fill in the gaps in legislations creating
executive agencies.
A good instance of such
executive order would be Executive Order 5, issued by the President relating
chiefly to promotion of Nigerian content in public procurement of goods and
services. The use of executive orders is also necessary in occasions of
regulatory contradiction and uncertainty in Nigeria
(4).

 

Like legislative
statutes, executive orders are subject to judicial review and may be overturned
if the order lacks support by statute or the Constitution, if the order demands
an action that will be illegal, or if the order contravenes one or more doctrines
of democracy. A critical case on Presidential executive orders is Attorney General
of Abia State & ORS V. Attorney General of the Federation [2003] 4 NWLR (PT
809)124. In this case, the Supreme Court considered the validity of the
promulgation of the Revenue Allocation (Federal Account, Etc) (Modification)
Order (Statutory Instrument No. 9 of 2002). Belgore, JSC held that the promulgation
order was indeed constitutional and valid seeing as the then President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, acted pursuant to Section
315 of the 1999 Constitution. Courts, however, do not readily invalidate
executive orders and the legislature cannot impose a general prohibition on the
use of executive orders, as noted by the Supreme Court in Attorney General of
the Federation v Abubakar [2007] 10 NWLR (Pt 1041)1 (1).

Like drugs, the
authority granted to the President to make an executive order can be misused. Truly,
an executive order issued by the president, with a goal to ‘execute and
maintain’ the terms of the constitution, can engender the adherence to
democratic principles, consequently advancing the practice of democracy. Nonetheless,
if misused, an executive order can set a nation on the path to tyranny.

 

Since the return to
democracy in 1999, each successive government in Nigeria has signed a number of
executive orders, President Muhammadu Buhari’s government inclusive. Commonly,
the news of the signing of a new executive order is greeted with either public
outcry at worst or with mass apathy at best (5). Some of the orders
issued by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government include:

 

Executive Order No.1,
on the Promotion of Transparency and Efficiency in the Business Environment. The
mischief of this order is to facilitate the ease of doing business in Nigeria
through the promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business
environment (6).

 

Executive Order No.2,
on the Promotion of local content in public procurement by the Federal Government.
This order’s mischief is to grant preference to local manufacturers of goods
and service providers in their procurement of goods and services.

 

Executive Order No.3,
for the Timely Submission of annual budgetary estimates by all statutory and
non-statutory agencies, including companies owned by the Federal Government. This
order addresses the delay in the passage and assent of National Budget
occasioned by the late preparation and transmission of budget estimates by Ministries,
Agencies and Departments (MDAs), with the 2016 and 2017 budgets as befitting
reference points.

 

Executive Order No.4,
on the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), to increase the
level of Tax awareness and compliance, widen the tax net, and reduce incidence
of tax evasion in the country. Also, to offer amnesty until March 31, 2018 (later
extended to 30 June, 2018) to tax payers (individuals and corporate bodies) who
have defaulted in their obligations in the past.

Executive Order No.5,
to improve local content in public procurement with Science, Engineering and Technology
components. The executive order is expected to promote the application of
science, technology and innovation towards achieving the nation’s development
goals across all sectors of the economy (7).

 

Executive Order No.6,
on the Preservation of Suspicious Assets connected with corruption and other
relevant offences. This order sought to fight corruption by curtailing certain
liberties and fundamental rights of Nigerians (8).
The order prevents persons guilty of corruption from continuously holding and
controlling asset acquired from proceeds of corruption.

 

Executive Order No.10,
which merely affirms the financial autonomy already donated to State
Legislature, Judiciary, and by the Constitution, strengthens them as
institutions, and makes them truly independent from the suffocating grip of
State Governors. This ensures transparency, accountability and responsibility
in government; broadens and deepens the democratic space; and signposts the
much-desired restructuring and power devolution (8)

 

These executive
orders do not escape criticisms. Particularly, President Buhari’s Executive
Order No.6 raised controversies as to its constitutionality and validity seeing
as it invalidates the rights to property guaranteed in Sections 43 and 44 of
the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. According to the President, the order aims to
“restrict dealings in suspicious assets subject to investigation or inquiry
bordering on corruption in order to preserve such assets from dissipation and
to deprive alleged criminals of the proceeds of their illicit activities which
can otherwise be employed to allure, pervert and/or intimidate the
investigative and judicial processes” (9).

 

Indeed, democracy
cannot flourish in the dearth of clear and precise separation of powers and an
operative system of checks and balances (10).
This is a challenge for the legal profession and the Judiciary to understand
the constitutional, political and policy contexts of the exercise of executive
power in order to prevent the executive arm from exceeding its power limits,
safeguard human rights and liberties, and save the democratic society that is
Nigeria.

 

Adeniran
Oluwabukunmi.



 

References

1. Okebukola and Kana. Executive Orders in Nigeria as
Valid Legislative Instruments and Administrative Tools.

2.
Historical Development of Separation of Powers. LawTeacher. 2019.

3.
Sam, Amadi. Executive order 10 of 2020 is dangerous to constitutional democracy.
2020.

4.
—. Executive Order and presidential power in the Nigerian constitutional
democracy. TheGuardian. 2018.

5.
Jonathan, Ekpo. A Critique Of The Companies Income Tax (Road Infrastructure
Development And Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme) Order 2018.

6.
Ladan, M.T. Presidential Executive Orders 1-6 Of May 2017 to July 2018 as
Enforceable Legislative Instruments In Nigeria [As At July 6, 2018]. 2018.

7.
Law, Bloomfield. Nigeria: President Muhammadu Buhari Signs Executive Order To
Improve Local Contents In Science, Engineering & Technology Procurement.
2018.

8.
Nigeria: Is President Buhari’s Executive Order 10 Constitutional? AllAfrica.
2020.

9.
Dayo, Adu and Ridwan, Oloyede. President of Nigeria Signs Executive Order 6
of 2018 on the Preservation of Assets Connected With Serious Corruption and
Other Relevant Offences. 2018.

10.
Simon, Rogo. Nigeria: Executive Order 10 Will Deepen Democracy. 2020.

 Photo Credit – www.saynigeria.com 

NBAAGC2020 Session Security And Extra Judicial Killings In Nigeria

NBAAGC2020 Session Security And Extra Judicial Killings In Nigeria

The
reports of extra judicial killings by security agencies in Nigeria is not news
anymore, neither has the issue been adequately addressed. For instance, the
prevalent state of insecurity in most regions in Nigeria has resulted in an
increased deployment of security operatives all over the country. Of these
security agencies, some have gained notoriety for perpetuating extra judicial
killings.


It is
alleged that the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) alone is responsible for hundreds
of extrajudicial killings yearly[1].
For instance, in December 2019 a mechanic, Chima Ikwunado allegedly died after
being tortured in a police station in Port Harcourt[2]. However,
majority of these cases don’t get media attention; hence they go uninvestigated
and unpunished.
Despite
the continuous outpour of public outrage regarding the menace of extra judicial
killings by security operatives in the country, no substantial reform has been
embarked upon by the government. In fact Amnesty International on the 26th
of June, 2020, stated that
The
Nigerian authorities have failed to prosecute a single officer from the
notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), despite anti-torture legislation
passed in 2017 and evidence that its members continue to use torture and other
ill-treatment to execute, punish and extract information from suspects, Amnesty
International said today.
In a
new report, Time to End Impunity, Amnesty International
documented at least 82 cases of torture, ill treatment and extra-judicial
execution by SARS between January 2017 and May 2020. The victims of the police
unit, set up to fight violent crimes, are reportedly predominantly male between
the ages of 18 and 35, from low-income backgrounds and vulnerable groups.
However,
what is the role of lawyers in this regard, what role is the Nigerian Bar
Association playing to ensure such acts are a thing of the past. This will be a
major topic at the upcoming Annual General Conference of the NBA scheduled for Thursday
27th August, 2020.
The
Panelists will include   
·       
Chairman: Chibuike Nwokeuku SAN, Principal Partner Chibuike
Nwokeukwu SAN & Associates
·       
Lead Speaker: Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, Chief Counsel &
Head of Chambers at Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers
·       
Monday Onyekachi Ubani, Principal Partner Ubani & Co.
·       
Aisha Mohammed
·       
Ikide Ighillenus
·       
Ali Malik, SAN
All
lawyers are urged to participate actively in this discuss so the Bar can
fashion out a way to put an end to the subject of extra – judicial killing once
and for all while ensuring the rights of average Nigerians are protected  and enforced.


[1]
Nigeria: Investigate widespread killings by police. Police chief boasts of 785
killings in 90 days, Human Rights Watch (Nov.18 2007)
[2]
Police dismiss four officers for murder of mechanic in Rivers state, Sahara
Reporters (Jul. 7 2020)

Equity Demands That NBA Ikeja Should Produce The NBA President

Equity Demands That NBA Ikeja Should Produce The NBA President

It is indeed very sad that despite the support Ikeja Branch of the NBA has given to its Lagos Counterpart for several years, the Lagos Bar has refused to reciprocate this gesture at a time a member of the Ikeja Bar is aspiring for the office of the President of the NBA. It is clear that one objective of the NBA Constitution is to promote equality, equity and fairness among the various zones in the election of National officers. That spirit and objective of equality, equity and fairness I believe should also be extended to the branch level to prevent a situation where certain branches will feel marginalized.

Without a doubt, the Lagos Branch of the NBA since the inception of the NBA has produced not less than six (6) Presidents of the Bar, the most recent of which is the out-going President in the person of Paul Usoro, SAN. If the outgoing President was produced by the Lagos Bar, will it be fair for the Lagos Bar to produce another President? I do not think so, and I believe the entire objective of zoning principle will be defeated if only one Branch is to constantly produce the President of the NBA. I concede that the second schedule to the NBA Constitution divided the country into geographical zones, with rotation between the three (3) zones i.e. Northern zone, Eastern zone and Western zone, and does not extend such divide or dichotomy to branches. However, it will be inequitable and unjust for one branch to always produce the NBA President? This will not augur well and in no distant time some branches will become indifferent to NBA activities. The presidency of the NBA should not be the birthright of just one branch.

It is on this note that I lend my voice to the appeal to our brothers from the Lagos Bar to have a rethink and support the candidate of the Ikeja Bar in the person of Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN because if care is not taken there is a likelihood that this election will sever the mutual relationship that has existed between the Ikeja Bar and Lagos Bar of the NBA. I also call on all well-meaning members of the NBA Ikeja Branch to rise up at this time and say NO to the marginalization of the Ikeja branch by voting en masse for Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN, in the election at the end of this month (July). We also seek the support of members of the Ikorodu and Badagry Branches of the NBA at this time because a time will come when they will also seek the support of the Ikeja Branch in the NBA National election.

May I also thank the Care-taker Committee of the NBA, Ikeja Branch for re-affirming the earlier motion of the immediate past Executives adopting Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN as the sole candidate of the Ikeja Branch of the NBA.

Thank You.

– CHUKWUDI ENEBELI, MCIArb.
(Partner Pinheiro LP)

Securing The Future Of The Bar Is More Honourable Than Stomach Infrastructure

Securing The Future Of The Bar Is More Honourable Than Stomach Infrastructure

The politics of NBA has recently taken a new dimension and this made me share my opinion on why we need no other person than Dele Adesina SAN

As a young lawyer, I have always agitated for a vibrant leader for the Bar and that made me join in canvasing for a particular candidate from the onset for a brighter bar, little did I know that I am about selling my conscience for *Semo*.

At first, I thought it was a Palliative, but on a deeper thought, I wondered what Palliative to lawyers will come in form of Semo and Rice few weeks to the election. I have to sit down and think deeply and I begin to re-examine all the presidential candidates in this election.

I am a member of different presidential candidates platforms, I observed that while some are ready to offer nothing but Semo and Rice, another candidate is not sharing anything but enjoys large followership.

I took interest in one candidate who didn’t share anything and still pulling crowd. Therefore, I thought and asked myself who is DASAN and why is he gaining this unprecedented followership?

I came to find out that DASAN is not interested in money/Amala Politics but for a secured bar with brighter future for the young lawyers. If the Bar has not been restructured by Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN led Executive having Dele Adesina SAN as the Chief Scribe then, the Bar would probably have been reduced to nothing today, but thank God for using the administration to institute several good policies that have become permanent structures in NBA till today.

I look at his experience, profile and protests he has led in the past to agitate for the promotion of Rule of Law and against inhuman treatment of lawyers and other citizens, I therefore had no choice than to run away from where they offer nothing other than sharing of Semo and Rice.

The question that readily comes to mind is what are we turning ourselves to? Should Pandemic turn some of us (lawyers) to beggars? My answer is No, but we should stand firmly with a candidate who with or without pandemic we can assess him and come to a honourable decision without being cajoled with Rice and Semo. We are not secular politicians.

I didn’t regret joining any group before. I am only convinced about candidacy of DASAN having reviewed the developments around me, more importantly, the fact that all our leading lights in the profession in Ilorin are with DASAN. This helped me a long way in realising that DASAN truly is a candidate that is good for the Bar.

I am now an official supporter of Dele Adesina SAN and I am officially saying bye to a candidate who does not meant good for the betterment of the bar

I must state emphatically that I don’t have control over anyone’s conscience, but I think giving Dele Adesina SAN the support he needs will make the future of the Bar secured and greater.

Mujaid Oloyede BALOGUN Esq.
Ilorin Bar.