Dr. Tolu Aderemi demands justice and NBA action over alleged police killing in Effurun

by Legalnaija | Apr 30, 2026 | Blawg

Dr. Tolu Aderemi has strongly condemned the reported killing of a young Delta State indigene by a police officer, describing the incident as a grave violation of justice and human dignity, and calling for urgent institutional accountability.

The legal practitioner, who currently serves as Chairman of the NBA Lagos Branch Law Reform and Monitoring Committee and is a Partner at Perchstone & Graeys, expressed deep concern over the gruesome event said to have occurred in Effurun, Delta State. The incident, which has circulated widely in a disturbing video, allegedly involved the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Mr. Mene Ogidi under circumstances that appear both unjustifiable and contrary to established standards governing police conduct.

Dr. Aderemi noted that the deceased, by all indications, posed no immediate threat and had reportedly offered to cooperate with law enforcement by providing relevant information. He described the act as not only excessive but suggestive of conduct inconsistent with the ethical and professional obligations of police officers.

Emphasizing the need for justice, Dr. Aderemi urged the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take proactive steps in safeguarding public interest. He called for the NBA Public Interest Committee to closely monitor the disciplinary process and any ensuing prosecution of the officers involved.

He further advocated for the assignment of counsel to hold a watching brief on behalf of the Association, ensuring that the case is pursued diligently and without compromise.
According to him, such intervention is critical to reinforcing public confidence in the justice system and demonstrating the NBA’s commitment to the rule of law and protection of fundamental rights.

Dr. Aderemi concluded by stressing that incidents of this nature must not be allowed to recur, and that accountability must remain central to policing in a democratic society.

Tolu Aderemi Initiative Concludes 12-Week ADR Programme with Strong Call for Future-Ready Practitioners

by Legalnaija | Apr 27, 2026 | Blawg

The Tolu Aderemi Initiative has successfully concluded its 12-week Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Online Masterclass, capping an intensive programme designed to equip emerging professionals with practical skills and a global perspective on dispute resolution.

The Masterclass featured a distinguished lineup of facilitators who delivered sessions across negotiation, mediation, arbitration, emotional intelligence, and the growing role of technology in ADR. The closing ceremony celebrated participants’ achievements and reflected on the evolving demands of the profession.

The programme opened with Dr. Kolawole Mayomi, an accomplished arbitrator, who challenged traditional notions of negotiation by framing it as a value-driven skill applicable beyond disputes. He emphasized preparation, strategic thinking, and emotional discipline as essential tools for effective engagement.

Subsequent sessions built on this foundation. Fola Alade introduced participants to mediation and mediation advocacy, advocating for a structured approach through the Negotiation–Mediation–Arbitration–Litigation (NMAL) framework and stressing the importance of long-term career planning and a global outlook in ADR practice.

International perspectives were further explored by Aaron Ogletree, a US/Canadian attorney and expert in arbitration, who provided insights into international arbitration’s efficiency, confidentiality, and flexibility. Laura Alakija complemented this with a session on investment arbitration, offering an African perspective on investor–state disputes and the need to balance investor protections with states’ regulatory powers.

A recurring theme throughout the Masterclass was the human element in dispute resolution. In a dedicated session on emotional intelligence, Fola Alade underscored the importance of self-awareness, communication, and empathy, noting that many disputes are rooted in perception rather than purely legal issues.

The Masterclass also addressed emerging trends. Rotimi Ogunyemi, an astute tech-lawyer, led discussions on Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and the integration of artificial intelligence, highlighting both its transformative potential and the ethical considerations of its use. He stressed that AI should serve as an assistive tool with human oversight.

Workplace dynamics and professional sustainability were examined during a panel featuring Bonyameen Babajide Lawal, Fola Alade, and Dr. Tolu Aderemi. The panel addressed conflict management in law firms, generational expectations, and the importance of fostering healthy professional environments.

Further reinforcing the programme’s practical focus, Professor Bankole Sodipo, SAN, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, delivered a session on ADR advocacy and career development. He encouraged participants to adopt a solution-oriented mindset, build professional visibility, and commit to continuous learning.

In the final sessions, Dr. Tolu Aderemi, the convener, highlighted the strategic importance of preliminary meetings in arbitration, describing them as critical to shaping direction and efficiency in proceedings.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr. Tolu Aderemi reiterated the Initiative’s commitment to developing a new generation of ADR practitioners who are technically sound, adaptable, ethically grounded, and globally competitive.

With this cohort graduating better positioned to navigate the complexities of modern dispute resolution, especially in an era shaped by technology, cross-border transactions, and evolving professional expectations.

The Tolu Aderemi Initiative has announced TAI 2.0. The next phase will be more specialized and will have deeper intersections with AI and legal tech.

TAI continues to strengthen its role as a platform for building capacity and advancing excellence in ADR practice. For more information or sponsorship, please visit @tolu.aderemi.initiative or call Kelvin on +234703669793.

Access to Justice as a Driver of National Development: The Legalnaija Story

by Legalnaija | Apr 9, 2026 | Blawg

Nigeria’s development conversation often centres around infrastructure, oil revenues, policy reforms, and technology. While these are critical, there is a less visible but equally powerful factor that continues to shape the nation’s growth trajectory—access to justice.

A country cannot truly develop if its citizens do not understand their rights, cannot resolve disputes efficiently, or feel excluded from the legal system. In such an environment, rights exist only in theory, businesses operate with uncertainty, and trust in institutions gradually erodes.

This is where the role of access to justice becomes central to national development.

Access to justice goes beyond the courtroom. It includes the ability of individuals and businesses to understand legal principles, navigate processes, and enforce their rights without unnecessary complexity or cost. When this access is limited, the consequences are far-reaching: unresolved disputes, stalled commercial activity, weakened investor confidence, and social instability.

In Nigeria, everyday legal challenges—ranging from land disputes to employment issues and commercial disagreements—often go unresolved, not because solutions do not exist, but because the law is perceived as complex, distant, or inaccessible.

Bridging this gap is essential for sustainable development.

This is where Legalnaija plays a significant role. Through its digital platform, Legalnaija is steadily transforming how Nigerians interact with the law by making legal knowledge simple, practical, and accessible.

By providing simplified legal articles, practical guides on everyday legal issues, and insightful case analyses, the platform empowers both lawyers and non-lawyers to better understand the legal landscape. It removes the intimidation often associated with legal processes and replaces it with clarity and usability.

The impact of this is profound.

When citizens are informed, they are better equipped to make decisions. When businesses understand their legal environment, they operate with greater confidence. When disputes can be approached with knowledge, resolution becomes more efficient. These outcomes collectively strengthen economic activity, improve social order, and enhance institutional trust.

In essence, Legalnaija is contributing to Nigeria’s development—one article, one resource, and one informed citizen at a time.

National development is not driven solely by large-scale government interventions. It is also built through everyday interactions with systems that work. A justice system that is accessible and understandable enables individuals to participate more fully in the economy and society.

For a country like Nigeria, where inclusive growth remains a priority, democratizing access to legal knowledge is not just beneficial—it is necessary.

The future of national development will not only be shaped in policy rooms or corporate boardrooms. It will also be shaped by platforms and tools that empower citizens with knowledge and enable them to use the law effectively.

Because ultimately, a nation develops best when its people can understand and use the law.

Visit our website www.legalnaija.com

@Legalnaija