Preceding the onset
of colonialism and subsequent introduction of English-type courts by the
British, the concept of Law, settlement of dispute, or conflict resolution and
justice was not unknown to what was to become Nigeria (1). 

Before the fusion of the Southern and Northern territories in 1914, the territories consisted of politically and legally independent tribes which had set-in-place mechanisms for addressing conflicts, such as mediation, adjudication, reconciliation, and negotiation as well as cross examination, which offered great prospects for peaceful co-existence and harmonious relationships post-conflict than the modern method of litigation settlements in law courts (2). The English Legal System was introduced first to
the Lagos colony of Nigeria in 1863. Pursuant to Section 71 the Supreme Court Ordinance
of 1876, a person could only qualify to practice law in Nigeria if they
have been called to bar or admitted as solicitors in England, Scotland or Ireland
(3). 

 

Christopher Alexander
Sapara Williams was the first qualified indigenous lawyer called to the English
bar in 1879, he later became Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association in 1900.
Although this was prior to the formal establishment of the Nigerian Bar
Association, history has it that lawyers in Nigeria had already been organizing
themselves and holding meetings periodically to deliberate on issues or matters
of interest and matters pertaining to the legal profession (4).
The Legal Profession is one of the oldest professions in modern Nigeria (5).

Although legal
practice in Nigeria dates as far back as the 19^th century, it was
only until about five decades ago, precisely 1959, that the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) came into being (6).
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is the non-profit, umbrella professional
association for all lawyers who complete and meet all the licensing
requirements for admission to the Bar in Nigeria. The Nigerian Bar Association
has 125 active branches across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory
of Nigeria. The current president of the Nigerian Bar Association is Paul
Usoro, SAN. 

Below is a list of
chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association before 1959:

S/N	NAME	DATE
	Christopher Sapara Williams	1900 -1915
	Sir Kitoyi Ajasa	1915 – 1937
	Eric Olawale Moore	1937 – 1944
	E.J. Alex Taylor	1944 – 1950
	Sir Adeyemo Alakija	1950 – 1952
	Jubril Martin	1952 – 1959

The three branches of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Ebonyi State have in their joint meeting held on 17th July, 2020 resolved amongst other things to align with the candidature of Dele Adesina SAN as their sole candidate for the position of President in the forthcoming national election of NBA slated to hold on 29th and 30th July, 2020.

The decision to align with the candidature of Dele Adesina, SAN was reached by the leaders and members of the three branches numbered over 200 in attendance in a joint meeting held at Citi Hub Event Center, Abakaliki.

According to Messrs Ogbonnaya Okorie, Michael Odi Njoku and Uchenna Collins Igba who are chairmen of Abakaliki, Afikpo and Onueke branches respectively, the above decision was informed by the sterling track records of the learned Silk, the wealth of knowledge and experience he acquired in various leadership roles he has played for the progress of the bar.

Another reason is that the emergence of Dele Adesina, SAN who is the adopted candidate of Egbe Amofin (umbrella body of Yoruba lawyers) will ensure equity and fairness vis a vis the zoning formula provided in the NBA Constitution, 2015 (as amended).

The joint meeting of Ebonyi Bar is the first of its kind and was well attended by the leaders and members of the three branches.

Among the leaders who attended the meeting include Mr. Emeka Anosike (National Financial Secretary of NBA), Mr. R.O Umahi Nweze, Chief Goddy Ogbaga (former Minister of State for Power and Steel), Mazi Eziaku Eze ( former chairman, Abakaliki Branch of NBA), Chief Stanley Nkaa (former Chairman, Afikpo Branch of NBA), Mr. Festus Nweke, JP (former chairman, Abakaliki Branch of NBA) among other senior members and stakeholders of the three branches.

The motion to align with the candidature of Dele Adesina, SAN as a sole candidate for the position of the President was moved by Mr. Emeka Odom, Secretary, Onueke Branch and seconded by Mr. C.I Okwor of Abakaliki Branch before it was adopted by the overwhelming members of the three NBA branches in Ebonyi State.

In their remarks, the chairman of Abakaliki, Ogbonnaya Okorie, the chairman of Afikpo, Sir Michael Odi Njoku and the chairman of Onueke branch, Colins Uchenna Igba, urged members who were yet to verify their data on NBA portal to do so to enable them massively vote for their candidate.

1. Ogbonnaya Okorie, Chairman and Nnaemeka Nwambam,
Secretary, Abakaliki Branch.

2. Sir Michael Odi Njoku, Chairman and Samuel Egwu Ohia,
Secretary, Afikpo Branch.

3. Colins Uchenna Igba, Chairman and Emeka Odom,
Secretary, Onueke Branch.

OMAPLEX LAW FIRM (O. M. ATOYEBI, SAN & PARTNERS)  PREPARES TO LAUNCH IT’S  VIRTUAL INTERNSHIP IN NIGERIA.

INTRODUCTION
The world is fast becoming a Technological zone; running businesses online, solving issues with technology, etc., and the Legal world cannot be left behind. OMAPLEX is regarded as one of the world’s leading innovative Law Firm presently in Nigeria known for its best practice in Technology Law. 
The Firm has successfully taken the business of the Legal profession miles ahead with its technological visibility most especially its newest innovation of Virtual Internship representation in Nigeria.
THE BIRTH OF VIRTUAL INTERNSHIP
Internship is an opportunity offered by an employer to potential employees, usually undergraduates or fresh graduates, to obtain work experience for a fixed period; usually between a month and three months.
It provides students with practical skills, firsthand workplace experience and greater knowledge of the industry, real-world experiences and helps them make connections before heading out into their chosen field in exchange for the employer benefiting from the labour.
Recently due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, lots of Companies have begun to take advantage of the convenience offered by technology to have their employees work remotely within the confines of their homes. During this period, we have witnessed Digital technology dramatically changing a lot of activities. There is a swift shift in the ways students navigate their learning experience with online courses, and study groups which has brought a new level of convenience to students’ lives. 

One experience expected to be least transformed by technology is Internship. Based on this, OMAPLEX Law Firm is readily poised to take more advantage of technology by creating virtual internship for interested individuals to learn the required skills for a highly successful chance with the legal profession, from home.

PURPOSE AND BENEFITS OF THE VIRTUAL INTERNSHIP
Purpose

The virtual internship by OMAPLEX Law Firm is a work experience program whereby Participants (interns) gain experience while working virtually in the Firm.

The Virtual Internship intends to provide various opportunities for  participants to learn more about  the  operations of a Legal Business, by  carrying out basic activities that may include mastering the skill of Proof reading documents, Drafting, Presentations/Proposals, Research, sorting through documents and more. 

One of the skills and knowledge that Participants are expected to gain is an opportunity to expand their knowledge of and experience with Technology thereby helping with the development of skills in time management and problem solving . Also, the internship is intended to  equip  participants with a range of skills that will help them network and build valuable connections in the legal industry which can also be a valuable addition to their Curriculum Vitae, thereby giving them a front over their counterparts who will not key into this laudable scheme. 

Benefits
1. The opportunity to telecommute: participants can intern with the firm without having to leave their home and still gain the experience needed for a competitive edge. 

2. Flexibility: which means the internship program can be worked easily according to their schedule.

3. A chance to develop knowledge and skills in the multifaceted spheres of the legal industry.

4. Exploring different areas of law to see which is likely to be pursued.

5. Acquiring insights into the way the legal field works and what challenges it faces daily.

6. The opportunity to create a network of contacts.

7. Gaining valuable work experience to set them apart from other candidates.

8. Acquiring practical knowledge of the courses being taught in the university.

CONCLUSION
With the invention of this cutting-edge technology cum knowledge initiative, OMAPLEX Law Firm is looking to give back by training more persons who are interested in the delicate nuances of the legal profession and practice anywhere in the world without having the need to be physically present. The benefits to be tapped are not exhaustive and as indicated above, it is a life-changing avenue which only participants can truly appreciate the priceless value, as it sets them on the part to attaining not only academic and professional excellence, but also gaining a remarkable degree of expertise and peerless proficiency in the niche that this opportunity will aid them to couch for themselves.

About Us
OMAPLEX LAW FIRM is one of the leading law firms in Nigeria that came about as a result of merging of great law firms established with the purpose of bringing specialists that have gained experience for over 10 years in different areas of law practice in order to provide the highest level of technical legal expertise to our clients.
legal@omaplex.com.ng

Incase you are asked of his record and experience, tell them this and many more.

The administration of Dele Adesina as Chairman NBA Ikeja Branch stood tall first and foremost to unite the Branch and reposition the Branch for vibrancy and dynamism which has remained the hallmark of Ikeja Bar till today. The administration stood tall to check the excesses of military dictatorship and include strict compliance to the Rule of Law. The administration also at various times led delegations to the State House of Assembly to render sound legal advice on momentous issues.

The administration of Wole Olanipekun SAN as president and Dele Adesina SAN as Secretary, formed some of the major corner pieces on which the NBA holds itself today.

Dele Adesina SAN as General Secretary was instrumental to the registration of the NBA with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a Juristic person.

Dele Adesina SAN as General Secretary was instrumental to the introduction of the stamp and seal policy to check incidences of fake lawyers and to promote professionalism by members.

As General Secretary, Dele Adesina revived and published 8 volumes of the Nigerian Bar Journal. The editorial board of which was headed by Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN

Dele Adesina SAN was instrumental to the initiative for the setting up of NBA Continuing Legal Education programme for the first time in 2003 and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN was appointed to pilot it.

When Dele Adesina was Secretary of NBA that administration with the approval of NEC and the AGC established the Section on Legal Practice (SLP) and Section on Business Law (SBL) and constituted the pioneer Council for the two Sections under the leadership of Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN and George Etomi Esq.

Dele Adesina’s administration as General Secretary was the first to focus on the falling standard of Legal Education in Nigeria by making a symbolic cash grant of Four Million Naira with the approval of NEC to the 4 (four) campuses of the Nigerian Law School existing at the time because NEC discovered following exhaustive discussions on the issue that inadequate funding was one of the major challenges of the institution. This marked the first and only direct pro-active/intervention of the NBA in Legal Education in Nigeria.

As part of strategic programs to address the welfare of members, the administration established 2 insurance schemes with Great Nigeria Insurance Company Limited, a leading insurance company in Life Insurance Policies (1) Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy and (2) Group Life Assurance Policy. Under the Group Personal Accident Policy, a member was entitled to payment of N200,000 in the event of any accident resulting in disability and N20,000 for medical expenses, for the Group Life Assurance Policy, a member was entitled to the sum of N200,000 in the event of death. Payment was made payable to the deceased dependants.

The administration set up a reward system as standard policy for remuneration of junior lawyers in Nigeria, breaking the country in to 3 Zones. Zone A comprised of Lagos, Abuja and Port-hacourt. Zone B comprised majorly of State Capitals while Zone C comprised of other areas or locations.

The history of the NBA will not be completely told without the mention of the legendary role played by Dele Adesina in 2002 when the Igwes were gruesomely murdered on the street of Onitsha. The mass protests by the Nigerian lawyers led by Dele Adesina as General Secretary shook the Nation and prompted the Government to take action against the killers.

These and many more are the track record and experiences that Dele Adesina SAN will bring on board to further reposition the NBA. The key members of that administration are with Dele Adesina SAN because they know that he made excellent contribution to the success of the reforms of NBA. Most definitely, if we are looking for the true definition of the word “reformer”, then we must look no further than the Dele Adesina SAN himself.

*Team DASAN*

After a careful and measured assessment of the three Candidates cleared by the ECNBA to contest, the Executives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA-YLF) Ikeja Branch under the leadership of Yusuf Temilola NURUDEEN, Esq. have resolved to endorse Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN (DASAN) as the next President of the Nigerian Bar Association, 2020-2022.

We came to this conclusion having felt the pulse of the over 500 young Lawyers practicing within the Ikeja Branch who believed that Deacon Oladele Julius Adesina, SAN has a clear vision and the courage needed to surmount the herculean tasks that lie ahead of the next NBA President. It is no more a secret that DASAN is genuinely committed to preserving the sanctity of the Nigerian Bar having been tirelessly faithful to the cause of ‘PROMOTING THE RULE OF LAW’

Beyond the fact that he is a prominent member of our Branch, we cannot think of a finer and a more prepared candidate for the NBA Presidency, other than DASAN. From his service to the Ikeja Branch as the Publicity Secretary, Secretary and Chairman respectively, and later National General Secretary of the NBA under the leadership of Chief Wole Olanikpekun, SAN, DASAN has acquired a great deal of experience which has now made him the most experienced and the most prepared for the tasks of the office of the NBA President, particularly at this critical period of our National life. He has also served on various committees of the NBA where he has shown both skill and dedication to a dignified professional body of our dreams. Through his activities, he has gained respect from the public and respectable members of the legal profession.

The NBA-YLF, Ikeja Branch Executive notes with dismay and great concern the increasing and pervasive violation of human rights, the attendant unwarranted harassment of lawyers across the Federation and poor remuneration of young lawyers. Thankfully, the proven track records of DASAN leaves us in no doubt that the learned silk has the wisdom of Solomon and dynamism of the youth to pragmatically implement innovative ideas that would bring these malaises to a long-desired end for the betterment of the Bar at large.

Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN is a man of courage. As the General Secretary within 2002 to 2004, he spoke truth to power. One of such instances was when the NBA stood against the harassment and killing of two lawyers in Onitsha, Anambra State by some men of the Nigerian Police Force. Deacon Dele Adesina, as General Secretary of the NBA swiftly intervened by issuing a strong statement on behalf of the NBA and that culminated in a protest with thousands of lawyers in attendance. The protest was led by Dele Adesina SAN. As a result, the then IGP was forced to apologise for the dastardly act of his men and officers and, the culprits in the rank and file were sacked.

This and many more reasons informed the decision of the Executive of the NBA-YLF Ikeja Branch to endorse Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN as the next President of the NBA. He his matured beyond pompous platitudes. As young Lawyers, he offers us hope and convictions. We have accessed his manifesto. We have decided to scorn the riches of bondage and pain. We believe it is time to wrestle our destinies from pretentious ‘messiahnic tendencies’, the time not to kowtow to the yearnings of deep pockets.

The NBA at this crucial time in the history of this country needs a leader who shares the vision of its founding fathers and the average expectations of the general Bar. The time NBA must be seen to rise in defence of the rule of law and violation of rights of its members, protect and fight for the rights of Nigerians. The reason the great Aka Bashorun (of blessed memory) is said to be arguably the best President NBA ever had was because he fearlessly defended the rule of law and made NBA a formidable force to be reckoned with even by the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida.

No doubt, Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN is a man of integrity, enviable character, excellent credentials, profound knowledge of the law and requisite experience and courage that outshines those of the other candidates. DASAN brings a sensitive, articulate, and intelligent voice to the Nigerian Bar and he has the strength to stand up to the forces that have had a stranglehold on the Nigerian Bar Association for the past decades.

It is with profound enthusiasm that the NBA-YLF Ikeja Branch presents to you; fellow young Lawyers, revered learned seniors and distinguished Senior Advocates of Nigeria the best man for the job. He is fit and proper with pragmatic approaches to bring about the NBA of our dreams.

With Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN *THE BAR SHALL RISE AGAIN AND OUR FUTURE SHALL BE SECURED*

SIGNED:

Yusuf Temilola NURUDEEN, Esq.
Chairman,
NBA-YLF, Ikeja Branch

Opeyemi Ayodele OKEOWO
Publicity Secretary,
NBA-YLF, Ikeja Branch.

July 11, 2020

My Fellow Learned Colleagues,

I pray my humble observations meet you well and please stay safe.

I have followed closely the discussions pertaining the upcoming NBA elections and have come to the inevitable conclusion that if we have to move forward in NBA, the person we will elect to be President should be someone who knows the in and out of the Bar. A man who is magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat. An intelligent man who is also humble. Above all, a man who has the fear of God.

Recall that many of our branches have been enmeshed in crises. We need a cool headed man to reconcile the different forces and call them to peace.

I examined the candidates and found out that there is one of them who has been a branch Chairman of NBA. He has been a General Secretary of the Bar. This makes him very versatile in the workings of the Bar. He has contested to be President three times and his defeat did not germinate in him any sense of rebellion against the candidates that defeated him. He rather worked with them to ensure the furtherance of the interest of the Bar. Above all, he is a Man of God.

I believe that if given opportunity this time around, he will bring to bear all these experiences and we all will be better for it. This is why I will be voting for Dele Adesina SAN in the forthcoming Bar Election as the President of the Nigerian Bar Assosiation.

God bless you for your attention and do extend my best regards to your loved ones.

Yours truly,
*Dr Kenneth Okonkwo*
*(Andy Okeke)*

The attention of  the Executive of the Arewa YLF has been drawn to the statement made by some individuals purportedly disowning the earlier endorsement and adoption of Mr Dele Adesina SAN as its Presidential Candidate.

We had initially decided not to dignify these persons masquerading as our members with a response, but on a second thought, especially due to repeated calls from our members and bar leaders, we have decided to address our good members and general public, to prevent the entrenchment of mischief and falsehood as the truth.

We wish to further inform our good members and general public that our earlier endorsement of Deacon Dele Adesina SAN was borne out of his unparalleled love for Young Lawyers and the Bar. We stand very strongly, firmly and unshakably on our well debated, well considered and unimpeachable resolution. The resolution was arrived at by the executive members without fear or favour and in the best interest of our members after wide consultations with our leaders, elders and other stakeholders.

The four individuals who made this unpopular statement are not part of our Exco either at the Zonal or Branch level. They therefore lack competence to speak for the Exco. Consequently, we urge our good members and members of the public not to take their statement serious, but to disregard it in its entirety. Our executive is made up of upright young lawyers with proven record of integrity and cannot be enticed to take a decision. Notwithstanding the misrepresentation in the remarks of these sponsored personalities, we consider their opinions as personal as they have no authority to speak on behalf of Arewa Young Lawyers’ Forum.

Having said the above, we must state that the tradition of Arewa YLF is to speak through the Chairman, the Secretary or the Publicity Secretary and not through individual members.

On this note, we thank our good members for their unflinching support received thus far and we urge them to be steadfast, resolute and resist being used by anyone no matter their standing or the pressure to cause disaffection within our ranks and our dear forum.

Signed:

Gbande Paul,
Publicity Secretary, YLF Arewa
10/07/2020

His passion for the legal profession is unrivaled. He symbolizes humility, integrity and brilliance. 

For the legal profession to proudly echo its nobility, DASAN is the man!
He is a bar man to the core and he stands for giving voice, face and place to the NBA in Nigeria and indeed internationally.

I believe the era of looking down on some members of the profession by the public, especially the police and other security agencies will become history under the leadership of DASAN.
My views are well founded as they are the product of my very close working relationship with the learned silk for many years. Associates in his office are given very rare platform for self development. I am a proud product of DASAN. 

With DASAN, lawyers will be proud of their profession!
With DASAN, lawyers will be proud of the NBA!!

I am proud to be a lawyer because I associate with DASAN!!!
#PROUDLYDASANITE

Olumide Olaiya Esq.