Dated 27th October, 2023.
The leadership of NBA Branches in Lagos State met yesterday, 26th October 2023 with the Honourable Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba shortly after the Valedictory Court Session for the Late Chairman Emeritus of Ikeja Branch, Mr. Olayinka Oyeniyi Farounbi.
The meeting which commenced about 3:50 pm and ended at 8:30 pm had in attendance the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN; the 3rd Vice President of the NBA, Mrs. Amanda Demechi Asagba; the NBA General Secretary, Mr. A. Adegbite; all Chairmen of NBA Branches in Lagos State; Honourable Justice Adeniyi F. Pokanu of the High Court Ikorodu; the Hon. Admin Judge Lagos, Justice Ipaye; Justice Pedro; Justice Oshodi; Mr. Ayodeji Omotoso, SAN; all DCRs; Deputy Sheriff and two representatives from each Branch of the NBA in Lagos State.
NBA Ikorodu Branch was represented by the Vice Chairman, Mrs. Bemigho Oluranti Elijah, and the Branch Representative on the Lagos State Bar and Bench Committee, Mr. Adekunle Salami.
The forum discussed several issues bedeviling the administration of justice in the state. NBA Ikorodu Branch delegates were very vocal at the parley and tabled all challenges faced by lawyers in our jurisdiction, especially the non-existent power supply to the Court Complex, Ita Elewa in the last three weeks.
The Honourable Chief Judge assured all that two generating sets will be provided next week at the Court Complex, Ita Elewa, Ikorodu to power the court and reduce the reliance on the NBA generating set. His lordship also assured us that the Bar and Bench Forum will be inaugurated to attend to issues relating to matters of the forum which include the assignment of cases, and sending of messages to counsel from court registrar at least a day when courts will not sit. The E‐Filing Committee will also take off in earnest to address issues related to e-filing. Assurance was also given of the take-off of the Probate Liaison Offices in all judicial divisions with an emphasis on Ikorodu soonest while the Eti Osa and Yaba‐Surulere Judicial Division will soon be inaugurated to pave the way for the effective take-off of the NBA Branches in those divisions. His lordship deplored the tax conditions normally imposed for perfection of bail and assured that prompt action would be taken as the failure to meet excessive tax conditions is partly responsible for the congestion in the Correctional Centres hence the need to urgently review the tax situation in both the Magistrate Courts and High Courts. His lordship assured of his commitment to the welfare of lawyers. The Chairman Ikorodu Branch used the occasion to commend the hardworking Judges of the High Court Ikorodu represented by Justice A. F. Pokanu who kept working despite the inclement conditions of the courts especially in the last three weeks to change the narrative in justice administration in Ikorodu for the better.
Justice Pedro informed members of an impending Mediation Advocacy Training which will involve representatives of the Bar.
The Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice also informed the forum of a forthcoming advocacy training which will include members of the Bar. He advised the Bar to get involved in the law-making process through participation in public hearings of bills at the Lagos State House of Assembly. He seized the occasion to inform members of a pending Administration of Civil Justice Bill presently before the House of Assembly and the need for Bar input during the public hearing. He assured of his commitment to partner with the Bar in the promotion and protection of human rights and towards changing the narrative in justice administration in Lagos State for the better.
The forum adjourned its meeting till the 24th day of January 2024.
NB: We were reliably informed before the meeting that my lord, Honourable Justice Akinkugbe of High Court 1, Ikorodu is back from the Election Petition Tribunal assignment. My lord will commence sitting in Ikorodu from the 27th of November, 2023 while pending judgments will be delivered on or before the 23rd of November, 2023.
Thank you and God bless.
Long live the Nigerian Bar Association!
Long live the Lagos State Judiciary!
Long live the Lagos State Ministry of Justice!
Long live NBA Ikorodu Branch!
IDRIS KOLAWOLE THANY, ESQ.
CHAIRMAN,
NBA IKORODU BRANCH.
0 Comments