THE WEIGHT OF SILK: A SALUTATION TO THE INNER BAR’S NEWEST CUSTODIANS | Clementina E. Ukiri, Esq. (De Dominus Litis)
There is an unspoken atmosphere that fills the room whenever a lawyer steps into the Silk. It is not merely the lustre of the gown or the privilege of front-row seating before the Bench. It is the undeniable aura of a journey forged in sleepless nights, endless briefs, fierce advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. To attain the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) is to prove oneself in the furnace of legal practice. It is the ultimate testament to grit, intellect, and character. Today, my heart swells with immense …
STATEMENT BY DR CHARLES DIOHA, CHAIRMAN, NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, ANAOCHA BRANCH: EFCC HAS NO GENERAL STATUTORY POWER TO REGULATE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS’ PROFESSIONAL FEES
My attention has been drawn to a statement attributed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), warning legal practitioners against charging their clients professional fees in foreign currencies and threatening prosecution for doing so. The statement was reportedly made following a meeting between officials of the EFCC Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 and the NBA Lagos Task Force on Illegal Practice of Law. As Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Anaocha Branch, I consider it necessary to state that the EFCC must distinguish its…
DR TOLU ADEREMI DEMANDS JUSTICE AND URGES THE NBA TO TAKE ACTION OVER THE ALLEGED POLICE KILLING IN EFFURUN.
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 dis…
THE COURT SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A STAGE FOR MEDIA BRIEFINGS.
Courtrooms in a constitutional democracy are open to the public not as arenas for performance, but as sanctuaries for the orderly administration of justice. Their openness promotes transparency and public confidence, yet it also imposes a duty of restraint on all who enter. Access to the courtroom is, therefore, a right exercised within boundaries of decorum, discipline, and respect for judicial authority. The courtroom exists solely for adjudication, and its openness cannot be stretched to permit activities unrelated to that purpose. It is…
THE PILLAR OF JUSTICE: NAVIGATING JURISDICTIONAL COMPETENCE IN NIGERIA || DR (MRS) EKANEM-OUT O. OLOWONIYI | CLEMENTINA E. UKIRI, ESQ. | OKWUDISHI MARIAN EYEWUMI, ESQ. | C.K. ANYANWU (LLM) | NEWMAN ONWUEJE, ESQ.
DR (MRS) EKANEM-OTU, OLUWATOSIN OLOWONIYI In the architecture of Nigerian jurisprudence, jurisdiction is the bedrock upon which the entire edifice of justice is constructed. Often described as the "lifeblood" or "oxygen" of litigation, it is the fundamental power that allows a court to hear and decide a case. Without it, even the most brilliantly argued case or meticulously written judgment remains an exercise in futility. What is Jurisdiction? Jurisdiction is not a matter of judicial discretion or a gift that parties …
AVOIDING THE 'RUBBER STAMP': WHAT TINUBU CAN LEARN FROM THE FALL OF VENEZUELAN DEMOCRACY. | Clementina E. Ukiri, Esq.
Drawing from the situation in Venezuela and the current political climate in Nigeria, there are several critical lessons for President Tinubu’s APC-led government and INEC as we approach the 2027 general elections. The case of Nicolás Maduro shows that when a government prioritises "staying in power" over "legitimacy", it risks total isolation and domestic unrest. Here is a breakdown of the lessons and cautions: 1. Governance Over Suppression In Venezuela, the government focused on silencing dissent rather than fixin…
PRESS RELEASE: AN INVESTIGATION MUST BE LAUNCHED INTO THE EMBARRASSING POLITICAL SONG PLAYED AT THE JUDGES’ CONFERENCE. | Chief Malcolm Emokiniovo Omirhobo
The recent incident at the last Judges’ Conference, where a political montage of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—specifically the partisan chant “On Your Mandate We Shall Stand”—was played as the President exited the hall, is a disturbing and unacceptable breach of judicial decorum, neutrality, and institutional integrity. The Judiciary is the last hope of the common man. It must not only be independent; it must be seen to be independent. The use of a partisan political anthem within a solemn judicial gathering undermines public confidence in the …
