N I G E R I A N B A R A S S O C I A T I O N L A G O S B R A N C H 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 9 's ecretary S ensive Compreh Report I k e c h u k w u U w a n n a w w w . n b a l a g o s . o r g B r a n c h S e c r e t a r y , 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 9 s e c r e t a r y @ n b a l a g o s . o r g About NBA The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is a professional, non-profit, umbrella association which is comprised of all lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar. It is engaged in the promotion and protection of Human Rights, the Rule of Law, and good governance in Nigeria. It has an observer status with the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, and a working partnership with many National and International non- governmental organisations concerned with Human Rights, the Rule of Law, and good Governance in Nigeria and in Africa. The NBA has a membership of over 105,406 lawyers active in 125 Branches across the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. It is organised into three practice Sections, eleven Fora, and two Institutes, all supported by one National Secretariat with a staff strength of 37, and Administered by a General Secretary. The NBA offers a unique National platform that is not available to any other Civil or professional organization in Nigeria. The NBA renews its leadership every two years when it elects a new President and other officials. The tenure of elected officials of the NBA runs for two years and is non- renewable. i www.nbalagos.org NBA Lagos Branch The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch is a professional, non-profit association which is comprised of all lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar and practicing in the Lagos Division of the Lagos High Court of Justice. The Lagos Division encompasses Lagos Island, Lekki, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Apapa, and Surulere. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch is under the umbrella Nigerian Bar Association which is made up of the different branches of NBA across the states in Nigeria. The association is engaged in the promotion and protection of Human Rights, the Rule of Law, good governance in Nigeria, better administration of justice and the Welfare of its members. It works in partnership with many national and international non-governmental organisations concerned with Human Rights, the Rule of Law, and good Governance in Nigeria and in Africa VISION To rank among the foremost Bar Associations in the world. MISSION To use the law as an instrument for social change in Nigeria. MOTTO Promoting the Rule of Law. www.nbalagos.org ii Past Secretaries of NBA Lagos Senator Onyeabo Obi (1964 -1965) Fola Sasegbon (1969 – 1972) Tunji Gomez (1972 – 1973) Yinka Fayokun 1974 – 1978 Dr. Olu Olofinlade (1978 – 1982) Segun Onakoya (1982 – 1984) Funke Adekoya, SAN (1984 – 1986) Justice A.P.E Awala (JCA) (1986 – 1988) Timothy Bolawaji Akinyeye (1988 – 1989) Dixy Oddiri (1989 – 1990) E.B. Babayeju (1990 -1992) Miss Felicia Oduko (1992 – 1994) Justice Niyi Ademola (1994 – 1995) Adebayo Adejare (1995 – 1997) Emeka Ngige, SAN (1997 – 1999) Carol Ajie (1999 – 2000) Akin Akinbote (2000 – 2002) Justice Olasunbo Goodluck (2002 – 2003) Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo (2003 – 2005) Vincent Ike Uko (2005 – 2007) Seth Amaefule (2007 – 2009) Justice S.B. Onu (2009 – 2011) Alex Muoka (2011 – 2013) Babatola Apata (2013 -2014) Adebola Lema (2014 – 2015) Stephen Obajaja (2015 – 2017) Ikechukwu Uwanna (2017 - 2019) www.nbalagos.org iii THE BRANCH SECRETARIAT Ikechukwu Uwanna George Ukwuoma Branch Secretary (2017-2019) Assistant Secretary (2017-2019) THE SECRETARIAT STAFF (From left) Ajisunwon Abosede, Mr. Guongo Alexander, Mrs Florence Dean-Ekeh, Andrew Oliko, Mr. Johnson Okon and Temitope Adebayo www.nbalagos.org iv THE BRANCH EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Chukwuka Ikwuazom Ikechukwu Uwanna Bola Animashaun Joy Ozoegbule-Nzube Caroline Obi Chairman Secretary Vice Chairman Treasurer Financial Secretary Uchenna Nwadialor Jeffrey Eboh Moshood Abiola Nkechi Nnajiofor Emmanuel I. Orhoro Social Secretary Legal Adviser Publicity Secretary Welfare Secretary Provost George Ukwuoma Tobenna Ejojukwe Olushola Abiloye Foluke Akinmoladun Chunenye Oragwu Assistant Secretary Co-opted Member Legal Adviser Co-Opted Member Co-opted Member Martins Ogunleye Stephen Obajaja Ex-Officio Ex-Officio v TABLE OF CONTENTS About the NBA NBA Lagos Branch Past Secretaries of NBA Lagos The Branch Secretariat The Branch Executive Officers Appreciation Yearly Reports on the Activities of the NBA Lagos for 2017-2019 ----- 1 Minutes of Branch Meetings ----- 19 Reports on the National Executive Committee Meetings ----- 139 www.nbalagos.org APPRECIATION “To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.” ― Mark Twain I sincerely want to thank my darling wife, Chinasa Uwanna, for allowing me to serve the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and in particular the Lagos Branch of the NBA (the Premier Bar) during the past two years; and for being my chief cheerleader through it all. In addition, I owe a world of gratitude to my able and hardworking Assistant Secretary, George Ukwuoma; as well as the very industrious and dedicated members of the Executive Committee with whom I shared the privilege of serving the Premier Bar from July 2017 to July 2019. I pray God Almighty to bless you all for the very sacrificial service you have rendered to our great Association. My gratitude goes to my very efficient support team at Tsedaqah Attorneys, including Benjamin Ile, Fernandez Marcus-Obiene, Hannah Williams, Harold Uku, Chinedu Okoroafor, Olaide Ajewole, Grace Erewele, Nkechukwu Otike-Odibi, Iyanu Alarape and Joseph Omonzokpia who all contributed in many ways to make the assignment easy. May I also thank the Secretarial Staff of the Premier Bar for being very supportive and working hard to ensure that I achieved the very laudable goals I promised the members of the Premier Bar. It goes without saying that with out the support of each and every member of the Premier Bar, this assignment would have been an extremely herculean task. I therefore wish to convey my gratitude to you all especially past secretaries Chief Emeka Ngige SAN, Ike Ukoh, Seth Amaefula, Alex Muoka, Adebola Lema, Stephen Obajaja and my good friend Ariyo Odole. I will also take the liberty to thank Chief R.A. Lawal-Rabana SAN, Chief Arthur Obi Okafor SAN as well as all the elders in the Premier Bar like Lady Debbie Obodukwu, Mrs. Abimbola Akeredolu SAN, Paul Usoro SAN, Chief Chucks Ikokwu, Zik Obi II, Moyo Onigbanjo SAN, Olumide Akpata and many others too numerous to mention, for supporting us. And to the Almighty God, God of creation, I say may all glory be to your name as I remain a canvas of your grace. www.nbalagos.org YEARLY REPORTS ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION FOR 2017-2019 SECRETARY’S GENERAL REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, LAGOS BRANCH FROM JULY, 2017 TO JULY, 2018 “Every man owes some of his time to the up building of the profession to which he belongs” Theodore Roosevelt INTRODUCTION This report has been prepared pursuant to Section 7 (3) (J) of the Nigerian Bar Association (“NBA”) Uniform Bye Laws 2015“(NBA Constitution”) which mandates the Secretary of each Branch of the NBA to submit an annual report of activities of the relevant Branch at the Annual General Meeting. It is my privilege as the Secretary of the Lagos Branch (“the Branch”) to render this report, being the first of its kind since the inception of this administration on July 27, 2017. ELECTION AND SWEARING IN OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS At an election described as the “Battle Royale” by the Thisday newspaper dated June 27, 2017, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom was elected as the Branch Chairman. Others members elected same day, who together now make up the Executive Committee (“Exco”) of the Branch include: 1. Ikechukwu Uwanna - Secretary 2. Bola Animashaun - Vice Chairman 3. Joy Uzoeghelu-Nzube - Treasurer 4. Caroline Obi - Financial Secretary 5. Uchenna Nwadialor - Social Secretary 6. Jeffrey Eboh - Legal Adviser 7. Moshood Abiola - Publicity Secretary 8. Nkechi Nnajiofor - Welfare Secretary 9. Emmanuel I Orhoro - Provost 10. George U. Ukwuoma - Assistant Secretary With the approval of the General House on the 11th of September, 2017, the Exco appointed the following persons as Co-opted members of the Exco in compliance with Article 8(1)(b) of the NBA Uniform Bye-Law for Branches 2015: 1. Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe 2. Mr. Olushola Abiloye 3. Mrs. Foluke Akinmoladun 4. Mrs. Chitua Uzoh During the first quarter of 2017, Mrs. Chitua Uzoh resigned as a Co-opted member of the Exco and was subsequently replaced by Mrs. Chinenye Oragwu. Annual General Conference www.nbalagos.org 1 Upon being sworn in, one of the first responsibilities the Exco undertook was to support the National NBA in the hosting of the Annual General Conference (“AGC”) in Lagos. The Exco was also able to host the traditional Lagos Party, branded the “Lagos Denim Party”, which held at an upscale lounge in Victoria Island, Lagos. To crown it all, the Branch football team emerged the runner-up at the football tournament hosted during the AGC, only narrowly losing out to the eventual winners, the Onitsha Branch. BRANCH MEETINGS In the last one year the monthly general meeting of the Branch held as follows; Date Sponsor (s) Guest Speaker at the Attendance Knowledge Sharing Session September Mr.