…As NBA Ikorodu begins law week
Aimed to provide working materials on what is expected of President Bola Tinubu by Nigerians, lawyers have promised to contribute in charting a path and direction for the new administration.
Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch, Idris Kolawole disclosed this while speaking with newsmen on activities lined up for the 2023 Law Week of the association, which commenced with a Jumat service at Omitoro Town Central Mosque, Ijede Road, Ikorodu.
Kolawole said the theme was chosen to chart a course and direction for the new administration in Nigeria.
“We carefully chose to prepare a working material to assist and guide the new administration on what is expected of it by the people of Nigeria,” he said.
The theme of this year’s conference is, “2023 and Beyond: the imperative of True Federalism in Nigeria”, while the lecture topic is, “The 1999 Constitution, Restructuring and True Federalism: The Way Forward.”
He quoted from the works of the first indigenous lawyer in Nigeria, the late Christopher Sapara William, who said: “A lawyer lives for the direction of the people and advancement of the course of the society” to support the decision of the NBA, Ikorodu to assist Nigerian leadership.
He said they were aware that prior to the election, there were hues and cries about alleged lopsidedness in appointments, injustices and nepotism, among other issues against the government.
He noted that it is high time lawyers took up the challenge to guide the political leadership and politicians in charting a new path for the nation’s rebirth.
“I believe that after the lecture, which centres on the 1999 constitution, restructuring, true federalism and the way forward, the Federal Government would have been better informed. It will serve as a raw material for the policy thrust of the new government.
“We want to contribute our own little quota by the theme and lecture to the development of Nigeria, such that future generations would be proud to call Nigeria their own,” he said.
He further said that this is why they have assembled reputable senior lawyers to speak at the event tagged, “16th annual lecture of Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson (SAN)”, which will be held on Tuesday, June 6 to enlighten the public regarding the topic of the lecture.
He said the chairman of the lecture would be, a former Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Chief Iyiola Oladokun (SAN), while a former chairman of NBA Abuja and a presidential candidate in the 2018 election of the national NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) is the guest speaker.
The discussants will include the chairman, Egbe Amofin, Aare Isiaka Abiodun Olagunju (SAN); Dr. Ajibade Babatunde (SAN), a former NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN) and Olusegun Fabunmi (SAN).
He disclosed that through the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) activities during the last one year, the bar in Ikorodu, under his watch secured freedom for 93 inmates from Ikoyi and Kirikiri custodial centres of the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCS), in Lagos state.
He said that a walk against Domestic and Sexual Violence and all other forms of Gender-based violence will hold Saturday, commencing from the Bar Centre to Ikorodu Youth Centre and Mini Stadium at Ita-Elewa where they would be having a novelty match between NBA Ikeja and NBA Ikorodu.
“At the mini stadium, we would also have a health check for members in attendance. This is to ensure that we are fully and physiologically prepared for this Law Week and to ensure that nobody will take ill suddenly.
“After this football match, between five and 7pm, we would be at Lagos State Park and Garden by the jetty at Ebute to have our variety and cultural evening. Members of our branch will be in attendance and we will have fun with ourselves. Being a cultural evening, everyone is expected to wear traditional attire and bring their traditional foods for exchange amongst members.
“Sunday, June 4 from 9am to 11 am, we will converge at RCCG, Fair Heavens, Dele Kuti street, Ebute, Ikorodu where we will be having our church thanksgiving service. Immediately after the service, we would also attend to members of the community in Ebute and the church members and render free legal consultancy services to them,” he explained.
He stated that they would be at the Bar Centre for Human Rights committee sessions.
According to him, they will have sub-committee of the human rights, including domestic and sexual violence committee, child rights and persons living with disability, the Legal Aid Committee, PDSS and other law enforcement agencies committee as well as Pro bono committee, amongst others.
The aim, he explained, is to sensitise members of the community on their legal and fundamental rights under the law and ensure that nobody’s rights is being infringed upon and better educate members of the public as to their rights under the law.
Kolawole said the PDSS will visit all the police stations within Ikorodu on Monday. “As is our usual practice, we would ensure that nobody is being illegally detained in any police station within Ikorodu’s jurisdiction.
“Members of the public are welcome as it would be an open session, and members of the public will be attended to here. We would also give free consultancy services to members of the public who join us between 9 am and 11 am.
“On Tuesday June 6, we would be having the signature programme of the Law Week, which is the 16th Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson (SAN) yearly Memorial Lecture,” he said, adding that the grand finale would take place on June 7 at Aguila events Centre on TOS Benson Road, Ikorodu for Chief Adebayo Ogunsanya (SAN) yearly law dinner.
The chairman of the event will be Mahmud Adeshina (SAN), while the keynote speaker will be former commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye.
