• Osinbajo to deliver keynote address at law week
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Branch, has explained the delay in the trial of 13 domestic staff of former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who has been incarcerated at the Okaka Correctional Centre, in Yenagoa, since 2019.
The NBA stated that because of the nature of the case, which involves capital punishment, all lawyers ought to be present in court before it could proceed. He regretted that this had not been the case.
The Chairman of Yenagoa NBA, Mr Somina Johnbull, who gave this explanation in Yenagoa yesterday while fielding questions after briefing journalists on activities lined up for the branch’s yearly law week, said all the 13 defendants were represented by different counsels, noting that it was strange that a matter of that nature could continue for that long in Bayelsa State after provision of modern facilities, including e-recording.
Johnbull disclosed that on the last day the case was called in April, the court volunteered to recuse itself because of the sensationalisation of the matter, but the defendants pleaded that it should continue because they had confidence in the court.
HOWEVER, the immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, is expected to deliver the keynote address at the plenary session of this year’s Law Week of the Yenagoa branch of the NBA, which began yesterday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital.
This was disclosed by Johnbull, adding that the choice of Prof. Osinbajo was for his vast experience. He noted that the former VP is at the top of the pyramid of critically acclaimed public speakers and policy analysts on the continent.
He said that Osinbajo’s expertise in proffering solutions to societal challenges and contribution to nation-building will be strongly felt on the day of the plenary session.
“Without a doubt, the 2025 law week is perfectly vast, with the quality of panellists for the plenary session, who will do justice to the topic, “Driving Governance, Leadership and Development Through Law,” by offering solutions to generational challenges affecting leadership in Nigeria, as well as giving insights to leadership models that would drive good governance and guarantee development.
