It’s not with out that means that the judiciary is sometimes called the final hope of the frequent man particularly right here in Nigeria the place the rights of residents are trampled upon nearly every day.
This presupposes that the judiciary is the one place the frequent, unusual and every other aggrieved particular person can get justice. The place and when disputes come up, and events cannot settle as between themselves, their households or mediators, no different place involves thoughts besides the courts. Nonetheless, the flexibility of the courts to carry out their constitutionally assigned roles as anticipated depends upon a number of elements. One among these is the management, construction and philosophy of the umbrella physique of legal professionals in Nigeria, the Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA).
The NBA because the foremost physique of authorized practitioners within the nation is saddled with the first accountability of selling and defending human rights and the rule of legislation in Nigeria. The centrality of the physique to the coordination and discharge of justice, fairness and equity always with out concern or favour within the Nigerian context cannot be overemphasized. Past catering for its main constituency, it additionally has a major position to play in making certain a united and lawful Nigeria. Due to this fact, the query of who occupies the primary seat of the affiliation is a critical matter to each the NBA and non-NBA viewers. Like each different skilled affiliation in Nigeria, the selection of management for a given tenure is most occasions a litmus take a look at for the affiliation, its instant members and by extension, most of the people.
As already made public, the 2020 presidential slot of the NBA is zoned to the West. The area like each different area in Nigeria possesses huge, seasoned and top quality legal professionals who’re all eminently certified to steer the affiliation for the subsequent two years. Already, 4 of such legal professionals (two of whom are senior advocates) have indicated curiosity in operating for the workplace. Nonetheless, whereas gathering information for this write-up, out of all 4, the one title that rings a bell and resonates with each younger and outdated within the legislation occupation, is Babatunde Ajibade (PhD), SAN.
Eminent authorized luminaries corresponding to Prof. A. B. Kasunmu, SAN; Prof. Gabriel A. Olawoyin, SAN; Mr. Ebun Sofunde, SAN; Mr. Kayode Sofola, SAN; Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN; Mr. Bambo Adesanya, SAN; Mr. Obafemi Adewale, Mr. Oluwemimo Ogunde, SAN; Mr. Dolapo Akinrele, SAN; Mr. Olumide Aju, SAN; Dr. Adewale Olawoyin, SAN; Prof. Sesan Fabamise; Mr. Adeniyi Adegbonmire, SAN; Mr. Olukayode Enitan, SAN; Mr. Olayode Delano, SAN; Mr. Olatunde Adejuyigbe, SAN; Mr. Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN; Mr. Oladipo Olasope, SAN; Mrs. Titi Akinlawon, SAN; Mr. Folu Oguntade, SAN and a bunch of others go a vote of confidence on Dr. Ajibade’s aspiration saying he’s unbiased, passionate and has honest intentions to reposition the authorized occupation in Nigeria .
Prof. A. B. Kasunmu, SAN: Veteran lawyer and former Legal professional Basic of Lagos State, Prof. A. B. Kasunmu, SAN didn’t mince phrases in declaring his complete help for Dr. Ajibade. His phrases: “I knew Dr. Ajibade’s father extra from knowledgeable stage than on a private stage. Tunde, I can say, I relate with extra and on each ranges. Additionally, by way of the early lecture sequence his workplace organized, which I attended, I found him to be somebody who has a ardour for each the legislation and the occupation; a lawyer with integrity and a gentleman, who subtly however successfully upholds the true ethos of the occupation. I, due to this fact, don’t have any problem in supporting him in his aspirations to steer the NBA as its Nationwide President. He can ably restore the integrity that has been misplaced within the occupation. The previous glory of the bar that I do know needs to be restored and he’s a precedent I can actually look as much as.”
Mr. Ebun Sofunde, SAN: Equally, revered authorized icon, Mr. Ebun Sofunde, SAN in his endorsement stated: “In these attempting occasions for the bar and bench, I see Dr. Ajibade as an individual who will do his utmost to revive pleasure and dignity to the bar and bench by making certain that such virtues as (a) integrity (b) diligence and (c) advantage, are enthroned always. I additionally see him as an individual who will battle for the welfare of the bar and bench and promote a easy relationship between the bar and bench.”
Mrs. Funke Adekoya, SAN (Former 1st Vice-President and former Presidential candidate of the NBA)
“I discover Dr Ajibade to be courteous and with the non-public attributes that describe a gentleman. He’s recognized in each worldwide and home authorized circles and is an acknowledged chief in each. Inside Nigeria he’s an energetic member of committees of each the NBA Part on Authorized Apply in addition to Part on Enterprise Legislation. He’s a previous President of the Capital Markets Solicitors Affiliation. Within the worldwide area he’s a member of the ICC’s Africa Fee, and the IBA’s African Regional Discussion board Advisory Board. I help his candidacy as a result of for my part he’s the most effective bridge between the youthful and older members of the occupation.”
Mr. Bambo Adesanya, SAN: “I do know Dr. Ajibade and I’ve had a course to work together with him prior to now twenty years or so. I’ve little doubt in my thoughts that he’s a tough working, educated and clever lawyer. I do wholeheartedly help his aspiration to contest for president of the NBA. He had intimated me along with his resolve to contest for the workplace a couple of yr in the past, and I gave him my help with none reservation. He’s eminently certified to steer the bar.”
Babatunde Fagbohunlu, SAN: “Dr. Ajibade is a person of integrity who understands what we have to do to repair justice supply and the authorized occupation in Nigeria. He will be trusted to begin the change that this occupation so urgently wants. I can by no means help a variety course of which disenfranchises the generality of members of a society, be it skilled, cultural, nationwide or by any means. What proper does any sub-group have to find out for the broader group what is nice for them? It’s fully undemocratic and fortunately I’ve not been part of it.”
Mr. George Oguntade, SAN: Dr Ajibade SAN is an urbane gentleman par excellence and a natural-born chief. He’s affected person, accommodating, thorough and solution-oriented. I additionally know him to be very passionate concerning the state of the Bar, the plight of younger legal professionals, the standard of authorized training and the administration of justice typically. He comes with a powerful set of expertise alongside along with his intensive authorized contacts each inside and outdoors the nation which places him in a pre-eminent place to take over the baton of management of the Bar from Mr Paul Usoro SAN who has carried out excellently to this point. I’ve little doubt that Dr Ajibade will take the Bar to the subsequent stage and I’m delighted to help his
Wemimo Ogunde, SAN:“I had all the time declared my help for a candidate contesting any NBA elective place by voting for him. For the primary time, I’m going to help a presidential candidate by doing extra than simply voting. The candidate is NOT the candidate adopted by the Egbe Amofin Oodua or the NBA, Ikeja Department to which I’ve belonged since 1984. Of all of the presidential candidates, the candidate I now stand with was the primary to method me and solicit my help. He shared with me his imaginative and prescient for a extra skilled and affluent Bar, significantly a Bar that may promote the final curiosity of younger legal professionals past simply giving them an “NBA Younger Attorneys Discussion board”. I consider {that a} victory for him would give me a chance to revolutionise the way in which our younger legal professionals understand themselves and the Bar. My selection stands on these twin pillars. #ISUPPORTAJIBADE#
Olatunde Adejuyigbe, SAN: “Dr Babatunde Ajibade, SAN is imbued with sterling qualities. A profoundly competent and cerebral lawyer with a status for infectious humility. I’m exceedingly delighted that Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN a consummate lawyer by all requirements is aspiring to steer the NBA. Over time very many Nigerian legal professionals have distanced themselves from the NBA because of the failure of the Affiliation to stay as much as expectations. The Bar is in dire want of a person of nice reputation like him who is extremely resourceful, dynamic, reform-inclined and has intensive world attain and large goodwill to reposition the Affiliation. All issues thought of Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN towers above the opposite aspirants. He’s a recognized voice within the Worldwide Bar Affiliation the place he continues to serve in management positions.”
Dr. Adewale Olawoyin, SAN:m “Tunde has all the time been an agent of change and a consummate optimist a couple of robust, disciplined and virile authorized occupation being an instrument of change of the broader polity. He’s deeply ingrained within the values of honor and integrity. I’ve little doubt that if elected, the authorized occupation in Nigeria could be higher for it. And not using a shadow of doubt, I absolutely help his aspiration to grow to be NBA president.
Olayode Delano, SAN: I very a lot help Dr Ajibade’s aspirations to steer the Nigerian Bar Affiliation. In reality I’ve inspired him over the previous 2 – three years to current himself as a candidate. I’ve recognized Dr. Ajibade for a few years. We each practiced for a time frame in Ibadan. I do know him each professionally and personally and I can state categorically with no shadow of doubt that he’s eminently certified to imagine that place. It’s clear to me that not solely is Dr. Ajibade absolutely certified, he’s the most effective candidate within the discipline.”
Olukayode Enitan, SAN:“Dr. Babatunde Ajibade SAN, is a consummate authorized practitioner, a person of very strong integrity, a pacesetter of the Nigerian Bar who has executed so very a lot within the affairs of the NBA and one of many worldwide faces of the Nigerian Bar. He’s additionally a pricey buddy of over 30 years. I wholeheartedly, as a monetary member of the NBA, help his aspiration to steer the Nigerian Bar Affiliation as President.”
Mr. Obafemi Adewale, (Former Basic Secretary and present Trustee of the NBA): “Dr. Tunde Ajibade is an industrious younger man who has distinguished himself as a Authorized Practitioner and as an administrator. I’m significantly impressed with the way in which he reworked his revered father’s already pre-eminent Apply to the enviable heights they occupy at present. Particular be aware have to be made from his early realisation and determination that the Legislation Agency have to be run as a enterprise and the exceptional success he has made from that call. He took Silk early and has established himself each as a good trial advocate and a flexible Solicitor in Industrial observe. He has served the Bar in varied capacities, with distinction. I consider he’s eminently certified to serve in any management place on the highest ranges. I’ve little doubt he’ll carry out excellently if given the chance to steer the Bar.”
Prof. Sesan Fabamise, (Dean College of Legislation, Afe Babalola College, Ado-Ekiti)
“Dr Ajibade is a younger, clever, vibrant, most resourceful lawyer. He’s integrity personified. He’s of exemplary character and humble to a fault. He’s a go-getter, amiable and an embodiment of intellectualism. I help his aspiration to steer the NBA. One factor that may curiosity you is that I’ve by no means supported a loser earlier than within the NBA election. The implication of that’s that Dr. Ajibade, SAN will certainly win within the election.”
Dr. Ajibade’s candidacy, a beacon of hope” – detached NBA members
Dr. Ajibade appears to have a handshake throughout all divides of the NBA. As outdated and senior legal professionals endorse his candidacy for the approaching election, younger legal professionals too have been fairly vocal about their help.
Over time, a lot of them have routinely shunned NBA elections. For younger professionals, the NBA appeared disconnected from their challenges and had grow to be self-serving. Aside from paying the obligatory observe charges and department dues, many are quite insouciant concerning the actions of the foremost affiliation.
However this yr’s election is perhaps completely different. Dr. Ajibade’s candidacy seems to have rekindled their zest to hitch the continuing marketing campaign to reposition the bar affiliation and make it work for all.
A random sampling of some younger legal professionals each in Abuja and Lagos exhibits that a few of them is perhaps collaborating within the upcoming election due to their confidence in Dr. Ajibade’s worth proposition, imaginative and prescient and strategic plan to set the NBA on a progressive path. A few of these younger legal professionals would quite communicate on the situation of anonymity.
Attorneys reject caucus adoption, say Egbe Amofin’s consensus association unacceptable: In the meantime, the umbrella physique of legal professionals of South West (Yoruba) extraction, Egbe Amofin had earlier introduced its determination to undertake Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN as its consensus candidate for the election. This determination has been rejected by many eminent legal professionals from the South West.
A revered and distinguished elder of the bar and former Chairman of the Governing Council of the Osun State College, Prof. Gabriel Olawoyin, SAN who denied being part of the Egbe adoption course of stated: “I used to be not, and couldn’t have been, a part of the choice of the Egbe Amofin to undertake any aspirant primarily as a result of many Yoruba legal professionals now see the Egbe Amofin as primarily irrelevant, insofar as their pursuits could also be involved. I wish to consider that fairly a very good variety of Yoruba legal professionals have actually misplaced curiosity within the affairs of Egbe Amofin merely due to the rising notion that it has misplaced its correct course and focus. That many Yoruba legal professionals have chosen to not be vociferous of their condemnation of the lapses of the Egbe Amofin shouldn’t be taken as acquiescence by them.”
One other distinguished jurist and former chairman of United Financial institution of Africa (UBA), Mr. Kayode Sofola, SAN was additionally a part of the crème de la crème of South West legal professionals that pitched their tent with Dr. Ajibade while additionally denying information of Egbe’s purported adoption of a consensus candidate. He stated:
“I used to be not a part of the choice of the Egbe Amofin to undertake a candidate. I’m a passionate member of the NBA, which is the mom organisation of authorized practitioners within the nation. The 2 candidates, Dele Adesina SAN and Dr Babatunde Ajibade SAN, are effectively certified to steer the Affiliation. They each have the required ardour for the NBA. The nation is at a crossroads, and the hole between the place we’re and the place we must be has grown prior to now decade or two. Now we have to leapfrog to be updated with the present bar practices, and for me, the brand new management wants, aside from brilliance, expertise and keenness, which each candidates possess, to even be abreast of and embrace, the alternatives introduced by know-how and innovation. On this area there is a bonus to youthful verve and capability to embrace change and this actually underscores my help for Dr Babatunde Ajibade SAN.”
A lot help for a lawyer whose achievements tower above mediocrity and whose title is effectively adorned with excellence, exhausting work, integrity and character. Whether or not these values and his previous achievements as a member of the bar and bench would matter within the management of the NBA would rely on the result of the election.
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