FIRST WEEK MARCH 2008 (3RD - 7TH)

SQUIB DIARY

MON. 3RD MARCH, 2008
The Squib’s out. Cover story was on Femi Falana Esq. on his grouse with the Privileges Committee of the N.B.A for denying him the S.A.N award. Was at the Tigers’ monthly meeting. The Bar Centre meeting place of the N.B.A Ikeja is now too small to contain members. The place was jam-packed, including the corridor. No less than two hundred lawyers were in attendance. Saw a High Chief from Makurdi, Benue State in attendance. They called him the Hu-Or-O-Tiv, and he was dressed in the native Tiv regalia, the famous black and white patterns. As usual the Tigers’ meeting was no dull affair. Arguments, debates, speeches, tension, jokes, etc all the way.
Saw a learned friend of mine chaperoning his lawyer-daughter about in the meeting. Maybe he is a believer in the maxim “Vigilance is the eternal price for liberty.” Can’t blame Barrister K, what, with so many Tigers about! It was his daughter’s first attendance of the Tigers’ meeting.

TUE. 4TH MARCH, 2008
Went to the Maximum Security Prison, KiriKiri. For lawyer business. Even in prison, men are not born equal. There are big-men prisoners, there are small-men detainees. Left for the Ikeja High Court, Justice Nwaka’s court specifically. The judge was not “on seat.” Had never been seen June 2007 in her court, yet dozens of awaiting trial inmates languish endlessly in prison because their matters before the judge had to be put on hold.
The Judge has been on “national assignment” since June 2007, to participate as a member of an Election Petition Tribunal!

WED. 5TH MARCH, 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court. Did a trial at the High Court. Looked here and there, if you know what I mean. The court compound rather full today - lawyers, litigants, spectators all much around. Heard of the commotion in Justice Shitta-Bey’s Court (Lagos High Court). Detainee goes berserk (after 7 years in detention) and got bail by fire from presiding Judge, Shitta-Bey. J

THUR. 6TH MARCH, 2008
Was at the Magistrate Court, Ebute-Metta. Getting to that court compound almost compared with a camel straining through the eye of a needle. Choked in-let road, dirty environment. Bedlam here and there. That court should be moved. Came down to the Magistrate Court Sabo, for the “fake lawyer’s case” involving one Shamshideen Owolabi Akinwale Awere. Berthed finally at the Ikeja High Court.

FRI. 7TH MARCH, 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court. Gecko around. In the afternoon, went to the Motorways Headquarters Office of the OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER. Spent 3 fruitful hours with the Bisi Akinlade babes. Together, solved a knotty family issue, involving three brothers and three sisters.