SQUIB DIARY
MONDAY 30TH MARCH 2009
The Squib's out Cover story-Do judges really need police orderlies? A typical Monday morning in the courts-The court premises was jam-packed with lawyers. Litigants, workers and their auto mobiles.
Was at the Bar Centre, late morning. Watched at the bar centre the televised judgement of the Court of Appeal on the Olagunsoye Oyinlola vs Rauf Aregbesola gubernatorial election dispute in Osun state. At the end of the comprehensive judgement, the order was basically that the matter should go down to the lower tribunal for a re-trial. Re-trial after nearly 2 years in court!
Had a family function in Akoka, Lagos today-the Golden wedding Anniversary of my parents-in-law. Imagine a gecko having a wife! Saw no less than seven professors at the event, including Squib professor of law-Ademola Adewale Esq. Some Tiger chiefs, including the chairman-Dave Ajetomobi Esq were also there.
Pastor Yemi Osinbajo S.A.N gave the exhortation. Though the pastor professor, sorry the professor pastor, did not eat, he shuffled some dance steps. Lovely evening, if you ask me. [Click red link to access anniversary pix]: http://www.mumdadadetoro50.blogspot.com
TUESDAY 31ST MARCH 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court today. Had two cases in Ikeja. The third one was at Sabo, Yaba before Senior Magistrate Adelaja (Mrs) for the trial of Mr. Shamisdeen Awere the alleged fake lawyer, while I tried coping with the Ikeja cases, a counsel went for the Yaba matter.
Had the privilege of meeting a judge in his chamber, with two other colleagues in the same matter. The obviously over-worked judge explained why he had to adjourn hearing in our case despite the fact that the witness came outside jurisdiction to testify.
WEDNESDAY 1ST APRIL 2009
Was at the Maximum (the security prisons) kirikiri, Lagos. Mildly interesting sight at the reception. As usual, an official letter writer existed-writing short applications for visiting inmates for a fee. Never for free!
THURSDAY 2ND APRIL 2009
Will somebody remind me- what happened today?
FRIDAY 3RD APRIL 2009
Was at the Governor's office:- The New Round House, behind and besides the House of Assembly at Alausa. Very nice place, piece, I say. Purpose of visit - joint meeting of the NBA 2009 conference planning committee, local organizing committee and the Lagos state government committee on the conference. More meetings on the way!
Monday, April 6, 2009
4TH WEEK MARCH 09 (23RD - 27TH)
MONDAY 23RD MARCH 2009
The Squib’s out. Cover story -: Popular Lagos Judge Akande J in Motor Accident Tragedy. Heard it was selling like fairly hot cake. Attended the 2nd meeting of the Local organizing Committee of the NBA for the 2009 Conference. The meeting held in the LOC Secretariat, the Bar Centre of the NBA Ikeja branch.
TUESDAY 24TH MARCH 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. Witnessed an interesting case. A criminal case. Where the bail of a defendant was cut and the man sent to prison after disagreed with the presiding judge over interpretation of Section 273 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2007. While the judge said the law did not make the reading of final written addresses in open court mandatory, counsel maintained otherwise. Judge offered that counsel should take his address (No Case Submission) as read and had court’s permission to speak or comment on it. When counsel demurred on that offer, court ruled that counsel’s refusal to take the court’s offer is an abuse of judicial proceeding show that the defence “might have something up their sleeves” and promptly cut the defendant’s bail and adjourned the matter. I was there when the man was taken away to prison with his wives and children weeping bitterly.
WEDNESDAY 25TH MARCH 2009
Was at the Lagos High Court, this morning. For two cases. Got two fellows off the look. Gays had been on trial for sic years for armed robbery. Prosecution all the while had called just one witness who never came back for continuation of examination in chief. Later left for the Ikeja High Court. couldn’t leave the Ikeja Court until 4.00p.m. Saw a good cross-examiner in action, in the Ikeja High Court. fairly unusual state counsel, by name “your time will come”
THURSDAY 26TH MARCH 2009
Was at the Lagos High Court Igbosere. For a case. left the Island in good time as the mater (a murder) case could not go on. Sorted out one or two things in court before leaving for the Mainland.
FRIDAY 27TH MARCH 2009
Was kept very busy, in the chambers this morning overcoming the conspiracy mounted against the chambers, by revolting generating sets and crafting a petition against the interesting honourable judge. Got to the Ikeja High Court, very late in the afternoon. Saw a few Tigers in their Secretariat, the Bar Centre of the Ikeja High Court. After some Tiger talk, we all left the ‘lair. Couldn’t but help notice that the building next door (that of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission) is very near completion. Really hope the building of our new Secretariat, will follow suit, very soon.
Interesting, I say, interesting. The exit of Honourable Justice Alaba Marsh from the Lagos State Judiciary. The exit was anything but ‘regular’ in that it was not marked with the usual ceremony of a valedictory session which traditionally holds at the Foyer of the Lagos State High Court. Geckos told the Squib that a quiet exit was preferred by the honourable judge who approached the Chief Judge for the “monetization” of his valedictory service, which is to say budget for his valedictory service be remitted to him instead. According to the honourable judge valedictory service or no, when I leave the judiciary people will forget about me. It is when you are in power or positions that people remember you.”
The Chief Judge, we learnt met Alaba J mid-way. Although no valedictory service was held for Alaba J as requested the judge was not allowed to go “quietly, completely into the dark.”
A “fare well ceremony” was instead, organized for him. Only the 12 most Senior Judges from Akande J to Oyekan-Abdullai J were invited to the ceremony. The venue was the Judge’s Conference Room, Ikeja High Court.
The Squib’s out. Cover story -: Popular Lagos Judge Akande J in Motor Accident Tragedy. Heard it was selling like fairly hot cake. Attended the 2nd meeting of the Local organizing Committee of the NBA for the 2009 Conference. The meeting held in the LOC Secretariat, the Bar Centre of the NBA Ikeja branch.
TUESDAY 24TH MARCH 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. Witnessed an interesting case. A criminal case. Where the bail of a defendant was cut and the man sent to prison after disagreed with the presiding judge over interpretation of Section 273 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2007. While the judge said the law did not make the reading of final written addresses in open court mandatory, counsel maintained otherwise. Judge offered that counsel should take his address (No Case Submission) as read and had court’s permission to speak or comment on it. When counsel demurred on that offer, court ruled that counsel’s refusal to take the court’s offer is an abuse of judicial proceeding show that the defence “might have something up their sleeves” and promptly cut the defendant’s bail and adjourned the matter. I was there when the man was taken away to prison with his wives and children weeping bitterly.
WEDNESDAY 25TH MARCH 2009
Was at the Lagos High Court, this morning. For two cases. Got two fellows off the look. Gays had been on trial for sic years for armed robbery. Prosecution all the while had called just one witness who never came back for continuation of examination in chief. Later left for the Ikeja High Court. couldn’t leave the Ikeja Court until 4.00p.m. Saw a good cross-examiner in action, in the Ikeja High Court. fairly unusual state counsel, by name “your time will come”
THURSDAY 26TH MARCH 2009
Was at the Lagos High Court Igbosere. For a case. left the Island in good time as the mater (a murder) case could not go on. Sorted out one or two things in court before leaving for the Mainland.
FRIDAY 27TH MARCH 2009
Was kept very busy, in the chambers this morning overcoming the conspiracy mounted against the chambers, by revolting generating sets and crafting a petition against the interesting honourable judge. Got to the Ikeja High Court, very late in the afternoon. Saw a few Tigers in their Secretariat, the Bar Centre of the Ikeja High Court. After some Tiger talk, we all left the ‘lair. Couldn’t but help notice that the building next door (that of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission) is very near completion. Really hope the building of our new Secretariat, will follow suit, very soon.
Interesting, I say, interesting. The exit of Honourable Justice Alaba Marsh from the Lagos State Judiciary. The exit was anything but ‘regular’ in that it was not marked with the usual ceremony of a valedictory session which traditionally holds at the Foyer of the Lagos State High Court. Geckos told the Squib that a quiet exit was preferred by the honourable judge who approached the Chief Judge for the “monetization” of his valedictory service, which is to say budget for his valedictory service be remitted to him instead. According to the honourable judge valedictory service or no, when I leave the judiciary people will forget about me. It is when you are in power or positions that people remember you.”
The Chief Judge, we learnt met Alaba J mid-way. Although no valedictory service was held for Alaba J as requested the judge was not allowed to go “quietly, completely into the dark.”
A “fare well ceremony” was instead, organized for him. Only the 12 most Senior Judges from Akande J to Oyekan-Abdullai J were invited to the ceremony. The venue was the Judge’s Conference Room, Ikeja High Court.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
2ND WEEK MARCH (9TH -13TH MARCH 09)
MON 9TH MARCH 09
Public Holiday.
TUE 10TH MARCH 09
WED. 11H MARCH 09
THUR. 12TH MARCH 09
FRI 13TH MARCH 09
SAT 14TH MARCH 09
Public Holiday.
TUE 10TH MARCH 09
WED. 11H MARCH 09
THUR. 12TH MARCH 09
FRI 13TH MARCH 09
SAT 14TH MARCH 09
1ST WEEK MARCH 09 (2ND -6TH)
SQUIB DIARY
MONDAY 2ND MARCH 2009
The Squib is out. Cover story – Why Lagos Governor went C.J out. Attended the NBA Ikeja branch monthly meeting. As usual over two hundred lawyers turned up for the meeting. Lively meeting, no unpleasant or dull moment.
Under AOB, talk of sexual harassment of young female lawyers looking for work, came up. At the end of the day, the Tigers set up a Committee on sexual harassment. Are you a Tiger? Have you been sexually harassed by any other lawyer? Please come to the bar centre and lay your complaints.
TUESDAY 3RD MARCH 2009
Was at Ikeja High Court. The “Evil Stream” at the entrance of Justice Kazeem’s Alogba Court still very much alive and flourishing. I complained about this “cholera inviting and dysentery breeding stream at the Tiger’s meeting yesterday. When will this eye-sore be stopped?
WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH 2009
Got to the Ikeja High Court, only in the afternoon. Took the Raji Fashola corridor (the “new improved” Muslim-Oshodi-Agege motor way) instead of the usual Ikorodu Road from my Palmgrove office to the Ikeja High Court. The corridor, a great demography victory over the nuisance and impediments that had choked the motor way, was shorter and freer than the Ikorodu Road. Noticed that LASTMA has now honed its predatory instincts-parked vehicles are now being towed away, even when they constitute no obstruction or nuisance and are not even parked on the road.
According to some LASTMA personnel I encountered, the set-back of my office building according to them is the walk-way to the road running along the office. “You can’t park on walk-ways” declared the partially power-drunk LASTMA men.
Query:
1. What is a walk-way?”
2. What are the parks constituted by government for people to park the vehicles?
3. Why is the average Nigerian law enforcement agent aggressive, imperial unreasonable and cocky?
THURSDAY 5TH MARCH 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. Had a long, long day in Justice Oyewole’s Court. The premises of that particular court, in the morning could easily be mistaken for the site of a massive “Owanbe” party in progress. This, courtesy of an army of gaily dressed women and some men who had stormed the court to “solidarise” with one Chief Olabode George, a Vice-Chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP) standing trial for financial corruption before the Oyewole court. A not-so-funny, nauseating sight, they were. Saw staffers evacuating from the Records and Registry of the Ikeja Magistrate Court. The place would soon be pulled down so said the judiciary workers. Hope a phoenix will emerge from the ruins.
MONDAY 2ND MARCH 2009
The Squib is out. Cover story – Why Lagos Governor went C.J out. Attended the NBA Ikeja branch monthly meeting. As usual over two hundred lawyers turned up for the meeting. Lively meeting, no unpleasant or dull moment.
Under AOB, talk of sexual harassment of young female lawyers looking for work, came up. At the end of the day, the Tigers set up a Committee on sexual harassment. Are you a Tiger? Have you been sexually harassed by any other lawyer? Please come to the bar centre and lay your complaints.
TUESDAY 3RD MARCH 2009
Was at Ikeja High Court. The “Evil Stream” at the entrance of Justice Kazeem’s Alogba Court still very much alive and flourishing. I complained about this “cholera inviting and dysentery breeding stream at the Tiger’s meeting yesterday. When will this eye-sore be stopped?
WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH 2009
Got to the Ikeja High Court, only in the afternoon. Took the Raji Fashola corridor (the “new improved” Muslim-Oshodi-Agege motor way) instead of the usual Ikorodu Road from my Palmgrove office to the Ikeja High Court. The corridor, a great demography victory over the nuisance and impediments that had choked the motor way, was shorter and freer than the Ikorodu Road. Noticed that LASTMA has now honed its predatory instincts-parked vehicles are now being towed away, even when they constitute no obstruction or nuisance and are not even parked on the road.
According to some LASTMA personnel I encountered, the set-back of my office building according to them is the walk-way to the road running along the office. “You can’t park on walk-ways” declared the partially power-drunk LASTMA men.
Query:
1. What is a walk-way?”
2. What are the parks constituted by government for people to park the vehicles?
3. Why is the average Nigerian law enforcement agent aggressive, imperial unreasonable and cocky?
THURSDAY 5TH MARCH 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. Had a long, long day in Justice Oyewole’s Court. The premises of that particular court, in the morning could easily be mistaken for the site of a massive “Owanbe” party in progress. This, courtesy of an army of gaily dressed women and some men who had stormed the court to “solidarise” with one Chief Olabode George, a Vice-Chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP) standing trial for financial corruption before the Oyewole court. A not-so-funny, nauseating sight, they were. Saw staffers evacuating from the Records and Registry of the Ikeja Magistrate Court. The place would soon be pulled down so said the judiciary workers. Hope a phoenix will emerge from the ruins.
4TH WEEK FEB (23RD -27TH FEB 2009)
SQUIB DIARY
MONDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2009
The Squib’s out cover story-Earthquake hits Lagos judiciary: c.j steps aside. Acting chief judge coming. Readers snapped up the squib in no time. For the first in many months, more than 60% of the available copies of the squib were sold on a Monday. Instructive to note the massive and wide spread gleeful approval of the possible imminent exit of Adetula Alabi J. as the Chief Judge of Lagos State.
TUESDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2009
The squib continued to be a hot cake. Everybody that was anybody in the Lagos judiciary wanted to read our cover story. Several calls came to the Chief Gecko to publish extra-copies of the magazine. In the afternoon interacted with a few Tigers at the Bar centre (secretariat of the NBA Ikeja branch).
Lest I forget that terrible stream near Justice Alogba’s court, still maintaing. Its odors presence. Terrible I tell you that streams faecal matters and liquids would be wending her way on the very ground that the feet of several learned friend had trod and would still tread. This stream is ugly, shameful offensive and dangerous. Let the authorities fix the spoilt sewage system straight.
WEDNESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. For a case. Noticed many people were still excited about squib’s cover story and wanted to get the squib to buy or read. Unfortunately there was none to be seen for sale again. Saw quite a few folks making a pilgrimage to the Bar Centre, Ikeja in the hope of getting a copy there. No dice, though.
Quite irritating the sight of the “dangerous stream” bear Justice Alogba’s court. Can you image human waste products flowing out of broken sewage into the bare ground in a court premises and, and, nobody talking!
Was at a family & probate division court in the morning. Divorce proceedings, I tell you, can be so interesting. Witnessed a case where the petitioner’s counsel was no other than the petitioner himself!
The guy insisted to the court that he wanted his legal representation that way! Most of the other lawyers present however felt the arrangement was rather sticky, to say the least.
THURSDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. People still looking for copies of the Squib to buy. My well, my client’s case couldn’t go on. In Obadina J’s court. Power failure, the culprit. No electronic recording could be done therefore. The problem had been on since Monday.
Noticed that the ‘Evil Stream’ near Justice Alogba’s court, still very much “active” as usual, lawyers and litigants were stepping through the foul waters. What a shame!
FRIDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2009
Came to the Ikeja High Court. At about 2.00pm. Met an Ado-Ekiti based counsel, who wanted to know whether the Supreme Court website existed in fact? What say you?
Limited my perambulations majorly to the Tiger’s lair the Bar Centre. On my way home saw the ‘Evil Stream’ near Justice Alogba’s court, drying up. Semi-moist pieces of excretes, all about the ground. Phaw!
MONDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2009
The Squib’s out cover story-Earthquake hits Lagos judiciary: c.j steps aside. Acting chief judge coming. Readers snapped up the squib in no time. For the first in many months, more than 60% of the available copies of the squib were sold on a Monday. Instructive to note the massive and wide spread gleeful approval of the possible imminent exit of Adetula Alabi J. as the Chief Judge of Lagos State.
TUESDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2009
The squib continued to be a hot cake. Everybody that was anybody in the Lagos judiciary wanted to read our cover story. Several calls came to the Chief Gecko to publish extra-copies of the magazine. In the afternoon interacted with a few Tigers at the Bar centre (secretariat of the NBA Ikeja branch).
Lest I forget that terrible stream near Justice Alogba’s court, still maintaing. Its odors presence. Terrible I tell you that streams faecal matters and liquids would be wending her way on the very ground that the feet of several learned friend had trod and would still tread. This stream is ugly, shameful offensive and dangerous. Let the authorities fix the spoilt sewage system straight.
WEDNESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. For a case. Noticed many people were still excited about squib’s cover story and wanted to get the squib to buy or read. Unfortunately there was none to be seen for sale again. Saw quite a few folks making a pilgrimage to the Bar Centre, Ikeja in the hope of getting a copy there. No dice, though.
Quite irritating the sight of the “dangerous stream” bear Justice Alogba’s court. Can you image human waste products flowing out of broken sewage into the bare ground in a court premises and, and, nobody talking!
Was at a family & probate division court in the morning. Divorce proceedings, I tell you, can be so interesting. Witnessed a case where the petitioner’s counsel was no other than the petitioner himself!
The guy insisted to the court that he wanted his legal representation that way! Most of the other lawyers present however felt the arrangement was rather sticky, to say the least.
THURSDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. People still looking for copies of the Squib to buy. My well, my client’s case couldn’t go on. In Obadina J’s court. Power failure, the culprit. No electronic recording could be done therefore. The problem had been on since Monday.
Noticed that the ‘Evil Stream’ near Justice Alogba’s court, still very much “active” as usual, lawyers and litigants were stepping through the foul waters. What a shame!
FRIDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2009
Came to the Ikeja High Court. At about 2.00pm. Met an Ado-Ekiti based counsel, who wanted to know whether the Supreme Court website existed in fact? What say you?
Limited my perambulations majorly to the Tiger’s lair the Bar Centre. On my way home saw the ‘Evil Stream’ near Justice Alogba’s court, drying up. Semi-moist pieces of excretes, all about the ground. Phaw!
3RD WEEK FEBRUARY (16TH - 21ST FEB)
SQUIB DIARY
MONDAY 16TH FEBRUARY, 2009
The Squib's out. Cover story on the Chief Ladi Williams SAN and Niyi Adewunmi's noisy face off in Justice Opesanwo's court. Was at the Ikeja High Court. For two matters. One of the matters happened to be at the “Bee-Hive” court of Justice Olubunmi Oyewole. Today, the star case was the Criminal Prosecution of Peoples Democratic Party chieftain Olabode George and some other persons. Quite a lot of interesting and colourfully attired people, ladies in particular, came to give moral support to George. The women came clad in robes and 'geles' of browns and gold. They were so many, about one hundred and fifty in number, perhaps. Of course the court room hall was jam-packed so much that even, some lawyers had to stand up in the court room.
TUESDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2009
Came to the Ikeja High Court. Later in the afternoon. Saw the ugly stream near the entrance of Honourable Justice Kazeem Alogba’s court, floating particles of excreta. Phew!
WEDNESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2009
Was at the Lagos High Court in the morning. Left Lagos for Oshogbo, Osun State with about a dozen other Tigers for the National Executive Council Meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association slated there. Take off time was 3:30p.m. Had a safe and smooth journey to Oshogbo, where our first port of call was ………… can you guess an amala and abula restaurant. Hot, sweet and satisfying stuff I tell you. Quite a nice welcome did the Oshogbo NBA give the attendees (they came all over the country) although many, especially the men were heard complaining that “though there is adequate accommodation, there is no lodging!” Tigers put up in one simple but fine place called, Hotel Bafoooo!
THURSDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2009
Attended the NEC meeting, the second in the Rotimi Akeredolu Presidency. The morning was devoted to hearing speeches from authority figures in the Osun State Government. The Governor, Oyinlola his Deputy, Obada (Mrs) the Chief Judge, Attorney-General, the Speaker of the House of Assembly and more were present. Seated of course at the High table. Lest I forget, there was break fast for the attendees. Heard the announcement that the Osun State Governement or is it just the Governor donated not a few milions to the coffers of the NBA. The NBA president said that the “Oyin-ni-O” dash was more than the 5 milion naira donation of the Niger State Governor in Minna in November 2008.
In the afternoon session, the NEC remained fiercely and adamantly against the registration of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria, with the Company Affairs Commission. All the smart moves by the Bar President, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, who had defiantly told NEC members in Minna in November 2008 that the BOSAN would be registered “whether you like it or not” were defeated roundly. In fact the president was heckled and booed at a point. At the end of the day , the NEC unanimously endorsed the formal opposition to the registration of BOSAN written to the Company Affairs Commission, in 2008 by Rafiu Lawal Rabana, then the General Secretary of the NBA. Earlier the NEC approved Lagos State as the hosting of the 2009 Annual General Conference of the NBA. In the evening, there was dinner in the Government lodge. The food arrangement was not too great- the serving points inadequate and people had to jostle to get food.
But the music was nice as well as the speeches. Virtually all the Tigers present, including Mr. Femi Falana, danced. And well too.
FRIDAY 20TH FEBRUARY, 2009
Left Oshogbo for Lagos, with other Tigers in our branded bus. But not without first doing justice to a mid-morning breakfast of “amala and abula”.
SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, 2009
The Tigers' Sportif club met at the Police College for exercises and a game of soccer. Interestingly, at least two of the Tigers who exercised very well in Oshogbo during the NEC meeting (Thursday and Friday) turned up for the sports while of all those who did not exercise themselves in Oshogbo only one showed up. What does that tell us? Exercise is good for the body!
MONDAY 16TH FEBRUARY, 2009
The Squib's out. Cover story on the Chief Ladi Williams SAN and Niyi Adewunmi's noisy face off in Justice Opesanwo's court. Was at the Ikeja High Court. For two matters. One of the matters happened to be at the “Bee-Hive” court of Justice Olubunmi Oyewole. Today, the star case was the Criminal Prosecution of Peoples Democratic Party chieftain Olabode George and some other persons. Quite a lot of interesting and colourfully attired people, ladies in particular, came to give moral support to George. The women came clad in robes and 'geles' of browns and gold. They were so many, about one hundred and fifty in number, perhaps. Of course the court room hall was jam-packed so much that even, some lawyers had to stand up in the court room.
TUESDAY 17TH FEBRUARY 2009
Came to the Ikeja High Court. Later in the afternoon. Saw the ugly stream near the entrance of Honourable Justice Kazeem Alogba’s court, floating particles of excreta. Phew!
WEDNESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY 2009
Was at the Lagos High Court in the morning. Left Lagos for Oshogbo, Osun State with about a dozen other Tigers for the National Executive Council Meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association slated there. Take off time was 3:30p.m. Had a safe and smooth journey to Oshogbo, where our first port of call was ………… can you guess an amala and abula restaurant. Hot, sweet and satisfying stuff I tell you. Quite a nice welcome did the Oshogbo NBA give the attendees (they came all over the country) although many, especially the men were heard complaining that “though there is adequate accommodation, there is no lodging!” Tigers put up in one simple but fine place called, Hotel Bafoooo!
THURSDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2009
Attended the NEC meeting, the second in the Rotimi Akeredolu Presidency. The morning was devoted to hearing speeches from authority figures in the Osun State Government. The Governor, Oyinlola his Deputy, Obada (Mrs) the Chief Judge, Attorney-General, the Speaker of the House of Assembly and more were present. Seated of course at the High table. Lest I forget, there was break fast for the attendees. Heard the announcement that the Osun State Governement or is it just the Governor donated not a few milions to the coffers of the NBA. The NBA president said that the “Oyin-ni-O” dash was more than the 5 milion naira donation of the Niger State Governor in Minna in November 2008.
In the afternoon session, the NEC remained fiercely and adamantly against the registration of the Senior Advocates of Nigeria, with the Company Affairs Commission. All the smart moves by the Bar President, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, who had defiantly told NEC members in Minna in November 2008 that the BOSAN would be registered “whether you like it or not” were defeated roundly. In fact the president was heckled and booed at a point. At the end of the day , the NEC unanimously endorsed the formal opposition to the registration of BOSAN written to the Company Affairs Commission, in 2008 by Rafiu Lawal Rabana, then the General Secretary of the NBA. Earlier the NEC approved Lagos State as the hosting of the 2009 Annual General Conference of the NBA. In the evening, there was dinner in the Government lodge. The food arrangement was not too great- the serving points inadequate and people had to jostle to get food.
But the music was nice as well as the speeches. Virtually all the Tigers present, including Mr. Femi Falana, danced. And well too.
FRIDAY 20TH FEBRUARY, 2009
Left Oshogbo for Lagos, with other Tigers in our branded bus. But not without first doing justice to a mid-morning breakfast of “amala and abula”.
SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, 2009
The Tigers' Sportif club met at the Police College for exercises and a game of soccer. Interestingly, at least two of the Tigers who exercised very well in Oshogbo during the NEC meeting (Thursday and Friday) turned up for the sports while of all those who did not exercise themselves in Oshogbo only one showed up. What does that tell us? Exercise is good for the body!
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