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!