LAST WEEK JUNE/FIRST WEEK JULY(29TH JUNE-4TH JULY)

SQUIB DIARY: i've not posted in a bit but i'm doing it all practically at a go, transferring posts/entries from my offline diary, online (starting from june this year!).




MON 29TH JUNE 2009
Squib’s out: Cover story? “Will History Repeat Itself?” Talking about the chances of Taiwo Taiwo Esq. and Gboyega Kolade, the two leading candidates in the NBA Lagos branch elections for the post of chairman.

Came to the Ikeja High Court for another matter.

TUE. 30TH JUNE 2009
Was at the Lagos High Court. For two cases. Both before the same court. One held, the other didn’t. 50-50, you say?

WED 1ST JULY 2009
Was at the Lagos High Court Tafawa Balewa Square. My matter did go on, but not fully.
Rushed down to the Ikeja High Court, for another case. No dice. Before arrival, the court had adjourned the matter.

An “alleged” meeting of the outgoing Chief Judge, Mr. Justice Adetula Alabi and the leadership of the Bar in Lagos State, did not take place eventually. Agenda of the botched meeting – commercialization of the High Court premises.

THUR. 2ND JULY 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. For a matter that eventually didn’t go on. Simply because counsel to defendants was not in court. And because case was listed for ‘mention’ wonderful? Slack Justice, I say. Left court for the Maximum place. Kirikiri.

The Max, had its “visitors lounge” surrounded by a large pool of water. After my business there, got back to the Ikeja High Court. Wasted no less than 45 minutes due to traffic jam caused by a spread of potholes at the Berger curve that would cost less than fifty thousand naira to repair. Nobody, particularly the car dealers and operators who in their dozens do business in the area, appear to care a hoot about the potholes! Nigeria.

FRI. 3RD JULY 2009
Didn’t touch the courts today. Paid a visit to Daddy 3. The old guy, believe me is still working so hard. Dad is never ever going to retire from this job.

LEFT: DADDY 3, G.O.K AJAYI SAN

Spent a good part of the afternoon with another silk. Had a nice time there too. Being a Squib editor is not all pains, I guess.

SAT. 4TH JULY 2009
Was at the Police College with six other colleagues for our Tiger Sportif club Saturday games and exercise. It’s always so good to “shake body” and sweat freely. Got myself a new handset (GSM) today. Please pray, lest I lose it. As usual.

EXERCISES: I'M IN GREEN, BACKING CAMERA.

3RD WEEK JUNE 2009 (15TH -20TH)

SQUIB DIARY
MONDAY 15TH JUNE 2009
The Squib’s out. The cover-FAKE LAWYER SURRENDERS TO NBA IKEJA. Had a trial before Dada J. Lots of hustle and bustle in the Ikeja H.C. Typical Monday morning. My car had an un-typical breakdown in-front of Citi-Point chambers, Alausa, Ikeja in the evening.

TUESDAY 16TH JUNE 2009
Car still under. My programmes generally disrupted. Losing the services of one’s “horse” even temporarily can be so stressful. Was at the Ikeja High Court

WEDNESDAY 17TH JUNE 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. Noticed that the sewage slab near Justice Alogba’s court entrance was leaking waste water again. Urgent repairs needed. Please.

THURSDAY 18TH JUNE 2009
Had a matter at the Ikeja High Court. Case couldn’t go on. Judge absent. According to the court registrars, the judge was away attending a seminar. However many counsel believed that the judge was away to 'upstairs.' Talking of Justice Olubunmi Oyewole here.
Came down to Lagos High Court for another case. But missed it. Car still under the weather.

FRIDAY 19TH JUNE 2009
Had a trial in Justice Mufutau Olokooba’s court. EFCC case. Later in the afternoon, had car, properly and fully repaired.
Who shall deliver us from all these half-baked trial and error motor-mechanics?

SATURDAY 20TH JUNE 2009
Only three Tigers turned up for our week-end sports activities. Well, “Nothing spoil.”

2ND WEEK JUNE 2009 (8TH-13TH)

SQUIB DIARY

MONDAY 8TH JUNE 2009
The Squib’s out. Cover story: - Adegboye Kolade- The Next Leader of the Premier Bar?
Had two EFCC matters in court this morning. No progress made in either. Whose fault? Prosecution’s! They were simply not ready – no witness to present to the honourable court. Saw some women in “Aso ebi” outfit near Justice Oyewole’s court. No need to tell the they (the women) were “the Georgitas” – female supporters of Olabode George, a PDP chieftain standing trial before Oyewole J for fraud. NBA Lagos branch held her monthly meeting today. At the foyer. Heard that the “masu-mato” Electoral Rules of the Obi Okwusogu Election Committee largely scaled through.

TUESDAY 9TH JUNE 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court today. For a ruling. When would the contractors handling the repairs of court rooms in the new complex finish their work? At least two of the court rooms on the ground floor their looked more like the workshop of “industrial carpenters” more than anything else these past two years.

WEDNESDAY 10TH JUNE 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. For an EFCC matter. It couldn’t go on. Due to prosecution’s unpreparedness. On my way to the bar centre (NBA Ikeja Secretariat) noticed that the “Evil Stream” at the entrance of Justice Kazeem Alogba had sprung up again.

THURSDAY 11TH JUNE 2009
Jade Gardens – “Chinese Restaurant” at the G.R.A Ikeja. Was there this morning, till say 12.00p.m. To attend this year’s Attorney-General’s Forum. The topic? Awaiting trial process. Quite an interesting meeting. Lots of the problems easily identified. A lot of solutions preferred. But when will the real action begin?
Heard late in the evening of the death of Mrs. Kemi Sanusi, the Senior Registrar in Justice Suyi Olateru-Olagbegi’s (of Lagos High Court). She was aged 46 years. What a level headed, polite and respectful woman. Heard she died of malaria typhoid, on Tuesday week, leaving behind three children. Her husband had earlier passed about a decade ago.
We here in the Squib really miss this nice lady. May her soul rest in peace.

FRIDAY 12TH JUNE 2009
Public holiday, June 12. The day the alleged fairest and freest presidential election ever was held in Nigeria. In 1993. Throwing up the late M.K.O Abiola as the winner of the election. Annulled in June 12 1993, unleashing a series of event that eventually led to the birth of the present 4th Republic.
With four other Tigers, left Lagos for Ipesi, Ondo state. For the burial of late Pa Bayode Oniyire, the father of Niyi Oniyire, an Ikeja Tiger. Got there at about 9.00pm when the wake-keeping for Pa Oniyire was rounding up. Bunkered down, after a nice dinner of amala and roasted goat-meat and soup, which cuisine, (particularly the meat) brought the biblical admonition
“obedience is better than sacrifice”
“And to hearken better than the fat of rams” sharply into my mind

SATURDAY 13TH JUNE 2009
Woke up early in the morning to notice that Ipesi is a small, very small, peaceful town in full rural setting. Through the windows of our room saw lush foliage, fauna, and mountains. Saw an Agbe bird and myriad of ijalo” ants spread on plants. Also saw “kuluso” holes on the grounds of the house reminding me of our child hood song. Kuluso Kuluso Abiyamo feyin so
Now fresh and clean the air smelt! How serene and peaceful the atmosphere! Saw also some free-ranging chickens, the very types nutritionists advise as best for table and suddenly wished for a feast of such a healthy delicacy.
Encouraged with such salubrious sights, walked with the leader of the pack of Tigers, a.k.a “the in-coming”, inside the portion of Ipesi bush near by and donated certain tired contents of our stomachs to mother earth. Oh, the lost freedom and pleasure of open air toilet!
After break-fasting on blocks of yam and tasty stew, we left for the burial service of Pa Oniyire. Before and after the service, the undertakers entertained the worshippers with their “casket-control” skills, dancing with the coffin. And it seemed the more the crisp naira notes that sailed in their direction, the mere dexterous, they became!
Took our leave at 11.00a.m but not before an insistent Mrs. Olumide Oniyire piled us with sundry spirits trapped in cans.
About four hours later, we landed in Ora-Igbomina, the city of Yinka Farounbi and the home of perpetual pounded yam. We came there to join in the burial ceremony of the family head of Yinka Farounbi Pa Samson Oyedepo Farounbi a.k.a “This palm-wine is watery” who died at the tender age of 101 years. We met some other Tigers in the town and as Tigers were immediately offered some flesh to devour. Pounded yam with fitting accompaniment followed shortly. With sundry spirits and less energetic and sweeter drinks, prompting a flow of theories, counter-theories and hipothesses.
Later in the evening, a short drive in the Tiger-Bus took us all to the home of a prominent. Oran, a former surveyor-general of Lagos State. There the theories continued to flow. I remembered at least one of them. It came from a Tiger known simply as “Obaaaaat!” who sagely declared.
“No man no matter the situation should allow his background to put his back on the ground”.
While this profound statement was still being appreciated one Tiger, a very good friend of Honourable Justice Ade Alabi, quickly asked “In that case, how would women get pregnant?”
Before turning to bed, we fell on a hearty dinner. Are you asking me what it was? Pounded yam, of course.

1ST WEEK JUNE 2009(1ST-6TH)

SQUIB DIARY

MONDAY 1ST JUNE 2009
The Squib’s out but very late. Say 2.30pm. Cover Story:- C.J LAGOS VS ADESINA OGUNLANA: HOW THE ETERNAL TRIAL FAILS TO START AGAIN.
The monthly meeting of the Tiger Bar held today it was also the Annual General meeting (AGM) of the branch.
No less than three hundred and thirty three people turned up for the meeting and that is saying something.

TUESDAY 2ND JUNE 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. For a matter. Didn’t go on. Courtesy of judge’s directive. Hmmmmm. Met a ‘lawyer’, may be twelve or thirteen years old, a secondary school kid doing “chambers attachment”. The young lady wanted to be a top lawyer in future! Her name is Gboremi. I won’t tell the surname.

WEDNESDAY 3RD JUNE 2009
Came to the Ikeja High Court in the afternoon. Chambers concluded, for the first time since 2004 a matter at the pre-trial stage. The pre-trial judge was Oyefesobi J. little wonder!

THURDAY 4TH JUNE 2009
Spent only a few time in the Ikeja High Court premises today. Was I geckoing about in some other places?

FRIDAY 5TH JUNE 2009
Spent a few hours in the office this morning. Before moving on to the Maximum security Prison Kirikiri. To see one or two clients and to leave a letter for the Deputy Comptroller of the institution. Today, the remains of veteran Lagos land disputes lawyer, Chief Ishola Oyewo, was buried at Abeokuta Ogun State. Some members and leaders of the Ikeja branch attended the burial.

SATURDAY 6TH JUNE 2009
Only five Tigers turned up for the week-end sports programme of the Ikeja bar. Nonetheless all those who came had a wonderful time on the pitch.

4TH WEEK MAY 2009 (25TH-29TH)

MONDAY 25TH MAY 2009
The Squib’s out. Cover story-African Science arrests Criminal Trial. Spent practically all day with Daddy 3 planning for my trial tomorrow before the Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers,

TUESDAY 26TH MAY 2009
Arrived Abuja this morning from Lagos. Proceeded to the Court of Appeal headquarters for the case Chief Judge of Lagos State vs Adesina Ogunlana. After the matter, had the opportunity of walking through some parts of the very big building. Noticed that the security guards manning the place were quite nice and helpful fellows.

WEDNESDAY 27TH MAY 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court. Participated in the-marathon session of the Tiger Bar Executive Committee meeting. From there moved to the –Lagoon Restaurant, Victoria Island venue of the Law Week Dinner of the NBA Lagos.
Once arrived, settled myself in front of the Giant Screen there, to enjoy the Barcelonia F.C UEFA Cup final match against the totally out-classed Manchester United. ‘Barca’ won the match by 2-0

THURSDAY 28TH MAY 2009
Was at the Ikeja High Court in the afternoon. Witnessed a prolonged row between two leaders of the Tiger Bar in their secretariat. Even now, the vitriols from both sides are still burning my ears. Haba! Igbo kwenu! Or do we say, Eyimba, Enyi!

FRIDAY 29TH MAY 2009
Today is Democracy day, public holiday. Ten years of democracy, what have we achieved today?