2ND WEEK FEB 2010 (15TH - 20TH)

SQUIB DIARY
MON. 15TH FEB. 2010
The Squib’s out. Our Cover Story: “The False Imprisonment of the Lagos Chief Judge.” See: http://www.squibcoverstory.blogspot.com
Came to the Ikeja High Court. For a matter. For judgement in a case really. Judgement was delivered. The loser turned out to be a winner while the winner turned out to be the loser. Was a chieftaincy dispute matter with plenty of criminal law colouration.
The Tiger Bar held her Emergency meeting today on the vexed issue of whether or not the Senior Advocate of Nigeria title should be abolished.
The Tigers had already decided in their January meeting in favour of the abolition of the title. This position was opposed (naturally) by members who are Senior Advocates. Athe the February 1 2010 monthly meeting of the Tigers, the silks had caused by their pressure, the schedule of the extra-ordinary meeting for the purpose of “revisiting” the issue.
The extra-ordinary meeting lasted from 1.30 p.m till almost 4.00 p.m but the issue was never revisited. Much to the chagrin of the silks, who had mobilized “millions” of junior counsel in their various chambers to the meeting to support their position.
Knowing that it was a ‘loaded congregation,’ the abolitionists simply stymied the “revisit” by advancing reasons why it was impolite to do a revisit.
The strategy worked as the arguments of the abolitionists won out the silks who thought it was by “power and might” that such contests were won.
The main killers of the Project Revisit the Abolition of SAN decision were Steve Kuyoro, Alex Onabrakpeya, Bamidele Aturu and Adesina Ogunlana Esq. who presented constitutional, moral, even ethical reasons clothed in combustive oratory to ensure that the project failed.
When the ding-dong debate was stretching far too long, it was Ogunlana who put a stop to it with his brutal and emphatic query.
“why should we for the sake of these Senior Advocates revisit our decision to vote for abolition of the SAN title.
Why should we so indulge them? Except for our constant stars, Layi Babatunde SAN and Dele Adesina SAN the others are never with us. They don’t attend meetings. Even on February 1 when the issue of revisit was raised, the silks left the meeting, once their issue was discussed.
I move the motion that an end be put to this meeting and that it should be adjourned.” The motion sailed in without any opposition.
TUE. 16TH FEB. 2010.
With other Tiger chiefs, departed our beloved lair – the Tiger’s bar secretariat for Yola. Time was 4.00 p.m.
Stopped at Akure for the night.
WED. 17TH FEB. 2010.
The journey to Yola, for the NBA’s NEC meeting continued. Tigers rode on in our Tiger Train. Long distance journeys can be so tiring. Left Akure 5.59a.m., arrived Yola 12.25 a.m!
THUR. 18TH FEB. 2010.
Woke up to a bright, sunny and hot Yola morning. With other Tigers, turned up for the NEC meeting. After a hearty yam, scrambled egg and tea breakfast. Hardly had the meeting started when the president, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN and the General Secretary, Ibrahim Eddy-Mark started bickering over which minutes of the last meeting should be considered authentic and proper to be presented to the present meeting.
In the afternoon session, the issues of whether the national offices of the NBA should be subjected to the “ZONING or INCLUSION” formula and also whether the Senior Advocate of Nigeria title be abolished were adjourned to the next meeting for discussions and possible decisions since only 26 out of the 88 branches of the NBA had sent in their respective positions on them.
Attended a dinner at the ABTI Club Yola, sponsored by Ricky Tarfa SAN, a Yola indigene. Enough to eat and drink. Good cheer was assured by the presence of a comedian called Osama.
FRI. 19TH FEB. 2010.
The journey back to Lagos started early, 6.20 a.m. stopped for the night at about 10.30 at Okene, Kogi State.
The most unimpressive state capital in the modern world must be Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State. Look nothing other than a big disheveled hamlet. P;assed through this cattle and straw town near noon on our way down south. Really is Jalingo one of Nigeria’s state capitals?
SAT. 20TH FEB. 2010
Lagos at last. 4.00 p.m. May the name of God, be praised!