SQUIB DIARY
MON .6TH OCTOBER 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court. The Squib’s out. The cover was a Critique of the so called Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure Rules) 2008, by learned counsel, Adejare Kembi. The court premises, was, seemingly so, filled to the brim with lawyers, litigants and a few lay abouts. Tigers (NBA Ikeja branch members) held their monthly meeting. Lively gathering as usual. General monthly Birthday celebration culture started in the Tiger Bar today. With a big, but rather gristly and not so yummy cake for the celebrants and for the whole house. Good idea but please let the cake be memorable!
TUE. 7TH OCTOBER 2008
Again was at Ikeja High Court. Heard that in far away Lagos High Court, a particular honourable judge took time off in the middle of a case to abuse, insult, denigrate and even prophecy against the SQUIB and her Publisher Adesina Ogunlana Esq. According to the judge, the SQUIB is trash, rubbish and her Publisher a dumb lawyer who only knows how to write rubbish about judges of the Lagos State High Court. A junior counsel who wanted to make progress in life and in law was advised to check out of the evil chambers! The honourable Judge is Funmilayo Atilade J. our response here? As the court pleases! We are used to such high praises and recognition from the Bench.
WED. 8TH OCTOBER 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court, had quite a long day in Justice Candide-Johnson’s court. Well, the judge did not arrive the hallowed ground until 10:35a.m. Well, the maybe the Judge was not to be blamed that much. The court’s clock itself ran forty minutes late!
The Candide-Johnson court is a lecture room any day for um, lazy, unorganised and, em er, (shall we say it?) none too bright – attorneys.
Only that the lectures from the bench could take a while and you know what that means, especially if you are a lawyer, like many of us self-employed counsel, who eat on the wings.
Ah, I forget to mention the terrible condition of the bar in Justice Candide’s court. Well much later on this in the Learned Squib.
THUR. 9TH OCTOBER 2008
Came to the Lagos High Court Igbosere. Saw quite a lot of – Action Congress “en postered” buses on the Street leading off to King’s College. Heard that the Action Congress was holding a rally preparatory to the 11th October 2008 Local Government elections. Did one or two un-geckoish activities in the court and left.
FRI. 10TH OCTOBER 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court for a brief period. Moved over to Lagos to see, to met and plan with Daddy 3. Only geckos would understand the yarn
Saturday, October 25, 2008
LAST WEEK SEPT/FIRST WEEK OCT 2008
MON. 29TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Public Holiday to mark the end of 30 day long Muslim fast. Of course no court. The squib, in consequence not out. Thank God after a two months partial closure the 3rd Mainland Bridge was re-opened early this morning.
TUE. 30TH SEPTMBER 2008
Public Holiday. For the same reason above. The courts remained closed.
WED. 1ST OCTOBER 2008
Public Holiday, to mark the October 1 1960 independence of Nigeria. Of course the courts remained close. Wonderful, wonderful country. Three public holidays in a row!
THUR. 2ND OCTOBER 2008
Spent a little time at the Lagos High Court. Moved later to the Ikeja High Court.
From some what afar, saw a group of V.I.Ps somewhere on the grounds near the chief Judge’s office. Before long learnt that they were a group of retired judges of Lagos State who came to partake of the “kindness and generousity” of the incumbent leadership of the Lagos State Judiciary which was giving out brand new TOYOTA AVENSIS CARS to retired judges of the state. Before now there were serious but underground complaints by some retired judges that they faced constant humiliation and inconvenience due to having jalopies for vehicles.
While many of the retired judges who came to collect their cars expressed their gratitude and satisfaction for the Judiciary’s kind gesture, former Chief Judge, Ibitola Adebisi Sotuminu C.J sang a different tune.
The former leader of the Lagos Judiciary (2001-2004) declined to collect her car because the colour did not suit her. While a grey coloured car was allocated to her Sotuminu C.J insisted on getting a black-car. When a black car was not readily available “mama” as Sotuminu C.J was better known when in service, well, um, drove off. Geckos heard some by-standers wondering whether it would not have been better for ‘mama’ to collect the car and get it a coat of paint of a suitable colour.
FRI. 3RD OCTOBER 2008
Was at the Lagos High Court. Briefly came to the Ikeja High Court. Geckoed and lawyered about for some time before heading off to Geckosville
Saturday, October 4, 2008
SECOND WEEK SEPTEMBER 2008 (15TH -19TH)
SQUIB DIARY
MON. 15TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Ikeja High Court. Was there. Had a case before Hon. Justice OBD. ‘Lawyers and Judges’ traffic still light in the court. The Squib’s out. Cover Story on the emergence of Adekunle Ojo as the new 2nd Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association.
TUE. 16TH SEPTEMBER 2008
The magistrate court, Sabo, Yaba. Was there. Saw a magistrate frowning against rather unethical conduct of a defendant’s counsel. The magistrate wondered how counsel would join hands with a litigant to frustrate due adjudication of matters before the court.
Good talk. Hope that other adjudications will be this strong and firm. No single public toilet in the entire court compound. So how do litigants and counsel relieve themselves? Even the toilets for the members of staff are in the main, bad. The judiciary can do much better than this. Its not only judges and magistrates that should enjoy good toilets.
Em, by the way I saw a wonder in the office of the head of administration at the Sabo Magistrate Court. The wonder is the visitor’s chair in the madam’s office. That chair, if you can call it that reminded me of the squashed up mouth of an idiot. It is an affront to ask any visitor there to “take your seat”. It is an insult to the office holder. It is an embarrassment, an eye sore to the judiciary. I beg, that mangled carcass of a visitor’s chair in the office of the Assistant chief registrar, Magistrate Court Sabo Yaba should be changed immediately
WED. 17TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti Street Yaba. Spent some time and left. Can you imagine this-there is a place they sell good honey in this famous police station. Certainly one of the few sweet spots in that station.
Later in the afternoon, heard of the closure of the CHANNELS TELEVISION STATION by policemen and State Security Services Operatives.
CHANNELS’ offence-broadcast of claim that President Musa-Yar’dua would resign from office after an imminent cabinet reshuffle. According to government, that claim was untrue. But did that justify the closure of the T.V station?
THUR. 18TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere. The public toilet there (the one in the corridor to the court of Appeal) still in good condition. Well kept. ‘Strolled’ into Hon. Justice Oluwayemi’s Court. Wow what a beautiful, decorum-inducing and justice inciting court room. Neat, very well lit court. Nice, very nice wood paneling. Even an accused will not mind to be sentenced to a long stretch at the Max, Kirikiri, in this court. Hope the structures last however.
FRI. 19TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the SCID Panti, a follow up to my Wednesday visit. Today was engaged in a discussion by a cop in the administrative section of the Legal Department.
COP: Ha barrister you are here?
Lawyer: Yes I am.
COP: What you gave to do the job was small. Not enough to do the work.
Lawyer: But the job has been done. The verification of the sureties houses have been done.
COP: Which work is done? He said you gave only …… naira
Lawyer: That’s what I have. And the job is done
COP: The job is done? Well let me tell you, how can you just give somebody just ………… naira and expect him to go to all those places in Oworo and swear to affidavit backing his visits. No problem since the officer concerned has done the work. But if were me, never!
Lawyer: Well, thank you.
MON. 15TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Ikeja High Court. Was there. Had a case before Hon. Justice OBD. ‘Lawyers and Judges’ traffic still light in the court. The Squib’s out. Cover Story on the emergence of Adekunle Ojo as the new 2nd Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association.
TUE. 16TH SEPTEMBER 2008
The magistrate court, Sabo, Yaba. Was there. Saw a magistrate frowning against rather unethical conduct of a defendant’s counsel. The magistrate wondered how counsel would join hands with a litigant to frustrate due adjudication of matters before the court.
Good talk. Hope that other adjudications will be this strong and firm. No single public toilet in the entire court compound. So how do litigants and counsel relieve themselves? Even the toilets for the members of staff are in the main, bad. The judiciary can do much better than this. Its not only judges and magistrates that should enjoy good toilets.
Em, by the way I saw a wonder in the office of the head of administration at the Sabo Magistrate Court. The wonder is the visitor’s chair in the madam’s office. That chair, if you can call it that reminded me of the squashed up mouth of an idiot. It is an affront to ask any visitor there to “take your seat”. It is an insult to the office holder. It is an embarrassment, an eye sore to the judiciary. I beg, that mangled carcass of a visitor’s chair in the office of the Assistant chief registrar, Magistrate Court Sabo Yaba should be changed immediately
WED. 17TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti Street Yaba. Spent some time and left. Can you imagine this-there is a place they sell good honey in this famous police station. Certainly one of the few sweet spots in that station.
Later in the afternoon, heard of the closure of the CHANNELS TELEVISION STATION by policemen and State Security Services Operatives.
CHANNELS’ offence-broadcast of claim that President Musa-Yar’dua would resign from office after an imminent cabinet reshuffle. According to government, that claim was untrue. But did that justify the closure of the T.V station?
THUR. 18TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere. The public toilet there (the one in the corridor to the court of Appeal) still in good condition. Well kept. ‘Strolled’ into Hon. Justice Oluwayemi’s Court. Wow what a beautiful, decorum-inducing and justice inciting court room. Neat, very well lit court. Nice, very nice wood paneling. Even an accused will not mind to be sentenced to a long stretch at the Max, Kirikiri, in this court. Hope the structures last however.
FRI. 19TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the SCID Panti, a follow up to my Wednesday visit. Today was engaged in a discussion by a cop in the administrative section of the Legal Department.
COP: Ha barrister you are here?
Lawyer: Yes I am.
COP: What you gave to do the job was small. Not enough to do the work.
Lawyer: But the job has been done. The verification of the sureties houses have been done.
COP: Which work is done? He said you gave only …… naira
Lawyer: That’s what I have. And the job is done
COP: The job is done? Well let me tell you, how can you just give somebody just ………… naira and expect him to go to all those places in Oworo and swear to affidavit backing his visits. No problem since the officer concerned has done the work. But if were me, never!
Lawyer: Well, thank you.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
2ND WEEK SEPTEMBER 2008 (8TH - 12TH)
SQUIB DIARY
MON. 8TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos for the New Legal Year celebration. My first time of coming to the Lagos Island since July. After the church service, repaired to the Lagos high Court for the usual march past parade ceremony. Only 31 judges out of about 50 came for the event. Unlike previous years only few lawyers turned up too.
TUE. 9TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court. Activites still dull here. Many of the High Courts not yet open for business despite that the New Legal Year has started. Saw serious renovation work going on in some court rooms at the courts complex. Why is there no end to renovation of structures in a new building commissioned for use less than five years ago?
WED. 10TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the Maximum Security Prison, Kirikiri, Lagos. Noticed a new quietness about the place. Was told that a big-man inmate-Emeka Ezeugo a.k.a Reverend King, a murder convict, who used to receive dozens of visitors daily has been transferred out, to Kuje Prisons Abuja.
Left the Max place for the Ikeja High Court. New leaders of the NBA Ikeja met with the Chief Judge of Lagos State Adetula Alabi J. today.
An interesting meeting if you ask me. These were the five great declarations of the honourable Chief Judge.
1. The root of bitterness between the C.J and the Ikeja bar (the recommendation of the bar that Alabi J. (as he then was should not be made the Chief Judge after Fatai Adeyinka C.J.) has been uprooted
2. The honourable Chief Judge believes in the mutual and profitable interdepence of the bar and the bench.
3. The honourable Chief Judge is not a wicked or a difficult person but rather a soft-hearted one, who can even be manipulated if approached in the right manner
4. The honourable Chief Judge has no skeleton in his cupboard and so has nothing to hide.
5. The honourable Chief Judge will hold Dave Ajetomobi chairman, NBA Ikeja responsible for any break down in communication between the bench and the (Ikeja) bar since he, Ajetomobi is free henceforth to approach the Chief Judge on any issue pertaining to the bar and the Judiciary.
Didn’t I tell you it was an interesting meeting?
THUR. 11TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court. Not much going on.
FRI. 12TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court Attended to one or two Ikeja Bar matters. Moved on the attend Doyin Kembi’s marriage engagement programme. Doyin is a barrister, her father too, a barrister.
MON. 8TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, Lagos for the New Legal Year celebration. My first time of coming to the Lagos Island since July. After the church service, repaired to the Lagos high Court for the usual march past parade ceremony. Only 31 judges out of about 50 came for the event. Unlike previous years only few lawyers turned up too.
TUE. 9TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court. Activites still dull here. Many of the High Courts not yet open for business despite that the New Legal Year has started. Saw serious renovation work going on in some court rooms at the courts complex. Why is there no end to renovation of structures in a new building commissioned for use less than five years ago?
WED. 10TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the Maximum Security Prison, Kirikiri, Lagos. Noticed a new quietness about the place. Was told that a big-man inmate-Emeka Ezeugo a.k.a Reverend King, a murder convict, who used to receive dozens of visitors daily has been transferred out, to Kuje Prisons Abuja.
Left the Max place for the Ikeja High Court. New leaders of the NBA Ikeja met with the Chief Judge of Lagos State Adetula Alabi J. today.
An interesting meeting if you ask me. These were the five great declarations of the honourable Chief Judge.
1. The root of bitterness between the C.J and the Ikeja bar (the recommendation of the bar that Alabi J. (as he then was should not be made the Chief Judge after Fatai Adeyinka C.J.) has been uprooted
2. The honourable Chief Judge believes in the mutual and profitable interdepence of the bar and the bench.
3. The honourable Chief Judge is not a wicked or a difficult person but rather a soft-hearted one, who can even be manipulated if approached in the right manner
4. The honourable Chief Judge has no skeleton in his cupboard and so has nothing to hide.
5. The honourable Chief Judge will hold Dave Ajetomobi chairman, NBA Ikeja responsible for any break down in communication between the bench and the (Ikeja) bar since he, Ajetomobi is free henceforth to approach the Chief Judge on any issue pertaining to the bar and the Judiciary.
Didn’t I tell you it was an interesting meeting?
THUR. 11TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court. Not much going on.
FRI. 12TH SEPTEMBER 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court Attended to one or two Ikeja Bar matters. Moved on the attend Doyin Kembi’s marriage engagement programme. Doyin is a barrister, her father too, a barrister.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
4TH WEEK JUNE 2008 (23RD - 27TH)
SQUIB DIARY
MON. 23RD JUNE 2008
The Squib’s out. Cover Story - NBA Ikeja 2008 elections latest: fear grips candidates. Also on the cover was the story of Barrister Jide Aladejobi’s reprieve from the order of disbarment on him. Was at the Magistrate court Tapa. For a case. The court room is a converted “container cabin.” Hope, litigants will not at the end of the day receive, “Container judgements”?
TUE. 24TH JUNE 2008
Was at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere. Oh, what a rainy day! At least it was a four hour down pour. No light in the High Court. The courts became very dim and so work could not go on. Witnessed a judge, Sola Williams J trying valiantly to continue sitting. His Lordship gave up after thirty minutes as the court got dimmer and dimmer. The list was out. List of those qualified to participate in the NBA Ikeja branch elections 2008. Just as the SQUIB predicted, only about 50% of the contestants were cleared by the Layi Babatunde S.A.N Electoral Committee. The big name victims were Niyi Akinmola and Dele Oloke, chairmanship aspirants.
WED. 25TH JUNE 2008
Was at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere. A wasteful journey as the courts did not sit. Again no light. And justice could not be dished out in darkness. What a bad situation really? For power outage to sabotage the administration of justice! Even no diesel could be found for the generator.
THUR. 26TH JUNE 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court. For one or two cases. The judges sat and the cases went on. Noticed that for some time now, the toilets of the secretariat of the Ikeja bar had become unapproachable. So people have been approaching the back of the building to relieve themselves. Mercifully of only the No. 1 Tigers, please do something about your toilets. Quick. It is a nose and eye sore.
FRI. 27TH JUNE 2008
Came to the Ikeja High Court, rather late in the afternoon. Missed the seminar on commercial law organised by the Ministry of Justice. Who will defend me before Titi Shitta-Bey? That good lady gave me a special invitation to the event and I didn’t come, Titi, next time, I’II be there.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
SECOND WEEK JUNE 2008 (9TH - 13TH )
SQUIB DIARY
MON. 9TH JUNE 2008
The Squib’s out. Cover story - The Great Assignment (NBA Ikeja New Electoral Committee headed by Layi Babatunde S.A.N). Had one or two matters before one of my favourite judges. Neither went on. Couldn’t get cost either. The cost I got was cost in cause. That’s something, I guess.
Went later to Lagos High Court. Attended the NBA Lagos branch special session for late Professor Jadesola Akande who died in April, 2008. Well attended ceremony. About three hundred lawyers present. Saw some judges too. Earlier on in the day, learnt about the death (murder?) of one Lateef Osho Jogunomi an auxiliary staff of the Sheriff Department, Lagos State Judiciary. Jogunomi died on Saturday 7th June 2008, from head injuries sustained from attack by a LASTMA Staff.
TUE. 10TH JUNE 2008
Was at the Lagos High Court. For one or two cases. Had an interesting time in one of the courts as the judge turned emergency pastor and gave serious, motherly counselling to a distressed litigant. It was one of those husband/wife palava cases
WED. 11TH JUNE 2008
Ikeja High Court. Was there. Had a swell time in Court Justice Dada’s Court. Saw the conversion of a sure prison term of a convict to a fine payable within 14days. How humane of the judge! The conversion reminded of the famous shakespearese
“the quality of mercy
is not strained………
In the evening heard the news of the death of Lamidi Adedibu, the hugely controversial and influential Ibadan High Chief and politician. Adedibu in the prime of his powers was a licensed political bully and bulldozer, who without holding any government post trampled on Governors, Ministers, parliamentarians etc.
The source of his powers? Grass-roots appeal and presidential support of Olusegun Obasanjo who ruled Nigeria from 1999- 2007.
THUR. 12TH JUNE 2008
In Lagos State, no work. The government as usual since 1999 declared today a public holiday in honour of the general elections of June 12 1993, which result were annulled on June 23 1993. The annulment of the election which would have produced Moshood Kashimawo Abiola as President gave rise to the crisis which ultimately led to the birth of the fourth republic.
FRI. 13TH JUNE 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court. For a case. Matter did not go on. Geckoed around and about. Spoke on phone with Mr. Layi Babatunde S.A.N, the Chairman of the reconstituted Electoral Committee of the NBA Ikeja branch. He would not give the date when the postponed elections will would take place. According to the silk, “we are still looking at the records submitted to us for screening the candidates. Nonetheless we are conscious of the time requirement for the election in the bye-law and shall abide with it. The preparation for the election must be solid that’s what the election itself will stand on. We’ll come out with our finding before the election is held”
MON. 9TH JUNE 2008
The Squib’s out. Cover story - The Great Assignment (NBA Ikeja New Electoral Committee headed by Layi Babatunde S.A.N). Had one or two matters before one of my favourite judges. Neither went on. Couldn’t get cost either. The cost I got was cost in cause. That’s something, I guess.
Went later to Lagos High Court. Attended the NBA Lagos branch special session for late Professor Jadesola Akande who died in April, 2008. Well attended ceremony. About three hundred lawyers present. Saw some judges too. Earlier on in the day, learnt about the death (murder?) of one Lateef Osho Jogunomi an auxiliary staff of the Sheriff Department, Lagos State Judiciary. Jogunomi died on Saturday 7th June 2008, from head injuries sustained from attack by a LASTMA Staff.
TUE. 10TH JUNE 2008
Was at the Lagos High Court. For one or two cases. Had an interesting time in one of the courts as the judge turned emergency pastor and gave serious, motherly counselling to a distressed litigant. It was one of those husband/wife palava cases
WED. 11TH JUNE 2008
Ikeja High Court. Was there. Had a swell time in Court Justice Dada’s Court. Saw the conversion of a sure prison term of a convict to a fine payable within 14days. How humane of the judge! The conversion reminded of the famous shakespearese
“the quality of mercy
is not strained………
In the evening heard the news of the death of Lamidi Adedibu, the hugely controversial and influential Ibadan High Chief and politician. Adedibu in the prime of his powers was a licensed political bully and bulldozer, who without holding any government post trampled on Governors, Ministers, parliamentarians etc.
The source of his powers? Grass-roots appeal and presidential support of Olusegun Obasanjo who ruled Nigeria from 1999- 2007.
THUR. 12TH JUNE 2008
In Lagos State, no work. The government as usual since 1999 declared today a public holiday in honour of the general elections of June 12 1993, which result were annulled on June 23 1993. The annulment of the election which would have produced Moshood Kashimawo Abiola as President gave rise to the crisis which ultimately led to the birth of the fourth republic.
FRI. 13TH JUNE 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court. For a case. Matter did not go on. Geckoed around and about. Spoke on phone with Mr. Layi Babatunde S.A.N, the Chairman of the reconstituted Electoral Committee of the NBA Ikeja branch. He would not give the date when the postponed elections will would take place. According to the silk, “we are still looking at the records submitted to us for screening the candidates. Nonetheless we are conscious of the time requirement for the election in the bye-law and shall abide with it. The preparation for the election must be solid that’s what the election itself will stand on. We’ll come out with our finding before the election is held”
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Last Week in May 2008 (26th -30th)
SQUIB DIARY
MON. 26TH MAY 2008
The Squib’s out-Cover story Help! Tiger Bar in Danger. Was at the Ikeja High Court later in the afternoon after spending some-time at the Maximum Security Prisons, Kirikiri. As a visitor.
TUE. 27TH MAY 2008
Was at the Ikeja High Court. In the afternoon. Had a go at Rex Onobrakpeya Esq., the self made chairman of the Electoral Committee of the NBA Ikeja. Accused him of partiality and unilaterial decision in clearing all the contestants for the June elections of the Tiger Bar. Our quarrel was later settled. Parted as friends again.
WED. 28TH MAY 2008
Out on campaign, campaign for Dave Ajetomobi-the correct choice for the chairmanship of the Ikeja bar.
THUR. 29TH MAY 2008
Democracy day. No courts in session. Govt. declares public holiday. Spent practically the whole day doing political work for our candidates in the June 2008 elections.
FRI. 30TH MAY 2008
Spent some time in chambers earlier on in the day. In the afternoon was off for campaigns. Started smelling victory, already.
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