Morning of 13th January 2012, we went to Labour House – the Secretariat of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) at Yaba. From there, a Fuel Price Hike Protest Procession to Mushin on foot, was organized. Our numbers swelled to about 3000 as we proceeded. We stopped at various points along the way to address the people and the message was very well received. At Mushin, Labour leader and former ASUU President, Dr. Dipo Fashina once again addressed the crowd. Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja branch chairman, Adebamigbe Omole also spoke.
Thereafter, we joined a motorcade to Oshodi. There was nobody to address as the usually ever busy Oshodi was deserted (everyone was probably in Ojota). We disbanded to allow the muslims in the motorcade go for Jumat service.
We got to Ojota around 2p.m by which time the Save Nigeria Group had announced the suspension of the Protest until Monday but we still met about 3 million protesters who refused to go home - it had a carnival like atmosphere. Stayed about 40 minutes and returned to our Ikeja High Court base. SUBJECT TO OUTCOME OF TALKS GOING ON WITH THE GOVT., FUEL PRICE HIKE PROTEST RESUMES ON MONDAY 16TH JANUARY, 2012.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
FUEL PRICE HIKE PROTEST DIARY (DAY 4 OF STRIKE)
Thursday morning (12th January 2012), saw an increase in the number of lawyers that turned up at the Ikeja High Court for the Fuel Price Hike Protest.
We joined the NLC/TUC train on a condolence visit to the family of the murdered Ademola Aderinto at Ogba.
Two boys masquerading as part of the train of protesters were arrested by the crowd while robbing passersby. The train moved to Agbotikuyo junction at Agege and held a rally there. The rally was addressed by Dr. Dipo Fashina, a.k.a “Jingo.” His message was clear: Resistance to the fuel price hike must continue. “Enough is enough!,” reiterated Dr. Fashina.
We then made our way to the the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Ikeja to
stage a protest; saw many intending passengers who appeared stranded.
All through the city, there was total compliance with the strike order of the NLC/TUC. There were masses of protesters gathered in many areas of Lagos - from Lagos Island to LASU. However we heard reports of some small criminal gangs in a few neighbourhoods setting up roadblocks for extortion or even outright robbery of passersby.
The NLC/TUC train decided to move on to Ikorodu but we went to the Gani Fawehinmi ‘Freedom Park’ at Ojota. The crowd of protesters there was even more than the previous day; at least 3.5 million! The police there were so overwhelmed by the sheer number of people that they just sat in their vans while some people made fun of their barking dogs. Never before has such event recorded a crowd of such gargantuan proportions! Crowd control at this Ojota rallying point has been almost entirely in the hands of the Save Nigeria Group and by self policing, while the NLC/TUC Group has been
quite strategic, carrying out sensitization campaigns to various parts of the metropolis.
We eventually made our way back to our ‘war camp,’ the NBA Ikeja Secretariat for victuals. Around 4p.m, Mr. Femi Falana showed up and commended the bold stand of the NBA Ikeja. PROTEST CONTINUES TODAY, 13TH JANUARY, 2012. EXPECTING YOU THIS MORNING TO JOIN US.
FUEL HIKE PROTEST DIARY – 11TH JANUARY, 2012 (DAY 3 OF STRIKE)
Yesterday 11th January, we (NBA Ikeja branch members) proceeded to Ogba where there was an initial hesitation of mourners to hold a rally for Ademola Aderinto, the slain youth, as it was rumored that they would be cracked down upon by the police; however we encouraged the rally to hold. There, Adebamigbe Omole, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja branch chairman assured them that we would ensure that Ademola’s case was not swept under the carpet and that his killer would be prosecuted. We went on to Gani Fawehinmi Square, Ojota to join protesters there. By about 2 p.m, our chairman, Omole addressed the crowd – no less than 2million in number, encouraging them to continue with the protest: 65 naira per litre or nothing; the government was elected by the people and if the majority of the people say they do not want a particular policy, the government must listen. From Ojota we went to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) Panti. There we met with the head, Deputy Commissioner of Police Yuguda Abdullahi who said that the trigger happy Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Segun Fabunmi, who shot Ademola was in his custody and assured us that that he would indeed be prosecuted. WE CONTINUE WITH THE PROTEST TODAY, 12TH JANUARY 2012.
FUEL HIKE PROTEST DIARY – 1OTH JANUARY, 2012 (DAY 2 OF STRIKE)
More people joined us (Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja members) yesterday, 10th January, 2012 as we marched in protest in Lagos on the 2nd day of the fuel hike strike and we were at least 700,000 in number as we marched from Yaba to Tafawa Balewa Square. Tense moment though on Lagos Island, as we encountered a group of about a hundred ‘area boys’ – they are usually engaged in turf wars and they could have hijacked the situation; some motorists actually began to reverse in panic, however they allowed us pass without incident upon sighting our banner. THE PROTEST CONTINUES TODAY 11th Jan., 2012.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
22ND - 27TH NOVEMBER 2010
SQUIB DIARY
MONDAY 22ND NOVEMBER 2010The Squib’s out. Cover story, “THE JUDGE THAT LOST HER JUDGEMENT.”
What a day! Spent three hours on the road, from Isolo to the Lagos High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square. All bids to escape the terrible , terrible traffic only got me more enmeshed in it. It was like jumping from frying pan to fire and then leaping from the fire to an inferno!
TUESDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2010
Followed up on the case of the Law School student, the Ikeja Bar was sponsoring. Got her school fees paid. Bravo Tigers!
WEDNESDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 2010
Was in chambers throughout. Rather a rare thing these days. Mostly one is in 'Tiger’s lair' or geckoing about.
THURSDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2010
Was at the Lagos High Court Igbosere for a matter. The matter went on. Went to Justice Kazeem Alogba’s Court. Wanted to check up on the fate of a concluded pre-trial matter before the judge. Alas, court under lock and key. Later learnt that judge had gone on a spiritual journey to Mecca for the hajj.
The National Executive Committee of the NBA held today in Gombe; Gombe State is the first of the J.B. Daoudu S.A.N presidency.
FRIDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2010
Just spent a little time in the High Court Ikeja and the Tiger’s Lair today.
SATURDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2010
Only two tigers came for the weekend sports programme of the Ikeja Bar. Nonetheless we enjoyed ourselves.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
IST WEEK NOVEMBER 2010 (1ST - 5TH)
SQUIB DIARY
MONDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2010
The Squib’s out- cover story, “REVIEW OF THE 2004 LAGOS STATE HIGH COURT CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES” THE STAND OF THE TIGER BAR (PART 1)
First time in ten years, the Squib will start life as a bi-monthly. Has always been a weekly.
In the afternoon, the monthly meeting of the Tiger Bar held. The meeting was converted to the ‘second half’ of the Branch’s Stakeholders Summit on the Lagos State High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2004.
Quite useful deliberations. Saw the likes of Wemimo Ogunde, Femi Falana and Layi Babatunde SAN taking active part.
Bravo, Tigers!
TUESDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2010
In company of Tiger Bar, 1st vice-chairman, Yinka Farounbi Esq attended, the Lagos State organized KURAMO CONFERENCE at the Eko Hotel and Suites Victoria Island. It was a conference for proferring solution to the socio-economic developmental challenges of African nations.
But it was a mixed multitude I saw in there, at the plenary session-lawyers, students, ‘activists’ intellectuals, traditional rulers, clerics and dozens of corralled civil servants.
Noticed also Professor Wole Soyinka the Nobel Laureate. Last time I saw him in flesh was in 1984 at the University of Ife, at the eve of his departure as a lecturer from “Great Ife”. Saw and heard, the American, Jesse Jackson. Was not too impressed though.
There was this other fellow from the U.K, formerly a Ghanaian chap, but had become a Lord or something in England.
Too much Turenchi!
WEDNESDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 2010
Had a matter at the welfare court. Matter went on. After, repaired to the Tiger Bar lair.
THURSDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2010
Was at the Ikeja High Court for a criminal matter. Murder case. Judge did not turn up. Registrar under strict instructions not to give dates. Client came all forty something kilometers away. Said madam Registrar – “The judge said parties should come back tomorrow”.
Wahala!
FRIDAY 5TH NOVEMBER 2010
Was at the Ikeja High Court. For a civil matter. The court in question sits only by 12.00pm on Fridays. But this Friday, Judge nowhere to be seen.
Wonderful, you say?
MONDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2010
The Squib’s out- cover story, “REVIEW OF THE 2004 LAGOS STATE HIGH COURT CIVIL PROCEDURE RULES” THE STAND OF THE TIGER BAR (PART 1)
First time in ten years, the Squib will start life as a bi-monthly. Has always been a weekly.
In the afternoon, the monthly meeting of the Tiger Bar held. The meeting was converted to the ‘second half’ of the Branch’s Stakeholders Summit on the Lagos State High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2004.
Quite useful deliberations. Saw the likes of Wemimo Ogunde, Femi Falana and Layi Babatunde SAN taking active part.
Bravo, Tigers!
TUESDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2010
In company of Tiger Bar, 1st vice-chairman, Yinka Farounbi Esq attended, the Lagos State organized KURAMO CONFERENCE at the Eko Hotel and Suites Victoria Island. It was a conference for proferring solution to the socio-economic developmental challenges of African nations.
But it was a mixed multitude I saw in there, at the plenary session-lawyers, students, ‘activists’ intellectuals, traditional rulers, clerics and dozens of corralled civil servants.
Noticed also Professor Wole Soyinka the Nobel Laureate. Last time I saw him in flesh was in 1984 at the University of Ife, at the eve of his departure as a lecturer from “Great Ife”. Saw and heard, the American, Jesse Jackson. Was not too impressed though.
There was this other fellow from the U.K, formerly a Ghanaian chap, but had become a Lord or something in England.
Too much Turenchi!
WEDNESDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 2010
Had a matter at the welfare court. Matter went on. After, repaired to the Tiger Bar lair.
THURSDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2010
Was at the Ikeja High Court for a criminal matter. Murder case. Judge did not turn up. Registrar under strict instructions not to give dates. Client came all forty something kilometers away. Said madam Registrar – “The judge said parties should come back tomorrow”.
Wahala!
FRIDAY 5TH NOVEMBER 2010
Was at the Ikeja High Court. For a civil matter. The court in question sits only by 12.00pm on Fridays. But this Friday, Judge nowhere to be seen.
Wonderful, you say?
4TH WEEK OCTOBER (25TH - 28TH OCTOBER 2010)
MONDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2010
The Squib’s out. Cover Story, “A LETTER TO THE SEPTEMBER 7.” Came to the Lagos High Court. For a case. Civil matter. Couldn’t go on. Neither defendant nor her counsel present. Presiding judge did not arrive in court on the dot of 9.00am. couldn’t recollect any apology from him for coming late. Big man show.
TUESDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2010
Hid away. In chambers. For many hours.
WEDNESDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2010
Was at the Customary Court, Bolade, Oshodi. The panel sat almost two hours after the proper hour. From my experience, this court hardly sits punctually. The court, without offering any apology proceeded to hear matters. But when counsel pointed out her error, the court immediately without taking any offence, did the right thing. Great.
THURSDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2010
Was in chambers all morning and half of the afternoon. No rest though. Scribe plus gecko plus lawyer, plus one or two other wahala is equal to perpetual ‘busyness.’
FRIDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2010
In the evening, with some other Tigers was at the burial ceremony of the mother of a Tiger at Ipaja. The mother died at the tender age of 87. Surely the wicked have done their worst. Gbenga Ajayi, (the affected Tiger) now a full blown orphan.
The Squib’s out. Cover Story, “A LETTER TO THE SEPTEMBER 7.” Came to the Lagos High Court. For a case. Civil matter. Couldn’t go on. Neither defendant nor her counsel present. Presiding judge did not arrive in court on the dot of 9.00am. couldn’t recollect any apology from him for coming late. Big man show.
TUESDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2010
Hid away. In chambers. For many hours.
WEDNESDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2010
Was at the Customary Court, Bolade, Oshodi. The panel sat almost two hours after the proper hour. From my experience, this court hardly sits punctually. The court, without offering any apology proceeded to hear matters. But when counsel pointed out her error, the court immediately without taking any offence, did the right thing. Great.
THURSDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2010
Was in chambers all morning and half of the afternoon. No rest though. Scribe plus gecko plus lawyer, plus one or two other wahala is equal to perpetual ‘busyness.’
FRIDAY 28TH OCTOBER 2010
In the evening, with some other Tigers was at the burial ceremony of the mother of a Tiger at Ipaja. The mother died at the tender age of 87. Surely the wicked have done their worst. Gbenga Ajayi, (the affected Tiger) now a full blown orphan.
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