It’s High Time Lawyers Took Up Challenge To Guide Political Leaders In Nigeria — NBA Ikorodu Branch Chair, Thany

Lawyers have disclosed their willingness to contribute to support the new administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by providing it with working materials on what is expected of it by the people of Nigeria.

This disclosure was made by Mr Idris Kolawole Thany, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch, on Friday while briefing journalists on activities lined up for the 2023 Law Week of the association which commenced with a Jumat Service at Omitoro Town Central Mosque, Ijede Road, Ikorodu.

He said it was in a bid to chart the course and direction for the new administration in Nigeria that the theme of this year’s conference of the Bar, “2023 and Beyond: the Imperative of True Federalism in Nigeria” and lecture topic, “The 1999 Constitution, Restructuring and True Federalism: The Way Forward” were carefully chosen to serve as a working material to assist and guide the new administration on what is expected of it by the people of Nigeria.

Thany quoted from the works of the first indigenous lawyer in Nigeria, the late Christopher Sapara William who said: “A lawyer lives for the direction of the people and advancement of the course of the society” to support the decision of the NBA, Ikorodu.

He said they were aware that prior to the election, there were hues and cries about the lopsidedness in appointments, and alleged nepotism among other issues in the country.

He further noted that they believe that it is high time lawyers took up the challenge to guide the political leadership and the politicians in Nigeria.

“I believe that after the lecture which centers on the 1999 constitution, restructuring, true federalism and the way forward, the federal government would have been better informed. It will serve as a raw material for the policy thrust of the federal government.

“We want to contribute our own little quota by the theme and lecture, to the development of Nigeria such that future generations would be proud to call Nigeria their own”, he said adding that this is why they have arranged cerebral senior lawyers of repute to speak at the event tagged “16th annual lecture, of Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson (SAN)” holding on Tuesday to enlighten the public regarding the topic of the lecture.

He said the chairman of the lecture would be a former Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Chief Iyiola Oladokun (SAN) while a former chairman of NBA Abuja and a Presidential candidate in the 2018 election of the national NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe(SAN) is the guest speaker.

The discussants will include Chairman Oyo state INEC and chairman, Egbe Amofin, Aare Isiaka Abiodun Olagunju (SAN); a former NBA Lagos Branch chairman, Dr Ajibade Babatunde, Mr Chukwuka Ikuwuazom (SAN) and Olusegun Fabunmi (SAN).

Thany disclosed that through the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) activities during the last one year, the bar in Ikorodu, under his watch secured freedom for 93 persons inmates from Ikoyi and Kirikiri custodial centres of the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCS)(, Lagos state.

He said that a walk against Domestic and Sexual Violence and all other forms of Gender-based violence, will hold Saturday, commencing from the Bar Centre to Ikorodu Youth Center and Mini Stadium at Ita-Elewa where they would be having a novelty match between NBA Ikeja and NBA Ikorodu.

“At the mini stadium, we would also have health checks for members in attendance. This is to ensure that we are fully and physiologically prepared for this Law Week and to ensure that nobody will take ill suddenly.

“After this football match, between 5 to 7 pm, we would be at Lagos State Park and Garden by the jetty at Ebute to have our variety and cultural evening. Members of our branch will be in attendance and we would have a fun time there with ourselves, being a cultural evening, everyone is expected to wear traditional attires and bring their traditional foods for exchange amongst members.

“Sunday, June 4:9am to 11 am, we would converge at RCCG, Fair Heavens, Dele Kuti Street, Ebute, Ikorodu where we would be having our church thanksgiving service at the church. Immediately after the service, we would also attend to members of the community in Ebute and the church members and render free legal consultancy services to them.

“Monday, June 5: Between 9 am to 11 am. We would be here at the Bar Centre for Human Rights committee sessions. We have subcommittees of human rights, including domestic and sexual violence committees, child rights, persons living with disability. The Legal Aid Committee, PDSS and other law enforcement agencies committee and Pro bono committee amongst others. To be here to sensitize members of the community on their legal and fundamental rights under the law and ensure that nobody’s rights are being infringed upon and that we can better educate members of the public as to their rights under the law.

“The PDSS will visit all the police stations within Ikorodu on Monday. As is our usual practice, we would ensure that nobody is being illegally detained in any police station within Ikorodu’s jurisdiction. Members of the public are welcome as it would be an open session, and members of the public will be attended to here. We would also give free consultancy services to members of the public who join us here between 9 am and 11 am.

“Tuesday, June 6: we would be having the signature programme of the Law Week, which is the 16th Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson (SAN) Annual Memorial Lecture. The topic is the 1999 Constitution: Restructuring and True Federalism -The Way Forward.

“On Wednesday, June 7: the grand finale of the Law Week programme, we would converge at Aguila Events Centre on TOS Benson Road, Ikorodu at 6 pm for Chief Adebayo Ogunsanya SAN, annual Law Dinner. A social event that will attract the de cream of the Legal profession. The chairman will be Mahmud Adeshina SAN, while the keynote speaker will be Ex-Commissioner for Physical Planning in Lagos State urban development Prince Rotimi Ogunleye will be the keynote speaker.”‘”