Sequel to a notice circulated via text messages to few members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) who are based in the Western part of the country that a meeting of the Yoruba Lawyers Forum to deliberate on the forthcoming NBA National elections slated for July, 2016 amongst other issues pertaining to the Forum had been slated for 11am on Saturday at Hotel De Treasure, Ibadan Road, Ile-Ife, Osun State. Further, some of us also became aware of the fact that there was a ploy by a select few members of the forum to propose the adoption of a particular individual as the Presidential candidate of the West in the said meeting. A five-man delegation led by my humble self, Adebola Lema with Ariyo Odole, Emmanuel Orhoro, Alfred Akinjo and Anthony Eze left Lagos and arrived Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba land at 11am in the morning of the 14th May, 2016. The Conveners of the Forum are A. A. Ayodele (Chairman), Chief Olubunmi Olugbade (Secretary) and Mr. Adetowubo, NBA Chairman, Ondo branch. In attendance were notable lawyers like; Deacon Dele Adeshina SAN, Mr Nathaniel A. Oke, SAN, Pastor Adewunmi, former NBA Chairman, Ado-Ekiti branch, O. J. Irabor (former NBA 1st Vice President), Mr Martins Ogunleye, Chairman NBA Lagos Branch. Attendees came from the following branches of the NBA; Lagos, Ikeja, Ibadan, Akure, Okitipupa, Ondo, Ado Ekiti, Ikere Ekiti, Ilorin, Ife, Abeokuta, Ota, Offa and Ilesa branches and about sixty two lawyers were in attendance. The meeting commenced behind schedule at about 12pm when the Acting Chairman of the Forum, Chief Olugbade called the meeting to order and subsequently gave his welcome address. He stated that the forum was formed to rejuvenate the platform for Western lawyers in view of the state of Egbe Amofin, the Western Bar Forum headed by Chief Bamidele Aiku SAN and Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN which has not been functioning since the crisis which attended the 2014 NBA national elections. Chief Olugbade also called for the amendment of the heading of the agenda which has Yoruba Lawyers Forum as its heading to South West Lawyers Forum. He proceeded to read the highlights of the last meeting which was held on 1st April, 2016 at Solab Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos; and its deliberations bothered on the 2014 NBA Elections, the present status of Egbe Amofin, registration of a new regional body, reconciliation and mobilisation. In a one page agenda distributed to attendees, the business of the day centred on the reconciliation of Egbe Amofin, Constitution for the Forum and the NBA 2016 Election. Reconciliation of Egbe Amofin: As the meeting progressed, Mr. Nathaniel A. Oke from Ibadan branch responded to an observation made by Chief Olugbade, secretary of the Forum that the Egbe Amofin led by Chief Aiku SAN is moribund and dead and as lawyers practising in the South West, we cannot afford to wait and resurrect a dead association; therefore, lawyers in the alternative should embrace the South West Lawyers Forum. The learned silk said a child does not say that his father is dead when the father is still living; that the best way to proceed and make progress is to reconcile the warring parties. He reiterated the need for reconciliation and stated that the reconciliation must start with the two combatants, Chief Bamidele Aiku SAN and Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN. He said true reconciliation would be achieved when Egbe Amofin is fully resuscitated and functional, and one of the two warring parties agrees to host a meeting that the other one will attend. His voice was loud and convincing and applauded by the gathering. Further to his admonition, there was a unanimous decision that reconciliation must be vigorously pursued. This Resolution was adopted at the meeting. Deacon Dele Adeshina got the floor and spoke at length. He spoke in favour of reconciliation and said that he has made up with Chief Bamidele Aiku. He was enjoined to be part of the committee to be set up to reconcile Chief Bamidele Aiku SAN and Chief Wole Olanipeku. The learned silk sought the permission of the Forum to leave for a burial of an in law in Ilesha. At this point, Mr Abioye Akerele asked the learned silk to tarry and wait for an important information. According to him, he came to the meeting from Chief Bamidele Aiku’s house in Ibadan with Mr Ogunleye, Chairman of Lagos branch, and that Chief Aiku told them that he has actually reconciled with Deacon Dele Adeshina SAN. NBA Elections: Some minutes into deliberations, one of the contestants for the office of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief J.K Gadzama SAN walked in with his entourage which included Chief Bolaji Ayorinde SAN, Dr. Akin Onigbinde SAN, Mr Gajam, former Attorney General of Zamfara and about five other people. People contesting for other positions in the forthcoming elections also visited and were allowed to address the meeting for five minutes each. Chief J. K Gadzama SAN also addressed the meeting and described himself as a presidential hopeful. It is noteworthy, that after the addresses by the contestants that were present, the Chairman of the forum thanked all the contestants and said that the Forum will deliberate on their requests, take a position and get across to them. At this juncture, it was apparent that the Convener’s (secret) agenda had been scuttled. Meanwhile, J. K. Gadzama was at the forum with his monthly journal “J.K Gadzama LLP with other pamphlets which, to all intents and purposes, are campaign materials. In the pamphlets, he listed candidates for the various NBA electives positions, with their respective year of call; but in the space for the presidency, he listed himself and Mr. A. B. Mahmoud, SAN, without the year of call, but with only the year of appointment as SAN, intent to drive home the fact that he wore the silk before Mr. A.B. Mahmoud SAN (though A. B. Mahmoud, SAN was called to Bar at least 6 years before him and is more senior). The Journal and pamphlets were subsequently distributed by one of the Conveners, Mr. Kunle Adetowubo, Chairman NBA, Ondo branch. After observing the course of events, our delegation from Lagos saw the need for an important observation. Mr. Ariyo Odole rose up to speak and said that a rumour has been making the rounds that the forum was sponsored and convened to adopt a particular candidate. He questioned the rationale for inviting only one of the two presidential candidates to address the Forum without extending such invitation to the other candidate. He said categorically that what played out at the meeting lent credence to the rumour. At this point, the Chairman rose up and vehemently denied the allegation. He said that the other candidate will be given the opportunity to address the Forum in the next meeting in Abeokuta on 11th June, 2016. Conclusion: I must state that the high point and Resolution of the meeting was the unanimous decision to reconcile the Egbe Amofin and rejuvenate it. That was the only resolution made at the meeting. No resolution was made in respect of any candidate and no particular candidate was adopted by the Forum. The meeting ended at about 3:40pm and was adjourned to the 11th day of June, 2016 in Abeokuta. Adebola O. Lema, Esq, LL. B (Benin), LL.M (Lagos), B.L South-West Lawyers Forum Lagos – Nigeria ]]>