Lawyers under the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ikorodu Branch, have pledged to provide the administration of President Bola Tinubu with working materials on the people’s expectations, and assist in charting a course for the country.
Chairman of Ikorodu Branch, Idris Kolawole Thany, disclosed this, at a news briefing organised to reel out activities lined up for the Association’s 2023 Law Week, on Friday.
According to the Chairman, the weeklong event commences on Friday, with a jumat service at Omitoro Town Central Mosque, Ijede Road, Ikorodu.
He said this year’s conference was themed; “2023 and Beyond: the Imperative of True Federalism in Nigeria” and lecture topic, “The 1999 Constitution, Restructuring and True Federalism: The Way Forward” to chart a course and direction for the new administration in Nigeria.
He noted that the theme and topic for this year’s event 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 first indigenous lawyer in Nigeria, 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, alleged nepotism among others issues in the country.
He said they believe it is high time lawyers took up the challenge of guiding 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 stressed 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 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 check 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 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 11am, we would converge at RCCG, Fair Heavens, Dele Kuti Street, Ebute, Ikorodu where we would be having our Church Thanksgiving Service. 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 9am and 11am, we would be here at the Bar Centre for Human Rights Committee sessions. We have Sub-committees of the Human Rights, including Domestic and Sexual Violence Committee, 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 is 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 nobody is being illegally detained in any police station within Ikorodu 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 9am and 11am.
“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. Topic is the 1999 Constitution: Restructuring and True Federalism-The way Forward.
“Wed June 7: the grand finale of the Law week programme, we would converge at Aguila events Centre on TOS Benson Road, ikorodu at 6pm for Chief Adebayo Ogunsanya, SAN, Annual Law Dinner. A social event that will attract de cream of the legal profession. The Chairman will be Mahmud Adeshina, SAN, while Keynote Speaker will be ex-Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development Lagos State, Prince Rotimi Ogunleye.”