Wisconsin’s state supreme court election on April 1 is officially the most expensive in U.S. history, with spending that has reached $76 million — with some predictions that the ultimate tally will top $100 million, almost twice the record spending in the state’s 2023 race. The biggest right-wing groups running an attack ad blitz against liberal candidate Susan Crawford are funded by a few very regressive out-of-state billionaires using their cash like a giant megaphone.

Elon Musk and Dick Uihlein are the biggest known backers of Republican Brad Schimel’s efforts to win the swing vote seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The uber-controversial Musk has spent over $19 million so far, backing Schimel. Uihlein is bankrolling multiple groups, including some, like the “Women Speak Out” PAC, that are joining an echo chamber of state anti-abortion groups that are all-in on Schimel. Joining the chorus for Schimel are the MAGA get-out-the vote operation Turning Point Action, fossil fuel billionaire Charles Koch’s Americans for Prosperity, the Republican State Leadership Committee (which is heavily funded by groups tied to Federalist Society co-chair and right-wing money man Leonard Leo), the far-right House Freedom Action (tied to the House Freedom Caucus), and the state trade group called Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.

The stakes are high: the outcome will decide the fate of abortion access, fair maps, labor rights and more in that swing state. Big money knows that the composition of the court, which for now has a 4-3 progressive majority, hangs in the balance.

This Wisconsin race stands out for the sheer amount of money being spent, but far-right billionaires and the networks they fund have been spending big across the country in recent elections to install their preferred candidates on state courts — a key lever of power and, in some states, a last bastion of protections for democracy.

Why State Courts? Why Now?

State courts are a key line of defense protecting what a majority of Americans want: better-funded public schools, worker protections, access to abortion care and more. Leo and Koch, in particular, worked for years to capture the U.S. Supreme Court and lower courts to impose unpopular policies by undemocratic means. Some lesser-known GOP billionaires — such as Dick Uihlein and Jeffrey Yass –– have also entered the state court capture effort in recent years.

Culled from truthout.org

• Ex-detainees share shocking tales of torture, killings at the infamous Imo Tiger Base Police Unit

About 37 civil society organizations have alerted the Senate President over the alleged human rights violations being carried out by the anti-kidnapping unit, “Tiger Base”, in Imo State, calling on the Senate to investigate the unit.

The groups, in a petition sent through the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, called for the Senate’s urgent Investigation into the human rights violations by the Tiger Base urgently.

The groups are: 1. RULAAC, Lagos2. Spaces for Change (S4C), Lagos3. Elixir Trust: Elixir Trust Foundation, Benue State4. Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) Aba, Abia State5. World Impact Development Foundation, (WIDEF)6. Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE), llorin – Kwara7. Imam Mahdi Foundation for Global Peace8. Islamic Initiative for Human Rights Protection9. Open Arms Initiative for Sustainable Development, Imo10. Center for Peace Education and Community Development Foundation, Taraba11. Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuilding, Kaduna12. Habitatcare and Protection Initiative, Imo13. Human Rights Journalists Network, Nigeria14. OGECHI & SAM IKEH FOUNDATION (OSAIF) 15. Restorative Justice for Africa Initiative (REJA)- Abeokuta, Ogun State16. Virgin Heart Foundation, Imo17. Initiative for Public Safety Security and Educational Development in Nigeria (IPSSED Network) Enugu State18. Centre  for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), Aba, Abia State19. Vivacious Development Initiative (VIDI), Abia20. Initiative for Research,  Innovation, and Advocacy in Development, IRIAD21. Open Society on Justice Reform Project, Lagos22. Solidarity for the paradigm shift initiative, Enugu23. Legal Resources Consortium, Lagos24. Criminal Justice Network of Nigeria, Lagos25. Justice for Peace and Development Initiative, Lagos26. Centre  for Global Tolerance and Human Rights, Lagos27. Center for Peace Education and Community Development, Taraba state.28. TruORGANIC Initiative for Social & Communities Development, Kwara State29. Partnership for Social and Environmental Development Initiative – Cross River State30. Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR),  Imo31. Sisters With A Goal Initiative, SWAG, Imo State.32. ÓNÚRÚBÉ coalition Against Gender based Violence, Southeast States.33. Human Rights Social Development and Environmental Foundation (HURSDEF) Rivers State34. Nde Oduko Foundation, Abuja35. Centre for Citizens with Disabilities36. Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, Abuja37. Institutional and sustainable development foundation FCT.

They noted that the petition became necessary in view of the growing complaints by the public and Investigative stories carried out by some journalists, particularly, crime journalist, Juliana Francis, with support by Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC).

The statement pointed out that some victims of the Tiger Base were interviewed and gave details on the range of abuses at the unit, which include alleged rape, extortion, torture and even deaths.

The petition reads:

Dear Distinguished Senate President,

Urgent Call for the Senate’s Investigation into the Human Rights Violations by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command

We, the undersigned, hereby submit this petition to urgently bring to your attention the alarming activities of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command, located at Tiger Base. The operations of this unit have been reported to be far worse than those of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), with numerous documented instances of egregious human rights violations.

Over the past one week, a serialized investigative journalism report (herewith attached), supported by testimonies from victims and survivors, has highlighted the atrocities committed and must be thoroughly reviewed. The report reveals shocking accounts by victims, survivors, relatives of victims and survivors, activists and human rights defenders and witnesses of egregious human rights atrocities, corruption and flagrant abuse of power sustained by impunity and the failure by police and police oversight authorities to investigate allegations and ensure accountability and justice. The report was also based on responses by the police, correctional services, the federal medical centre, Owerri, the police service commission, and the National Human Rights Commission, among other respondents.

‘Tiger Base’, as the notorious police unit has come to be generally known, was set up to tackle incidents of violent crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cult violence, etc. But the activities of the unit bear no resemblance to the requirements of the law or professional policing standards. Instead, the unit’s activities and methods evoke the sad memories of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) which was notable for unchecked acts of violence and brutality, eventually igniting the spontaneous nationwide citizens revolt in October 2020 against police brutality. That youth-led massive #EndsSARS protest was sustained for days amidst calls for the disbandment of the rogue SARS unit, among other demands.

It was hoped that the #EndSARS rebellion would have left some hard lessons for the police and Nigerian authorities making them see reasons to end police brutality by ensuring accountability for abuse, guaranteeing justice for victims and enacting far reaching reforms that would root out the impunity that allowed widespread police violence, brutality and corruption.

Alas, the activities of the Tiger Base, Owerri Imo State and similar police tactical units in other States – Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia – show clearly that no lessons were learnt and that another uprising more cataclysmic could happen anytime soon unless police brutality is checked. ‘Several petitions and reports about the atrocities going on at Tiger Base have been ignored and the atrocities continue unchecked and unabated.’

The failure of the authorities to investigate cases with a view to ensuring that perpetrators are brought to account and victims gain access to justice sustains the atmosphere of impunity that allows rampant egregious police abuse. To illustrate, the silence by the police authorities over the findings from the police investigation ordered by the Inspector-General of Police into allegations of arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, torture, extrajudicial killings and organ harvesting brought against some police operatives attached to the Anambra State Rapid Response Squad (former SARS Awkuzu) by a whistle blower bears testimony to the disposition of police authorities to cover up the atrocities of their personnel rather than ensuring transparent investigations and taking appropriate actions to demonstrate that the police hierarchy is not complicit and does not condone or cover up atrocities. Lack of transparency in addressing complaints of human rights violations destroys public trust in law enforcement.

The incidents reported in the attached report indicate a fundamental failure of the police to uphold the law, protect citizens, or adhere to ethical standards. The culture of impunity that allows these excesses to persist is detrimental to public trust in law enforcement and justice in Nigeria.

It is against this background that we, the undersigned, jointly submit this petition to draw urgent attention to the alarming allegations of human rights abuses and corruption involving the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command at Tiger Base, Owerri. The troubling accounts from victims—including unlawful detention, torture, coercion, and extortion—reflect a disturbing pattern of misconduct that must be addressed swiftly and decisively.

The grave concerns regarding the Anti-Kidnapping Unit include but are not limited to:

1. Arbitrary Arrests and Unlawful Detention

Members of the unit are known to carry out arrests without due process, detaining individuals incommunicado and in inhumane conditions.

2. Trumped-Up Charges and Extortion

Suspects are often presented with fabricated allegations, of which they are coerced into complying with extortion demands.

3. Torture and Extrajudicial Killings

There are disturbing reports of torture inflicted upon those in custody, as well as credible allegations of extrajudicial killings and disappearances of individuals detained by this unit.

4. Rape, gender-based and other forms of sexual abuse

Some female detainees report being subjected to sexual abuse and being tuned to cleaners and laundry workers

5. Political Persecution

The unit has been utilized as a tool for political vendetta, targeting dissenters and opposition figures while operating with a blatant disregard for the law.

6. Impunity and Lack of Accountability

Numerous complaints levied against this notorious unit have been ignored by police authorities. This unit seemingly answers more to the Governor of Imo State than to the Commissioner of Police, further entrenching a culture of impunity.

It is clear that the Anti-Kidnapping Unit operates above the law, largely unchecked and emboldened to engage in oppressive practices that infringe upon the rights of the citizens of Imo State

We urge the Senate to take immediate and decisive action by conducting a thorough, impartial, and exhaustive investigation into the activities of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

The time for accountability is now. The integrity of the Nigerian policing system and the trust of the citizens hinge on your commitment to uphold human rights and the rule of law. We appeal for your prompt attention to this pressing matter to restore justice and safeguard the rights of all Nigerians.

Former Detainees share their stories

A cloud of fear hangs over the people of Imo State, particularly those who have encountered the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command, widely known as Tiger Base Police.

Survivors of the unit’s detention recount horrifying experiences, describing their ordeal as akin to “walking through the valley of the shadow of death.”

Many former detainees refuse to speak, fearing rearrest or retaliation. However, those who have come forward reveal disturbing details of alleged torture, extortion, and extrajudicial killings, according to a report done by Juliana Francis and facilitated by the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC).

Disturbing Accounts

Chinonso, one of the few brave survivors, shared her harrowing experience: “I was detained for three months. My brother repeatedly tried to bail me out, but the police told him that they wouldn’t release me until I confessed. I didn’t know what they wanted me to confess to.”

She continued: “I was locked up in a room without ventilation. The heat was too much, and most of us in detention had rashes all over our bodies. There were women I met in the cell, and even though I spent three months there, I still left them behind.”

Chinonso was arrested in 2024 after her phone was stolen while charging.

“They said my stolen phone and SIM had to do with a murder case,” she recalled.

“I was not allowed to write a statement for three months. My mother, a widow, wrote a petition to a human rights organisation, and that was when my case turned around.”

Another victim, Reverend Onyekwere Elemuwa, lost his 34-year-old nephew, Ekene Francis Elemuwa, in Tiger Base custody.

“Ekene was hale and healthy when he was arrested, but he was later brought out in a body bag,” Onyekwere said.

He detailed the events: “On the 28th of August 2023, at about 8:00 pm, Ekene went out with his friend, Ikemba. They were taken to Tiger Base.

“The following day, Ekene asked to contact his family, but the police refused. On September 4, he died. His cellmates insisted that it was his corpse that the police carried out.”

Onyekwere further lamented: “The police seized his phone and did not allow him to contact his family. They did not arraign him in court. We still do not know his offence or why he was arrested and detained.”

Ekene’s family only learned of his death through a former detainee who had been released. When they approached the police, they were initially denied information.

“Inspector Moses, Ekene’s IPO, refused to answer questions about his case file or offence. Even now, we do not know where his corpse is,” Onyekwere stated.

Despite petitions to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the family still has no clear answers.

“The police said he became sick in detention, was taken to the hospital, and then died,” Onyekwere recounted.

“But when I asked if he died inside the police cell, the police vehicle, or the hospital, they did not answer.”

Investigations reveal that Tiger Base Police continue to operate with impunity, violating both national and international human rights laws.

Survivors recount stories of starvation, forced confessions, and threats to keep silent. Many remain too afraid to share their stories, fearing that speaking out will cost them their lives.

Opara was bewildered when he found himself at Tiger Base Police Station over a mere landlord-tenant dispute.

He said, “I never imagined that a civil matter like this would land me in a notorious police unit known for handling violent crimes.

“My lawyer was already handling the case in court, so why was I being arrested?”

Upon arrival at Tiger Base, Opara was immediately thrown into a filthy cell without being informed of any charges. He spent three nights in detention, during which he witnessed horrific acts of brutality.

“People with gunshot wounds were writhing in pain. Some detainees whispered to me that they had been in custody for months without any court hearing. Others recounted tales of torture and forced confessions,” he narrated.

‘Police Extortion’

Opara recalled how officers repeatedly pressured him to pay a hefty sum for his release.

“At first, they asked for N500,000, but when I told them I didn’t have such an amount of money, they reduced it to N300,000.

“Eventually, after several negotiations, my family managed to secure my release with N200,000,” he said.

According to Opara, the way police officers at Tiger Base operate is a direct violation of human rights.

“I saw innocent people suffering for crimes they did not commit,” he lamented.

“Some were arrested simply because they couldn’t afford bail, and they remained there indefinitely. If a person is declared wanted, rather than investigate the matter, they go after his relatives. It’s a lawless place,” he lamented.

According to the report, further investigations revealed that several individuals arrested at Tiger Base had simply vanished without a trace. Families of some detainees have spent months searching for their loved ones, only to be met with silence from the authorities.

A relative of one such detainee, Mr. Chukwudi, narrated his ordeal.

“My younger brother was picked up on his way back from work. For weeks, we searched every police station in Owerri until someone whispered to us that he was taken to Tiger Base.

“When we got there, the officers denied having him in their custody. To this day, we don’t know if he is alive or dead,” he said, tears streaming down his face.

A human rights lawyer, Barrister Nduka, explained that Tiger Base operates like a rogue unit.

“It is an illegal detention facility where people are held incommunicado. Many detainees are tortured until they confess to crimes they never committed. Some do not make it out alive,” he asserted.

The horrifying accounts from former detainees, families, and activists have sparked renewed calls for urgent reforms in the Nigeria Police Force. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International and the National Human Rights Commission, have condemned the extrajudicial killings, torture, and extortion rampant at Tiger Base.

Barrister Nduka emphasised the need for immediate action.

“The Nigerian government must dismantle Tiger Base and prosecute officers involved in human rights violations. A legal system should uphold justice, not oppress innocent citizens,” he stated.

As the pressure mounts, the big question remains: will the Nigerian authorities take decisive action to shut down Tiger Base and hold those responsible accountable? For now, victims like Opara and countless others continue to live with the trauma inflicted upon them by the very institution meant to protect them.

The legal implications of these actions by Tiger Base Police Personnel are profound. Human rights advocates argue that the continued detention and alleged torture of individuals at the Tiger Base facility violate multiple provisions of Nigerian and international law.

Legal experts have pointed out that arbitrary arrests, detentions without trial, and excessive use of force are all breaches of Nigeria’s constitutional provisions. Section 34(1) of the Nigerian Constitution states that “every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person,” which includes the right not to be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment. Furthermore, Section 35(1) guarantees the right to personal liberty, making unlawful detentions a clear violation.

Despite these legal safeguards, multiple testimonies from victims indicate that Tiger Base Police Personnel operate with impunity, using their position to detain and abuse individuals without accountability. Civil society groups have repeatedly called for the disbandment of this unit, citing its numerous human rights abuses and unlawful detention practices.

Meanwhile, RULAAC has documented numerous cases of alleged extortion, illegal detentions, and torture attributed to Tiger Base Police.

RULAAC’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, stated: “There is a culture of impunity that allows these atrocities to persist. The Nigerian police have an obligation to uphold the law, not violate it. The government must act swiftly to investigate these allegations and hold those responsible accountable.”

In light of these revelations, several legal practitioners and human rights organisations have called for an independent investigation into the activities of Tiger Base Police Personnel. They argue that a transparent probe is necessary to determine the extent of human rights violations and to ensure justice for the victims.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also weighed in on the matter, emphasising the need for police reforms. The NBA’s Human Rights Committee has demanded that all detainees held at Tiger Base without charge be immediately released or presented before a competent court.

International bodies such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have also expressed concerns over the reports emerging from Tiger Base. They have urged the Nigerian government to comply with its international human rights obligations, including the prohibition of torture and unlawful detentions.

As public outcry grows, stakeholders are urging the federal government to take decisive action. The call for accountability extends beyond Tiger Base to the entire policing system in Nigeria, which has faced longstanding accusations of corruption and abuse of power.

For victims like Mr. Promise and Mrs. Excel Ihekweme, justice remains elusive. However, with sustained advocacy and legal pressure, there is hope that reforms can be enacted to prevent further abuses and ensure that law enforcement agencies operate within the bounds of the law.

Victims and human rights organisations have accused the unit of unlawful detentions, extrajudicial killings, and torture, raising serious concerns over law enforcement practices in the region.

Families of victims have recounted harrowing experiences, with many claiming their loved ones were arrested without charge and never seen again. “We have been searching for my brother for over a year now,” one relative stated. “The police have refused to give us any information on his whereabouts.”

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have demanded urgent government intervention, insisting that the Tiger Base unit operates with impunity.

“There must be accountability for these violations,” an Amnesty spokesperson said. “The Nigerian authorities must ensure justice for victims and their families.”

Eyewitnesses have also shared accounts of severe torture methods allegedly used within the detention facility. One former detainee, who was released after months in custody, described being subjected to beatings and electric shocks. “They wanted me to confess to a crime I didn’t commit,” he recalled.

Legal practitioners in Rivers State have joined the outcry, calling for a thorough review of the unit’s operations. Barrister Chinedu Okeke, a human rights lawyer, argued that the lack of oversight has led to gross misconduct. “This unit has become a law unto itself. There must be reforms to prevent further abuses,” he said.

The Rivers State Police Command has denied the allegations, insisting that its officers operate within the bounds of the law.

“We take human rights seriously and will investigate any credible claims of misconduct,” a spokesperson stated. However, activists remain sceptical, pointing out that past allegations against the unit have not led to meaningful action.

Local activists have begun staging protests to demand justice for victims. On Monday, demonstrators gathered outside government offices, holding placards that read “End Police Brutality” and “Justice for the Missing.”

Amid growing pressure, lawmakers in the state assembly have called for a legislative probe into the Tiger Base operations. “The safety of our citizens is paramount. We cannot ignore these troubling reports,” one legislator stated.

With public anger rising, many Nigerians are calling on the federal government to step in. “If the state authorities fail to act, we will take our case to international bodies,” a victim’s family member warned.

The outcome of these calls for investigation remains uncertain, but the demands for justice continue to grow louder.

The Former Detainees Expose was culled from SaharaReporters

The International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA Nigeria, Abuja branch, has asked the Federal Ministry of Justice to partner with it to train judicial officers, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders on gender-sensitive approaches to justice delivery.

The request was made during a recent courtesy call on the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, by FIDA Abuja members led by its Chairperson, Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko.

Before tabling several requests, Onyenucheya-Uko, in the course of the visit, shared FIDA Abuja’s ongoing initiatives aimed at advancing justice, including the establishment of student chapters, training of community paralegals, and the production of legal materials for the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV).

The FIDA Abuja Chairperson stressed the importance of continued collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, noting the key role it plays in expanding access to justice across Nigeria.

She equally expressed gratitude for the Ministry’s support, including the provision of office space for FIDA Abuja and a venue for the branch’s monthly meetings.

The group which sought the issuance of a fiat enabling FIDA to prosecute gender-based violence (GBV) cases to expedite justice delivery also called for stronger collaboration with the Department of Public Prosecution and the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Unit to improve access to justice for victims and survivors.

The delegation requested approval for the continued use of the Ministry’s auditorium for FIDA’s monthly meetings and training sessions, as well as an additional office or conference room for the branch.

They further urged the Ministry to encourage more female State Counsel to register as FIDA members, with a special appeal to the Solicitor-General to renew her membership as a motivation for others.

Again, the delegation sought to enhance collaborative initiatives and training between FIDA and the Ministry to strengthen the branch’s capacity.

They proposed joint initiatives to train judicial officers, law enforcement agencies, and stakeholders on gender-sensitive approaches to justice delivery.

In response, Jedy-Agba commended FIDA for its continuous efforts in advocating for the rights of women, children, and vulnerable groups. She reaffirmed that gender-related issues remain central to the mandate of the Attorney General of the Federation and acknowledged FIDA’s significant contributions. She clarified that fiats are granted to individuals rather than organizations and advised FIDA to apply to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation for consideration on a case-by-case basis.

Regarding the use of the Ministry’s auditorium, she assured the delegation that applications from FIDA would be approved monthly, subject to availability.

She also pledged to consider the request for additional office space, approving the shared use of the conference room upon request to the Director of General Administration.

The Solicitor General went on to encourage all female Directorate-level lawyers present at the meeting, as well as female State Counsel in the Ministry, to join FIDA.

On Friday 28 March, 2025, Asiwaju A.S Awomolo, SAN concluded his tenure as Chairman Body of Benchers (BoB) and assed the baton to to the former Chief Justice of Nigeria Mr. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, (Rtd.)

Here are excerpts from his valedictory speech.

MY SERVICE, HIS GLORY

VALEDICTORY ADDRESS OF ASIWAJU ADEGBOYEGA SOLOMON AWOMOLO, SANFNIALS, FCArb,  FNJI, FICMC, CHAIRMAN, BODY OF BENCHERS 2024/2025

I. THE BODY OF BENCHERS MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES

Having regard to the place of these giants in our history, I felt that we owed them a collective duty to preserve their contributions for generations yet unborn. It is in order to properly chronicle the eminent roles these illustrious pioneers played in the legal profession of Nigeria that motivated me to conceive the idea of the Body of Benchers Museum and Archives. For a Body that has existed for more than half a century, we considered that the time is ripe enough to begin to curate our own institutional history for the next generation. We belong to the 5th decade of the Body.

Time is ripe to write the history of the Body of Benchers hence work has begun on this project. I assure you that, very soon we will publish the History of the Body, it is a work in progress.

I commend Mrs. H. A. Turaki and members of her Committee for the brilliant work they did and still doing in setting up the Body of Benchers Museum and Archives, with the active support of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments. Today, we are proud that visitors to this premises have a place where they could glean our history, and interact with images and items that meant so much to the Body. The Museum is however a work in progress. I have no doubt that succeeding administrations will continue to populate and upgrade it to ensure that it meets international standard.

II. INTRODUCTION OF SOLEMN AFFIRMATION FOR NEW WIGS

The Legal Practitioners Act makes this Body the sole regulator of the Legal Profession and this cannot be shared with anybody. Thus our primary statutory role is to serve as the guardian of the legal profession in Nigeria. This is a duty that is most sacred. Any lapse on the Body’s part in this regard could lead to admission of applicants who are neither it nor proper into the legal profession. This would be bad not only for the profession but for the society at large. It is my view that one of the worst aflictions that could plague a society is to have unqualiied and unworthy people practising as legal practitioners.

Many years ago, the revered jurist, Justice Adetokunbo Ademola, GCON underscored the solemnity of enrolment when His Lordship observed that:

“By enrolling them we present them to the public as men the public can with confidence employ to carry out the duties and responsibilities appertaining to their all important ofice. We therefore owe it to the public to see that members of the public are not exposed to risks in their dealings with these men.”

In admitting new candidates to the legal profession it is therefore obligatory to hold them to oath or afirmation of a kind, if only to hold them to something sacred.

This was one of the reasons why we decided to introduce Solemn Afirmation by Applicants to the Bar. By this afirmation, the applicants swear to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and obey the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Profession 2023. This is an important rite of passage that serves to induct the new entrants into the profession.

On 27 November 2024, the Solemn Afirmation was successfully subscribed to by the 805 students of the Nigerian Law School, with a copy of the Rules of Professional Conduct in the Legal Profession 2023, in their hands at their Call to Bar Ceremony, thereby signaling a new dawn for the legal profession in Nigeria. This innovation was well received by the Benchers and it is hoped that it will continue in future Call to Bar ceremonies.

I thank His Lordship Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the Vice Chairman of the Body and his team in the Screening Committee who creditably ensured that only the it and proper applicants were called to the Bar.

III. DIGITALIZATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

The statutory responsibility of the Body of Benchers is not limited to admitting applicants to the Bar. That is not our only responsibility. I have noted above that the Body as the Guardian and Regulator of the Legal Profession must continue to nurture the profession, whatever is the rank. This is because it has a duty to ensure that the applicants to the Bar are it and proper not only at the time of their call. They must continue to remain it and proper throughout their years of practice as legal practitioners. The Committee which is saddled with this task of ensuring discipline and decorum within the Legal Profession on behalf of the Body of Benchers is the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) established by section 10 of the Legal Practitioners Act, 2004.

In order to ensure that the LPDC continues to discharge its statutory responsibility as the “judicial arm” of the Body of Benchers, we commenced the digitalization of its proceedings with high tech softwares. It was commissioned on 25th March 2025. This introduction of modern technological software application of international certification has eased the work of the Committee. This introduction of high-tech development will facilitate and enhance the work of the Committee and also ensure that the proceedings become more interactive, credible, accurate, reliable, and less burdensome.

In the year 2024/2025, the Committee continued its duty of sifting the wheat from the chaff by ensuring just and fair determination of allegations of professional infractions or misconduct brought against legal practitioners. I thank His Lordship Hon. Justice Ishaq U. Bello, OFR and his Committee members for their sense of justice and industry. The Committee submitted full reports of its judicial activities for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. The Body at its meeting of 27/02/2025 received and approved those reports.

IV. PUBLICATION OF THE LAW REPORTS OF THE DIRECTIONS OF THE  LEGAL PRACTITIONERS DISCIPLINATY COMMITTEE

Distinguished and respected Benchers, you will recall that in my inaugural address on 21 March 2024, I observed that:

“…Another major problem before the legal profession today is the gradual erosion of discipline and non-observance of the professional ethics contained in the code of conduct of legal practitioners.  The  practice of law today  has  been thoroughly aflicted  with  the  virus of ineptitude and indiscipline. In the last 4 years, this Body has admitted annually an average of I’ve thousand lawyers. Most of these lawyers went into the practice of the law without any opportunity of tutelage. There is need for a reform that will bring back the enviable status of the legal profession…”

It is my belief that one of the ways of engendering discipline in the profession is to publicise and disseminate widely the decisions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committees Directions. I am glad to report to you that we have succeeded in curating and publishing the Directions of the LPDC for the past four years [2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024].

I thank the Editorial Committee of the Body of Benchers under the Chairmanship of the cerebral Chief, Dr. Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, SAN and members of his Committee for their industry and idelity to this assignment. In line with the provisions of the National Library Act, we have donated, on your behalf, and deposited as required by law, copies of the Law Reports to the National Library. The Body obtained as required by law International Standard serial Number (ISSN) 2354-3671 for the law Reports.

The Law Reports were publicly presented yesterday at an impressive ceremony. We thank Prof Dakas C. Dakas, SAN who honoured our invitation as the Book Reviewer. The Law Reports are now available at the Secretariat for purchase by legal practitioners and members of the public. I enjoin all of us to purchase the Law Reports for our chambers and to encourage our younger colleagues to read them.

V. PUBLICATION OF THE BODY OF BENCHERS DIARY FOR 2025

The Law Report was not the only publication we succeeded in producing in the course of the year. It must also be placed on record that the Body of Benchers was able to produce its own Diary, – for the first time, for the year 2025. The Diary is not just a calendar pad for the scheduling our programmes for the year. It is a compendium of our history, achievements, and important milestones over the year. If I am permitted to say, it is my humble view that the Diary is a collector’s item that will be referred to in later years.

VI. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REGISTRY OF LAWYERS ENROLLED IN NIGERIA

It is an established fact that only the Supreme Court keeps the record of all lawyers enrolled in Nigeria as solicitors and advocates of the apex Court. I have always been conscious of the fact that as the statutory body established for admission of suitable, it and proper persons as legal practitioners into the profession, it should be the duty of the Body of Benchers to have a comprehensive database of all lawyers called to the Bar in the country. It has been for some time now, a regular feature of our national and public discourse, issues of whether someone was called to the Bar or not. I do not believe that the issue of being called to the Bar should be subjected to contentious public debate. It is either, on records, you were called or you were not. There is no middle of the road option.

It was for this reason that with the Body’s approval that we embarked on the project to establish a comprehensive Registry of all lawyers enrolled in Nigeria from the first legal practitioner, Nash Hamilton Williams from Sierra Leone who was enrolled 139 years ago on Saturday, 30 February 1886 to Zimughan Complay Enugu who was the last person called to the Bar on 27 November, 2024.

To the glory of God and the permission of the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the custodian of the records, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, the Body of Benchers is now a custodian of the records of all enrolled lawyers in Nigeria.

This is a digital project that is accessible by anyone who wishes to find out if and when someone was called to the Nigerian Bar. I have no doubt in my mind that with the crystallization of the project, the issue of fake lawyers parading the corridors of our courtrooms will be a thing of the past. It is a database open to members of the public and all security agencies conducting investigation to issues related thereto.

Let me take this opportunity to thank again the immediate past Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court for her cooperation and support for this project.

VII. LEGAL PRACTITIONERS BILL 2025

It is also in furtherance of the need to ensure that the legal profession in Nigeria remains competitive and up to date in this world of globalization that we prioritized the drafting of the Legal Practitioners Bill 2025. We are all aware that the Legal Practitioners Act was first enacted in 1962. It was thereafter subjected to series of amendments which culminated in the passage of the comprehensive Legal Practitioners Act in

1975 as Decree No. 15 of that year. Since its passage, it has been variously amended by Decree No. 29 of 1976, Decree Nos 40 and 67 of 1977, Nos. 9 and 75 of 1979, and No. 46 of 1988, amongst others.

At the time the Legal Practitioners Act, 2004, Cap L11 was enacted in its present form, more than forty years ago, the legal profession as well as technology were in the state of relative infancy. From whichever prism it is looked at, the Act has become due for a comprehensive overhaul. This is necessary to ensure that the legislation becomes more responsive to the challenges of contemporary legal practice.

In the past 6 years efforts were made by the Body and the Nigerian Bar Association, with a view to agreeing on acceptable provision to be incorporated into the new Legal Practitioners Act. Several committees were set up to review the Legal Practitioners Act 2004. Indeed the most contentious provision during debates and discussions related to who regulates the legal profession, the Body of Benchers or the Nigerian Bar Association. This Body insisted on the current state of the law, that it is the Body of Benchers which should be the regulatory authority for the practice of law in Nigeria. The NBA on the other hand, stood on the creation of an independent body of persons, including non-lawyers to regulate the practice of law. In the end the status quo is retained in the draft Bill.

We must all give credit and applause to the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister Justice, for inalizing and endorsing the Bill now awaiting the Federal Executive Council approval as an Executive Bill for passage to law by the National Assembly. It is hoped the Bill, which I have signed off, will become an Act of the Nation Assembly soon.

Permit me to commend the zeal, commitment and upright leadership of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation for this great achievement that will change many aspects of the legal practice for good. I also commend the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association on this exercise.

VIII. CONSTRUCTION OF THE BODY OF BENCHERS ANNEX

On 29 September 2022, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, commissioned this huge complex which took over 10 years to build. We commend the achievement of Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN CFR and Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, CFR during whose tenure the gigantic project was commissioned. Leadership is a continuum. We are grateful to all former Chairmen and members of the Body who served in various Committees for their contributions to what the Body of Benchers has become today.

On 6 December 2024, we all witnessed the foundation laying ceremony of the Body of Benchers Annex Building by His Excellency, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, Life Bencher, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. This is a huge project intervention costing billions of Naira that will complement the existing physical infrastructure of this complex when completed. Construction work is going on very well at the site. I am conident that the incoming leadership under His Lordship Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON will ensure that the project becomes a reality.

IX. CONSTRUCTION OF THE BODY OF BENCHERS SIGNAGE

As one drives into this our expansive complex of the Body, one structure you cannot but notice is the blazing Signage that proudly proclaims the name of the Body, THE BODY OF BENCHERS, NIGERIA in our traditional colours of Royal Purple and Regal Gold. The Signage, modest as it were, symbolizes our identity and encapsulates our value as the guardian of the Legal Profession.

Since its construction, the Signage has gone viral in the social media as almost all visitors to the Body of Benchers have taken pictures using the signage as a beautiful backdrop. During the last Call to Bar ceremony, I witnessed several of our young lawyers and their families taking turns to take pictures with the signage. I thank Chief Raiu A. Lawal-Rabana, SAN, Life Bencher and his infrastructural Development Committee for the design, and the execution of the project in record time. I thank Chief Albert Akpomudje SAN, Life Bencher, the Chairman, of Finance and Budget Committee and members of his Committee for their dedication and commitment to the project.

X. HAIRAT ADERINSOLA BALOGUN AUDITORIUM [HABA]

One of the most prominent Halls in this massive complex is the Hairat Aderinsola Balogun auditorium which is named after the irst female Chairperson of the Body. In order to ensure optimum use of the hall, I made it a point of duty that the 1st meeting of the Body, which I chaired, was held in that Hall in April 2024. The gesture might appear as tokenism in some quarters, but I believe it represented our symbolic afirmation of the high esteem of the meeting of the Body. The meeting of the Body in plenary is the highest decision gathering of Benchers. All the meetings of the Body since then have been held in the hall.

XI. ESTABLISHMENT OF WELFARE VISITATION TO OLD BENCHERS

It was Khalil Gibran, the philosopher poet who once observed that:

“But if in your thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other

seasons, And let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing.”

Today, we are proud to be the inheritors of the legacies of our pioneer Benchers. These are outstanding men and women who gave their all to bequeath to us the Body of Benchers we are proud to identify with it. Without doubt, we would not be where we are today without their selless sacriices. Whilst we are praying for the repose of the illustrious souls of those who have slept in the Lord, it is important that we do not forget those who are still alive with us.

As rightly observed by Khalil Gibran, we must learn to let our today embrace the past with remembrance. It was for this reason that we commenced the project of Welfare Visitation to our Old Benchers. In the course of the year, we paid visits to our Pioneer Benchers in Port Harcourt, Kano, Kebbi, Yola, Kaduna, Lagos, Enugu, Ilorin, and Abuja. One could only imagine the joys that the visits brought to these elders who were extremely delighted to receive the Body’s delegations. This is our modest way of thanking them for their services and telling them that their labours of love were not in vain.

XII. TOKEN AND WELFARE FOR SPOUSES OF DEPARTED BENCHERS

The scripture in Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2 tells us in very clear words that:

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted”

In the course of the year many of the heroes of the Body have slept and left behind their loved ones.

Remembering their loved ones has been taken up as part of the responsibilities of the Body. In the course of the year, token of affection in terms of welfare gifts were extended to the families of Benchers who passed. May their souls continue to rest in perfect peace. It is important to note that the little token given to the beneficiaries with the approval of this Body were well appreciated.

XIII. BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE

We are honored to report to the Body that we did not only establish a link with the past by visiting our old Benchers, we also constructed a bridge to the future. The future in this case is no other than the young law students in the Nigerian Law School Campuses who are aspiring to be called to the Bar. It is a truism that “life goes not backward and nor tarries with yesterday.”

In the course of the year, your Chairman was in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Yola Campuses of the Nigerian Law School to dine and wine with the students of the institutions. The importance of the customary dinner for legal practitioners goes, of course, beyond merely wining and dining. This is a treasured and exclusive opportunity for lawyers-in-training to interact and relate with their leaders in the profession. Many other Benchers also visited the other campuses of the Law School, and they brought back reports of good conduct on the part of the students. We are indeed proud of the wonderful work the management of the Law School is doing in grooming these young ones for the legal profession. It is recommended that this practice of the Chairman visiting Campuses of the Law School should be continued.

XIV. INTERACTIVE CONSULTATIVE MEETING WITH THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA

On behalf of all of us, permit me to express our collective gratitude to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, GCON. Whilst it is not in doubt that the Chief Justice is a foremost statutory Life Bencher, we believe that there is a need for a platform for the Benchers to relate with the CJN as the head of the Nigerian Judiciary. This Body being the assemblage of men and women of the highest distinction in the legal profession occupy a very significant leadership position in the administration of justice. The voice of the Body as a major stakeholder must be heard loud and clear by the Honourable Chief Justice. It is not to be taken for granted in the administration of Justice in Nigeria.

I am glad to inform you that the 1st Consultative and interactive Meeting with the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Body of Benchers had taken place. I am glad to inform us that the forum was productive, fruitful, and rewarding. Issues of mutual interest were discussed and irm understanding was reached on the way forward.

It is my hope that the Consultation Meeting has come to stay in the collective interest of all the stakeholders.

XV. INSTITUTION OF THE BODY OF BENCHERS ANNUAL LECTURE

As noted above, the Body of Benchers is going to be 54 years old in June of this year. The Body of Benchers Annual Lecture [BOBAL] was conceived to be an annual platform for intellectual cum practical introspective relections of the dynamics of the Body of Benchers within the legal profession in Nigeria. It is a programme designed to showcase to the national and international audience the workings of the Body of Benchers. Body of Benchers exist in all the commonwealth countries and other jurisdictions. There is need for stretching hands of fellowship to other countries with a view to beneiting from global networking and exchange of ideas.

The maiden edition of the BOBAL took place yesterday, and I am happy to note that many Benchers attended the landmark event. I thank His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN CON. who delivered the

keynote address at the Lecture. We appreciate the discussants, Hon. Justice Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju JSC, Life Bencher, Professor Damilola Olawuyi, SAN., Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN, Director General of the Nigerian Law School, Life Bencher and Hon. Justice Ishaq U. Bello, Life Bencher.

XVI.    ADMINISTRATIVE  RESTRUCTURING  OF  THE  COMMITTEES     OF  THE  BODY  OF BENCHERS

When we came into ofice, one of the policy decisions we took was to create a sense of an all-inclusive ownership by all Benchers. As an egalitarian institution, it is our belief that all Benchers have a stake in the Body. We therefore restructured the administration of the Body by increasing the Committees from 14 to 17.

That was not all. We also renamed the Committees to ensure that their names and terms of references relect contemporary operational schedule of self-accounting public institutions. The terms of reference of the Committees were tailored to support and oversight the technical responsibilities of the management. The relationship of the Committees and administration was harmonious to achieve greater productivity, mutual respect and eficiency.

In addition, we institutionalized the Body with the ofices of the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of all the 17 Committees thereby creating a unique Cabinet for the purpose of deepening inclusivity in the administration of the Body of Benchers.

I must once again, express my deepest appreciation to all the Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, and members of all the Committees. It has been a wonderful experience working with you all, and learning from you in the past one year. I am truly honoured.

Leadership is about accepting responsibility. In this regard, I accept responsibility for any error of judgment that might have been perceived in the structuring and restructuring of the Committees. The works of the Body have been made easier and better by contribution of ideas and experiences.

XVII.  ORIENTATION  ON  RULES,  REGULATION,  AND  ETHICS  AND   ETHICS/INDUCTION  OF NEW LIFE BENCHERS AND BENCHERS

One of the areas of concern to the members of the Body of Benchers, in the last few years was the absence of opportunity for new members of the Body whether from the Bar or the Bench to be fully acquainted with and briefed or given orientation on the rules, ethics, regulations and culture of the Body. We proposed an orientation program and a formal induction ceremony for new members and Life Benchers. You graciously approved it. This Body approved the proposal because it has become inevitable.

On Thursday, 27 February 2025, we conducted orientation programme and inducted new sets of Life Benchers and Benchers. These are legal practitioners from the Bench and Bar who have distinguished themselves as practitioners and jurists of the highest distinction. These Benchers afirmed before God and man to uphold the integrity, nobility and honour of the Body, give good leadership to the junior ones and obey the Rules and regulation of the Body.

In commemoration of their new status, the Body of Benchers issued them Certificates evidencing their membership of this august Body. I recall that when many of us were admitted, no such documentation was issued to us, we merely walked into the meeting of the Body and introduced our names as new members.

This innovative development thus marked a new milestone in our quest to advance the institution of the Body of Benchers. Every new Bencher will now get a Certiicate of Admission upon being granted the privilege of becoming a member. This will obviate the needless and unnecessary dispute about the dates of seniority of membership.

This initiatives should be sustained and incorporated in the Body’s Rules and Regulations as part of the Body’s calendar and obligation.

Closely related to or connected with membership of the Body are the unsettling disputations as to seniority or skips in the dates of membership either as Bencher and Life Benchers. Many Benchers have disputed their dates, even though the secretariat keeps all records. In other to remove all disputations a data base of all Benchers has been created where the essential details or dates of all Benchers will be kept. At a click on the button every detail of members will be seen with picture of each member.

The central Registry of the Body has been re-organised to ensure that every Bencher is given whatever he/she is entitled to. Benchers are requested to avail themselves of these electronic records by cross checking the correctness of dates stored in the database.

XVIII.  FINANCING  OF THE  ACTIVITIES  OF THE  BODY OF BENCHERS

It is correct to say that the Body enjoys appropriation and release of funds from the National Judicial Council (NJC) as an independent body. However, the funds released to the Body were never enough. This Body statutorily has the power to take donations and use such donations for the works of the Body, so, soliciting for and getting donations is lawful.

If we have been able to achieve a few things in the course of our service year, it is because of the commitment and generously of the good people who served the Body with their time and resources. We could not have achieved anything without the goodwill of Benchers and Non Benchers who generously donated funds. In the course of the year, we received in donations a total of N68,846,619.00 [Sixty-eight Million, eight hundred and forty-six thousand, six hundred and nineteen Naira]. A detailed statement of account has been prepared by the Secretariat and it is available as part of the books of records of the Body of Benchers. We are grateful to all the donors.

XIX.    STAFF OF THE BODY OF BENCHERS

Professor Obaro Ikime, the foremost historian, stated unequivocally that history “is constantly passing by ordinary men and women without whose lives and work, there would be no history at all.”

It will therefore be uncharitable or unfair of me if I conclude this address without acknowledging the massive support I received from the Staff of the Body of Benchers. They are the ‘historical ordinary men and women’ who made to happen land mark achievements. These wonderful men and women are the hidden engines that drove the achievement recorded in the last one year of our activities. Eficient like clockwork, and constant like the Northern Star, they work behind the scene seamlessly to ensure that the Body of Benchers does not fail or falter.

I have always believed that of all resources for development, human resource is the most important. Human resources experts have always emphasised that in all establishment, human resources should be given due priority.

The Body of Benchers when it was established was located in the Federal Ministry of Justice, from Marina Lagos to Federal secretariat Abuja. With the separation from the Ministry of Justice to a self-accounting Body, the number of staff increased with increasing responsibilities of the Body. I am pleased to inform the

Body that the Human Resources Committee under the Chairmanship of  Hon Justice Umaru Eri CFR, Life Bencher has restructured, the organogram, the career path progression and opportunities for achieving fulilment are now achievable for career advancement. Promotion to higher ofices is now available and all the staffs are happy. The Body now operates Directorates as against unit heads. I want to thank all the

members of the Human Resources Management Committee of the Body for their commitment and sacrifices.

Permit me to say that I am really excited and happy having regards to structural remodelling made to the personnel matter of the Body. To whom much is given, so much more is expected from them.

In recognition of their selless service, I instituted the Chairman’s Annual Award for the Best Staff of the Body of Benchers. This award is backed with cash gift of N500,000. The Human Resources Management Committee endorsed the award. It is our hope that the Award would be sustained as it will go a long way in boosting the morale of the staffs and in letting them know that their labours are recognised and will be rewarded in due course.

XX. “A STORM IN A TEA CUP” AIMED TO DISTRACT

You will also remember that when we started in April 2024, there arose “a storm in a tea cup”. There was disputation as to the validity, lawfulness and rightfulness of the appointment of the Chairman of the Appointment Committee. The Hon. Justice Mary U. Peter –Odili, JSC Rtd, who was the Chairman of the Body from 1/4/2023 to 30/3/2024 totally disowned the alleged appointment of the Chairman of the Appointment Committee. The matter, while it was being still discussed in Abuja was taken before the Federal High Court, Lagos, wherein the authority of the Chairman of the Body was challenged. It was unthinkable that a call to service which in all seriousness was an honour to serve could get that fierce in a nonproit position.

The Body of Benchers and its Chairman were promptly restrained from performing their statutory duties by an ex-parte order given by the Honourable Judge.

The then, Chief Justice of Nigeria Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola GCON and few other Elders at a meeting at the Supreme Court resolved that the disputed appointment of the Chairman of the Appointment Committee be allowed to stay. What has never happened in the over 50 years of the Body was compromised. The case was withdrawn and later struck out.

This matter remains the darkest spot in the life of the Body and never again should this be allowed to happen. This Body, however, unanimously amended the Regulation of the Body and made institution of Court actions on an internal matter of the Body, without irst exhausting internal dispute resolutions, well laid out in the rule, will amount to misconduct. I thank Hon. Justice John Iyang Okoro, JSC, who is the Chairman of the Regulation Committee for a good job in the reform introduced in the new Regulation of the Body.

Events shape the fortune and ways of humanity and it is for humanity to learn from their experience. The Body learnt a lot from the adverse use of social media to disparage and bring into public opprobrium the honour, integrity and public image of the Body.

I thank everyone for your patience, understanding and maturity that have put behind us this unfortunate incident. We all have learnt unforgettable lessons.

I am indeed grateful for the moments I shared with all the members of the Body. Memory of your good deeds can never and will never be forgotten. I cherish the 12 months I served as the Chairman, Body of Benchers. It will be a chapter in my memoir. The scripture says “wisdom is a defence and money (with influence) is a defence but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom giveth life to them that have it… wisdom strengthenth the wise more than the mighty men which are in the city.. the end of a thing is better than its beginning. (Ecclesiastics 7 & 8)

XXI. PERORATION

Distinguished  Benchers, time and space will not permit me to catalogue all  the interventions we embarked on in the last one year. With your support and assistance, we have come this far. We have served and with the Grace of God, we have succeeded. Although I am the only one who is standing on this podium to reel out this scorecard to you, you can be rest assured that this is not a personal achievement of Adegboyega Awomolo alone. It is our collective achievement.

All that I have spoken about in this address may be regarded as my own story, but it is certainly to the glory of God Almighty, who has made all these possible. It is God Almighty who deserves the glory for bringing us this far. Without Him, we are but nothing. The book of prophet Isaiah 42:8 says that: He is the Lord God and that He will not share His glory with any man. He alone deserves and takes the glory.

I must not end this address without expressing my gratitude to His Lordship Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON. As the Vice Chairman during my tenure, His Lordship supported me without qualification. It has been a cherished privilege working with His Lordship. I have no doubt in my mind that as the incoming Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Justice Ariwoola will lead the Benchers with his characteristic, maturity, native intelligence, uncommon wisdom, unparalleled team spirit, and the innate ability to get things done. I hope everyone will give him all the support as he assumes the Chairmanship of the Body later today.

To my family, particularly my wife, Yeye Victoria Olufunmilayo Awomolo, SAN, Bencher, many thanks for being a bulwark of support, and many thanks for providing a conducive home whilst this assignment lasted. When the storm was tough, you stood solidly on the Rock in prayers, if not for God, the adversaries aimed at frustrating the tenure but God won on all fronts.

Permit me to end this address with applauses and thanks, to Daniel Manasseh Tela, Esq., – Secretary of this Body. He is the reinforcement appointed from God that sustained all the structure that we erected. The support  and importance of the Secretary cannot be over emphasised. He worked day and night to ensure we complied with civil service rules, followed due process, complied with financial regulations and followed the pattern already, established for previous records of success of the Body.

Like Daniel in the scripture, he was at all times loyal and committed. When adversaries tried to create an opportunity to challenge his loyalty; His loyalty was tested and in the end came out a good man that deserves trust. His working with me knew no hours; he was full of strength, foresight, and commitment for excellence. We encouraged ourselves in the word of God. He was the driver that piloted the vehicle of the Body to this safe place. To say, Thank You, is not enough, but I know only God rewards, and He will reward him.

To God Almighty; the most merciful, and benevolent God, I give my thanksgiving. I will forever praise His

Holy name for my service. All glory goes to Him.

Asiwaju Adegboyega Solomon Awomolo, SAN

52nd Chairman of the Body of Benchers 27th March, 2025

Watch the full video

• Wike set to digitalise FCT High Court
• More houses for FCT judges underway

Following a call from Life Bencher and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike to members of the Body of Benchers (BoB) requesting that Prof. Chidi Odinkalu be punished for degrading the legal profession and the judiciary in particular, Odinkalu announced, via his LinkedIn page, “We will tell his story when the time comes.”

Responding further to the call for his punishment, Odinkalu said: “#Nigeria‘s powerful cabinet Minister of the Federal Capital Territory & former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has a very dependent relationship with dangerous beverages.

“Last week, he consumed some of that stuff &, while under the influence, asked the hashtag#BodyOfBenchers to get me disbarred for saying the truth about his habit of seeking to accessorize the judiciary.”

Wike spoke while receiving members of the Body of Benchers, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja on Friday.

According to the minister, “We cannot shut our eyes when we see individuals for whatever interest it is kill this profession. It’s not acceptable. You see what the so-called Professor Odinkalu is writing, and you say nobboy has brought a petition. You don’t need to receive a petition. Once you see his writeups, invite him and ask, ‘Did you write it? Yes or no?’ If you don’t discipline somebody, nobody will learn a lesson. We cannot continue to allow our profession to go down.”

Declaring his support and allegiance to the legal profession, the minister revealed that plans are underway to build more houses for FCT judges to ameliorate accommodation challenges and that a fully fitted fire station will be constructed for the court.

He also disclosed that the FCT High Court will be digitalised to stop manual operations and judges writing in longhand.

“I will do anything to support the profession I belong to. I don’t owe anybody any apology to contribute to the growth of that profession. Tomorrow, when you come out, what role would you say you performed to enhance their performance?”

Watch the full video below.

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