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Day after court reserves judgment on Tinubu’s US drug money forfeiture, he nominates US money laundering forfeiter as Minister

  • DOWNLOAD Supplementary Submission to the Amicus Brief filed at the US District Court of DC

A day after Nigeria’s presidential election petition tribunal heard arguments from his lawyers over his drug-related indiscretions, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu nominated Atiku Bagudu, the man who helped late dictator Sani Abacha steal and launder billions of dollars belonging to Nigeria.

61 years old Bagudu was a federal lawmaker before he served as governor of northwestern Kebbi State for eight years. He is a stalwart of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and a political ally of President Tinubu.

Condemning the nomination of Bagudu, International human rights lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe, Esq. in a statement said: “The nomination of Gov Bagudu, a principal actor in Gen. Abacha’s grand larceny of billions of dollars still being recovered from all over the world is a slap in the face of victims of Abacha’s reign of terror such as myself and Nigerians as a whole.”

The Statement further reads: “Sen. Bola Tinubu has thrown credibility, responsibility and shame to the wind by nominating a brother money launderer and fellow foreign fund forfeiter as a Cabinet minister.

“The attached brief I filed in the US District Court warning that the antecedents of Senators’ Tinubu and Bagudu were such that there is a palpable potential of further compromise of Nigeria’s €200 million currently in forfeiture proceedings has been vindicated.

“At a time when victims of #ENDSARS protests are being belatedly mass buried, with many families uncompensated, the father of money laundering is being resurrected into a federal government position. If he could loot billions while not in government, what will happen now?

“That the Bagudus, who are currently spending millions of dollars in a 10-year legal battle claiming Nigeria’s €200million stashed abroad as theirs, are now worthy to be rewarded with a ministerial appointment is indicative that APC has come to elevate corruption to a Renewed Hoax.

“Sen. Tinubu may as well appoint Bagudu Attorney General or Minister of Finance so that we know we don’t have a country altogether. That this was done on a day Nigerians were protesting Tinubu’s fuel hikes was to add insult on injury.

“I call on the Nationally Assembly and security agencies to halt this ignominious and insensitive nomination and desist from provoking Nigerian citizens any further.

“Sen. Tinubu came to power with worst corruption profile of any Nigerian ever and it appears he aims to sustain it.

“Already, the new policy changing dollar remittances to naira delivery had been called a money laundering mechanism by even Gen. Abacha’s Minister of Finance.

“It appears Tinubu instead of appointing “Technocrats” is bringing in ‘TakeAllCash.’

“I urge the NLC to protest this nomination and call on the U.S. government to permanently forgo any further settlement talks with the Bagudus.

“I urge the election petition court to speedily render judgment before there is nothing left of Nigeria. This madness and mischief must end now.

“Emmanuel Ogebe, ESQ.”

Click here to download the document.

SUPPLEMENTARY-AMICUS-BRIEF-71223

Illegality of judicial officers participating in workshops sponsored by likely parties before them

By Ogbankwa Douglas Esq.

Conscious is an open wound, only the truth can heal it

Usman Dan Fodio (1804)

Can a judicial officers’ independence be guaranteed if his event is bankrolled by parties likely to appear before him? Douglas Ogbankwa examines the issue.

A JUDICIAL Officer by definition is a not a civil servant. A judicial officer is an official of the Judiciary that does Justice to either private individuals or public and private institutions.

So, it is against the Code of Conduct for Judicial officers, the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and against Public Morality for Judicial officers to attend workshops, seminars and symposia organised and sponsored by public institutions that are likely to be Parties before the same Judicial officers.

Article 13.4 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states:

“Business and financial activities the

(i) A Judicial officer may own investments and real property, provided that in the management of his investments, he shall not serve as an officer, director, manager, general partner, adviser or employee of any business entity.

(ii) Otherwise permissible investment or business activities will be seen see prohibited if they:

(a) Tend to reflect adversely on judicial impartiality,

(b) Interfere with the proper performance of judicial duties,

(c) Exploit the judicial position; or

(d) Involve the Judicial Officer in frequent transactions with legal practitioners or with people likely to come before the Judicial officer’s court.”

So, what this Article of the Revised Code of Conduct presupposes is that a Judicial officer is not supposed to carry out activities that will involve the officer in frequent transaction with legal practitioners or with people who are likely to come before their courts.

Let us take a hypothetical scenario. Some judicial officers from all across the country attend a workshop organised by “ABC”, An institution of the Federal Government.The “ABC” pays their flight tickets, hotel accommodation, takes care of their feeding and gives payments for attending the seminar. How can we guarantee the Independence of such Judicial officers when cases that concern The “ABC” comes before them or how do we preclude ex parte communications between the Judicial officers and officials of the “ABC”, that may compromise the fair Administration of Justice.

Such transactions are quite untidy and leave much to be desired and it is against the extant provisions of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This is as provided for by Article 13.5. of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ,which provides thus: “Acceptance of gifts

A Judicial officer and members of his family shall neither ask for nor accept any gift, bequest, favour or loan on account of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the discharge of his duties.

A Judicial officer is, however, permitted to accept:

(i) Personal gifts or benefits from relatives or personal friends to such extent and on such occasions as are recognised by custom.

(ii) Books supplied by publishers on a complementary basis.

(iii) A loan from lending institution in its regular course of business on the same terms generally available to people who are not Judicial officers;

(iv) A scholarship or fellowship awarded on the same terms applied to other applicants.”

So, from the provisions above, can it be said that any payments made to a Judicial officer, for attending a seminar organised by an Institution of the Federal Government is not a “gift, bequest, favour … on account of anything done or omitted to be done by him in discharge of his duties” ?

The Judiciary like Caesar’s Wife must be above board. Such acts or omissions, which give right-thinking members of the public any impression to the contrary must be avoided at all times.

The National Judicial Institute (NJI) is a creation of statute, established specifically for the Training and Retraining of Judicial officers and staff of the Judiciary. The institute should be properly funded to do so. The specialised training now illegally organised by these Federal Government institutions, should be organised and conducted by the NJI, which is statutorily mandated to do so.

Any training carried out by an institution of government for judicial officers who will end up adjudicating over Matters ,where such Institutions of Government will end up being Parties ,before the same judicial officers who have received payments of any kind , from them, is an illegality ab initio and it even offends Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 (As Amended,), which states that a court shall be constituted in a manner that guarantees its independence. Such ex- parte transactions by Judicial officers with institutions of the government in the guise of training does not guarantee the independence of the Judiciary. This practice must stop.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) should enforce it own Rules and issue a circular to the effect, that such ex-parte transactions are now prohibited. The NBA at the local and national levels, should tackle this issue head on and call the attention of the relevant authorities to this abnormality.

A Judicial officer by his oath of office is obligated to perform his duties, “without any affection or ill will”.

This must be put into practice. The truth is bitter, but it should be said as it is.

About the Author: Douglas Ogbankwa Esq , is the Convener of the Vanguard for the Independence of the Judiciary. He can be reached on @ [email protected].

Ganduje’s Chairmanship and Others: APC harbours thieves, treasury looters – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rapped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for picking the former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, as its National Chairman.

The opposition party said that Ganduje was ethically challenged.

It said that the choice of Ganduje by the APC as its National Chairman, in spite of the stinking corruption and bribery allegations against him in the public domain, further confirmed that the APC was a cesspit of corruption and a haven for thieves, bribe takers and treasury looters.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba said that by appointing Ganduje, notoriously referred to as “Gandollar” by Nigerians over the infamous video of him barefacedly stuffing his gown (agbada) with US Dollar notes as bribe allegedly from a contractor, while serving as Governor of Kano State, further validated that the APC was a putrid party of embezzlers and charlatans.

The PDP further said that it also underscored APC’s impunity and insensitivity to the demands of honesty, integrity, and moral rectitude required of public officeholders.

It, therefore, urged Nigerians to note that only last month, a forensic analysis by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) confirmed that the content of the 2017 “Gandollar” viral video was not doctored.

The PDP further said; “It speaks volumes of the APC under Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Ganduje, who should ordinarily be under prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged bribery is rather crowned and rewarded with the position of the APC National Chairman.

“Such can only happen in a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) like the APC which, according to the former Director General of Progressive Governors’ Forum, is replete with ‘political bandits’.”

The PDP described the assertion by Ganduje that he would “hit the ground running” to ensure the victory of “his fizzling Party and disillusioned” members in the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa as a pathetic day-dream.

It reminded Ganduje of how he was humiliated by Nigerians and failed woefully as Co-Chairman of APC National Campaign Council for the July 2022 Osun State Governorship election, which was overwhelmingly won by the PDP.

The PDP said; “Indeed, a worse crushing defeat awaits Ganduje and his Party, the APC, in the November 11, 2023 Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States.

“Moreover, the mortifying trouncing of the APC in Kano State under his watch as Governor in the 2023 general elections shows that Ganduje has no political value and cannot earn any victory in any electoral contest in the country.

“If Ganduje is desirous to ‘hit the ground running’ as he asserted, he should run to the EFCC for investigation and prosecution for cases of alleged bribery and corruption hanging around his neck.”

President Bola Tinubu has also come under intense criticism for nominating, Atiku Bagudu, the man who is believed to have helped late dictator Sani Abacha steal and launder billions of dollars belonging to Nigeria as minister.

Bagudu, 61, was a federal lawmaker before he served as governor of northwestern Kebbi State for eight years. He is a household name in the All Progressive Congress (APC) and a political ally of the president.

Both men were not always allies. In fact, at the time Bagudu was helping Abacha steal Nigeria dry, Tinubu was financing some political and civil society actors demanding the dictator’s exit. Tinubu had to go into exile due to fears the dictator wanted to kill or imprison him.

However, the formation of the APC in 2013 and its eventual electoral success in the 2015 general elections brought both men together, a relationship that was solidified when Tinubu sought the APC presidential ticket last year.

Bagudu had since 2003 admitted to financial irregularities when he agreed to return about $163 million to Nigeria to avoid extradition to Jersey from the US.

Since getting into the corridors of power in 2011 as a senator, Bagudu has remained active in politics. Last year, he played a major role in the APC’s selection of Tinubu as its presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential elections. Bagudu was also a key player in Tinubu’s presidential campaign council.

While Messrs Tinubu and Bagudu’s political romance continues, the Nigerian government is still trying to recover some of the insane amounts of money that Abacha stole from Nigeria, most with the connivance of Bagudu.

The systematic plunder of Nigeria by the Abacha family with the help of Bagudu is reckoned to be one of the worst cases of kleptocracy and offshore shenanigans in the world.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that between 1998, when Abacha suddenly died, and 2020, 3.6 billion U.S. dollars have been recovered from the Abacha family and Bagudu, now a minister-designate.

The money-laundering operations Bagudu ran on behalf of Abacha are well-documented in suits filed in the United States and the Bailiwick of Jersey, a British Crown dependency in the Channel Islands.

The $23.5 million Abacha loot recovered last year by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) was forfeited by Mohammed Abacha and Mr Bagudu’s offshore company Mecosta Securities Inc.

Former Head of State, Sani Abacha
Former Head of State, Sani Abacha

While he was serving as governor of Kebbi state, the United States and Jersey authorities repatriated 308 million U.S. dollars stolen and laundered by Mr Bagudu, PREMIUM TIMES reported.

Similarly, the 163 million U.S. dollars recovered from Jersey in 2003 directly involved Bagudu, who then negotiated a deal with the US and Jersey to return the funds to Nigeria in exchange for Jersey’s withdrawal of an extradition request and his free return to Nigeria.

He spent six months in American federal prison in Houston while awaiting extradition to Jersey. The deal to return the $163 million was to avoid that extradition.

It was gathered that Mr Bagudu reached a settlement with the Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 2003 to drop all outstanding civil and criminal claims against him, according to US court filings seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr Bagudu was involved with the offshore front companies and bank accounts – from the British Virgin Islands to Ireland, Switzerland, England, Guernsey, and Jersey – used to steal and launder billions of dollars by the Abacha regime. He was either a director, signatory on accounts or prime beneficiary of such companies, according to US court documents and incorporation filings from the Pandora Papers leaks.

Credits: The Conclave/Premium Times

Couple narrates how they were swindled off N675m for spiritual cleansing

A man and his wife days ago, regaled a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos State, with tales about how a syndicate of seven men defrauded them of N675 million under the pretext of carrying out spiritual cleansing for their family.

Narrating the family’s ordeal to Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lateef Bello said the syndicate led by Sanlabiu Teslim was in “total control of our senses”.

Bello disclosed that the influence of Teslim led him and his wife to fall into the “merciless and deadly hands” of a 419 syndicate that specialised in the use of traditional rituals and medicine for cleansing from evil forces.

He told the court in July 2023 that he lost £800,000, along with another N175 million to the syndicate.

The defendants, Morufu Adewale (aka Gbegulerin Adelana), Omitogun Ajayi, Ajisegiri Abiodun, Abayomi Alaka (aka Dauda Usman Alashe), Taiwo Ahmed, Raufu Raheem, and Teslim, looked on in the dock as Bello reeled out his story of how at different times, starting from a shrine in Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State, to another shrine in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, the members of the syndicate playing different roles, successfully hatched the scheme that saw him part with more than N675 million.

The defendants are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello disclosed that his son had some challenges, and Sanlabiu offered to assist by taking him to a spiritualist who would be of help.

He said: “As soon as I entered the place, I wasn’t myself. I thought he was taking me to an Islamic cleric, however, it was a herbalist.

“In fact, Omitogun Ajayi noticed it and said to me, ‘focus on this place, do you know where Jesus Christ was born?’

“He now consulted his Osanyin at the shrine, and then he gave us a bill of about N230,000 that we need to buy some things like ram and so on, which I paid.

“He now said that I have to bring my wife, and that was the period my wife was preparing for retirement, that she will be the one to pray when they do their rituals.

“When my wife came, they gave us different concoctions to drink, and they made incantations.

“Omitogun was the main man, then he now said that the Osanyin said that we need to go and see their Baba in Ijebu-Igbo who will finalise the prayer for my son.

“Few days later, myself, my wife and my son, and Sanlabiu, my driver, and Omitogun Ajayi and one alfa, who is one of them and currently at large, went to Ijebu Igbo.

“Two days later, myself, Omitogun Ajayi, the alfa, Sanlabiu, and my driver, went there with the ram, which we bought at Ijebu-Ode, that we needed some other prayers for the family.

“He welcomed us and then took us to one room, and when we entered the room, there was a curtain from where he was communicating with us.

“When we got to Ijebu-Igbo, that was where we met Morufu Yahaya Adewale, who disguised himself so well like an elderly man of over 100 years old.

“He now told us the things we are going to do, and afterwards, he said they’ve finished with my son, and that we should come back in two days time, that when we are coming we should buy a big ram.

“Two days later, myself, Omitogun Ajayi, the alfa, Sanlabiu, and my driver, went there with the ram, which we bought at Ijebu-Ode, that we needed some other prayers for the family.

“When we got there, they slaughtered the ram and some other things, after which they said I should remove my dress and gave me a wrapper to cover myself.

“They now took me to one place, where they were boiling water, and I saw the water boiling and they poured the water on my head, but it was very cold.

“After this they did the same to my wife and they said they were going to take us to another room in the same house; we knocked on the door, and we started hearing some noise of some women.

“They now opened the door, and immediately we entered the room using our back, we now saw about nine women wearing white clothes.

“They claimed to be white witches, and said that they were there to help us; they now said though they have finished with my son, but that we have a lot of spiritual problems in my family, and my extended family.

“They said during their own investigation, my wife will soon retire and that another bigger office was ahead of my wife and that we still need to do a lot of spiritual cleansing for the whole family in order for her to get there.

“They now demand for opo kan translated to one million in English language and it was my first time hearing that; emphasizing that it should have the picture of a woman and must be red in colour.

“When we got to the room where Yahaya was, he was the one that now interpreted that what the white witches meant was one million British Pounds.

“And that, once we get the one million pounds, it will be put in a box, and that after one week, we are going to be given our money back, and then there will be an ornament under the money, which my wife will be expected to put on, and they named it oluomo.

“My lord, they were in total control of our senses.”

Bello continued: “Before we left that day, Morufu Yahaya instructed Ahmed Taiwo, to give us the account number of one Gbegulerin Adelana (the alias of Morufu Yahaya), that we needed to buy some things before the £1 million and so demanded N1 million which I paid into the account.

“They now said that those witches only drink the blood of pigeons, and so collected N200,000 to buy pigeons for those witches, and N10,000 for the cage as they said they’ll buy them at Sagamu.

“Omitogun kept assuring us that we were at the right place, that even when a governor was about to leave office, he came to see those white witches; that he initially took the Osanyin to Benin, and he also brought a serving governor to the shrine.

“Apparently they knew my wife was going to retire and she would get her gratuity and pension.”

He further disclosed that the family later raised £800,000, which was handed over to the syndicate.

He said after the payment of the £800,000 cash, they were asked to go to a river for a ritual while the syndicate members kept demanding more money from him which ran to about N175 million.

“They insisted on collecting cash, and declined to take bank transfers,” he added.

According to him, during one of the rituals, unknown to him, the syndicate was recording them.

Bello told the court that in the course of the incident, he ran into debt, and only late in the day, did he realise that he had been scammed.

“I later got a call from Abiodun Ajisegiri (third defendant), who claimed to be an investigative journalist,” he said.

He stated that Ajisegiri, who posed to be working with LTV and Radio Lagos, claimed to be in possession of the video clip of where we were engaging in rituals and that he was going to broadcast it.

A report by THE STAR quoted him to have said: “I tried to explain what happened to him and how we were defrauded of the sum of almost N675 million.

“He now said that he was going to investigate and that I should bring N300,000.

“I paid an initial N100,000 to his bank account, and I later paid another N50,000.

“The day I paid the N50,000 I called his number to let him know, but he said he was at a meeting and that he would call me back.

“So later he called me, and said that he was with those people, and that they were demanding N50 million from us in order not to broadcast the clip. He now asked if we can deposit N5 million as the people can kill or kidnap us.”

The Conclave

Is an employer’s financial distress a legal justification for failure to pay salaries?

By Stephen Azubuike

It is not uncommon for some employers of labour to owe salaries. Some responsible employers do well to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring that even when salaries are owed, efforts are made to pay up timeously. This category of employers understand that workers deserve their wages, as even the Bible instructs. However, there is another category of employers who prefer to muzzle the ox while it threshes the grain. They prefer to outwit their employees, throw in some unconscionable bargains, abuse their superior position, and make bold to defend their acts even before a court of law.

In the recent case of Emeka Igweze v. Emerald Energy Resources Ltd, Suit No. NICN/LA/263/2019, something interesting happened. The case was decided on 5 July 2023 by Hon. Justice R. H. Gwandu of the National Industrial Court, Lagos Division.

Emeka Igweze v. Emerald Energy

Mr. Emeka Igweze was employed by Emerald Energy in 2005 as a Manager, Administrative Services. He was later promoted in 2006 to a General Manager, Human Resources and Administration. While in this position, Mr. Igweze was owed salaries and other benefits. This situation remained the same until Emerald Energy converted the employment contract into a Consultancy Contract in 2017. Mr. Igweze signed the contract. However, he resigned in 2018 due to lack of remuneration.

Aggrieved, Mr. Igweze (as Claimant) sued Emerald Energy (as Defendant) for breach of contract, claiming outstanding payments being his salaries and other entitlements amounting to over N127 Million. Emerald Energy defended the action. Interestingly, the Court found that there was no material dispute regarding the amount claimed by the Claimant. As a matter of fact, the computation of the outstanding payment relied on by the Claimant emanated from Emerald Energy. Emerald Energy’s subsequent attempt to distance itself from the computation was futile. The Court had no time for frivolities.

I also found interesting one of the defences put forward by Emerald Energy. The company contended that Mr. Igweze was bound by a clause in the Consultancy Contract which provided that the outstanding payment due to Mr. Igweze was to be paid by the company subject to availability of funds. Emerald Energy also argued that Mr. Igweze knew of the perennial financial challenges of the company. The Court was unmoved. It was of the view that Emerald Energy had a better option on how to approach the situation but failed to take it. Gwandu, J. held:

A perusal of the Defendants Statement of Defence was not convincing, even though they tried to deny the Claimant’s entitlements, they also tried to convince the Court that the Company is in financial distress which could have been raised and agreed to out of Court between the Claimant and the Defendant and a payment plan agreed to, the Defendant did not also do this but insisted on defending this matter without convincing proof.

Clearly, Emerald Energy made no definite commitment to Mr. Igweze on when and how he would be paid his acknowledged entitlements. The fate of his payment was left to hang in the balance.

As expected, the Court refused to allow such uncertainty to thrive. It granted Mr. Igweze’s claims, directing Emerald Energy to pay up, instalmentally, the sum of N127,066,872.90 within three months. The first installment was to be paid one month after the Judgment. The Court held that should Emerald Energy fail to pay the first installment as ordered, “the full sum will be due immediately and will attract an interest of 10% per annum until final liquidation of the Judgment sum.”

Conclusion

In concluding this piece, I have a few observations. The Court refused to grant any prejudgment interest (21% per annum was claimed) without supplying any reason for the refusal. Also, with what seemed like a wave of the hand, the Court refused the claim for general damages, leaving the parties with no single reason for this decision.

All these form part of other crucial points canvassed by the parties, especially the Claimant, which the Court appeared to have ignored. For instance, the issue as to whether Emerald Energy was right to have converted the employment contract with Mr. Igweze to a consultancy contract in the circumstances was not addressed. Although the issue was not separately raised by the parties, the Claimant’s Counsel, Chief Emeka Okwuosa, made submissions in that regard. He contended that the conversion was done “abruptly, surreptitiously, unilaterally, unceremoniously and fraudulently.”

Claimant’s Counsel also argued that “in spite of the Claimant’s apprehension and reservation, he accepted the Defendant’s offer of position as consultant by signing the consultancy contract dated 2nd April 2017 in other to keep up and maintain his cordial employer/employee relationship with the Defendant and not abruptly thrown into the labour market.” However, the Court failed to make vital pronouncements.

The above sums up a not-too-exciting Judgment of 26 pages. Of the 26 pages, 22 and half pages were used to state the case and arguments by the parties. The Court’s decision was found sitting in the remaining 3 and half pages. While I commend the Court for allowing the claims it granted, I believe, with respect, that the Judgment would have benefitted from a more thorough judicial toothcomb.

The article —IS AN EMPLOYER’S FINANCIAL DISTRESS A LEGAL JUSTIFICATION FOR FAILURE TO PAY SALARIES? was originally published on July 30, 2023, by Stephen Azubuike.

The Growing Influence of Technology in the Legal Industry and the Need for Lawyers to Up-skill -By ATER, Solomon Vendaga

Before now, the legal industry was not affected by technological innovation as many traditional ways of doing things were still efficient. However, with modernization and the growth and increase in demand for fast and quality delivery of services by clients, the use of technologies in the industry is no longer just an option but a necessity for the survival and relevance of every forward-thinking stakeholder in the industry. This means law firms and lawyers will have to start adopting modern solutions and approaches to dealing with or handling their client’s matters. Online research databases have replaced law books and traditional research, virtual contracts have replaced physical copies, and countless other advancement has transformed the legal industry. These modern and evolving solutions help make a law firm’s routine tasks easier and more efficient for everyone. While one may look at the challenges this may pose to the traditional legal practice, the power of change must be addressed as this development is not only apt but timely given the increasing demands for the satisfaction of the consumers of legal services. This is why legal and budding practitioners must be abreast with this reality and gear up to meet the demands of the industry in the present times. This work discussed the impact new technologies have on the legal profession and why budding lawyers must sufficiently build themselves to meet the demands of the day as the pioneering attorneys of tomorrow. The work further looked at the prospects of technological innovations in the legal industry and its challenges and proffered valuable recommendations.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Technology was envisaged as the most significant and enduring field of the future before now but has today remained one of the most significant breakthroughs in human development. The increasing rate of technological innovations raises many concerns about the space between human interaction and enterprises. There is no area of human endeavor where technological innovations have yet to be used or are in use.

More importantly, the rise of profession-specific technological development, like Legal Technology, Financial Technology, and Insurance Technologies, represents an industry-wide trend in the technology terrain. Today, much technological advancement is specially designed to suit the needs of specific professions. Innovators are attempting to explore their expertise to adapt relevant technological developments and breakthroughs to address a unique need within a particular profession. The legal profession is not an exception.

The increase of legally focused technology has caused many lawyers to reflect on their current level of tech-savvy and consider the improvements in their skill set to the ones that the future advancement might hold. Therefore, this research article interrogates the practice of law in today’s world to see what steps legal professionals can take to measure up to expectations.

2.0. DEFINITION OF SOME SPECIFIC TERMS

This emergence of technology in the legal profession has led to the introduction of specific terms into the legal lexicon. Such terms as a technology law and legal technology will be defined below.

Technology, in simple terms, is the use of scientific knowledge to improve the lives of humans.

Technology Law, on the other hand, is the regulatory framework that guides the production and use of technologies.

Legal technology, also known as Legal Tech, refers to the use of technology and software to provide legal services and support the legal industry. Legal Tech companies are often start-ups founded to disrupt the traditionally conservative legal approaches.

This, therefore, means those sets of technologies that-

  1. Eases the practice of law for attorneys and legal professionals, and
  2. Enables customers to access legal competence or justice.

3.0. IMPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE LEGAL INDUSTRY

  1. Online Legal research;software like juddylegal, lawpavalion, legalpedia, etc. have helped lawyers handle their legal research with so much ease that only a few visit physical libraries again. Virtual libraries are built to accommodate this.
  2. Virtual Law Firms; Covid 19 has shown us the need to go digital and virtual, and many law firms that adopt legal technologies are now offering virtual legal services to their clients. Distance is not a barrier. Everything is done virtually without any problem.
  3. Virtual CourtsProceedings; Online Courts proceedings are gaining more relevance today than the traditional way because of the ease, convenience, and faster mode of handling proceedings.
  4. E-filing; Litigants can now file their cases electronically

For example, Lagos State Judiciary has adopted this innovative solution. Paragraphs 6-11 of the Draft Practice Direction for Remote Hearing of Cases in Lagos State Judiciary issued by the Chief Judge on 21st April 2020 offers a detailed step-by-step method of electronic filing of processes. This a good swerve into the lane of technology in legal practice.

  1. Effective and Strategic Decision-Making; One of the major changes in the legal sector is leveraging big datato develop data-driven strategies and to ensure more strategic decision-making. This innovation promises numerous benefits in the long run. Legal professionals are now able to analyze vast quantities of legal data, to extract meaningful and valuable information from it.
  2. Automation; It is no secret that automation alone has the potential to replace low-skilled legal jobs, such as administrative and secretarial jobs. Automation places around 114,000 jobs in the legal sector, which is 39% of jobs in the sector. However, AIs development could also potentially replace lawyers and other legal professionals as well. As mentioned before, AI judges and robot lawyers might soon become a standard. Still, while some professionals argue about technologies displacing human workers, others argue that technology will create new opportunities as there will be a need for tech experts to operate the new solutions.
  3. AI; AI technology has generated much attention across various industries, the legal sector included. Although still in its early stages of development, technology is already being used by numerous law firms. In addition, there is much talk about Ai’s potential and possible uses in the legal sector.

Gathering from the assessment of the companies that use AI in the legal field, current applications of AI appear to fall into six major categories:

  1. Due diligence – Litigators perform due diligence with the help of AI tools to uncover background information.

Kira Systems, for example, claims that its system can complete the task up to 40 percent faster when using it for the first time and up to 90 percent for those with more experience..

  1. Prediction technology – AI software generates results that forecast litigation outcomes.
  2. Legal analytics – Lawyers can use data points from past case law, win/loss rates and a judge’s history to be used for trends and patterns.
  3. Document automation – Law firms use software templates to create filled-out documents based on data input which is more efficient and effective.
  4. Intellectual property – AI tools help lawyers analyze large IP portfolios and draw insights from the content.
  5. Electronic billing – Lawyers’ billable hours are computed automatically

For example, AI judges and legal robots are being planned for the not-so-distant future. However, as mentioned before, AI technology is still being developed. Hence, robot lawyers are still just a theory. However, AI’s machine and deep learning capabilities, as well as its natural language recognition, are already in use today in one way or another. This is why legal practitioners and budding lawyers must take this very seriously.

  1. Online Dispute Resolution; Dispute Resolutions processes like Arbitration, Conciliation, and Mediation can be efficiently conducted virtually and with no ease.

4.0. IMPORTANCE OF LEGAL TECHNOLOGIES

  1. Efficiency and productivity; Using technological tools will increase productivity and efficiency in the dispensation of legal services. Imagine using a contract drafting template and traditional drafting, which will be faster and increase your chances of meeting up to demands. The latter, of course, will be the best to handle, especially when you have a lot to do.
  2. Optimized workflow: Lawyers need to communicate quickly and easily with colleagues and clients, and they also need to work together to complete complex legal work efficiently. Using software to help manage their legal matters can help them build step-by-step processes, create easy-to-use checklists for routine tasks, and stick to critical deadlines.
  3. Client satisfaction; the use of legal technologies will significantly increase the satisfaction of consumers of legal services as their demands will be met accordingly.
  4. Time Management and Effective Case Management; the use of technologies helps maximize time and improve cases’ effective management. This will further increase access to justice and bury the culture of delayed justice under the traditional system.

5.0. CHALLENGES

  • Poverty; is one of the drawbacks to adopting modern solutions brought by legal technologies and skills needed to navigate them in most of our law firms and lawyers. The cost of these technologies is beyond the reach of many, hence, the difficulties in following the trend.
  • Poor internet facilitiesare another challenge.
  • Inadequate electricity supply; could be better in this part of our world, and it is one of the hindering factors to fully actualizing this trend.
  • Cybersecurity threats; these technologies are prone to the threats of cyber-attacks by hungry and restless cybercriminals. This makes the client’s information to be at risk. Securing them takes lots of resources and time to the rampart and keeps them away from these attacks.
  • Lack of investment in technology and basic IT skills; most lawyers and budding professionals do not invest in the skills and resources needed to navigate the new version of our practice, which is sharpened by ideals of technology.
  • Illiteracy; some lawyers and budding practitioners have yet to understand the changing reality fully. It is believed that some lawyers do not support the adoption of technology due to a lack of understanding of its benefits.

6.0. CONCLUSION

Technology has become today an indispensable tool for enhancing the performance of every career or profession. The legal profession is not left out. Advancement in the invention and usae of technology present a total revolutionary era that should get all industry players to be concerned about it. This work has called on lawyers and aspirants to the bar to up skill and embrace technology for relevance.

7.0. RECOMMENDATIONS

Lawyers and budding lawyers must know that the legal market has changed. The demands of clients can only be handled efficiently and satisfactorily with the use of modern technology. They must, therefore, move towards fine-tuning their legal practice by acquiring the prerequisite skills needed to stay in touch with this changing reality. This means lawyers and budding professionals must be abreast of the happenings of this world to survive the storm that is coming, if not already here.

The 21st Century Lawyer must equip himself with all available knowledge and skills. He must be ready and willing to learn, unlearn and re-learn with so much ease. This is necessary because their Lordships, in the case of FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC V. NAMOL PAVERPAC NIGERIA LTD remind us that:

A Counsel who desires to succeed in Legal Practice must constantly update his knowledge about current legislation, which can only be achieved by hard work and perseverance.

These technologies are still evolving, and many experts have forecasted that there is likely to be a displacement of many jobs. Some of the administrative work we do will be handled by robots. However, AI is in the process, and the looming effect is quite drastic. The good news is that these technologies will only partially replace humans. Of course, humans will handle them, which is why the job of today and the nearer future depends on your acquired skills. We will have job roles like legal technology engineers, legal data scientists, and other vital experts handling legal start-ups.

Our justice system is gradually accommodating the realities of this invention. We now hear of electronic filing, online dispute resolution, and online court proceedings. This must be reciprocated by other jurisdictions that are yet to adapt to the trend. Lawyers, who are still thinking of traditional ways of doing this business, must pause and take a new dimension. As is observed above, the courts, too, are abreast of these changing situations, for instance, in the case of NATIONAL ECONOMIC RESEARCH ASSOCIATES INC. et al. v. EVANS et al., their Lordships ruled that:

 A man who used a Web-based e-mail service to communicate with his lawyer did not forfeit attorney-client privilege in those messages just because they were automatically copied to his company-owned laptop computer when he viewed them.

Our law schools must fine-tune and tailor their curriculum in line with the practice direction. Students should be protected from this knowledge but should be allowed to explore and acquire the skills needed. This is the only way to secure a future with seamless access to justice. Like in the words of the law Lord, Lord Dennings MR,

This new outlook is needed more in equity than in any other branch of the law. But where is it to be found? It is, I think, to be found in the new spirit which is alive in our universities. The law schools there do not content themselves with recording the law as it is. They are more concerning themselves with the law, as it should be. They are exposing the fallacies and failings of the past and are beginning to point the way to a new age and a new equity. When the present generation ‘of ‘students comes to take their place amongst the judges and practitioners of the future. There will, I trust, be found among them many with a new outlook, which will give us the new equity we so badly need.

Law firms must begin to invest in legal technologies to be able to stand out. Kudos to those who have started already. Research conducted in London Law Firms revealed that 48% are already using AI, and a further 41% will start doing the same shortly. This shows us that people in other jurisdictions have begun the migration. We must toe the line as well.

Professional bodies that influence legal practice must create platforms that will enable their members to acquire the desired skills and sharpen the spirit of the profession in these modern times.

Finally, legislation on using these modern solutions will go a long way in helping those in the field of operation. It is an appeal to relevant authorities to see to this.

1. ATER, Solomon Vendaga is a penultimate Law Undergraduate at the University of Abuja, Nigeria who has keen interest in Taxation Law, IP Law, Tech Law, and Public Policy. He can be reached via; +234(0)08025263078, [email protected]

2. Statista, Legal tech market size worldwide 2021-2027 |. Available from <https://www.statista.com/statistics/1155852/legal-tech-market-revenue-worldwide/ >accessed 16th February 2023

3. How Technology is Revolutionizing the Legal Sector? (2020) – Appinventiv. Available from <https://appinventiv.com/blog/technology-in-legal-sector/.> Accessed 16th February 2023

4. Ibid

5. OM Atoyebi, Legal Technology in Nigeria and why Lawyers need to keep abreast with the Trends, (2021) Available from< https://omaplex.com.ng/legal-technology-in-nigeria-and-why-lawyers-need-to-keep-abreast-of-the-trends/#_ftn1 >accessed 16th February 2023

6. Big Data for Law available at available from <https://www.legislation.gov.uk/projects/big-data-for-law >accessed February 2023

7. The Effect of Technology on the Legal Profession – LawAdvisor. Available from <https://lawadvisor.com/articles/the-effect-of-technology-on-the-legal-profession> accessed 16th February 2023

8. Jelor G, New Report Predicts Over 100,000 Legal Jobs Will Be Lost To Automation (2016)  available from <https://futurism.com/new-report-predicts-over-100000-legal-jobs-would-be-lost-to-technological-automation >accessed 12th February 2013

9. AI in Law and Legal Practice – Emerj Artificial Intelligence Research. https://emerj.com/ai-sector-overviews/ai-in-law-legal-practice-current-applications/ accessed 16th February 2023

10. Ibid

11. Ibid

12. Zach A, Do Robots Make Better Lawyers? A Conversation About Law and Artificial Intelligence. How AI can give your business and/or clients an edge? (2016) available from <https://abovethelaw.com/2016/06/do-robots-make-better-lawyers-a-conversation-about-law-and-artificial-intelligence/> accessed 16th February 2023

13. Thomson Reuters, Technology in law is the new norm (Aug 2021) available from <https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/blog/technology-in-law-is-the-new-norm/> accessed 16th February 2023

14. (2007)ALL FWLR (PT. 396) P. 763 @769

15. No. 04-2618-BLS2, 2006

16. O. Fabunmi., Equity and Trust in Nigeria (University of Ife Press Ltd. Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 1986) pp 7

Three sisters, two mothers, and daughters who stunned the blue skies

“Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, every movement, and action affects. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than a parent.” – Bob Keeshan

And so, Capt. Wale Makinde, a veteran helicopter pilot and staff member of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority so inspired his three daughters that they all became pilots like him.

By his inspirational leadership, Makinde a native of Ondo town, Ondo State bestowed three remarkable women on Nigeria— Mopelola Makinde, Oluwaseun Makinde, and Oluwafunmilayo Makinde

While Mopelola and Oluwaseun are Helicopter Pilots, Oluwafunmilayo is a fixed-wing Pilot and they are all actively flying.

But the real hero one of the sisters, @fummzzy twitted is their mum.

In September 20222, Hawaiian Airlines witnessed the groundbreaking event of Kamelia and Maria Zarka taking control of a B717, the airline’s first mother-daughter pilot team.

Captain Kamelia Zarka and her daughter, First Officer Maria Zarka, shared the flight deck of the Boeing B717 to operate a series of Neighbour Island flights. This was the first a mother-daughter pairing had flown for Hawaiian Airlines (Hawaiian) in its 93-year history. The pair, looking equally proud of each other and suitably decked out with a lei, greeted passengers at boarding, shared selfies, and encouraged young girls to follow their dreams to the cockpit.

Kamelia has been with Hawaiian for three decades, joining the airline as a flight attendant in 1992. She was born and raised in the Kingdom of Tonga and became the first Tongan woman to captain a commercial airliner. 

Before joining Hawaiian as a 717 pilot in April, Maria flew with US carrier Republic Airways in New Jersey for two years. Maria said that people were always telling her how amazing it is to fly with her mom, and now she has also experienced that. “She’s an amazing pilot, and learning from her is learning from one of the best. Now I call her Captain Mom.”

Capt. Holly Petitt and her daughter, First Officer Keely Petitt took off on their inaugural flight together on July 23, 2022, as Southwest Airlines’ first mother-daughter pilot team in the airline’s 55-year history.

“I just keep using the word ‘surreal.’ You have this little baby, you’re holding her in your arms, and in a blink of an eye, there she is sitting on the flight deck next to you. It’s been surreal and a dream come true,” Holly Petitt told “Good Morning America.”

Even though the 53-year-old pilot has been flying for Southwest for the last 18 years in a career that’s spanned two decades, she readily admitted she still got nervous making her in-flight announcement on that memorable Saturday.

“I’m going to interrupt my normally scheduled briefing here for some exciting news. Today is a really special day for me,” the older Petitt said in the announcement, in footage recorded and shared with “GMA” by Southwest. “I would like to introduce to you your first officer, a brand new member of the Southwest team of pilots, and my daughter, Keely Petitt. Keely, come on out here. So, thank you all for being here. This is a very exciting day for us, and for Southwest Airlines, a very special day. We are the first mother-daughter duo ever on the flight deck of Southwest Airlines. So thank you for being here.”

“That was really fun to make that announcement and I was nervous for sure,” Holly Petitt recalled to “GMA.” “But it was just such a special moment. Words really can’t do it justice, but it was a day full of joy.”

GRV calls for suspension of CMD following Dr. Vwaere Diaso’s death in Lagos hospital elevator disaster

Lagos State’s 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (a.k.a GRV) has called for the immediate suspension of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) and the Facility Manager of the Lagos Island General Hospital following the death of Doctor Vwaere Diaso in an elevator accident which occurred at the hospital.

Taking to his Twitter page, GRV wrote:

“GRV Calls For Immediate Suspension of CMD and Facility Manager after Death of Young Doctor

In the wake of the tragic and avoidable death of a young female doctor, Vwaere Diaso, in the collapsed elevator accident which occurred today at the General Hospital, Odan, Lagos Island, it is with deep shock and disbelief that this news has been received. The tragic passing of a rising star in a profession whose adherents symbolize compassion and dedication is one incident too much to bear. May God console her family and friends during this difficult period.

In the aftermath of this disturbing event, it is disconcerting that the wife of the Lagos state governor has taken it upon herself to address the protesting doctors. While empathy is appreciated, it is crucial to question why the permanent secretary or the governor himself did not think it compulsory and necessary to show up in person at such a sensitive moment.

Lagos residents’ lives must be valued highly, and there must be an unwavering commitment to a no-nonsense culture in the management of public buildings. Our collective safety is a matter of life and death, and it is not sufficient for regulators to assert their authority solely when private establishments fall short. Public institutions must also be subject to stringent safety standards and regular maintenance to prevent such devastating incidents.

The culpability of the Chief Medical Doctor and the Facility Manager cannot be overlooked in this incident. There are reliable reports that show that the management had been repeatedly warned about the faulty elevator, yet they failed to take appropriate action to rectify the situation. Their negligence has resulted in the loss of a precious life, and they must be held accountable for their inaction. Their negligence in failing to address the repeated complaints about the faulty elevator shows a grave disregard for the safety and lives of those using the facility.

This tragedy serves as a stark reminder that the government and healthcare authorities must prioritize the safety of citizens and medical practitioners alike. It is essential to instil a sense of responsibility and accountability at all levels of governance to ensure that such avoidable disasters never happen again. Let us unite in demanding justice for the late doctor and work towards a future where no one’s life is endangered due to the negligence of those entrusted with our wellbeing.”

Meet the 9 former governors on Tinubu’s ministerial list

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu sent the list of the second batch of ministerial nominees to the Senate for screening.

In a request sent to the Senate, the president is asking for the approval of 19 more nominees to join his cabinet.

On July 27, Tinubu forwarded a list of 28 nominees to the red chamber for screening and confirmation.

If the 47 ministerial nominees are confirmed, Tinubu would have the largest cabinet in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Here is the list of nominated former governors and their brief profiles.

NYESOM WIKE — RIVERS STATE

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is the immediate past governor of Rivers State. He served in that capacity from 2015 to 2023.

Prior to that, he was appointed minister of state for education on July 14, 2011, and later acting minister of education.

DAVID UMAHI — EBONYI STATE

David Nweze Umahi is the current senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial district.

He served as the governor of the state from 2015 to 2023 and as deputy governor from 2011 to 2015.

NASIR EL-RUFAI — KADUNA STATE

Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai is the immediate past governor of Kaduna state. He served two terms from 2015 to 2023.

In 1999, after Olusegun Obasanjo won the election to interrupt years of military rule, el-Rufai was appointed director of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), and the secretary of the National Council on Privatisation.

He would go on to spearhead the privatisation of several government-owned corporations alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.


He also served as minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) from 2003 to 2007.

MOHAMMED BADARU — JIGAWA STATE

Mohammed Badaru Abubakar served as governor of Jigawa state from 2015 to 2023.

He was the chairman of the presidential committee on fertiliser, an initiative established by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016.

BELLO MATAWALLE — ZAMFARA STATE

Matawalle was the governor of Zamfara from 2019 to 2023.

Between 1999 and 2003, he served as the state commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, commissioner for environment, rural development, and then commissioner for youth and sports.

Matawalle was elected into the House of Representatives in May 2003 on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

He was re-elected in 2007 and would later defect to the PDP where he was re-elected for a third term in 2011.

In 2021, Matawalle, along with all three Zamfara senators, six of seven representatives, and all 24 House of Assembly members, officially defected to the APC.

SIMON LALONG — PLATEAU STATE

Lalong served as governor of Plateau from 2015 to 2023, after discarding legal practice to pursue a career in politics in 1998.

Representing the PDP, he successfully contested in his native Shendam constituency and became a lawmaker in the Plateau State House of Assembly.

In October 2000, he became the speaker of the assembly, occupying that position until 2006, following political upheaval within the house.

The seven years in which he served as the speaker made him the longest-serving speaker of the house in the history of the state. 

GBOYEGA OYETOLA — OSUN STATE

Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola served as governor of Osun from 2018 to 2022.

He contested for the Osun state gubernatorial seat on the platform of the APC in the September 2018 governorship election and won.

On March 23, 2019, a tribunal ruled that he was not validly elected and ordered INEC to issue certificates of return to Senator Ademola Adeleke of the PDP, which was contested at the court of appeal.

Prior to his winning the election, he was the chief of staff to Rauf Aregbesola, his predecessor.

Oyetola lost his re-election bid to Adeleke in 2022.

IBRAHIM GAIDAM — YOBE STATE

In 1995, Ibrahim Gaidam left the civil service when he was appointed commissioner for youths and sports, and later the commissioner of commerce and industries.

From 1997 to 2007, he was a director in the state finance ministry and permanent secretary in various other ministries.

He served the state as the governor between 2009 to 2019 and has been the incumbent Senator of the Yobe East senatorial district since June 2019.

ATIKU BAGUDU — KEBBI STATE

Abubakar Atiku Bagudu served as governor of Kebbi between May 2015 and May 2023.

Previously, he served as the senator for the Kebbi state central constituency.

Judiciary Mourns Again: Former CJ of Bayelsa, Kate Abiri is dead

The immediate past Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Hon. Justice Kate Abiri is dead.

This is coming days after the death of Supreme Court’s Hon. Justice Chima Centus Nweze and Hon. Peter Hoommuk Mallong of the Federal High Court.

Justice who Abiri reportedly died today (Thursday) after a brief illness was Bayelsa’s longest-serving Chief Judge.

In what many have described as weird, Justice Abiri the late Justice Chima Centus Nweze who passed on Sunday belongs to the same Nigerian Law School Class.

Abiri’s obituary announcement sighted by Law & Society Magazine reads:

“It is with deep sadness that I announce to us the passing of Justice Kate Abiri, retired CJ of Bayelsa state. She was the immediate past CJ of Bayelsa state.

“This sad news has occurred too soon after losing CC Nweze, JSC.

“May the soul of Justice Kate Abiri rest in peace and may the Lord comfort her entire family during this difficult and sad times.
“May the Lord stay the hands of death in our midst in Jesus name.”

In 2016, Justice Abiri’s son, Wariebi Abiri, a graduate of law and a student of the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, reportedly died in a swimming pool in Abuja.

Within this period, the Federal High Court also announced the death of Justice Peter Hoommuk Mallong.

Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Mr. Hassan Sulaiman, said in a statement: “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the death of our own, Hon. Justice Peter Hoommuk Mallong, a judge of the Federal High Court, who passed away on 30th July 2023 unexpectedly after a brief illness in Abuja.

“We will miss him more than words can express. Funeral arrangements will be communicated to the public in due time.”

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