In his welcome remarks, the NBA president, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, thanked members for electing him as the 31st President of NBA, welcomes members, notable and special guests to the conference. The President sated that the theme of this year's conference is one that gladdens his heart, that there should be a cross border charging of fees but when charging such fees, you make sure that how much you charge does not become the motivation of representation to your client. He also emphasized how important it is to equip ourselves in a place where we will continue to be globally competitive.
In his words " When your client comes to you, this is a regulation that helps you to charge your clients across border. Am simply talking about being ethical and professional. The fight against corruption is a legal fight and it is only lawyers that can fight that fight. And that's why we decided to bring in anti-money laundering act to self regulate ourselves which will take effect on the 1st of January, 2024 instead of an outsider body regulating us.
Finally, I believe that Seniors, Senior Advocate of Nigeria should be accessible to the junior lawyers and also for mentoring purpose. The AGC, Chairman and Alternate Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee are working hard to make sure we have a wonderful and memorable experience.
I thank you all for coming.
Welcome Remarks was also said by the Chief Judge High Court of FCT represented, welcoming conferees and guests to the conference.
Senator Osita also gave his goodwill message to the delegates, thanking the organizers of the program for organizing the program with a good theme.
Prof. Peter Terkaa Akper, SAN gave the Keynote Address stating that he was delighted to be here. In his words " In line with the theme, we intend to profer suggestions for all lawyers in our representation in discharging our duties to our clients.
Vote of thanks was given by the Secretary, NBA-Section on Legal Practice, Prof. Augustine Robert Agom, thanking all special guests, NBA President, Resource Persons, guest speakers, sponsors, members and delegates, he also emphasized that the conferees should ensure their voice is heard in this conference. In his words " You have heard today that we can charge our fees without borders and we can also render our services without borders, I wish you all a good outing in this conference.
The conference was declared open: The Premium Showcase Session started 1:19pm with the topic-"Transformation of Legal Practice In Nigeria. The Chairperson of the Session, Augustine Alegeh, SAN while the Panelists were, Isaiah Broderick Bozimo Esq, Hon. Justice Daketima Kio, Dr. Nkiruka Chidia Maduekwe, Hon. Justice Taiwo Taiwo Rtd, Prof. Agbo Madaki, Prof. Usman Suleiman, SAN.
The Panelists raised issues in dissatisfaction in the Nigerian Judicial System, D.G Nigerian Law School, Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN stated that it is a challenge graduating so many law students from the Nigerian law school and no iota of knowledge of how the legal system works outside law school due to the limited time spent at the law school, therefore training is needed, the teachers of the law schools needs to be trained, laptops is also needed..In his words" The era of teachers coming to class telling them to read books has gone, basically what students needs is practical experience, students should have access to laptops, training etc. We are also confronted with challenges in our judicial system but we are doing the best we can, we teach and mentor. Thank you.
Other panelists, Isaiah Boderick Bozimo Esq stated that A poll was conducted asking Nigerians to rate our Justice System on the scale of 1-10, there was dissatisfaction from Nigerians on our Justice system which has to do with corruption and delay of cases. He added that we should learn from other developed jurisdiction who have a working Judicial System like the Singapore, United Kingdom, South Africa who have a practical effective legal system and a transformative approach to Justice Reform. In his words " We must draw inspiration from the success and inspire to adopt such success story to our system, solutions should be tailored to allign with our unique Nigerian context. The solution to these challenges are there should be Technology, Proactive Legal Policy Reform, Encouraging Alternative Dispute Resolution, Enable Proactive Judicial Involvement, Enhancing transparency, accessibility and accountability in our judicial system.
Plenary Session Two: Started at 3:19pm with topic - Legal Practice Issues In Migration And Immigration.
Dr. Agada talks about the Immigration Act
He stated that there's a new act which mandates section 5 on the court mandating that there must be arbitration. Under the new act we have provisions for emergency issues on arbitration, also in section 19, 39 & 40 on consolidation and concurrent matters subject to approval of parties and a third party can be joined in a matter without approval by parties in the matter. There's also a change in the section on the setting aside or arbitrary awards. Overall I want to conclude by saying the new act is a remarkable step to the provision of arbitration in Nigeria
Plenary Session One: Started at 3:31pm with the topic- Organ Donation And Transplantation Under Nigerian Law.
Chairperson, Olusegun Abimbola, SAN, Panelists are Dr. Yemi Johnson, Dr. Damilola Adejumo, Joyce Eseni Esq, Otunba Laolu Osanyin.
The panelists, Dr. Damilola Adejumo stated that there must be consent in organ donation. The person donating his organ must have given his consent in relation to organ donation which is very explicit in the medical practitioners law. The law is very clear, the medical practitioners and dental law, states it clearly prescribing 3 minimum counselling sections in rule 19 compulsory for both the donor and the done of the organ donation. Section 57 says you can still withdraw your consent after giving your consent to debate your organs.
There are also challenges in the law, anything that has to do with organ donation is restricted to the medical practitioners alone, hospitals given the rights to be consented alone on the organ donation, a well spelt out details on Section 51 still need to be detailed.
Dr Yemi Johnson, You also need the permission of the family of the donor of the organ transplant. The organ donation is mostly kidney donation and getting permission of the family of the donor in Nigeria may be difficult but such is not a big deal in the United State. Nigeria factors is also an issue in organ donation.
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