The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, today, Thursday 12th September 2024, inaugurated the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association Women’s Forum (NBAWF) and four other Committees. The Committees and forum are as follows;
NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION WOMEN’S FORUM (NBAWF)
This Forum serves as a vital platform for advancing gender equality, promoting professional development, and empowering women within the legal profession.
The Forum’s Terms of Reference are as set out below:
1. Engagement in Forum Activities: Members will take part in seminars, workshops, meetings, and other events that promote the NBAWF’s mission.
2. Empowering Women in the Legal Profession: Through mentorship, professional development, and advocacy initiatives, members will work towards creating leadership and growth opportunities for women in the legal field.
3. Supporting NBA’s Goals: The members will work in alignment with the broader vision of the NBA, particularly on matters of gender equality, ethics, and strengthening the role of women in law.
The Leadership of the Forum is hereby constituted as follows:
* HUWAILA MOHAMMED – CHAIRPERSON
* DELAYO ORIEKUN – ALTERNATE CHAIRPERSON
* UGWOCHI AGALA – SECRETARY
* CECEILIA NGOZI ONYIA – TREASURER
* SADIYA SULE – PUBLICITY SECRETARY
* DR RABI ABDULAHI – MEMBER
* BISI FATOKI – MEMBER
* BUKOLA IKUJUNI – MEMBER
* NJIDEKA U. UJU – MEMBER
* RABIAT A. LIMAN – MEMBER
* FREDA ANYIA – MEMBER
* ESTHER JIMOH – MEMBER
The Nigerian Bar Association is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all women lawyers, and we are confident that the newly appointed members will make significant contributions toward realizing these goals.
NATIONAL LITIGATION COMMITTEE
The National Litigation Committee will operate on a zonal basis, with leadership drawn from the Northern, Eastern, and Western Zones to ensure region-specific concerns are addressed. In collaboration with the NBA Human Rights Committee, the committee will also provide pro bono services, particularly for lawyers facing intimidation and harassment in the course of their work.
Terms of Reference for the National Litigation Committee:
* Investigate and document cases of harassment, intimidation, and violation of lawyers’ rights by law enforcement agents.
* Institute legal actions to challenge and rectify violations of the rights of lawyers to perform their duties without intimidation or harassment.
* Collaborate with relevant stakeholders and governmental agencies to promote policies that ensure the protection of legal practitioners.
* Advocate for the enactment or enforcement of laws that safeguard the independence of the legal profession and prevent interference by law enforcement agents.
* Work closely with the NBA Human Rights Committee and its branches to offer pro bono legal services to deserving members of the public, particularly in cases of human rights violations.
* Engage in public interest litigation aimed at addressing systemic issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice in Nigeria.
* Ensure that legal representation and advocacy are available for lawyers and the public in matters of public interest that threaten the rule of law, democracy, and the administration of justice.
* Operate on a zonal basis, with the Northern, Eastern, and Western Zones handling region-specific challenges related to the harassment of lawyers and human rights violations.
* Develop zonal strategies for addressing violations and promoting legal reforms that strengthen the legal profession and protect lawyers from harassment.
* Submit periodic reports to the Nigerian Bar Association on cases handled, progress made, and challenges encountered in each zone.
* Organize educational campaigns, workshops, and seminars aimed at raising awareness among lawyers, law enforcement agents, and the public about the importance of protecting the legal profession from harassment.
* Collaborate with law enforcement agencies to educate them on the lawful and ethical boundaries of their powers in relation to the legal profession.
* Promote a culture of respect for the rule of law and the role of lawyers in the administration of justice.
The Committee is constituted as follows:
1. AMA ETUWEWE, SAN – COORDINATING CHAIRMAN
2. EKO EJEMBI EKO SAN – 1ST ALTERNATE COORDINATING CHAIRMAN
3. VINCENT OTAOKPUKPU – 2ND ALTERNATE COORDINATING CHAIRMAN
4. ALIYU ISAH ABUBAKAR – COORDINATING SECRETARY
NORTHERN, EASTERN AND WESTERN ZONES.
1. MBA UKWENI, SAN (CHAIR- EAST), AMAKA EZENO (ALTERNATE CHAIR – EAST); OLOCHE S. OKPEKE, OKEY OHAGBA, EKPONG J. EKPONG, MARIA AKPAN, NNAMDI ANAGOR, KESTER OGUEJIOFOR, CRESCENT ODO, OKECHUKWU OKO, PRINCE UGOCHUKWU, BLESSING AKPOTU, DAVID UDURU, CHUKWUEMEKA UWA, RACHAEL PRINCEWILL, ACHIKE ACHUKWU, HARCOURT JOHN EKPE.
2. RAZAK ISENALUMHE (CHAIRMAN – WEST), ADETUNJI OSHO ALTERNATE CHAIRMAN – WEST) ADEKOLA KAREEM, NIYI AKINSOLA, SHERIFAT BUSARI, CHINEDU IFEZUE, FRANCIS OKALA, ENIE OTRAFABOWEI, UCHE ANOZIE, EDWIN IBIOMGBO, ANDREW LAWANI, SEUN AJOBA, OMOTOLA ODUSOLA, YUSUF OLATUNDE RAIMI
3. IBRAHIM ALIYU NASSARAWA (CHAIR- NORTH), NIRI DARONG (ALTERNATE CHAIR – NORTH), ISA ALIYU (SECRETARY – NORTH), THEOPHILUS IGBA, CHRISTIAN WANCHE, Y Y EDE, OUMAR CIROMA, HENRY IHUNDE, ELIJAH ISRAEL, BERNARD NAFAGHA, CLARIS NWACHUKWU, FAISAL ABUBAKAR, JOHN ABBA, KELECHI OBODO, CLAVER OWHOR
The NBA is confident that the National Litigation Committee will make significant contributions to ensuring that lawyers can carry out their professional duties without fear of harassment or intimidation. By working on both legal and policy fronts, the Committee will help to uphold the integrity of the legal profession and promote justice for all.
CITIZENS LIBERTIES COMMITTEE
This is a specialized Committee designed to safeguard the rights and liberties of individuals, particularly those in detention facilities. This Committee will work closely with NBA branch Human Rights Committees, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary to ensure the protection of human rights and uphold the rule of law in Nigeria.
The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Citizens Liberties Committee are as follows:
1. The Committee, in collaboration with the NBA branch Human Rights Committees, will oversee the inspection of police stations and detention centers to identify potential human rights violations, unlawful detentions, and breaches of statutory duties by law enforcement officers.
2. Working with NBA branches, the Committee will receive and investigate complaints from citizens regarding human rights violations in detention centers and police stations. These investigations will aim to hold relevant authorities accountable and ensure the protection of civil liberties.
3. The Committee will collaborate with Chief Judges, Magistrates, and NBA branch Human Rights Committees to ensure that law enforcement agencies comply with their legal responsibilities related to the inspection and oversight of detention facilities.
4. Based on its findings from inspections and investigations, the Committee will provide recommendations for policy reforms and legislative amendments to enhance the protection of individual liberties and prevent future violations of rights in detention facilities.
5. In partnership with NBA branches, the Committee will educate citizens on their rights and responsibilities, empowering them to actively participate in monitoring and reporting human rights violations, and fostering a culture of accountability.
6. The Committee will engage with NBA Human Rights Committees and local as well as international human rights organizations to promote shared goals of justice, liberty, and respect for human dignity across Nigeria.
7. Review proposed legislation for potential impacts on individual liberties, in collaboration with NBA branch Human Rights Committees.
8. Examine actions by government and law enforcement agencies for adherence to constitutional provisions and international human rights standards.
9. Investigate allegations of unlawful detentions, discrimination, and other rights violations, coordinating closely with NBA branches and their Human Rights Committees.
The NBA believes that the creation of this Committee will significantly bolster efforts to safeguard the rights of Nigerian citizens, especially the vulnerable and marginalized.
The Committee is constituted as follows:
1. NUHU EGYA (CHAIRMAN)
2. MALACHY UGWUMADU (ALTERNATE CHAIR)
3. STANLEY DAMABIDE
4. INIBEHE EFFIONG (SECRETARY)
5. CHIOMA IWUEZE
6. OLADELE OLADEJO
7. DEJI ADEYANJU
8. HADIZA NASIR AHMAD
9. MAXWELL OPARA
10. DANIEL KIP
11. AHMAD KHALIL
13. KEHINDE OYEWALE
14. MATTHEW OSUME
15. SHEHU IDRIS SANI
16. MARVIN IBEM
17. FESTUS OGUN
18. EJIOFOR CYNTHIA LAWRENCE
19. MBANG CONFIDENCE
20. PATIENCE-GODWILL PATIENCE DEIPREYE
21. HAFSAT ADAM
22. NKEMJIKA EDEH
23. SAMSON EZEKIEL
24. S TERVER-UBWA
25. UTHMAN ISA TOCHUKWU
26. IKECHUKWU CHUKWUDEBELU
We encourage all members and branches to actively support this vital initiative as we work together to uphold justice and liberty for all.
ADJUDICATURE REVIEW COMMITTEE (ARC)
