[RECAP]: Lawyers, others chart Nigeria’s path to rebuilding at NBA’s 2024 Annual Conference

As part of efforts to find lasting solutions to the multifaceted challenges facing the nation, over 16,000 lawyers along with some top economists, politicians, tech experts, and other professionals were in Lagos at the weekend for the 2024 Annual General Conference, AGC, of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.

The theme of the five-day conference was Pressing Forward: A National Posture for Rebuilding Nigeria.

Dignitaries and speakers at the conference include, Vice- President Kashim Shettima; Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; former Ghanaian President, John Mahama; Governors of Lagos, Ondo, Jigawa, Rivers; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi amongst others.

Unity, not blame game needed to address challenges — Okonjo-Iweala

As guest speaker of the conference, the WTO boss, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala set the tone for discussions on the challenges facing the nation by insisting that Nigeria needs unity, a new social contract and not a blame game to be able to realise its potential.

Lamenting that Nigeria is not presently where it ought to be as a nation, Okonjo-Iweala in her keynote address titled: A Social Contract for Nigeria’s Future, stated that policy inconsistency where every government abandons the policies of the previous administration, is part of the problem.

“A very important part of the explanation for why we’ve not been able to succeed is lack of policy consistency; successive administrations failing to continue good economic and social policies put in place by predecessors. Allowing politics to frame policy, what we can call the not-made-in-my- administration syndrome.

“We all understand that where policies are bad and not working, of course politics should intervene. But where things are working for the good of all, we ask, why fix what is not broken? To minimize the volatility of economic and social policy and to set our country on a steady growth and development path, rather than an episodic growth path, I have become increasingly convinced that Nigeria needs a social contract.

“By this I mean a fundamental cross-party, cross-society agreement that certain things in the economy, in the country, in policy and in society are sacrosanct and shall not be touched or changed when administrations change,” she said.

Among other solutions which she proffered to tackle the challenges in the country, Okonjo-Iweala condemned what she described as ‘weaponisation of insecurity’ by politicians and emphasised the essential link between security and socio-economic development.

We’re tackling challenges with reform—Shettima

Admitting that the nation is indeed facing difficult challenges, Vice-President, Kashim Shettima noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is taking bold steps through policies and reforms to tackle them.

He said: ‘While I acknowledge the temporary existence of some daunting challenges besetting us as a nation, I would like to urge you all not to adopt a defeatist approach; rather, we should remain resolute in working for a country of our dreams.

“It is obvious that Nigeria as a nation cannot continue to sojourn on the trajectory of the past if we must be assured of sustainable development; hence, the need to sanitise the Augean stable and chart a proper course of rebuilding the nation.

“I acknowledge that altering the status quo requires difficult decisions and changes, which also inevitably come with hard outcomes. However, I am confident that this is a passing phase and our policies and actions, as an administration, are bound to usher in relief in no distant time.”

New mindset needed to rebuild Nigeria —Akpabio

Speaking on day two of the conference, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, postulated that what is needed for the nation to move forward, is a new positive mindset.

He said: “Yesterday’s mindset took us to where we are today, and today’s mindset will definitely take us to where we will be tomorrow. We must transform our minds. This has become the rallying cry of the current President of our dear country, Bola Tinubu.

Akpabio also emphasized the critical role of the legal community in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to rebuild and transform the nation and commended the theme of the conference describing it as a call to transform the nation through a paradigm shift in thinking and attitudes.

Ex-Ghanaian President, Mahama advocates new legal framework

Also speaking on day-two of the conference, former President of Ghana, John Mahama stated that there is a a need for the establishment of a Pan-African legal framework that will reflect the continent’s values and realities and help to solve the challenges facing the continent.

Mahama, who spoke on the topic: The Future of Africa Amid Rising Security, Economic and Political Challenges, said that lawyers must not only advocate for change but they must also actively shape the legal frameworks that will support the diversification and strengthening of our economies.

“The protocol on the free movement of persons is not just an economic necessity but a realisation of the Pan-African dream. It is your duty as legal persons to advocate for and implement legal mechanisms that enable the free movement of our people and goods across our borders while addressing the legitimate security concerns associated with that.

“You must work tirelessly to harmonise our immigration laws, recognise professional qualifications across our member-states, and establish robust systems for the mutual recognition of judgments and arbitral awards.

“For your professional implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, it opens up new opportunities and responsibilities. You must proactively adapt your legal education and practice to meet the needs of an integrated African market. This involves developing expertise in international trade law, cross-border disputes, and comparative African law.”

Justice delivery now thriving on collaborations—Fagbemi, SAN

Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said that he would continue to recognise and work with all partners to improve on the country’s justice delivery system.

He stated: “I am pleased to report that we have made substantial progress in this area. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, a collaborative National Justice Summit was convened by the Federal Ministry of Justice, National Judicial Council, and the NBA.

“What in my humble view is even more noteworthy is the statement of future activities presented in the format of a communique and signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association and myself.

“Going forward, these three institutions now have a framework and a joint agenda for cooperation, collaboration and commitment on Justice Sector Reform. I look forward to the continuous pursuit of this agenda by both the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and the incoming President of the Nigerian Bar Association.”

Lawyers owe a duty to Nigerians —Maikyau, SAN

Earlier in his welcome address, President of NBA, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, assured the gathering that the Bar would continue to work for the course of justice in Nigeria saying that the respect the bar had was a symbol of freedom in the country.

“The bar is represented primarily by the need to serve justice to the people. Our existence as a people is intricately connected to our responsibility as the defenders of the people,” he said.

Maikyau urged lawyers to ensure that they discharged their duties to the people of Nigeria with determination, like the resilience of an eagle, and eschew corruption at all levels.

32 break-out sessions

The conference was divided into 32 break-out sessions with hundreds of panelists in each of the sessions addressing key economic, social and cultural issues.

Ondo, Jigawa, Rivers commit to implement state policing

Speaking at the break-out session on State Police, the governors of Ondo, Rivers and Jigawa states reiterated their commitment to implement the policy as part of key measures to tackle insecurity in their states.

While the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa highlighted the success of the AMOTEKUN security outfit in the South-west region and urged the Federal Government to emulate the security model, his Rivers State counterpart, Siminalayi Fubara stated that localising policing in the country is the surest way to tackle insecurity in the country.

Aiyedatiwa said: “I am proud to say that AMOTEKUN has delivered. It has brought a measure of peace and security to our people, a peace that had long been elusive. This home-grown initiative has demonstrated that when we trust our communities, when we empower them, when we give them the responsibility and the resources to secure their own lives and property, they can achieve remarkable results. The synergy between AMOTEKUN and other security agencies has placed Ondo State as one of the most peaceful and secure states in Nigeria today.

“This is but a glimpse of what state policing can truly accomplish. Imagine a Nigeria where every state is empowered to tailor its security approaches to the unique needs of its people. A country where swift response times, targeted interventions and community-driven initiatives become the norm, rather than exception. This is the future we must fight for – a future where the safety and well-being of our citizens are paramount, protected by the very foundations of our constitution.’

Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi also aligned with the views expressed by his colleagues but added that a Federal Police is also needed to tackle issues that affect the federation.

EFCC boss to lawyers: Stop aiding crime suspects

Speaking at the break-out session titled: Lawyers in the spotlight: Essential anti-money laundering considerations for the legal profession, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Olukoyede admonished lawyers to stop aiding crime suspects who are their clients, to evade justice.

Olukoyede stated that the duty of lawyers is to bring any person who has committed financial crimes to court and not assist them to evade justice.

“Don’t try to protect suspected criminals, people who must have committed financial crimes.

So, if you know where, who, or whatever we are looking for, it is your duty to bring that person to the open and we will do our own part,” he said.

The EFCC boss also called on the National Assembly to enact laws that further support the whistle blower policy of the federal government. He noted that once the law is enacted, it will make it mandatory for law enforcement agencies to protect the whistle blowers.

Security chiefs reiterate commitment to rule of law

Speaking at the session, titled “Are We Winning the War Against Insecurity?” Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taorees Lagbaja; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun reiterated their commitment to the rule of law.““COAS Lagbaja, emphasized the importance of maintaining the rule of law despite the urgent need for expedient justice and underscored that while the Court Martial system is efficient for military personnel, it cannot be applied to civilians. This stance according to him, ensures that civil rights are preserved and justice is administered relatively according to civilian laws.“““On his part, Air Marshal Abubakar detailed the Nigerian Air Force’s role in providing aerial support for counter-insurgency operations and further highlighted advancements in aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering, and reconnaissance missions, which are critical for tracking and neutralizing insurgent activities and monitoring large geographic areas affected by insecurity.““”Enhanced aerial capabilities contribute significantly to the security infrastructure by improving the effectiveness of operations against insurgents and other criminal groups. However, the effectiveness of these advancements depends on continuous investment in technology and training,” he said.““On his part, Vice Admiral Ogalla, who spoke on the Nigerian Navy’s efforts to secure maritime borders and combat piracy and illegal fishing, highlighted the importance of securing Nigeria’s extensive coastline to prevent arms smuggling and other illicit activities that contribute to national insecurity.““He maintained that adequate maritime security is crucial for protecting economic interests and maintaining stability in coastal regions.““IGP Kayode Egbetokun addressed the challenges faced by the Nigerian Police Force, including combating banditry, armed robbery, and other criminal activities and stressed the need for improved community policing and intelligence-sharing among law enforcement agencies to enhance crime prevention and response capabilities.

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