Author: bibncollar

Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution provides unequivocally that “Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom.” This provision, which the Attorney General of Edo State refused to lecture his principal on, affirms that no governor or political leader can legally restrict the movement of any Nigerian citizen within the country. The right to movement is not a privilege granted by governors; it is a fundamental human right enforceable against the state and…

After a thorough perusal of the proposed amended provisions of the NBA Constitution, I am encouraged by Articles 5b(v), 21(5-10), 16-24, Part X (1-15) of the second schedule, as well as Article 12(4) (in part), Article 14(7-10), and Article 17A(1-15) of the third schedule. However, I strongly believe there are essential provisions that should have been included: 1. Decisions made by Branch Chairmen regarding other Elective Officers must require only the approval of the General House. 2. We need effective measures to check the excesses of Branch Chairmen and Presidents, preventing any interference or usurpation of responsibilities of other Elective…

Only last week, some 5725 new wigs or fresh lawyers were called to the Bar by the Body of Benchers. Congratulations to the freshly minted lawyers because no matter the chain of law degrees a person may have, if he has not been formally and duly admitted to the Bar by the Body of Benchers, he cannot practice law in Nigeria. In the case of DANKWAMBO V ABUBAKAR & ORS (2015) LPELR-25716(SC) (Pp. 75-76 paras. E), the Supreme Court, per Okoro JSC, restated the condition for a person to be qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria thus-…

It was Zick Zigler that said : You might think money is not important, but I tell you , it ranks reasonably close to oxygen.  Money is obviously an important component of human existence. However, fledging persons should be wary , how they chase money , else money runs away from them .Money is very spiritual. It does not come to you as you pursue it .Money answers to process , value and reputation. Often times , people chase after money, at the expense of opportunity and network. There are tasks you do ,that you do not make money ,…

In a major push to overhaul Nigeria’s electoral framework ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Electoral Reform Committee has submitted a comprehensive memorandum to the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, advocating robust amendments to the Electoral Act 2022. Led by Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, the delegation was received by the Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Balogun, alongside senior legislative staff, including the Clerks of both the House and the Senate. While the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters was unavoidably absent, a rescheduled session is expected for his formal engagement…

MEMORY VERSE “Security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” ≈Section 14(2)(b), The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 BACKGROUND  1. The Plateau State Government recently issued a public condemnation of the Nigerian military’s failure to protect communities suffering repeated bandit attacks in the state, stating that troops had “failed to foil the attack” despite being deployed to the affected areas. In response, the government formally requested the deployment of Mobile Police units, citing their greater suitability for rapid and flexible intervention in rural and hard-to-reach communities. It also demanded the withdrawal of…

I read with concern the article articulated by James Osaramen, Esq, titled: “Unizik: What is the legal limit of an Acting Vice-Chancellorship?” In the article the learned counsel, relying on the provision of section 5(14) of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (amendment) Act 2003 (“Universities Act”) which provides that: “An acting VC in all circumstances shall not be in office for more than six months.” posited very elegantly that, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, the current Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (“Unizik”), having previously served in an acting capacity for a period of 3 months before Prof. Joseph Odo, whose tenure…

1. In a shocking display of lawlessness, Governor Okpebholo of Edo State recently made a public declaration that has rattled democratic sensibilities and provoked widespread concern about the state of governance in Nigeria. Addressing a political gathering in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, the Governor openly declared that a certain citizen of Nigeria would not be safe in Edo State if he visited without his prior consent. Governor Okpebholo’s words were brazen: “This message is for the man wey say e no get shishi. I am sending a direct message to him, there is a new sheriff in…

Purchasing land can be a thing of great joy, but if you are not careful, it could be a living nightmare! The following are safeguards when purchasing a land in Nigeria: 1. Let a lawyer be with you at the beginning of the transaction. It makes the Land Speculators do the right thing, from the beginning, knowing that a good lawyer will detect fraud or discrepancies from the start. 2. Never make payments and sign documents later. Most times, after making payments, the vendors become evasive and elusive, knowing there is nothing to look on to. Never pay cash for…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, famously known as the “Tiger Bar,” is set to host a grand dinner this evening in honour of Chief Emeka Ozoani, SAN, as part of activities marking its Law Week 2025. According to a flex banner on display at the venue, the event is themed simply as a “DINNER in Honour of Chief Emeka Ozoani, SAN,” and is scheduled to commence at exactly 6:00 PM prompt on Tuesday, 15th July, 2025, at The Bar Centre, Old Secretariat Road, Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja. The dinner is expected to draw notable dignitaries from the legal…