…..To Brainstorm on judiciary independence, Electoral Reforms.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has rolled out activities for the celebrations of the 2025 Akure Branch Law Week, even as the Association expressed concerns over conflicting judgements coming from the judiciary.
Addressing newsmen in Akure on the programmes lined up for the law week ceremony, the NBA Branch Chairman,
Mr Onimisi Friday Umar, said “We welcome you to this press briefing. Of course, this is part of the activities marking the Nigerian Bar Association Akure Brach Law Week for 2025.
“By the grace of God, the Law Week will start on the 9th of November, 2025 with a church service for the Thanksgiving service. The venue is at the Deeper Christian Life Ministry off Idanre Road at Okearo by 10 a.m. Lawyers and members of the branch will be gathered to thank the Almighty God for keeping us up to this very time that we are celebrating the 2025 Law Week.
“On Monday morning, we shall be having a health walk, wherein our members will be gathered at the bar center. We take off by 7 a.m., we go around the city, particularly the Alagbaka axis of the town, to also create awareness.
“Thereafter, in the evening of Monday by 6 p.m., we’ll be gathered at the bar center again for the cocktail and gala night, and of course, I will say that you are all invited. That will end the activity for Monday, the 10th of November.
“On Tuesday, the 11th day of November, is the opening ceremony where we’ll all be gathered at the Dome for the opening ceremony. We have a number of activities for the opening ceremony, but most importantly, and the one that will interest you, is that we have a keynote speaker who will be addressing us on the theme of the Law Week.
“That is in the person of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode. He will be live in Akure while giving the keynote address. Of course, he will also be on ground to witness the commissioning of the Senator Dr. Bode Olajumoke Relaxation Center at the bar center. Thereafter, we’ll converge again for technical sessions at the Dome where we’ll be looking at the theme of the Law Week, which is “Nigeria: Quest for Utilitarian Judiciary and Roles for Stakeholders.” That is the topic of the Law Week for 2025 NBA Akure Branch.
“On Wednesday, we’ll all be gathered at the Dome again for technical sessions, where we’ll be talking on issues of the moment. The first session will focus on the reforms in the Nigerian Correctional Service and how we rehabilitate ex-inmates. We have eminent personalities that will be doing justice to this topic. We’ll also be having a session on Electoral Justice through Legislation and the Court System, which is the judiciary. We thought it’s interesting that for democracy to move forward, there must be a judicial system that renders the services people need.
“Electoral justice in Nigeria is so fundamental that we have to look at various possible ways of amending our electoral laws. There is an ongoing amendment process at the National Assembly, and we also want to examine those areas. We have Dr. Remi Olatubora, SAN, who will be doing justice to that as our lead discussant.
“We have the likes of Olumide Olujimi, SAN, as discussants, and our own son of the soil, Adamson Adeboro, SAN, will also be on ground to contribute. We invite members of the public as we intend to do live streaming so that they can also be part of the ongoing conversation as the Law Week progresses.
“On Thursday morning, we’ll be visiting children’s homes, the lepers’ colony, and the Nigerian Correctional Service at Olokuta, where we intend to provide legal advice and donate humanitarian items. By 12 noon of that same day, which is the 13th of November, 2025, the Nigerian Bar Association football team will play against the Nigerian Medical Association football team.
“In the evening of Thursday, we’ll be having our law dinner and award night at the Dome by 6 p.m., where we’ll party and recognize many of our members and indigenes of Ondo State.
“First among them is Senator Bode Olajumoke, who will be awarded Grand Patron of the branch. He has graciously donated a relaxation center for the use of NBA members, his way of giving back to the profession that made him. Others to be honoured include Mr. Olagoke Fakunle, SAN; Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN; and Mr. Dayo Akinlaja, SAN, who is the Chairman of the Law Week Planning Committee but unavoidably absent due to official engagements in Abuja.
“Also to be recognized is Mr. Festus Kayode Idekpefu, SAN, from Ilutitun in Ondo State but practicing in Taraba state. We want to bring people like that back home to identify with us. Our own Mr. Kofo Salam-Alada, recently retired as Director of Legal Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria, will also be honoured.
“This year, we have decided to celebrate our own sons and daughters of Ondo State and beyond. The Chairman of OSOPADEC, Prince Olabiyi Poroye, will be awarded Friend of the Bar. Hon. Dr. D. I. Kekemeke and the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, will also be decorated. The Hon. Attorney-General, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON, and the Minister of Youth development, Hon. Olawande Ayodele, will both be conferred as Friends of the Bar.
“Another recipient is Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, Chairman of Vanguard Newspapers, who will also be honored as Friend of the Bar. He will be here in Akure for the event.
“These activities will run from the 9th to the 14th of November, 2025. Another honoree is One of your former colleagues, Mr. Sola Ajisafe, who has been doing well, will be recognized as a Patron of the branch.
“On Friday, the 14th of November, we’ll converge at the Government House Mosque for a special prayer session to thank God and seek His guidance. These are the activities lined up.”
“Regarding Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, he will be talking on the theme of the Law Week, ”Nigeria: Quest for Utilitarian Judiciary and Roles for Stakeholders.” As lawyers, we have our duties and responsibilities.
“The judiciary itself and the government also have theirs. The ongoing conversation on judicial independence will also be addressed. We believe democracy thrives where there is an independent judiciary.
“We will also examine the electoral system because it determines the legislature and executive. If the process is defective, the products will be too. The amendment of the Electoral Act is ongoing, and our communique at the end of the Law Week will communicate our recommendations to the government and those in position to effect changes.”
