NBA-SLP 2018 Port Harcourt Conference

The Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association – Section on Legal Practice is slated for the 12th – 13th of April, 2018.

The theme of the conference is “Re-thinking and Re-tooling Legal Practice for the Challenges of our Time”.

This theme is apt and expedient now more than ever, considering recent ethical issues and changes in substantive law that keep occurring. There are over Fifty Thousand Lawyers in Nigeria today, and increasingly, perhaps as a result of the number, there has been an increase in allegations of sharp practices, complaints and petitions against Lawyers. Some have been disbarred or suspended. What can Lawyers do about their practice, and drive their increase in income? How can we equip ourselves to be more relevant in these times?

This conference is intended to address these issues, and answer your questions on the way forward.

The conference will have as Chairman and Special Guest, the Honourable, The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter S. N. Onnoghen, GCON. Amongst others in attendance will also be The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, A. B. Mahmoud, SAN; The Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON; the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Judicial Division, other Justices of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, the Chief Judge of Anambra State, and other Judges from other courts and jurisdictions.

The first day, 12th April, 2018 will feature the first of three sessions. Session one will be chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, with the topic “Practicing Law in a

Regulated Environment – What we need to know”.

“The law” as it is today will be considered and the Speaker will be Uwa Etigwe, SAN. “The reality of the law” will also be considered by Yemi Candide Johnson, SAN as Speaker. Discussants to the topic in the first session will be a formidable team of Funke Adekoya, SAN; Charles Ajuyah, SAN; Folashade Alli, Esq.; Ayo Akintunde, SAN and Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, A. B. Mahmoud, SAN, will reveal “The Future” which will culminate as an interactive session.

Session two will be chaired by the Honourable Attorney-General of Rivers State, Chinwe Aguma, SAN, with topic -“Economic and White-collar crimes- Is the Administration of Criminal Justice Act the right tool for effective justice delivery?” Speakers will be Chile Okoroma Esq.

Director Legal and Prosecution of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Mr. Mahmoud Magaji, SAN who will give the perspective from the defence. Mr. Charles Adeogun- Philips Esq. who is a former Genocide and War Crimes Prosecutor will be the Discussant.

Session three will be chaired by The Honourable Justice A. A. B. Gumel, Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, with topic “The Bench & the Bar - Managing our Symbiotic Relationship” Speakers will be the nominee of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who will speak from the perspective of the Bench while Yakubu Maikyau, SAN will speak from the Bar’s perspective. Discussants are eminent Senior Advocates Funke Aboyade and Arthur ObiOkafor.

To strike the right balance with work and pleasure, there will be a networking lunch and a reception at 6:00pm hosted by the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA. It promises to be a lot of fun.

Day Two which is the 13th April, 2018 will feature the fourth and fifth sessions.

Session four will be chaired by Hon. Okey Wali, SAN, with the topic “Problems Impeding our Fee Earning Capabilities as Legal Practitioners”. The Speaker will be Mark Mordi Esq. with Discussants as, Paul Usoro, SAN; Mrs. Ibioku J. Owugah and Elijah Briggs Esq.

Session five will be chaired by Hon. O. C. J Okocha SAN, MFR with the topic “Preparing for the 2019 Elections - Experiences under the Electoral Act No, 6 of 2010 - Any need for Amendments?” The Speaker will be Emmanuel C. Ukala, SAN with Discussanta as Donald Denwigwe, SAN; Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN and Ahmed Raji, SAN. All you need to know in election matters you will learn from them.

This conference which is accredited and will attract CLE points, promises to be revealing and rewarding.