The Notice of the Lagos NBA Meeting for November had stated the time as 1:30 p.m.
I strolled in to the High Court’s foyer at 1:05 p.m. I saw the familiar faces of Lagos NBA politics.
The meeting started at 2:02 p.m. when the Lagos NBA Vice-Chairman called the meeting to order. He called on a senior member of the Bar to give the opening prayer. The Vice Chairman welcomed members and took time to call the names of the senior members (Mr. Seyi Opasanya SAN, Dr. Adewoyin amongst others) and acknowledged their presence. She stated that the Chairman is not in the country. She apologized for the technical hitches that had plagued the day. She explained the reason for starting the meeting late. She stated that the Chief Judge had directed that the Lagos Bar monthly meetings should commence at 2:p.m. as the meetings disturbs the courts sitting at the foyer. She had to meet with the Chief Judge who agreed that the day’s meeting could hold at 1:30 p.m. but the court workers who had earlier been instructed that meeting was to start by 2:00 p.m. were not available until 2:00 p.m. She assured members the meeting time would be resolved before the next meeting.
Minutes of the Last Meeting
The minutes of the last meeting was examined and there was neither correction nor amendment made. The minutes was adopted.
Matters Arising
Bar Centre, Lekki – The Vice-Chairman stated that having paid off the developer previously engaged in respect of the land, work would soon start and same would start before the current administration leaves office.
A Moment Silence for Departed Souls – A member raised his hand and he was given the microphone. He stated that the Branch lost some members in the last couple of days and he suggested that we give a moment silence for the departed souls. The Vice-Chairman called for a minute silence which members observed.
Annual Bar Dinner – The Vice-Chairman called on the Chairman of the Dinner Committee to talk to members on the Lagos Bar Annual Dinner. The Chairman of the Committee stated that this year’ dinner will take place at Harbour Point, 4, Wilmot Road, Off Ahmadu Bello Street, Victoria Island on the 13th December 2018. He stated that cocktail and red carpet starts at 5:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:00 p.m. He informed members that the Chairman of the Occasion will be Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed (JSC). He stated that dinner rates for members are as follows:
1 – 7 years – N5,000
8 – 14 years – N7,500
15 – 20 years – N10,000
20 years and above – N15,000
SAN & Benchers – N25,000
He enjoined members to support the event and encouraged them to contact him or other members of the committee for further details on the event.
The Vice-Chairman recognized the presence of the Chairman of NBA Ikorodu Branch. She also welcomed Mr. Muoka to the meeting and referred to him as former Vice-Chairman and members reacted with a noise amidst laughter. The Vice-Chairman quickly apologized and made a joke out of the issue. We laughed and the meeting continued.
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer gave her report and members were allowed to ask questions and make comments. No question was asked.
Knowledge Sharing Session
The Vice-Chairman called on Mr. Tobe to introduce the guest speaker for the day. Before Mr. Tobe announced the guest speaker for the knowledge sharing session, he stated that Young Lawyers ‘Hang Out’ with Mr. Idigbe, SAN was done and same was successful. He called on members to give a round of applause for the Silk. He thereafter called on the guest speaker for the day, Mr. Seye Opasanya, SAN. After the reading out the resume of the learned Silk, the Silk beckoned to him to stop.
The soft spoken Silk took the floor and began his presentation. His topic was on ‘Business Rescue and Lawyers’ role in same. The main thrust of his presentation was that business rescue was different from restructuring, mergers & acquisitions, arrangements and compromises. He also stated that there is dearth of law in that area. He related his experience on the field on the topic. His conclusion was that lawyers have a role to play in business rescue.
The Vice-Chairman called on a female senior member of the Bar to thank the hosts of the day’s meeting, Mr. Andrew Malgwi and Mr. T.A. Oladipo on behalf of members. She also called on another senior member to thank Mr. Opasanya, SAN for his presentation.
Any Other Matter
Judicial Relations Committee (New High Court Rules) – the Vice-Chairman called on a member of the committee to give its report. The thrust of the committee representative’s report was that the judiciary had intimated to the Bar that there would be a new High Court Civil Procedure Rules and wanted the contribution of the Branch. He stated that they had no official document to work with save for the aspects highlighted during activities of the new legal year. He stated that the Committee’s Report had been circulated. It appeared some members got the report. I also got a copy before the end of the meeting.
He further stated that members’ reactions to the proposed rules were low. Mr. Muoka was allowed to speak on the matter. Mr. Muoka stated that regardless of the low response from members, the committee was aware of the stance of members on certain matters in the new rules like costs and penalties. He stated that he expected to see the recommendations of the committee for members to deliberate on. The Vice-Chairman advised members to use the few days left to send their comments to the committee so that the committee could present its recommendations to the Lagos State Judiciary.
The meeting came to a close at 3:56 pm.
