Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, the Solicitor-General of the Federation says access to justice is the bedrock for trust in legal institutions.
Jeddy-Agba said this while delivering a keynote address during the citizens engagement event tagged “Access to Justice” on Wednesday in Abuja.
She was represented by Mrs Victoria Ojogbane, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics of the ministry.
She said the second quarter stakeholders’ engagement provides a unique and powerful platform to ensure that justice system is accessible.
“Access to justice is the bedrock upon which trust in the legal institutions is built.
“It is a fundamental right that must be upheld and protected as a cornerstone of a just, fair and equitable society.
“It is also a critical pillar of democracy that ensures that all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status have the opportunity to seek redress and the protection of their rights.’’
She noted that the quarterly citizens and stakeholders engagement session was one of the 12 ministerial deliverables of President Bola Tinubu that aligned with the mandate of the ministry.
“This deliverable is to communicate government’s activities to citizens and also serve as a feedback mechanism to government,’’ she added.
Mrs Ndidi Ezinwa-Ukoha from the Legal Aid Council identified paucity of fund as a challenge citizens face in accessing justice, stressing that there is the need to address it.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was a breakout group discussion by participants which culminated into a robust interface and provision of solutions. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Monday, arraigned Abubakar Sambo, Director of Finance and Account of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) over alleged N1.84 billion fraud.
Sambo was arraigned before Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of a Federal High Court, Abuja on three-count charge for allegedly diverting the funds to personal accounts.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts and ICPC’s counsel, Osuobeni Akponimisingha, prayed the court for a trial date.
But Sambo’s lawyer, Isiaka Dikko, SAN, informed the court of the defendant’s bail application which had already been filed.
Since Akponimisingha did not oppose the bail plea, Justice Olajuwon admitted Sambo to a N200 million bail with two sureties in the like sum.
The judge held that the sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court with original certificates of occupancy (CofO) which must be deposited with the deputy chief registrar of the court.
She equally ordered that sureties to provide affidavits of their tax clearance in the last three years with a passport photograph each.
Justice Olajuwon adjourned the matter until Oct. 17 for trial commencement.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the anti-corruption commission had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/209/2024, sued Abubakar Abdullahi Sambo as sole defendant.
In the charge dated May 8 but filed May 10 by Akponimisingha, an Assistant Chief Legal Officer in the commission, the ICPC alleged that Sambo sometime in March 2023 or thereabout while being the Payment Finalizer on the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) platform of REA did finalise the payment of the totai sum of N1.84 billion (N1,835,000,000.00).
It alleged that the funds were done in different tranches for the use of Henrrientta Onomen Okojie, Asuni Adejoke Aminat, Usman Kwakwa, Laure Shehu Abduilahi, Emmanuel Pada Titus and Musa Umar Karaye for a purported project supervision exercise without requisite approval, thereby contributing to the economic adversity of the REA.
The commission said the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 68 of the Public Enterprise Regulatory Commission Act, CAP. P39, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
In count two, Sambo was accused to have used his access password to access the REA’s GIFMIS platform and finalised the payment of the sum of N1.84 billion in different tranches for the use of Okojie, Aminat, Kwakwa, Abdullahi, Titus and Karaye for a purported project supervision exercise without authority.
The offence was said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 6(4) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015.
In count three, Sambo was alleged to have conferred corrupt advantage on Okojie, Aminat, Kwakwa, Abdullahi, Titus and Karaye when he used his access password to access the REA’s GIFMIS platform and finalised the payment of N1.84 billion in different tranches for their use for a purported project supervision exercise without requisite approvals.
The ICPC said the offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
NAN reports that Justice Emeka Nwite of a sister court had earlier ordered the remand of Karaye, Titus and Okojie after they were arraigned by the ICPC on separate four-count charge preferred against them.
While Karaye and Titus were arraigned before Justice Nwite on June 13, Okojie was arraigned on June 14.
However, the fourth official, Usman Ahmed Kwakwa, who was arraigned alongside on June 13, also on separate criminal charge before the judge, was granted N50 million bail on same day.
Meanwhile, after the arraignment of Karaye, Titus and Okojie, Justice Nwite ordered for their remand and fixed today for the ruling on their bail applications.
Upon resumed hearing on Monday, Justice Nwite equally admitted the trio to a N50 million bail with sureties in the like sum.
The judge, who ordered that the first surety must be a landed property owner with original CofO within the jurisdiction of the court, directed that the documents should be deposited with the deputy chief registrar of the court.
He held that the second surety must be a responsible citizen and must sworn to an affidavit of means.
Nwite adjourned the matter until July 10 for trial.
In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/203/24 filed against Okojie, she was alleged to have in count one, sometime in March 2023 or thereabout, with intent to defraud the REA, received the sum of N342 million in different tranches through her Access Bank Account: 0009022275 under the false pretence of project supervision.
The offence is said to be contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
A musician, Maleke Moye has alleged injustice in the directive by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, for a take over of the ongoing trial of MTN Nigeria and its CEO, over alleged copyright Infringement.
The musician said that the minister’s directive for the prosecuting agency, Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC), to hands off the trial and forward the case file to his (AGF) office portends impending dangerous precedence.
Moye’s position is contained in a press release issued by his lawyer, Rockson Igelige, which was made available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.
It will be recalled that NCC filed criminal charges against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd, Karl Toriola, its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd. and Yahaya Maibe alleging copyright infringement.
In the three-count charge, before a Federal High Court, Abuja, NCC alleged that the defendants, between 2010 and 2017 “offered for sale, sold and traded for business’’, infringed musical works of Moye without his consent and authorisation.
The commission alleged that the defendants used musical works and sound recordings of Moye with subsisting copyright, as Caller Ring Back Tunes, without the authorisation of the artiste.
According to NCC, the alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
At the last hearing in the trial before Justice Inyang Ekwo on June 15, NCC prosecution lawyer, Gladys Ojo had accused MTN Nigeria’s CEO, Toriola, of evading service of court documents
However, in a letter dated June 19, referenced DPPA/JACK/271/24, the AGF, through the office of the Director of Public Prosecution, directed the NCC to “promptly” hands off the trial, forward the case file and court processes to his office.
According to the AGF, the decision was taken, following a petition by MTN Nigeria and its CEO, and in line with Section 174 (1) (b) of the1999 Constitution, relating to entry of “Nolle Prosecui” in a criminal matter.
The section provides: “The Attorney-General of the Federation shall have power – (b) to take over and continue any such criminal proceedings that may have been instituted by any other authority or person.”
Section 174 (3) further provides that, “In exercising his powers, the Attorney-General of the Federation shall have regard to the public interest, the interest of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process”.
In a copy of the petition by the MTN Nigeria to the AGF, dated May 14, obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the company alleged that the charge was constituted to smear and embarrass MTN and its CEO.
MTN through its lawyer, Ogden Alade contended that the criminal charge was calculated to “harass embarrass and force the hands of its clients to do the bidding of the musician by paying hundreds of million of Naira for alleged act of infringement”
MTN said it complied with the provision of applicable laws in the musician songs and did not connive with any person to defraud or violate the right of the musician
The company added that it had indicated its goodwill and readiness to settle the case amicably under just and fair circumstances without undue pressure and influence, as well as prejudice to its rights and defence.
MTN said there is an ongoing civil suit on the alleged copyright infringement where the musician is seeking damages of N500 million, before another Federal High Court.
“The prosecution of the case and trial of MTN and its CEO will erode the corporate image of MTN and depletes its profitability, thereby affecting its share price in the Nigeria’s stock market and taxes payable to the Federal Government by the company.
“It will also discourage foreign investment for fear of harassment
“It is in the light of this, that we wish to crave the kind indulgence of your good office in critically examining this matter and exercising your powers under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution in the overall interest of justice and to prevent abuse of legal process,” the letter read in part.
Reacting to the decision of the AGF to the MTN petition, the musician alleged that the minister used his office ‘as a tool for oppression against an ordinary Nigerian”.
“While we concede that the AGF is empowered under the law as the Chief Law Officer, to discontinue any criminal trial, we also know that the sacred trust vested in the AGF must not be abused.
“The responsibility of entering a ‘nolle prosequi’ must actually be exercised justifiably.
“Sadly in this instance, there is no justification, whatsoever, for the AGF to thwart the prosecution of MTN.
“The case, indeed, serves the crucial purpose of giving justice to Mr Moye who has expended time resources and energy to create a work of art which MTN and its cronies have willfully stolen and appropriated the income to themselves,” Moye’s lawyer said.
He called on the AGF to allow justice to take its course and direct MTN to present its case in court.
According to him, doing otherwise would suggest that the AGF did not trust the Federal High Court, where the matter is pending, to do justice in the case. (NAN) (www nannews.ng)
The Lagos State Government on Thursday arraigned a former employee of Punch Nigeria Ltd., Olusegun Ogunbanjo, charged with N998 million stationary fraud.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogunbanjo, whose residential address was not provided, was arraigned on eight counts bordering on conspiracy to commit felony to wit obtaining under false pretence, stealing and forgery.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his not guilty plea, the state Counsel, Mrs Qawiat Shomade, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendant be remanded in prison, pending the hearing and the determination of his bail application.
The Defence Counsel, Mr T.E. Okeke, informed the court that he was appearing for the first time in the matter and that he needed ample time to file the bail application.
Okeke pleaded with the court for a closer date for him to file and move the bail application on behalf of his client.
“My lord, I plead for a closer date to tender an application to grant the defendant bail,” he said.
Justice Ismail Ijelu, thereafter, remanded the defendant in Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the hearing and determination of his bail application.
Ijelu told the defence that the court would have looked into the bail application if it was ready.
“If you had your application, the court would have looked into it but while we wait for it, the defendant should be remanded at the correctional facility,” he said.
The judge adjourned the case until Oct.16 for commencement of trial.
Earlier, the prosecution told the court that the defendant with others still at large allegedly committed the offences between January 2017 and December 2022 in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The prosecution submitted one of the court count that the defendant fraudulently obtained the sum of N417 million from one Mr Durodola Balogun on the pretext that he was going to use the money to purchase stationaries and supplies for financing Local Purchase Order from Punch Nigeria Ltd.
The prosecutor also alleged the defendant fraudulently collected N581 million from one Mr Olusola lkuyajesin under the guise of purchasing stationaries and supplies for financing Local Purchase Order from Punch Nigeria Ltd.
The state counsel told the court that the defendant allegedly stole and converted the sum of $5,000, property of lkuyajesin to his personal use.
The prosecution also alleged that the defendant forged Punch Local Purchase Orders.
According to the prosecutor, the alleged offences violate Sections 411 (2) 314, 285, 287 and 365 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State (2015). (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
An Abuja-based human rights and constitutional lawyer, Emmanuel Ekpenyong, has filed a motion for leave to appeal at the Supreme Court, the judgment of Court of Appeal, Abuja delivered on March 27, which dismissed his case against the Federal Government.
It would be recalled that the Court of Appeal had, on March 27, dismissed Ekpenyong’s appeal on the alleged prevalence of extra-judicial killings in the country and affirmed the decision of the trial court.
The appellate court upheld a Federal High Court (FHC) Abuja judgment delivered by Justice Nkeonye Maha, on May 6, 2022, that dismissed his suit seeking to address the alleged increasing cases of extra-judicial killings by the law enforcement agencies and non-state actors in Nigeria.
The three-member Justices, chaired by Justice Joseph Oyewole, unanimously held that the appellant, Ekpenyong of the law firm of Fred-Young & Evans LP, lacked requisite locus standi (legal right) to institute the suit.
Justice Oyewole-led panel also awarded a N250, 000 costs against the lawyer.
However, in a notice of notion for leave to appeal marked: CA/ABJ/PRE/ROA/CU/582mi/2024 between Emmanuel Ekpenyong Esq. Vs. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the Federation, the lawyer sought two orders.
The motion, dated and filed June 5, was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
He sought an order granting him leave to appeal against the decision of the Appeal Court in appeal number: CA/ABJ/CV/1200/2022, on grounds of mixed law and facts as set out in his proposed notice of appeal annexed as “Exhibit JO3.”
He also sought an order granting leave to him to appeal against the concurrent findings of the FHC in suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/755/2020; and the judgment of the Appeal Court in appeal no. CA/ABJ/CV/1200/2022; on the extent of his right to life guaranteed under Section 33 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
In the proposed notice of appeal, Ekpenyong contended that the Appeal Court justices misdirected themselves and erred in law when they held that reasonable cause of action vest him with the requisite locus standi to institute the suit.
He said the judges also erred in law when they failed to consider the provisions of Article 3 (e) of the Fundamental Right Enforcement Procedure Rules, 2009 which confirmed his locus standi in the suit.
He said instead, they relied on the general principle of law on reasonable cause to arrive at the conclusion that he had no locus standi to institute his fundamental human right suit.
He argued that the appellate court erred in law when they held that his suit for interpretation of the extent of his constitutional right to life enshrined in Section 33 (1) of the Constitution did not disclose a reasonable cause of action and is mere academic and hypothetical.
According to him, the Court of Appeal did not state why the surviving paragraphs of the affidavit in support of the originating summons did not constitute a reasonable cause of action.
Ekpenyong equally argued that the court erred in law when it affirmed the trial court’s award of N100, 000 costs against him and awarded an additional cost of N250, 000 against him, even where the trial court did not state its reason for the fine.
Besides, he said that no valid reason could be seen from the Court of Appeal’s sanction as well against him for prosecuting a suit for interpretation of his constitutional right to life enshrined in Section 33 (1) of the Constitution”
Against these backgrounds, he argued that “the findings of both the trial court and Court of Appeal is perverse and was reached as a result of a wrong approach to the evidence before them and a wrong application of principle of substantive law and procedure.”
He said there was a need for him to appeal their decision to the Supreme Court for the court to interfere with the findings of both courts.
“This constitutes an exceptional circumstance for this Honourable Court to grant this application,” Ekpenyong said.
He equally said that being dissatisfied with the judgment of the Court of Appeal, he is desirous of appealing against the concurrent findings in the judgment of both the lower and upper courts on questions of mixed law and facts.
The lawyer said the application is made in the interest of justice.(NAN)www.nannews.ng)
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr Mohammed Ndarani, says the Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC) should be properly funded to deliver on its mandate.
Ndarani said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
He said that the commission should be enabled to deliver on its mandate by constantly researching, reviewing, and reforming laws in the land.
The NLRC has the responsibility to conduct research, take and keep under review, all federal laws, with a view to their systematic and progressive development and reform.
It is mandated to do so in consonance with the prevailing norms of Nigerian society, to codify such laws, eliminate anomalies, repeal obsolete, spent, and unnecessary enactments, reform procedural laws in consonance with changes within the machinery of administration of justice.
The Commission can also, among other means, perform its functions based on proposals for law reform made or referred to it by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) or the National Assembly.
It can also, by its own initiative, propose a programme for examination of different branches of law for reform, and submit same to the Attorney-General and the National Assembly.
Ndarani said that the NLRC needed to be more proactive in addressing obsolete and outdated laws in the country.
He noted that the presence of obsolete sections and aspects of the nation’s laws was one of the major problems bedevilling its economic progress and development.
The senior advocate said that such laws do not have any practical relevance to the realities of today’s Nigeria but were still being relied upon as binding.
“The presence of laws which are not in alignment with the laws in operation in the countries with which we do business would defeat the intendment of such operations as it would erode the basis for such activity,’ he added.
According to him, such laws also erode and retard administration of justice based on the nature of their prescriptions and fines imposed, when considered against present day realities.
“Examples include Sections 210 (Witchcraft) and 370 (Bigamy) of the criminal Code Acts and criminal Code Laws of States.
“Witchcraft Act stipulates that anyone caught practicing magic and witchcraft has committed an offence. The problem is how do you ascertain what is magic and witchcraft? No one has been tried and convicted of this offence till date.
“Bigamy refers to the act of entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to another.
“It applies to both men and women, especially under the Matrimonial Causes Act. No one has been successfully prosecuted on this offence since the law was made.
“The legality and validity of this law is put to serious question in the light of cultural and Islamic values which support marriage to more than one wife at the same time’’.
He, however, noted that only Lagos State had decriminalised bigamy, which meant that it was no longer a crime in Lagos State to marry another woman/man, where there was an already existing valid statutory marriage.
He said although NLRC was established in 1979 to reform in consonance with changes within the machinery of administration of justice, it had not been able to achieve much in relation to the mandate.
Ndarani said that dependence on obsolete and outdated laws limited development of the country.
“The exclusivity of the rights vested on the federal government is what has made several states lazy as they just wait to receive and share monies accruing to them from the federal allocation every month.
“These laws make us bound to misguided policies of exploitation, frustrate import – export substitution, and diversification drives,” he said.
According to him, obsolete maritime laws in the country also result in huge losses.
He said that any law that does not reflect the realities of the present day, in science, technological development, cultural advancement should not be lavishly deployed.
“This is one sure path to a better Nigeria and also a good path to pulling this country out of the woods,’’ the senior advocate said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Mohammed Ndarani, has commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the evaluation standards for the assessment of his ministers.
Ndarani said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday while reacting to the recent event of presentation of ministerial scorecards demanded by President Bola Tinubu.
He urged strict adherence to them for the good of their ministries, and also for the people of Nigeria as a whole.
“It is only proper that to whom much is entrusted, much is expected, which means that these assessments would in addition keep political appointees on their toes.
“Article 19[1]2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides a guide for the assessment of ministers and other federal appointees.
“The assessment will help the public to also track the performances of these minsters and know when and how to hold them accountable’’.
He recalled that Tinubu had instructed 47 ministers to present their performance scorecards ahead of his administration’s one-year in office.
Ndarani also commended Tinubu for mandating no fewer than 140 officials to track and assess the performance of all federal ministries, departments, and agencies ahead of the first assessment exercise.
He noted that although some ministers might have embarked on extensive media hype with little to show in real achievement, much might not have be heard of others, who may have performed well.
“Sometimes, it is not the people that you hear of who are the performers in this country, so, nobody can evaluate any minister other than members of the public,’’ he stated.
“They are the ones who would have felt the impact of the ministers’ actions, or the lack thereof’’.
He equally urged the president to consider Section 14[1], 2[a] [c] of the constitution to serve as the foundation during the next ministers’ assessments.
“Section 14[1], 2[a] [c] of the 1999 Constitution says, ‘(a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority; (c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in it.
“In the light of the above, it is desirable that citizens’ opinion and assessment is considered, in order to get an accurate rating of the ministers.
“There should be modalities for the assessments, key performance indicators and the reporting mechanisms made available for the public to participate in the exercise’’.
He said that while a few ministers have performed well, others are still learning on the job.
Ndarani suggested that allowing only ministers to evaluate their own performance undermines the objectivity of the assessment as a minister cannot be the judge in his own case.
“We know that sometimes highly placed public officers operate under serious constraints with several factors in play, which revolve around a paucity of funds.
“Nonetheless, the ministers alone cannot be left to make their own assessments, as this would negate the principle of ‘Nemo judex in causa sua’, which simply says that one cannot be a judge in his own cause.
“A scorecard where only the ministers assess themselves and score themselves might be a watered-down exercise which could raise questions as to the objectivity of the assessment.
“There should be an avenue, a mechanism or a survey put in place where people can vote or voice their opinions on the performances of ministers, or public officers, generally.
“Nigerians should be given a voice in the ministers’ assessments since this will improve the outcomes, and bring them into compliance with global best practices. (NAN)
Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, the Solicitor General of the Federation says the Freedom of information Act (FOI) in Nigeria is still a work in progress.
Jeddy-Agba, said this in Abuja at a ceremony marking the 13-year anniversary of the advocacy and implementation of the FOI Act in the country on Friday,
She was represented by Mr Godwin Garba, Head, FOI Unit, Federal Ministry of Justice.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of this year’s anniversary is `Evaluating the Role of Freedom of Information Act and its Implementation Towards Building Strong Institutions For Good Governance.
She noted that the implementation of the FOI Act, 2011 in the past 13 years has been both challenging and work in progre.
The solicitor general noted that the Act is as a guide through which the public can access vital information or record from government.
“The essence of the Act is to guarantee the right of access to information held by government institutions as well as to deepen governance and government reforms by addressing corruption and improving the credibility of the Country.
“It is to promote citizens’ participation in governance, enhance and develop the country’s democracy by ensuring openness, transparency and accountability in the conduct of government business.
“Nonetheless, the implementation of the FOI Act in the last thirteen years has come with a series of benefits and challenges’’.
Jeddy-Agba said although the FOI unit has improved on the level of awareness of FOI, there are still many challenges facing the implementation of the Act.
“There is still lack of functioning record management system in public institutions, lack of political will on the part of leaders to ensure the prompt release of information or records and culture of secrecy in government as big challenges’’.
She commended the courts on their prompt rulings on FOI matters which have deepened its implementation.
Also speaking, Mr Shofola Osho, the Company Secretary and Legal Adviser of the Development Bank of Nigeria in his goodwill message commended the FoI unit for pushing through despite all odds.
Osho urged for more commitments from all stakeholders and also called for review of the Act for more participation in open governance and accountability.
Mr Jubril Shittu, CEO Public and Private Development Centre, said with that with good working relationships, the ministry’s FOI unit has made significant progress.
In her own remarks, the Program Officer, Right to Know (R2K), Ms Vicky Etim noted that the annual FOI report has grown over the years but that experiences still needed to be shared on how challenges were overcame.
She advised that the Public Service handbook should be updated or reviewed to meet new laws and regulations that make it difficult to achieve more.
There were goodwill messages from the FOI standing Committee of National Assembly, Public Institutions, the media and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) as well as robust interactions by all the participants at the event.
NAN reports that the FOI Act was enacted on May 28, 2011.
The purpose and objectives of the FOI Act are to make public records and information more freely available and to provide for public access to public records and information.
Others are to protect public records and information to the extent consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy and to protect serving public officers from adverse consequences for disclosing certain kinds of officials information without authorisation, among others.
L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch Business forum, Mrs. Ajoke Akinsola; Chairman, Lagos Building Investment Company, Mr. Hakeem Ogunniran; Chairman, NBA Ikeja Branch, Mr Seyi Olawumi; and Co-chair, NBA, Ikeja Branch Business Forum, Mr Muyiwa Ayojimi; at NBA, Ikeja Branch inaugural lecture on Thursday in Lagos.
By Adenike Ayodele
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, on Thursday held the maiden edition of its business forum to point out economic opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI) for economic growth.
The forum had the theme: ” The Future Of AI and Corporate Governance For Companies”.
A keynote speaker, Dr Desmond Oriakhogba, said that the global AI market was expected to soar to $15.7 trillion by 2030.
Oriakhogba, an Associate Professor at the University of Western Cape, South Africa, said that AI offered a substantial growth potential for Africa, with Nigeria poised to benefit significantly.
Oriakhogba said that Nigeria’s AI market was projected to reach approximately $4.64 billion by 2030.
He attributed this to increasing awareness of AI’s capabilities and formation of strategic partnerships.
“This optimistic forecast reflects the country’s increasing investment in AI technologies and research.
“The Nigerian Government and private sector are working together to harness the transformative power of AI, which is expected to drive economic growth and development across various sectors,” he said.
He said that AI had potential for job creation, enhanced business efficiency and improved service delivery in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and finance, as Nigeria would continue to adopt and integrate AI technologies.
“However, there is need for robust regulatory frameworks to ensure ethical and responsible AI use, while taking into cognizance both the opportunities and challenges ahead,” he said.
Oriakhogba also said that AI was evolving and had constantly been driven by advancements in information and communication technologies.
“We can define AI broadly as powerful algorithms, machines or computer systems that mimic specific human activities, using techniques like machine learning, neural networks, logic programming and fuzzy logic,” he said.
The speaker further elaborated on AI’s categories, differentiating between Narrow AI and Artificial General Intelligence.
“Generative AI, a subset of Narrow AI, can semi-autonomously create new contents like text, images, music and videos, offering transformative potential in sectors such as entertainment, scientific research, education, healthcare, and corporate governance.
He said that AI was making significant impacts on legal processes, business ethics, governance, democracy, gender equality, human rights and the rule of law.
However, he cautioned that AI could exacerbate social, political and economic inequalities, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities, the elderly, children and women.
On corporate governance, he emphasised both the opportunities and challenges associated with AI.
“AI remains one of the top five most disruptive technologies.
“It can enhance decision-making processes, cybersecurity measures and risk management, but it also poses risks such as cybersecurity threats, data breaches and ethical dilemmas.
“Human oversight is essential to ensure ethical and unbiased decision-making,” he said.
He commended the Nigerian Government’s proactive stance on AI development, citing initiatives such as establishment of the National Centre for AI and Robotics by the National Information Technology Development Agency, and the development of a national AI policy.
“A regulatory regime that ensures transparency, accountability and ethical use of AI is crucial for fostering innovation while safeguarding ethical standards,” he said.
Dr Hakeem Ogunniran, Chairman of the Lagos Building Investment Company, highlighted critical aspects of corporate governance and the transformative impact of AI on business practices.
According to him, corporate governance fundamentally revolves around three questions: who owns the company, for whom should the company be run, and what are the processes and systems in place?
Ogunniran, a corporate governance expert, emphasised the crucial difference between ownership and control in corporate governance, noting that shareholders owned businesses but boards and managements controlled them.
He said: “AI will enable, assist and enhance the processes but the outcome should still be the focus of corporate governance.
“Accountability is about being answerable when decisions are questioned, not just making decisions,” he said.
The Chairman of NBA, Ikeja Branch, Mr Seyi Olawumi, in his address of welcome, said that the forum served as a platform for sharing insights, fostering connections and exploring the evolving landscape of business law.
Olawunmi said that the forum presented an opportunity for members of the branch to learn from one another, collaborate and envision the future of legal work.
He said: “I have no doubt that the delivery of our speakers will be invaluable, and we are grateful for your willingness to share your knowledge and experience with us.
“I also want to encourage participants to think beyond conventional boundaries, because in this ever-evolving world, it is our collective creativity and resilience that will drive us forward.
“We will delve into critical topics that agitate in-house counsel and their industries – from technological advancement and regulatory challenges, to sustainable practices,” he said.
Mrs Ajoke Akinsola, Chairperson of the NBA Ikeja Business Forum, had, in her opening remarks, emphasised bridging of the gap between in-house counsel and the larger bar.
“We all drank from the same fountain of knowledge but have re-invented ourselves as our practice grew.
“We are not different from each other; only iron sharpens iron,” Akinola said.
She also highlighted the forum’s mission to unite in-house counsel and the broader legal community through programmes and activities aimed at addressing common challenges.
“The theme of this maiden event is particularly targeted at how legal counsel can advise their managements on technological advancement in artificial intelligence.
“The theme also targets how today’s organisations can be guided using the governance framework as we navigate through a time of rapid change and unprecedented challenges.”
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for innovative thinking and a robust legal system to transform Lagos into a global economic hub.
Sanwo-Olu made the call on Monday at the Lagos Justice Reform Summit with the theme: “Enhancing the Administration of Justice For Economic Growth, Investment Protection and Security in Lagos State”.
Sanwo-Olu, who opened the two-day summit held at the Marriott Hotel Ikeja, acknowledged that extensive work was needed from the government and other stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice.
“We need a strong judicial system for that to exist because that will be one of the strongest points that anybody will be looking for.
“There is a necessity for rule of law,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu listed progress made in Lagos judiciary to include the appointment of 24 justices in less than five years.
According to him, the appointment of an additional 13 justices is expected soon.
The governor called for innovativeness in the judiciary.
He urged collaboration between the bench and the bar.
” How do we ensure that the opportunities that this space has given to us are being used to the best of our capacity?”
Sanwo-Olu added that plans were underway to make Lagos an international financial centre, whereby Lagos could be a destination for investment and a haven for investment.
Earlier in his keynote address, Mr Gregory Vijayendran, a former President of the Law Society of the Republic of Singapore, emphasised the importance of a strong judicial system for economic growth.
Vijayendran gave insights into how Singapore thrived by consistently adapting to global trends and maintaining zero tolerance for corruption.
Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), urged stakeholders to safeguard the rule of law and promote access to justice to transform the state justice sector and everything connected to it.
Pedro said that the summit was geared toward the transformation of the state’s justice system.
He urged participants to recommend ways to address delayed justice delivery.
According to him, the dispensation of justice and the need to ensure an effective judicial system were roles that all stakeholders in the justice system should play.
He said: “At the end of the summit, it is expected that stakeholders will recommend lawful ways and means to address delayed justice delivery.
“It is my desire that civil cases in our trial courts should not last more than 18 months from the date of commencement of an action; six months in cases of simple recovery of debt and three months in cases of recovery of arrears of rents and possession of premises.
“To underscore the objectives of this summit, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment revealed that in the last one year, the state government successfully attracted investments in both foreign and local direct investment.
“Therefore, in case of any dispute, the investment should not be unduly tied down by protracted litigation.”
He said that the administration of justice should be used for the enhancement of economic growth, investment protection and security in the state and Nigeria in general. (NAN)
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
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