NBA Lagos Law Week: Preparing Lawyers for Technological Advancement

The just concluded 2021 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch, with the theme ‘Disruption, Innovation and the Bar’, held from, July 23, 2021, through to the 29th at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos.

The Opening Ceremony kicked off on Monday, July 26, 2021, started with opening remarks from the Chairperson of the 2021 Law Week Planning Committee, Mrs. Efe Etomi.

His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President of Nigeria in his address. commended the NBA Lagos Branch for setting an enviable standard across the nation.

On the technological advancement in the global legal practice, he had this to say, “We are fast becoming a global market place for investment and legal services, the extent to which we can attract businesses to our country, depends on our investment perception”.

Prior to the commencement of the Plenary Sessions, NBA Lagos Branch, launched the Lagos Bar Journal. Members of the Editorial Committee were recognised for putting in tremendous efforts towards its publication.

The Keynote Address was given by David Halliwell, Partner, Pinsent Mason’s, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Speaking on the disruption in the global Legal practice due to the Covid 19 outbreak, Mr Halliwell had this to say, “Lawyers globally have adjusted to the changing times, by adapting to the way of life in order to be able to work. As we all know, that necessity is the mother of invention and in order to get things done, we all have to change our expectations and our habits.

“In short, we have all been responding to this disruptions, inventing series of developments, adapting in ways that are unimaginable these past few months. In short, the 2019 version of ourselves would be astonished at what we have done, and what we are set to achieve”.

The first plenary session moderated by Charles Adeogun-Phillips, Former UN Genocide & War Crimes Prosecutor; Partner at Charles Anthony Law, had in attendance, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Femi Falana, SAN, Prof. Akin Oyebode, and Prof. Chidi Odinkalu.

The Moderator started the session, expressing his disappointment at the way the Nigerian Government has handled the issue of national security.

He said:“This morning, I read that certain journalists were barred from recording the proceedings of Nnamdi Kanu’s trial, when Chapter four of the 1999 Constitution has clearly stated that trials should be made public. We have to look at how this Government has shown a blatant disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law, from the perspective of Freedom of Association, Freedom of Speech and the Press, the International Legal Institutions, to ask how this Government ensured the Promotion of the Fundamental Human Rights”.

In her remarks, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili touched on the issue of national security. She said, “The number one thing to establish is first, the definition of National Security which is basically centred around the citizens. This is really about what protects the territorial integrity of the society, it is ensuring that the dignity of the citizens are not trampled upon, it is about the common good of every citizen, so that the livelihood, values, culture of the citizens are safeguarded”.
Another Panelist, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, pointed out Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which provides that the security and welfare of the Nigerian people, shall be the primary purpose of Government. He said, “That provision does not talk about security of the Nigerian Government, but talks about the security of the Nigerian people. When talking about national or State security, we are talking about the security of the totality of Nigerians, of which the Government is a part of”.

He further commented on the Lekki #EndSARS protest that was held in October, 2020. “In the case of Lekki, two Laws were violated, Sections 94 of the Electoral Act and 83(4) of the Police Act, which provide that during protest in Nigeria, the Police shall provide adequate security to ensure that those who are exercising their freedom of expression, are not in any way harassed or intimidated by the so called hoodlums and miscreants”.

Speaking on the Twitter ban and how it affects our fundamental human rights, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, stated as a matter of fact that, a lot of people depend on digital media as a means of livelihood, from advertising their businesses to being able to sell their skills to work. In his opinion, there lies a gaping difference between Regime Security and National Security.

In his own contribution, Prof. Akin Oyebode mentioned to the audience, how sad he was to note the rule of law in the country descend to nothingness.

He said, “We are living in a lawless country, where the State has hijacked the rights and freedom of our people. Those of you who read the dailies recently, especially today, would see the concern of Nigerian journalists and reporters, as to what extent the international law can apply in this country. As for me, an international Lawyer, when all else fails, International Law is a refuge”.
“What I am suggesting to this distinguished audience, is that no Government could be so powerful to ignore the international community. Nigerian Lawyers have not really explored international law as much as Femi Falana has done. We lost Gani Fawehinmi, but we have a worthy replacement in Femi Falana”, he said.

“Our problem is that we refuse to transit from being a country, to becoming a nation. It is time to design a new nation, through Collective Action Success. The electorate is the only organ, the only avenue for the correction of the disruption.”

“We need to redesign our nation by increasing productivity, and political literacy must be given to low income citizens. I am inciting you to stop being Lily livered, not on our watch! If you want to know the progress of any society, look at how the poor is progressing; but, when the poor are angry, the rich cannot sleep.”