Ernest Ojukwu

As the Nigerian Bar Association prepares to elect a new President, a former President of the association, Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has said a former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof Ernest Ojukwu (SAN), is the best candidate for the job.

The NBA Presidency has been zoned to the South-East and Ojukwu is up against two legal titans – Mr Paul Usoro (SAN) and Mr Arthur Obi-Okafor (SAN), in the presidential race.

In a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, Agbakoba urged fellow legal practitioners to go for Ojukwu, among the three aspirants, describing the former law school don as an experienced man of “integrity, sincerity and courage.”

According to Agbakoba, having worked closely with and contributed to the achievements of past NBA Presidents, Ojukwu is the most qualified candidate for the job.

He said the NBA needed Ojukwu at this time to protect the independence of the judiciary.

Agbakoba said, “In about one week, we would vote for the next President of the NBA. It is clear to me, from the list of contestants, that Prof Ernest Ojukwu (SAN) is the most qualified.

“Ernest worked closely with me on many thematic subjects of reform when I was NBA President. He was extremely resourceful. I also know he immensely contributed to the success of past Presidents, such as Chief Okpoko (SAN), OCJ Okocha (SAN), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Bayo Ojo (SAN), Prince Lanke Odogiyan, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), etc.

“He has clear vision and understanding of the workings of the Bar and the legal profession at the highest level.

“The NBA needs Prof Ojukwu’s leadership experience, integrity, sincerity and courage.

“I believe that the Bar needs a President who can stand as did Thomas Erskine, in England, and declare bravely that: ‘I will, at all hazard, protect the independence’ of the Nigerian Bar and the legal profession.

“We need a man of courage and conviction who has a full grasp of issues, not just of the Bar, but also of our nation and will be able to speak out with courage, conviction and candour.

“I have read the manifestos of all the candidates. Prof Ojukwu’s is inspiring. I endorse him.”

In about one week we would vote for the next President of the NBA. It is clear to me, from the list of contestants that, Prof Ernest Ojukwu SAN is the most qualified.

Ernest worked closely with me on many thematic subjects of reform when I was NBA President. He was extremely resourceful. I also know he immensely contributed to the success of past presidents such as Chief Okpoko SAN, OCJ Okocha, SAN, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Bayo Ojo SAN, Prince Lanke Odogiyan, Governor Akeredolu SAN etc.

He has clear vision and understanding of the workings of the Bar and the legal profession at the highest level. NBA needs Prof. Ojukwu’s leadership experience, integrity, sincerity, and courage.

I believe that the Bar needs a President who can stand as did Thomas Erskine, in England, and declare bravely that: ‘I will at all hazard, protect the independence” of the Nigerian Bar and the legal profession.

We need a man of courage and conviction who has a full grasp of issues not just of the Bar, but also of our nation and will be able to speak out with courage, conviction and candour.

I have read the manifestos of all the candidates. Prof Ojukwu’s is inspiring. I endorse him.

Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN
Past President, Nigerian Bar Association

Erudite professor and candidate for the Nigerian Bar Association presidency Mr Ernest Ojukwu, SAN, has reacted to yet another police brutality — this time, against a Magistrate

Professor Ojukwu said in the press release that:

“News of Police invasion of Umuneke Ngor Magistrate Court Imo State, harrassment of the Magistrate, and arrest and detention of two lawyers from the court is a clear signal of anarchy in the country.

“This is why the Bar requires to decisively engage with the Police Institution. The Police has crossed the red line too many.” He protested.

TheLoyal Nigerian Lawyer demand an immediate end to this worrisome trend.

This sacrilege must stop.

On Saturday, 28 July 2018, members of the Legal profession would vote to elect National Officers of the Nigerian Bar Association. Top of the list of those to be elected would be the President of the NBA.

Voting implies a familiarity with those individuals on the ballot. Familiarity with the candidates include knowing the principles and values that have governed their lives. What do the candidates really believe and how have they lived out their belief? We might want to ask whether they are genuinely committed to moral values or do they simply adopt whatever is the fashionable view? Does the candidate place the expediency of the moment above everything else? Perhaps, above all, we should ask whether potential candidates seek to be elected to serve their self-interest or the interest of others.

We need to strive to see beyond the publicity stunts, the photography, video clips and glib slogans and quotable quotes. We live in an age where words are cheap; it is important to ask what the reality is that lies behind the words and images.

There are broad and significant issues in this election. At the core is, what sort of Association do we want to have? How does the profession deal with the growing disdain for the Rule of Law, inequalities, unemployment, and corruption, especially Lawyers bribing judicial officers? The maladministration and incompetence that characterize Branch and National governance is also of concern to many. The vast gulf between the few rich Lawyers who control the Association and the many poor, especially the young lawyers, who dominate the lower base of a profession that is in danger of becoming irrelevant, must be addressed.

In voting, we choose whether our leaders will reflect good, Godly character or negative worldly character. In the important but difficult task of choosing our leaders, we must look out for wise, discerning and experienced men and women who fear God, speak the truth, hate dishonest gain, and have the capacity to deliver on the responsibilities of the Office. If we do not pay attention to the sobriety in the persons we elect, then we would be guilty of the greatest absurdity and will continue to pay dearly for our folly.

As a person who has served as General Secretary of the NBA (2004-2006), I am familiar with the demands of National Offices of our Association. Reading through the Manifestoes of the candidates, I could detect the empty promises in some of them. The hollowness rings loud in promises that are made without knowledge of where we have been, where we are coming from, and our future. We should watch out for sensible proposals for long-term solutions rather than hyperboles, and expedient short-term fixes.

It is against this background that I endorse Ernest Ojukwu, SAN, for the Office of President of the Nigerian Bar Association. This decision has been taken based on my 39 years knowledge of Ernest Ojukwu. He is an action person. He walks the talk. Since his days in the University, he has stood by the truth and acted accordingly, no matter the situation. The things he now says, or does, are as rooted in his long-held values. He has been a strong pillar to administrations that worked to make a difference. He is not taking a position on issues just for the expediency of an election. Ernest has been steadfast on issues important to the legal profession.

I am convinced that, by his antecedents and experience, Ernest Ojukwu would truly give priority to the Welfare, Services, Quality and Professional Growth of Members. Promoting very high ethical standards, discipline, conduct and professionalism in the legal profession is in his nature. For a man who has promoted full and equal participation in the Association, the promise to institute an accountable, open, transparent and democratic governance of the association, is achievable. I share his agenda for setting the stage for a NEW AND RELEVANT NBA.

Ernest Ojukwu Esq. SAN, is a consummate Bar man, a compassionate Law Teacher, the author of Books, an advocate par excellence, and a practical person who gets the job done. He is a tested Administrator and Manger. He has a mastery of the issues at the core of the challenges facing the profession. He has been at the core of working for Reform of Laws, Rules of Professional Conduct, creation of employment opportunities and better work conditions for Lawyers, enforcement and respect for human rights, to mention but a few.

Ernest Ojukwu Esq. SAN, has no political baggage and is not tied to any political godfather outside of the legal profession; the best assurance that the NBA would not be tied to the apron strings of outside influences.

I am pleased to recommend Ernest Ojukwu, Esq. SAN, for consideration for your Vote as President of the Nigerian Bar Association (2018-2020).

Thank you for your time and attention.

Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack.
Former General Secretary
(2004-2006)
Nigerian Bar Association

Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Nasarawa State, Dr. Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana has called on members of the Nigerian Bar Association to vote enmasse to ensure that NBA presidential candidate, Professor Ernest Ojukwu is elected into the apex office.

Dr Kana said this during Professor Ojukwu’s visit to NBA Lafia Branch —where he engaged members with his Programme of Actions viz manifestos.

Kana described Ojukwu as an endearing philosopher who has offered a great deal of himself to the development of the legal profession in Nigeria.

Endorsing Professor Ojukwu for NBA President in unequivocal terms, Kana said:

“History has shown that great nations are built by philosopher kings not political kings.

“Philosopher kings come once in a lifetime. If a nation misses the chance to have them when they come, that nation regrets it for ages.

“NBA should not miss this chance to have Prof Ernest Ojukwu SAN lead us. He may not have the money to throw around, but we may never see his kind again in our lifetime.” He stressed.

Some lawyers on Thursday extolled the virtues of the late Mr Tunji Gomez, who until his death, was the oldest practising lawyer.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the death of Gomez, a life bencher, was announced on Wednesday by the Mr Chukwuka Ikwuazomon, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch.

Gomez, who was also a renowned rights activist, was aged 90.

Human rights campaigner, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, said that Nigeria had lost a great nationalist and foremost activist.

“Coming in the mold of the first Nigerian lawyer, Alexander Sapara Williams, Pa Gomez was a man of honour, who stood for truth and justice all the time, and became famous for his principled lifestyle of “it is a matter of conscience’’.

“He was a faithful NBA member, who championed the democratisation by canvassing for an all-inclusive Bar.

“He always attended meetings and functions of the NBA, with a resolve to keep attending courts. Till his final breath, he did exactly that.

“Pa Gomez will be missed for his frankness, for his candour, and for his assertive roles in achieving equity in the Bar,” Adegboruwa said.

The Chairman of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, South-East Zone, Mr Chukwuemeka Eze, described Gomez as a quintessential advocate, indefatigable realist, defender of the weak, conscientious humanist and newsmaker.

Eze said that the deceased gave life his best shot and exploited his longevity to the fullest.

He said that the late Gomez was indomitable and would be sorely missed by all.

The immediate past Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu (SAN), said: “I join our legal community to mourn the passing of Pa Tunji Gomez.

“Pa Gomez made a tremendous impact in the Nigerian legal system. He defined his principles and lived by them.

“His presence on earth gave hope to so many persons in Nigeria that a fight for justice and fair play will never be in vain.
“Adieu Pa Gomez.”

Also, the Second Vice President of the NBA, Mr Onyekachi Ubani, described the death of Gomez as recalling of the conscience of the legal profession from active duty by the Almighty God.

“We will miss Pa Gomez greatly; I wish him eternal rest in the bosom of the lord,” Ubani said.

NAN reports that Gomez, who was born in 1928, enrolled into the King’s College, Lagos, in 1944.

His activism manifested early in life, as he was reputed to have led the 1948 protest in the college, which turned around the fortunes of students.

Gomez was part of the legal team that defended the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo during his treason trial in 1962.

Gomez was reputed to have instituted a class action on behalf of other lawyers in 2013, challenging an increase in practising fees of lawyers in Nigeria.

He was famous for his principled lifestyle of: “It is a matter of conscience”.

One of the Presidential candidates for the 2018 NBA elections, Prof Ernest Ojukwu (Teacher) is requesting the Electoral Committee of NBA (ECNBA) to approve and or arrange a debate for the three (3) presidential candidates as it is a unique opportunity to reach out to the electorates in order to promote new idea(s) with prescriptive notions for carrying out changes the electorates believes should be made when elected the president of the Bar.

This was contained in a letter from Prof. Ojukwu, dated 18th July 2018 made available to The Nigeria Lawyer (TNL).

According to Prof Ernest Ojukwu (Teacher), a debate will be the true test for agenda setting. A debate is a process in open and transparent governance

“Since the opening of campaigns by ENBA, candidates have had little time and space to present their manifestos in the real sense.

“A debate by the candidates will offer an opportunity for the vast majority of NBA members to make an informed decision as to who should lead the Bar from August 2018.

“I am copying this request to Mr. Paul Usoro SAN and Arthur Obi Okafor SAN,” he stated. He, therefore, urges the Committee to approve and or arrange a debate for the candidates

The Nigeria Lawyer recalls that there was a rumour alleged that Channels Television is organizing a debate for the 3 contestants but it is only Prof Ojukwu that has shown interest to honour the invitation.

However, Channels TV on Saturday last week aired an interview granted to Prof Ojukwu, SAN and Paul Usoro SAN and will air that of Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN, this coming Saturday as stated by the host Sola Soyele of Channels TV

On Saturday, 28 July 2018, members of the Legal profession would vote to elect National Officers of the Nigerian Bar Association. Top of the list of those to be elected would be the President of the NBA.

Voting implies a familiarity with those individuals on the ballot. Familiarity with the candidates include knowing the principles and values that have governed their lives. What do the candidates really believe and how have they lived out their belief? We might want to ask whether they are genuinely committed to moral values or do they simply adopt whatever is the fashionable view? Does the candidate place the expediency of the moment above everything else? Perhaps, above all, we should ask whether potential candidates seek to be elected to serve their self-interest or the interest of others.

We need to strive to see beyond the publicity stunts, the photography, video clips and glib slogans and quotable quotes. We live in an age where words are cheap; it is important to ask what the reality is that lies behind the words and images.

There are broad and significant issues in this election. At the core is, what sort of Association do we want to have? How does the profession deal with the growing disdain for the Rule of Law, inequalities, unemployment, and corruption, especially Lawyers bribing judicial officers? The maladministration and incompetence that characterize Branch and National governance is also of concern to many. The vast gulf between the few rich Lawyers who control the Association and the many poor, especially the young lawyers, who dominate the lower base of a profession that is in danger of becoming irrelevant, must be addressed.

In voting, we choose whether our leaders will reflect good, Godly character or negative worldly character. In the important but difficult task of choosing our leaders, we must look out for wise, discerning and experienced men and women who fear God, speak the truth, hate dishonest gain, and have the capacity to deliver on the responsibilities of the Office. If we do not pay attention to the sobriety in the persons we elect, then we would be guilty of the greatest absurdity and will continue to pay dearly for our folly.

As a person who has served as General Secretary of the NBA (2004-2006), I am familiar with the demands of National Offices of our Association. Reading through the Manifestoes of the candidates, I could detect the empty promises in some of them. The hollowness rings loud in promises that are made without knowledge of where we have been, where we are coming from, and our future. We should watch out for sensible proposals for long-term solutions rather than hyperboles, and expedient short-term fixes.

It is against this background that I endorse Ernest Ojukwu, SAN, for the Office of President of the Nigerian Bar Association. This decision has been taken based on my 39 years knowledge of Ernest Ojukwu. He is an action person. He walks the talk. Since his days in the University, he has stood by the truth and acted accordingly, no matter the situation. The things he now says, or does, are as rooted in his long-held values. He has been a strong pillar to administrations that worked to make a difference. He is not taking a position on issues just for the expediency of an election. Ernest has been steadfast on issues important to the legal profession.

I am convinced that, by his antecedents and experience, Ernest Ojukwu would truly give priority to the Welfare, Services, Quality and Professional Growth of Members. Promoting very high ethical standards, discipline, conduct and professionalism in the legal profession is in his nature. For a man who has promoted full and equal participation in the Association, the promise to institute an accountable, open, transparent and democratic governance of the association, is achievable. I share his agenda for setting the stage for a NEW AND RELEVANT NBA.

Ernest Ojukwu Esq. SAN, is a consummate Bar man, a compassionate Law Teacher, the author of Books, an advocate par excellence, and a practical person who gets the job done. He is a tested Administrator and Manger. He has a mastery of the issues at the core of the challenges facing the profession. He has been at the core of working for Reform of Laws, Rules of Professional Conduct, creation of employment opportunities and better work conditions for Lawyers, enforcement and respect for human rights, to mention but a few.
Ernest Ojukwu Esq. SAN, has no political baggage and is not tied to any political godfather outside of the legal profession; the best assurance that the NBA would not be tied to the apron strings of outside influences.

I am pleased to recommend Ernest Ojukwu, Esq. SAN, for consideration for your Vote as President of the Nigerian Bar Association (2018-2020).

Thank you for your time and attention.

Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack.
Former General Secretary
(2004-2006)
Nigerian Bar Association

The candidature of Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN and former Deputy Director-General Nigerian Law Schools is among many other candidates that offers themselves to lead the NBA come 2018, is good news to Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).  Considering his many positive pedigrees both at the Bar and Nigerian Law School, his many contributions to the bar and easy to reach nature both in times of holding government positions and in times he is out of it, makes him a leader that stands shoulder higher than other candidates. For instance, as Deputy Director-General of Nigerian Law School, Justice Augustine Nnamani Agbani campus Enugu, within 2001, 2002 etc, there were catalogues of students qualified but awaiting to be admitted into the Nigerian Law Schools. Going by his experience as then Dean faculty of Law Abia State University (ABSU) and his concern for those students whom where depressed on seeing their future at stake, prof assisted the Director-General Tahir to clear the backlogged of students by helping to design a method that eased out the challenges and got them admitted in the Law School. The then DG poured encomium on him for such worthy sacrifice. In handling his students, Prof, ensured that the best methodology was employed in handling these growing legal minds that would later become judges, governors, SAN, wives, husbands, DGs, Presidents, legislators, clergies etc. No wonder students who passed through him then thanked their stars, that he was in-charged of their campus during their time.

 Hence, prof believes in both the Igbo and Chinese proverbs that say “if you want to plan for a session, plant yam or rice, but if you want to plan for a life time, educate a person.” He also treated his students with fairness and even mindedness without compromising high moral and academic standards. No wonder he exemplary set the pace while other staff followed. Till date most students from North, East, West and South applaud his excellent and exemplary leadership qualities. So Prof Ojukwu has giving Nigeria good and virtuous young starts as the DDG Nigerian Law School, which we shall continue to be glad of.

His students openly declare him as their mentor. For instance, the master of ceremony during the OB Lulu Briggs foundation award ceremony for the new call to Bar in 2017 at Port Harcourt on 18^th December, 2017 acknowledged him as his mentor and a gift to the legal profession. He further argued him to remain steadfast in his good works.

Furthermore, he has served in various capacities in Nigerian Bar Association from Aba branch to the National level with many quality results. Please see his article “The Road to a Brave New Bar – published on Thisday Newspaper Conference Edition 30-06-2016.

Law is an all-round subject in Bar perspectives and its application. Yet, prof Ojukwu with all due respect to other men of high pedigree at the Bar and Bench has touched all these aspects, human rights, legal education, quality teaching, authorship of many legal materials and otherwise, litigation, arbitration, counselling etc. Above all, many do not know that professor Ojukwu is not a mere legal academia, but a consummate bar man, who overtime has contributed very materially to Nigerian Bar Associations growth, his tight schedules notwithstanding.  From Chief Olanipeku SAN’s tenure, Dr. Olisa Agbokoba SAN, His Excellency, Chief Akeredolu SAN he involved in the drafting and re-drafting of so many Bills to aid face-lift the bar, its practice and welfare of young-lawyers. See again ThisDay NBA Conference Special Edition title “The Road To A Brave New Bar by Prof. Ernest Ojukwu 30-06-2016.

Finally, those who intend the best for the bar would work for good and purposeful leadership to emerge. Based on his all-round and many sacrificial contributions to the Bar as in serving in so many NBA committees guard towards the upliftment of the Bar for over twenty years of such serve. Credible seniority and other worthy examples of a good Barman. Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN, trust for leadership of the NBA President come 2018 is good news to the Bar and in extension to the society. Let’s us all sacrificially support him come 2018. The legal profession in Nigeria certainly will be happy and better uplifted in so many ways if this happens. We must not miss this opportunity to turn the Bar leadership around for good. Let’s support him and elect him come 2018 for President, Nigerian Bar Association.