Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU profiles new officers of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) inaugurated new officers at the end of its annual general conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.They were sworn in despite the suits challenging the election. One of the cases was filed by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN) at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) against the election of Mr. Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud (SAN) as NBA President.Here are the officers’ profiles:
PresidentMahmoud graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979. He holds a Master’s degree from the same university specialising in Company and Labour Relations Law. He worked for 15 years with the Kano State Ministry of Justice, rising from pupil state counsel to Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. He founded Dikko & Mahmoud in 1993.He trained at various times at the International Development Law Institute in Rome, where he obtained a certificate in Law and Development in 1987, and in Legal Aspects of Privatisation in 1990. He also holds a Diploma in Sociology of Law from Onati Institute for the Sociology of Law in Spain (1990) and another certificate in techniques of privatisation from the Institute of International Development at Harvard University (2000). He is married to Justice Patricia Mahmoud and they are blessed with five children and a grand-child.General SecretaryMr. Isiaka Abiola Olagunju is a native of Ibadan. He obtained his Law Degree in 1992 from the prestigious Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG) and was called to Bar on December 15, 1993. He started his Legal Practice with the firm of Bonajo Badejo & Co, Lagos. He moved his practice to Ibadan in January, 1995 when he joined the law firm of TundeAbimbola & Co.First-Vice PresidentMr. Caleb Gal Dajan hails from Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau State. He attended the University of Jos for his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B. Hons) and Master of Laws (LL.M), degrees. He was called to Bar in 1988. He belongs to the Famous ‘88 Class of the Nigerian Law School.Caleb cut his legal teeth in the law firm of G.S .YIilyork and Co. in 1989 and left in 1993 to set up the law firm of Caleb G. Dajan & Co. He is an active member of the NBA Jos Branch and served as Chairman of its Human Rights Committee. He became Chairman of the Branch in 2006-2010.Second Vice PresidentMr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani is the Principal Partner of the law firm of Ubani & Co. He established the firm in 1992. He attended University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he obtained an LL.B (Second Class Upper Division) degree, and was called to the bar in 1990 after bagging a B.L (Second Class Upper Division) from the Nigerian Law School. He is also a holder of LL.M Degree in Comparative Constitutional & Company Law, which he obtained from UNILAG in 1994.He began his professional career as pupil counsel in the law firm of K.C Ugbuajah & Co. in Kano during his NYSC programme and later worked briefly in Wole Olufon & Co., in Lagos. He represents many companies and high networth individuals.Ubani, a renowned social commentator and activist, was former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja 2012 – 2014, during which he initiated several reforms. He is a recipient of multiple awards. He is happily married to Mrs. Faurstina Ubani with four children. Third Vice PresidentBenedict Oji hails from Umutu, Ukwuani Local Govt. Area of Delta State. He attended the University of Benin, Benin City and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, graduating in 1988. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK). He has served the Bar at both branch and national levels.Welfare OfficerAdesina Adegbite hails from Abeokuta in Ogun State. He graduated from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in 2002 and was called to the Bar in 2004. He obtained his Masters of Law degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, with specialty in International Trade and Investment Law, and Aviation and Communication Law in 2011. He was Financial Secretary of the NBA, Ikeja Branch. He also served as Secretary of the branch, by virtue of which he served a full term of two years as a member of the NBA National Executive Committee.Legal AdviserChief Rafiu Oyeyemi Balogun attended the University of Ilorin. He belonged to the pioneering set of the students in the Faculty of Law in 1993/1994 academic session. He was elected President of the Law Students’ Society in the 1997. He bagged his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Hons) in 1999, no thanks to protracted ASUU strike that gave the students extra year. Balogun started his legal practice with Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN). Six years later, he established his firm in February, 2007.Asst. Publicity SecretaryMbamala Chukwuemeka Aloysius was called to Bar in 2007. He attended the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu. He hails from Imo State. He was Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Enugu branch from 2012-2014. He is happily married to Christiana Adaobi. The marriage is blessed with two children.Other officers are Okey Leo Ohagba (First Assistant Secretary), Aisha Ado Abdullahi (Treasurer), Cecilia Ugbuji (Second Assistant Secretary) and Ngizi Udodi (Financial Secretary
Source: The Nation
