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| Issa at LASUTH immediately after he was assaulted by Bartholomew Aguegodo |
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| After the Press conference, Issa granted TVC audience to hear his narration of the incidence. |
Following the ugly incident that occured on Monday, 19th Dec. 2016 at the NBA secretariat, Ikeja branch where a lawyer, Prince Issa Adedokun was physically assaulted by another senior lawyer, Bartholomew Aguegbodo, a press conference was held at the NBA bar secretariat by the Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) yesterday 22nd December, 2016. The press conference was headed by the chairman of YLF Mr. Charles Ajiboye who lamented on the rampant mistreatment of young lawyers by the some senior lawyers.
The script of the speech given at the conference is given below:
YOUNG
LAWYER NOT SLAVE
LAWYER NOT SLAVE
A COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE
YOUNG LAWYERS’ FORUM AFTER AN EMMERGENCY GENERAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 20TH
DECEMBER AT THE BAR CENTRE AND DELIVERED
BY THE CHAIRMAN, YOUNG LAWYERS’ FORUM AT THE OFFICIAL PRESS CONFERENCE
HELD TODAY 22ND DECEMBER, 2016 AT THE BAR CENTRE, IKEJA.
YOUNG LAWYERS’ FORUM AFTER AN EMMERGENCY GENERAL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 20TH
DECEMBER AT THE BAR CENTRE AND DELIVERED
BY THE CHAIRMAN, YOUNG LAWYERS’ FORUM AT THE OFFICIAL PRESS CONFERENCE
HELD TODAY 22ND DECEMBER, 2016 AT THE BAR CENTRE, IKEJA.
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| Charles Ajiboye flaked from left to right by some excos of the YLF |
Dear Colleagues, friends
and gentlemen of the press.
and gentlemen of the press.
1. ASSAULT ON MR. ISSA ADEDOKUN
On Monday 19th
December, 2016 an ugly incident occurred. The incumbent Assistant Secretary of
the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) Ikeja branch and immediate past Chairman of
the Young Lawyers’ Forum(YLF), NBA, Ikeja branch Mr. Issa Adedokun was
physically assaulted by a Senior colleague Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo(A former
Chairmanship candidate of NBA, Ikeja branch) after a minor argument ensued
between them.
December, 2016 an ugly incident occurred. The incumbent Assistant Secretary of
the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) Ikeja branch and immediate past Chairman of
the Young Lawyers’ Forum(YLF), NBA, Ikeja branch Mr. Issa Adedokun was
physically assaulted by a Senior colleague Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo(A former
Chairmanship candidate of NBA, Ikeja branch) after a minor argument ensued
between them.
Upon investigations and
meeting with the victim and other eye witnesses, the YLF made several
resolutions hence this press briefing.
meeting with the victim and other eye witnesses, the YLF made several
resolutions hence this press briefing.
Whilst we would have been
persuaded to hear from Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo, his open admission of guilt
on his page on www.facebook.com and his complete abandonment of any form of
remorse only strengthened the fact that no explanation will justify physical
assault of a professional colleague. None; whatsoever. One wonders what would
have happened had the victim of the assault acted in like manner or his friends
and colleagues retaliated in the same style.
persuaded to hear from Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo, his open admission of guilt
on his page on www.facebook.com and his complete abandonment of any form of
remorse only strengthened the fact that no explanation will justify physical
assault of a professional colleague. None; whatsoever. One wonders what would
have happened had the victim of the assault acted in like manner or his friends
and colleagues retaliated in the same style.
The truth is that; the
only reason why Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo had the thought and eventually took
steps to assault Mr. Issa Adedokun is because he is a young lawyer. It
evidenced his respect and regards for young lawyers. It wouldn’t have come to
his mind had the argument been with his fellow senior colleague.
only reason why Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo had the thought and eventually took
steps to assault Mr. Issa Adedokun is because he is a young lawyer. It
evidenced his respect and regards for young lawyers. It wouldn’t have come to
his mind had the argument been with his fellow senior colleague.
The YLF frowns at this act
which is fast becoming the order of the day and will accept nothing of such more
so from Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo whom the forum hitherto had huge respect and
regards for. The forum is not only shocked but deeply disappointed and feels
let down at this show of emotional weakness often exhibited by seniors at the bar.
which is fast becoming the order of the day and will accept nothing of such more
so from Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo whom the forum hitherto had huge respect and
regards for. The forum is not only shocked but deeply disappointed and feels
let down at this show of emotional weakness often exhibited by seniors at the bar.
Seniority at the bar used
to mean nobility, wisdom and in turn earn huge respect but it is unfortunate
that a few of those who are being looked up to has role models have allowed
their weaker and ugly selves take the better part of them.
to mean nobility, wisdom and in turn earn huge respect but it is unfortunate
that a few of those who are being looked up to has role models have allowed
their weaker and ugly selves take the better part of them.
The YLF deeply commends
the maturity displayed by Mr. Issa Adedokun in the face of the provocation and
assault; the YLF thus resolved accordingly:
the maturity displayed by Mr. Issa Adedokun in the face of the provocation and
assault; the YLF thus resolved accordingly:
·
It
is strongly recommended that Mr. Issa Adedokun commences the process of both
Criminal and Civil proceedings against his assailant as well as a detailed
petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
It
is strongly recommended that Mr. Issa Adedokun commences the process of both
Criminal and Civil proceedings against his assailant as well as a detailed
petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
·
That
the Legal Aid Committee of the YLF should take up fully the prosecution of the
above matters at no cost to the Mr. Issa Adedokun and any other young lawyer
who is a victim of similar abuses.
That
the Legal Aid Committee of the YLF should take up fully the prosecution of the
above matters at no cost to the Mr. Issa Adedokun and any other young lawyer
who is a victim of similar abuses.
·
That
Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo is hereby requested to forward a written apology
letter to Mr. Issa Adedokun and send a copy to the YLF within 30days of this
communiqué or face complete black listing from the forum.
That
Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbodo is hereby requested to forward a written apology
letter to Mr. Issa Adedokun and send a copy to the YLF within 30days of this
communiqué or face complete black listing from the forum.
·
That
this communiqué be forwarded to the National Executives of the NBA for action
That
this communiqué be forwarded to the National Executives of the NBA for action
2.
ON ASSAULT BY SENIOR LAWYERS
ON ASSAULT BY SENIOR LAWYERS
The YLF says
unequivocally, that it will no longer tolerate the rampart assault of it’s
members by ‘almighty seniors’. It is no longer news that lawyers in some firms
are being treated as slaves; they are constantly verbally abused and physically
assaulted both male and female. LET IT BE KNOWN THAT WE WILL FIGHT FOR
OURSELVES. INJURY TO ONE IS INJURY TO ALL. We refuse to be intimidated and oppressed.
A young lawyer is a lawyer and MUST be treated with the deserving respect.
unequivocally, that it will no longer tolerate the rampart assault of it’s
members by ‘almighty seniors’. It is no longer news that lawyers in some firms
are being treated as slaves; they are constantly verbally abused and physically
assaulted both male and female. LET IT BE KNOWN THAT WE WILL FIGHT FOR
OURSELVES. INJURY TO ONE IS INJURY TO ALL. We refuse to be intimidated and oppressed.
A young lawyer is a lawyer and MUST be treated with the deserving respect.
We call on senior lawyers
to stand tall and caution the few bad eggs who are creating a bad name for this
category of lawyers. The truth is that every young lawyer will become a senior
lawyer one day and we know that, hence the need to create the sensitization so
that we can be noble and worthy seniors.
to stand tall and caution the few bad eggs who are creating a bad name for this
category of lawyers. The truth is that every young lawyer will become a senior
lawyer one day and we know that, hence the need to create the sensitization so
that we can be noble and worthy seniors.
3.
ON THE NBA, IKEJA LEADERSHIP CRISIS
ON THE NBA, IKEJA LEADERSHIP CRISIS
Whilst we as a forum has
decided not to meddle with the ongoing issues
the forum uses this opportunity to call on the President of the NBA, Mr.
Abubakar Mahmoud,SAN and indeed the National Executive Council to URGENTLY wade
into the leadership crisis of the NBA, Ikeja.
decided not to meddle with the ongoing issues
the forum uses this opportunity to call on the President of the NBA, Mr.
Abubakar Mahmoud,SAN and indeed the National Executive Council to URGENTLY wade
into the leadership crisis of the NBA, Ikeja.
We only demand that it
should be given the needed urgency and attention as Ikeja branch is not only
one of the largest branches of the NBA, it is indeed one of the most vibrant in
the country. It will not be a good experience that the strength of the branch is
used by it against itself. If the silence or/and delay continues, the President
will have by omission, heaped up a coal of complicated fire that it may be
unable to resolve easily thereafter.
should be given the needed urgency and attention as Ikeja branch is not only
one of the largest branches of the NBA, it is indeed one of the most vibrant in
the country. It will not be a good experience that the strength of the branch is
used by it against itself. If the silence or/and delay continues, the President
will have by omission, heaped up a coal of complicated fire that it may be
unable to resolve easily thereafter.
4. ON THE YOUTH INCLUSION CAMPAIGN
Finally, it is important
to mention here again to the leadership of the NBA, the government and all
stakeholders that there is a need to engage the younger generation and commit
to them responsibilities. This is the only way to secure the future. We
recommend that there should be at least a competent youth in every cabinet or
committee at any level Federal, State, Local Government, Agencies of government
e.t.c. Young people are not weak or incompetent rather we are BRAVE, AMBITIOUS,
STRONG AND DARING. Every serious minded institution never jokes with its
youths.
to mention here again to the leadership of the NBA, the government and all
stakeholders that there is a need to engage the younger generation and commit
to them responsibilities. This is the only way to secure the future. We
recommend that there should be at least a competent youth in every cabinet or
committee at any level Federal, State, Local Government, Agencies of government
e.t.c. Young people are not weak or incompetent rather we are BRAVE, AMBITIOUS,
STRONG AND DARING. Every serious minded institution never jokes with its
youths.
On behalf of the Young
lawyers of NBA, Ikeja branch and indeed young people everywhere in the country,
I thank you for your time and urge you to stand for ‘Young’. Stand against any form of intimidation and oppression to
young people.
lawyers of NBA, Ikeja branch and indeed young people everywhere in the country,
I thank you for your time and urge you to stand for ‘Young’. Stand against any form of intimidation and oppression to
young people.
Thank you.
CHARLES
AJIBOYE,ESQ.
AJIBOYE,ESQ.
Chairman,
YLF-NBA Ikeja.
YLF-NBA Ikeja.
08032202677
