● Supports proposed regional courts of appeal to take pressure off apex court
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and chairman of Nigerian Law Scool (NLS) Class of 86 (Centennial Class), Sir Oladipo Okpeseyi, has called for timeous intervention by the Attorney General of the Federation, chairman of the Body of Benchers, some members of the body and past Chief Justices of Nigeria in the leaked crisis that recently rocked the apex court to avert recurrence.
Okpeseyi gave the suggestion on Thursday in an address that he delivered on the occasion of the inauguration of the Ultra-Modern Twin Moot Court building at the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, constructed by members of the Class of 1986.
The suggestion was one of the three that he gave to the authorities of the nation’s judiciary on the occasion, which was chaired by the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, represented by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, who is a member of the Class of 86.
According to Okpeseyi: “The leaked crisis in the Supreme Court which ought not to be, but having reared its head, it is our humble suggestion that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers and some Senior members of that body, past CJNs should timeously intervene in the situation before there will be a next time.”
Read his second intervention and suggestion: ” We note sadly too that, the work load of the Supreme Court of Nigeria is too heavy. The Court ought to be a policy court. Most matters should terminate at the Proposed Regional Court of Appeal and or the Court of Appeal. Even some matters should terminate at the High Courts. These are statutory issues beyond the powers of the Supreme Court.”
Okpeseyi also averred: “There must be a comprehensive Constitutional amendment for the issues of jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to be addressed and creation of the Regional Courts of Appeal. Beyond this, such amendment should strive to correct the confused structure of the government. Respectfully, the country neither operates Federal nor Unitary system of Government.”
Read the text of Okpeseyi’s welcome address as reproduced below in extenso:
“I welcome you all to the official commissioning of the Ultra-Modern Twin Moot Court Building at the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, constructed by Members of the Nigerian Law School Class of 1986 otherwise known as the Centennial Class.
“First, I want to thank the Almighty God for the privilege to finally see this day. This has been a dream conceived by the Class at its AGM in 2012 held at Airforce Command Officers’ Mess, Abuja and delivered today for the benefit of our common humanity. It is, indeed a fulfilled dream. It is my pleasure therefore, to welcome our distinguished and most esteemed Special Guest, The Acting Chief Justice of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Rt. Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola to do us the honour of commissioning the building and its facilities for use of Staff and Students of the Nigerian Law School. It is indeed a great honour and we say thank you sir for making out time from your ever busy schedule to grace this occasion.
“The vision of this project was made public in 2013 for the first time by Hon. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, Class Chairman 2010 – 2017 as the Class contribution to the “Law School at 50 Legacy Projects Scheme” which was to serve as an everlasting monument in our name for posterity. The Honourable Chairman and his team started work immediately as with any new project to discuss and agree location, the professionals to come in with surveyors, town planners, Architects, Bill of quantities, civil, electrical and mechanical drawings and site clearing which took a while.
“In 2015, the foundation was laid by the then President of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo, CON. The Turaki led administration laid the foundation, built the administrative block, Judge’ Chamber conveniences and set out for the Moot Court floor before his very progressive tenure expired. The initiative, drive and tenacity to set this project up, goes to the administration of Hon. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN; former Minister for Special Duties. We must also specially recognize and thank profusely the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr. Mohammed Adoke, SAN, for his commitment and support for the dream of the Class.
“In 2017, when the present Exco. came into office under my leadership, we resolved to continue the mandate of the class to successfully complete and handover the Ultra-Modern Twin Moot Court before the end of our tenure. Therefore, we took up the Moot Court Project with utmost zeal like our predecessors, raising awareness and funds to complete the project. We had our own challenges and this project took a while to be completed because we ensured we had the twin Court rooms, introduced additional judge’s chambers, conveniences, electrical equipment room to accommodate going fully digital if the need arises and so on. But inspite of all that, God gave us grace and we are glad that today the Moot Court building is a reality and is being commissioned for use.
“We therefore on behalf of the Exco, wish to profusely thank the Class for the opportunity to serve. We profusely thank our donors particularly, the very generous donors whose support guaranteed the success we celebrate today. Your contributions will not be forgotten as the Class at its AGM directed a plaque of major Contributors be placed at a conspicuous part on the wall of the Moot Court Building. This we have done. We have also engraved the names of all members of the Class and we thank the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court for availing us the list of 1986 call.
“My Lord, the Acting CJN, we wish to thank the Director Generals of the Nigerian Law School who saw this project through and at every point while in office played crucial role. Namely- Dr. Mamman Tahir, SAN, Mr. Olanrewaju Adesola Onadeko, SAN and the current indefatigable D.G. who also personally supervised work and encouraged us, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN. The Chairman and Members of Council of Legal Education, we thank you all for approving all our proposals as presented on our behalf by the D.Gs. without inviting us to defend it.
“My predecessor in office- Hon. K.T. Turaki, SAN laid the foundation for the Association with a Constitution and registered same with the C.A.C., the very first within the NBA, he thus established a strong bond with NLS and also maintained the very cordial relationship with the School following after the very first Chairman Chief J.k. Gadzama SAN, MFR, OFR who set-up the association as functional body corporate and my coming was to build on this enduring legacy of service and co-operation with the Law School. It is therefore hoped that my Successor shall oil this tradition and keep its light glowing to further our objectives and show interest in the maintenance of this facility in conjunction with the Law School authorities.
“My Lord, distinguished guests, we are not done with the Law School yet. In the course of our drive for funds, our colleague and member of the class, His Excellency, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege got challenged and offered to replicate what the class has done on behalf of the Class. We therefore supplied him with the drawings, bill of Quantity and so on. He successfully pushed for inclusion in the 2022 National Budget. Today, we will humbly invite His Lordship, The Acting CJN to lay the foundation Stone of another Ultra Modern Twin Moot Court for the Law School within this rectangle being our preferred location. While we kept this confidential and prayerfully expecting a positive outcome, we briefed the D.G. Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN who graciously approved that it is built side by side with this one within the rectangle. The Contractors are already on ground with mandate to finish and furnish the Court and upgrade the facilities in this one being commissioned today. We deeply appreciate DSP Ovie Omo-Agege for this to be named PHASE 11.
“Pursuant thereto and in consideration of directly bringing FGN into Constructing Moot Court, this should henceforth be the minimum for all Law School Campuses throughout the Federation to have at least a dedicated Moot Court building on campus.
” Class 86 again on its pioneering stand, enjoin other classes of the NLS to please adopt a project to give back and assist the school to effectively train our future members of the Legal Profession. We were the first to donate a bus to the Law School in 2012 and unfortunately, no other set has done so till date. Please, Lawyers of all sets, own your school, take pride in it and assist to grow it for posterity.
“My Lord, the Acting CJN, permit me to mention a few things on this auspicious occasion of this epoch making event.
“i. The leaked crisis in the Supreme Court which ought not to be, but having reared its head, it is our humble suggestion that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers and some Senior members of that body, past CJNs should timeously intervene in the situation before there will be a next time.
“ii. We note sadly too that, the work load of the Supreme Court of Nigeria is too heavy. The Court ought to be a policy court. Most matters should terminate at the Proposed Regional Court of Appeal and or the Court of Appeal. Even some matters should terminate at the High Courts. These are statutory issues beyond the powers of the Supreme Court.
“iii. There must be a comprehensive Constitutional amendment for the issues of jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to be addressed and creation of the Regional Courts of Appeal. Beyond this, such amendment should strive to correct the confused structure of the government. Respectfully, the country neither operates Federal or Unitary system of Government.
” I want to thank my fellow Exco members, the Chairman of the Fund Raising Committee, Chief Duro Adeyele, SAN and his team, the erstwhile Chairman Fund Raising Committee Dr Alex Izinyon SAN, OFR and his team and everyone whose contribution has made this dream become a reality.
“My Lords, Temporary and Spiritual, Your Excellencies, President of NBA, Body of Benchers, Members of the Inner and Outer bars, Chairman and Members of the Council of Legal Education, Management and Students of the NLS, Gentlemen of the press, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I most warmly welcome you all on behalf of NLS Class ’86 and thank you for your patience.”
The Acting CJN commended the effort of Class of 86, describing the project it gave back to the school as a noble initiative.
He would later cut the ribbon to formally inaugurate the Ultra-Modern building.
He was thereafter conducted round the premises and interior of the Moot Court building, the first of its kind by any Class of Old students of the NLS.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the President o the Court of Appeal who sent in a representative; President of the Industrial Court Justice (Professor) Benedict Kanyim; Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) who was represented by the Director of Public Prosecution in the Ministry of Justice; and Chairman of the Council of Legal Education, Emeka Ngige (SAN), among others.
Director General of the NLS, Professor Isa Hayatu Chiroma (SAN) gave the acceptance speech on behalf of the Nigerian Law School.
Members of the Class of 86 who were there included among others Babatunde Ogala (SAN) who served as MC of the occasion, a former chair of the Class of 86, Joe Kyari Gadzama (SAN), a former governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia, Air Marshal Ibrahim Chafe and Mohammed Monguno.
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