Connect with us

News

Court voids NBA’s investigation report against lawyer, says it breaches right to fair hearing

Published

on

File photo of Chibuzo Chukwueroka Ezike

 

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo has declared the report of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) investigative panel, which led to an originating application against a legal practitioner, Chibuzo Chukwueroka Ezike before the Legal Practitioner Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) delineated No. BB/LPDC/809/2022 null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.

Justice A.A. Halilu made this declaration while delivering judgment on an application for the enforcement of fundamental rights filed before the court by Chibuzo Chukwueroka Ezike against Registered Trustees of Nigeria Bar Association, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade (SAN), Mr. Oluwaseun Abimbola (SAN) as members of the NBA investigative panel, Dr. Monday Ubani and the Legal Practitioner Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

The lawyer, Ezike had earlier filed a suit through his legal representative, Emeka Ozoani (SAN), before the court, asking for a declaration that the report of the NBA Panel that investigated conflicting judgments on some political cases which indicted him of professional misconduct and led to the filing of Petition No BB/LPDC/809/2022 against him before the LPDC, which was widely published in different media platform without affording him the opportunity of being heard throughout the purported investigation is a breach of his right to fair hearing as provided under section 36(2) of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Articles 7 and 9 of the African Charter on Human And Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement) Act Cap A9, Laws Of The Federation Of Nigeria 2004 and encapsulated in Latin Maxim Audi Alterem Partem.

In his judgment, Justice Halilu declared that the report of the investigative panel against Ezike constituted a breach of his right to a fair hearing under Section 36(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Articles 7 and 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Right.

The court, however, ordered the parties to bear their costs, stressing that it will not act on speculation and award damages against the respondents for publishing or authorizing a publication subjecting the applicant to ridicule in the eyes of the public since it couldn’t lay its hands on the said publication to enable it to award the damages of N500 million.

The court also held that while there is no doubt that the NBA is saddled with the responsibility of investigating its members upon a complaint made against them, the procedure adopted by the respondents, having failed to adhere to the principle of natural justice and failure to afford the applicant fair hearing has made their entire action in that regard null void and of no effect whatsoever.

“The purported report that led to the filing of originating application to LPDC against the Applicant referred to as BB/LPDC/809/2022 is also declared null and void and of no effect whatsoever, having failed to pass through the legitimate means of making same,” the Judge held.

The court further stopped the LPDC from acting on the pending originating application against Ezike before it, as it has been declared null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

Justice Halilu held that Ezike has a legal duty to seek timely judicial protection whenever he smells danger and not wait until the rope is tight around his neck for execution. The court maintained that the legal practitioner does not have to wait for the LPDC to act on the NBA’s report that indicted him without hearing his side of the story, without availing him with a copy of the complaint written against him, and without giving him a copy of the NBA Report sent to LPDC.

“I am of the view that the respondents breached the rules of natural justice for their failure to communicate the complaint to the applicant and give him reasonable time to react the same.

“The respondent’s notice of preliminary objection dated 10-6-2022 is hereby dismissed for lacking in merit. Accordingly, judgment is entered for the applicant against the respondents,” the court ruled.

Reacting to the judgment, Ezike’s counsel, Ozoani (SAN), submitted that “the judgment was incisive, well-considered in substance and a proof that the court is the last hope of the common man. We commend his lordship.”

Comments

News

Iran War Disrupts Oil Supply, Global Loss Hits $50bn

Published

on

The global oil market has recorded losses exceeding $50bn following massive supply disruptions triggered by the ongoing Iran war, which has now stretched to nearly 50 days.

Data from energy analytics firm Kpler showed that more than 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been wiped off the global market since the crisis began in late February, making it the largest energy supply disruption in modern history.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, on Friday said the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened after a ceasefire agreement reached in Lebanon.

However, tensions escalated again on Saturday as Tehran warned it could shut the strategic waterway if the United States sustains its blockade of Iranian ports.

Also, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that a deal to end the conflict could be reached “soon,” although he did not provide a definite timeline.

Analysts warned that the scale of disruption could have prolonged effects on global energy stability, with shocks expected to linger for months or even years.

Providing context, Principal Analyst at Wood Mackenzie, Iain Mowat, said the 500 million barrels lost is equivalent to grounding global aviation demand for 10 weeks, halting all road transport worldwide for 11 days, or shutting down the entire global oil supply for five days.

Further estimates showed that the lost volume is nearly equal to one month of oil demand in the United States or more than a month’s supply for Europe. It also represents about six years of fuel consumption by the U.S. military and could power global shipping activities for approximately four months.

The crisis has significantly affected oil-producing nations in the Gulf, with output losses reaching about eight million barrels per day in March—roughly equivalent to the combined production of two of the world’s largest oil companies.

Jet fuel exports from major producers, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, dropped sharply from 19.6 million barrels in February to just 4.1 million barrels recorded across March and April combined. Analysts said the shortfall could have powered about 20,000 round-trip international flights.

With crude prices averaging around $100 per barrel since the onset of the conflict, the lost volumes translate to an estimated $50bn in revenue. Experts noted that this figure is equivalent to about one per cent of Germany’s annual Gross Domestic Product, or roughly the size of the economies of smaller European countries.

Meanwhile, global onshore crude inventories have declined by about 45 million barrels in April alone, while total production outages have risen to approximately 12 million barrels per day since late March.

Industry experts cautioned that unless a lasting resolution is reached, the disruption could intensify volatility in global oil markets, worsen inflationary pressures, and further strain fragile economies worldwide.

Continue Reading

News

Oseni Secures Prestigious City People Political Award Nomination

Published

on

A member of the House of Representatives representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has been nominated for a Special Award in Politics at the 2026 City People Political Awards.

The nomination was conveyed in a letter dated April 13, 2026, signed by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of City People Magazine, Seye Kehinde.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Oseni’s media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan on Thursday.

According to the statement, the lawmaker earned the nomination in recognition of his “outstanding contributions to politics in Oyo State, particularly in Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.”

The organisers noted that Oseni emerged as a nominee following a comprehensive review of performances across sectors by the award’s selection committee.

Part of the letter read, “Having performed creditably well in your sector last year, the Organising Committee presented you as a nominee in your sector.”

The award ceremony is scheduled to hold on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Etal Hall, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos, at 4pm.

The City People Awards is an annual event that recognises individuals who have distinguished themselves in governance, public service and other sectors of national development.

Continue Reading

News

Kaduna Electric to prosecute, expose attackers of staff

Published

on

The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has announced a crackdown on individuals who assault its staff, warning that offenders will face prosecution and public exposure.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the company expressed concern over what it described as a “disturbing surge” in attacks on its field workers and third-party partners.

It noted that the affected personnel were mainly engaged in meter installation, revenue collection and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.

According to the firm, the increasing cases of harassment, physical assault and unlawful detention of its workers pose a serious threat to employee safety and the stability of electricity service delivery across its franchise areas.

The Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, said the company would no longer tolerate any form of aggression against its workforce.

“Let this serve as a clear warning to anyone who engages in the assault of our staff. Kaduna Electric will pursue every case to its logical conclusion,” he said.

“We will work closely with security agencies to ensure offenders are brought to justice and face the full weight of the law,” Mohammed added.

He further disclosed that the company would publicly reveal the identities of individuals found culpable.

According to him, names, photographs and other details of offenders would be published on the company’s official platforms as well as in national and local media.

“This measure is intended to ensure accountability and serve as a strong deterrent. Anyone who chooses to attack our personnel should be prepared not only to face prosecution but also public exposure,” he added.

The company stressed that assaults on utility workers attract serious legal and financial consequences, noting that offenders risk criminal charges that may lead to fines or imprisonment.

It added that perpetrators could also face civil liabilities, including compensation for medical treatment, psychological trauma and loss of work hours.
While condemning the attacks, Kaduna Electric urged customers to adopt peaceful and lawful means of resolving disputes.

It advised aggrieved customers to channel complaints through its customer service units or appropriate regulatory bodies.

The management reaffirmed its commitment to protecting its workforce and partners, stressing that a safe working environment is essential for delivering reliable and efficient electricity services.

Although disputes between electricity providers and consumers are often linked to billing issues, metering challenges and service delivery concerns, the company maintained that such matters must be resolved through dialogue, insisting that violence against its staff will no longer be tolerated.

Continue Reading

Advertisement

Entertainment

Advertisement

MegaIcon Magazine Facebook Page

Advertisement

MEGAICON TV

Advertisement

Trending