Headline

Meet Couples Who Are Senior Advocates Of Nigeria

Published

4 months ago

January 7, 2024

The legal profession in Nigeria is undoubtedly a vibrant one, having produced many brilliant minds who have achieved a lot in that space. FAITH AJAYI takes a look at couples where both the husbands and wives belong to the prestigious club of Senior Advocates of Nigeria

Adegboyega and Victoria Awomolo

Adegboyega

Adegboyega Awomolo was born on September 19, 1947, at Orile-Ilugun, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He attended St. James Primary School, Orile-Ilugun, for his elementary education and Anglican Secondary School (modern) Orile-Ilugun for his secondary education before proceeding to University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University) where he bagged his law degree in 1977 and was called to the Bar on July 7, 1978.

He went on to observe the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps scheme in Kwara State, and was posted to the Kwara State Ministry of Justice, where he was adjudged as the ‘Best Corper of the Year’, and decorated by the then military administrator of the state.

After his youth service in 1979, he joined the law office of Tunji Arosanyin & Co, in Ilorin.

Speaking in an interview some time ago, Adegboyega thanked some of the legal luminaries who helped his career. He said, “I was lucky to have the privilege of Afe Babalola (SAN) as my father in the legal profession. He was available to give me a shoulder to rest on. He gave me every chance and opportunity to grow in the knowledge of the law. He taught me to be charitable and kind to everyone around me, as a giver never lacks.

“Chief Tunji Arosanyin gave me the platform and opportunity, and I will forever remember because he gave me his office to practice, manage and cut my legal teeth from 1979 to 1983.”

In 1992, the Nigerian Bar Association, at its annual conference held in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, was unable to conclude its election of officers. This was followed by various court orders and counter orders obtained by aggrieved members.

The military government at the time, under General Sani Abacha, then intervened at the instance of the Body of Benchers with a decree that dissolved the NBA, and gave the Body of Benchers powers to appoint administrators for the NBA.

Awomolo was then appointed as the Chairman of all the 44 branches Chairmen and Secretaries of the association. In that capacity, he travelled across the country and held meetings in almost all the branches between 1996 and 1998.

As a testament to his illustrious career, Awomolo became a SAN in July 1992. He has also handled several national and international cases, such as constitutional matters all the way to the Supreme Court, presidential and governorship election petitions, and civil and criminal cases, both as a Federal Government-appointed prosecutor and also as a defense lawyer.

The respected lawyer was also the first Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Osun State in 1991.

He is also a Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Advance Legal Studies and Chartered Institute of Arbitration, as well as a member of the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers.

Awomolo, who is the Asiwaju of Igbajo and Baamofin of Igbajo, is also the Chief Executive Officer of the law firm, Awomolo and Associates, where his wife, Olufunmilayo, who also became SAN in 2013, works as the managing counsel. His areas of practice include tribunal, criminal law, aviation, banking and insurance, among others.

Victoria Awomolo

Olufunmilayo Awomolo was the 18th female to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. She is also the Vice President of Africa North and West of the international region of the International Federation of Women Lawyers. She was elected in 2017 during a FIDA conference held in the Bahamas.

Born on December 18, 1957, she started her education at Salvation Army Primary School, Ilesa, Osun State, before proceeding to IIesha Grammar School for her secondary education. For her A levels, she attended the Kwara State College of Technology, Ilorin. She went on to study Chemistry at the University of Benin and graduated in 1981.

While undergoing her NYSC programme in 1981, she taught Chemistry at Army Day Secondary School Bida, Niger State, and later joined the Ministry of Education, Kwara State, in 1982 and was posted to Queen Elizabeth School, Ilorin, where she taught chemistry for 10 years.

She then returned to school for a second degree in Law at the University of Ibadan and emerged as the best graduating student in Labour Law in 1996. Olufunmilayo was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1998.

She has almost 20 years of experience in the field of commercial litigation and arbitration. She is a member of a number of professional organisations, such as the International Federation of Women Lawyers, and the International Bar Association. Through the FIDA platform, she showcases her passion for the protection of the rights of women and children.

She has also been involved in many constitutional and election cases and was also part of the team of lawyers that advised the Federal Government on matters relating to the oil and gas industry, and fuel subsidy.

Her love and passion for the legal profession have spurred her to attend many conferences, including the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, Commonwealth Lawyers Conference, and FIDA Convention and regional congresses.

She is a member of the Nigeria Bar Association, International Bar Association, Commonwealth Lawyers Association, International Federation of Women Lawyers Association, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom), and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria.

She has also held several positions, which include Secretary, Organising Committee, NBA Conference Ilorin 2007; Secretary, International Federation of Women Lawyers, Kwara State Branch (2004-2006); Chairman, Organising Committee, Two decades of FIDA; and Vice Chairperson, FIDA, Abuja branch (2013-2016).

Possessing the potent combination of beauty and brain, she is the Yeyemofin of Igbajoland.

Speaking in an interview, Olufunmilayo noted that she was open to serving her people. She said, “Yes, if I have the opportunity and feel safe about it because the way politics is being played in Nigeria calls for caution. At my age, I must be careful. I won’t just jump into politics. I would rather wish to be approached to represent my people. That way, I would have their support. However, I don’t have the kind of money to put into politics, but God can provide.”

Blessed with wonderful children, she has been a pillar of support for her husband over the years.

Femi and Funmi Falana

Femi

The popular human rights activist, Femi Falana, was born on May 20, 1958, in Ilawe, Ekiti State.

He attended St. Michael’s School (1963 to 1968) after which, he went to Sacred Heart Catholic Seminary from 1971 to 1975.

He later studied English at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) from 1977 to 1981, but switched to Law after his first year.

He was called to the Bar in 1982 and became a SAN 30 years later in 2012.

Shortly after being called to the Bar, Femi joined the chambers of Alao Aka Bashorun, where his zeal for activism was nurtured.

In 1991, he started his chambers, which later metamorphosed into Falana and Falana Chambers, which he runs with his wife, Funmi.

In 2007, he contested and lost the governorship election of Ekiti State on the platform of the National Conscience Party, a party he served as National Chairman in 2011.

Femi was arrested on May 23, 1995, by the State Security Service and detained for 24 hours over his defence of the leader of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, Ken Saro-Wiwa, who was later executed by General Sani Abacha regime.

He also was held for eight months at the Hadeja prison in Jigawa State, on the charge that he was a threat to national security.

He has held a number of positions, including being a legal adviser, Campaign for Democracy (1990-1995); Secretary-General, African Bar Association (2000 to 2004); and President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, (1997 to 2000).

He is also the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Weekly Report of Nigeria; and a member of the Council of Legal Education.

Falana belongs to many professional bodies, including the West African Bar Association; Nigerian Bar Association; Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators; Pan African Lawyers Union; International Bar Association; African Bar Association; and honourary member of the American Bar Association.

He is a recipient of several national and international awards, such as Defender of the Year Award from the International League for Human Rights in 2000; the Ogoni Merit Award in 2002; Dr Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award in 2003; and the Bernard Simon Memorial Award for the Advancement of Human Rights in 2003.

He is the father of a popular rapper, singer, comedian and actor, Folarin (Falz).

Funmi Falana

Funmi Falana is a women’s rights activist, and she recently became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria on November 27, 2023.

For her secondary education, she attended St. Louis Girls’ Grammar School, Akure, Ondo State; before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from the University of Benin. She later went on to study Law at the University of Lagos. She also earned a Master’s degree from the same university.

She is currently the National Director of Women Empowerment and Legal Aid, a non-governmental organisation that advocates for women’s and children’s rights.

Through this organisation, she has led campaigns against rape, women’s marginalisation and participation in politics, gender-based, policy and decision-making.

She also challenged Regulation 124 of the Police Act, which prohibited female officers from getting married until after three years of service, and the provision was eventually declared unconstitutional and discriminatory against women.

On January 28, 2021, in a letter titled, ‘Request to Recall Dismissed Pregnant Police Officer’, Funmi asked the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Adamu, to reinstate Corporal Olajide Omotola of the Ekiti State Police Command, who was dismissed for getting pregnant out of wedlock. She said she would challenge Omotola’s dismissal at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria and pray for the annulment of Regulation 127 made pursuant to the Police Act, 2020 if the police authority failed to reinstate her within a reasonable time

The erudite lawyer is also a member of several professional and leadership organisations, both within and outside Nigeria.

She is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the West African Bar Association, the International Bar Association, and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Epiphany and Valerie Azinge

Epiphany

Epiphany Azinge, who was born in Aba, Abia State, on November 13, 1957, is a native of Oshi¬mili South Local Government Area, Delta State.

Between 1970 and 1975, he attended St. Patrick’s College, Asaba, before proceeding to the University of Lagos in 1976, where he obtained a degree in Law, finishing with a Second-Class Upper Division.

In 1980, he was called to Bar, after which he proceeded to the University of London for his second degree, specialising in Comparative Constitutional Law and Shipping Law in 1983.

An avid learner, he went on to bag a PhD in 1986.

His career began as a lecturer at the University of Benin in 1981, where he taught several courses, including the Nigerian Legal System, Legal Process, Juris¬prudence, Constitutional Law, Labour Law, Pub¬lic International Law and Administrative Law. He also taught Information Technology Law and Law of Taxation at the University of Abuja; as well as the Nigerian Legal System at the Nassarawa State University.

He was an external examiner of PhD dissertations at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State; the University of Jos (2006); and the University of Kwazulu, Natal, South Africa (2008).

He was a member of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Legal Practice (2004 -2008), Continuing Legal Education Committee (2003 -2006), the Chairman, NBA Section on Business Law, and its sub-committee on Sports and Entertainment.

He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2006.

Committed to contributing to the study of Law, Epiphany has published extensively on diverse areas in local and international journals. He has edited over 63 books.

Epiphany was appointed Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Michael Agbamuche, from 1991 to 1997.

During that period, he contributed to many landmark legal developments that led to the promulgation of several enactments, including the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, Failed Banks Act, Advanced Fee Fraud Act, Money Laundering Act, and Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act.

In May 2009, he was appointed the fifth Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

Aside from his academic career, he is involved in community development through his foundation, the Sojourners Medicate Foundation, which he personally funds to help accident victims on the highways, as well as award scholarships to indigent Nigerians.

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, International Bar Association, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal, London, United Kingdom (2015). He is also the President-General of the Asaba Development Union.

In recognition of his academic and administrative accomplishments, he was awarded a honourary LLD in 2013 by the Commonwealth University, Belize. He was also bestowed with the national honour– Officer of the Order of the Niger in 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

In recognition of his contributions to his community, he was given the chieftaincy title, ‘Okailolo of Asaba’, while his wife Dr (Mrs) Valerie Azinge, was given the title, ‘Odoziaku of Asaba’, in 2011.

Valerie Azinge

Valerie Azinge was born in Enugu North/Nsukka Senatorial Zone of Enugu State. In 1980, she graduated from the University of Jos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981.

She bagged a second degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1984, and obtained a PhD in Law from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, in 1990.

She is a former Commissioner and member of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission, and was the first Special Rapporteur on Summary, Arbitrary and Extrajudicial Executions in Nigeria.

Valerie is a member of some professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association. She is the Chairman of the association’s Committee on Family and Child’s Rights; Member, NBA Section on Legal Practice; as well as a member of the International Bar Association and World Jurists Association.

She is the author of the Jurisprudence of Failed Banks Tribunal and the Law of Broking in Nigeria.

She has held several political offices, including being a Commissioner, National Human Rights Commission (1996 -2000).

Valeria and her husband, Epiphany, founded the Azinge and Azinge Law firm, and she holds sway as the Managing Partner.

She was awarded the national honour of the Officer of the Federal Republic.

Headline

Sad Story: Nigerian Who Relocated To UK In 2022 Beat Wife To Death With Skateboard

Published

10 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Editor

A United Kingdom-based Nigerian man, Olubunmi Abodunde, has beaten his wife, Taiwo, to death with their son’s skateboard, Daily Mail reports.

The couple, who had three children, arrived in the UK from Nigeria in 2022 and always clashed over alleged affairs and arguments about bills.

According to the news platform, 48-year-old Abodunde had been repeatedly investigated by Suffolk Police about domestic violence and was due to go on trial for murder but changed his plea to guilty on Wednesday after a jury had been sworn in.

During the abuse, officers heard ‘a number of bangs’ inside the house, which Abodunde had gone into, despite bail conditions imposed the day before that banned him from the property following another violent episode.

When they finally entered 25 minutes later, they found the wife, 41-year-old Taiwo, with her ‘skull smashed in’.

However, Judge Martyn Levett, sitting at Ipswich Crown Court, warned him the only possible sentence was life imprisonment.

Suffolk Constabulary has referred itself to the Independent Office of Police Conduct, which confirmed three officers were under investigation.

An IOPC spokesman said, “We advised two Suffolk officers that they are under investigation for potential breaches of the police standards of professional behaviour at the level of gross misconduct.

“We advised another officer that they are under investigation at the level of misconduct.”

Abodunde had a history of jealousy and suspicion and accused his wife of having affairs. He had been investigated by police a number of times over alleged domestic violence incidents before his wife’s death.

He was arrested on April 27 last year when police arrived at the couple’s home in Newmarket, Suffolk, and found Mrs Abodunde with a split lip.

Later that day, he was freed on police bail with the condition that he stayed away from the marital home and didn’t approach his wife.

But after working a night shift at Tesco, he went home just after 9 am to allegedly pick up his mobile phone.

Two officers arrived at 9.20 am to take a statement from Mrs Abodunde about the previous night’s incident and heard repeated banging noises inside.

But it wasn’t until 9.55 am that they forced their way in after getting approval from senior officers and found Mrs Abodunde ‘obviously dead’ near the front door.

A post-mortem examination later showed she had been throttled until she fell unconscious, then stamped on until her ribs were broken before her husband used the skateboard to finish her off. The blows were so violent that the skateboard was damaged.

Prosecutor Simon Spence KC told the court the banging officers heard was likely to have been Abodunde continuing to attack his wife after she was unconscious or dead.

Mrs Abodunde had a job as a care home assistant in Cambridge, but her husband, who had trained as a civil engineer, was unable to find work in his profession and took shifts at Tesco and Wickes.

After his arrest for the murder, Abodunde was taken to hospital “because he appeared to have some sort of mental episode”.

He later claimed in a police statement he had acted in self-defence, saying, “My wife has subjected me to physical abuse for a number of years.

“On November 28, we got into an argument. She ran at me with a knife, I grabbed the knife and cut my hand. I was defending myself.”

But the court heard while he did have an injury to his hand, there wasn’t a knife near his wife’s body.

Nneka Akudolu KC, defending, said the level of violence was ‘completely out of character’ for her client and might have been affected by medication he was taking. But she said no medical evidence would be provided to support this claim.

Detective Inspector Dan Connick, of Suffolk Police, said after the hearing, “This was an awful attack on a woman that has had a lasting impact on the community and, most importantly, on the victim’s family.

‘We are pleased that Taiwo’s family will no longer have to go through the pain of a trial.

‘Our thoughts remain with Taiwo’s family and friends and hope this result will bring some small comfort to them.’

Taiwo Abodunde worked for Cambridge Manor Care Home, which provides dementia care and residential and respite care.

A spokesman for the facility, which is owned by TLC Care, said: ‘We are all deeply shaken and upset by the tragic death of Taiwo, who was a much-loved member of our home community.

‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with her family. Taiwo always cared for those we support with compassion and kindness, and she will be greatly missed by all of us and our residents.’

Abodunde was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on May 9.

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GWR: Ghanian Student Sets New Record For Hugging 1,123 Trees In One Hour

Published

12 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Editor

A 29-year-old Ghanaian environmental activist and forestry student, Abubakar Tahiru, has etched his name in the Guinness Book of World Records by hugging 1,123 trees in one hour.

The Guinness World Record announced this on Friday, adding that Tahiru’s accomplishment not only makes him the record holder but also the first person to ever hold this title as he “easily surpassed the minimum requirement of 700.”

The event was said to have taken place at the Tuskegee National Forest in Alabama, USA, where he embraced nearly 19 trees per minute.

According to GWR, Tahiru grew up in a farming community in Tepa, Ghana, where he developed a keen interest in nature and its conservation.

After completing his undergraduate degree specialising in forestry at one of Ghana’s top universities, he moved to Alabama last year to begin his master’s degree in forestry at Auburn University.

Describing the challenge, GWR disclosed that a successful tree hug is defined as both arms wrapped around a tree in a close embrace. No tree may be hugged more than once, and no damage can be caused to any tree, or else the attempt is disqualified.

It further stated that Tahiru attempted this challenge while he was fasting during Ramadan, preventing him from drinking water despite the strenuous activity.

He also had to move quickly between trees while ensuring that each hug met the required standards.

Speaking with GWR, Tahiru said, “Not being able to drink water throughout the attempt posed a significant challenge, especially given the physical exertion required.

“However, this also proved to be helpful in a way, as there was no need to pause for water breaks, allowing me to continue the attempt uninterrupted from start to finish.

“Achieving this world record feels incredibly rewarding.”

Headline

LIST: 25 Countries Where TikTok Is Banned

Published

13 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Editor

United States President Joe Biden recently signed a bill that could potentially result in the ban of TikTok in the US if its Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance, fails to sell it within a year.

US lawmakers are concerned about the potential national security risks associated with the app, particularly if the Chinese government were to gain access to the data it collects.

Many countries have taken action to limit or ban TikTok, citing worries about privacy, security, or ethical issues.

Different approaches have been taken by various countries, with some implementing comprehensive restrictions and others focusing on particular features of the app or a partial ban on government devices.

Here is a list of countries that have implemented various forms of restrictions:

Countries with a complete ban

China

TikTok’s international version is not accessible within China. Instead, users are required to download Douyin, the Chinese counterpart of TikTok, which is subject to strict content control by the Chinese Communist Party.

Senegal

Senegal implemented a complete ban on the application following allegations that an opposition candidate had utilised the platform to disseminate “hateful and subversive messages.” The Senegalese government has declined to restore the app until a system is created that enables them to delete individual accounts.

Somalia

The Somali government officially outlawed TikTok, Telegram, and 1XBet, an online betting platform, in August 2023.

North Korea

Access to the internet is heavily restricted for the majority of North Korean citizens. While a select few websites and apps are allowed for the privileged elite, TikTok is not included in this list.

Afghanistan

In April 2022, the Taliban government decided to ban TikTok, citing concerns about its influence on young people.

India

India banned TikTok in 2020, including on personal devices, following a border clash between China and India in 2020. The ban was prompted by concerns about data theft and the government’s claim that certain apps were stealing. Many creators migrated to YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels.

Iran

TikTok, along with other globally popular social media platforms like X and Facebook, has been banned by the Islamic Republic.

Uzbekistan

Since July 2021, TikTok has been inaccessible in Uzbekistan due to the authorities’ claim that the app does not adhere to the country’s personal data protection laws.

Countries with a partial ban on TikTok

Indonesia

In October 2023, Indonesia took action against TikTok Shop, a feature of the app that enables creators to sell products to their followers, due to its violation of the country’s e-commerce laws.

Kyrgyzstan

In August 2023, the small country, which was once part of the Soviet Union, decided to ban TikTok. The government justified this action by stating that the application harmed the growth and well-being of children.

Russia

There are limitations on the content that Russians can access on TikTok, resulting in a primary focus on videos created by Russian users. Recent reports indicate that the Russian government is planning to prohibit the use of TikTok, to promote the adoption of local social media platforms among its citizens.

Countries with bans on government-owned devices

In April 2023, the Australian government decided to ban TikTok on their devices. However, it remains accessible on devices owned by the general public.

Austria

In May 2023, TikTok was banned on all devices used by government employees in Austria.

Canada

On February 28, Canada banned the use of TikTok on all devices provided by the government because of concerns regarding privacy and security.

Denmark

In March 2023, Denmark’s Ministry of Defence decided to ban the use of the app on its employees’ work phones. Additionally, the country’s main public service broadcaster implemented specific protocols, requiring journalists to obtain special approval before using the app for reporting purposes. This action was taken in response to a warning from Denmark’s Centre for Cybersecurity.

Estonia

In March 2023, the use of TikTok on the work phones of state officials in Estonia was banned.

European Union

Employees of the European Parliament, European Commission, and E.U. Council are no longer allowed to have TikTok on their work phones, as the three main institutions of the E.U. implemented a ban.

France

In March of 2023, France banned the use of Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok on government employees’ mobile devices.

United Kingdom

In March 2023, the U.K. banned all government employees from using TikTok on government-provided mobile devices.

United States

The US military and US Congress have both taken action to block access to TikTok on all of their personnel’s devices.

Nearly half of the states have outright banned the app on state-owned devices, and in March 2023, the federal government followed suit.

Ireland

In April 2023, the Irish government implemented a ban on TikTok for use on government devices.

Belgium

The Belgian government announced in March 2024 the ban of the app on all government devices. TikTok remains accessible on devices not associated with government entities.

Taiwan

In December 2022, Taiwan implemented a ban on the usage of Chinese-made software, including TikTok, on all government devices. This decision came after a warning from the FBI.

Latvia

The Latvian Foreign Ministry banned the app from official company phones in March 2023.

Malta

In Malta, government-provided cell phones have restricted access to TikTok and other non-government applications.