Author: tinaharis

On Thursday, 20th January, 2022 FIDA Warri Branch paid a courtesy visit to the Olori, Wife of the Olu Of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III. The aim of the visit was centered on advocacy and Membership drive to the Olori, Wife of Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu Of Warri.

The chairperson, Megbele Ogechi Jessica who led her executives and members of FIDA, Warri Chapter on the visit to Her Royal Majesty, stated that the visit was to welcome Her Royal Majesty to the kingdom, intimate her, seek collaboration with the Olori in protecting, preserving and promoting the rights of women and children in the Kingdom, as well as programmes and of FIDA aimed at impacting and bringing positive development to Warri Kingdom.

The chairperson of FIDA, Warri Branch while addressing Her Royal Majesty prayed for God’s wisdom, peace, continuous protection and guidance throughout the reign of His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu Of Warri. Prayers were also offered for God’s strength on Her Royal Majesty as she supports His Royal Majesty.

The Olori in her welcome address, expressed happiness over the visit of the Galant FIDA Warri Chapter ably led by the Chairperson Megbele Ogechi Jessica to her palace. Her Royal Majesty who is a Legal Practitioner also used the opportunity to reiterate and renew her commitment as a member and promised to work with FIDA for legal issues/advice from time to time.

Responding further, Her Royal Majesty, the Olori, expressed appreciation for the visit of the leaders and members of the organization to the Palace, while informing them she was a member of FIDA Lagos and also FIDA Abuja when she moved to Abuja. She further appreciated the team for identifying with her office. She described Lawyers as one of the few profession she is proud to belong to which is noble and unique profession, and proud to be a member of FIDA, a gallant association.

Her Royal Majesty has also promised to pay all her dues and support FIDA Warri, Delta State Chapter.

Highlights of the event was a presentation of FIDA customized t-shirts and cap to Her Royal Majesty, the Olori by Megbele Ogechi Jessica, the Chairperson.

It is on a sad note I write on the above subject matter on the premier bank in Nigeria, also called Nigeria’s number one bank; First Bank of Nigeria Limited popularly called “First Bank” which was established 1894.

It’s shocking to find out that their legal department is not abrest with the Notary Public Act and the validity of a notorized document.

A client had issue with her name on first bank system being an abbreviation of her name. Her BVN and Identity card had the correct name thus she was asked to get an affidavit to effect the correction of name on the First Bank System which was wrongly captured.

Due to the festive season, the court was not functioning and she needed an affidavit urgently. She came over to a Notary Public Office were the affidavit of correction of name was drafted, signed stamped and issued accordingly. She joyfully went into the bank branch hopeful that the issue would be resolved.

To her surprise, she was asked by customer care officer of the branch to go and get an affidavit from the court that First Bank Nigeria don’t accept Affidavit from Notary Public.

When she returned in a state of helplessness, I tried to pull some strings from a friend who works there and sadly my friend informed me that they only accepted Notary Affidavit when court was on strike. She categorically informed me that the legal department will not approve the use of the notarized affidavit except an affidavit prepared by a court.

This got me thinking, is the legal department of First Bank Nigeria manned by lawyers or laymen?

What had changed between the strike time and now that made the notorized the document acceptable during the strike but now being worthless and thus cannot be acted upon?

Well I do not want to believe that the legal department is manned by laymen. But for crying out loud, they need to research on the Subject matter to avoid suits that will cause the bank to suffer huge loss.

Haba! Ignorance is not an excuse.

The value placed on a notorized document is beyond the walls of Nigeria, it is universally accepted.

Notary public in Nigeria is appointed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and by virtue of their appointment he/she becomes an officer of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The task undertaken by notary public are not limited to the following;

1. Administration of oaths for giving of evidence;

2. A Notary Public may witness the execution of local and international documents;

3. Preparation of Notarial Certificates of Law & Good Standing;

4. Notarisation of Bills of Exchange;

5. Obtaining authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

6. Notary Public may be engaged in taking Affidavits, Declarations & Depositions;

7. Verification of Company documents and Verification of identity and/or signature;

8. Power of Attorney;

9. Transfers of Land Agreement

10. Security Documentation;

11. Assignments of Intellectual Property;

12. Deeds;

13. Mortgages; and

14. Company Resolutions, Minutes of Meetings and Reports.

Notary Public also notorize documents for immigration purposes.

First Bank of Nigeria customer care, legal department and all concerned desist from this uncivil behaviour. Research were the need arises, don’t further discomfort your customers who are already stressed with the predicament they find themselves.

You should be seen providing solution and not creating problems. OGA and Madam in the legal department of First Bank of Nigeria advice the customer care and all concerned according to laws in operation…

Christmas is one of the season most envisaged by individuals; parents, young adults, teenagers and children.

For believers it is symbolic of a unique gift to man kind. The season symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ; the saviour of the world, who came from heaven to earth to redeem mankind from Sin and restore man's broken relationship with his maker.

Prior to Christmas is thanks giving celebration which ushers in the Christmas day and proceed to boxing day.  It is a celebration of fat things from my perspective having observed how people go about it.

Traders smile home this season as well as purchasers for exchange of goods for cash. Craftsman are not left out, it appears to be a season for change of furnitures and appliances. It calls for Painting or facelift of their residential abode.

Children get excited at the coming of Christmas as it ushers in Christmas parties, visit to friends and relatives, chocolate, chicken and cake festival, new clothes and shoes, cinema for those who can afford, fireworks and lots more. 

Sadly, it is a season people especially adults put themselves in unnecessary pressure to look like what they are not. They resort to borrowing to purchasing items and goods... simply trying to impress who I don't know.

Notable this season of Christmas is the spirit of giving which puts smiles on faces; to friends, family members, widows, widowers, orphans...

Let's always remember the reason for the season is Jesus Christ

Violence Against Women

FIDA (NIG.) WARRI BRANCH, DELTA STATE STRONGLY CONDEMN THE ASSAULT AND DEGRADING TREATMENT MELTED OUT ON A WIDOW, MADAM KATE OMEH.

We raise our voices against the assault meted out on Madam Kate Omeh, a widow who was beaten to pulp, with severe wounds and two of her teeth pulled off by her tenant and six relatives of the said tenant on the allegation of not refunding the caution fee paid by the tenant immediately he packed out of the apartment but rather, referred him to come back the next day to collect same.

The clear provisions of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as Amended on the Fundamental Human Rights of citizen as guaranteed provides for the right to Personal dignity and strongly frowns at the infringement of same in any form or kind.

Prior to making this release, we have been in touch with the said Madam Kate Omeh and can confirm that the matter is already before the Area Command, Warri, Delta State and action has commenced to ensure proper investigation and arrest of the perpetrators.

It is very sad that she was made to go through that inhuman and degrading treatment, particularly at this time of her mourning and less than 7 days to the burial of her departed husband.

As citizens, we must learn to respect others and offer them care, instead of pain.

Madam Kate Omeh and her family have been severely traumatised due to this physical, emotional and psychological abuse.

FIDA WARRI seeks justice and states that no one has the right to take laws into their own hands, instead the right channel should be utilized, if aggrieved.

Signed;

Megbele Ogechi Jessica
Chairperson.

Olayinka Rose Charles-Lucky
Secretary.

The stranger who visits without a prior notice and expect everyone to adapt one way or another.

The reaction of hearing it’s news varies from person to person. Some becomes fragile and finds it difficult to pickup and move on.

Others become tough because of the experience having no option but to dust themselves up and face the world squarely.

How life suddenly changes for those left behind, and different dramas begins to unfold is very worrisome. Family who ought to be a pillar becomes a bone in the throat of those left behind.

Is the twist of universal application or it is only associated with Nigeria my own country?

The other day I got a call from a widow who had been married for seventeen years but no issue, amidst her pain, husband yet to be laid to rest, brothers of her late husband stormed in to dispossess her of what she and her husband had built over the years.

Another life scenerio, after the burial of a widow’s husband. This time there were children of the marriage both male and female, she was asked to move out with her to a rented apartment on the ground that the said property she lived in was not shared to her.

But this is not the case of a widower, I am yet to hear or see a widowers plight in this part were I live.

The lack of respect meted on a widow is highly condemnable. To add insult upon injury is the most recent event that took place nearby.

A widower still on her mourning bed few days to burial of her late husband. A tenant of theirs who had moved out of the property voluntarily came demanding for caution fee which she politely told him the agent will come in to check the wear and tear of the apartment and based on the findings and recommendations we will do the appropriate.

Unsatisfied with the response, he stormed out of the apartment and came in with six others.All seven of them beat up the lady pulling two of her teeth, scar’s.

It took the intervention of people else the story would have been worse.Assuming their husbands were alive becomes their tears 😭😭😭😭

Not wanting to get caught in general fallacy of hasty generalization, thus the title is broadened to include women. This is also to draw a balance in gender.

Something happened lately and poped up different senerios in my  minds eye and thus making me seek divers opinions on how you would react considering the happenings around us.

I read quote from scriptures such as   “…That the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” Genesis 6:5 KJV

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 KJV

How true are these above quotes?

What degree or weight can be attached to the wickedness of men?

What is the root cause of envy and jealousy?

Is there wickedness in love?

Is there difference between wickedness and greed?

Is wickedness not synonymous to witchcraft?

In life today, the life of cows now have constitutional backing more than life’s which ought to be protected by state. Communities are wiped out. Innocent men, women, teenagers and children go down to early grave by actions spanning from wickedness.

One would say this is far because its not happening in your very  before.

Recently my lecturer asked that we research on witchcraft in Nigeria and employ comparatively what is obtainable overseas.

The creation of invention are results of what?

Disobedience to authority is what?

I see evil under the sun.

A witch and a murderer are they not six and half a dozen?

What has become of this world we leave in?

Most recently is the killing of a man and his wife in their home, it is no longer news teenagers killing fellow teenager and even parents to make money. We now have abusive spouse and unforgiving people around us.

Is this what is meant by the love of many shall wax cold?

The Nigeria of my dream is a belief that one can attain success in a society where the government is responsible for the provision of basic amenities, respects the spirit and the letter of the constitution and above all obey the rule of law.

The Nigeria of my dream concept is from the standpoint of a citizenry in a country known and called “NIGERIA” which is richly blessed with natural resources, vast cultural heritage cutting across diverse languages and people.

It is one where the Jurisprudence of the social contract between the citizenry and the government is effective, the agreement of the parties are binding, the enforceability of the rule of law is standard leading to the attendant effect on the Nation Nigeria.

The Nigeria of my dream is what it ought to be and not what it is presently; issues of insecurity, corruption, high crime rate, inflation, lack of development, industrialisation and jobs, class segregation, the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, where man know man is what guarantees placement and not the stuff you are made of…

A concise introduction on the term citizenry; the citizenry from the social contract theory is WE THE PEOPLE that existed from the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorate of Nigeria to this present day.

What determines the status of a citizen is traced to the historical antecedence of citizenship.

There are three types of citizenship in Nigeria which is either by birth, registration and or naturalization this is stated in Section 25-28 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended

To determine whether the Nigeria of my dream is achievable is to answer the question whether the legal frame work of social contract theory for the smooth and effective attainment of the Nigeria of my dream is functional and or operational with a close look into the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) shall be explored because it deals extensively the bedrock and foundation for the actualization of the subject matter.

The Nigeria of my dream is a mirage, far from realization in present day Nigeria. It is my recommendation that the Nigeria of my dream can be achieved if Chapter two of the Constitution is justifiable which deals with the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy.

According to my Constitutional Law lecturer; Chapter two which is the best provision that takes care of the welfare of the citizen… is a beautiful bride at the alter without a groom meaning there will never be a marriage. It is further described as a toothless bulldog which cannot bite intruders.

CHRISTIAN LAWYERS FELLOWSHIP OF NIGERIA (CLASFON) held her President-In-Council (PIC) meeting at Warri, Delta State, Nigeria from the 17th– 19th June,2021.

The President-in-Council (PIC) is a body consisting of the National Executive Officers, Chairmen and Secretaries of the Branches and the Heads and Secretaries of the Directorates of Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON). At the meeting, they deliberated on issues concerning the nation Nigeria and CLASFON during its business session amongst which are the following:

*JUSUN STRIKE AND THE COMMENDABLE ROLE PLAYED AND STILL BEING PLAYED BY THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION.
*TWITTER SUSPENSION AND THE PROPOSED SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION
*OPEN GRAZING
*AGITATION FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
*DEMILITARIZATION OF THE SOUTH EAST
*SECURITY AND STATE POLICING
*ELECTION AND ELECTORAL FRAMEWORK
*FEDERAL CHARACTER

The following resolutions and recommendations were made after extensive consideration and deliberations. The communique was signed by Dr. AROME M. OKWORI and OLATUNJI OMOLE ESQ the NATIONAL PRESIDENT and NATIONAL SECRETARY respectively.

JUSUN STRIKE AND THE COMMENDABLE ROLE PLAYED AND STILL BEING PLAYED BY THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) commends the efforts made by the Nigerian Bar Association and other relevant actors over the suspension of the strike action by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and recommends speedy implementation of the recommendations and agreement reached by the relevant stakeholders (Governors of various States and the State Houses of Assembly) on financial autonomy.

TWITTER SUSPENSION AND INTENDING SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria condemns the suspension of Twitter social media platform in its entirety as same is a violation of the fundamental human right of the citizens enshrined in section 39(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’s Rights. The action taken by the Federal Government has adversely affected the flow of foreign direct investment into our country and is also having a negative impact on the means of livelihood of our teeming youths thereby causing them untold hardship bearing in mind that most of youths are unemployed by governments and the organised private sector and some of them undertake gainful activities using Twitter social media platform. The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria therefore urges the Federal Government to rescind its decision immediately while also urging the Management of Twitter to ensure effective monitoring of its platform in preventing the spread of hateful, offensive and damaging posts/tweets.

OPEN GRAZING
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria supports the ban on open grazing by the Governors of the Southern States in Nigeria and recommends ranching which is the modern way of cattle rearing. The Fellowship further asserts that encouraging open grazing or grazing routes as is being done by the Federal Government might occasion incessant clashes, violence and wanton destruction of lives and properties and other worrisome developments which are inimical to the constitutionally guaranteed rights to preserve lives and protect properties.

AGITATION FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria applauds the recent initiative of the National Assembly (The Senate and House of Representatives) for steps being taken to further alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and appeals further to members of Legislative arm to ensure that this exercise is pursued to a logical conclusion and fully actualized so that it would not turn out to be an exercise in futility.

DEMILITARIZATION OF THE SOUTH –EAST OF NIGERIA
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria passionately appeals to the Federal Government to immediately relieve the hardworking/good people of the South Eastern part of Nigeria of military harassment/intimidation of the people and residents of the Zone. CLASFON further respectfully urges the President to refrain from utterances which might dampen the morale of law-abiding and loyal citizens of Nigeria from the South East in particular and other parts of Nigeria in general as some statements are inimical to the stability of Nigeria and therefore inconsistent with the fatherly role of the President and exemplary leadership expected of this high office.

SECURITY AND STATE POLICING
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria observes with dismay the unabating and rising incidences of kidnapping, banditry, coordinated armed attacks etc. that have seriously threatened the security of the nation. CLASFON supports the agitation for State Police as a panacea to tackle the prolonged problem of insecurity and wanton destruction of lives and properties across the Country and further recommends that compensation be paid to families who have lost loved ones.

ELECTION AND ELCTORAL FRAMEWORK
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria calls on the National Assembly to expeditiously conclude legislative action by passing the Electoral Act Amendment bill into law and for the President to assent to it without any delay to inspire the confidence of the citizenry in the electoral process as the nation prepares for the forthcoming general elections.

FEDERAL CHARACTER
The Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria urges the Federal Government to have respect for the Federal Character principle in all its appointments as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

It’s been a while of silence. I recently moved my blog from blogger to wordpress.


It’s still a work in progress as I have not adapted to this new Platform. I hope to get used to it shortly to enable satisfy you.

Please bear with me. Best regards.