NBA Lagos Branch set to hold 2021 Annual Law Week – July 23rd to 29th
All is set for the 2021 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) law week which would be holding in grand style from 23rd to 29th of July 2021 at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Themed: ‘Disruption, Innovation and the Bar,’ the event will feature prominent personalities In the legal space and other sectors of the economy who would be speaking on various topics.
To give the keynote address on this topic at the annual law week is the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN.
This will set the tone for the conference, as a faculty of distinguished speakers will give overviews of how technology, innovation, and trade liberalisation are disrupting the practice of law across the globe and what it means for the Nigerian legal practitioner.
Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, Hon. Attorney-General, Lagos State, and Mrs. Efe Etomi would formally open the two-day conference of the NBA Lagos Branch Law Week 2021 with a welcome note.
There would be eight plenary sessions with experts from various sectors of the economy.
The first plenary session would focus on the topic: ‘National Security and our Fundamental Rights.’ This panel will discuss the recent encroachments by the government on fundamental rights on the grounds of national security.
Speakers that would speak on this topic include Mr. Femi Falana SAN, Partner, Falana & Falana Chambers; Prof. Akin Oyebode and Prof. Chidi Odinkalu.
The moderator for this panel is Mr. Charles ‘Deji Adeogun-Phillips –Former UN genocide and war crimes prosecutor; Partner, Charles Anthony Law.
Second plenary session would focus on ‘Built to Last: Creating World Class Law Firms in Nigeria.’ Discussants will share their experiences of building law practices designed to stand the test of time. They will touch on their challenges, the future of law practice, and succession planning.
Speakers for this session include Mr. Asue Ighodalo, Founding Partner, Banwo & Ighodalo; Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi SAN,
Managing Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi LP; Mrs. Myma Belo-Osagie, founding Partner, UUBO; Mrs. Kofo Dosekun Partner, Aluko & Oyebode; Mr. Adeleke Alex-Adedipe, managing partner, Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe; and Moray McLaren Lexington Consultants. The moderator for this panel is Mr. Baba Alokolaro, Managing Partner, TNP.
The third plenary session is on the topic:
‘Bringing Justice Delivery in Nigeria Into the 21st Century.’ The Panelists will discuss the current state of justice delivery in Nigeria, causes of delays in justice delivery, the extent to which judicial officers should be involved in court administration and the ways in which technology can be deployed to birth a justice delivery system that is fit for purpose. The moderator would be Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. Other panellists include
Mr Babajide Ogundipe, Justice A.O. Faji, Justice Lateefat Okunnu, Mr Fidelis Oditah QC SAN and Gbolahan Adeniran (HAG Ogun State).
The 4th plenary session will focus on the topic, ‘The Changing Landscape of Arbitrator Disclosure Obligations .’ The panellists will discuss recent cases and developments relating to the obligation of arbitrators to disclose possible conflicts of interest. The moderator for this session is Seyilayo Ojo. Other panellists include Babatunde Fagbohunlu SAN, Mrs Mia Essien SAN, Mayowa Owolabi, and Mrs Olamide Aleshinloye.
For the 5th plenary session, the topic is ‘Financial Autonomy of the Judiciary: Key to Judicial Independence or Ruse?‘ This panel will focus on the recent clamour for financial autonomy for the judiciary and examine whether it will deliver the much-desired judicial independence. The moderator for this session is Dr Babatunde Ajibade SAN. Other speakers include Hon. Justice Iyizoba (Rtd), Y.C. Maikyau SAN, Olawale Fapohunda (HAG Ekiti State), and Mrs Ayo Obe.
The 6th Plenary Session is tagged: “Soro Soke!: Young Lawyers, Minimum Wage, Brain Drain and Professional Development.” The panelists on this session will discuss contemporary issues affecting young lawyers, especially the question of whether there should be a minimum wage, brain drain in the legal profession, professional development, and proffer suggestions on what should be done to retain young talent in the profession. The moderator for this session is Dayo Okusami. Other panellists are Caleb Adebayo, Ayuli Jemide, ALAN; Yimika Adesola, Mr Femi Banwo, and Modupe Odele (Mochievious).
The 7th plenary session will address the topic: ‘Lawyers Without Borders: Opportunities or Threats?‘ This session will interrogate the growing trend of lawyers practicing across borders and the likely impact of the AfCFTA on the liberalisation of legal practice on the African continent. Panellists will also discuss the opportunities and threats presented by this trend and make suggestions on how Nigerian lawyers can either prepare for or prevent the liberalisation of legal practice. The moderator for this session is Wolemi Esan. Other panellists include Chief Anthony Idigbe SAN, George Etomi, Mfon Usoro, Mr. Dele Belgore SAN, and Dayo Idowu.
The 8th plenary session will focus on the topic, ‘Career Development Strategies for Professional Growth.’ The panellists will discuss legal education, professional development, and strategies for young lawyers to develop and flourish in the legal profession. The moderator for this session is Tobenna Erojikwe. Other panellists are Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma SAN (DG Nigerian Law School), Dr Adewale Olawoyin SAN, Dr Wale Babalakin SAN and Prof Gbolahan Elias SAN.
Closing remarks would be by Branch Chairman, Mr. Omoyemi Akangbe.
