A new professional association of lawyers called to the Nigeria Bar has been established. Called Law Society of Nigeria, (LSN), its promoters say it was founded and registered as a national organization of lawyers admitted to practice law in Nigeria.
A copy of its certificate of registration shows that the Association was registered as far back as Dec 1994.
A statement issued on Sunday by the National Publicity Secretary of LSN, Mr Douglas Ogbankwa described the association as a “new sheriff in town”.
Ogbankwa says legal practitioners in Nigeria had been regulated solely under the umbrella of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) founded in 1933 but the LSN emerged in a bid to redefine the ideas of the founding fathers of the legal profession.
“This is in keeping with International best practices, which allow for an alternative, to ensure that lawyers thrive within the realm of those they have shared values with”.
“The Law Society of Nigeria promises to up the ante, in matters that have been ignored in the legal profession, prominent of which are premium on members’ welfare and an open and transparent system in choosing leaders of the legal profession at the National Level,” he said.
On its Twitter page @LawSocietyof Nig, the association describes itself as an alternative for change.
It has a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Ogunba as its President, Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack as its Vice President and Abdulquadir Alhaji Sani as its Secretary.
Other members of the new association are, Olasupo Ojo as its Welfare Secretary, Chioma Ferguson as Treasurer, and Douglas Ogbankwa as Publicity Secretary.
Channels Television’s Judiciary Correspondent, Shola Soyele, obtained a copy of a letter dated Oct. 24, 2022, and signed by its President, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Ogunba.
In the letter, the LSN wrote to the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun to notify the BOB of its existence and to introduce its pro tem National Officers.
The letter reads as follows: The Chairman, The Body of Benchers, Plot 688 Institute & Research District FCC, Phase 111, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Attention: Mr. Daniel Tela (Secretary, Body of Benchers) Dear Sir, LAW SOCIETY OF NIGERIA: NOTICE OF EXISTENCE AND NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The pro tem National Executive Committee of the Law Society of Nigeria presents its compliments to the Chairman and distinguished members of the Body of Benchers as we write to formally notify our revered Body of Benchers of the existence of the Law Society of Nigeria, and its pro tem National Officers.
The Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) was founded and registered as a national organization of Lawyers admitted to practice law in Nigeria. The LSN, with membership, spread all over Nigeria, exists to empower the legal profession with quality member services (high standards of learning, competence, and professional conduct); facilitate access to justice; maintain and advance the cause of justice; and promote the rule of law, through advocacy and good governance.
The following are protem National Officers of the Law Society of Nigeria:
a. Kunle Ogunba, SAN – President
b. Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack – Vice President
c. Abdulqadir Alhaji Sani – Secretary d. Olasupo Ojo – Welfare Secretary e. Chioma Ferguson – Treasurer
f. Douglas Ogbankwa – Publicity Secretary
g. Zara Umar Yakub – Financial Secretary
h. Alice Ogaku Awonugba – Assistant Secretary
i. Hassan Sherif – Assistant Publicity Secretary
