New Lagos NBA ExCo sworn In
Veteran Bar activist, Martin Ogunleye has emerged as the new Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch. Ogunleye who was returned unopposed – the first person in recent memory to assume leadership of the branch without an electoral battle – is to spearhead an Executive Committee that would steer the ship of the branch for the next two years.
Uche Ikwueme is the new First Vice-Chairman while erstwhile Social Secretary, Omohafe Opara rose to the position of Second Vice Chairman. Stephen Obajaja shoved aside strong opposition from two other candidates to emerge as General Secretary in a keenly contested race.
Philips Njeteneh coasted home to a landslide victory in the race for the branch Treasurer, while Emmanuel Orohro is the Financial Secretary. Mr. Celestine Nwankwo emerged as Assistant Financial Secretary while Mr. Emeka Nwadioke joins the Executive Committee as the sole Ex-Officio member.
Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Mr. Ayodele Akintunde while swearing-in the new Executive Committee at the branch Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the foyer of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, Lagos urged them to reciprocate the confidence reposed in them by the electorate.
In his inaugural speech, Ogunleye thanked members for their support, adding that it was “very humbling” to emerge unopposed as Chairman of Nigeria’s Premier Bar. “Such consensus and unanimity of opinions is unprecedented, and would spur us to attain greater heights,” he said.
Ogunleye who had served as the First Vice Chairman of the branch between 2011 and 2013 commended the former executive committee led by Alex Muoka for a job well done, saying that the new EXCO would build on the successes so far recorded.
Unveiling his major programmes, he noted that the new leadership would ensure that the branch office is totally overhauled to deliver prompt and efficient services to members, adding that a befitting branch office would soon be opened. He decried lack of a befitting Bar Centre for the branch and said that efforts were already in top gear to purchase land and commence foundation laying ceremony for the Premier Bar Centre.
Aside from the establishment of a Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society to assist members in sourcing small loans for setting up their practice among others, the new chairman added that a Home Ownership Scheme would soon be inaugurated to assist members to build their own houses.
The ceremony was attended by many Bar Leaders including former NBA 1st Vice President and presidential aspirant, Funke Adekoya (SAN); former chairman of the branch, Chief Emmanuel Ofulue; former President of FIDA International, Stella Ugboma and erstwhile President of Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), Boma Ozobia (OON).
Ogunleye was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in November 1988 at the tender age of 21 alongside former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN); former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, and Boma Ozobia among others. He cut his legal teeth in the Chambers of late Chief Bola Ige and after stints in a few other law firms in Lagos, he founded his firm, Trite Law Partners.
A consummate Bar man, Ogunleye served as Chairman of the Surulere Lawyers Forum (2008-2012); 1st Vice Chairman, NBA Lagos (2011-2013) as well as Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Mediators & Conciliators, Lagos Chapter (2011-2014). He has been the General Secretary of FGC Odogbolu Old Students Association since 2012 and has also been an Ex-Officio Member of the National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL) since 2011. He is married with children.