COMMITTEES OF THE BODY OF BENCHERS

The Body of Benchers has both Standing and Adhoc Committees which are usually constituted from time to time. Membership of the Standing Committees lasts for a period of 3 (Three) years commencing from the date of appointment. The tenure of a member could be renewed for further term of three years. With regards to the Screening Committee, the Chairman holds office for a period of 1 (one) year. It is instructive to note that the Vice-Chairman of the Body of Benchers is also the Chairman of the Screening Committee.

While Adhoc Committees are constituted whenever the need arises. An Adhoc Committee, once constituted continues to exist until the purpose for which the Committee was constituted is achieved.

Each Committee has its own terms of reference, with members drawn from both the Bar and Bench as well as putting into consideration the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The Standing Committee are as follows:

  1. Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee:

The Committee is charged with the duty of considering and determining any case where it is alleged that a person whose name is on the role has misbehaved in his capacity as a legal practitioner or for any other reason be the subject of proceedings under the Legal Practitioners Act.

  1. Screening Committee:

The Committee is saddled with the screening of applicants to the Bar to ensure that only fit and proper persons were admitted into the Nigerian Bar.

  1. Ethics and Compliance Committee:

The Committee is responsible amongst other things, for providing the framework for ethical conducts and behaviors of members of the Body of Benchers, particularly during Meetings, Call to Bar ceremonies and such other official engagements by the Body of Benchers.

  1. Benchers Appointment Committee:

The mandate of the Committee is to advice Chairman of the Body of Benchers on matters pertaining to the appointment of Benchers in various categories. This is to ensure that those to be appointed as Benchers are persons of integrity and will actively participate in the activities of the Body of Benchers.

  1. Publicity Committee:

The Committee is responsible for the production of the Body of Benchers publications.

  1. Recruitment, Promotion and Disciplinary Committee:

The Committee is saddled with the primary responsibility of recruiting senior staff for the Body of Benchers. Likewise, the Committee is responsible for considering and approving promotion for eligible staff in the organization as well as disciplining erring staff.

  1. Mentoring Committee:

The mandate of the Committee is to provide the framework for developing a mentoring programme for young lawyers.

Adhoc Committees are as follows:

  1. Finance Committee
  2. Building Committee

 

SCREENING COMMITTEE

Chairman

  1. Chief A. S. Awomolo, SAN
    Vice Chairman, Life Bencher

Secretary

  1. Daniel M. Tela, Esq 

Members

  1. Justice B. S. Bansi, OFR 
    Life Bencher
  2. Tijjani Inuwa-Dutse, mni, Esq
    Life Bencher
  3. Hon. Justice I. N. Ndu, OFR
    Life Bencher
  4. Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN
    Life Bencher
  5. Mr. Tajudeen Oladoja, SAN
    Life Bencher
  6. Mr. C. A. Ajuyah, SAN
    Life Bencher
  7. Chief John A. A. Ochoga
    Life Bencher
  8. Mr. Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN
    Life Bencher
  9. Ibrahim E. Mark, Esq
    Life Bencher
  10. Mrs. H. A. Turaki
    Life Bencher 
  11. Murtala Aliyu Kankia, Esq
    Life Bencher
  12. Hon. Justice Fati L. Abubakar, CON
    Life Bencher 
  13. Dr. Chuka Agbu, SAN
    Life Bencher
  14. Obafemi Adewale, SAN
    Life Bencher

LEGAL PRACTITIONERS DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

Chairman

    1. Hon. Justice Dr. Ishaq Bello, OFR
      Life Bencher

Secretary

  1. Daniel M. Tela, Esq

Members

  1. Justice M. B. Dongban-Mensem, CFR                      
    President, Court of Appeal – Life Bencher
  2. Ahmed Mustapha Goniri, Esq
    Life Bencher
  3. Mr. Umeh Kalu, SAN
    Life Bencher
  4. Ebenezer Obeya, Esq
    Life Bencher
  5. Mr. Obafemi Adewale, SAN
    Life Bencher
  6. Hon. Justice Aisha B. Aliyu
    Chief Judge, Nasarawa State
  7. Hon. Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik
    Chief Judge, Niger State

 

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Chairman

  1. Mr. Ibrahim Sanni Muhammad, SAN
    Hon. Attorney General, Kogi State – Life Bencher

Secretary

  1. Daniel M. Tela, Esq 

Members

  1. Sir G. Ofodile Okafor, OON, SAN 
    Life Bencher
  2. Hon. Justice S. D. Kawu, OFR
    Life Bencher
  3. Mrs. H. A. Turaki
    Life Bencher
  4. Hon. Justice Munta L. Abimbola
    Life Bencher

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

Chairman

  1. Sir G. Ofodile Okafor, OON, SAN                     
    Life Bencher

Secretary

  1. Daniel M. Tela, Esq

Members

  1. Hon. Justice J. Y. Tukur
    Life Bencher
  2. Mrs. H. A. Turaki
    Life Bencher
  3. George Etomi, Esq
    Life Bencher
  4. Sir Charles Titiloye
    Hon. Attorney General, Ondo State
  5. Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, OON, SAN
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association
  6. Chief Mike Ozekhome, CON, SAN
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association
  7. (H. E.) Mohammed A. Abubakar, SAN
    Bencher
  8. Jonathan G. Taidi, Esq
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association

ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE

Chairman

  1. Chief R. A. Lawal-Rabana, SAN 
    Life Bencher

Secretary

  1. Daniel M. Tela, Esq 

Members

  1. Mr. Umeh Kalu, SAN
    Life Bencher
  2. Mr. Joe Abraham, SAN
    Life Bencher
  3. Chief Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN
    Life Bencher
  4. Ibrahim Eddy Mark, Esq
    Life Bencher
  5. Mrs. H. A. Turaki
    Life Bencher
  6. Hon. Justice O. F. Omoleye
    Life Bencher – Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Akure.
  7. Hon. Justice H. M. Ogunwumiji
    Life Bencher – Justice, Supreme Court
  8. Prof. Ogugua V. C. Ikpeze
    Life Bencher
  9. Prince Lateef O. Fagbemi, SAN
    Life Bencher – Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
  10. Dr. Chuka Agbu, SAN
    Life Bencher
  11. Mr. Sulaiman Usman, SAN
    Life Bencher
  12. (H.E.) Mohammed A. Abubakar, SAN
    Bencher
  13. Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, SAN
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association

JUDICIARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Chairman

  1. Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON
    Past Chairman – Life Bencher

Secretary

  1. Daniel M. Tela, Esq 

Member

  1. Mr. O. C. J. Okocha, OFR, SAN
    Past Chairman – Life Bencher
  2. Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN
    Past Chairman – Life Bencher
  3. Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, OON, SAN
    Life Bencher
  4. Sir G. Ofodile Okafor, OON, SAN
    Life Bencher
  5. Chief Okey Wali, SAN
    Life Bencher
  6. Hon. Justice Oyewole Adeyeye
    Chief Judge, Ekiti State
  7. Mr. Y. C. Maikyau, OON, SAN
    President, Nigerian Bar Association
  8. Mr. Paul Usoro, SAN
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association
  9. Dr. Muiz Banire, OON, SAN
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association
  10. Representative of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN)
  11. Representative of the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA)
  12. Representative of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)

 

 

 

 

BENCHERS APPOINTMENT COMMITTEE

Chairman

  1. Hon. Justice Umar F. Abdullahi, CON
    Former Chairman – Life Bencher

Secretary

  1. Daniel M. Tela, Esq 

Members

  1. Chief Albert Akpomudje, SAN
    Life Bencher
  2. Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN
    Life Bencher
  3. Mr. Dele Adesina, SAN
    Life Bencher
  4. Chief J. K. Gadzama, OFR, SAN
    Life Bencher
  5. Ahmed Mustapher Goniri, Esq.
    Life Bencher
  6. Ichie L. M. E. Ezeofor
    Life Bencher
  7. Mr. Sani Garun Gabas, SAN
    Life Bencher
  8. Mr. Edward G. Pwajok, SAN
    Life Bencher
  9. Mr. Akin Osinbajo, SAN
    Life Bencher
  10. Chief John A. A. Ochoga
    Life Bencher
  11. Lady Debbie N. Obodoukwu
    Life Bencher
  12. Mrs. H. A. Turaki
    Life Bencher
  13. Hon. Justice Oyebola A. Ojo
    Life Bencher
  14. Mr. Uwemedimo Nwoko, SAN
    Life Bencher
  15. Hon. Justice S. U. Dikko
    Life Bencher

MENTORING COMMITTEE

Chairman

  1. Chief J-K Gadzama, OFR, SAN
    Life Bencher

Secretary

  1. Daniel M. Tela, Esq 

Members

  1. Hon. Justice Amina Augie, CON
    Life Bencher
  2. Hon. Justice U. M. Abba-Ali
    Life Bencher – Justice, Supreme Court
  3. Prof. Ogugua V. C. Ikpeze
    Life Bencher
  4. Hon. Justice H. M. Ogunwunmiju
    Life Bencher – Justice, Supreme Court
  5. Mrs. H. A. Turaki
    Life Bencher
  6. Kaka Shehu Lawan, Esq
    Life Bencher
  7. Hon. Justice T. N. Orji – Abadua
    Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Benin
  8. Hon. Justice U. I. Ndukwe – Anyanwu
    Life Bencher – Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Enugu
  9. Hon. Justice John T. TSOHO, OFR
    Chief Judge, Federal High Court, Abuja
  10. Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, SAN
    Hon. Attorney General, Oyo State
  11. Dr. T. C. Osanakpo, SAN
    Life Bencher
  12. Chief Mike Ozekhome, CON, SAN
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association
  13. Mrs. Olufunmi Oluyede
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association

RECRUITMENT, PROMOTION & DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

Chairman

  1. Hon. Justice Umaru Eri, CON
    Life Bencher

Secretary

  1. Daniel M. Tela, Esq

Members

  1. Hon. Justice A. N. Nwankwo, CON
    Life Bencher
  2. Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan, SAN
    Life Bencher
  3. Mrs. H. A. Turaki
    Life Bencher
  4. S. Ibrahim Tahir, Esq
    Life Bencher
  5. Mr. D. D. Dodo, OFR, SAN
    Life Bencher
  6. Mr. Ibrahim Sanni Muhammed, SAN
    Life Bencher – Hon. Attorney General, Kogi State
  7. Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
    Life Bencher
  8. Mr. Uwenmedimo Nwoko, SAN
    Life Bencher
  9. Hon. Justice Saidu Sifawa
    Chief Judge, Sokoto State
  10. Dr. Abdulkarim Kana
    Life Bencher

SPECIAL DUTIES COMMITTEE

Chairman

  1. Mrs. H. A. Turaki
    Life Bencher

Secretary

  1. Daniel M. Tela, Esq 

Member

  1. Hon. Edward G. Pwajok, SAN
    Life Bencher
  2. Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
    Life Bencher
  3. Hon. Justice S. D. Kawu, OFR
    Life Bencher
  4. Kaka Shehu Lawan, Esq
    Life Bencher
  5. Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN
    Life Bencher
  6. Mr. Joel Agi, SAN
    Life Bencher
  7. Dr. Abdulkarim A. Kana
    Life Bencher
  8. Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, OFR
    Chief Judge, Federal High Court
  9. Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, SAN
    Bencher
  10. Bukhari Bello, MFR, mni, Esq
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association
  11. Chief Offiong E. B. Offiong, SAN
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association
  12. Mrs. Olufunmi Oluyede
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association

REGULATIONS COMMITTEE

Chairman

  1. Mr. Yusuf Ali, SAN
    Life Bencher

Secretary

  1. Daniel M. Tela, Esq 

Member

  1. Mr. Dele Adesina, SAN
    Life Bencher
  2. Mrs. Nella Andem-Rabana, SAN
    Life Bencher
  3. Hon. Justice Pascal Nnadi, OFR
    Life Bencher
  4. Dr. Garba Tetengi, SAN, mni
    Life Bencher
  5. Hon. Justice Husseni Baba – Yusuf
    Chief Judge, Federal Capital Territory
  6. Chief Emeka Ngige, OFR, SAN
    Chairman Council of Legal Education
  7. (H.E.) M. A. Abubakar, SAN
    Bencher
  8. Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association
  9. Bukhari Bello, MFR, mni, Esq
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association
  10. Mr. Leslie Arthur Nylader, SAN
    Bencher
  11. Mr. Godwin Omoaka, SAN
    Representative, Nigerian Bar Association