In this interview with ARISE News @ARISEtv, I addressed the disturbing deaths of detainees in custody in Minna, Niger State, and the urgent questions they raise about detention conditions, human dignity, accountability and the rule of law.
I celebrate Chief Okey Wali, SAN, the 26th President of the Nigerian Bar Association, a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a respected leader whose contributions to the legal profession remain significant.
His tenure as President of the NBA from 2012 to 2014 was an important chapter in the history of our great Association. Beyond his accomplishments in public service and legal practice, he has remained a valued member of the Bar whose journey continues to inspire respect.
As he marks another year today, may Almighty God continue to bless him with sound health, renewed strength, peace of mind and many more fruitful years. May the years ahead bring you greater fulfilment and the joy of seeing the seeds you have sown in the profession continue to flourish.
Happy birthday, Sir!
Abdul Mohammed, SAN
Managing Partner, Madyan Legal Consult.
Yesterday, I accompanied Madam President, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN @MrsBBold, to the Nigerian Economic Summit 2026. We had very interesting engagements. In the Goopdwill message given by Madam President, at the Session: "Law as Infrastructure: Building Predictability into Public-Private Partnerships", reiterated the importance of Law to development as it is the infrastructure for economic prosperity.
Etaba Agbor @Etaba_agbor is a great man. A very admirable young lawyer. Today is his birthday. Join me in fecilitating with him. This is wishing you long life, good health and prosperity.
I was delighted to join friends, family and well-wishers in celebrating Dr. Muiz Banire, SAN, on the occasion of his 60th birthday. It was a beautiful opportunity to share in the joy of the occasion, exchange warm wishes and celebrate a respected elder and member of our profession.
Birthdays such as this remind us of the importance of friendship, meaningful relationships and the people whose paths we are privileged to cross in the course of our professional and personal journeys.
Happy birthday once again, learned silk. May the years ahead bring you renewed strength, sound health, greater fulfilment and many more reasons to celebrate.
Abdul Mohammed, SAN
Managing Partner, Madyan Legal Consult
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHIEF T. J. OMONIGBO OKPOKO, OON, SAN
Today, I celebrate a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a respected elder of the Bar, a past President of the NBA, and a man whose journey in the legal profession continues to command admiration and respect.
Dear Chief T. J. Okpoko, SAN, your birthday is an opportunity to celebrate not just another year of life, but a legacy of service, professional excellence and contribution to the legal profession.
As you mark this special day, I pray that God grants you renewed strength, sound health, abundant joy and many more fruitful years. May the years ahead bring you greater fulfilment, peace of mind and the satisfaction of seeing the values you represent continue to inspire generations of lawyers.
Happy birthday, Chief. May you continue to age gracefully in wisdom, strength and honour.
Abdul Mohammed, SAN
Managing Partner, Madyan Legal Consult
“A Prosecutor’s Duty Is Not To Secure Conviction At All Costs” — Abdul Mohammed, SAN, Calls For Stricter Evidence Disclosure Rules”
_Says “Investigators Must Discover The Truth, Not Build A Case For Conviction”_
_He further advocated the nationwide adoption of a digital evidence management system modelled on Lagos State's electronic case-file system. Under the proposed arrangement, evidence would be uploaded to a secure portal accessible to both parties under judicial supervision, improving transparency,_
https://t.co/JgFOpivFC1
The strength of a criminal justice system is not measured by how many convictions it secures, but by how fairly it treats every person who comes before it.
At the Workshop on Effective Administration of Criminal Justice, I had the opportunity to present a paper on “Evidence, Disclosure and the Right to a Fair Trial,” focusing on the crucial responsibilities of investigators, prosecutors and the judiciary.
I emphasised that the search for justice must begin with the lawful collection of evidence and continue with the timely disclosure of relevant materials to the defence. An accused person cannot meaningfully defend himself against evidence he has not been given the opportunity to examine.
Evidence that supports the prosecution and evidence that may assist the defence must both be treated with the seriousness they deserve.
I also called for mandatory disclosure protocols, improved digital evidence management, continuous training for investigators and prosecutors, and stronger judicial oversight to ensure that breaches capable of undermining a fair trial are properly addressed.
Our commitment to fighting crime must never come at the expense of the Constitution. Fair-trial rights are not technical obstacles to justice; they are safeguards that protect the integrity of the entire process.
Justice must be about more than securing a conviction. It must be about ensuring that the process is lawful, transparent and fair to all parties.
As I noted in my paper: Evidence is the foundation. Disclosure is the pillar. Fair trial is the roof.
If we are to build a criminal justice system Nigerians can trust, we must move from a culture of concealment to a culture of disclosure, accountability and fairness.
Abdul Mohammed, SAN
Babatunde Kwame Ogala SAN @babatundeogala2 is also one of the lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar on the 16th October 1986. When the All Progressives Party was formed, they needed a legal maestro to head the office of the National Legal Adviser. Muiz Banire SAN was the pioneer National Legal Adviser. BK was elected the 2nd National Adviser in 2018. He has never been afraid of fighting for the right cause. He is recorded as one of the most active National Legal Adviser who understood the role a lawyer plays in a Political Party. He not only rendered advice, he maintained his forte, causing the Court to affirm that only National Legal Advisers of Political Parties have the vires to appoint external counsel for the party. He also went to court. For a politician who was in the House of Assembly of Lagos prior to his appointment as NLA, he showed great prowess in court. Little wonder he took the Silk in 2020. A true democrat. It was Babatunde Ogala SAN that issued the opinion which forced APC to hold the Primaries that saw the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its Presidential Candidate after some members of the Cabal threw the stunt of Ahmed Lawal getting the blessing of President Muhammadu Buhari (God Bless his soul) as its consensus candidate. How could there be consensus when several persons have expressed interest to run for the same position in the same primaries? He reasoned. Certainly that is not the letters of the 2020 Electoral Act, and this opinion carried the day. Happy 40th Anniversary BK. May you continue to make giant strides in the bussiness of law. Amen
On the 16th October 1986, the Legal Profession was blessed with the admission of Mr. Augustine Oyarekhua Alegeh Esq as it's member. In July 2007, he was admitted into the Inner Bar, a recognition of his legal prowess. And in affirmation of his status as a Bar Man, in 2014, the members of the Nigerian Bar Association made the right choice to choose him to lead the Bar. That single decision changed the trajectory of the Association. It was during his term in office, that the use of Stamp and Seal was made mandatory. This ploughed in revenue for the Association as the stamp became evidence of license to practice thus lawyers requiring to frank any document had to pay their practice fee othereise they are out of bussing.
Austin Alegeh SAN, as his friends call him, understood the import of the saying "to whom much is given, much is expected" and to make true that notion, he caused the NBA Constitution to be amended so that election of the Association's Officers shall be the responsibility of every lawyer eligible to practice. Why not, if people are compelled to have stamp and seal, they should also decide who leads the asssociation.
After his tenure, he returned to active practice where he continued to make giant strides in the profession. Today, he clocks 40 years as a Minister in the Temple of Justice.
Join me in celebrating an Icon of the Legal Proffession. Happy 40th Anniversary, Sir. May the Good Lord spare your life so that your Ministry of doing good to all those who have the luck to meet you reach its permanent site. Amen
Then and Now.
Exactly 40 years agobtoday, on Thursday October 16 1986, I was called to the Nigerian Bar and enrolled as a solicitor and advocate of rhe Supreme Court of Nigeria. Today October 16 2026 makes it exactly 40 years of the call and enrollment as a legal practitioner.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY CONFERRED SENIOR ADVOCATES OF NIGERIA
I am delighted to congratulate the 68 distinguished members of our profession who were sworn in as Senior Advocates of Nigeria on Monday, October 12, 2026. Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun administered the oath at the Supreme Court as part of the opening of the new legal year.
This year’s class comprises 67 advocates and one academic, Professor Nnamdi Onyeka Obiaraeri, recognised for his contributions to legal scholarship. I am especially glad to see the academy honoured alongside the courtroom. The Bar is only as strong as the scholarship that sustains it, and Professor Obiaraeri’s elevation underscores this.
The rank is earned over many years, through late nights, difficult briefs, and hard cases before tough benches. It comes not with a medal, but with a duty. The Chief Justice urged you to receive this honour with humility and a strong sense of duty, and reminded you that younger lawyers will look to you for guidance in both practice and conduct. I say the same, with the confidence of someone who has watched many careers. Mentor the young. Keep your ethics intact when it is costly. Remember that justice is the purpose and the rank is only the means.
May your new robes sit lightly on your shoulders, and your counsel stay as sharp as it has been. Congratulations to you all, and to your families, who have shared every sacrifice.
Abdul Mohammed Rafindadi, SAN
Managing Partner, Madyan Legal Consult
One of the most encouraging things about attending an international conference is not just the opportunity to exchange ideas with colleagues from across the world, but also the pride that comes from seeing young Nigerians contribute meaningfully to conversations shaping
it is an investment in the future of our profession.
The future of the Nigerian Bar is not waiting for its turn to be heard. It is already finding its voice, and the world is listening.
To our young lawyers who flew the Nigerian flag in Copenhagen, congratulations.