National Judicial Council Recommends Compulsory Retirement of 2 Judges

• The NJC today suspended and recommended the compulsory retirement of Justice G.K. Olotu of the Federal High Court and Justice U.A. Inyang of the High Court of the FCT sequel to its findings against both justices detailed below:

Justice Olotu:

• That the Judge failed to deliver Judgment only to deliver same in Suit No. FHC/UY/250/2003, eighteen months after the final Address by all the Counsel in the suit, contrary to the Constitutional provisions that Judgments should be delivered within a period of 90 days;
• The Hon. Judge admitted before the Fact Finding Committee of the Council that investigated the allegations that she forgot she had a pending Ruling to deliver in an application for Joinder; 
• That the Judge entertained a post Judgment matter in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/250/2003 in Port Harcourt after delivering Judgment, which made her functus officio; 
• That in another case: Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/505/2012, Hon. Justice Olotu failed to deliver judgment twice.

Justice Inyang:

• That the Judge included in his Judgment, references to the Garnishee Proceedings, which came after the Judgment had been delivered on 20th December, 2011;
• That His Lordship also included the name of the Counsel to Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN, who came into the matter after the judgment of 20th December, 2011 was delivered;
• That the Judge recklessly signed a Writ of Execution, a day after delivering his judgment of 20th December, 2011, the same day a Notice of Appeal and Motion on Notice for Stay of Execution were filed.
• That the Judge continued with the Garnishee Proceedings despite application for Stay of Execution; and
• That before delivering his Judgment of 20th December, 2011, Hon. Justice Inyang ignored a properly filed Motion on Notice for leave to file additional witness Statement on Oath.

The NJC also issued warning letters to: Hon. Justice Dalhatu Adamu, CFR, the Presiding Justice of Court of Appeal Kaduna Division (for absenting himself from duty), Hon. Justice A. A. Adeleye of High Court of Justice, Ekiti State (for very low performance) and Hon. Justice D. O. Amaechina of High Court of Justice, Anambra State (for very low performance), respectively.

Morning Docket

FHC Refuses Sanusi's Ex-Parte Application for Reinstatement

Justice Kolawole of the Federal Court sitting in Abuja yesterday refused to grant an application by the suspended Central Bank governor, Lmido Sanusi, for an interlocutory injunction restraining the President from obstructing, disturbing, stopping or preventing him in any manner whatsoever from performing his functions as CBN governor and enjoying in full, the statutory powers and privileges attached to the office. The court held that it would be unfair to grant such a motion ex-parte.

The fireworks will continue ...

Killers of British Soldier Convicted and Sentenced

Two British citizens (of Nigerian heritage) who were charged with the hacking to death of a British soldier, Lee Rigby, in broad daylight, on the streets of London were convicted and sentenced yesterday at the Old Bailey. Micheal Adebolajo (29) was sentenced to life in prison while his accomplice Micheal Adebowale (22) was sentenced to a prison term of 45 years.

Judge Nigel Sweeney described the killing as "sickening and pitiless".

US Law School Hiring Remains Flat

The 2008 recession caused a steep drop in out of school hiring by US law firms, and the effects of the recession has continued to handicap hiring in the years since then. It was so bad that the Wall Street Journal reported last year a drop in enrollments to a level not seen in 36 years. This was directly related to a lull in work in lucrative fields like mergers and acquisitions and firm expectations.

With the relative increase in the fortunes of the US economy, one would expect that that hiring would go back to its pre-2008 levels however this is not yet the case as the National Association for Law Placement provided the results of its research to show that recruitment up to 2013 has continued to remain mostly flat from its 2008 levels. You can read the full NALP report here. Considering the levels of debt that students incur to go to law school, something has got to give. Unfortunately, it is likely we'll see less and less law school enrollments with its attendant effects on the profession.

Law Firm Weddings

It took you guys long enough, but finally we can report on another law firm wedding! One member of the union is a practicing lawyer - former Miss Folake Fawehinmi (Ife, UCL). The other is a lawyer turned business man, Mr.Biyi Alex Adedipe (Unilag).

The wedding solemnization took place on 22 February at the Church of Assumption, Falomo and the reception followed at the Red Carpet event center in Oniru. The socialite couple did not disappoint with a hit band which later gave way for the DJ to take Lagos' young elite into the night.

The bride's firm, Banwo & Ighodalo, was represented by many staff members including Mr. Femi Banwo.

On the Move ...

Lawyers moving from firm to firm or to a company as In House counsel should hardly be news ... it happens all the time. But, its always news. Either because of the personality surplus of the person in question or simply because of the high interest of lawyers to all that happen in their "exciting" universe.

Last week was one of those that had everyone buzzing ... Kem Iheanacho, co -head of the Africa practice at Clifford Chance was announced to be leaving CC for US law firm, Latham & Watkins as a private equity partner. To those on this side of the Atlantic who know Kem, this is indeed a major blow to CC. Kem and Ed Boyo (Finance Partner in Frankfurt) have been bullish about Africa and played a major role in swaying a lot of Africa work CCs way. Kem also holds an impressive array of clients - most notably, the Carlyle Group and CVC Capital Partners. For CC this will come as another hit to its private equity team as Kem is following on the heels of other departures, Global Private Equity Head, David Walker and Partner, Tom Evans left the firm in April and October last year.

We'll be sure to feed you in on the 2013 moves in the Nigeria legal market!

We wish Kem well.