₦airaland Forum

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Bwari Division has ruled in favour of legal practitioner, Bartholomew Okafor-Onyilo, in a suit against the Nigerian Bar Association which recommended him for disciplinary action based on a legal opinion he rendered as Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor of Anambra State (Legal Matters), ANAMBRA PEOPLE reports.

Bartholomew Okafor-Onyilo, had in an affidavit he deposed to, in March 2022, said he wrote a legal opinion to the then Deputy Governor of Anambra State, who was also the Chairman of the State’s Boundary Committee on a land dispute between Ukpo and Abba communities in Anambra State.

According to him, the legal opinion was leaked to one of the parties in the land dispute (the applicant for boundary demarcation).

However, the lawyer said he did not receive any invitation from the association to enable him attend any hearing against him, only for him to read in newspapers that he had been invited to face the NBA’s Disciplinary Panel.

He, therefore, asked the court to declare that the findings of the defendants and recommendation as ultra vires, illegal, null and void and of no effect.

He also sought a declaration that he was entitled to own an opinion on a decision of the Supreme Court and such opinion is protected under Section 39 (1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

While asking the court to set aside the findings and recommendation of the NBA, he also asked the court to award him damages in the sum of N10m against the defendants.


Ruling in the case on January 17, 2023, Justice Ebong, ruled in favor of the claimant on the ground that, in favour of the claimant on the ground that the 2nd Defendant being a lawyer and Secretary of the NBA's Disciplinary Committee Panel clearly Flouted Rules 17(5)$20 of the Rules Of Professional Conduct by appearing for himself and NBA.

Secondly, that NBA allowed the breach of the Claimant's Fundamental Right to fair hearing, entrenched in Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution which covers the twin pillars of Natural Justice expressed in the Latin Maxims: audi alteram patem(hear both sides),and nemo judex in causa sua(you can not be a judge in your own case); which renders the decision reached a nullity.

Court equally held that a RASH procedure was adopted by the NBA's Panel. That the erratic and capricious handling of the petition by the Defendants resulted in no hearing at all, which made the Panel not to have looked into the allegations of media trial and campaign of calumny launched against the Claimant by the 2nd Defendant to tarnish his image.

The court established a biased mind or the likelihood of same against the Claimant, and held finally that the said violations have rendered the said report invalid, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.


“It is in the course of such determination by the relevant organs that the claims of privilege and freedom of expression can be considered and ruled upon. The Court cannot take over the role of either the Panel or the Disciplinary Committee by pronouncing on the merit of the claimant's potential defence to the allegation levelled against him. The supervisory powers conferred on this Court by the Constitution over Inferior tribunals, only enables It ensure that such tribunals follow due process and act within their competence; it does not empower the court to usurp the functions of such bodies by addressing issues or answering questions which by law are reserved for them to deal with. Issue 2 is therefore discountenanced.”

Justice Ebong also asked the defendants to pay the sum —of N200,000,00 (Two hundred thousand Naira) only, as general damages to the claimant; and a further sum of N50,000.00 (Fifty thousand Naira) only, as cost of the action.”

She’s unassuming, almost self-effacing radiating beauty in her ever smiling face. Meeting her for the first time, her simplicity would make you want to reckon her as a common house wife in a middle income household. But when you get closer to her, here is a go-getter and an intelligent woman, an amazon whose brief stint (less than two months … beginning 19th December 2022 to date) in politics has continued to shock political watchers. At the time she declared interest to contest for Anambra Senatorial zone, nobody gave her a chance at all. This is considering the big names contesting in that zone. But her outing so far has made opponents have a rethink about her candidacy. She has the right message for the electorates and even though simplicity has become her signature, her messages resonate and permeate that nobody can wish her away in the political scheme of things in Anambra central senatorial zone.

Already, she has three communities in the bag and she is unstoppable in her bid to conquer other communities.

According to her, she’s going to the senate to change the narrative and as a lawyer, she understands the nitty-gritties of law making and is more qualified for the position. To her, “effective representation has eluded Anambra central (and indeed all of Nigeria) and this is the time for resolute representation. Nobody can do it better than me.”

Meet Helen Ifeoma Mbakwe

Princess Barr. Mrs. Helen Ifeoma Mbakwe (Adaigwe) is a Lawyer (29 years @ the Bar), with a Master’s Degree in International Law from University of Lagos. An entrepreneur and a philanthropist who is currently running on the platform of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) to represent the good people of Anambra Central in the Red Chambers. Her candidacy has received the endorsement of the grassroots and various stakeholders in Anambra Central and in Diaspora.

The people’s favourite Adaigwe, (a triple Royalty)is from the family of late Igwe Anakwe Ogbueakataghi of Umudunu, Agbaja Abatete while her mother is from the family of Igwe Okeke Anyichie of Eziowelle. Adaigwe is married to Engr. Vince Mbakwe of the Igwe Mbakwe family of Abacha all in Idemmili North LGA of Anambra State.

As a philanthropist,her love for the helpless, children and humanity drove her into joining and becoming the President of Keera Autism Foundation (KAF), a not-for-profit organization, that embarked on a massive awareness campaign to enlighten the general public on the plight of children living with Autism as well as help provide succor for both the children, parents and their family members.

Adaigwe Helen Ifeoma Mbakwe is also the President of The 3Fs (Foundation for Family) Empowerment and Development (formerly Feed the Family Foundation). The soul goal of this Foundation is to teach the women how to Fish. The 3Fs Foundation empowers Indigent Mothers by establishing business ventures for them so they can earn and feed their households. By having mothers work, children will grow up knowing the value of work and can grow up to work themselves.

Princess Helen Mbakwe is a member of Lions Clubs International and a Melvin Jones Fellow for her assistance in helping global disasters. She is also an Ex-President of Lions Clubs International and participated and still participates in many activities to assist the less privileged (Feeding the Hungry, Helping the sick in hospitals), Sight improvement for the indigent, etc). Each year Lion Helen Mbakwe solely undertakes the Feed the Hungry activity of the Club. She receives a yearly Appreciation Award for her activities in assisting the less privileged.

She has packages in her Maiden church parish, her father’s parish, her husband’s parish where she twice yearly helps Mothers to feed.
She is a Benefactor for st Vincent de Paul society where she feeds and pays school fees and sponsor households’ needs.

A prominent leader who advocates for excellence in every sphere of life. Helen Mbakwe is a go-getter, an achiever, a trailblazer that has won several awards including Entrepreneurship of the year and Philanthropist of the year.
She, at the start of COVID, sent envelopes to many indigent families for foodstuffs during Lockdown.

Equally, at the end of COVID, because of inability of some parents to pay school fees, she single handedly bankrolled tuition for over 220 pupils and sponsors blind students for their tertiary education. This is besides providing funds for schools to upgrade their facilities.
She recently provided a Computer lab for a public school.

Helen Mbakwe is an individual promoter of quality education, youth development and community building, and has touched the lives of so many people directly or indirectly through her philanthropic adventures. Her love for humanity and her desire to join the Youth in taking back our country and in effect usher in a new and working district, motivated her into seeking to represent Anambra central in the Red chambers come February election.

She desires the support of voters so that she can impact this hope and newness in the District.

Founder, and Chairman of foremost road transport company, Peace Mass Transit Ltd., Dr. Samuel Maduka Onyishi, is known to be fiercely religious, even though not fanatical in the conventional sense.

But he is, however, probably one of the few successful men at his level who would openly pray to God to nullify and remove ''all agents, staff, principalities and powers in and around his business and family which are not of God..."to which his audience, mostly staff, would chorus "AMEN!"

A lot of rich men in this part of Christian - dominated South East Nigeria have multiples of titles like Dr., Pastor, Chief, Ozo, etc, including Onyishi, but what he seems to cherish most is to be addressed simply as Evangelist Sam Maduka Onyishi, MON!

He and his siblings were born Sabbaterians, but he later chose the path of Assemblies of God, where he grew to become Evangelist, meaning he spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ, without necessarily presiding over or owning any church -
Somewhat of an itinerant preacher!

Onyishi tells anyone who cares to listen that he considers Peace Mass Transit his own "Ministry" , created, ordained, sustained by God Almighty as his own platform to serve Him and humanity!

And it would seem he goes the extra mile, unabashedly, to justify what he has openly acknowledged as the mandate of God to serve God and humanity.

At 12 noon every work day, all Peace Group staff at the headquarters are under obligation to gather for prayers at Emene, Enugu, without exceptions!

The atmosphere there on a very good day, is akin to a penticostal church fellowship, with loud music played by staff who have perfected the use of diverse musical equipment including guiter, piano, drums, etc!

A few amateur pastors who lead the daily sessions have also emerged from the group, even if it is difficult to ascertain if they are genuinely committed to worship of God as Onyishi himself confesses!

But, love or hate him: give it to this Nsukka born entrepreneur!
He makes rare, discernible efforts to be seen as Godly, justifies his high moral ground to pontificate to staff and family!

A few years ago, he surprised the world when he returned a whooping 2.2 billion naira, to First Bank, "because i am not sure that this is my money..."!

The amount was credited to him by the bank, after a transaction, but Onyishi maintained he was not sure it was his, so he returned the money to the institution promptly, at a well advertised ceremony!

That is Onyishi for you!

He is ethical, religious, but not fanatical, because he does not impose ideas; he proves to you that it is possible to be godly, stick to the rules, and still be successful!

It is also remarkable that Onyishi's PMT does not cut corners, or seek to circumvent lawful government or institutional taxes. It honours, and promptly too, all legitimate assessed taxes yearly.

That may explain why PMT drivers don't seek to bribe law enforcement officers on the highway!

Vehicle papers, drivers' licenses are all meant to be valid all the time...etc.

In his reminiscences at this new year prayer session with staff, this week, Onyishi told them to honour God in whatever they do, because he himself is
" proof that there is benefit in serving God, whatever situation you find yourself!"

" I don't need any occultic power in or around my business and family, and may God take me a day before the day that I would serve any other God other than the Almighty"!

" The God Almighty I have served all these years has not failed me"...

"There is nothing accidental about the progress or height attained by PMT as market leader; I planned it by reinvesting the profit made in the best times and God was in agreement, so we excelled"!

He urged the staff to rededicate themselves to
their duties to continue to grow the company and ensure it remains the market leader.

" Getting to the top can happen by chance, but remaining at the top must be premeditated", he told them...


For Peace Mass Transit Ltd, 2023 is indeed a new dawn.