₦airaland Forum

Badgers14:
I assume you read the posts, the documents and everyone's mind before typing....

When was this asset recovery case instituted
Wasn't he a practicising Attorney at that time

What is fed government position on Mr. Nnaka's law suit

Mr. Nnaka is just asking the feds to honor the contract both of them agreed to..

Whether he is still licensed or not or retired is very "irrelevant" as long as the case was finished i.e, the job was done before he retired or was disbarred.

You're the ultimate supreme clown if you think your uncle is getting a dime, talk less of almost a quarter of a Billion Dollars.

DMerciful:
The race that strongly believe in hardwork

Until they get caught in Malaysia, Thailand, or Indonesia......

Badgers14:
Don't be an idiot my friend, having your chest puff out your shoulders won't do you any good..

If you really went to law school like you claimed, you wouldn't have typed that rubbish post that i responded to

Check my response and learn my friend, nobody knows it all..

Cheers

You must be very bored. I am too so I'll indulge you.

You attended UChicago? Really? Tell me , what part of Chicago did you live when you schooled there? Because from your previous posts it looks to me like you never left the shores of your land.

ofeoil:
Post a picture of urself first, those men are either Doctors or Pharmacist.


Canadians dn't welcome riff-raffs, hoodlums, haggard and bent into Canada.

And you know this because you approve visas for folk to go live out there?

The only one that--- at a glance--- might have respectablility of any kind is the old man in the bowler hat and ill-fitting suit....but those ones flanking him? Let just say, if I saw them when its getting dark I'd cross to the other side of the road. I know you can't judge a book by its cover, but if you hang around people that wear skull caps and gangster attire to events like that, don't be surprised when people take you for a thug. Especially when your face looks as hardened as theirs.

pauljumbo:
Biafra shirts in Nigeria town hall meeting

Why do they always look like riff-raffs, hoodlums, haggard and bent?

Badgers14:
You didn't sound like a lawyer.... Can't even make a logical argument.... did you attend your law school in Mozambique I am a lawyer myself(Uchicago)

Good for you.

You don't sound like you even graduated High School.

ghostmist:
Mr, you need to take several seats...

how about you reading up on how the said man has single handedly pursued the case, using his own funds.

Whenever most of you hear "IGBO" or Igbo sounding names, logic goes out the window.

You must think the United States is your little hamlet. His own funds indeed.

Why are you people always so paranoid?

ghostmist:
Don't mind them... as long as the person involved is Igbo, they can never be reasonable or logical.

Im starting to think your fellow countrymen are right and a lot of your people might truly be insane. Well, maybe insane is not the right word, most of you might just be suffering from PTSD, trauma or some kind of affliction that leads to severe paranoia because I do not see how tribe came into the issue of a man that has been disbarred insisting that he gets paid as a lawyer.

Did you even bother to read up about his former criminal past or that just doesn't matter to you because its ok in the eyes of Nigerian society to be a bloody criminal?

Badgers14:
I understand your frustration about this development but let me clear things up for you a little bit....

Mr.Nnaka fighting for a $220m paycheck is no where a selfish act, if he has a contract with the government for 40% ...oh well as bad as it might sound the contract is binding.. But mind you, he didn't just walk into the ministry and get that job whomever signed that contract on behalf of the government is also expecting some kick backs.... This is just like typical Nigerian contract, folks hear on the radio the governor signed N2.4bn road project... The contractor most times don't get all the money.. They might even pocket N1bn and give the contractor N1.4bn.

This scenario is like either Malami or Mr. Nnaka is back tracking on the quota they previously agreed to ..."aye' someone is getting greedy.. Mind you though that Mr.Nnaka is not a big shot lawyer in Maryland ( confirm this from anyone that lives there). He is just an attorney willing to play there a game... Moreover the case is an easy win because no one is dragging the money with Nigerian government..

Also, I don't know where you reside, U.S, Nigeria, UK...e.t.c

But in U.S personal injury lawyers are not charge and bail lawyers.. Actually almost every big law firms have that department because there is money to be made there..(they don't accept every case though and they are very selective). Also there are a whole lots of big shot law firms in the personal injury arena that handles only thoses cases.

Also in the U.S, a lawyer could charge 40% ( usually standard) or 35% whatever both parties agree on or they could charge you a flat fee say $5k or $10k for case... They could also charge you per hour. Some big law firms could charge you between $1,500 - $2,000 per hour.

I might have to send you an invoice for this long lecture

Send yourself to law school first. That was my profession for years.

Chaleeee:
This is USA. He obviously has a good case. 33.3% legal fees no be play for America ooo. It must be paid.

33% sounds about right... If you're legally authorized to practice law.

This man has been disbarred years ago and is still running around pretending to be a lawyer. That in itself is fraud and a crime.

Maybe he has a prison wish.

Obese family.

The only disputed point in the Shupes’ case was how their case would be covered during Respondent’s travels to Nigeria. In a letter to Bar Counsel, Respondent claimed that the Shupes were informed that he would be leaving and that he had arranged for Oguine to assist with their case. The Shupes asserted that the Respondent never advised them that he

5

had arranged for Oguine to assist with the case. Neither of the Shupes testified, nor did they submit signed affidavits on this point. Oguine was also not called as a witness. The Court was unable to assess the credibility of the contradictory claims and did not make a factual finding on this point.

In the Shupes’ tort case, a hearing was scheduled for February 26, 2007, on the defense’s motions to strike and dismiss. Respondent did not notify the Shupes about the hearing until the morning of the 26th, when he called Mrs. Shupe and told her to come to Respondents’ office immediately. When the Shupes arrived, Respondent told them that they needed to appear in court later that day. Respondent instructed the Shupes to appear without representation and tell the judge that they had fired him. Respondent further told the Shupes that they should request a postponement, and Respondent advised them to prepare a letter discharging his services and a subsequent letter re-hiring him.

The Shupes followed his instructions and appeared in court alone. Respondent did not appear. After the hearing, the court ordered the case dismissed without prejudice for failure to comply with the statutes regarding experts. The dismissal, despite being without prejudice, effectively extinguished their claims because re-filing the case would have been barred by the statute of limitations. After dismissal, Respondent suggested to the Shupes that he be discharged, and he would file a motion for reconsideration that the Shupes could file pro se. Respondent advised the Shupes that if they could get the case reinstated, he would return as their lawyer.

Conclusions of Law

Based on the foregoing findings of fact, Judge Dugan made the following conclusions 6 of law:

This court concludes that Respondent, after being engaged to provide legal services to Fred and Elizabeth Dowuona and Jerry and Jacqueline Shupe, failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in carrying out the representation of his clients, thereby violating [MLRPC] 1.3. Respondent also failed to keep the Dowuonas and Shupes reasonably informed about the status of their cases, did not respond to reasonable requests for information made by his clients regarding their matters, and failed to consult with his clients concerning his limitation in representing them in their matters due to his frequent travel to Nigeria, thereby violating [MLRPC] 1.4(a). Furthermore, Respondent violated [MLRPC] 1.4(b) by not explaining to his clients, as in the case of Mr. and Mrs. Shupe, the ramifications of the dismissal of their case to the extent reasonably necessary to permit them to make informed decisions regarding Respondent’s representation.

With respect to his representation of Mr. and Mrs. Shupe, this Court is not satisfied that Respondent violated [MLRPC] 1.1 by failing to file the Shupes’ expert report in compliance with the Maryland rules. At the time of his representation of Mr. and Mrs. Shupe, it was common practice by many experienced medical malpractice attorneys in Maryland to file expert certificates without an attached expert report. . . .

It is apparent that Respondent abandoned his law practice and his clients, as he was, and currently still is, decertified for his failure to pay his assessment to the Client Protection Fund and has not attempted to get reinstated. In his letter to Bar Counsel, dated July 10, 2008, Respondent stated that he was on extended assignment overseas and had temporarily closed his office. To date, Respondent has not reopened his office, appears to still be overseas, and has failed to respond at all in this instant disciplinary matter.

Respondent violated [MLRPC] 8.1(b) when he knowingly failed to respond to lawful demands for information from the office of Bar Counsel. However, as previously discussed, this Court declined to make a factual finding regarding whether Respondent arranged for Mr. Oguine to assist the Shupes with their case while he was in Nigeria.
7
Accordingly, this Court does not find that Respondent violated [MLRPC] 8.1(a) and 8.4(c), on the basis charged by Bar Counsel, that he knowingly made a false statement to Bar Counsel concerning his representation of the Shupes and the alleged arrangement he made with Mr. Oguine to assist him in their matter. Nevertheless, this Court finds that Respondent violated [MLRPC] 8.4(c) on the basis that Respondent engaged in uncontradicted allegations involving fraud, deceit and misrepresentation when he instructed Mr. and Mrs. Shupe to lie to the Court, at the February 26, 2007 hearing, by stating that they had fired him, in order to cover up his misconduct.

Taken in its totality, the Respondent’s conduct was prejudicial to the administration of justice, and therefore violated [MLRPC] 8.4(d).

Discussion

Standard of Review

As we recently explained in Attorney Grievance Commission v. Tanko:

In attorney discipline proceedings, this Court has original and complete jurisdiction and conducts an independent review of the record. We accept a hearing judge’s findings of fact unless we determine that they are clearly erroneous. That deference is appropriate because the hearing judge is in a position to assess the demeanor-based credibility of the witnesses. In that regard, the hearing judge is permitted to pick and choose which evidence to rely upon from a conflicting array when determining findings of fact.

We review de novo the hearing judge’s proposed conclusions of law. In other words, the ultimate determination . . . as to an attorney’s alleged misconduct is reserved for this Court. In that regard, we examine the record to ascertain whether there was sufficient evidence to support the hearing judge’s legal conclusions, by a clear and convincing standard of proof.

Att’y Griev. Comm’n v. Tanko, 427 Md.15, 27–28, 45 A.3d 281, 288 (2012) (citations 8 and quotation marks omitted).

Exceptions

Both parties are permitted to “file (1) exceptions to the findings and conclusions of the hearing judge and (2) recommendations concerning the appropriate disposition . . . .” Md. Rule 16-758(b). If neither party files any exceptions, “the Court may treat the findings of fact as established for the purpose of determining appropriate sanctions, if any.” Md. Rule 16-759(b)(2)(A). In this case, neither party filed any exceptions to the Circuit Court’s findings. In fact, Respondent has failed to respond at all in this disciplinary proceeding. He did not answer the charges in the Petition, he did not appear in court for the hearing on August 31, 2009, he filed no exceptions, and he did not appear before this Court at oral argument. As such, we shall consider the Circuit Court’s findings of facts established.

Conclusions of Law

Judge Dugan found that Respondent violated MLRPC 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 8.1(b), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d). MLRPC 1.3 requires an attorney to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client. Here, Nnaka traveled to Nigeria and was uncommunicative with the Dowuonas for “many months”—between December 2006 and June 2007. In his representation of the Shupes, Nnaka did not comply with initial discovery requests, nor did he comply with a subsequent court order compelling discovery. This conduct violated MLRPC 1.3. See also Att’y Griev. Comm’n v. London, ___ Md. ___ (2012) (Misc. AG No. 12, September Term, 2011) (filed July 10, 2012) (finding violation of MLRPC 1.3 for “failure to consistently monitor and manage a client’s business” and “neglect[ing] to perform the necessary services for [a] client”).
9

MLRPC 1.4 requires an attorney to keep his clients reasonably informed about the status of legal matters and to explain matters to the client to the extent reasonably necessary to allow the client to make informed decisions about the representation. Nnaka did not do so for either the Dowuonas or the Shupes. He was out of communication with the Dowuonas for months and did not advise them that he was traveling to Nigeria. Nnaka also failed to inform the Dowuonas that he was relocating his law office and was unable to produce documents relating to work he had performed for their case.

With respect to the Shupes, Nnaka did not advise them of his failure to file the expert report, of any outstanding discovery requests, or defense counsel’s motion to compel discovery. Nnaka did not inform the Shupes when the defendant in the Shupes’ case filed a motion to strike plaintiffs’ expert, as he was still out of the country. He also did not notify the Shupes about their hearing on the motion to strike until that morning. Furthermore, he instructed the Shupes to lie to the judge about his representation, resulting in the dismissal of their lawsuit past the running of the statute of limitations. This was a clear failure to explain matters in a way allowing the Shupes to make an informed decision about the case. Compounding matters, Nnaka effectively abandoned his law practice by leaving the country. These are all clear violations of MLRPC 1.4(a) and (b).

See, e.g., Att’y Griev. Comm’n v. Kreamer, 404 Md. 282, 303, 946 A.2d 500, 512 (2008) (finding a violation where the attorney failed to communicate with client over a five-month span); Att’y Griev. Comm’n v. Hodgson, 396 Md. 1, 6, 912 A.2d 640, 643–44 (2006) (finding a violation under circumstances similar to those here); Att’y Griev. Comm’n v. Rose, 391 Md. 101, 107–08, 892 A.2d 469, 473 (2006) (finding a violation where an attorney, among other things, moved his office without informing his clients).

MLRPC 8.1(b) prohibits an attorney from knowingly failing to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority. Respondent did respond to the Dowuonas’ initial complaint—albeit a week later than he said he would—and he did acknowledge that the Shupes had filed a grievance against him, but he did not respond to it. Since then, Nnaka did not file an answer to the charges in the Petition and failed to appear in Circuit Court for his hearing. The failure to respond to Bar Counsel clearly violates MLRPC 8.1 (b). See, e.g., Att’y Griev. Comm’n v. Park, ___ Md. ___ (2012) (Misc. AG No.15, September Term, 2009) (filed June 25, 2012) (“The failure to respond to Bar Counsel’s inquiries with respect to its investigation of a disciplinary matter clearly violates MLRPC 8.1(b).”).

Finally, MLRPC 8.4 states that it is misconduct for an attorney to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, or to engage in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. When Nnaka instructed the Shupes to lie to the court concerning the nature of his representation, he clearly violated the prohibition against deceitful conduct in MLRPC 8.4(c). And taken as a whole, Nnaka’s conduct was prejudicial to the administration of justice and violated MLRPC 8.4(d). See, e.g., Park, ___ Md. at ___ (finding violation of MLRPC 8.4(d) where the attorney did not represent client diligently, in violation of Rule 1.3, did not communicate with his client, in violation of Rule 1.4, and failed to respond to bar counsel’s inquiries).

Sanction For Violations of MLRPC Rules1.3, 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 8.1(b), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d)
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Having concluded that Nnaka violated MLRPC 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 8.1(b), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d), we turn to the appropriate sanction. Petitioner recommends disbarment, citing the multiple rules violations, Nnaka’s failure to respond in the disciplinary proceeding, and his apparent abandonment of his law practice. Further, Nnaka has offered no justification for a less severe sanction.

This Court sanctions unscrupulous attorneys to protect the public and the public’s confidence in the legal profession. See, e.g., Park, ___ Md. at ___; Att’y Griev. Comm’n v. Sucklal, 418 Md. 1, 10 n.3, 12 A.3d 650, 655 n.3 (2011). Sanctions accomplish these goals by deterring the conduct that will not be tolerated and by removing those unfit to practice law from the rolls of authorized practitioners. See, e.g., Att’y Griev. Comm’n v. Usiak, 418 Md. 667, 689, 18 A.3d 1, 14 (2011).

Petitioner’s recommendation is supported by several cases in which we disbarred an attorney for similar conduct. In Hodgson, we disbarred an attorney for violations of MLRPC 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 8.1(b), and 8.4(d). See Hodgson, 396 Md. at 6–8, 912 A.2d at 643–44. The respondent in that case failed to explain the consequences of the dismissal of her client’s case; did not respond to repeated requests for information; did not respond to lawful demands for information from the disciplinary authority; and acted in such a manner that was prejudicial to the administration of justice. See id. In Tinsky, we disbarred an attorney for a similar slate of violations, including MLRPC 1.3, 1.4, and 8.4(d). See Att’y Griev. Comm’n v. Tinsky, 377 Md. 646, 653, 835 A.2d 542, 546 (2003). In that case, the respondent’s “complete and unexplained abandonment of his law practice” also merited disbarment. Id. at 653–56, 835 A.2d at 546–47.

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We have also disbarred attorneys for deceitful conduct similar to the kind demonstrated by Nnaka here, when he instructed his clients to lie to the court about the nature of his representation. See, e.g., Att’y Griev. Comm’n v. Pak, 400 Md. 567, 575, 610, 929 A.2d 546, 551, 571 (2007) (disbarring an attorney for her actions in advising and assisting fraudulent transactions to avoid a judgment lien); Att’y Griev. Comm’n v. Culver, 381 Md. 241, 275, 288, 849 A.2d 423, 443–44, 451 (2004) (disbarring an attorney for misconduct that included advising his client to obtain credit card loans to pay legal fees with the intent of having the debt discharged in bankruptcy). This deceit alone could merit disbarment, without consideration of the other violations. See, e.g., Att’y Griev. Comm’n v. Keiner, 421 Md. 492, 523, 27 A.3d 153, 172 (2011) (“[W]hen it appears that the attorney has engaged in intentional dishonest conduct . . . disbarment will be the appropriate sanction absent compelling extenuating circumstances.” (citations, quotation marks, and alterations omitted)).

Our precedent is clear that disbarment is the appropriate sanction for Nnaka, considering the full extent of his misconduct. He was unresponsive to his clients, changed offices without telling them, failed to keep them informed about their matters, and instructed them to lie to the court about the nature of his representation. He has proven himself unfit to practice law and shall be disbarred.

IT IS SO ORDERED; RESPONDENT SHALL PAY ALL COSTS AS TAXED BY THE CLERK OF THIS COURT, INCLUDING COSTS OF ALL TRANSCRIPTS, PURSUANT TO MARYLAND RULE 16-761. JUDGMENT IS ENTERED IN FAVOR OF THE ATTORNEY GRIEV ANCE COMMISSION AGAINST NNAKA IN THE SUM OF THESE COSTS.

http://www.courts.state.md.us/opinions/coa/2012/52a08ag.pdf

Ok, so something is definitely wrong here. This man was decertified and disbarred as a Lawyer years ago, so how was he representing Nigeria in court?



Circuit Court for Baltimore County Case No. 03-C-09-000726 OC

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF MARYLAND

Misc. Docket AG No. 52 September Term, 2008

ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION OF MARYLAND

v. GODSON M. NNAKA

Bell, C.J., Harrell Battaglia Greene *Murphy Adkins Barbera,

JJ.

Per Curiam

Filed: August 21, 2012

*Murphy, J., now retired, participated in the hearing and conference of this case while an active member of this Court, but did not participate in the
decision or adoption of this opinion.

Petitioner Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland (“AGC”), acting through Bar Counsel, filed a Petition for Disciplinary or Remedial Action (“Petition”) against Respondent Godson M. Nnaka. Bar Counsel charged Nnaka with violating the Maryland Lawyer’s Rules of Professional Conduct (“MLRPC”) in his capacity as representative of two couples, the Dowuonas and the Shupes, in two matters. Specifically, Bar Counsel alleged that Nnaka violated the following rules: (1) Rule 1.1 (Competence);1 (2) Rule 1.3 (Diligence);2 (3) Rule 1.4 (Communication);3 (4) Rule 8.1 (Bar

Admission and Disciplinary

1Rule 1.1 provides:

A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client. Competent representation requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation.

2Rule 1.3 provides:

A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client.

3Rule 1.4 provides:

(a) A lawyer shall:

(1) promptly inform the client of any decision or circumstance with respect to which the client’s informed consent, as defined in Rule 1.0(f), is

required by these Rules;

(2) keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter;

(3) promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; and

(4) consult with the client about any relevant limitation on the lawyer’s conduct when the lawyer knows that the client expects assistance not
permitted by the Maryland Lawyer’s Rules of Professional Conduct or other law.

(b) A lawyer shall explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation.

Matters);4 and (5) Rule 8.4(c)–(d) (Misconduct).5

Following a hearing before the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Judge Robert N.Dugan issued findings of fact and conclusions of law, in which he found by clear and convincing evidence that Nnaka violated MLRPC Rules 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 8.1(b), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d).

Findings of Fact

The AGC’s investigation of Nnaka was triggered by the complaint of Fred and Elizabeth Dowuona and the complaint of Jerry and Jacqueline Shupe.

After the hearing, Judge Dugan made a number of findings of fact, by clear and convincing evidence, which we summarize as follows:
Nnaka was originally admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1995. He was decertified in

4Rule 8.1 provides:

An applicant for admission or reinstatement to the bar, or a lawyer in connection with a bar admission application or in connection with a disciplinary matter, shall not:

(a) knowingly make a false statement of material fact; or (b) fail to disclose a fact necessary to correct a misapprehension known by the person to have arisen in the matter, or knowingly fail to respond to a lawful demand for information from an admissions or disciplinary authority, except that this Rule does not require disclosure of information otherwise protected by Rule 1.6.

5Rule 8.4 provides, in relevant part:

It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:
***
(c) engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or
misrepresentation;
(d) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice[.]
2
2009 for nonpayment of his assessment to the Client Protection Fund.

In November 2006, Fred and Elizabeth Dowuona retained Respondent to handle claims arising from a March 2006 automobile accident involving

Mrs. Dowuona. Respondent prepared a retainer agreement, signed by both parties, under which he was paid $5000, in two installments, in

November 2006 and January 2007. After the agreement was executed, Respondent traveled to Nigeria, his home country, for an extended period without informing the Dowuonas.

The Dowuonas were unable to communicate with Respondent, despite making several attempts to contact him about their case between December 2006 and the beginning of 2007. Furthermore, Respondent did not notify the Dowuonas when he relocated his office within Baltimore in the summer of 2007. The Dowuonas did not hear from Respondent until June 2007, when he called from Nigeria and left them a telephone message saying that the Dowuonas had four years to settle any matters arising from the accident.

On November 8, 2007, Respondent met with the Dowuonas, who requested that Respondent provide them with documents relating to any work Respondent had performed. He was unable to do so. Respondent instead demanded an additional $15,000 to continue his representation. After the Dowuonas declined, Respondent did not return their documents so that the Dowuonas could retain new counsel.

The next day, Respondent wrote the Dowuonas and said that he did not believe they had a cause of action stemming from the March 2006 accident, and that he would not be providing any additional legal representation. Respondent also provided an invoice accounting for the $5000 fee and detailing services rendered from July 2006 to November 3 2007. The time billed “appears suspect,” but Bar Counsel did not pursue the issues of theft or misappropriation of funds.

A letter from Respondent to Bar Counsel in the Dowuonas’ case asserted that Respondent agreed only to review the case and determine if there was a basis for a lawsuit. The Dowuonas disputed this, claiming that Respondent was hired to represent them and that the retainer was also to be used to hire an accident reconstruction expert. The Dowuonas did not testify or submit affidavits to this effect, however, and the Court was unable to judge their credibility. Based on the evidence submitted at the hearing, it is unclear whether Respondent was hired merely to investigate or to also provide further legal services. The Court did not make a specific finding of fact on this issue.

Respondent was also retained by Jacqueline and Jerry Shupe in February 2004, to represent them in claims arising from dental work performed by Vivencio R. Reyes in February 2003. Mrs. Shupe alleged medical malpractice against Reyes, and Mr. Shupe sought a loss of consortium claim. In June 2005, the Shupes paid Respondent an initial retainer of $3000.

Shortly before the statute of limitations was to run, on February 10, 2006, Respondent filed a complaint against Reyes on behalf of the Shupes in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. In the complaint, Respondent attached a document captioned “Certificate of Merit and Report of Expert Witness,” signed by Richard M. Rosenthal, D.M.D. The Certificate failed to comply with the statutory requirement that a report of the expert be attached. On July 16, 2006, Respondent served a designation of experts upon the defendant, in which he identified Rosenthal as the plaintiffs’ expert, but he again did not provide an expert report.

4

While the Shupes’ case was pending, Respondent did not cooperate with discovery, causing defense counsel to file a motion to dismiss or, in the alternative, to compel discovery. The motion was granted on January 24, 2007, and the Shupes had to comply with all outstanding discovery requests or suffer a dismissal of their case. Respondent failed to comply with the court’s order, and he did not advise his clients about the failure to file the expert report, the motion to compel, or any of the outstanding discovery in their case. Instead, in November 2006, Respondent left the United States for Nigeria, apparently to run for president of Nigeria. While Respondent was out of the country in December 2006, defense counsel filed a motion to strike plaintiffs’ certificate of qualified expert and to dismiss for failure to comply with the corresponding statutes. Respondent did not advise the Shupes of his absence from the country or of the motions to strike and dismiss.

During December 2006, Respondent shared office space and an assistant, Angela Gathogo, with another Maryland attorney, Theo I. Oguine. While Respondent was out of the country, Gathogo informed Oguine of the motions to strike and dismiss. Oguine thus filed a motion for extension of time to respond to those motions, in an effort to buy Respondent some time to return to the United States. Oguine did not seek compensation from the Shupes for his efforts, and the Shupes knew neither that Oguine had filed the motion on their behalf nor that Respondent was still out of the country.

Only in a place like Nigeria will this clown be taken serious. The Nigerian Government should hire a team that'll end his career once and for all.

P.S: I know--- like we all do--- that Nigeria always makes the silliest and childish of mistakes, but how on earth did this loony even get close to such a serious and complex case that demands the highest of Professionalism.? Except, maybe, there are/were former high ranking Nigerian Government officials he's (was) linked to and they were all planning on divying up the money all along, but since they are no longer in charge...

More on this weird man:



Candidate's bid knows no borders

City lawyer faces hurdles in Nigeria presidential run

August 21, 2006|By JULIE BYKOWICZ | JULIE BYKOWICZ,SUN REPORTER

With one exception, Nnaka's cases over the years have not attracted general public attention. He made a brief cameo in the public eye in 1999, when he represented G. Samson Ugorji, the first appraiser charged in the city's property flipping scandal.

Ugorji was convicted of fraudulently inflating appraisals for properties that were bought cheaply, renovated lightly and resold quickly for huge profits.

Over the years, Nnaka's legal skills have been questioned by some judges and attorneys. The Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission has no record of sanctions against Nnaka.




A federal district judge warned Nnaka of the "necessity of advanced and thorough case preparation" in a January 1999 written opinion in one of his cases.

In March 2005, a panel of Maryland appeals judges called Nnaka's legal arguments in one case "hopelessly intertwined and lacking in clarity."

Nnaka's legal experience extends beyond his role as a lawyer. He has been a defendant a dozen times and a plaintiff a dozen more in contract disputes and other civil cases - including three with his own employees.

In 2000, Clothilda Harvey alleged that she'd quit because Nnaka had asked her to falsify billable hours. Nnaka shot back in a counterclaim that Harvey was the one swindling clients.

When confronted with the dueling lawsuits, Baltimore Circuit Judge Clifton J. Gordy scribbled in his notes: "The whole mess should be dismissed."

The judge ruled in Harvey's favor, awarding her court costs.


Now Nnaka is accused of a far more serious matter. Court documents state that he propositioned a 16-year-old girl for sex inside his downtown law firm.

According to Baltimore police charging documents, Nnaka met the teenager on a Friday while dining at Uncle Lee's Szechuan Restaurant, near the law office. He gave her his business card.

The next evening, July 15, the documents state, the woman and two friends, also teenage girls, went to Nnaka's Redwood Street office to discuss hiring him.

Nnaka told the alleged victim he would discount his fee if she allowed him to touch her, the documents state. She consulted with her friends and agreed.

Then he took off his pants and offered her $50 for sex. She "began to freak out" and refused, but he kept pursuing her, the documents state.

Police said one of the friends managed to snap a few photos with a disposable camera before using a pair of scissors to fend off Nnaka. The girls left the office and flagged down a police officer.

They gave the camera to the police, said Officer Troy Harris, a spokesman for the Baltimore Police Department.

Nnaka's attorney, Timothy M. Dixon, says his client was the victim.

Dixon says the teens tried to charge Nnaka for sex. When he refused, Dixon says, they snapped photos to extort money from him and then became violent - chasing him with a pair of scissors.

If Aluko of Nigerian Democratic Movement is any gauge, the charges won't help Nnaka's political career. "If you have judgments against you," he says, "that creates a moral burden."

julie.bykowicz@baltsun.com


http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2006-08-21/news/0608210070_1_nigeria-nnaka-sexual-solicitation/2

Look at how the chest beating-40% seeking-sexual deviant described himself:

"...an international super-figure who has gained the admiration of friendly countries."

BALTIMORE SUN

Candidate's bid knows no borders

City lawyer faces hurdles in Nigeria presidential run

August 21, 2006|By JULIE BYKOWICZ | JULIE BYKOWICZ,SUN REPORTER


Those of a political bent would probably acknowledge that Godson M. Nnaka has a few stumbling blocks to overcome in his campaign to become the next president of Nigeria.

No. 1: He lives in the Baltimore area and has for the past 20 years.

No. 2: As an attorney, he has a few blemishes on his professional record. Several times, judges have found his work sloppy.

No. 3: He was arrested last month and charged with sexual solicitation of a minor, allegedly offering a client a discount in return for sexual favors.




Needless to say, these are not talking points that find their way onto Nnaka's campaign Web site. Instead, he is described there as "an international super-figure who has gained the admiration of friendly countries."

The current president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, is due to leave office next spring. There is no apparent successor, and Nigerians fear a political breakdown in their nation - Africa's most populous and one of the world's most corrupt.

"Many people are genuinely worried about the quality of the presidential aspirants," columnist Ujudud Shariff wrote this month in an Abuja, Nigeria, newspaper.

A short, meticulously dressed lawyer, Nnaka hustled into the Eastside District Courthouse on Tuesday for a preliminary hearing in his sexual solicitation case. His trial has been set for Sept. 28. Nnaka is pleading not guilty.

Nnaka declined to be interviewed for this article. One of his lawyers, Jerry Tarud, who works down the hall from Nnaka, says he is "a person beyond reproach."

"He's professional at all times, and he has a high level of integrity," Tarud says. "He has excellent moral character."

At 43, Nnaka has been a member of the Maryland bar since 1995. He handles mostly civil litigation and divorce cases, court records show. He and his wife divorced in 1987, and he lives in an apartment in Cockeysville. He owns three city houses.

Web sites for his presidential campaign and his law firm tend toward the verbose.

An excerpt from one of his opening statements, as posted on his firm Web site, says: "I will tell you the truth. I realize when we say the truth, we are rejected; when we say the truth, we are punished; when we say the truth, we are banished ... ."

Nnaka announced his presidential run this summer on a Web site, nnakafornigeria.org. It says "his formal entry to the presidential race has long been a subject of intense speculation."

Although the presidential election is expected to take place in April, the country's electoral commission has yet to set a date.

Candidates become official if they are nominated by one of the country's 41 political parties about six months before the election, says Mobolaji E. Alukoz, a Howard University chemical engineering professor. Aluko is president of the Nigerian Democratic Movement, a pro-democracy Washington-based organization founded in 1993.

"A lot of people want to be president of Nigeria," says Aluko, who thinks there could be 100 or more presidential hopefuls out there.

Aluko says he's aware of Nnaka's campaign. He laughs. "Anybody who wants to run and has money will probably be able to be nominated by a party," he says.



He says of Nnaka, whom he knows casually, "He seems to be successful and well-spoken, but he's just too sudden."

Like Aluko, Nnaka has remained active in his native country's affairs from afar.

Public records show Nnaka has chartered several organizations: the African American Foundation, the Nigeria Policy Group and Pro-Health International. All are based in Baltimore.

Nnaka was among the Nigerian expatriates who sent a letter in the spring urging the current president not to extend his term.

On his campaign Web site, Nnaka sets goals for his presidency that are as great as they are for himself. The mission: "To build and maintain the greatest, most successful and prosperous black nation on earth."

"Who is Dr. Nnaka?" reads one of the pages on the Web site. Some of the answers are revealed, but far from all. For instance, what is he a doctor of?

The Web site says Nnaka began his American career in business, working as a manager at Maryland National Bank, now a part of Bank of America. He became a vice president at Sygnort Corp., "a diversified international corporation," the Web site says. Documents suggest Sygnort was a cosmetics company.

Public records show that Sygnort was registered in Maryland in 1989, but by 1994 it was listed as forfeited. In 1998, a Dallas judge ruled that Nnaka had defrauded fellow Nigerian Obinna Duruji by persuading him to invest $10,000 in Sygnort. After mediation, Nnaka agreed to pay $7,500, which he did this May, Duruji says.

Nnaka's Web site does not say where or when he went to law school, but it does note he completed a graduate diploma program in international and comparative law at Oxford University under the sponsorship of the University of San Diego School of Law.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2006-08-21/news/0608210070_1_nigeria-nnaka-sexual-solicitation

nduchucks:
40% fee is standard in the US for recovery from insurance companies and in personal injury cases. Many lawyers in the US have become ambulance chasers because of the said 40% fee.

This lawyer may have conned Nigerian officials into signing a contract which favors the lawyer. The Nigerian government needs to hire very high powered attorneys to find a hole in the contract. Holes can always be found.

Are you a legal practitioner ? How and when the hell did 40% become the "standard fee" to an attorney ? Personal Injury cases, like you rightly said, are mostly litigated by Ambulance Chasers (the equivalent of your "charge &bail lawyers, I think theyre called) and they usually deal with the down trodden, poor and uneducated; this is not the case here.

A hole need not be found. This man is a known crook, and if the contract (as I assume) was drawn with deceit as its intention, the fine prints don't matter. No way in hell is this crook that calls himself a Lawyer is getting that much as a fee. In fact, I think whoever Nigeria hires to defend their position in court should not stop at just battering him, they should also report him to the disciplinary board.

I despise selfish people.

.

Towncrier007:
It baffles me when some Christians act as Unbelievers and the next minute Like Christ (Christians).therby making it difficult to differentiate between a genuine one and fake.

So how can one know a genuine child of God. ?

There are a two ways to identify a true christian:

1. They're NOT Nigerian

2. Look at Number 1.

lonelygem:
You are going too far, what nature of people do u think constitutes the majority on Nairaland? Incase u don't know, only 3% understand the concept of taxation as it applies to legality or illegality in contracting. When u mention tax, perception of many is centred only at that 50 naira thing agbero boys give to them in market for their daily sales. These are thesame set of people who constitutes the Free Readers Association (FRA)at vendor shops. Worse case is, out of their brainlessness, they argue blindly with their hungry voices ontop of every other person's. What contribution would you expect a primary school teacher to have in issues related to gas processing? The earlier u adopt the idea of staging discussions with people with ample wisdom to flow with u the better for u.

We obviously can't change people without changing their thinking..

Very apt!

The Nigerian Government has a lot of work to do because the citizens' mentality is that of one that'll run even the most successful country aground.

shuggah:
any day I suffer because of reccesion Abi recreation then I'd just die,, nwanna am igbo and I'm self-made, buharinomics cannot affect me at all, and back to u being Important ,bro we don't knw u.

Post a picture of one of your bank accounts that has at least a half million dollars in it, if you can't do that shut your boastful butt up.

Empty barrel.

Collinzo900:
That doesn't give answers to my question. I ask again what are your economic policies? Where and how did Tinubu, Amarchi, Fashola,...... and the list continues even your Mr. President that has no educational background nor a certificate made their money from? And why are they not in court?
I most tell you the truth, that it was a mistake that we have made to put the affairs of this Nation in the hands of Zombies that are making themselves richer.

Are you normal? MY President is Barack Hussein Obama, YOURS is Mr.Buhari.

You're clearly sick in the head asking me these dumb questions . What a shame how Nigeria has failed you and made you useless to earth.

shuggah:
yes, and ur parents regard u as a mistake right?

Nope, Im a blessing to them, my country, and have even been a blessing to your useless country. Only problem is there exists too many evil-hearted people like you than good ones residing in that devilish land of yours, so most of our recommendations and work have now turned to shambles. Well, you get to suffer it not us.

AnonyNymous:
Are you confused? Go back and read the post again before you come and spew trash. If Nigerians are animals I wonder what you're doing on Nairaland. Barack Obama made most of his money from book royalties and my post was pointing out how the most powerful man in the world isn't even worth $31 million that Mama Patience is claiming despite holding no office. You better behave yourself and stop acting like a kid.

Im so sorry. I apologize . Im just so heated at the idiocy and evil Im seeing on NL in defense of this madness. It looked liked you were quoting someone then comparing it to Obama's earnings.

P.S: Yes, I still think most Nigerians are animals and mental cases.

Collinzo900:
That is how we will also dump you and your APC party put when the time comes.
Keep fooling around with your blaming games when reality will set in, you will see a clearer picture. Hunger and unemployment is killing us and all you and your other set of Zombies are telling us is those that stole money.

Let me ask you; who among the APC elected or appointed members that is clean? Also before you forget the bring back our girls was an arm of the APC to distract the former ruling government.

.

So why are you complaining about poverty when you're encouraging everyone to steal money meant for the country's development?

You Nigerians are mostly insane, to tell you the truth. A lot of you have serious mental issues. Thats the only explanation I can think of when bad is no longer bad--- but good--- in you animals' eyes.

shuggah:
ur English is so bad I've to make it up before it makes sense, are u trying to tell me that in ur northernized and Apc mind that it's illegal for a woman to own $31m

You know you're of no use to Planet earth, right?

joseph1832ng:
There's no if there. It was stated in the news article that the company she fronted have no addresses. That's a pointer that the money was looted.

Sometimes I even wonder if this woman is mentally fit. How can see brazenly ask this of the court when she knows fully well that her ways are not pure.

Well, she has just given the Federal Prosecutors the ammo they need to charge her with "Conspiracy" at the very least. Conspiracy charges usually carry 10-20x more than the sentence of an individual crime.

Its now up to the Nigerian Justice Department to get to work.

AnonyNymous:
Even Michelle Obama doesn't have up to $31 million
MODIFIED:::
Even Barack Obama isn't worth $31 million. Patience. I hail you o.
***
Barack Obama’s Net Worth on His 55th Birthday

President Barack Obama Net Worth: $12.2 Million

Estimating the exact personal wealth of Barack Obama — or any U.S. president — is difficult. With certainty, Obama’s salary for his day job as president is $400,000 a year. But from there, hard numbers are more difficult to come by.
Under the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, the president — along with other high-ranking federal officials — must disclose their finances every year. Those disclosures, however, are broad and vague.

An analysis of Obama’s financial disclosure in 2015 showed a net worth between $2 million and $7 million, reported USA Today. Celebrity finance resource Celebrity Net Worth, however, reported that Obama’s net worth is as high as $12.2 million.

And he made the money by stealing from the U.S Treasury? You must think we're animals like you guys.

oduastates:
That woman was at the heart of the looting in that administration.

Give or take she's worth north of $2billion.

And I state this authoritatively.

DedeNkem:
He came into office promising 'to bring change'. He then pushed Nigeria into recession and now wants Nigerians to bring the 'change' and came up with 'ChangeBeginsWithMe', which I changed to ChangeBeginsWithMyass!

Shame on you ab*oki buhari, you're very corrupt and a disgrace to the presidency!!

There are many available options to save this moribund nation. One of the following will do the job;

1. Ban anyone over 40 from any political election. That's the only way to weep out old corrupt politicians. They're the main problem we have today. We need to try fresh crop of young leaders!

2. Make political corruption (if there's compalling evidence) an automatic death sentence. Nigerians are very afraid to die, especially, corrupt politicians So death sentence will keep these thieves away from politics.

3. Any politician found guilty of any financial crime automatically loses all his/her properties, including properties the person had before being elected or appointed to a political office.

4. Desolve the government and create an interim government that will last for 10 years (to wipe out corruption in government and instil civility), headed by a foreigner who has a great leadership record.

5. Stage a Nigerian Spring (coined from Arab Spring). This is the fastest way to bring Change. It means Nigerians protesting en mass demanding for a change in government. When this happens, the world will be involved and support the demand of Change.

If none of the above works, then it would be time to split Nigeria.

1.Your younger politicians are worse Kleptomaniacs than the older ones. Who stole more than GEJ in the history of Africa? Have you forgotten Messrs Dimeji Bankole and Fani-Kayode? How about Mrs Stella Odua and the frog eyed Diezani? What of Mr.Obanikoro? Matter of fact, YOU sound like you will be a bigger criminal than all of them put together if your were ever put in a position of responsibility.... at least judging from your (present and) previous posts.

2.If the make corruption a capital offense, theres no doubt in in my mind that the day someone from your ethnicity or creed is indicted you'll start screaming "Marginalization".


3. Seizing their properties will never come to fruition. People like You will defend their rights to keep their loot depending on what their surname sounds like.

4. A foreigner won't last six months in your midst, talk less of ruling you for 10 years. Mentally, you're a different breed.

5. A "Nigerian spring"?! So, that one section will kill off the other side's religious, political, and Military leaders all in the name of "Revolution" while tipping theirs off to flee the country? Why don't you start your spring cleaning from your side of the country, thus, encouraging others to join in or aren't your Governors embezzling funds? You don't have crooked politicians where you're from?


You want Nigeria to split, it won't. Gear up. A new Nigeria is being born and if you're mentally lazy you will die of hunger.

kingphilip:
how can government change be measured

Through the behavior of the people being ruled. The Government is a direct reflection of the people.