By Ejiro Nesisa
It is no news that Nigeria Bar Association, Warri branch had Law Week which started on the 18th through 21st to 24th April, 2026. The venue of the programme was RCCG, Along Chevron Clinic Road, Warri and the theme: “Public Trust in the Administration of Justice in Times of Economic and Security Challenges” with subtitles discussed by different experts in each of the days, among other activities lined up for the programme.
One of the main issues of discourse was captured by the address of the Chairman of NBA Warri branch, Othadua Adueniforae Okpakpor. Esq. It hammered on security challenges which have placed pressure on many institutions including the justice system. To address many challenges including that of kidnapping, banditry, communal conflicts, the various stakeholders including judicial officers, legal practitioners and law enforcement agencies must continue to play their role to maintain societal balance. The harsh economy climate has often made citizens not to have access to justice and the hope of the common man is dashed. This has brought the impression that justice is distance or reserve of the privileged few in the society.
While judicial independence, integrity, transparency and accountability remain key to issues of the advancement of the country, it has been observed that the stakeholders have deviated from this course. His words:” Allegations or perceptions of corruption, inconsistency in judicial decisions and undue socio-economic influence can significantly erode credibility of the system.” The adherence to the rule of law, respect for due process and delivery of well-reasoned judgement would reinforce legitimacy of the courts.
The legal profession is a good one and should not betray the confidence society reposes on it. It is noteworthy, that the society looks up to justice system to enhance it( society). This accounts for why, the President of Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe said :” No matter what we do, if the society does not have confidence in the court, lawyers, and law enforcement agencies and in all persons who have a role to play to ensure justice works smoothly, all we do is in vein.”
This issue of security was also hammered on the topic: “The Law, Economy and Security Conundrum in Nigeria” which was handled by the lead speaker, Gen.L.E.O. Irabor(Rtd), former Chief of Defence Staff. The discussants along with him in the panel who were V.E. Akpoguma, SAN, Brig. Gen.(Engr.) Efe Felix Edafioghor(Rt),Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd, ACP Graham Imade, agreed that insecurity has earlier held sway in the Nigeria but with efforts of the various stakeholders, the rate of crime has reduced to the barest minimum including the water ways which have given rooms for increase in nation’s revenue in the country.
The Delta Ports And Nigeria ‘s Blue Economy: And Policy Challenges and Prospects, the former Dean, Faculty of Law, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Prof. A.D. Badaiki SAN is of the opinion that the Federal Government of Nigeria has not been sincere in the development of Delta Ports as it neglected the Maritime Sector.
He said, the Delta Port does not work as a result of too much concentration in Apapa &Tin-Can Ports in Lagos by the Federal Government with so much funds released to resuscitate same and nothing done to Delta Ports. His words:” We have money in this country. We must use the money to allocate resources for the development of our Ports.”
According to him, some of the challenges in the Ports in the country include: multiple regulatory agencies and lack of sustained standard operations with multiple taxation. He attribute the failure to make the Delta Ports functional to lack of political-will by leaders in the government despite the role the state contributes to nation’s wealth. On his part, the Delta Ports Operations Manager,Mr. Akalakiri Innocent Ohis said, the major challenge in Delta Port is the brain quota which collapsed between 1990 to 2010 adding that, until this fact is recognized and addressed, the challenge would remain.
He therefore stressed the need for the needed infrastructure to be put in place in Delta Port to enable it have the capacity to feed nearby states. Also speaking on the issue are Albert Edesiri Nakpodia(NIMASA) and the representative of the Nigerian Ports Authority,NPA, Paul Ifesinachi Udeji. However, many lawyers including Mr. Eric.K. Omare Esq, have different views of the ports issues. According to them, the Delta State Government can intervene in dredging the Delta Ports to enable perform their functions optimally.
Other issues discussed include:” Nigeria’s Tax Reforms: Issues, Challenges and Prospects for Economic Development” which the lead speaker is Hon. Chukwuemeka Nze, Esq. member, National Tax Policy Implementation Committee and Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms and “Navigating Health Services For Legal Practitioners” by Dr Ebelechukwuka Anthony – Odianose, Consultant Family Physician, Eku Baptist Government Hospital, Eku, among others.
While Nze Esq. dwelled on “Nigeria’s Tax Reforms: Issues, Challenges and Prospects for Economic Development” and its legal implications, Anthony- Odianose dealt on the need for lawyers to take issues concerning their health seriously by engaging the services of family health experts to attend to them to make them fit to carry out their jobs in the society.
The Chairman of the Committee, NBA Warri Law Week, Eric K. Omare, Esq. earlier said in the welcome address that, the law week offers an opportunity for legal professionals to engage in intellectual reflection, build capacity, promote Bar/Bench collaboration and community development. He appreciated, on behalf of the committee, the key note speakers and panelists/ discussants, the Chief Judge of Delta State, Hon, Justice T.O. Odiai, among others. He also appreciated the various donors and sponsors for their support – which made the programme a success.