SON HOLDS TWO DAY TRAINING FOR LEGAL OFFICERS IN MAKURDI- BENUE STATE
Erdoo Due
Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) in partnership with Faya Solicitors held a two-day training on the 29th to 30th March, 2021 for its legal officers in Makurdi the Benue State capital titled ‘Litigation and Advocacy.’ The training which took place at Doo Palace Conference Hall witnessed a good turn up of SON Legal officers from different states and regions within the country. Paper presentation on various topics by noble Facilitators was an integral part of the event.
Dr. T.Y Ornguga who is the Head of Department (HOD), Public Law Benue State University while speaking on ‘An Overview of the Police Act 2020’ said: “The amended Act has addressed a lot of issues contemplated in the past, one of which is the mode of operation of the Nigerian Police. Too much power was bestowed on the police in the old law but the 2020 enactment has restructured the police operational model. Police objectives, both general and Specific have also been defined by the 2020 enactment, the general objectives ensures that, there is accountability for police actions, transparency for financial and prosecution activities, freedom to partnership with other security agencies as well as protection of fundamental human rights while the specific objectives ensures respect of fundamental rights of all citizens, prohibition of arrest for civil wrongs like breach of contract agreements, notification of suspects on cause of arrest, prohibition of arrest in lieu, inhumane treatment of suspects be it physical or psychological is also prohibited by the Act. Other inclusions are voluntary statement limited by two basic factors (failure to record statement and refusal to present statement by suspects).
What then is the role of a Police officer who is a lawyer in the 2020 Act? Lawyers at Police divisions according to section 66 of the law are expected to guide and advice accordingly. In the case of SON, the lawyers serve the purpose of the police. So, just like Police officers, the Act has a direct impact on their activities. Community partnerships enhanced by the new Act makes the community a good information source for officers; it also enhances training and retraining of officers, prohibits alcohol consumption while enhancing the general search scope under the new law. Implementation however, is a very critical phase in the New Police Act 2020 he concluded.”
For Nicholas Iorun HOD Commercial Law Benue State University, the commercial law promulgated in 1990 and revisited in 2004 was altered and signed into Law in 2020 and requires a lot from the enforcing officers. In his paper presentation titled ‘An Overview of Innovations and Changes made by the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 in Nigerian Corporate Law’ Dr Iorun, elaborated some innovative approach of the new law to include E-registration basically for Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) which permits electronic filing and document sharing, recognition of one-man or single member company, minimum capitalization of companies which allows for a minimum shared capital of #100,000 for private companies and #2,000,000 for public companies, CAC competence to withdraw fraudulent registered companies, prohibition of mandatory use of common seal and financial assistance by a company for acquisition of its shares with exception of public companies. There has also been a ban on small companies or single shareholder Annual general meetings while Virtual meetings for companies are permissible while Annual General Meetings for companies with big shareholders must be held in Nigeria.
Under the new law also, the chairman and CEO of a public company has been separated and all company audits must be displayed on the websites of such companies. Winding off a common practice in the old law is replaced with voluntary arrangements, administration and netting which enhance stability. Foreign companies that wish to transact business in Nigeria can now file an application for directly to the Minister of trade, employee of a winding off company must be adequately paid without default under the new act therefore, CAMA 2020 will improve and ease doing of business in Nigeria with a lot of Economic benefits if complied to and implemented properly.
Networking a necessity for every Lawyer came through a paper presented by Joseph M. Gbagyo, a private practitioner and publisher titled ‘networking a necessity for every lawyer’. According to him, networking involves creating new relationships (short or long term) for the purpose of professional or social benefits. Every lawyer regardless of tribe or religion need to network in order to maintain or attract clients, gain knowledge and improve self and career. “There is no choice place for networking it can happen anywhere be it in a church, plane, club or even Mosque but for this to be effective the networking partners must be open minded, courteous, and accommodating of other people’s view as well as exhibit honesty. In preparing to network, one must always readily avail his/her complimentary card at all times, be smart in appearance, avoid bad habits like smoking and farting in public, build a profile that exposes your strength, weakness, opportunities and threat (SWOT) and ensure your SWOT fit into the political, economic, social, technology and legal environment (PESTLE), value your brand and set the right time lines and objectives not forgetting the importance of your health” he explained.
Other papers presented include ‘Seven tips to improving your practice’ by Mchenry T. Nule, ‘Tips on criminal and civil trials examination in chief, cross examination and re-examination’ by John Ioryina and ‘cyber security hints and tips’ by Malan Moses.
Malan Moses Managing Partner at Faya Solicitors and one of the organisers said, “this serves as one of the continuous training for Legal officers in SON aimed at enhancing performance basically on inclusions of the new Police Act and other related topics. I must express also my satisfaction with the turn up of trainees who have availed themselves despite the long distances making the training worthwhile.”
Participants at the training also gave their inputs; For Kuma Moor, “the training is very important because it forms part of the activities for the Legal year and has prepared us for the duty call most especially with the choice of topics which have a direct impact on our job description.”
James Adzuawua said, “having worked in SON since 2008 this training spots a difference, it has put the organization on a spring board to serve the good people of Nigeria better most especially in the area of human rights violation so, this opportunity is not taken for granted.”
Bakure Bahabat who is the Assistant Chief Legal Officer and Head of North West Region said, “first I will express my gratitude to SON for the wonderful opportunity. Being in Benue for the first time excites me greatly and then the training which is very important to me especially now that my services include basically trials and court cases I will say it is a right step at the right time for me and would appreciate it much if this is done annually most precisely on topics that are very intimating.”
There was also presentation of certificates to all participants as a participatory identity.
