28th June, 2024

 

 

Dear Sir/Ma,

 

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

 

REJOINDER TO PETITION LEVELLED AGAINST AMANDA DEMECHI-ASAGBA   

Our attention has recently been drawn to a petition purportedly signed by Efe Etomi ( Immediate past African Women Lawyers Association (Awla)  Nigeria Country Representative/ President and her cronies addressed to the NBA General Secretary while copying  the NBA Ikeja Chairman Mr. Seyi Olawunmi.

For the records and  the honour of the Association and its legitimate Exco sworn  in on the 16th day of March, 2024, we wish to State as follows:

1. While we are not joining issues with the immediate past AWLA Nigeria Country Representative Mrs. Efe Etomi and her cronies- Caroline Ibhranaefe, Mulikat Thomas, Vivian Aloba, Felicitas Nwaobi, Onii Nwangwu- Stevenson Grace Ajaegbo, Caroline Ibeh and others. Mrs. Amanda Demechi- Asagba (The President of AWLA, hereinafter referred to as Mrs. Asagba) is and remains the duly nominated and elected President of AWLA by the Executives of the African Women  Lawyers Association with its  then headquarters in Ghana and haven succeeded the Founder and the Pioneer President Hon. Betty Mould- Idrissu in 2019 see Annexture A1 Paragraph 4.03-4.04 Minutes of Annual General Meeting of AWLA held on the 3rd of November, 2018.
2.  That Appointment remains valid and  subsisting and the tenure is yet to expire for another election to be conducted by the same body.
3. It is important to state that most of the petitioners (However it is pertinent to state that some of the signatories to the purported petition denied knowledge of the petition and ever signing such. They claimed that their signatures were scanned from the minutes of meeting) were in attendance at the above mentioned meeting (as aptly captured by the minutes) and are fully seized of the facts mentioned above. Therefore, we find it inconceivable that they would go to such despicable lengths to twist narratives and also misrepresent true facts in order to tarnish Mrs. Asagba’s good name and goodwill garnered over the years and also to bring our beloved association to disrepute. We humbly request that their names be specifically noted and their actions put on record in the event of any future aspiration in any of the National,  State/Local Bar and AWLA in any of its Chapters, Branches, Continents and or its Council or Board and or any political interest and or appointment in or outside the Country.
4. Her elevation was as a result of her giant strides, bold steps and laudable performance during her tenure as President, AWLA, Nigeria Chapter. Indeed, AWLA became a notable  Association under her watch with an attendant increase in membership and successful advocacy. As a result of her elevation the then Vice President, Mrs Adepeju Oduye-Quadri became the Acting President  until October 2020 when Mrs. Efe Etomi’s led Executive was sworn into office. For the avoidance of doubt, we state that all through her years of leadership Mrs. Asagba was never/ is not power drunk, instead she continues to serve the Association with passion, commitment, unparalleled dedication, humility, love and her personal resources. She has been a servant leader par excellence.
5. It is quite unfortunate that the said immediate past Country Representative/President is writing to the Nigerian Bar Association on issues that have no bearing with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) while alleging false, malicious and baseless claims. The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) is not only independent but a wholly autonomous body duly registered with its chapters ( affiliates) in virtually all nations of Africa and African Diaspora Nations.
6.  It is our firm belief that writing to the NBA on whatever issue that affects AWLA does not only amount to a display of ignorance but a gross undermining of the status of the Association particularly vis a vis its relationship with the NBA and in utter disregard for the leadership of AWLA and the Board of Trustees ( BoT of AWLA Nigeria Chapter
7.  It is rather unfortunate that these claims were raised at all when there are verifiable and available documents rendering such claims baseless and unfounded

 

8. On the allegation of Mrs Asagba ( The AWLA President) not conducting a proper handover of affairs of the Exco  rather handed over only one account can only be described as unfortunate and a deliberate and malicious attempt to malign the President of the Association as Mrs Asagba was not her immediate predecessor in office but Peju Oduye-Quadri  who handed over to Efe Etomi as Country Representative/ President of  AWLA Nigeria and handed over the two AWLA Nigeria Accounts with the then Diamond Bank now Access (Diamond) see Annexture ‘A2-A6’ the handover note the pictures taken during the inaugural meeting held on the 5^th November, 2020  with the members of Executive both new and outgone –The truth is like a lion, you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose, it will defend itself.  – Abraham Lincoln
9. Asagba left office as National Coordinator/President of AWLA, Nigeria in May 2019 after she was announced as President Elect of AWLA by Mrs Edna Kuma (now deceased) representing the founder and then President of AWLA, Hon. Betty Mould Idrissu (the only person that held the office of President of AWLA from inception in 1997 till  May, 2019) as announced at the Annual General Meeting held on the 3^RD   of November, 2018 on the last day of the International Conference which took place at the Nigerian Law School Victoria Island, Lagos. This elevation was as a result of her strides,  bold steps taken and  laudable  performance  when she was AWLA, Nigeria National Coordinator/President. Subsequently, Her Vice President  Adepeju Oduye-Quadri came on Board in acting capacity till October 23rd, 2020 when Efe Etomi led  Executive *was  sworn into office as AWLA, Nigeria Country Representative/ President by virtue of the Uniform bye-laws of AWLA which repealed all existing national Constitutions and bye-laws.

1. In response to the malicious  petition co claiming that the new Executive led by Efe Etomi were not in charge of affairs and did not move into the new AWLA Secretariat in January 2021.                             Contrary to these allegations, we confirm that an inaugural/handover meeting took place on November 5, 2020, at the secretariat, attended by Efe Etomi, Bibian Aloba, Abiodun Kolawole, Felicitas Nwaobi, immediate past Acting Country Representative/ President Peju Oduye-Quadri, AWLA President Asagba, and Carol Obi, then South East Regional Coordinator and Member Finance Committee of AWLA. During this meeting, key issues regarding the Association’s daily operations were discussed, and Peju Oduye-Quadri the then immediate past Acting Country Representative/ President handed over vital documents to Efe Etomi in her handover note. The meeting also covered the Secretariat’s facilities, including offices  for AWLA (The Parent body) AWLA Nigeria,  AWLA Lagos and  office for Lawyers and Mediators of the Association, conference rooms,  child victim interview Room,  the reception,  the meeting hall, the Kitchen and a large Patio for outdoor events and outdoor spaces.              Notably, Efe Etomi proposed hiring a Personal Assistant and suggested renting out rooms, which Mrs. Asagba opposed, citing international best standards. Mrs. Asagba stated that the option of the bigger office space was because the headquarters of AWLA now  situated in Nigeria in compliance with the AWLA constitution which states that the headquarters of AWLA shall be situate in the Country of residence of the President.  Additionally, the nomination for South South Zonal Coordinator was addressed with privileged information given. The pictures taken at this meeting with the members of the Executive Committee ( both new and outgone) are hereby attached and marked Annexures ‘A7- A10’ and the  sixteen (16) days of activism programs which commenced on 25^th November -10^th December, 2020. See pictures of 16 days of  Activism of 2020 as Annexture  ‘A11- A15’.
2. As part of activities executed during the 16 days of activism 2020 Efe Etomi led  Executive with active members, President of AWLA and the Secretary General in attendance embarked on a sensitization walk 27^th of November , 2020 from the Magistrates Court Ogba, lkeja Magisterial District to  Agege Local Government. As part of activities lined up on the 4^th of December, 2020 old and new members from within Lagos and Abuja both subscribers and non subscribers  to the AWLA Estate embarked on the journey to AWLA Estate located within Ora Family Land Epe , Lagos State with the aim of having a legal clinic around the estate which is still a virgin land thereby  sensitizing and familiarizing the Association with members of the community. Programs organized in November and December 2020 marked the 16 days of activism .  It beats our imagination that with all the pictorial, visible  and empirical evidence Efe Etomi led Executive misled the members of the public and our dearest noble profession and members that  they were not in charge and came into office in 2021.
3. On the allegation that Titi Abodunrin was a staff of Amanda D. Asagba Chambers. We refute same and state that she was never a staff of Amanda D. Asagba Chambers. She came for internship with AWLA, Nigeria in 2017 whilst still a student of Mass Communication at Lagos State University,  (LASU) Ojo with two other interns through referral from WARDC namely: 1. Deborah Adeleye, 2. Foluke Olaitan, then returned after  her NYSC and was eventually employed as an Administration Officer.  She stayed back due to the strong passion for  AWLA cause (goals and objectives and mission projects) Based on her passion she did not mind the meagre salary AWLA Nigeria paid to her. It is not the correct position but wrong assumption and insinuation  of  Efe Etomi that the Association was owing her three (3) months salary rather it was only one month (September ) salary which Adepeju Quadri notified the members at the general meeting held on the 5^th of November 2020 she paid personally into the AWLA, Nigeria account for further remittance by Mrs Efe Etomi administration who were scheduled for swearing in on AWLA Nigeria General Meeting day on Thursday October 8, 2020 before it was rescheduled at her instance for non exposure to COVID for a Zoom Inauguration on October 22, 2020 (see annexture A16).             AWLA, Nigeria and the AWLA Nigeria e-mail account awlanigeria2015@gmail.com which they refused to continue  the  usage and abandoned to open a new email address.  The phone number linked to the email was the official line always with Titi Abodunrin ( the Admin Officer). Also occasionally, the Secretary General of AWLA checks the email for messages that should be attended . She confirmed she had called the Lagos State Coordinator Sunkanmi Fasule  and the Admin officer/Financial Secretary of programs addressed to AWLA,  Nigeria. It is highly misleading  stating that emails meant for AWLA, Nigeria were taken to AWLA this is completely a misrepresentation of facts.

 

1. On the issue of multiple registrations,

it is totally misleading to state that Mrs. Asagba went ahead with another registration with the knowledge of an existing one. The minutes of the meeting held on December 23, 2014,  February 5, 2015 and  August 9, 2018 ( See Annextures A17-19) aptly explains the issue to wit:

• Mrs Roseline Akinbo ( Coordinator, 2004 – 2009)

Neglected to hand over the registration documents after she left office, despite several official communication sent to her to hand over whatever pre incorporation documents in her possession to her successors namely: Mrs Ronke Sijuade, Nihinlolawa Aluko-Olokun and later  to the new Executive in 2015.

• Roseline Akinbo blatantly refused to do so and did not hand over to any of her successors rather she held the Association to ransom for years giving all sorts of excuses for her failure to register the Association during her tenure as Coordinator.
• Exhausted by Mrs. Akinbo’s deliberate dallying, members resolved that a fresh registration be undertaken by Mrs Asagba’s led Executive after three (3) thorough searches conducted at the Corporate Affairs Commission ( CAC) by the following members : Abiye Tam-George the then publicity Secretary (at CAC, Lagos), Mrs. Stella Amedu ( Assistant General Secretary and Mrs. Florence Wogu- then Vice Coordinator AWLA Abuja ( Now deceased (at CAC, Abuja) as well as Mrs. Asagba the National Coordinator/President ( CAC Lagos and Abuja) revealed that no registration had taken place.
• In 2018, at the Association’s meeting on August 9, it came to light that Mrs. Akinbo has surreptitiously  registered the Association  and made herself the Chairman, Board of Trustees  amongst others without any approval by the Association and or any progressive report to the Association see Annexture A19 see Paragraphs 15.0-15.1 Minutes of the meeting was taken by Onii Nwangwu- Stevenson and Esther Ebhodaghe the then General Secretary and Assistant General Secretary and duly signed by the President Mrs. Asagba and the General Secretary Onii Nwangwu Stevenson
• This revelation was greeted with shock and surprise by members  as they condemned her actions as she did not have the   authorisation to do so and also the legality of CAC”s registration of such despite our letter to CAC to that effect see Annextures A20-22 letters to CAC dated October 12, 2015 and December 2, 2015 and October 15, 2018.
• Members at that meeting resolved that the registration undertaken by Mrs. Asagba’s led Exco be adopted and it was see Annextue A 20- 21 ( the Minutes of Meeting held on August 9, 2018 and AWLA Letter to CAC dated October, 2018 in Response to Akinbo’s Complaint to CAC on similarity of Names see particularly Paragraph 9:7 submission by Mrs. Mulikat Thomas.
• Going by the above narration, it is witchcraft to allege that Mrs. Asagba was always aware of the Registration by Mrs Akinbo and yet went ahead to commence a new registration.
• We urge again that the names of the petitioners be taken note of for their penchant to tell lies.
• We find the claim that Mrs. Mulikat Thomas reached out to Mrs. Akinbo concerning the said registration laughable and incredulous. It is on record that both Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Akinbo were present at the meetings mentioned above. At this point we reiterate  our prayer in paragraph (h) above.

 

• It is also an after thought for Mrs. Efe Etomi to claim that she was not informed about the registration illegally done by Mrs. Akinbo when by virtue of her erstwhile position as south south coordinator, she was in attendance at the BOT Chairman’s house, Hon. Justice A. A Philips former CJ Lagos State (Rtd.) in 2017 where the issue of double registration was discussed amongst other matters.
• It is important to state that there was no resolution or instruction that the two registrations be merged. we already established above that members adopted the registration done by Mrs. Asagba’s administration. The suggestion by members of the Board of Trustees was that Mrs. Akinbo be added as one of the Trustees in the registration adopted by the house and the other wound up.
• Accordingly, a committee was set up and the same was headed by Mrs. Josephine Bode. The Committee was at an impasse as they realised that the suggestion by the BOT could not be implemented because doing same would not reflect the federal character that the Association is known for as most of the Trustees were from the West (precisely 7 out of the 8 trustees). Mrs Bode and her Committee resolved on reducing the number to 6 to represent the zones thus retaining the BOT chairman for the south west, Mrs Asagba for the South South, Anastasia Gbem for the North Central, Hon Justice Nkemdilim Izuako for the South East, Aisha Ado Abdullahi: for the North West and Becky Lama  Samuel, Bencher for the  North East to which Mrs. Asagba pleaded with the house in the interest of peace to add Mrs Roseline Akinbo as the 7th Trustee. See Annextures  A22 -26  WhatsApp Conversation with Mrs Joe Bode Chairman BoT Committtee with the then Vice President Peju Oduye-Quadri and letter dated December 13, 2019 Resolution for Winding Up and letter dated September 5, 2019 for Application for CTC and Payments  Receipts  dated 06/09/2019
• We wonder why Mrs. Etomi and her Executives having full knowledge of this matter refused to attend to the same during their administration. Could it be so they can find one more thing to blame on Mrs. Asagba? We presume so.
• It is preposterous to allege financial impropriety on Mrs. Asagba who has for all intents and purposes given heavily of her resources and continues to do the same for the growth of the Association. We urge the public to discountenance these unfounded and baseless assumptions and allegations . The audited accounts and financial reports during her tenure are there for all to see on the Association’s Website www.awlanigeria.org. The Statement of Account and Financial Reports of the Association are also there for all to see.
• It is pertinent to note that AWLA as a body at the AGM held on the 3rd of November, 2018 resolved that the registration by Akinbo be wound up as no country chapter is allowed to register AWLA without adding their Country Chapter. See Annexture ‘A1’ Supra to which the process had commenced but truncated due to Akinbo’s unwillingness to cooperate and paucity of funds. See Annextures A 22- 26 supra

 

This is another chance to test the legality of the two registrations whether the registration done secretly and illegally by  Roseline Akinbo (Coordinator, 2004-2009) in October 2015 which was wrongly registered as AWLA without the chapter of the country included as in African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA),  Nigeria  Chapter can stand.  Mrs. Roseline Akinbo did not have the authorization to register AWLA as this is the parent body of the Association situate in Ghana. The Akinbo registration is  ULTRA VIRES, as she was functus officio and lacked locus standi and or  any authority whatsoever to register the Association as at the time she did. She also made herself Chairman Board Of Trustees (BOT) over and above two distinguished elders of the Bar Dame Mrs Priscilla Kuye a Life Bencher and former President of the NBA  and Mrs. Ramdat Fehintola Okunola  as members without the knowledge of the extant Exco nor her immediate successors, nor even the extant Exco in 2015 led by Mrs. Asagba Despite, an official communication sent to her to hand over whatever pre incorporation documents in her possession to the new Executive in 2015 and severally by the Association during her immediate successor’s tenure. This was the resolution of the general house.  Mrs. Roseline Akinbo  did not hand over to any of her successors rather she held the Association to ransom for eleven years giving all sorts of excuses  for her failure to register the Association during her tenure as Coordinator. Knowing fully well that the house had resolved to start a registration after a thorough search  with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) by Mrs. Abiye  Tam-George  and others at Lagos  and at the conference in August 2015 in Abuja and all searches confirmed that the Association was not registered  as at August 2015 hence the registration commenced by Mrs. Asagba’s administration. We hereby attach copies of the minutes of AWLA, NIGERIA meeting held on the 5^th February, 2015 at the Bar Centre, NBA IKEJA  where one of the agenda was registration of AWLA, Nigeria see Annexture  A16

She hurriedly registered AWLA contrary to the subsisting resolution of the general meeting and despite being approached to sign the registration form as member of the BOT of the new registration which she declined. This registration commenced in August 2015. It is rather unfortunate and unimaginable that  Efe Etomi would say that she was not informed about the registration in October 2015 this is a complete misrepresentation of facts, falsehood,  deception and callousness because she was in attendance at the meeting held at the BOT Chairman’s house in 2017 as the South South Coordinator. She  insisted that Mrs. Roseline Akinbo should never be a member of the BOT and at the Committee set up to look into the BOT Issue she suggested an alternative for Akinbo, stating that she does not deserve to be a member of the BOT having held the Association to ransom for eleven years.  The meeting was scheduled because Mrs. Roseline Akinbo levelled different allegations against Mrs. Asagba and brought up the issue of her registration insisting it must be used ( just as in this scenario where Efe Etomi has vowed to pull down the President – for selfish reason- because of nomenclature of office “ President” and the word “Country Representative” which she vehemently detested and resisted, notwithstanding the constitutional provision on the issue see the provisions of Article V section 5(2) of the Constitution and Uniform  Bye-Laws of AWLA 2020 )

• Steps were taken to add Mrs. Akinbo to which a committee was set up headed by Josephine Bode. The report of the committee was that seven out of the eight Trustees were from the West and its desirable to have a true federal character and adding Roseline Akinbo was not ideal having invited her initially and she declined outrightly. In spite of this Mrs. Asagba still insisted she must be added in the interest of peace, unity and progress  of the Association but she was adamant and uncooperative. Likewise in Efe Etomi’s Saga, she permitted her to use the nomenclature President, AWLA Nigeria but only at National events but not at international stage as the international will not tolerate it.

It is completely  out of place to use AWLA when there is a parent body registered as such in accordance with the AWLA, Nigeria Constitution see Article 1 of  AWLA, Nigeria Constitution 2003 ( repealed in 2020) Also the following members present at that meeting were  Roseline Akinbo, Nihinlola Aluko-Olokun,  Onii Nwangwu-Stevenson,  Mulikat Thomas,  Peju Oduye- Quadri, Carol Obi,  Tejumade Oke, Grace Ibidapo, Fausat Bakare,  Josephine Bode and others. It is noteworthy that several meetings prior to the Mrs Asagba administration the issue of registration of AWLA, Nigeria was always discussed without any progress made and at the general meeting it was resolved that  Mrs. Asagba should proceed with the registration since the searches conducted both in Lagos and Abuja revealed that AWLA, Nigeria was never registered. It is pertinent to note that Roseline Akinbo left office since 2009 and ought to have properly  handed  over the status of registration of the Association to her successors to continue from where she stopped if indeed she initiated the process but the said Roseline Akinbo has joined ranks with Efe Etomi – The amalgamation of political desperados for power and recognition at all costs is  reprehensible and alarming trend that undermines the very foundation of the Association. These individuals prioritize personal gain over the well-being of members and interest of the Association, engaging in unscrupulous tactics to achieve their objectives ¹.

 

Their desperation leads them to exploit vulnerabilities, spread misinformation, and form unholy alliances, all while masquerading as champions of the people. This cynical approach, erodes trust, fosters division, and compromises the integrity of the Association

 

They will stop at nothing to attain power, even if it means sacrificing the greater good.

 

It is essential to recognize and condemn these destructive behaviors, ensuring that they do not become the norm in our Association.

 

On the allegation that  Mrs Asagba ( the President) was using Akinbo’ registration and declared herself President and had used the same registration to open accounts with which she had been soliciting funds. For Professional colleagues of our Noble profession-  to assert these grave allegations  without establishing prima facie findings is absurd, preposterous to say the least and inexpressible words which is unbecoming and unethical for lawyers and members of a noble profession and most embarrassing to the Association. How on earth is it possible for Mrs. Asagba who is not a member of the board of the illegal registration use same to open accounts?

14. We urge AWLANs, the public to discountenance all these unfounded, baseless and malicious accusations as they are all calculated attempt to undermine the President and destroy the association for personal aggrandizement.
15. On the issue of multiple accounts: all the accounts were domiciled in Access Bank and were all linked together for the purpose of accountability and transparency. Two accounts namely:  AWLA, Nigeria Chapter main account number 0074658397 and the AWLA Nigeria (Project) Account number 0078668613 with Access (Diamond) Bank were handed over to  Efe Etomi’s administration. Mrs. Asagba ( The President ) is not a signatory of any state Account, so on what basis would she be in custody of any state account The AWLA, Nigeria (Bornu) was opened for Bornu state and the State coordinator at the time managed the account effectively and efficiently.  The same for the Awla, Nigeria (Abuja) 0760032345 which became dormant. The Awla, Nigeria Rivers State was opened for Rivers State which also became dormant as  Cordelia Eke, then State Coordinator abandoned it and went to open another account with United Bank for Africa without authorization. She got the incorporation documents from the then AWLA, NIGERIA President on the basis of  assisting with grants applications for AWLA Nigeria.
16. It is pertinent to note that Mrs. Efe Etomi during her administration wanted to open a Widows account creating unconstitutional MANDATE using her cousin one Rita Akpata and Cordelia Eke and herself as signatories but the Parent Body and the Board of Trustees didn’t approve it on the basis that the constitutional mandates for any AWLA Account are the President/ Country Rep/ State Coordinator, The Director of Finance/ Treasurer and or  the Secretary General/ Secretary
17. Two accounts the conference account Naira – 0781667711, USD 0781678052 and Life Membership account 0737164846 with Access Bank were dedicated to AWLA.

Furthermore, it is laughable that those who are parading themselves as members of AWLA, Nigeria Executive are not familiar with the goals and objectives and even the  designation of officers and workings of the association rather disseminating falsehood, causing so much embarrassment to the image of the Association ( particularly the Nigeria Chapter) bringing strangers who know little or nothing about the Association to continue her rebellion.

 

 

It is preposterous and shameful  that Lawyers can come up with frivolous and unfounded  allegations that accounts that went dormant for inactivity could be alleged that the President of AWLA that left office as AWLA Nigeria President five years ago is sitting on the said accounts. About two years ago when  some members approached the President- Mrs. Asagba with regards to opening of accounts for their states and issue of dormant account Mrs. Asagba ( President and The BoT Secretary ) and a member of Board of Trustees (BoT) Mrs. Gbem Anastasia wrote several letters to the bank to lift the ban on the dormant accounts for the states to operate and to open Accounts for some other  States see Annexures A16-A18 supra

 

Concerns have been raised regarding Mrs. Efe Etomi’s leadership as AWLA Nigeria’s Country Rep/ President from 2020 to 2023. Specifically, her creation of an unconstitutional “Administrator” office, as opposed to the established “Admin Officer” role, due to her unavailability, has been questioned ¹. This administrator was reportedly on her personal payroll.

 

During her tenure, Mrs. Etomi was often absent, yet she allegedly spread smear campaigns, misinformation, and caused strife within the Association, culminating in a three-year period of rebellion. Following the resignation of the initially employed administrator, Mrs. Felicitas Nwaobi, AWLA Nigeria’s financial secretary, was appointed as the second administrator, despite this being considered another illegality.

 

Mrs. Etomi exploited her position, utilizing Mrs. Nwaobi and secretary Mrs. Bibian Aloba to disseminate unethical letters, notices, petitions, and mudslinging to garner support.

 

Furthermore, Mrs. Etomi’s leadership was marked by disregard for hierarchy, a draconian attitude, particularly in her handling of the AWLA Nigeria constitution. As Chairman of the amendment committee from 2017 to 2019, she single-handedly rewritten the constitution without input from other committee members.

 

The electoral process was also compromised, as Mrs. Etomi allegedly flouted constitutional provisions by appointing an electoral committee after her tenure had expired. This move was deemed illegal, as it contravened Article 9, Section 2 of the AWLA Nigeria constitution (2019) ( Repealed in 2020) and Article 9, Section 9 of the extant AWLA Constitution and Uniform bye-laws (2020).

 

These actions have led to concerns about the legitimacy of the election process and the potential for unqualified members to be elected, disregarding the established authority and constitutional guidelines and warnings see Annexture A27-30 Warning Against Conducting and Participating in Illegal elections

 

This action of the immediate past executive provoked members who insisted the right thing must be done and this led to inviting AWLA, the parent body to intervene to avoid chaos and breakdown of law and order to stop the illegal election and inauguration.  Rather than oblige they became even more unruly, unethical and rebellious in their conduct and actions and hijacked the Association as they removed at will anybody who speaks up against their unethical conduct or post by the Caretaker Committee and even called the Council Members of AWLA Impostors when they tried to intervene calling for an intervention meeting. They threw all caution to the winds as they used discourteous and inexpressible words with absolute disregard for the ethics of the profession and or the constitution and uniform bye_laws of the Association.

Members of the 5 women caretaker committee under the Chairmanship of  AWLAN  Becky Lama Samuel, Bencher– were duly inaugurated on the 24^th November, 2023 via Zoom meeting well attended by members of the Association one whole month after the expiration of the tenure of  Efe Etomi led  Exco and after they had turned in their report of stewardship to the BOT. See Annexture A 31

The caretaker called for nomination for elective positions  and an all inclusive election was held on the 14th day of March, 2024 free of racour  where ACTIVE and COMMITTED   members emerged as winners namely:

 

Falilat Oluwatoyin Orire​:  Country Representative​

(Kwara State)

 

Mariam Inuwa​: Deputy Country Representative

(Bornu State)

 

Oluwatoyin Ndidi Taiwo-Ojo:    Secretary

(Ogun State)

 

Comfort Yubuin​:            Assistant Secretary

(Gombe State)

 

Sahabi Hadiza Jaredi:          Treasurer

(Sokoto State)

 

Angela Offei-Mamuzoh: Public Relations Officer

(Delta State)

 

Sunday Dinatu Damilep: Welfare Secretary 1

( Plateau State)

 

Oyinaya Jovita​​:           Welfare Secretary 2

(Enugu)

 

See Annexture ‘A32- A36’ (The certificates of return)

which shows the true federal character and an ALL INCLUSIVE AWLA, NIGERIA contrary to the Mrs. Efe Etomi illegal selection of an Edo state Exco with all the principal officers  from Edo State (Country Rep :Caroline Igbrunaefe, Secretary: Oise Chigbue and Treasurer: Julie Onyeagba) and the Vice Country Rep Felicitas Nwaobi on her pay roll all not qualified by virtue of AWLA Constitution and Uniform Bye- Laws or even the repealed AWLA Nigeria Constitution 2019. She also claims that she is not answerable to the Parent body that she is independent thus rewriting the same constitution amendment that she chaired. She also exited the Country Representatives group on the premise that she is a President not a country Rep and failed throughout her tenure to make any report to the parent body and also claimed ignorance of the existence of the Uniform bye-laws. She also sat on the percentage of remittance of the membership dues accruals to the parent body and the Life membership of AWLA subscriptions  meant for AWLA (the Parent Body) and also had the audacity to carry out a constitutional review of AWLA Nigeria contrary to the AWLA Constitution and Uniform Bye-Laws of the Association 2020 which governs the Association world wide.

 

 

The legally elected Executive of AWLA Nigeria has been sworn in and is fulfilling its duties as outlined in the organization’s constitution and Uniform Bye-Laws. However, we are aware of a group of individuals claiming to represent AWLA Nigeria Financial Members Executive, asserting independence from the parent body and using unauthorized titles such as President-AWLA Nigeria and Financial Secretary, which are not recognized by the AWLA Constitution and Uniform Bye-Laws 2020.

 

We urge these individuals to cease their unauthorized actions, as they are undermining the legitimacy and integrity of AWLA Nigeria Chapter. Their actions are considered unethical and will no longer be tolerated.

 

 

We emphasize the importance of recognizing and respecting the duly elected leadership to maintain the organization’s stability and effectiveness.

 

 

We hold  our Association in very high esteem and believe the impostors will take heed as we will take proper steps to protect the name, dignity and integrity of AWLA and AWLA, NIGERIA CHAPTER.

 

On this issue of AWLA Nigeria transition and appointment of Caretaker Committee it will amount to a huge aberration to allow the immediate past Country Representative and its Exco  to pick and choose which law to implement or go by when they were part and parcel of the Constitution Review Committee and the Uniform bye- laws proposition Committee as the provisions of the Uniform byelaws is the  applicable  Law  in each jurisdiction. To even claim that the Uniform bye-law came in 2023 is the height of falsehood. Find below annexture A37- A38.

the reminder email sent to Country Representatives forwarding the Constitution and Uniform Bye-Laws as well as WhatsApp message forwarding same to State representatives. A39-A41.

 

Taking a cursory look at the contents of the petition we discovered a lot of errors, misconceptions and misinformation by  disgruntled elements and total   strangers who described themselves as concerned members of AWLA who are not familiar with the history of our Association they needed to be enrolled for tutelage to keep them informed of their predecessors and on the workings of AWLA, Nigeria and AWLA.

 

However to put the records straight and to keep all informed so as not to continue to be misled and confused, we hereby highlight the names of our past AWLA Nigeria leadership, tenure and years of service which are as follows :

 

1. HON. JUSTICE LATIFAT FOLAMI – NATIONAL COORDINATOR – 2003-2004

 

2. ROSELINE AKINBO – NATIONAL COORDINATOR – 2004-2009

 

3. RONKE SIJUADE – NATIONAL COORDINATOR – 2009- 2013

 

4. NIHINLOLA ALUKO-OLOKUN – CHAIRPERSON CARETAKER COMMITTEE- July 2014- July 2015

 

5. AMANDA DEMECHI-ASAGBA – NATIONAL COORDINATOR 2015 -2016 and later PRESIDENT 2016 -2019

July 2015- May 2019

 

6. ADEPEJU ODUYE-QUADRI – ACTING COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE/ PRESIDENT – May 2019- October 2020

 

7. EFE ETOMI –COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE/PRESIDENT October 2020- November 2023

 

8. FALILAT OLUWATOYIN ORIRE- COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE -March 2024 – TILL DATE

 

It is so sad and pathetic that all these false accusations flying all over that Mrs.  Asagba is holding on to power and controlling the previous Executive and made herself President of AWLA registered by Akinbo are all a bunch of lies and complete falsehood. THE ASSOCIATION IS ONE BODY WITH HIERARCHY – THE PARENT BODY ( AWLA) and ITS COUNTRY CHAPTERS, STATE BRANCHES. The parent body  headquarters is  presently in Nigeria  for the first time in history while the other members of Executive are spread across within and outside the continents.

The parent body is in charge of ALL the  Country Chapter Representatives and heads AWLA all over while the Nigeria Chapter is a chapter of the Association in Nigeria represented by a Country Representative to  supervise the State Coordinators, while the State Coordinators supervise the Chairperson of branches in Nigeria. There is no basis for clashes of interest. Hierarchy should and must be respected. The Constitution and Uniform Bye-Laws of AWLA 2020 clearly stipulates this. Why a few rebellious and  disgruntled elements in the Association think they can act contrary to the Constitution and Uniform bye laws of the Association leaves one in utter consternation.

It is worthy of note that Efe Etomi was  saddled with the responsibility as the Chairperson of the Constitution Review Committee to come up with the proposed Uniform bye- laws for AWLA in 2019 but same  is claiming ignorance of the Bye-laws in 2023 and also claimed not to know her immediate predecessor in office Peju Oduye -Quadri. Awla sure got a bull in a china shop. See Annexture  ‘A42-44”, the Handover note and documents  via email with the financial reports.

 

Why the smear campaign on  Mrs. Asagba (President of AWLA)  who left  office in 2019 as President of AWLA Nigeria and handed over to Peju Oduye-Quadri the  immediate predecessor of  EFE ETOMI???

 

It is perplexing to observe these members of our revered profession ascend to power through illicit means, despite lacking qualifications and a history of commitment to the Association. These individuals (CAROLINE IBHARUNAEFE and  her cronies) having never held leadership roles in the Association nor contributed to the Association, has seized the highest national positions through questionable tactics. Rather than graciously relinquish power, they opt to employ unscrupulous methods to maintain their illegitimate position, disregarding the harm and embarrassment inflicted upon the Association.

 

We urge the members of public to discountenance all the falsehood, baseless and unfounded allegations used to malign the character of the President of the Association whose antecedents in leadership of AWLA Nigeria earned her the highest position in the Association at the world level. To imagine Caroline Ibharuneafe who never attended meetings and or events of the Association nor held any executive position in the Association to be imposed as Country Representative of AWLA Nigeria only to perpetuate her self to continue her rebellion and smear campaigns. They have totally lost focus and have turned the Association to a political battlefield to grab power by hook or by crook.

 

Regretably, rather than emulate good leadership that turned the Association around for greatness in less than 6 weeks of ascension decided to tow the path of destruction rather than build on the gains of her predecessors in office thus causing strife, dissension and bitterness that has crushed the morals of the committed and dedicated members, impugned the image of the association and crushed the sisterhood. Quite a nightmare for members, sister organizations and partners

 

Maturity is learning to walk away from people and situation that threaten your peace of mind, self respect, values, morals and self worth’. The truth is bitter and people hate it  but luckily the truth cannot be hidden for long. OUR SILENCE IS GOLDEN but it should not be taken for granted because resources, energy, time, sacrifices. services and efforts had been put into what AWLA, Nigeria have become today by those who are passionate with strong enthusiasm and commitment to AWLA, Nigeria and AWLA  Cause

 

In conclusion, it is important that members are properly guided to note that allowing an Exco whose tenure had expired and had submitted their report of stewardship to the BoT to turn around in utter disregard for the Constitution and uniform bye-laws of the Association to conduct an election that would usher in a valid and functional Exco will be tantamount to laying a dangerous precedent for the Association that has been painstakingly built over the years. It was not intended to deprive the immediate past country representative/ President  the right of handover rather to put things in proper perspective.

 

We urge all stakeholders to disregard the misleading petition and recognize the legitimacy of the current Executive leadership of AWLA Nigeria Chapter led by Mrs. Falilat Orire as the Country Representative/ National Coordinator

 

Long live AWLA Nigeria!

Long live AWLA!!!!

 

Thank you and God bless you

Yours Faithfully,

Signed

…………………………………………

Sakinah Adepeju Oduye-Quadri

Secretary General AWLA.

 

For: AWLA Executive Council and Committee

28/06/2024