A SPECIAL REPORT ON THE LIFIN COLLOQUIUM- THE APPLICATION OF TECHNICALITIES IN LITIGATION:AN AID OR ABATEMENT OF JUSTICE

The LEGAL IDEAS FORUM held her first Legal colloquium for 2019/2020 academic session on 25th November 2019 at Denca moot court Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Anambra State.It was also the first colloquium organized by the new executives who were inaugurated on 4th November 2019. An event that was professionally executed by a rising team of dedicated scholars who believe that the vision of the forum which is knowledge and Justice will be pursued tirelessly come what may.

The theme of the colloquium was THE APPLICATION OF TECHNICALITIES IN LITIGATION:AN AID OR ABATEMENT OF JUSTICE.

The event  which was slated to commence by  10:00 a.m, took off in full gear with Odinaka Zion as its official Comperé. The opening prayer was said by Miss Ogechukwu Prisca the Director for Finance and Revenue, after which the national anthem was taken.

The president of the Association,Mr. Stanislaus Azike gave an opening remark welcoming the delegates for the event after which he read out the LIFIN aims and objectives and also explained what the colloquium was all about.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr Azimba O. Azimba, whose lecture centered on the theme of the event. And from a practical standpoint with vast experience in litigation, he streamlined his presentation in way that the participants, guests and invitees were carried along seamlessly. With plethora of judicial authorities he highlighted the very numerous times and circumstances in which recourse has been made to technicalities in the Nigerian legal practice and how those cases has influenced the Nigerian legal system. In his seasoned lecture, he reiterated the fact that a good lawyer should know the law but a better law should also know how to apply them and when to execute a particular process since knowledge of the law alone is not sufficient to give one the desired result in a proceeding. He however admitted that the courts have a sacred duty to uphold Justice and in most deserving cases, Justice should not be sacrificed on the table of technicalities which will in the long run foist grave difficulty on a party who has already suffered injustice thereby entrenching double jeopardy as it were on the Nigerian people.

He Encouraged and appreciated the organizers of the event for putting up a platform with a good purpose of affording lawyers on equity the privilege to learn from people who have been there and doing well on the field. He was of the view that many new wigs find it hard to practice well because of very defective legal foundation and lack of willingness to learn.

The event also had a guest speaker,Barr Jeff Modeme,whose lecture centered on fundamental rights enforcement procedure in Nigeria. Being an advocate for human rights and civil liberties, He carried out a very exhaustive enquiry into the very nature of violations of human rights in Nigeria and the challenges of obtaining Justice for the very people who it need it most in the Nigerian courts. He decried the unfortunate contributions of the law enforcement agencies in Nigeria to the perpetration of injustice in utter disregard of the rule of law. He however stated the laws that regulates the enforcement of human rights in Nigeria and how actions on them are commenced.

The two speakers aptly demystified these aspects of law and were at intervals greeted with loud ovations by the attendees who were not only fascinated by how grounded they were in their ranks but also by the volume of information which poured out from the erudite scholars effortlessly. And evidently, the participants went home with a lot more knowledge and skills to be employed both presently and in the Future. The Question and answer session followed suit after the lectures with great discussions and conversations which showed that infact that the purpose of organizing the colloquium was acheived.

Mr. Offor Frederick and Lady Rose Uduji were on that day officially inducted as the Patron and Patroness of the association respectively with the task of promoting the aims and objectives of the association. A duty they dutifully accepted and pledged on their honor to carry out with dedication and commitment.

A goodwill message was delivered by the Patron who went further to present an award of recognition on behalf of the forum to the keynote speaker Dr. Azimba O. Azimba, Barr. ChitoJeff Modeme was also presented with an award of recognition. In appreciation for their contributions towards the development of legal education in Nigeria and their roles towards promoting Justice through effective legal practice.

The Closing remarks were given by the chairman board of directors Mr. Nwoye Chukwunwike, Who thanked the speakers and appreciated everyone that made out time to be present at the event.The closing prayer was said by the Vice Chairman board of directors Miss. Vivian Ugochukwu.

The event ended with picture splash and refreshments.

Present for the event are Members of Policy Analysis and Research Congress Igbariam chapter, Students from Social Science Faculty, the faculty of law and a host of others.

The forum therefore wishes to extend our sincere appreciation to all who made the event a success and hope that we will have more great times in the Future as we remain ever dedicated to the cause of knowledge and Justice.

Signed: