NGF crisis: Drama as lawyers ‘fight’ over Jang in court

 

Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, clashed in the open court over who was duly briefed by the factional chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, and governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, to represent him in the suit entered against him by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State.
Immediately the case was called-up in court, the two SANs, Chief Tayo Oyetibo and Paul Erokoro, separately announced their appearances, with each of them, insisting that he had the mandate of Governor Jang to file processes in opposition to the suit.
Both lawyers maintained that having been duly briefed by Jang regarding the matter, they proceeded with filing separate preliminary objections before the court seeking the dismissal of Fashola’s suit.
Following an argument that ensued between the two senior counsel over who should he allowed to represent Jang in the matter, Justice Peter Affen, decided to adjourn the case till July 3, to enable the SANs sort themselves out. Before adjourning the case, however, Justice Affen, who was visibly irked by the uncanny drama that played out, said he would not tolerate anyone bringing to his court confusion capable of exposing the judiciary to public ridicule.
Meanwhile, Fashola’s counsel, Professor Yemi Osibanjo, SAN, who appeared alongside Lagos-based human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, prayed the court to go ahead and dismiss Jang’s objection, despite who between the contending lawyers filed it.
Osibanjo vehemently opposed the idea of granting a stand-down in the matter to allow Governor Jang sort out the confusion. He said: “We do not need a stand down, as there are two counsel for a party, it is an abuse of court process. My Lord, this was the same confusion they brought to the Nigeria Governors Forum, now their plan is to bring the same confusion to this court.”
At that juncture, Justice Affen enjoined all the lawyers to act with caution, noting that the judiciary was in the spotlight again. He said that lawyers should not do anything that would erode the credibility, adding: “Let us not toe the line of the Nigeria Governors Forum. We are here to resolve their differences and not to add to it.”
Consequently, he held that in view of the conflict in representation, the best thing was to adjourn the case.