THE NBA HAS A LOT TO DO TO SPEAK FOR THE VOICELESS’ – Barr. Ubani

Barr. Mondau Ubani

For Barr. Onyekachi Monday Ubani, the year 2019 has been one of great joy for him. His son, Obinna was recently called to bar while he bagged two awards, one of which is the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) award in Humanitarian service category. The unashamed lover of God uses every opportunity to direct his gratitude to GOD for all the successes he has achieved in his life, career, family and service to the nation.

The award winner spoke with Trek Africa Newspaper’s Oki Samson and Sidney Nwachukwu after the awards ceremony about his relationship with journalists, staff at Ubani and Co. and current affairs in the nation.

Trek Africa Newspaper: Can we meet you?

Barr. Ubani: I am Onyekachi Monday Ubani. I am a legal practitioner and the immediate past second vice president of the Nigerian Bar Association

Trek Africa Newspaper: How do you feel about the award by Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria?

Barr. Ubani: It is a thing of joy and glory to the Almighty especially in an area where not many are excelling – humanitarian organizations. I know what the poor go through in a country like this where there are no social services. I have been contributing my own little quota using law as instrument to help the masses. Most of the cases I handle are pro bono.

My foundation, Onyekachi Ubani Foundation has been at the forefront of helping a lot of poor people with small amount of money to those who want to start small scale businesses. Of course you are aware of what we did with Baby Sumaya who we took to India, Josephine Ogu, a woman who found N12 million, who has just been rewarded with a house by the Federal Government, Enugu state government named a street after her, FAAN gave her a job. I also run a scholarship for my people in the village who gain admission to read medicine, law and accounting.

GOD has been very merciful to me so if a body like CRAN remembers you for a distinguished award, it is something to cheer. I didn’t initially take the award seriously but when I see persons whom we shared the podium like the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, AIG Iliyasu Ahmed, a competent crime buster, DCP Abba Kyari, TVC’s Ivy Kanu and even the crowd at the event, I can say it is a well organized event. We do these things, even though GOD sees and rewards, it is good when people around see and appreciate the contribution to humanity. So I am grateful to GOD.

L-R: Barr. Monday Ubani being Presented with an Award for his Humanitaruian Services by the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, AIG Iliyasu Ahmed during the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) Award and Lecture at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Trek Africa Newspaper: What will you do differently if you become the President of Nigerian Bar Association?

Barr. Ubani: If I am giving the opportunity to be the NBA President, the knowledge I have gathered as second Vice President will put me in good stead to carry the NBA forward. I can never forget the knowledge of moving with the northern colleagues which will be an everlasting relationship. I met many great lawyers from the northern region, I went to virtually all the states in the North. Apart from serving in Kano, I have never had the opportunity of being in the North as you know I am from the East and I practice in Lagos. The NBA has a lot to do to speak for the voiceless and oppressed. As a body, it must insist that the government carry out law reforms, enact laws that will affect lives of people, insist that government obey the rule of law and ensure that lawyers live disciplined lives. We can’t lose our respect and expect that we will make changes in the society. The respect will only come if we behave as people who are learned and honorable. We must also insist that judges are upright. When people have confidence in the judiciary, they will want to resolve their issues in the courts rather than take law into their hands.

We must also address the issue of welfare of lawyers. There must be a minimum amount that lawyers earn from wherever they work. There should also be a review of the fees that lawyers charge. We must enhance the dignity of the profession. These are things we will put into consideration when the opportunity presents itself. The situation where lawyers are slapped by security officers is unacceptable. Lawyers must be respected, likewise the security agents.

Trek Africa Newspaper: What’s your relationship like with journalists?

Barr. Ubani: I have a longstanding relationship with journalists. You can’t do without journalists. What makes journalists have high regard for you is that when they call you at any point in time, you respond to them. There is no way I will receive a call from journalists about national issues and I will not respond. That’s why every time I hold press conferences, they turn out in their number. The relationship is symbiotic.

DCP Abba Kyari (2nd left) in a warmth handshake with Barr. Monday Ubani (M) shortly after being honored with an award in Humanitarian Service category by CRAN at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Trek Africa Newspaper: What do you have to say concerning the state of affairs in the nation?

Barr. Ubani: There is no country where rule of law is not respected that gains international recognition because the world has become a global village. It is an embarrassment if we have governments at various levels not obeying court orders. People will become lawless and you will destroy the country.

In 20, 30 years, the issue of Walter Onnoghen may crop up again and we know the mistakes we made. I am not talking about right or wrong but the procedure in removing Onnoghen is wrong and it is not a precedent that should be followed by anybody.

If you disobey court order, it is impunity which is not the change you promised. There are things you condemned in previous governments you shouldn’t repeat the same. There is poverty in the land. There is no day that I don’t transfer money to at least 25 people. We want things that will create prosperity, sanity and love in the society. Even the appointments are lopsided and you do it with so much impunity. There can’t be peace when leadership is not exhibiting love towards the society.

Trek Africa Newspaper: What is your thoughts about the third term agenda being mooted?

Barr. Ubani: The third term agenda is impracticable. The good thing about Nigeria is that there is always GOD Factor when any leader goes on such wrong step, GOD always intervene. Pres. Buhari is someone we respect, after the second term he should go home and rest.

Trek Africa Newspaper: For Ubani and Co. how are you taking advantage of innovation?

Barr. Ubani: I attend courses to update myself because the world is been taken over by technology. We must move with the time, we must update ourselves. The basic thing is that we must grow with technology and update our knowledge which is the only way we can succeed. Even though I believe we cannot eliminate the human factor despite Artificial Intelligence because it is also humans that design the programs.

Trek Africa Newspaper: How is your relationship with your staff?

Barr. Ubani: You need to be liberal, show them you are a father and uncle. I have regard for my lawyers and they know what I desire. Most of them are competent and they show patience with me. We can disagree but we are a great family. My desire is to be Godly, I love God. My desire is to serve humanity and I will keep doing it. I believe I will live long. I will enjoy the fruit of this land. I will reap the fruit of my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Trek Africa Newspaper: Tell us about your wife?

Barr. Ubani: I call her the wife of my youth, Mrs. Faustina Ubani. She is a deaconess in the Assemblies of God Church. She is being there for me, prays for me and taking care of the children especially when I am so busy and traveling around, leading them in the path of God.