Enome Amatey Set To Lead The Doyen Bar (NBA Calabar Branch

Enome Amatey Set To Lead The Doyen Bar (NBA Calabar Branch)

The Nigerian Bar Assication Calabar Branch (Doyen Bar) is set to have a change in its leadership in the forth coming election scheduled to hold on the 29th day of June, 2023. One of the leading candidates for the election is Enome J. Amatey, Esq. He is a former Chairman of the NBA Young Lawyers Forum of the branch. Amatey comes into the race with great experience in leadership having led the YLF of the branch between 2016 -2018 with several lofty projects among which includes the publication of the Seal Magazine ( an annual editorial of the forum) and organizing an impactful YLF submit etc. 

Having served also as Vice Chairman  of the Eastern Bar Forum YLF between 2017-2019, Amatey comes into the race with great experience in leadership, active participation in Bar activities (having served in various Committees  within the branch, the region and nationally) as well as a desire to create a viable Bar. His manifesto is replicated thus:

A VIABLE DOYEN BAR

Enome J. Amatey, Esq., Pnm., ChMC., MCAI. (Notary Public).

WHAT AM I BRINGING ON BOARD?

If elected into office, i will be bringing on board a wealth of experience in the running and administration of the Bar.

With the collaboration of members of the Bar, I shall hinge my administration on what I have termed "the PRIME Agenda" for ease of reference. The PRIME represents critical areas to which our attention will be channeled;

The PRIME Agenda

1. Proactive/Responsive Bar Secretariat, with quality turnaround time on member's needs:

Members of the Bar will agree that the Secretariat is a most critical component for effective service delivery to the Bar. A responsive Secretariat that anticipates the needs of members and takes proactive steps to meet them is the yearning of every lawyer. Under my administration, Bar business will be smooth and seamless with a dedicated line Branch members can call to resolve complaints and a fully functional email address that responds to email requests within reasonable time.

We will set up a feedback mechanism that allows members share concerns or make valuable contributions that will help improve our service. This will be done by sharing online Google forms to members as well as physical forms which members can use for the same purpose.

2. Robust Continuing Legal Education plan for the Doyen Bar:

There is little doubt that because lawyers are in the business of selling knowledge and providing knowledge based services, continuing legal education is a must have. Lawyers must continue to develop skill and understand the opportunities that exist across different areas of practice.

My administration will pay keen attention to legal education for lawyers by actively collaborating with the ICLE to develop a framework for how the service will be provided and for the issuance of certificates to members.

3. Independent and viable Bar, leading the charge in innovation and growth of the legal practice within the Calabar Bar:

The Bar, under my administration, will further establish itself as an independent Association capable of holding its own and taking the lead in introducing ideas that will advance the course of not just members, but the State at large. Therefore, members can expect a vocal Bar that is socially conscious and is always ready to engage the Government and other key stakeholders in a constructive way on how to move the State forward. This will of course, elevate the view of the Bar in the eyes of society.

4. Mental and physical wellness of lawyers through structured social and sporting events:

As a fitness enthusiast myself, and one who has greatly benefited from fitness and wellness programmes, I can speak boldly regarding the benefits of a well organised fitness program, which will be beneficial to members.

Therefore, we will scale up the fitness and sporting activities to improve the health of lawyers, by building on the already existing weekly fit and proper exercise. We will also introduce quarterly “games day” for engaging in all forms of sporting and gaming activities. We will introduce cocktails and karaoke nights at least once in every six (6) months,  to help us unwind and relax, away from the stress of work.

5. Effective and well structured welfare plan for members:

To my mind, the economic well-being of lawyers is overly important and cannot be overemphasized. We simply cannot deal with the issues confronting lawyers in terms of welfare by putting a band aid on the problem while the challenges fester. Therefore, as an administration, we will do everything within our power to enhance the earnings of lawyers.

Specifically, we intend to do the following: (I) Sponsor a Bill in the Cross River State House of Assembly to make it mandatory for all Customary Courts in the State to be chaired by Legal Practitioners. This will create employment for both young, old and retiring lawyers. (II) Sponsor a Bill in the House of Assembly to amend the Cross River State Land Instrument Registration Law to make it mandatory for all land instruments presented for registration to be authenticated by the Branch Chairman. This Bill will support our push for legal practitioners to earn what is actually due them when preparing land instruments, in line with the Legal PractitionersRemuneration Order, 2023. The Legal Practitioner only has to present the details of the transaction to the Bar and furnish his client with the designated Branch account for payment of the sum accessed for such instrument. These monies will be remitted to the said legal practitioner every quarter, under the Pay Yourself Per Quarter Scheme (PYPQ), with insignificant deductions of between 1 - 2.5% by the Branch. This will help lawyers earn the appropriate fees, while also encouraging savings.

In addition to the above PRIME Agenda, our administration will give laser-eyed focus to the following critical issues that concern the Bar:

1. Restoration of the Dignity and Respect of Lawyers - We will collaborate with relevant Security and Custodial Agencies, especially the Police to ensure that our colleagues who visit their offices in the discharge of their professional services are accorded the highest courtesy and respect. We shall insist that in line with the ACJL, the legal practitioner must be present when the statement of his client is being taken. Depending on the circumstance, where there is need to mount reasonable pressure, we will not shy away from doing same.

2. Appointment of Judges and Magistrates - we will increase the visibility and input of the Bar in the appointment of judicial officers. This will ensure that only the right quality of lawyers are elevated to the Bench.

3. Relationship Between the Bar and the Judiciary - We will sue for a harmonious relationship between the Bar and Judiciary, while insisting on speedy assignment of cases and timeous sitting by the courts. We will also curb the mindless exploitation of lawyers by clerks, Registrars, Bailiffs and other staffs of the judiciary.

4. As research is a viable tool in the effective dispensation of legal services, we will immediately furnish the library space donated to the Bar by the Judiciary at the High Court Complex. This will serve as a handy research point for Legal Practitioners.

5. With the advancement of technology, the world is evolving and the Doyen of the Bar cannot be left behind. My administration will  ensure that we introduce electronic voting, into our electioneering process. This will ensure that there is wider participation in the process and give all eligible members of the Doyen Bar the opportunity to be involved in the process of selecting her leaders, irrespective of their location.

It is on account of the above that I most respectfully present myself to you for consideration for the office of Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Calabar. It is my earnest hope that as you approach the polls, you will vote for ENOME AMATEY, as Branch Chairman for the injection of a breath of fresh air into the Doyen Bar. Vote for a people oriented leadership! Vote for a viable Bar!!