There was drama at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos today when senior members of the bar accused Ecobank’s lawyer, A. O. Ogunba, SAN of disrespecting the bench in the matter between Honeywell Group and Ecobank.
It will be recalled that on 16th October, 2015, Ecobank, through A.O. Ogunba, SAN, sought ex parte orders against Honeywell before Justice Tsoho. When Justice Tsoho refused to grant the orders, Ogunba on the same day went to Justice Yunusa J. to seek for the granting of the ex parte orders. Ogunba later succeeded in procuring the ex parte orders from Justice Yunusa; who is currently answering allegation of corruption before the National Judicial Council. Ogunba made a huge scene by accusing the judge of nodding his head while listening to the oral argument of counsel to Honeywell.
This angered other senior members of the bar in the courtroom. In fact, two senior lawyers, Wahab Shittu and Dr. George Olushola Ogunyomi, stood up to address the court and both of them expressed displeasure at Ogunba’s attempt to ridicule the bench. The senior lawyers insisted that Ogunba’s conduct undermined the court, was disrespectful to the bench and totally unethical as junior lawyers and Student’s from the Law School were in court to witness the embarrassing scene. Both senior lawyers apologized on behalf of the bar and advised Ogunba to apologise to Justice Dagat. Ogunba failed to apologise and lawyers threatened to stage a walkout unless he did so. The situation was however brought under control.
Furthermore, Ogunba sought to move a motion to advertise the petition against Honeywell Group by bringing other processes in support of the motion. This move was opposed by lawyers to Honeywell and the court later struck Ecobank’s application. Honeywell had succeeded in moving both the court of Appeal and Justice Yunusa to vacate the exparte Orders earlier granted by Justice Yunusa. Dagat was transferred to the Federal High Court, Lagos, and he inherited the cases from Justice Yunusa. Justice Dagat has now adjourned to 26th September for ruling on all applications that were argued by both counsels in court today.