The Democratic Watchdog of Nigeria, DWN, has said that it has observed with keen interest, the manner with which a Senior Lawyer, Mr. Ehiogie West Idahosa, has been serially disobeying fundamental legal rules, contrary to the norms of the learned profession.
The displeasure was contained in a statement signed on behalf of the Coalition by Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, which was made available to Newsmen on Saturday evening.
The Coalition observed that Mr. Idahosa raised a petition to Abubakar Malami, SAN, the Minister of Justice and a Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, in which he misled the AGF to issue instructions to the Police High Command to intervene in the faceoff in the Edo State House of Assembly, even as the matter is before the court.
In his words, Dr. Nwambu said: “Mr. Ehiogie West Idahosa, via a petition addressed to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, misled the AGF to issue instructions to the IGP, and intervene in a matter bothering on the Edo State House of Assembly, which is already in court.
“This is a clear case of subjudice. It is our firm belief that Abubakar Malami (SAN) as the Chief Law Officer of the country, ought not to let West Idahosa mislead him, being acquainted with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Again, Mr. Ehiogie West Idahosa is fond of leading litigation as Counsel for and against the same Client, on the same subject matter, and before the same court (the Federal High Court). Refer to the case of Bishop Osadolor Ochei v. EFCC and Oshiomhole (Suit No.FHC/ABJ/CS/2018), wherein Mr. West Idahosa was Counsel for a party suing against Adams Oshiomhole as Respondent, in respect of a fraud case bothering on contract inflation on the cost of Edo Specialist (Central) Hospital project. Another contradiction to the rules of the profession.”
The Coalition therefore, called on the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, LPPC, and the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Disciplinary Committee, to mete out stiff sanctions against Mr. Ehiogie West Idahosa, as a serial violator of fundamental legal rules.