WITH, perhaps an exception of one or two in Nigeria, no other lawyer can boast of expounding the nation's jurisprudence in election matters as Chief Michael Ikenna Ahamba has done.Noted for his incisive arguments and deep knowledge of the law, the respected legal luminary has, today, become an icon in election petitions matters. Those, whose paths have crossed his in court, cannot but acknowledge his uncommon intellectual ability and advocacy skill.With his legal views on constitutional development widely respected, there is little no wonder then, that he remains one of the nation's respected legal minds, with one of the highest appearances at the Supreme Court in constitutional matters.Although, Chief Ahamba's foray into election petition matters started in 1983, when he was active from the lowest courts up to the Supreme Court, his legal prowess however came to the limelight in the two presidential election petitions of 2003 and 2007, during which he represented the All Nigeria Peoples Party, (ANPP)'s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.It is note worthy that through his persuasive skill and legal sagacity in one of such appearances, the result of the election record that brought the late President Musa Yar'Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan to power in 2007 was nearly voided by the Supreme Court.Incidentally, the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN), Justice Mariam Mukhtar Aloama was one of the three Supreme Court Justices that gave dissenting judgment on the appeal.In determining the final judgment in the election appeal that was filed by Buhari, whereas the quartet of Justices Idris Kutigi, Katsina-Alu, Niki Tobi and Musdapher, dismissed the appeal, Justice Mukhtar, George Oguntade and Walter Onnoghen, in their dissenting judgment, maintained that the allegation of substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2006, was proved by the petitioner.Although, that judgment has remained a reference point in election petition matters, Chief Ahamba in his usual humility gave the credit to General Buhari for believing in his ability to handle the matter and giving him the opportunity to show case his skills.He spoke of that matter thus: ' I am so grateful to Buhari for the opportunity and for understanding, because one thing that can happen to a lawyer is when your client loses out mid-way and you are left without a client, you can not do anything, even to sit back and say, why should the judiciary do this' Why should the judiciary not do that''Unless somebody who has locus standi brings a lawyer, no matter what the lawyer thinks about the exoneration of the defendant, nothing will happen.' So it is important that you have a client who believes in his case and prepared to go all the way, not just for his sake but for betterment of the society and that's what Buhari did'.Noted for his hate for injustice, Ahamba enjoyed giving free legal services to the indigent, or what is known in legal parlance as Pro Bono.He has even thrown himself to defend people, who are being cheated by those who think they are powerful, because the joy he derived in equity was at par with his hatred for injustice and oppression.The legal icon has also chosen the motto: 'Justice to all, at all times, at all cost', as a reflection of his belief.Today, Ahamba has affected the lives of many Nigerians positively by spending his professional time and resources, trying to stop oppression and defending the poor.Ironically, Chief Ahamba's inspiration to read law came through a dream he had when he was only in Standard Two. In that dream, he saw himself wearing a black robe going through a car park and a well -partitioned hall.The dream was also reinforced during Justice Coker's Commission of Inquiry and Chief Obafemi Awolowo's treason trial, during his secondary school days.He said: 'I enjoyed the legal arguments of the lawyers in the trial, who included Chief Richard Akinjide, and the pictures of lawyers carried often on the front pages of newspapers.It re-enforced my determination to become a lawyer'.That dream came true in 1974, on his first appearance as a State Counsel at an Ogoja High Court.Today, Chief Ahamba's dream has become reality in which he has carved a niche for himself as one of the brightest legal minds in the country.Shortly after his National Youth Service, Corps (NYSC) programme, the late Justice Ndoma-Egba, father of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba asked him to manage his law chamber at Ogoja when he was appointed a judge.But he declined the invitation and went back to Aba to be close his people.It is on record that he was still active in practice even as an elected member of Imo State House of Assembly, without compromising his responsibility in the House.When his eligibility to continue practicing was challenged, he threatened to resign his position in the House before his argument was sustained by the then Minister of Justice.Ahamba, relishing that period, said: ' I would have resigned if I was told me to stop practising because I knew that the salary in the House could not carry my responsibilities and I did not know how to make the extra'.For his contribution to the development of law in Nigeria, he was elevated to the rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1992.Born into the family of the late politician, teacher, author and traditional ruler, HRH Eze S. M. Ahamba (M.O.N.), the Orji 1 of Lorji on June 18, 1947 at Lorji in Aboh-Mbaise Local Council of Imo State, Ahamba, had his early education at St Stephen's Primary, School Umuahia, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1959.The second child and only son in a family of eight, he also attended Ngwa High School, Aba and obtained his West African School Certificate in 1964 and the General Certificate Examination, 'O' Level in 1965.He later proceeded to read law at the University of Nigeria (UNN), Enugu Campus and after the Civil War in 1970, bagged his LLB. Hons in 1973 and was called to Bar on June 28, 1974.After his mandatory National Youth Service Corps programme (NYSC) in the then South ' Eastern State between 1974 ' 1975, he started his legal tutelage under A. A. Ononuju, who was to become a judge, at Aba.He later moved on to open his own firm on November 1, 1976 at No. 12, Wethedral Road Owerri, from where he contested and was elected a member of the State House of Assembly in 1979.He was Minority Chief Whip (1979 ' 1983) as well as a former stalwart of the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC).Apart from his achievements in the legal field and politics, Ahamba, often described as a man of the people, has an active social life being a son of a traditional ruler.Some of the positions he has held include, President, Rotary Club of Owerri. (1987/88), Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association Owerri Branch,(1988 ' 1990), Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch (1996 ' 98) Member, General Council of the Bar (1989 ' 1992), Member, Legal Aid Council, (1990-1993), Member, International Bar Association (IBA), Council Member, Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) (2001-2004). Past member of the NBA National Executive Committee, Past Registrar, Diocese of Owerri (Anglican communion) (1985 ' 98),Knight of Saint Christopher, KSC (1988) and a recipient of the 1992 UNN. Alumni Association (Owerri Branch) Excellence Award, Ahamba was also a recipient of the 1992 Aboh -Mbaise Local Government Honours award and Justice of Wisdom Award (Obafemi Awolowo University Law society) (1990).He also received the UNN Alumnus of High Achievement (ALOHA) Award, in 2007 and UNN Alumni 50th Independent Celebration Role Award 2010.For his contribution to the development of his community, he was awarded the traditional title of Ugo Chinyere Lorji, in 1980.He also holds the titles of Dulu Okaa-Omee of MbutuAutonomous Community, in Aboh-Mbaise in 1981, Eziokwu bu Ndu 1 of Amuzu Autonomous Community, Aboh-Mbaise, 1982, Nze Ogbuagu 1 of Lorji, Aboh-Mbaise, 1985, Oyiri Akola of Amainyi, Ihitte/Uboma, 2000, Chi Ga ' Emezu of Aba, 2002, Ugoha 1 of Diakuma Autonomous Community Onuimo Local Council in Imo State (2008).He has authored several books, which include, Thinking Aloud On the 1979 Constitution (1982), and Twin Pillars of Unity (Freedom and Justice)(1991)He has also delivered several lectures in universities and other higher institutions of learning, some of which are Nigeria and the United States of America, as Partners in the Development of the Global village in 1999 and The Intellectual statement of reluctant rebel' at the Ahiara Declaration Colloquium held at Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government area of Imo State in honour of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on February 17, 2012.A very fulfilled man, Ahamba's only regret is the fact that the corruption, misconduct and irregularities in the judiciary are now obvious to the public.He likes watching sports on television, such as, American football, soccer, and female lawn tennis.He adored Hogan Bassey for bringing honour and dignity to sports as well as enhancing its earning capacity.For role models, Ahamba chose Mahatma Ghandi, Abraham Lincoln and Nelson Mandela.He says Abraham Lincoln made history by bringing equality to humanity, while Ghandi proved that you can achieve everything you want to achieve without staying away from the common man, fighting for India's independence without intention of being the president.'The same thing happened to Mandela who fought for majority rule.It is the selflessness of these people that motivates me and that is what is lacking in our politics.'I do not mention great Nigeria politicians like Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo because they all had some private agenda,' he saidChief Ahamba's marriage is blessed with a lawyer son, who has given him two grand children.
Click here to read full news..
