A drama ensued at a Lagos Federal High Court, on Thursday, when some senior lawyers accused a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Adekunle Ogunba, a lawyer ti Ecobank Plc, of disrespecting the bench in the matter between Honeywell Group and his client.

Ecobank Plc through Ogunba, (SAN) had on October 16, 2015, sought ex parte orders against Honeywell before Justice James Tsoho, who has been transfered to Abuja Division of the Court.

Though, Justice Tsoho refused granting the orders. But Ogunba (SAN) on the same day went to Justice Muhammes Yunusa, who has also been transfered out of Lagos Division of the court, to seek for the granting of the ex-parte orders.

Ogunba (SAN) however succeeded in procuring the ex-parte orders from Justice Yunusa; who is currently answering allegation of corruption before the National Judicial Council.

At the yesterday hearing of the Ecobank/Honeywell’s suit, Ogunba made a huge scene by accusing the judge of nodding his head while listening to the oral argument of counsel to Honeywell, Olanipekun.

Ogunba’s accusation against Justice Jude Dagat, angered some senior lawyers who were in the courtroom.

In fact, two of the senior lawyers, Wahab Shittu and Dr. George O. Ogunyomi, stood up to address the court and expressed displeasure at Ogunba’s attempt to ridicule the bench.

The senior lawyers stated that Ogunba’s conduct undermining the court, was total disrespectful to the bench and and described such as totally unethical, as junior lawyers and the Law School Students were in court to witness the embarrassing scene.

The two senior lawyers apologized on behalf of the bar and advised Ogunba to apologise to Justice Dagat. But Ogunba failed to apologise and lawyers threatened to stage a walkout unless he did so.

The situation was however brought under control by the presiding judge.

At the Thursday’s proceedings, Ogunba had sought to move a motion to advertise a winding up 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 however adjourned to September 26, for ruling on all applications that were argued by both counsels in court.http://thestreetreporters.com/?p=5497

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