By Tom Garba-Yola
The 2025 Gabriel Adikwu & Co. Annual Lecture, held on Saturday, May 17, at the Government House Banquet Hall in Dougirei, Yola, marked a historic milestone with unprecedented attendance and high-profile participation.
Themed “The Law, The Court & The People,” the event solidified its reputation as a premier gathering for legal practitioners, drawing over 400 senior lawyers, 27 justices, and dignitaries from across Nigeria’s Northeast and beyond.
The lecture attracted luminaries such as NBA President Afam Osigwe SAN, Supreme Court Justice Hon. P.A. Galumje, and President of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice B.B. Kanyip.
Other notable attendees included Retired Justice of the Court of Appeal Hon. Justice Ita Mbaba OFR, Adamawa State Chief Judge Hon. Justice Hafsat Abdulrahaman, and Attorney General Barr. A.K. Jingi.
The Royal Father of the Day, Hon. Justice N. Musa (Wakilin Alkalai Adamawa, Rtd), added regal prestige to the occasion.
The event featured two compelling sessions. In the first, Justice Ita Mbaba delivered a paper titled The Court as the Last Hope of the Common Man: Current Realities and Concerns.
He urged judges to approach their duties with the fear of God, emphasizing their role as divine deputies in dispensing justice. Mbaba highlighted concerns over judicial and legal conduct, calling for greater accountability to uphold public trust.
The second session, led by Justice B.B. Kanyip, focused on Promoting and Enhancing Labour Justice: Role of Lawyers. Kanyip condemned employers’ mistreatment of job seekers and stressed the National Industrial Court’s specialized role in labour disputes.
He advised lawyers to prioritize out-of-court settlements to foster labour justice and cautioned against applying High Court practices in the NICN.
He further advised Adamawa state government to own the Adikwu annual lecture as it’s serve the generality of the people of the state and Nigeria at large.
Beyond its intellectual impact, the lecture served as a networking hub for lawyers and non-lawyers alike, fostering collaboration and professional growth. The event concluded with award presentations and goodwill messages from various bar associations, underscoring its unifying spirit.
Gabriel Adikwu & Co.’s Annual Lecture continues to expand its influence, bridging legal minds across Nigeria. Organizers attributed the event’s success to divine grace, expressing gratitude to all participants. As the legal community reflects on the insights shared, the 2025 edition has set a high bar for future gatherings.
