As part of its efforts to enhance the professional capacity of legal officers in the state, the Edo State Government, through the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the Nigerian Bar Association Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE), has concluded a two-day intensive legal training for public legal professionals.
The training was fully accredited for Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) points and covered areas such as civil litigation, prosecution, and legal brief writing, in line with the NBA’s mandate requiring attorneys to maintain active practice licenses through ongoing education.
Delivering the keynote address, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, described the training as a timely intervention to improve legal drafting and advocacy across the Ministry.
He raised concerns over the declining quality of legal briefs by some state counsels, stressing the importance of clarity, depth, and precision in legal writing.
“A legal officer’s responsibility is to persuade the court with arguments that are precise, strategic, and grounded in the law,” Dr. Osagie said.
Speaking on the topic, “The NBA’s MCPD Regulations,” the Attorney General noted that attorneys who fail to meet the required CPD hours risk losing their NBA Stamp and Seal, essential for legal documentation and court processes.
He commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his continued support to the legal sector, including the sponsorship of legal officials to international conferences.
Earlier in her remarks, the Director-General of JOOPSA, Mrs. Gina Otamere, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to professional development and capacity building.
She appreciated the Governor for his visionary leadership and the Head of Service, Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, for his guidance.
The training featured expert sessions led by retired Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Esohe Frances Ikponmwen, who emphasized structure and clarity in legal briefs; Mr. Sylvester Imhanobe, Esq., who facilitated prosecution techniques; and Mrs. Victoria Adeleye, who handled civil litigation.
Ethics in public service was addressed by Barr. T.E. Ulinfoh.
