By Prof. Ernest Ojukwu, SAN

Today, February 6, 2025, marks the 60th birthday of a relentless advocate for obedience to the rule of law- Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN. As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on his profound contributions to the legal profession, his impactful tenure as the 31st President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and his unwavering commitment to justice, democracy, and nation-building.

From his early days at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained his LL.B, to his call to the Nigerian Bar in 1990, Maikyau, SAN, has demonstrated an unyielding dedication to the legal profession and service to the legal community.

During his tenure as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) from 2022 to 2024, Maikyau, SAN, left an indelible mark on the legal profession. Under his leadership, the NBA witnessed significant reforms, innovation, and advocacy for a better judiciary and a stronger legal framework for the nation. His administration was defined by:

  1. Strengthening the Independence of the Judiciary: Maikyau, SAN, was an unwavering voice against judicial interference and political manipulation. He championed the welfare of judicial officers, advocating for better working conditions, financial autonomy, and security for judges across all levels.
  2. Advancing Legal Education and Capacity Building: Recognizing the need for continuous legal education, he spearheaded programs to enhance the professional development of lawyers, ensuring that members of the Bar remained competitive on the global stage.
  3. Welfare and Well-being of Lawyers: A champion of the Bar, Maikyau, SAN, prioritized the welfare of legal practitioners, introducing policies that enhanced access to health insurance, professional support, and financial sustainability for lawyers, particularly with the enactment of a new professional fee regime for lawyers- the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Order.
  4. A New Legal Practitioners Act (Bill) 2024 (YC’s Law): Maikyau navigated the thorny lines of compromise following regulatory bodies’ face-off that had lingered since the presentation of the Legal Profession Regulation Bill to get a compromise between the Bar and the Body of Benchers and produce a draft Legal Practitioners Bill that the Hon Attorney General of the Federation is happily going to present for enactment as an executive bill. This draft LPA will among other things solve our greatest challenge- inefficient disciplinary regime for lawyers. The Bill empowers the Body of Benchers to appointment limitless number of persons to the Disciplinary Committee to sit in panels in divisions of the country and creates an Ethics Adherence and Enforcement Committee. Previous attempts to reshape the legal profession with a new Legal Practitioners Act had failed. We had presented the following LPAs in the past- LPA 2004 (Wole Olanipekun), LPA 2007 (Olisa Agbakoba), LPA 2012(JB Daudu) and the Legal Profession Regulation Bill (AB Mahmud). We pray that YC’s Bill goes through this time so we can begin the re-engineering of the Nigerian legal profession and its professionals in terms of real ethical responsibility to the Nation and the world.

Perhaps the biggest contribution to the legal profession and Nigeria by YC, is the enactment and gazetting of the 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitions with the inclusion of Part 2 that addressess the Guidelines and Rules on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism for Legal Practitioners; the appointment of a self regulatory NBA Anti-Money Laundering Committee and the gazetting of the Anti-Money Laundering Examination Rules and Protocols. YC championed and led these milestones that will forever enhance Nigeria’s Legal Profession’s contribution and global ranking in the fight against the scourge of money laundering and terrorism financing. YC’ effort along this line, has raised our standing as a responsible profession that can internally self-regulate its members without the undue interference of other regulatory agencies in manners that can destroy the rule of law and access to justice.

As a Mentor, Leader, and Humanitarian- Beyond his professional achievements, Yakubu Maikyau is known for his humility, generosity, and unwavering commitment to mentoring young lawyers. His humanitarian efforts extend beyond the legal space, as he has consistently supported initiatives that promote access to justice for the indigent, social welfare, and community development.

As Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, turns 60, we celebrate a man whose life has been dedicated to the pursuit of justice, the defense of the rule of law, and the advancement of the legal profession. His impact will continue to shape the future of the Nigerian Bar and inspire many in the legal community.

On this special occasion, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to him. May this new chapter bring even greater accomplishments, good health, and fulfillment.

Happy 60th Birthday, YC!

Teacher