The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Barrister Ugochukwu Agballah has been named the '2022 Democracy Man of the Year Award' of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Oji River Branch, Enugu State, in recognition of his contributions to the deepening of democratic competitiveness in the State.
The association of lawyers practicing under the Oji River Judicial division, said Agballah was chosen for the honour due to his doggedness in providing a credible political platform of choice to the people of Enugu State, especially since his emergence as the State APC Chairman on 16th October, 2021 after what it described as a keenly contested election.
The Award ceremony which was held on Thursday, 8th December, 2022 at the Justice Umezuluike Hall of the Enugu State High Court premises, attracted top politicians, Judges, and senior lawyers from across the country.
In his speech at the occasion, the Chairman of Oji River branch of NBA, Barrister Seth Nwokolo said the relentless and historical contributions of Barrister Ugochukwu Agballah to the political and democratic evolution of Enugu State under the current democratic experience, qualified him for the award from among the long list of nominees.
Speaking on the theme; "Electioneering And National Conscience: Any Role For Lawyers?", the President of the Enugu State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice George Nnamani, who was the Guest Speaker at the occasion, noted the need for the electorate to use the powers of the ballot box to bring about transformational leadership in the State.
The Administrative Judge of the Oji River Judicial Division, Hon. Justice C.V.C Ezeugwu; Hon. Justice C. O. Ajah; Hon. Justice E. N. Oluedo; and His Worship, A. C. Ubani of the Abia State Judiciary, as well as His Worship, N. N. Ngene of the Ebonyi State Judiciary, were among judicial officers that graced the occasion.
While, Chief Uba Anene, Governor of the Eastern Bar Forum;
Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN; Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN; and the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Enugu Branch, Chief CNN Nwagbara, led hundreds of lawyers at the event.
