PETER DAUBRY ESQ,.

Delta State Ministry of Justice,

Ughelli Zonal Office,
18 Otor-Iwhreko Road, Ughelli,
Delta State.
08034045400

MANIFESTO OF PETER DAUBRY ESQ, CANDIDATE

CONTESTING FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE
NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, UGHELLI BRANCH.

Protocol:

My dear esteemed Senior advocates of Nigeria, revered past

chairmen of the branch, Leader & Elders of the Bar, learned
seniors and Colleagues, with utmost respect, I present myself to
you as a candidate vying for the office of the Chairman of our
beloved Branch.

Brief Profile:
My name is Peter Daubry Esq, I hail from Tuomo town in Burutu
Local Government Area of Delta state of Nigeria, a town under the
coverage of this Branch. I was born over 40 years ago. I attended
the Delta State University, Oleh Campus between 1997 and 2001
where I bagged an LL.B (Hons) in Law and attended the Nigerian
Law School, Lagos in 2002 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on
the 1st day of July 2003. After my call, I did my compulsory
National Assignment at Ondo state. Since my call I have been in
active legal practice (Private and public). I joined the Delta State
Ministry of Justice in the year, 2006 and have grown through the
ranks to the position of a Deputy Director. In 2019, I was posted
to the Ughelli zonal office of the Ministry of Justice and later
became the Head of the zonal office in 2021. I also have
experience in Bar administration as I have held the office of the
Secretary, Nigerian bar Association, Udu Branch 2020-2022
during which period I was also a member of the National
Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association. I have since
voluntarily transferred my membership to the Ughelli Branch
because of the close ties I have with majority of the members in
this Branch in the course of performing my official duties and the
fact that my home town is under the coverage of the Ughelli
Branch. I am an Associate member of the Institute of Chartered
Mediators And Conciliators (AICMC), Associate member of the
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) (ACrb).

What I intend to achieve if elected as Chairman:

 Strengthening the Unity of the Bar and its members:
In every sphere of human existence, there is bound to be
some misgivings and these misgivings can lead to some
pockets of disunity. The NBA, Ughelli Branch is not an
exception to this universal truth, I have observed few things
about this. It is also axiomatic that there can be no
meaningful development of any society be it the smallest
level of human interaction (the family) if members of that
society do not unite. That is why the drafters of the
Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-Law for
Branches 2015 (As amended in 2022) which is the
applicable instrument for the administration of the Branch
inserted as one of the objectives of the Branch in Article 2
(10) thus
“The objectives of the branch shall be:-
(10) to encourage social interaction and mutual help
among members”.

Gentlemen, if I am elected as Chairman of the branch, I will

in conjunction with past chairmen, leaders & elders of the
branch and other colleague ensure that appropriate steps
are taken to strengthen the unity of the members of the
Branch.
 Welfare of Members: An Association will be viable and
progressive if the welfare of its members is considered
paramount. With my little experience in life and social
interaction, I know that the interest of the members to
participate in the activities of an Association will increase
when the members know that priority is placed on their
welfare. No wonder our Association in Article 2(12) and
(14) of the Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-Law
for Branches 2015 (As amended in 2022) encourage the
Branch to institute and maintain a well-fare scheme for the
benefit of its members as one of the objectives the Branch
should pursue. If elected Chairman I shall with the support of
members of my Executive and the guidance of leaders &
elders of the Branch improve on the current welfare
package we have in the Branch by instituting a more
robust Welfare scheme for the Branch for the benefit
of members. I shall see to it that financial packages given
to member who invite the Branch to ceremonies is improved
by instituting a mechanism for its improvement. I shall
ensure that the Branch respond promptly to distress calls
from our members. The administration under my watch
will promptly respond to sick calls, the aged and the
physically challenged amongst us to the extent which our
capacity can carry. The Administration which I shall lead will
also prioritize the welfare of Young Lawyers. In achieving
this, I will in conjunction with members of the Branch revive
the Young Lawyers’ Forum which is one of the
constitutionally recognize Fora of the Nigerian Bar
Association. One of the purposes of the establishment of the
Young Lawyers Forum is to prepare young lawyers for the
leadership challenge of the Bar. Our Branch cannot be left
out in preparing our young lawyers for the challenges of
leadership of the Branch. Consequently, the Administration
which I will lead will give the young lawyers a sense of
belonging. As a former member of the Nigerian Bar
Association, Warri Branch as at then before Udu and Effurun
 branches were carved out of it, I know that there is a scheme
called “Young Lawyers’ subsidy” This scheme is to
encourage and support young lawyers to attend the NBA-
AGC. I shall with the approval of the House establish such a
scheme to encourage and support our young lawyers not
just to attend the NBA-AGC but other conferences geared
towards improving the skills of our young lawyers. As a
former Secretary of a Branch of the Udu branch of the NBA
who was solely responsible for the application of Stam &
Seal then, I shall ensure that the person assigned with the
responsibility of applying for Stamp & Seal for members
promptly do same and do a follow up with the National
secretariat to ensure that members get their seals promptly.
 Professional development: In the just concluded NBA-
NEC meeting held in Ilorin the capital of Kwara state on
Thursday the 15th day of May, 2025, one of the resolutions is,
the compulsory acquisition continuing professional
development points (CPD). That every lawyer needs to
acquire a certain amount of CPD point to be entitled to the
issuance of Annual Practicing licence. This CDP points are to
be acquired from attending conferences and seminars
approved by the Nigerian Bar Association Institute of
Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE). The
Administration which I will lead shall ensure that members
are encouraged to attend the approved conferences and
seminars by bringing the information promptly to the
attention of our members. I shall ensure that we organize
seminar on topical issues. Dearth of funds will not limit our
knowledge sharing experience as we shall where necessary
take advantage of technology in achieving this The seminars
which I will organize will have the approval of the NBA-ICLE
for the purposes of acquiring CPD points and knowledge/skill
improvement. We will do this by strengthening the Legal
Education Committee of our Branch. Our colleagues in
the academia will be very useful to us here as we
shall strengthen the Legal education committee with
 their wealth of experience; placing square pegs on
Square holes.
 NBA, Ughelli Bar Center: This is one area I will prioritize in
the administration which I will lead. As members of the
Branch, we are all aware of the state of our Bar center. I
must sincerely commend the past administrations for taking
the Bar Center to the stage it is now. I say this because they
have set the foundation for the Administration which I will
lead to build on. As lawyers we have to hold our meetings in
a decent environment. The current venue, that is, the
uncompleted Bar center where we hold our meetings is not
decent sight to behold. Consequently, the completion of
the NBA, Ughelli Bar Center is a top priority for me. I
will ensure that the Bar center is completed within the first
year anniversary of Taki g the Oath of office. To achieve this,
I will with the support of members of the Branch galvanize
and source for income internally and externally to
commence the process of completing the Bar center. I have
friends within and outside the bar to help us achieve this.

 Financial Probity: One of the qualities of a good leader is

ensuring that good ethical standards are maintained with
regards to the Finances of the Organization. That is why the
Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-Law for Branches in
Article 12(4) made it mandatory for the Treasurer and the
Financial Secretary to present statement of income and
expenditures and balance in the account of the branch at the
Branch executive council meeting and the monthly General
meetings of the Branch. Knowing the importance of
financial probity in the life of a man or a person in the
helms of affairs of an Association of this nature;
building public confidence, I shall direct and ensure
that the Treasurer and Financial Secretary perform
this constitutional mandate. We shall ensure that all
monies of the Branch are paid into the account(s) of the
Branch as no money belonging to the Branch will be paid
 into a private account as the Article 12(2) of the Uniform
Bye-Laws abhors the payment of the monies of the Branch
into a private account. The Provisions of the Uniform Bye-law
that is Article 12(1) makes it possible for the Branch to
have more than one accounts. Where it will not be
convenient to pay all the monies accruing to the Branch into
one account, I shall with the approval of the Branch open
another account in the name of the Branch to ensure that
the funds of the Branch are paid therein. For example, for
Welfare contributions/donations, the Branch can open a
Welfare account with the name “NIGERIAN BAR
ASSOCIATION, UGHELLI BRANCH WELFARE ACCOUNT.”
 Remuneration for Lawyers: We cannot claim oblivious of
the fact that lawyers are not fairly remunerated. We are also
aware of the Nigerian Bar Association Remuneration
Order 2023. We are not also ignorant of the problem of
enforcement of the order. I have identified that the
enforcement of this Order can take a multi-dimensional
approach. Monitoring colleagues alone as to whether they
are complying with the Order will not achieve the desired
result. I believe that putting measures to make it impossible
for the clients to have an alternative is also key to ensuring
that lawyers are fairly remunerated. If elected as a
Chairman, I will work with other branch Chairmen in Delta
Sate to see that a mechanism is put in place where clients
whom we render services to have no option than to comply
with the provisions of the Order. I recall that during the
administration of John Aikpokpo-Martins as the Chairman
of the NBA, Warri Branch, a Bill was sponsored at the floor of
the Delta State House of Assembly to ensure that lawyers
get 10% of legal fees from drafting conveyancing
documents. The Bill passed through 1 st and 2nd Readings, but
certain disagreement as regards what percentage will be
paid to Government as revenue led to the abandonment of
that Bill. If elected Chairman, I shall in collaboration with my
brother Chairmen from other Branches of the NBA in Delta
 State make further inquiries about the said Bill with a view to
sponsor it afresh. We shall liaise with our members in the
Delta State House of Assembly to achieve this objective.

 Relationship with the Bench and the promotion and

Improvement of the administration of Justice. The
Administration which I will lead shall maintain a cordial
relationship with the Bench having behind our mind the
honour and independence of the Bar and the Judiciary. The
promotion and improvement of the administration of Justice,
its procedure and the arrangement of the court process
which is one of the objectives of the Branch as encapsulated
in Article 2(5) of the Nigerian Bar Association Uniform Bye-
Law for Branches will be pursued by our administration. I
have already taken certain steps which has yielded fruit in
this aspect even when I have not been elected as the
Chairman of the Branch. I believe most of us have seen the
giant screen at the High Court 1, Ughelli. That Giant screen
was provided by the Delta State Ministry of Justice to
conduct Virtual (Remote) Court proceeding which will link
the Nigerian Correctional Services with the court. Though the
primary purpose is for it to be used for Criminal cases, but I
know with time Civil cases will be included. Without praising
myself but stating the facts as they are, it took my influence
to ensuring that the installation of the equipment for the
Virtual court were diverted from Warri to Ughelli as I made a
strong case for the installation of the equipment at the
Ughelli High Court despite the fact that it will in the long run
negatively affect my financial interest. But I do not have a
regret in doing that as I consider the general interest above
my own interest.
 Relationship with Security Agencies: often times, our
duty call brings us in constant contact with the men and
officers of the Nigerian Police Force and other Security
agencies. Sometimes friction arises between colleagues and
law enforcement agencies while in the discharge of their
 duties. We shall ensure a smooth working relationship with
law enforcement agencies without compromising the
independence and integrity of the Bar.
 Relationship with colleagues: In the course of our
Administration, I shall maintain a cordial relationship with
other members of the executive, past chairmen, executives,
leaders, elder and colleague. We shall consult widely before
taking any sensitive decision affecting the interest of the
bar/branch.

 I shall at this juncture address certain campaign of calumny

being peddled by certain group of persons who want to
sacrifice competence on the altar of sentiment. According to
them, I am new in the branch and as such, if in become the
chairman, it will be a slap on the branch. I humble stated
that though my official joining the branch may not have been
long, but I have been around the branch and participate in
the branch activities since 2019 when I was posted here. I
make bold to say that I am not a stranger in the branch.
Moreover, with the short time I became a member of the
branch officially, I have actively participated in the activities
of the branch more than certain persons who have been in
the branch for donkey years. I do not think performance
and/or competence has anything to do with how long you
have been in a place, if it were to be so then most of us will
not be disenchanted about the administration of those
persons who have been in the branch for years.

 My dear esteemed colleagues, this election provides another

opportunity for us to determine the fate of the branch for the
next two years. The decision you will take in the coming
days will either make or mar the prospect of this great
branch. Make a decision that is not beclouded with
sentiment. Vote for a candidate that has an independent
mind, a candidate who desires and ready to serve. and that
is what I, Peter Daubry represent.
 Conclusion: My dear distinguished learned silks, past
chairmen, leaders & elders of the branch, learned seniors
and colleague, there may be areas that you may want an
improvement which I may not have covered in this
manifesto, but I want to assure you that I will welcome
meaningful suggestions as the task of moving the Branch
forward is a collective one. My duty and that of those who
will be in the executive is to steer the ship of Ughelli branch.

 Flowing from the foregoing I beseech you to support my

aspiration of becoming the next Chairman of the Branch
and Cast your votes for me in the election.
 Thank you for your patience.

Peter Daubry Esq. AICMC, ACrb(UK).

Candidate for the Office o Chairman,
NBA, Ughelli Branch.