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At 92, Cameroonian President Paul Biya, the world's oldest head of state and leader since 1982, is facing pre-election c...
05/07/2025

At 92, Cameroonian President Paul Biya, the world's oldest head of state and leader since 1982, is facing pre-election challenges as key allies defect to run against him in the upcoming October elections. On June 26, Employment Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary resigned to announce his presidential candidacy for the Cameroon National Salvation Front.

Two days later, Minister of State Bello Bouba Maigari, a former prime minister and long-time ally leading the National Union for Democracy and Progress, also declared his presidential bid. Despite these defections, Biya's government and party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), appear unfazed.

The government tersely announced Tchiroma's replacement without acknowledging his resignation, while the CPDM's communications chief, Fame Ndongo, downplayed Maigari's challenge, stating that Biya had anticipated such departures as part of the normal political process in a liberal democracy. By party statute, Biya is the automatic presidential candidate for the CPDM, although he has not yet publicly confirmed his intention to run for re-election.

Spotlight on Afia Gyapomah Twumasi
03/07/2025

Spotlight on Afia Gyapomah Twumasi

The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, speaking at the 19th Annual International Business Law Conference of ...
03/07/2025

The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, speaking at the 19th Annual International Business Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), emphasized the critical need for collaborative regulation to manage the challenges of rapid technological advancements.

Represented by Alhaji Mahe Wali, Senior Counselor of the Kano Emirate Council and the Wali of Kano, he stressed that addressing these challenges in isolation is not feasible. Instead, he advocated for bringing together stakeholders from the legal, business, and technological sectors to create balanced laws that foster innovation while ensuring accountability.

The speech highlighted the importance of legal frameworks that support responsible technological advancement. Policymakers, in conjunction with legal experts, must ensure that laws governing Artificial Intelligence (AI), data usage, and business practices are not only adaptable to new paradigms but also protect individual rights and promote economic growth.

A key point was the imperative of aligning local laws with global standards, especially as Nigerian businesses aim for international expansion. The speaker warned against the "delusion of digital insulation," noting that Nigerian fintechs often operate on platforms governed by foreign entities, making it crucial for the nation's regulatory frameworks to reflect this global reality. The goal, he stated, should be to harmonize with international norms while prioritizing local needs, ensuring that law shapes innovation rather than merely chasing it.

Furthermore, the address underscored the potential for inequality in the wake of technological advancements. As AI and automation become more prevalent, there's an ethical obligation to ensure equitable access to technology and its benefits. Legal practitioners and businesses are urged to collaborate with communities to bridge the digital divide.

The speaker also called for advocacy for ethical standards in AI implementation, specifically safeguarding against algorithmic biases that could perpetuate discrimination and advocating for transparency in decision-making processes. He concluded by asserting that while technology can compute and optimize, it is humans who must decide what is fair, humane, and dignified. This necessitates cultivating a generation of legal professionals who are not only technically literate but also morally grounded, capable of asking the crucial ethical questions in the evolving technological landscape.

“Sometimes, your greatest strengths lie in the places you least expect.”
02/07/2025

“Sometimes, your greatest strengths lie in the places you least expect.”

Wishing you a fantastic new month! Get ready to be informed with our latest legal newsletter. We're covering Nigeria's m...
01/07/2025

Wishing you a fantastic new month!

Get ready to be informed with our latest legal newsletter. We're covering Nigeria's monumental $1 billion agricultural partnership, key rulings on sports and politics, and crucial discussions on AI's impact on law.

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Our Dignified Person Of The Week, Bola Tinubu (Country Managing Partner of DLA Piper Africa, Nigeria).
30/06/2025

Our Dignified Person Of The Week, Bola Tinubu (Country Managing Partner of DLA Piper Africa, Nigeria).

Wishing every new lawyer a seamless transition from law school to a rewarding, well-paying career.
12/06/2025

Wishing every new lawyer a seamless transition from law school to a rewarding, well-paying career.

Zambia is in mourning following the death of former President Edgar Lungu, who passed away last Thursday in a hospital i...
12/06/2025

Zambia is in mourning following the death of former President Edgar Lungu, who passed away last Thursday in a hospital in South Africa at the age of 68. Lungu, who served as president from 2015 to 2021, leaves behind a complex and "checkered" legacy marked by both significant achievements and notable controversies.

Lungu's presidency began in 2015 after the death of then-President Michael Sata. He secured a full term in 2016. His tenure was characterized by a push for infrastructure development, notably large-scale road construction projects aimed at improving connectivity within Zambia and to regional ports.

His government also initiated the compulsory National Health Insurance Scheme in 2018 and implemented constitutional reforms in his first term to limit presidential powers, alongside commuting death sentences for 332 prisoners. He also sought to diversify the economy away from its heavy reliance on copper. On the diplomatic front, Lungu was credited with strengthening Zambia's global ties and promoting regional cooperation.

However, Lungu's time in office was also plagued by considerable economic challenges. Zambia faced a deepening debt crisis, culminating in the country's first sovereign debt default in 2020. This period saw rising inflation and unemployment, and the Kwacha devalued significantly. Critics point to his administration's handling of public debt and economic mismanagement as key contributors to these woes.

Three years late, but perfectly on time.
10/06/2025

Three years late, but perfectly on time.

Baker McKenzie has appointed Sunny Mann, head of its international trade practice, as its new global chair, with his fou...
10/06/2025

Baker McKenzie has appointed Sunny Mann, head of its international trade practice, as its new global chair, with his four-year term commencing in October. Mann will succeed Milton Cheng, who has served since 2019.

This leadership transition marks a shift in the firm's global base from Singapore, where Cheng was located, to London, Mann's current base. Mann, a 25-year veteran of Baker McKenzie, specializes in advising prominent FTSE 100 and Fortune 100 companies on compliance and investigations related to export controls, trade sanctions, and anti-bribery regulations. His extensive experience includes working in the firm's offices in Washington D.C., New York, Sydney, and Hong Kong. He also leads the firm's geopolitical risks taskforce and directed its client support in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Mann will join the firm's global management committee, which, effective July 1, 2025, will comprise regional chief executives Alex Chadwick (EMEA), Colin Murray (Americas), and Steven Sieker (Asia Pacific), alongside partners Scott Brandman (New York), Amar Budarapu (Dallas), Pamela Church (New York), Matthew Dening (Riyadh), Andre Gan (Kuala Lumpur), Karen Guch (London), Isabella Liu (Hong Kong), and Christian Vocke (Frankfurt).

Mann expressed gratitude to Cheng and the outgoing leadership, looking forward to collaborating with the new global management committee and the firm's 13,000 colleagues across over 70 offices, emphasizing their collective global strength as a source of optimism.

Under Cheng's leadership, Baker McKenzie experienced significant growth, becoming the first global chair based in Asia for the firm. The firm's global annual revenue surpassed $3 billion in 2021, reaching $3.4 billion in the fiscal year ending June 2024, an increase from $2.92 billion in FY19. Cheng conveyed his pride in the firm's achievements during his tenure and expressed confidence in Mann's ability to further elevate Baker McKenzie, highlighting Mann's strong track record in practice building and leadership, as well as his commitment to the firm's core values.

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