Port Harcourt Chamber Of Commerce Legal Adviser Bags Notary Public Appointment

The recent appointment and subsequent swearing-in of vibrant PHCCIMA legal adviser, Barr. Anthony Osundu Ezenwoko as Notary Public of Rivers state has been greatly applauded and described as another invaluable milestone in recognition of his growing credentials and efficient discharge of his professional legal obligations.

This was staked consensus of PHCCIMA members, well wishers among others who witnessed the historic swearing-in with 17 other lawyers before the Acting Chief Judge of Rivers state, Hon. Justice Daisy Okocha at the High court of justice to mark Rivers state Notary Public law personalities fit and proper to commence rendering services of private notary public.

Barr. Anthony Ezenwoko who doubles as PHCCIMA’s Director of Legal Matters and Chairman of the 2015 Constitutional Review Committee was called to Bar in 1998. After his National Youth Service program he had stints with renowned Allagoa & Allagoa and J.E Bisong Duncan and Associates before moving on to establish Renewal Chambers. He has been in active legal practice engaged in commercial law practice, litigation as well as alternative dispute resolution. Barr. Ezenwoko is also a chattered mediator and conciliator.

Addressing the newly sworn -in notaries public, Acting Chief Judge of Rivers state, Hon. Justice Daisy Okocha urged the lawyers to abide by the Notary Public Law and exert the required efforts for the public’s benefit. She demanded of them responsibility to which they have been called to serve saying that Notary public is a serious undertaking.

While urging them to complete all procedures in an accurate and efficient manner, she reeled out the responsibilities of the notary public saying notary public (or notaryor public notary) of the common law is a public officer constituted by law to serve the public in non-contentious matters usually concerned with estates, deeds, powers-of-attorney, and foreign and international business. According to her notary's main functions are to administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and statutory declarations , witness and authenticate the execution of certain classes of documents, take acknowledgments of deeds and other conveyances, protest notes and bills of exchange, provide notice of foreign drafts, prepare marine or ship's protests in cases of damage, provide exemplifications and notarial copies, and perform certain other official acts depending on the jurisdiction .

In Nigeria, Notaries are senior members of the Nigerian Bar Association who have been called to the Nigerian Bar for at least 7 years, prior to the day of appointment as Notary Public. They are Legal Practitioners who are qualified to authenticate, prepare, attest, verify, witness and certify original and copy legal documents for use in Nigeria and internationally. A notarial certification or authentication is generally recognized as an international “certification of authenticity”.

The Hague Convention gives international recognition to the office and seal of a Notary. Every Notary appointed in Nigeria is by law deemed as an Officer of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

PHCCIMA Exco, council, management, staff and entire membership congratulates him on this historic accomplishment.