Bright And Beautiful 

An exclusive interview with Barrister Ishie Konye 

So many fine and brilliant young women everywhere you turn. Nigerians are some of the most brilliant people in the world. Meet Barrister Ishie Konye one of the most beautiful, intelligent Lawyer, that is making the legal system of Nigeria proud. 

Konye is the CEO, BLAQ DIAMOND BOUTIQUE. She is a lawyer from Delta State who runs a luxury brand store with an e-commerce platform feature she categorized as — the Online Lawyer. This service offers BLAQ DIAMOND clients and other  Nigerians legal services. 

A-CHOICES: Tell us a bit about yourself, educational family background?

Konye: 

Just as you’ve rightly introduced, my name is Konye Ishie, a Nigerian from Delta  State. A Lawyer by profession and a fashion enthusiast. I studied Law at an undergraduate level at Delta State University, Oleh Campus. Got called to the  Nigerian bar, and furthered my Masters program in International Law, at the  University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield. England. I also have professional certifications in Business management consultancy and Human resources management. I come from a large and amazing family, growing up was beautiful as both my parents were there for me, every step of the way. 

A-CHOICES: What is BLAQ DIAMOND BOUTIQUE about?. 

Konye: 

I like to call it BLAQ DIAMOND FASHION STORE, actually because in there, we live and breathe fashion. She is female departmental clothing, shoes & accessories store. Sales of varying fashion pieces sourced from Europe, the UK & the U.S.A. We are located in the heart of Lagos, in Lekki Phase 1. We have an online and an offline store. 

A-CHOICES: Can you describe what influenced you to pursue a career as a lawyer? Konye: 

Growing up, I watched the way life was lived by people around me, I’m very inquisitive by nature, always looking to understand every and anything. I saw the many ways that those living hand to mouth are marginalised, shamed, and rendered invincible. As I grew older, I came to understand that knowledge is power and education is the great equaliser. Lawyers are justice’s emissaries. I am thankful every day that I get to serve the aims of justice, directly and indirectly.  Lawyers are very informed people, and I sure wanted to be one of such

A-CHOICES: In terms of your career choice, who has had the biggest influence? 

Konye: That has got to be “me”. I knew long time that I wanted this. It would have been my dad, but I have a father who would always support your career decisions while guiding you at it. 

A-CHOICES: The Nigeria Legal Industry is faced with a peculiar problem – the landscape of business is changing ever so fast; society is steadily and completely moving, but the profession is decidedly behind at all times. Would you say that the genesis of the problem is with the University teaching of Law that fails to evolve so as to at least acquaint law students with the reality of these changes? 

Konye: I may want to disagree with the statement that the profession is behind at all times. With recent technology, a lot has evolved with the legal profession. We now have streamlining lawyer/client communications, where lawyers can work remotely while diversifying the ways they communicate with clients, we also have automating eDiscovery, lawyers today now have most documents in digital formats. 

A-CHOICES: Law must keep changing to meet up with the exigencies of society.  In fact, newer laws should be made to solve newer problems and of course, it’s the duty of lawyers to be abreast of these novel laws in order not to lose touch with reality. What do you have to say? 

Konye: I support this a hundred percent. Change is constant, else the actually changes the law seeks to treat will be left unchanged for lack of updated information, newer practices, and circumstances. 

A-CHOICES: Can a Nigerian lawyer practice in the UK? 

Konye: Actually yes, but there are two options; Either restart from ground zero with a  UK LLB (Hon) degree and enter the vocational stage of the legal qualification pathways (For England and Wales, or Scotland, or Northern Ireland). OR use your Nigerian  LLB to enter the vocational stage, afterwards, land a 2-year pupillage under a  practicing barrister (for barristers). This stage will require you to have a visa that allows UK employment, or no one will hire you for this legal apprenticeship. The successful application and admission to the Law Society (for solicitors) or the Bar council in your chosen jurisdiction.

A-CHOICES: What makes a good lawyer? 

Konye: Passion for the Job, great communication skills, knowledge of the Law, and willingness to listen. 

A-CHOICES: Insecurity in Nigeria today is more dreadful than the civil war. Nigeria has assisted many countries in controlling and resolving problems of insecurity Chad, Liberia, Sudan, and Sierra Leone to mention a few. But Nigeria as a nation seemed to be deficient in the intellectual capacity needed to solve her problems? 

Konye: Like I always tell people, the security challenges being experienced in Nigeria today, range from those related to political evolution to economic and socio-cultural imbalances. Leadership at all levels of governance should be more constructive,  cooperative, and democratic in addressing corruption, poverty, illiteracy, ethnic conflicts, and ecological problems. 

A-CHOICES: What do you think are the solutions to these security challenges?

Konye: The government should curb these issues from the grassroot 

A-CHOICES: Are lawyers expected to always appear in court adorned in the traditional Black and White outfits? 

Konye: Yes they do, in Nigeria; it is a dress code required by the Nigeria Bar Association.  

A-CHOICES: The legal profession is NOT about fashion but the law which is a serious business as lawyers later become judges and they deal with serious issues that affect  ALL in the land. Today our legal system has deteriorated and this is evident in the new trending outfits adorned by our baby lawyers unlike in the past when our lawyers took pride in their dress code. These baby lawyers are setting a new fashion trend that does not translate to the seriousness of the profession they chose to be called to? 

Konye: There is a code of conduct for lawyers, which also includes the dressing. The  “baby” lawyers are not exactly in a new fashion trend for the profession. I personally believe it’s only a reflection of the modern-day lawyer, more classy outfits, fabrics, and design which does, not breach any of a lawyer’s required professional outlook. The profession’s seriousness isn’t tied to an outfit, but rather its values.

A-CHOICES: Given Nigeria’s growth in the last 5 years, where do you see the most opportunities for the legal industry? 

Konye: A scholar once posited that the secret of change is to focus all your energy not in fighting the old but on building the new. We should not be scared of change, one thing is certain and as rightly pointed out by the former President of the NBA, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud,  SAN. the current legal framework of the profession cannot handle the reality on the ground,  meaning that there is a need for change in the framework of the legal profession. Let us not forget, however, that meaningful change can only happen when all hands are on deck to shape the future of the legal profession. The Legal profession in Nigeria has come of age. Legal practice in Nigeria has a bright future but needs to expunge those factors that work against its progress while absorbing those factors that aid in its development. We cannot be assured of a glorious future if we sleep over the responsibilities and challenges that are thrust on the profession today. This is therefore a clarion call to the Federal government, National Judicial Council,  stakeholders, all judicial committees, Nigeria Bar Association, Leadership of various superior and inferior courts, legal practitioners and other concerned bodies to contribute their individual quota towards making the Legal profession in Nigeria, one of the best legal profession in the whole world and only then can we be assured of a glorious, glowing and glaring future of Legal practice in Nigeria. 

A-CHOICES: How do you think the legal profession will develop in the next 10 years? Konye: In the next 10 years, the legal profession will be very much digitalized 

A-CHOICES: Levels of female participation and representation in Nigerian politics are low. A sexist and patronage-based political culture, combined with gendered economic and household inequalities, are seen to be the main barriers to women’s participation in governance? 

Konye: This statement is very correct, quite unfortunate though. It’s sad to know that this is not just an African practice, but also all around the world. It is what it is, but change is inevitable and we have started to see a glimpse of that, we currently have about 6 women who are executive directors of top banks, female presidents, and the most recent Vice President of the USA. Change is coming, slowly but surely.

A-CHOICES: Gender-based violence is a common social problem in Nigeria, especially in the Northern parts of Nigeria. There has been an increase in the cases of domestic violence, sexual exploitation, forced early marriage, and rape of minors since the spate of Boko haram insurgency.? 

Konye: Gender-based violence has been in existence from time immemorial, social media and internet technology only opened our eyes to how much & frequently these things occur. It’s not exactly a Boko Haram factor. Sadly, this is the most difficult  problem we are been faced in Nigeria 

A-CHOICES: How to recognise emotional abuse in relationships? 

Konye: Emotional abuse is mostly characterised by a person’s words, actions, and the consistency of these behaviours; character assassination, humiliation, dismissiveness, and the likes.  

A-CHOICES: What suggestions do you have to make it safer for victim-survivors to come forward? 

Konye: To deal with this, one has to first trust their instincts, abuse is never anyone’s fault, avoid self-blame, seek help by talking to someone, preferably a therapist, avoid engaging with them, exit the relationship or circumstance, give yourself time to heal and most importantly, build a support network. 

A-CHOICES: What more do you think can be done to curtail the spread of HIV/AIDS  among women? 

Konye: To curtail the spread of HIV/AIDS in women, there’s really nothing other than more and more sensitisation, in churches, hospitals, schools, social gatherings,  conferences, just anywhere. Information is power 

A-CHOICES: You are an effective female lawyer. What drives you?

Konye: The fear of failure and poverty is my major driving force 

A-CHOICES: What is your typical day like? 

Konye: My typical day is built on research, not necessarily a serious one. Regardless the subject matter, I study any and everything, on my phone, Laptop, book, while engaging in any activity for the day. I’m mostly at my office Mon-Saturday, except I have a need to operate from home. 

A-CHOICES: How would you describe yourself? 

Konye: I’ll describe myself as an ALPHA FEMALE 

A-CHOICES: How have you been able to balance life as a lawyer with family responsibilities? 

Konye: Life as a Lawyer & family responsibilities isn’t so much of an issue, I work with my to-do lists for nearly everything. That helps me plan properly. No doubt it really becomes uncontrollably overwhelming at times, but mostly controlled. 

A-CHOICES: Do you have a mentor or role model who is helping you along the way in your career? 

Konye: Oh yes I have a number of mentors I stalk, listen to, and follow, and their guidance has been phenomenal. 

A-CHOICES: What advice would you give to aspiring lawyers? 

Konye: My advice to aspiring lawyers is; The law is a prestigious profession, it is totally worth every wait or time spent studying. It is the core of every society, and yes!  You can do it 

A-CHOICES: Asides from owning a fashion store, and being a successful lawyer; you are also a FOREX TRADER. How did you get into the world of currency trading?

Konye: I got into Forex trading out of my inquisitive nature of getting another source of income after covid happened and affected my businesses, I was mostly online and studied so much about forex and its benefits. I picked interest and found an amazing community that made it all easy. IM MASTERY ACADEMY

A-CHOICES: How much do you need to start trading forex in Nigeria? 

Konye: To start trading forex in Nigeria, you can start with anywhere around $10  depending on the trading platform 

A-CHOICES: What is the best time to trade forex in Nigeria? 

Konye: The Forex market is open Monday-Friday, the market opens and closes at a  certain time, and depending on the currency to be traded, all these are to be studied by anyone who intends to learn the skill.  

A-CHOICES: How can I make money with forex in Nigeria? 

Konye: With forex, I advice everyone to add an “L” first to the “earning” they intend to have in the forex market. It’s a skill and so it’s a LEARN and EARN scheme. The moment you learn, the sky becomes your starting point. Do not do the latter before the former. The Foreign exchange market is the largest and most liquid market in the  world, with a daily trading volume of over $6 trillion, so there’s quite a lot of money to  be made on a daily basis 

A-CHOICES: So what is your trading method? 

Konye: I have a good number of trading methods, depending on what I’m trading at a  given point in time, and also tools to make my experience more fun. I trade binary and cryptos, and for each, I’ve got strategies. All of these I learnt from IM MASTERY  ACADEMY 

A-CHOICES: Would you recommend this route for retail traders reading this? 

One hundred percent YES, an extra source of income should be a welcome idea to any business-minded individual, and earning in foreign currency is the biggest flex. 

A-CHOICES: What is your biggest piece of advice for any retail traders reading this? 

Konye: My biggest piece of advice time and time again is: CONSISTENCY will give you any and everything you want in life!

A-CHOICES: As someone who has successfully combined family life and career advancement, what are the key lessons you have learned? 

Konye: I’ve learnt that your whole life can turn around in a month, weeks, day, with faith & believe! 

A-CHOICES: What would be your advice to President Muhammad Buhari on the  “Alarming levels of insecurity in Nigeria? 

Konye: To be honest, He can do better, the Government can do better. Just as Late General  Abacha said; “if insurgency lasts for more than 24hours, the government has a hand in it”  which means, insecurity in a country is largely dependent on the Government’s ability to handle it. 

A-CHOICES: Do you have a beauty and exercise regime? 

Konye: Oh yes, I am a beauty enthusiast, I have daily skincare rituals, I care about looking good in everything including my skin, hair, and nails. I could spend more money to achieve healthy skin than I will on getting clothes. An exercise regimen, not  exactly…too lazy for it 

A-CHOICES: How did you handle the lockdown due to the Covid 19? 

Konye: Without a doubt, a lockdown was tough, especially as it affected my business, I  got more than enough rest anyways, but I above all, I appreciated life on a whole new level, I came to the realisation that indeed everything can literally change in the twinkle of an eye and as such one needs to be grateful at all times. 

A-CHOICES: Words of advice/encouragement for the people during the pandemic to keep going. 

Konye: I’ll say, just keep going. My all-time favourite scripture in the bible; ALL THINGS  WORKS TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOOD. Every single thing in life is happening for you and not to you. This is my belief system, it works for me and sure  would work for anyone else

A-CHOICES: What would you say are your major achievements? 

Konye: My major achievement to date is learning the skill of FOREX, it’s been the ultimate game-changer for me, amongst other things. The liberty of making money from any part of the world, with just a phone, laptop, and working internet. It’s bliss 

A-CHOICES: For what in your life do you feel most grateful? Konye: I am most grateful for family. Hale & hearty parents, siblings, friends turned family.

Konye: I am most grateful for family. Hale & hearty parents, siblings, friends turned family.