The controversy created by the dis-invitation of Kaduna Governor, Nasir
El-Rufai by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) as speaker at its recent
annual general conference is getting messier as a splinter group, New
Nigeria Bar Association (NNBA), has emerged.
The move has, however, elicited mixed reactions from legal practitioners.
In
a statement by conveners of the NNBA, Nuhu Ibrahim and Abdulbasit
Suleiman, both members of the Kaduna branch of NBA, yesterday, the group
said wide consultation had started across northern Nigeria with senior
lawyers to actualise the formation of the new association.
“Members
of this association have commenced consultations with very senior
lawyers of Northern Nigeria extraction and those practising therein with
the view to constituting the trustees and for purposes of fixing date
for formal inauguration of the association.
“The inaugural date
of the association being apolitical and geared at taking and protecting
the interests of lawyers of like minds shall be communicated.
“The
recent rumblings from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is leaving
much to be desired within the ranks of concerned lawyers, especially
from northern part of the country.
“What has been happening
recently has exposed the inability of the NBA to manage and contain the
heterogeneity of its members as well as their various interests. Its
penal powers has been deployed discriminatively on the basis of
ethnicity and regionalism.
“As a body of lawyers who have
undergone training towards ensuring the promotion and protection of
Human rights and liberties, the NBA is supposed to live above
sentiments, regionalism and discrimination on any basis and of any kind.
“Therefore,
the NBA cannot afford to be seen not to be upholding the rights and
freedom of its own members if at all, it should be seen to be practicing
what it preaches. As the Hausa saying goes: “Idan Kura tana maganin
zaho, ta yi ma kanta’ (If Hyena has cure for diarrhoea let her use it
for herself).
“The New Nigerian Bar Association have been
watching activities of the NBA, an association we all looked forward to
joining with high hopes before being called to the Nigerian Bar, forcing
idiosyncrasies of few on the majority of its members, especially in
recent times.
“No wonder, NBA NEC, which is the highest
decision-making organ of the association failed to uphold the
fundamental principles of fair hearing which in itself, is the
fundamental aspect of rule of law, on the allegations against the
Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai as were
contained in a petition by Chidi Odinkalu Esq., a long time foe of His
Excellency and a lawyer of eastern extraction, but the NBA failed to
extend the same treatment to Southern invitees who were also petitioned
and are also alleged to have committed similar or more human rights
abuses than those alleged against Mallam El-Rufai.”
The group
said NNBA members, gleaning from the above Constitutional provision feel
their interests were no longer taken into consideration in major
decisions of the NBA.
Reacting, Paul Ananaba (SAN) said NBA is better and stronger together.
“There
are avenues for settling grievances rather than forming new
associations. Besides, the issues at stake are not legal issues per se.
What is the guarantee that similar issues will not sprout in the new
association. It then means we may end up having over 10 Bar
associations. I am against it and I advise the proposers to do away with
the idea.”
For Dr. Babatunde Ajibade (SAN) and Abiru Akingbolu, the emergence of the factional group portends a bad omen.
On
why the move should not be allowed to gain traction, Ajibade,
presidential candidates at the last NBA elections, said: “If we fail to
stand together as a profession, as we appear to be doing now, we will be
unable to withstand the threats and challenges ahead.”
But senior lawyer, Mr. Seyi Sowemimo okayed the splitter group and described the action of the lawyers as a welcome development.
“I
am not surprised; I know it will get to this. What will you expect if
the leadership of an association is not transparent, association’s
election being marred with fraud?”
To me, it is a welcome development, this will bring about healthy competition for the rivalry groups,” he said.
Bayo
Akinlade, former chairman, NBA Ikorodu branch said members of the
group were free to set up their own association but to be like an NBA,
they need the National Assembly to give it statutory flavour.
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