A candidate in the just concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Elections, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom SAN has rejected the “post-audit report” released today by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA).

Speaking on whether the report has laid the controversy surrounding the elections to rest, Ikwuazom, who was until recently the Chairman of the NBA Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC), disagreed.

He told CITY LAWYER that he just seen the report and would need an expert review of it.

He however berated ECNBA for “expending time and resources” on the audit, adding that what is required is an “an audit by an independent party.”

His words: “I am just seeing this report. I need time to review it and get the professional views of an expert. However, it’s just curious to me that the ECNBA is expending time and resources justifying its activities rather than simply allowing an audit by an independent party.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that Ikwuazom had pulled out of the presidential race mid-way into the poll, citing irregularities.

He followed up his concerns by asking the ECNBA to grant him access to the election server and related information within 48 hours.

In a letter dated 21st July, 2024 and addressed to the ECNBA Chairman, Mr. Oluseun Abimbola SAN, Ikwuazom identified four areas where the election was allegedly marred by irregularities and demanded about 18 documents relating to the elections.

Another presidential candidate, Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe had also queried the outcome of the election and demanded an audit.

The ECNBA had in the post-audit report stated that “Despite some concerns raised by candidates regarding alleged anomalies and potential data manipulation, a thorough review of the voting process and system architecture indicated no evidence of fraud. We maintained stringent controls and safeguards, such as encrypted data transmission, secure system architecture and limited access to protect the voting process from any external or internal threats. No fraud nor fraudulent act was observed throughout the election period and retrospectively, reaffirming the credibility of the electoral process and its outcomes.”

Stakeholders believe that the release of the report by the electoral umpire is aimed to douse the controversy heaped on the election especially by the erstwhile presidential candidates.