Contrary to media reports that Mr. Kunle Edun SAN resigned as Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) Electoral Committee to protest meddlesomeness by the Transition Committee, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report that nothing could be farther from the truth.

Investigation by CITY LAWYER shows that the fiery human rights activist in fact resigned due to conflict of interest concerns, and to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.

Communication obtained by CITY LAWYER shows that Edun resigned following his subsequent nomination as a member of the NBA-SPIDEL Executive Committee.

In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the NBA-SPIDEL Transition Committee, Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN and posted on the Transition Committee platform, the senior lawyer wrote: “considering the fact of my nomination while I still remain as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, there is a possibility of likelihood of conflict of interest if I continue to hold my present office.”

Dwelling on best ethical practice, he argued that “It is my strong view that it will not be proper for me to continue as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee,” adding that the “appropriate thing” to do was “for me to step down as Chairman of the Electoral Committee.”

He then recommended that the Alternate Chairman of the Electoral Committee should step into his shoes, saying: “I recommend Ibrahim Nassarawa, alternate Chairman to stand in and present the names of the newly-constituted SPIDEL Committee.”

It would seem that his resignation was accepted by the Transition Committee, allowing Nassarawa to step in as the new Electoral Committee Chairman as well as to present the committee’s report to the NBA-SPIDEL Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Uyo. The AGM drew the curtains on the highly successful Annual Conference anchored by Prof. Uju Agomoh as Chair of the Conference Planning Committee (CPC).

The letter has laid to rest misleading reports that Edun resigned to protest infraction of NBA-SPIDEL electoral guidelines by the Transition Committee led by respected Bar Leader, Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN.

Below is the full text of the resignation letter.

Good morning, Mr. Chairman. Trust we all slept well sir.

May I re-assure you and SPIDEL that the stability, peace and growth of SPIDEL are things that I desire and I would work with you to achieve that. 

However, sir, considering the fact of my nomination while I still remain as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, there is a possibility of likelihood of conflict of interest if I continue to hold my present office.  It is my strong view that it will not be proper for me to continue as the Chairman of the Electoral Committee. In this wise, the appropriate thing to do is for me to step down as Chairman of the Electoral Committee, while any other person (I recommend Ibrahim Nassarawa, alternate Chairman) to stand in and present the names of the newly-constituted SPIDEL Committee. I crave your indulgence to understand my position.

Once again, I am grateful for giving me the privilege to serve.

Thank you, sir.

Kunle Edun

(C) CITY LAWYER Magazine. All rights reserved. To join our Channel, click here. Click here to join our WhatsApp chatroom. Contact us at citylawyermag@gmail.com or 081-3838-0083.