The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has formally pronounced the creation of NBA Eti-Osa Branch.

The decision was taken at a recent meeting of NBA-NEC held in Jos, Plateau State and sequel to an application signed by the Founding Chairman of Eti-Osa Lawyers Forum (ELF), Mr. Adewale Sanni among others requesting for the creation of the branch. 

NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN said the pronouncement had become imperative given that all conditions precedent to the creation of the branch had been fulfilled. 

CITY LAWYER recalls that Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba had recently pronounced the creation of Eti-Osa Judicial Division. 

It is mandatory that an NBA Branch must be domiciled within a judicial division of a high court.

Commending NBA for the resolution to formally establish the branch, Sanni said that “It had been a long and tortuous journey but we thank all who ensured that it was fruitful at the end.”

He singled out Maikyau and Justice Alogba for praise, saying that “It goes without saying that without their unalloyed commitment, the branch would not have been a reality. 

“I thank the NBA President, the Executive Committee and the Executive Council for refusing to play politics with the creation, and for acting swiftly upon our fulfilment of the requirements. We also thank the General Secretary whose rendition of the content and prayer in our application to NECouncil during their deliberation was most articulate, concise and persuasive.

“I must thank all ELF members in various capacities, including Learned SANs, seniors and young lawyers who have sustained this project, and who endorsed the application under their own hands to give it the authenticity it deserves.” 

The fiery Bar Leader also thanked especially “all those who have always been and supported us through their time, money and moral support, and who believed in the project from conception of the idea to locate courts in Eti-Osa, to following up, to completion, as well as the agitation for a Judicial Division and now the NBA Branch.”

Expectedly, Sanni singled out his deceased confidante, Mr. Abioye Akerele for special mention, saying that “I am sure the ELF co-founder and pioneer Secretary is now smiling in heaven.”

The NBA has set measures in motion to conduct elections for the two newly created branches of Eti-Osa and Yaba/Surulere.