The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has washed its hands off an online post in which its President, Mr. Olumide Akpata allegedly blasted the Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN for his purported role in the controversial raid on the house of Supreme Court jurist, Justice Mary Odili.

In a Press Statement made available to CITY LAWYER, the NBA said that it is focused on its investigation of the infamous raid, adding that “The NBA remains resolute in its determination to fish out and bring to book those who raided and/or authorised the raid on Hon. Justice Mary Odili’s house, in line with its mandate of promoting the rule of law and defending the independence of the judiciary.”

Below is the full text of the press statement.

INVASION OF JUSTICE ODILI’S HOME: NBA DISSOCIATES SELF FROM DISPARAGING REMARKS AGAINST THE PERSON OF THE HONORABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE- ABUBAKAR MALAMI, SAN.

Dear Colleagues,

The attention of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been drawn to some comments on social media credited to the President of the NBA regarding the investigations into the raid of Hon. Justice Mary Odili’s house.

In the highly mischievous statement now making the rounds on social media, the President of the NBA was credited with the following remarks:

“Abubakar Malami is the most incompetent Attorney General of the Federation Nigeria ever had. A Lawyer with no respect nor regard for rule of law.”

“Malami cannot deny being involved in the raid of the house of Hon. Justice Mary Odili. He’s the principal suspect here and the earlier he admits the fact, the better for him.”

“No Attorney General of the Federation has divided this country like the way Malami did. Malami is not only tribalistic in nature but equally lacks moral principles and character.”

“We urge him to eschew pride and respect the office he’s occupying presently by bringing out those involved in such criminal act or be ready to loose his Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) honour because from all indications, he doesn’t deserve it. He has proven to be exceptionally incompetent, undeserving of such position, lack of character and integrity.”

For the avoidance of doubt, the NBA wishes to set the records straight and state that the leadership of the NBA has since set up a machinery to investigate the matter of the invasion of the home of Justice Odili. The aim of the said investigation is to provide the NBA with credible information based on empirical data regarding the raid on the home of Hon. Justice Mary Odili (JSC), and will not make comments that risks jeopardizing the process.

What is more, the NBA has its official and dedicated communication channels and does not make statements through proxies or fifth columnists.

The NBA sees this fake and mischievously motivated circulation as the handiwork of mischief makers who clearly are not interested in good order or maintenance of peace in an already overheated polity.

The NBA remains resolute in its determination to fish out and bring to book those who raided and/or authorised the raid on Hon. Justice Mary Odili’s house, in line with its mandate of promoting the rule of law and defending the independence of the judiciary.

Dr. Rapulu Nduka
Publicity Secretary
Nigerian Bar Association

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