MAY THE JOY OF THE RISEN CHRIST COMPEL NBA PRESIDENT, MR. YAKUBU MAIKYAU SAN AND THE FORMER FIRST VICE PRESIDENT, MR. JOHN AIKPOKPO-MARTINS TO SHEATH THEIR SWORDS AND EMBRACE PEACE

It’s no longer news that Mr. President of the NBA, Yakubu Maikyau SAN and the chairman of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA SPIDEL) are having a lingering battle that is now in every tabloid and newspaper in the country. I am also aware that the matter is now in the court of law. This has divided the Bar to a reasonable degree and has caused non-lawyers and other Associations to cast aspersions on our profession.

I sincerely believe that their differences can be settled in-house without the involvement of outsiders. Just recently, friends who are not lawyers have inundated me with calls and messages asking me what is happening in our Association that our Leaders are washing their dirty linens in public.

I became more worried when it got to my notice that the two leaders are Call mates. I plead that their call mates intensify efforts in reconciling their differences. I am not interested in who’s right or wrong at this stage but in anything that will bring peace and the matter in court withdrawn.

I solicit the intervention of past Presidents of the NBA and some respected elders of the Association. I am not sure that any of them is happy about the crisis. It is our tradition that when two brothers or friends are at war, the neighbours and elders intervene for the sake of peace.

When you read the allegations and counter allegations against each other that is now making headlines, you will agree with me that it is not healthy for the association. In every fight, the gladiators are not always equal. One is always bigger and more advantageous than the other. The mediators will know how to pacify both sides for the sake of peace and good name of the Association. There’s no doubt that peace is better than war in all circumstances.

May I also respectfully plead that we should always exercise restraint in going to the Press over in-house issues. Let us endeavor to employ all means of settling in-house issues amicably before making them public. May I passionately pray Mr. President to show love and concern in handling this peace proposal just as I beg the SPIDEL chairman to be amenable to settlement. This will save the association a huge cost and improve fraternity.

I’m looking forward to seeing Mr. President and SPIDEL chairman hugging themselves this Easter Season. It is possible, as this is the season of reconciliation.

May God bless NBA President. May God bless members of the NBA. May God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.

SABASTINE U. ANYIA, ESQ.

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