The Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) has washed his hands off the face-off between erstwhile Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary Joyce Oduah and the National Executive Committee (NBA-NEC).

In a post now trending on social media, the EBF Governor, Chief Uba Anene stated that “The EBF is also not a football to be kicked around by anybody for some selfish personal agenda; nor should it take sides in a personal conflict which was not brought to its notice by the combatants until it had been played out on social media.”

CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report noted the suspension of Oduah by a unanimous decision of the NBA-NEC, even as the National Officers also vowed to drag her to the National Executive Council for removal over alleged gross misconduct.

The EBF has been under pressure to throw its weight behind Oduah, being a ranking member of the regional bloc, moreso as it had earlier intervened in the face-off between the NBA leadership and embattled Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN over NBA’s demand for him to recuse himself from office.

But EBF said that “The Olumide Akpata led executive – which has a full complement of six EBF members within its ranks – has run its impactful course. With the election of its successor over, it has become a lame duck Presidency; with no more favours to dispense. It is now easy to kick it around. We must not join in that alluring act of great ingratitude.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

ON THE MISUNDERSTANDING WITHIN THE NBA NEC.

Regional fora of the NBA evolved over time until acknowledged in the 2015 NBA constitution as a vehicle for inclusiveness in the association, not division and dissension. Therefore those straining to stampede the EBF into assuming the role of an ethnic or sectional vanguard in defence or propagation of some narrow sectional interests are either misguided or mischievous. They must know that they will fail.

The EBF will always act in the overall best interest of the Bar. It will criticise or condemn or comment when necessary for the good of the legal profession.

The EBF is also not a football to be kicked around by anybody for some selfish personal agenda; nor should it take sides in a personal conflict which was not brought to its notice by the combatants until it had been played out on social media.

Dark forces have been about, trying to undermine or damage the NBA and the legal profession in the current dispensation. We must not lend our support to our own destruction by unnecessary divisive rhetoric.

The Olumide Akpata led executive – which has a full complement of six EBF members within its ranks – has run its impactful course. With the election of its successor over, it has become a lame duck Presidency; with no more favours to dispense. It is now easy to kick it around. We must not join in that alluring act of great ingratitude. We shall instead join hands with well meaning leaders and stakeholders to find an amicable resolution of the current situation. We are consulting across the board for the purpose in private, and we are hopeful that there shall be light at the end of this tunnel.

Long live the EBF!
Long live the NBA!!

Chief Uba Anene.
Chairman, EBF Governing Council.

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