ASPIRANTS

MAIKYAU ROLLS OUT BLUEPRINT, WARNS 2024 NBA ELECTION ASPIRANTS

Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN has warned that aspirants in the 2024 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections will be disqualified if they induce voters and branches.

Maikyau spoke yesterday at Eko Hotel, Lagos after he was sworn-in by the immediate past NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata as the 31st President of NBA. He took over the mantle of leadership from Akpata at exactly 2:11 pm after Akpata decorated him with a novel medallion as an insignia of office.

The event was witnessed by Bar Leaders, lawyers and dignitaries including Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa. Also present was former NBA President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh SAN.

The event was not without its undercurrents, against the backdrop of the face-off with the immediate past NBA General Secretary, Mrs. Joyce Oduah.

In his Inaugural Address, Maikyau vowed to reform NBA’s electoral process, warning that aspirants in the 2024 NBA Elections would be “disqualified” if they induce branches or branch chairmen, while such branches and individuals would also be sanctioned. He stated that this is geared towards minimizing the cost of NBA elections.

The sub-themes in Maikyau’s inaugural address included The task ahead and my call to members of the legal profession; State of the nation; The 2023 General Elections, Welfare of lawyers; lawyers’ remuneration; Law officers, legal aid officers and lawyers in public service; In-house counsel and lawyers in business, and NBA Employment Bureau.

Others are NBA law firm/institutional mentorship partnership, Professional conduct and discipline, Independence of the judiciary, Institutional and governance structure, Legal education reform, NBA sections and fora, Rule of law and the administration of justice, and Electoral reforms.

A statement made available to CITY LAWYER by the NBA Publicity Secretary, Mr. Habeeb Lawal said: “Mr. President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN immediately set the tone for what promises to be a time of dynamic service and bold leadership, in his vibrant inaugural speech. The full breadth of his speech may be relived in the copy annexed herewith.

“The NBA President also seized the occasion to set in motion some of the administration’s immediate objectives, including announcing the constitution of an Electoral Reform Committee to be chaired by Mr. E. Y. Kura SAN. A key mandate of this committee is the reduction/minimisation of the costs incurred by candidates during NBA national elections.

“Mr. President also announced the constitution of an Enquiry Committee to be chaired by Mr. Wale Fapohunda SAN, whose mandate is to investigate the unfortunate events that transpired on Tuesday, the 23rd of August, 2022 where some delinquent members proceeded to destroy properties and assault staff of the NBA, while members were waiting to collect conference materials.”

Click here for the full text of the Inaugural Address.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 25, 2022
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ANXIETY, AS ECNBA UNVEILS SUCCESSFUL ASPIRANTS TODAY

A picture of the shape of electoral battle in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections will be unveiled today as the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) will today roll out letters to aspirants who crossed its screening hurdle in the run-up to the elections.

An impeccable source at ECNBA headquarters told CITY LAWYER that “All qualified candidates will get emails and notices today.”

This will assuage the palpable anxiety that has gripped many aspirants since the electoral committee started rolling out letters to alert disqualified aspirants of their fate. An unimpeachable source told CITY LAWYER that all the disqualified aspirants have been communicated by the electoral committee.

Most of the aspirants however told CITY LAWYER today that there were yet to hear from the electoral umpire regarding the screening exercise. They include NBA 1st Vice President, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins; an aspirant for the same position, Mr. Yakubu Bawa, and former NBA Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Habeeb Akorede Lawal.

Others are former NBA 2nd Assistant Secretary, Chinyere Obasi; NBA Rapporteur, Anne Agi as well as Messrs Ede Asenoguan, Gerald Abonyi, Isaac Omuta Ogbah, Anthony Oseme, Maximus Ugwuoke, Oluwaseun Aka and Daniel Kip.

At least three of the disqualified aspirants including Messrs Ewenode William, Anthony Chukwurah and Abdussalam Mohammed Saleh have accepted their fate, saying they would not contest the ECNBA decision. While Mr. Finian Ndukwu has filed an appeal against his disqualification, it was unclear at press time whether Messrs Muhammad Idris Doko; outgoing NBA Ukwa Branch Chairman, Sir. Samuel Nwosu, and former NBA Sapele Branch Chairman, Mr. Promise Besinginwayemi Awolowo Ademi-Akpeto will contest their disqualification by the electoral umpire.

Some of the aspirants have taken to social media to express concern over the delay in informing them about their fate after the screening exercise, moreso coming on the heels of petitions against some aspirants.

The NBA Election holds on July 16, 2022.

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MORE ASPIRANTS EMERGE FOR NBA ELECTIONS

Following the publication of list of aspirants for the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Assocaition (NBA) Election, more aspirants have confirmed to CITY LAWYER their interest in the election.

Among those who have confirmed submission of nomination forms to CITY LAWYER are Mr. Abdullahi Muhammad, immediate past Secretary of NBA Gwagwalada Branch who is gunning for the post of NBA Third Vice President; Mr. Ebuka Nwaeze, former Secretary and erstwhile Financial Secretary of Unity Bar who has put in papers for the General Council of the Bar (GCB), and Mr. Abdulssalam Mohammed Saleh, Welfare Secretary at Unity Bar who is vying for the post of Assistant General Secretary.

Also confirmed are Sir Samuel Nwosu, outgoing NBA Ukwa Branch Chairman; Adaeze Anah of NBA Abuja Branch and Mr. Daud Sulaiman of NBA Gwagwalada Branch who are all vying for the position of NBA Representative in the General Council of the Bar and .

There are strong indications that the list of aspirants will be more than what is already in the public domain when the electoral committee publishes it.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Apr 20, 2022
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MORE ASPIRANTS JOIN NBA ELECTION RACE, SUBMIT NOMINATION FORMS

More aspirants have confirmed that they submitted Nomination Forms for the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) elections into the General Council of the Bar and the National Executive Council.

Virtually all the aspirants who CITY LAWYER predicted in its earlier report would join the race confirmed that they had submitted their nomination forms. Aside from Linda Rose Bala and Ede Asenoguan whose close aides confirmed their submission, the other aspirants confirmed the submission of their nomination forms to CITY LAWYER.

There are strong indications that many aspirants submitted their nomination forms yesterday, even as there may be a few new entrants during the elections. Former NBA Welfare Secretary, Mr. Joshua Enemali and longstanding NBA rapporteur Anne Agi told CITY LAWYER that they have submitted nomination forms to vie for a position in the Bar Council, even as Mr. Churchill Aniekwena of NBA Barnawa Branch said he has joined the race for Welfare Secretary. Another new entrant to the race is global President of African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), Mandy Asagba who is gunning for the post of 3rd Vice President while impeccable sources told CITY LAWYER that Mr. Maximus Ugwuoke of NBA Enugu Branch is also vying for the post of Welfare Secretary.

Below are some of the aspirants who CITY LAWYER had confirmed submission of their nomination forms.

PRESIDENT
The battle for the NBA Presidency remains a three-legged tussle between Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN and Mr. Jonathan Taidi. While Gadzama is the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC), Maikyau is the Chairman of the NBA Welfare Committee. On his part, Taidi is the immediate past NBA General Secretary.

GENERAL SECRETARY
Aside from the presidential race, the election for the post of General Secretary is poised to be between five gladiators. While Messrs Adesina Adegbite, Desmond Yamah, Ewenode William and Collins Ogiegbaen confirmed submission of nomination forms to CITY LAWYER, Ede Asenoguan’s confidante told CITY LAWYER that he submitted his nomination form yesterday.

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Zoned to the “Northern Zone,” Idris Doko Muhammad of NBA Lagos Branch confirmed submission of nomination form while an unimpeachable source confirmed that Linda Rose Bala has submitted her nomination form for the race for the pivotal seat of NBA First Vice President. Calls to Messrs Yakubu Saleh Bawa and Liman Salihu received no response. Bala is former NBA Legal Adviser while Bawa is current Chairman of NBA Jos Branch. On his part, Salihu is former Chairman of NBA Lokoja Branch

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
The post of Second Vice President has been ‘micro-zoned’ to the Core East by the influential Eastern Bar Forum (EBF). Among those who confirmed submission of nomination forms to CITY LAWYER are the immediate past NBA Bwari Branch Chairman, Mr. Clement Chukwuemeka (aka “Democrats”); his NBA Owerri Branch counterpart, Mr. Damian Nosike, and Dr. Gerald Abonyi, pioneer NBA Obollo-Afor Branch Chairman. Mr. Anthony Chukwurah of NBA Gwagwalada Branch and Mr. Finian Eze  Ndukwu of NBA Mbaise Branch also told CITY LAWYER that they have joined the race for Second Vice President.

THIRD VICE PRESIDENT
Zoned to the “Western Zone” comprising Egbe Amofin O’odua and Midwest Bar blocs, CITY LAWYER can confirm that at least three aspirants are now in the race. While former NBA Ota Branch Chairman, Mr. Isaac Omuta Ogbah and Mr. Promise Ademi-Akpeto confirmed submission of their nomination forms to CITY LAWYER, unimpeachable sources told CITY LAWYER that AWLA global President, Mandy Asagba has also joined the race.

TREASURER
Among the aspirants who have confirmed submission of nomination forms to CITY LAWYER are former NBA Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chuks Mbamala of NBA Enugu Branch; current NBA Epe Branch Vice Chairman and NBA-SPIDEL Committee Treasurer, Funmi Adeogun; former Vice Chairman of NBA Lafia Branch and current Treasurer, NBA Women Forum (NBAWF), Safiya Balarabe as well as Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop, former Vice Chairman and former NEC Representative, NBA Bukuru Branch.

WELFARE SECRETARY
Immediate past NBA Assistant Secretary, Chinyere Obasi and former NBA Barnawa Branch Welfare Secretary, Mr. Churchill Aniekwena have confirmed submission of nomination forms for the post of Welfare Secretary. Meanwhile, impeccable sources told CITY LAWYER that Mr. Maximus Ugwuoke of Enugu Branch has now joined the race. CITY LAWYER also reliably gathered that NBA Welfare Committee member and co-opted NEC member, Mr. Auta Nyada has submitted his nomination form. 

PUBLICITY SECRETARY
This is a tripodal race between the immediate past Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Habeeb Akorede Lawal; current NBA Welfare Committee Secretary, Ogaga Emoghanre, and the latest entrant, Mr. Felix Chukwuma Ashimole (aka Che Oyinatumba), a former NBA Bwari Branch Secretary and former Member of NBA Anti-Corruption Committee. All three aspirants have confirmed submission of nomination forms to CITY LAWYER.

ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY
This race may present a crowded field of aspirants. The aspirants who have confirmed to CITY LAWYER that they submitted nomination forms are the current NBA Ikorodu Branch Secretary, Mr. Oluwaseun Aka; incumbent NBA Ilorin Branch Vice Chairman, Mr. Dhikrullah Adewale Balogun; Mr. Daniel Kip of Calabar, and Mr. Oseme Peremene Anthony, former NBA Idemili Branch Chairman.

ASSISTANT PUBLICITY SECRETARY
This may be a straight fight between Mr. Charles Ajiboye who also contested for the position during the last election and Mr. Akachukwu Nwoye, current NBA Gwagwalada Branch Secretary. Both aspirants told CITY LAWYER that they have submitted their nomination forms for the election. 

GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE BAR
Among those itching to represent the Bar at the Bar Council are former NBA Welfare Secretary, Mr. Joshua Enemali and Ms. Anne Agi; current NBA Aba Branch Vice Chairman, Mr. Victor Onweremadu who may have jettisoned his initial quest for the position of Welfare Secretary, and Mr. Femi Onakoya of NBA Lagos Branch.

CITY LAWYER also gathered that many aspirants including some senior advocates have shown serious interest in slugging it out for a place in the General Council of the Bar.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Apr 15, 2022
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ASPIRANTS BEAT DEADLINE, SUBMIT NOMINATION FORMS

Many aspirants have scaled the first hurdle in their quest to clinch positions in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) elections into the General Council of the Bar and the National Executive Council.

Virtually all the aspirants who CITY LAWYER predicted in its earlier report would join the race confirmed that they had submitted their nomination forms. Aside from Linda Rose Bala and Ede Asenoguan whose close aides confirmed their submission, the other aspirants confirmed the submission of their nomination forms to CITY LAWYER.

There are strong indications that many aspirants submitted their nomination forms yesterday, even as there may be a few new entrants during the elections. Former NBA Welfare Secretary, Mr. Joshua Enemali and longstanding NBA rapporteur Anne Agi told CITY LAWYER that they have submitted nomination forms to vie for a position in the Bar Council, even as Mr. Churchill Aniekwena of NBA Barnawa Branch said he has joined the race for Welfare Secretary. Another new entrant to the race is global President of African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA), Mandy Asagba who is gunning for the post of 3rd Vice President while impeccable sources told CITY LAWYER that Mr. Maximus Ugwuoke of NBA Enugu Branch is also vying for the post of Welfare Secretary.

Below are some of the aspirants who CITY LAWYER had confirmed submission of their nomination forms.

PRESIDENT
The battle for the NBA Presidency remains a three-legged tussle between Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN and Mr. Jonathan Taidi. While Gadzama is the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC), Maikyau is the Chairman of the NBA Welfare Committee. On his part, Taidi is the immediate past NBA General Secretary.

GENERAL SECRETARY
Aside from the presidential race, the election for the post of General Secretary is poised to be between five gladiators. While Messrs Adesina Adegbite, Desmond Yamah, Ewenode William and Collins Ogiegbaen confirmed submission of nomination forms to CITY LAWYER, Ede Asenoguan’s confidante told CITY LAWYER that he submitted his nomination form yesterday.

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Zoned to the “Northern Zone,” Idris Doko Muhammad of NBA Lagos Branch confirmed submission of nomination form while an unimpeachable source confirmed that Linda Rose Bala has submitted her nomination form for the race for the pivotal seat of NBA First Vice President. Calls to Messrs Yakubu Saleh Bawa and Liman Salihu received no response. Bala is former NBA Legal Adviser while Bawa is current Chairman of NBA Jos Branch. On his part, Salihu is former Chairman of NBA Lokoja Branch

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
The post of Second Vice President has been ‘micro-zoned’ to the Core East by the influential Eastern Bar Forum (EBF). Among those who confirmed submission of nomination forms to CITY LAWYER are the immediate past NBA Bwari Branch Chairman, Mr. Clement Chukwuemeka (aka “Democrats”); his NBA Owerri Branch counterpart, Mr. Damian Nosike, and Dr. Gerald Abonyi, pioneer NBA Obollo-Afor Branch Chairman. Mr. Anthony Chukwurah of NBA Gwagwalada Branch and Mr. Finian Eze  Ndukwu of NBA Mbaise Branch also told CITY LAWYER that they have joined the race for Second Vice President.

THIRD VICE PRESIDENT
Zoned to the “Western Zone” comprising Egbe Amofin O’odua and Midwest Bar blocs, CITY LAWYER can confirm that at least three aspirants are now in the race. While former NBA Ota Branch Chairman, Mr. Isaac Omuta Ogbah and Mr. Promise Ademi-Akpeto confirmed submission of their nomination forms to CITY LAWYER, unimpeachable sources told CITY LAWYER that AWLA global President, Mandy Asagba has also joined the race.

TREASURER
Among the aspirants who have confirmed submission of nomination forms to CITY LAWYER are former NBA Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chuks Mbamala of NBA Enugu Branch; current NBA Epe Branch Vice Chairman and NBA-SPIDEL Committee Treasurer, Funmi Adeogun; former Vice Chairman of NBA Lafia Branch and current Treasurer, NBA Women Forum (NBAWF), Safiya Balarabe as well as Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop, former Vice Chairman and former NEC Representative, NBA Bukuru Branch.

WELFARE SECRETARY
Immediate past NBA Assistant Secretary, Chinyere Obasi and former NBA Barnawa Branch Welfare Secretary, Mr. Churchill Aniekwena have confirmed submission of nomination forms for the post of Welfare Secretary. Meanwhile, impeccable sources told CITY LAWYER that Mr. Maximus Ugwuoke of Enugu Branch has now joined the race. CITY LAWYER also reliably gathered that NBA Welfare Committee member and co-opted NEC member, Mr. Auta Nyada has submitted his nomination form. 

PUBLICITY SECRETARY
This is a tripodal race between the immediate past Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Habeeb Akorede Lawal; current NBA Welfare Committee Secretary, Ogaga Emoghanre, and the latest entrant, Mr. Felix Chukwuma Ashimole (aka Che Oyinatumba), a former NBA Bwari Branch Secretary and former Member of NBA Anti-Corruption Committee. All three aspirants have confirmed submission of nomination forms to CITY LAWYER.

ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY
This race may present a crowded field of aspirants. The aspirants who have confirmed to CITY LAWYER that they submitted nomination forms are the current NBA Ikorodu Branch Secretary, Mr. Oluwaseun Aka; incumbent NBA Ilorin Branch Vice Chairman, Mr. Dhikrullah Adewale Balogun; Mr. Daniel Kip of Calabar, and Mr. Oseme Peremene Anthony, former NBA Idemili Branch Chairman.

ASSISTANT PUBLICITY SECRETARY
This may be a straight fight between Mr. Charles Ajiboye who also contested for the position during the last election and Mr. Akachukwu Nwoye, current NBA Gwagwalada Branch Secretary. Both aspirants told CITY LAWYER that they have submitted their nomination forms for the election. 

GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE BAR
Among those itching to represent the Bar at the Bar Council are former NBA Welfare Secretary, Mr. Joshua Enemali and Ms. Anne Agi; current NBA Aba Branch Vice Chairman, Mr. Victor Onweremadu who may have jettisoned his initial quest for the position of Welfare Secretary, and Mr. Femi Onakoya of NBA Lagos Branch.

CITY LAWYER also gathered that many aspirants including some senior advocates have shown serious interest in slugging it out for a place in the General Council of the Bar.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Apr 04, 2022
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  • Comments Off on NBA ELECTIONS 2022: THE CONTENDERS, THE PRETENDERS

NBA ELECTIONS 2022: THE CONTENDERS, THE PRETENDERS

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will on July 16, 2022 conduct an election to fill vacancies in the National Executive Council (NEC) and the General Council of the Bar (GCB).

A frenzy of activities and jostling has attended the run-up to the eagerly awaited elections. In this piece, and against the backdrop of release of the Election Guidelines by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), CITY LAWYER makes a sneak preview of the gladiators that may mount the soap-box to contest the forthcoming elections.

PRESIDENT
Barring any major shifts, the battle for the NBA Presidency will be a three-legged tussle between Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN and Mr. Jonathan Taidi. While Gadzama is the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC), Maikyau is the Chairman of the NBA Welfare Committee. On his part, Taidi is the immediate past NBA General Secretary. The three gladiators have invariably hit the ‘campaign trail’ on “consultations,” attending sundry meetings and events hosted by NBA branches and regional blocs and generally fraternizing with potential voters while seeking the buy-in of especially influential Bar Leaders and young lawyers on their vision for the Bar. A major issue that is bound to impact the presidential race is the debate over “micro-zoning” of the presidential slot. While the ECNBA’s decision on the issue is eagerly awaited, there is no gainsaying that it will invariably impact the presidential election.

GENERAL SECRETARY
Aside from the presidential race, the election for the post of General Secretary is poised to be a fierce dog-fight between five gladiators. These are Messrs Adesina Adegbite, Desmond Yamah, Ede Asenoguan, Ewenode William and Collins Ogiegbaen. While Adegbite is the penultimate NBA Welfare Secretary, Yamah is a former NBA Abuja Branch Chairman. Asenoguan held sway in NBA Benin Branch as its one-time Chairman while William is the immediate past NBA Assistant General Secretary and former NBA Effurun Branch Secretary. On his part, Ogiegbaen is the immediate past NBA Benin Branch Chairman. It is speculated that unless the Midwest Bar is able to reach a rapprochement among its four aspirants, it may hand the initiative to Adegbite who may poll a block vote from the South West bloc, thus dealing the Midwest Bar a similar hand it unleashed on the Egbe Amofin bloc during the 2014 and 2020 elections that led to the emergence of former NBA President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh SAN and current president, Mr. Olumide Akpata. CITY LAWYER gathered that as at this weekend, the talks remained deadlocked, moreso given the factionalization of the Midwest Bar into two strident opposing camps.

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Zoned to the “Northern Zone,” the race for the pivotal seat of NBA First Vice President is between Linda Rose Bala and Messrs Yakubu Saleh Bawa, Idris Doko Muhammad and Liman Salihu. While Bala is former NBA Legal Adviser, Bawa is current Chairman of NBA Jos Branch. On his part, Salihu is former Chairman of NBA Lokoja Branch while Muhammad is of NBA Lagos Branch. Although Bala is seen as having a better name recall and a veteran of NBA politics of sorts, analysts told CITY LAWYER that the other aspirants are “working very hard” to upstage her and neutralize any advantage her earlier involvement in NBA national politics may have afforded her.

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
The post of Second Vice President is zoned to the “Eastern Zone.” CITY LAWYER gathered that while the influential Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) may have ‘micro-zoned’ the slot to the Core East, at least four aspirants may jostle for the position. Among the gladiators are the immediate past NBA Bwari Branch Chairman, Mr. Clement Chukwuemeka (aka “Democrats”); his NBA Owerri Branch counterpart, Mr. Damian Nosike; Dr. Gerald Abonyi, pioneer NBA Obollo-Afor Branch Chairman who was disqualified during the last general election, and Mr. Anthony Chukwurah, former NBA Gwagwalada Branch Secretary. Sources however told CITY LAWYER that three more aspirants – a university teacher from Awka Branch, a former branch chairman from Ezeagu Branch and yet another branch chairman from Mbano or Mbaise branch – may yet join the fray. The EBF has set up a Screening Committee to grill the aspirants and make recommendations to it.

THIRD VICE PRESIDENT
Zoned to the “Western Zone” comprising the eight States in the Egbe Amofin O’odua and Midwest Bar forums, the race is a straight fight between former NBA Ota Branch Chairman, Mr. Isaac Omuta Ogbah and Mr. Promise Ademi-Akpeto, his NBA Sapele Branch counterpart. Ademi-Akpeto is the current Treasurer of Midwest Bar Forum and was recently listed as having expressed interest in being appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Both former NBA Ikorodu Branch Chairman, Mr. Bayo Akinlade and Siyanbola Ganiyat Adetutu who were rumoured to have interest in the position told CITY LAWYER that there is no truth in the speculation. Adetutu lost the race for the position of First Vice President in the last election.

TREASURER
The position of Treasurer is an all-comers affair, as it is not zoned to any particular bloc. Viewed as an influential position in NBA matters – moreso with the wiping off of the post of Financial Secretary – the race is poised to be between four aspirants, including former NBA Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chuks Mbamala of NBA Enugu Branch; current NBA Epe Branch Vice Chairman and NBA-SPIDEL Committee Treasurer, Funmi Adeogun; Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop, former Vice Chairman and former NEC Representative, NBA Bukuru Branch, and Safiya Balarabe of Lafia Branch.

WELFARE SECRETARY
The position of Welfare Secretary is also not zoned to any bloc. Among those said to be jostling for the post former NBA Assistant Secretary, Chinyere Obasi; NBA Welfare Committee member and co-opted NEC member, Mr. Auta Nyada and current NBA Aba Branch Vice Chairman, Mr. Victor Onweremadu. CITY LAWYER reliably gathered that at least four aspirants may eventually make the ballot.

PUBLICITY SECRETARY
The position of Publicity Secretary is not zoned to any bloc. This is a tripodal race between the immediate past Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Habeeb Akorede Lawal; current NBA Welfare Committee Secretary, Ogaga Emoghwanre, and the latest entrant, Mr. Felix Chukwuma Ashimole (aka Che Oyinatumba), a former NBA Bwari Branch Secretary and former Member of NBA Anti-Corruption Committee.

ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY
The position of Assistant General Secretary is also not zoned to any bloc. This race may present a crowded field of aspirants. They include current NBA Ikorodu Branch Secretary, Mr. Oluwaseun Aka; incumbent NBA Ilorin Branch Secretary, Mr. Dhikrullah Adewale Balogun; Mr. Daniel Kip of Calabar; Mr. Oseme Peremene Anthony, former NBA Idemili Branch Chairman; Mr. Ayo Scott, former NBA Ughelli Branch Chairman, and one A. O. Abba of NBA Minna Branch.

ASSISTANT PUBLICITY SECRETARY
The position of Assistant Publicity Secretary is also not zoned to any bloc. While this may be a straight fight between Mr. Charles Ajiboye who also contested for the position during the last election and Mr. Akachukwu Nwoye, current NBA Gwagwalada Branch Secretary, CITY LAWYER gathered that other aspirants are waiting in the wings to join the race.

CITY LAWYER reliably gathered that two former branch chairmen and a former branch secretary are among those gunning to represent the NBA at the General Council of the Bar.

It remains to be seen how the permutations will play out as the elections draw closer.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Apr 23, 2020
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  • Comments Off on NBA ELECTIONS: ‘WHAT WE WANT FROM ECNBA’ – ASPIRANTS

NBA ELECTIONS: ‘WHAT WE WANT FROM ECNBA’ – ASPIRANTS

As the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) fine-tunes modalities to select its Information Technology Specialist for the 2020 NBA Elections, some aspirants have been speaking on their expectations from the election management body.

While some told CITY LAWYER that they are confident the ECNBA would deliver free and transparent elections, others warned that it may sound the death knell for NBA if the electoral process is not fair and credible.

ALEX MUOKA
I think that it will be difficult to sincerely move forward if we do not admit the mistakes of the past. The official NBA is still in denial that anything untoward happened during the last elections. If we consider the complaints from the last process we will know what to do and or not do this time around.

Last week there was an online discourse by The Torchbearers during which an IT expert discuss e-voting. The synopsis of that engagement will be most instructive. It would be very unfortunate if there is already a predetermined bidder. It means that there is a script being acted out.

The NBA secretariat ought to have credible database of lawyers from the roll and the verification process; also from conference registrations and previous elections (for older lawyers). This data ought by now to have been integrated such that once the evidence of payment of 2020 BPF and Branch dues is inputed the secretariat would produce a clean voters list. Once this data is handed over to the committee the work of the secretariat as far as the elections are concerned is over.

The committee should allow stakeholders to interrogate the processes as they go forward and should take seriously any comments or complaints from stakeholders. There must be a post-election audit before the results are announced.

S. O. K. SHILLING
First, I adopt the submission of Learned Silk Funke Adekoya, Mrs. as reported.

Further, there are fears about the integrity of the process, hence interested party should be allowed to assess the process by their respective experts. This should be done before the negotiation is complete lest it becomes medicine after death. The integrity of this process is already staked if some things have not been done now.

BARTH OKOYE-ANICHE
The Committee should make a thorough screening of the candidates in accordance with the Constitution of NBA. The Committee in all its dealings and (at) each stage of their activities should pay strict adherence to the provisions of the Constitution. And should not conduct itself as to suggest that they already have a candidate in mind.
The issues of our NBA elections always emanate from the point of publishing the list of eligible voters, therefore I advise that the committee should do a thorough work on that and ensure that nobody who is qualified to vote is disenfranchised from taking part in the process.

Transparency is a key to every election. To demonstrate transparency, the Committee should always make their dealings open for members of the Association to scrutinize. There should be in place an avenue to communicate with the members on the activities of the Committee stage by stage. With that they can earn the confidence of members especially when the last election was perceived by many quarters as tampered with.

The members are watching very keenly to see the first step this ECNBA Committee will take especially in the area of selection of partners or ICT Company to work with amongst the bidders. This if gotten right will earn the confidence of people in the Committee. The Committee should be circumspect in that area, because it will make or mar the confidence of members. And finally on that, I suggest that the Committee go with an International ICT Company, or an Indigenous Company with no link to any of the aspirants or their seeming supporters. We have to get it right this time.

I will say that you cannot totally do away with the involvement of the staff of NBA in the electoral process of the NBA. This is because, it is this same staff or employees that are in custody of the NBA machineries and are expected to furnish any ICT Company selected with the materials to work with. So you see, it will be near impossible to conduct any election without them there to supply the data and other things to the external company or body coming to conduct the election. But what we should be talking about is how we make sure that the bad eggs in them will not have anything to do with the sensitive materials for the election, or will not have any involvement with the operation of the machineries. There should be a standing order to curtail the NBA staff’s interference with the sensitive parts of the process.

I think if the Committee follow the procedures laid down in the Constitution and the Electoral Regulation, free and fair election is achievable without stress. What breaches elections is when the supposed umpire begins to have interest in the process whether personal interest or pressured interest. If a foreign ICT Company is involved in the process from the start, I believe they still have the morals not to succumb to any pressure. Generally, I have trust on the Committee, and so far they have my full support. Even though their work is not going to be easy I pray that they succeed to give NBA the best election, in order to bring back the lost confidence in our electoral process.

ADEDOTUN ADETUNJI
Transparency is very key in this. A transparent process to invite leading players in the industry and/or advertising same in the print and/or electronic media to enable suitably qualified companies to bid will go a long way to give us a hitch free process.
I don’t like to sound pessimistic; the committee members are our colleagues and they are men of proven integrity. I do not doubt their ability to deliver on the assignment given to them. I am sure they will perform well and be fair to all concerned.

NBA staff in the circumstance are not members of the committee. The running and workings of the committee to me is the responsibility of the committee members and the successful company eventually selected to carry out the job. NBA staff should not be involved in the electoral process beyond mere/simple administrative runnings.

On the way forward, there is urgent need to improve on the accreditation process in terms of provision of enough time adequate for complaints and redress options. Secondly, there must be satisfactory voters education for members. Thirdly, all the candidates must be enlightened on the modality of accreditation, voting and counting ab initio to avoid misunderstanding of the process. The fourth suggestion is that a clear-cut, credible and acceptable election dispute resolution process should be put in place so as to avoid incessant and embarrassing litigation that have characterized NBA elections lately. Finally, an election review forum should hold where stakeholders can come to compare notes, exchange ideas and recommend better methodologies, if any.

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