ECNBA

SPECIAL REPORT: 2024 NBA ELECTIONS – BEHOLD ALL THE ASPIRANTS

• MAIKYAU TO UNVEIL ELECTORAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS AT NEC

As preparations for the 2024 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections gather steam, CITY LAWYER investigation shows that no less than 36 aspirants may slug it out for the 10 available positions in the NBA Executive Committee.

Meanwhile, there are strong indications that NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN will on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the National Executive Council Meeting unveil a list of Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) members who will midwife the forthcoming elections. Members of the immediate past Electoral Committee who spoke to CITY LAWYER said that they would never return to electoral duties as ECNBA members due to the prolonged debacle over payment of vendors that handled the last elections.

According to CITY LAWYER investigation, no less than four aspirants may head to the poll for the coveted seat of NBA President, even as a question mark hovers over the qualification of at least one of the aspirants.

CITY LAWYER investigation shows that five aspirants may slug it out for the highly influential position of NBA General Secretary. The qualification credentials of at least one of the aspirants may however be tested by the NBA Electoral Committee.

The post of NBA First Vice President remains by far the most crowded so far, with at least eight aspirants vying for the position. While both posts of NBA President and NBA First Vice President are reserved for the “Eastern Zone” by NBA’s rotational arrangement now embedded in the NBA Constitution, the First Vice President takes over from the President in the event of incapacity or similar reasons.

About three former Branch Chairmen and a former Branch Vice Chairman will engage in an electoral face-off for the post of NBA Second Vice President which is reserved for the Western Zone, while at least one aspirant is aggressively ‘consulting’ for the position of Third Vice President which is reserved for the Northern Zone.

The position of Treasurer will witness a fierce fire-fight between three aspirants, even as the same number of aspirants may battle for the high-profile position of NBA Publicity Secretary. Two aspirants have already thrown their hats in the ring for the posts of Welfare Secretary and Assistant General Secretary and Assistant Publicity Secretary.

NBA PRESIDENCY
According to CITY LAWYER investigation, the aspirants who are gunning to replace incumbent NBA President are Mr. Afam Osigwe SAN, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom SAN, Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe, and Mrs. Joyce Oduah.

While Osigwe is a former NBA General Secretary and Chairman of the NBA 2023 Annual General Conference Planning Committee (AGCPC), Ikwuazom is a former Chairman of NBA Lagos Branch and current Chairman of the NBA Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC). Erojikwe, a Bencher, is Chairman of the Board of NBA Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE) and a member of the highly influential National Judicial Commission (NJC).

ODUAH’S ARDUOUS CHALLENGE
Oduah is the immediate past NBA General Secretary and was NBA National Treasurer between 2012 and 2014. While there are concerns on her qualification credentials, this has not dampened her enthusiasm for the top job. Section 9(4)(c) of the NBA Constitution provides that “Any member who has held an elective office as a national officer for two (2) terms shall not be eligible to contest for a national office until at least ten (10) years his/her last term of office.”

EMEKA OZOANI FACTOR
The rumoured entry of ‘new kid on the block,’ Mr. Emeka Ozoani SAN into the presidential race has unsettled some political camps and permutations. Ozoani’s political profile has risen dramatically lately, especially with his high-profile donations to some lawyers who have fallen on hard times. A ranking NBA chieftain told CITY LAWYER that Ozoani had professed to him his quest to contest for the coveted seat of NBA President at least on two occasions. It was however unclear at press time whether his passion for the contest has waned, as two Bar Leaders told CITY LAWYER yesterday that the senior lawyer had informed them that he was no longer interested in the race.

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
The post of NBA First Vice President has a surfeit of aspirants including former Eastern Bar Forum (EBF) Governor, Mr. Sopriye Long Williams; immediate past NBA Enugu Branch Chairman, Dr. Jude Ezegwui; former Aguata Branch Chairman, Mr. Sabastine Anyia who earlier contested for the post of NBA Welfare Secretary; Dr. Promise Iwezor of Isiokpo Branch; Mr. Reginald Ugwuadu of Port Harcourt Branch; Dr. Gerald Abonyi; former NBA Ikeja Chairman, Mr. Bartholomew Aguegbedo, and former Yenagoa Branch Chairman, Mr. Ikechukwu Stanley Damabide.

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
The three former Branch chairmen who are gunning for the post of NBA Second Vice President are returnee aspirant, Mr. Isaac Ogbah (Ota Branch), Pius Oiwoh (Benin Branch) and Promise Ademi-Akpeto (Sapele Branch) who was disqualified during the last elections. They will however have to contend with the influential former NBA Lagos Branch Vice Chairman and current NBA Welfare Committee Member Bola Animashaun who is also interested in the position.

THIRD VICE PRESIDENT
Only Mr. Michael Olorunmola of Lokoja Branch seems to have indicated interest for the position of NBA Third Vice President which is zoned to the North.

GENERAL SECRETARY
Among those who will do battle for the position of NBA General Secretary are former NBA Gwagwalada Chairman, Mr. Isah Aliyu; Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara of Ilorin Branch; fiery incumbent NBA Treasurer, Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop of Bukuru Branch; former NBA Bwari Chairman, Mr. Abubakar Tsav, and Mr. Idris Doko of NBA Lagos Branch.

A BISHOP’S HURDLE
An NBA political watcher told CITY LAWYER that Anze-Bishop may have to surmount the hurdle of allegedly being a staff on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Section 9(3)(b) of the NBA Constitution provides that “A member of the Association shall be qualified to hold a National Office if he/she, with respect to the office of the President, 1st Vice President and General Secretary, is in private legal practice.” A source close to the embattled NBA Treasurer however told CITY LAWYER that she has been in a partnership practice for sometime now.

TREASURER
The position of Treasurer is a tripodal fire-fight between returnee aspirant, Mr. Chuks Mbamala (Enugu Branch); immediate past NBA Lagos Treasurer Carol Obi, and Blessing Udofa-Poromon of NBA Uyo Branch. However, Carol Ibharuneafe of Ikeja Branch told CITY LAWYER that she is “still consulting” to determine whether to also throw her hat into the ring.

WELFARE SECRETARY
Two returnee aspirants, Messrs Auta Nyada (Suleja Branch) and Gbemiga Adaramola (Ado Ekiti Branch) will dwell with former NBA Benin Branch Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) Chairman, Mr. Oaikhena Osagie for the position of NBA Welfare Secretary.

PUBLICITY SECRETARY
A fiery duel may ensue between former NBA Assistant Publicity Secretary Ferdinand Naza and high-profile legal bloggers Bridget Edokwe and Felix Ashimole (aka Che Oyinatunba) for the position of NBA Publicity Secretary. A source told CITY LAWYER that an initial quest for the post by incumbent NBA Assistant Publicity Secretary Charles Ajiboye may have cooled. Mr. Seth Nwokolo of Oji River Branch also told CITY LAWYER today that he has quit the race to focus on other matters.

ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY
The race for the position of Assistant General Secretary is between Henry Barnabas Ehi of NBA Bwari Branch and returnee aspirant Seun Aka of Ikorodu Branch, even as one Prince Henry Chidiabo (Onitsha Branch) is speculated to be interested in the position.

ASSISTANT PUBLICITY SECRETARY
For the position of Assistant Publicity Secretary, it may be a straight fight between Ms. Ebiere Ekpese of Sagbama Branch and Lawrence Ayewa of Udu Branch. 

The next few days and weeks will determine how the eagerly awaited elections will unfold.

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AKPATA DISSOLVES C’TES, TCCP, ECNBA SURVIVE

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Olumide Akpata has dissolved all Standing and Ad-hoc Committees set up by the administration to run its affairs.

While the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP) and the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) are not affected by the dissolution announced by NBA Publicity Secretary, Dr. Rapulu Nduka, the administration has also set up a Transition Committee to midwife the incoming regime.

Below is a text of the statement made available to CITY LAWYER.

DISSOLUTION OF ALL STANDING AND AD-HOC COMMITTEES OF THE ASSOCIATION AND CONSTITUTION OF NBA TRANSITION COMMITTEE

Dear Colleagues,

On the inauguration of the present leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, and in the course of its duties, various Standing and Ad-hoc Committees were constituted to assist in the smooth running of the outgoing administration.

However, ahead of the expiration of the tenure of the outgoing administration, the NBA President on behalf of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, has dissolved all standing and Ad-Hoc Committees of the Association, with the exception of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning and the Electoral Committee of The Nigerian Bar Association, and further constitutes a Transition Committee.

Members of the Transition Committee include:

1. Paul Harris Ogbole SAN – Chairman
2. Aderemi Oguntoye
3. Bulus Atsen
4. Desmond Ogba
5. Tolu Aderemi
6. Benard Onigah
7. Ovonlen Ebholimen
8. Grace Igyo
9. Ayodeji Oni
10. Kelechi Onwuegbuchulem

The National Executive Committee of the NBA sincerely appreciates the various committees for their hardwork and support for this administration, and charges the Transition Committee to properly discharge their duties in line with their Terms of Reference.

Dr. Rapulu Nduka
Publicity Secretary

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MAIKYAU TO BE SWORN IN, AS GADZAMA BOWS OUT

Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN has again vowed not to appeal the recently concluded Nigerian Bar Association presidential election notwithstanding the resignation en masse of members of the NBA National Election Appeal Committee (NBA-NEAC).

This clears the way for senior lawyer, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN to be sworn in as the next NBA President, having been declared winner of the July 16, 2022 election by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA).

In a press release made available to CITY LAWYER, Chief Chukwudi Oli, a close aide of the ranking Bar Leader, said that “The NBA-NEAC instant resignation is now of no moment and whatever bias this belated attempt aims at curing is long spent and overtaken by event since it is well outside 10 days from the announcement of the election results by the ECNBA within which petitions are to be filed before it.”

Signed by Oli, Director-General of J-K CampaignTeam, the statement noted that “the NBA-NEAC, as with all Standing Committees, is constituted by the President of the NBA, subject to ratification by the National Executive Council. Therefore, a reconstituted NBA-NEAC will no doubt still require the ratification of NEC to lawfully function.”

According to Oli, “If anything, the instant resignation buttresses premeditated and predetermined objectives; for how best can it be explained that the instant resignation is coming well outside of the time limit the NBA-NEAC had itself stipulated in para 3.2 of its “GUIDELINES FOR HEARING AND DETERMINING COMPLAINT(S) FROM CANDIDATES IN THE 2022 NBA NATIONAL ELECTIONS.””

Titled “RE: RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS OF THE NBA NATIONAL ELECTIONS APPEAL COMMITTEE,” the Campaign Team chided the NBA-NEAC members for claiming that the earlier letter to NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata was penned by Gadzama, saying that “in the present instance and for clarity, the referenced letter of July 26, 2022, was even neither signed nor circulated by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN on social media as alleged by the NBA-NEAC.

It also berated the NBA-NEAC members for the tone of their joint resignation letter, saying that “as legal practitioners and conscionable persons, we understand the virtue of being temperate in language and making variable assertions; and therefore make bold to say that expressing reservations about a process, especially in view of the manifest likelihood of bias, cannot and should not be misread as ‘unfortunate, and undeserving’ or ‘most uncharitable’, as was erroneously averred by the NBA-NEAC.”

The Campaign Team stated that “Considering that the notice of the constitution of the National Elections Appeal Committee for the NBA National Election was released on May 21, 2022, every member of the NBA-NEAC had ample notice to recuse themselves, especially where such member(s) has/have a preference as to candidate(s) in the national elections and have manifestly or tacitly, either by their actions and/or inactions, exhibited such.

“We are ultimately charitable to the truth and our convictions for a better bar. It is in itself most uncharitable to refer to such conviction as uncharitable.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

PRESS RELEASE

RE: RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS OF THE NBA NATIONAL ELECTIONS APPEAL COMMITTEE

The letter dated July 30, 2022, from the NBA-National Elections Appeal Committee (NBA- NEAC) to the President of the NBA refers.

In the aforementioned letter, all 9 members of the NBA- NEAC have resigned their membership due to a letter of July 26, 2022, addressed to the NBA President, which the Committee has alleged was purportedly written and circulated on social media by Chief J-K Gadzama, SAN.

The NBA-NEAC also declared that the alleged “mischaracterization” ascribed to some members of the Committee is most “unfortunate, and undeserving”. It further alleged that the comments made by the learned silk in what it called the “globally circulated letter” was “most uncharitable” and thus that its “mass resignation” was due to their “indignation and principled opposition to the uncharitable comments and accusations of Chief J-K Gadzama, SAN”.

To put a method to this, we will be chronological:

1) Firstly, it is well within anyone’s rights to circulate whatever publication of substance they deem fit, in the present instance and for clarity, the referenced letter of July 26, 2022, was even neither signed nor circulated by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN on social media as alleged by the NBA-NEAC. The referenced letter of July 26, 2022, was ably signed by Chief C.P Oli, the Director General, J-K Gadzama Campaign Team, and co-signed by Mr. O.E Oluwabiyi, the Admin Officer of the J-K Gadzama Campaign Team, and further addressed to the President of the NBA, with the NBA-NEAC in copy. Words and actions should not be arrogated without recourse to factual stream of events. Posterity is always kind to the truthful.

2) Secondly, as legal practitioners and conscionable persons, we understand the virtue of being temperate in language and making variable assertions; and therefore make bold to say that expressing reservations about a process, especially in view of the manifest likelihood of bias, cannot and should not be misread as “unfortunate, and undeserving” or “most uncharitable”, as was erroneously averred by the NBA-NEAC. We are ultimately charitable to the truth and our convictions for a better bar. It is in itself most uncharitable to refer to such conviction as uncharitable.

3) Considering that the notice of the constitution of the National Elections Appeal Committee for the NBA National Election was released on May 21, 2022, every member of the NBA-NEAC had ample notice to recuse themselves, especially where such member(s) has/have a preference as to candidate(s) in the national elections and have manifestly or tacitly, either by their actions and/or inactions, exhibited such.

4) The NBA-NEAC instant resignation is now of no moment and whatever bias this belated attempt aims at curing is long spent and overtaken by event since it is well outside 10 days from the announcement of the election results by the ECNBA within which petitions are to be filed before it. If anything, the instant resignation buttresses premeditated and predetermined objectives; for how best can it be explained that the instant resignation is coming well outside of the time limit the NBA-NEAC had itself stipulated in para 3.2 of its “GUIDELINES FOR HEARING AND DETERMINING COMPLAINT(S) FROM CANDIDATES IN THE 2022 NBA NATIONAL ELECTIONS.”

5) Furthermore, under S.14 (1) (l) of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as Amended in 2021), the NBA National Election Appeal Committee is listed as a Standing Committee. By S.14 (3) (i) of the said Constitution, the NBA-NEAC, as with all Standing Committees, is constituted by the President of the NBA, subject to ratification by the National Executive Council. Therefore, a reconstituted NBA-NEAC will no doubt still require the ratification of NEC to lawfully function.

6) It is against these serious and all-important backgrounds that we restate our commitment to a better bar is as unwavering as the rock of Gibraltar. It is a job that must be done and rightly so.

Long live the Nigerian Bar Association!

Signed:

Chief C. P. Oli
Director-General
J-K Campaign Team 
01/08/2022

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‘NBA ELECTION 2022 MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO RIGGING,’ SAYS GADZAMA

One of the leading candidates in the just concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN has alleged that ElectionBuddy, the electronic voting platform deployed for the elections, “was highly vulnerable and most susceptible to electronic fraud, rigging and pre-programming of votes.”

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, Gadzama also stated that a report by his ICT consultant dated Monday, July 18, 2022 “also shows that there is a high likelihood that the system could be hacked and manipulated.”

He stated that “A follow-up report by my agent dated Wednesday, July 20, 2022 confirms that this occurrence was more than likely,” adding that “I have been advised that this is why the percentage score among all the three Presidential candidates remained within the same range from the commencement of voting till the end. This, as I have been advised, is not human behavior but mechanical.”

Gadzama stated that though one Mr. Mohammed Mustapha, an ICT specialist, had applied to act as the Technical Support Consultant (TSC) to the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), “the ECNBA did not list his company as one that had applied; rather only two companies were listed before one was selected to provide the consultancy.”

The full text of the statement is below.

PRESS RELEASE ON THE JUST-CONCLUDED NBA NATIONAL ELECTION

Introduction
As you may recall, the National Election of the Nigerian Bar Association (‘NBA’) was concluded on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

My utmost appreciation goes to the members of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (‘ECNBA’) who conducted our election. I respect each of them and commend their efforts. I equally salute all the contestants who vied for various positions.

Pre-Election
It is pertinent to state that before the conduct of the election, my agent – Mr Andrew Madaki tested the vulnerability of the website to conduct the election – electionbuddy.com. The report, which is attached to this release, shows that the website was susceptible to manipulation.

Thereafter, my agent and other agents present raised some of these concerns during the press briefing conducted by the ECNBA on the eve of the election.

Voting
During the conduct of the election, my agent discovered numerous irregularities and expressed same by a letter sent via email to the ECNBA at 2:00 pm. The same is attached to this release. In the email, he reported the frequent timeouts experienced by the site, lack of access to the backend of the server, lack of graphical representation of the results and ultimately requested to audit the election, which the ECNBA promised to provide immediately.

Post-Election
After the conduct of the election, my agent sent a reminder to the ECNBA on Sunday, July 17, 2022 to audit the election and discover if there were more irregularities but same has not been provided by the ECNBA.

After the conduct of the election, my agent engaged another IT specialist to test the server. The report of the specialist which was dated Monday, July 18, 2022 also shows that there is a high likelihood that the system could be hacked and manipulated. A follow-up report by my agent dated Wednesday, July 20, 2022 confirms that this occurrence was more than likely. I have been advised that this is why the percentage score among all the three Presidential candidates remained within the same range from the commencement of voting till the end. This, as I have been advised, is not human behavior but mechanical.

It is important to re-iterate that auditing the election will permit independent parties and agents to discover if there were any technical interferences to usurp the will of the electorate. This access is expected to have been provided immediately after the conclusion of the poll to prevent any party from tampering with the system.

Pre-Qualification of Technical Consultant to ECNBA
On Friday, June 24, 2022, I invited numerous IT specialists to advise me. One of them was Mr Mohammed Mustapha who I asked to provide information security and communication strategy in the just-concluded NBA Election; however, on Monday, June 27, 2022, Mr Mustapha declined my offer as a result of conflict of interest because he had earlier applied to the ECNBA to act as a consultant. After declining my request, Mr Mustapha informed me that although he had applied to be a consultant to the ECNBA before the deadline, the ECNBA did not list his company as one that had applied; rather only two companies were listed before one was selected to provide the consultancy. The two referenced letters are attached.

Also attached to this release are: (i) the notice released by the ECNBA asking for proposals for a technical consultant titled ‘Request for Proposal for Technical Support Consultant to the ECNBA – Submission Reminder Notice’, (ii) acknowledged copy of the bid by Mr Mustapha titled ‘Re: Request for Proposal for Technical Support Consultant to the ECNBA’ received by the ECNBA at 3:35 pm on 22/4/22, and (iii) the notice displaying companies that applied titled ‘Respondents to Request for Proposal for Technical Support Consultant’.

Conclusion
On the whole, and in view of the above facts and attached documents, it is clear that the technology adopted was highly vulnerable and most susceptible to electronic fraud, rigging and pre-programming of votes. I hereby call upon the ECNBA to allow an immediate audit of the election and server.

Dated this Wednesday, the 20th day of July, 2022

____________________________¬¬_
Joe-Kyari Gadzama OFR, MFR, SAN
Presidential Candidate

ENCLS:
1. Vulnerability report dated Sunday, July 10, 2022;
2. Complaint letter dated Saturday, July 16, 2022;
3. Email reminder to the ECNBA on Sunday, July 17, 2022;
4. Vulnerability report dated Monday, July 18, 2022;
5. NBA National Elections 2022: Report dated Wednesday, July 20, 2022;
6. Provision of information security and communication strategy for the forthcoming NBA election dated Friday, June 24, 2022;
7. Re: Provision of information security and communication strategy for the forthcoming NBA National Elections dated Monday, June 27, 2022;
8. Request for proposal for technical support consultant to the ECNBA – Submission Reminder Notice dated April 21, 2022;
9. Re: Request for Proposal for Technical Support Consultant to the ECNBA dated April 22, 2022; and
10. Respondents to Request for Proposal for Technical Support Consultant dated April 25, 2022.

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‘YOUR ELECTION RESULTS ARE CREDIBLE,’ ELECTIONBUDDY TELLS NBA MEMBERS

ELECTIONBUDDY, the Edmonton, Canada based electronic voting platform, has validated the results of the recently concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections, saying the results were not tampered with.

In a letter addressed “To the members of the Nigerian Bar Association” and signed by its President, Mr. Dave Bodnarchuk, the company which was contracted by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) alongside INITS Limited as the ICT Service Provider, stated that “At the completion of the election, ElectionBuddy staff perform limited procedures which includes (sic) review of the voter list, voting process, examination of the results, and inquiries of management. We believe that the review and results of our procedures provide a reasonable basis to confirm our report.

“Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any modifications to the election that would materially impact the electoral outcomes.”

An earlier enquiry to ElectionBuddy by CITY LAWYER did not elicit any response.

Below is the full text of the report.

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‘WHY MAIKYAU CAN’T BE SWORN-IN UNTIL ELECTION AUDIT,’ BY CAROL AJIE

Vocal Bar activist, Dame Carol Ajie has said that Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President-elect, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN cannot be sworn-in alongside other elected National Officers until the 2022 NBA Election is audited.

In a post made available to CITY LAWYER, Ajie canvassed that First Vice President Mrs Linda Bala should take over the mantle of leadership of the association until conclusion of the audit.

CITY LAWYER recalls that the agent of Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN at the just concluded election had written to the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) urging it to audit the election. While the expectation from the Gadzama camp was that the audit would be concluded before announcement of the results, the Electoral Committee brushed aside the demand and proceeded to announce the election results.

Below is the full text of Ajie’s statement.

The Swearing-in is in five weeks. Gadzama SAN should not concern himself with any other office but that of the NBA President which he contested and is in contention.

Lessons from 2016, avoid possible prolongation of dispute by narrowing it to office of President

Electoral Notes:-

1) NBA should proceed on 26/8 as scheduled to swear in all newly elected officers but one that is the Office of the President.

2) The First Vice President Mrs Linda Bala and every other officer but President upon being sworn in Bala should step in for the President as Akpata terms out. No tenure elongation. Mrs Bala might find this task heavy but she has to learn to step in pending result of audit particularly as ECNBA is yet to ask NBA presidential candidates to nominate an audit firm each.

3) All three Presidential candidates will nominate one audit firm per candidate say in a day or two. All three audit firms will meet to review the process, 60,000 approximate voters accredited only 34,000 voted. Because they were denied access covertly or overtly. Why were inaccessible voting links sent to some targeted lawyers. Must resolve these once and for all.

4) In the event of the auditors finding fundamental irregularities, ElectionBuddy has to explain it. If not satisfactorily explained ECNBA ought to cancel the election result for the office of the President and conduct a credible election ASAP.

This is a struggle to save NBA.

Thank you.

Caroline Ajie, LL.M Georgetown
Professor Scholar Juris

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TAIDI CONGRATULATES MAIKYAU, HAILS ELECTION AS CREDIBLE

Congratulatory Message

I congratulate the President-Elect, Mr. Yakubu C. Maikyau, SAN, the General Secretary-elect Adesina Adegbite, Esq and all the newly elected National Officers as well as Members of the General Council of the Bar for a successful election.

The candour throughout the electioneering process is a testament to our collective commitment towards enthroning the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) of our dream in particular and a country built on the Rule of Law, seamless administration of justice and rapid improvement on the welfare of the people generally.

I particularly commend the Chairman and Members of ECNBA whose sleepless nights culminated in a seamless electoral process that has made us proud members of the NBA.

I must thank all my enthusiastic supporters and colleagues who stood committed and kept faith throughout the electioneering process, enabling us to finish strong. Your efforts were not in vain as they sent a strong message of courage, hope and endless possibilities.

I congratulate the entire members of the Bar and urge you all to support the newly elected National Officers in their service to the Association.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
Past General Secretary, NBA & Presidential Candidate

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GADZAMA PETITIONS ECNBA, WANTS NBA ELECTION AUDITED

The controversies that trailed three past NBA National Elections conducted through electronic voting may not abate as Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN has petitioned the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) for an audit of the ongoing election. The election ends by midnight today.

In a petition to the Electoral Committee Chairman made available to CITY LAWYER and titled “Complaints Against Fundamental National Election lrregularities and Non-Compliance in the NBA National Election,” the presidential candidate demanded “a forensic audit of the election and the result logs.”

ECNBA Chairman, Mr. Ayodele Akintunde SAN confirmed receipt of the petition. He told CITY LAWYER that “We have the letter,” adding that “We will review it and take appropriate action.”

Dated July 16, 2022 and signed by an ICT expert and his sole Agent in the ECNBA Situation Room, Mr. Andrew Agbo-Madaki, Gadzama outlined several complaints against the election, saying that at yesterday’s ECNBA stakeholders’ briefing, “several agents complained about the last-minute briefing which did not avail ample time for the agents and IT experts of the candidates to test the voting system and portal.”

He noted that while the electoral umpire had earlier promised that access to live results would be made available to voters, “Only agents in the situation room had access to the live results.”

According to the petition, agents requested backend access to review the voting portal “as required under international best practices, this request was rejected.”

Gadzama stated that “lt is also important to state that despite assurances of the ECNBA and the technology provider INITS limited on the suitability of the voting site www.electionbuddy.com, between the hours of 1am to 3am there were repeated error messages while viewing the live results (error: 502 bad gateway): The HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) 502 Bad Gateway server error response code indicates that the server, while acting as a gateway or proxy, received an invalid response from the upstream Server.”

Alluding that this may have compromised the voting portal, the letter stated that “this makes us question the credibility and efficiency of the portal which promised to handle a 100,000 voter capacity.”

The petition also stated that “Agents and stakeholders were (sic) also requested graphical representation of the results which would show details according to branches. This was not made available during the election period.”

A source at the Gadzama Campaign Directorate told CITY LAWYER that their demand is for an audit that must be conducted before announcement of the election results.

CITY LAWYER gathered that there were occasional outages on the viewing screen at the ECNBA Situation Room which got some agents agitated.

But an ECNBA source told CITY LAWYER that the outages had no impact on the server or the election results, saying: “The idea that 1 LED screen in the NBA annexe somehow controls the balloting is preposterous.

“The system as you may imagine has to do recomputation of displays periodically. I suspect the issue is that whenever the system needs to recompute, the display retreats momentarily while that happens. That is not entirely unpredictable? But, to many of our people, that is ECNBA manufacturing another hike in numbers.”

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EDITORIAL: NBA ELECTIONS 2022 – WHY WE MUST GET IT RIGHT

The ballot for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections will open in a matter of hours to elect National Officers and NBA Representatives to the General Council of the Bar.

This year’s election is especially pivotal given the controversies that have trailed the last three efforts since the introduction of electronic voting and universal suffrage by the amended NBA Constitution 2015.

Since 2016, NBA Elections have spanned between a petition to the NBA Trustees to litigation and criminal prosecution of suspects accused of electoral malfeasance by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This has brought odium and discomfiture to NBA and its members.

While the allegations that trailed the 2016 and 2018 elections remain somewhat muted, the same cannot be said of the 2020 Election. While several commentators and stakeholders alleged that the election was fraught with sundry irregularities, Mr. Dele Adesina SAN, one of the presidential candidates in the election, accused the defunct Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) of data diddling, saying that “it is apparent that the data uploaded to the site was programmed and preconfigured to achieve a desired result in an obvious case of data diddling.”

The election was also bedeviled by the spectre of huge undelivered ballots, with Adesina again noting that the ElectionBuddy voting platform deployed for the election posted 14,879 total undelivered notices to prospective voters as at 2 pm on Election Day as against 29,635 total registered voters. He contended that “The inability to deliver 14,000 notices to prospective voters 13 hours after the commencement of the Election is not only evidence of lack of capacity on the part of the System but also a clear disenfranchisement of these prospective voters.” It is noteworthy that ElectionBuddy has been contracted by the current Electoral Committee alongside INITS Limited as the joint ICT Service Provider (ISP) for the 2022 NBA Elections.

If Adesina’s claims are deemed by critics as the vituperations of a sore loser, the verdict of the NBA Trustees on the election did not validate such an assertion. Instead, it gave vent to the perception that all was not well with the election.

In a letter dated 19th of August 2020 and authored by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, the Trustees said: “We note that the Elections were not perfect. We reviewed your Petition and note that it raises serious issues.”

The august body observed that “our elections continue to present challenges going back to 2016 and strongly recommend that a major transformation of our electoral process and framework must be undertaken and we are happy to be assigned this very important responsibility….”

In an earlier email by Agbakoba dated 17th August, 2020, the Trustees had stated emphatically that “The NBA 2020 Election was marred by irregularities. The ECNBA admitted that the election platform failed which is why they had to engage another I.T. Consultant. The ECNBA admitted that over 14,000 members could not vote which is an extremely high number. The ECNBA should have made provision to enable everyone to vote. This is an omission on their part.”

It was against this unflattering backdrop that NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, himself a beneficiary of that flawed electoral process, vowed to redeem NBA election from the perennial odium that has enveloped it. He set up the Mr. Ayodele Akintunde SAN-led NBA Electoral Reform and Audit Committee to unravel the challenges besetting NBA elections and proffer solutions.

Instructively, the Audit Committee in its final report returned the same verdict as the NBA Trustees, saying: “Nigerian lawyers were again optimistic that the 2020 Elections would be seamless as all the challenges encountered in the 2016 and 2018 Elections would have been fully addressed.” It however asserted that “that was not the case; like the previous elections, the 2020 Elections was controversial and there were pre-election and post-election issues and challenges.”

Continuing, the Audit Committee said: “INITS’ report revealed that during the elections on the ElectionBuddy platform, there were two major challenges. The first challenge was that based on the traffic and requests for the results between the first and second hour of the elections, voters and viewers began experiencing service degradation.”

The committee also indicted INITS Limited, the defunct ECNBA’s Technical Support Consultant (TSC), noting that “The INITS’ report did not include a Vote-by-Vote Audit Report. The Committee requested for the Report but was not able to obtain it before the submission of this Final Report.” Like ElectionBuddy, INITS Limited has been retained by the Akintunde-led ECNBA as joint ICT Service Provider for the 2022 Election.

Aside from generating a reliable voters register, the transparency of the electoral process has been in issue. The same is true of the election management body. Many analysts believe that Akpata got it right when he appointed Akintunde to spearhead the 2022 Elections, citing his avowed integrity and track record in conducting rancour-free elections at NBA Lagos Branch.

The NBA President had while inaugurating the Audit Committee stated that it (committee) “is already in the process of recommending reform measures to ensure that complaints about the NBA electoral process are significantly minimised.” The NBA Trustees had also committed to oversight electoral reforms.

The NBA Elections 2022 offer an uncommon opportunity not only for the NBA Board of Trustees, Akpata and Akintunde to walk the talk, but for all stakeholders to exhibit candour and good faith in ensuring that the association redeems its unwholesome electoral odyssey. There is no alternative to this desirable prospect.

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ANXIETY, AS ELECTIONBUDDY KEEPS MUM OVER NBA ELECTIONS

ElectionBuddy, the Edmonton, Canada based online voting platform, has kept mum over enquiries on how it plans to ensure transparency in tomorrow’s Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections.

CITY LAWYER had yesterday sent an email to the verified email address of the company as well as to the social media handles of some of its ranking officials.

However, while the email was not returned as undelivered and the post to the company’s Messenger handle indicated “seen,” CITY LAWYER did not receive any response from the company at press time.

It is recalled that the NBA Electoral Reform and Audit Committee chaired by current Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) Chairman, Mr. Ayodele Akintunde SAN had in its final report stated that “INITS’ report revealed that during the elections on the ElectionBuddy platform, there were two major challenges. The first challenge was that based on the traffic and requests for the results between the first and second hour of the elections, voters and viewers began experiencing service degradation.”

CITY LAWYER sought to know how the returnee ICT Service Provider would tackle this challenge, moreso as the number of eligible voters has doubled to about 60,000 from 29,632 in year 2020.

Aside from seeking to know the transparency features being put in place by ElectionBuddy for the election, CITY LAWYER also sought to know how the ICT Service Provider plans to deal with alleged data diddling, a charge levied by Mr. Dele Adesina SAN, one of the presidential candidates in the 2020 NBA Elections.

CITY LAWYER equally sought assurances on the safeguards being put in place by ElectionBuddy against hackers, whether there are plans for an independent third-party verification of the electoral process, the specific roles to be played by ElectionBuddy and INITS Limited in relation to their collaboration as joint ICT Service Provider, and whether any framework has been put in place to shore up the high level of undelivered credentials to voters, given that about 14,000 of the 29,632 registered voters were unable to vote during the 2020 Elections due largely to non-receipt of ballots.

Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the Electoral Committee may adopt a similar ICT architecture as the one deployed for the controversial 2020 Elections.

CITY LAWYER investigation showed that the same email address through which voters received results of the 2020 NBA Elections was deployed by ECNBA to send out emails on its “Invitation to Manifesto Day and Presidential Debate” and “ECNBA: Test Message on Elections.”

The Electoral Committee has stated that ballots for the 2022 NBA Elections will be received through the same email address. In its latest release on the election, the committee stated that “Your voting link will be sent at 12.00AM GMT+1 on Saturday July 16 to the email address & phone number registered on your profile on the NBA Portal. Please check your Inbox, Spam, Junk and Trash Folders for a message from ecnba@evm.ng for the email.”

Akintunde however told CITY LAWYER that there is no cause for worry, even as he assured that the ECNBA has scheduled its third and final briefing today at 5 pm to answer all queries from stakeholders relating to the eagerly awaited election.

The full text of the Information Release reads:

Distinguished Chairmen, Learned Colleagues

Ahead of the elections on Saturday 16th July, 2022 commencing from 12:00am, please note that there will be a stakeholders meeting& press conference holding today, Friday 15th July, 2022.

Time: 5pm
Venue: 9 Oro Ago Crescent Garki 312, Abuja FCT

For virtual participation, register using the link below: https://bit.ly/3P8Ung9

Kind Regards,
Secretary ECNBA

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‘ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TOMORROW’S ELECTION,’ BY ECNBA

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has issued details on how it will conduct the 2022 NBA Elections.

In a link obtained by CITY LAWYER, the ECNBA also stated that “Election result will be published on or before 24 hours post election.” However, Mr. Barry McCarty, the Dean of the Hans Denck School of Communication at Truett McConnell University, had while commending the speed with which results of the 2021 American Institute of Parliamentarians meeting voting results were delivered, noted: “A huge upside to electronic voting via @electionbuddy: we are getting the results of votes reported out 20–30 seconds after the polls are closed.”

The Electoral Committee has also provided details of its Help Desk for the election, showing that eligible voters may email the committee at support@evm.ng or call its helpline on 070-8067-2013.

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) also encourage voters to “add ecnba@evm.ng to your contact list to prevent the email from being identified as spam.” 

The committee warned that “If you have not received the message by election day, either your phone number is not registered on your profile or we could not deliver the message to you due to DND that may be turned on.” It encouraged voters to deactivate their Do Not Disturb (DND) functionality in order to facilitate receipt of their voting credentials.

In an earlier Information Release, the ECNBA had stated that “Qualified Voters that experience issues receiving OTP through their email should check their SPAM / Junk Folders and on their phones may have to temporarily disable Do not Disturb (DND) following these steps:

a. 9mobile (Etisalat) numbers, Text START to 2442.
b. MTN numbers, Text ALLOW to 2442.
c. Glo numbers, Text CANCEL to 2442.
d. Airtel numbers, Text ALLOW to 2442  

Though the electoral umpire urged eligible voters to “Please visit www.ecnba.ng to confirm your eligibility to vote,” the ECNBA is yet to publish the final list of verified voters.

To view the video demo by INITS, ECNBA’s ICT Service Provider, click here

Below is the full text of the FAQs.

WHO DO I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS?
All enquiries and questions regarding the NBA 2022 General Elections should be sent to the Election contact center via email at support@evm.ng & helpline: 070-8067-2013

Please include your SCN and Name in your message.
Please see link to detailed instructional text and animated video: go.ecnba.ng

HOW DO I CONFIRM MY ELIGIBILITY TO VOTE?
Please visit www.ecnba.ng to confirm your eligibility to vote.

HOW DO I VALIDATE/RESOLVE MY VOTING RECORDS?
Please visit votersrecordissue.ecnba.ng/ to validate or resolve your voting records.

HOW DO I VOTE?
Your voting link will be sent at 12.00AM GMT+1 on Saturday July 16 to the email address & phone number registered on your profile on the NBA Portal. Please check your Inbox, Spam, Junk and Trash Folders for a message from ecnba@evm.ng for the email.

Kindly add ecnba@evm.ng to your contact list to prevent the email from being identified as spam. Please DO NOT share the link with anyone.

Election will close at 11:59pm GMT+1 on Saturday July 16.
Additional reminders will be sent via email & text messages throughout the day.

I DID NOT RECEIVE MY NOTICE OR VOTING CREDENTIALS
If you have not received the message by election day, either your phone number is not registered on your profile or we could not deliver the message to you due to DND that may be turned on. To find out how to turn off DND, visit go.ecnba.ng and click on “DND”.

WHY IS MY ACCESS LINK NOT WORKING?
Your access link may not be working because:
• you have incorrectly entered it into your browser:
• confirm the access link has been entered correctly, with no additional or missing characters
• you are using an access link from a previous vote; this is more common if you are participating in a meeting with a series of votes:
• confirm you are using a current access link

If you have confirmed your access link is correct, try one of the following options:
• refresh your browser page
• close down your browser and reopen it
• Open a different browser (e.g., if you’re using Chrome, try using Internet Explorer, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc.)
• Use an incognito/private browsing window
• use a different device (e.g., if you’re using a computer, try a mobile phone or tablets

HOW DO I CONFIRM MY VOTE WAS RECEIVED?
You will see a confirmation message containing a confirmation code on your screen when you submit your ballot:
Please save your confirmation code in your records!

Your confirmation code:
• Is a unique, 15-character hash
• Cannot be used to identify you or your vote choices, so your anonymity is preserved
• Can be used to verify your vote:
o Has been tallied and included in the results
o Has not been tampered with from the time you voted to when the vote results are shared

A list of confirmation codes will be included with the vote’s results. You can verify your vote by matching your confirmation code to the list.

CAN I CHANGE OR DELETE MY VOTE?
Your vote is tallied and included in the results once you submit your ballot. It cannot be changed or deleted. You can only vote once.

HOW DOES THE ELECTION PORTAL PREVENT OTHERS FROM VIEWING MY VOTING CHOICES?
The Election platform powered by ElectionBuddy automatically uses SSL security for all communications, with 256-bit encryption – the same used by major banks. This means the connection between you and ElectionBuddy’s server is completely secure. When you open the ballot, you can make your choices, and submit your ballot, without anybody being able to see your choices.

WILL MY VOTE BE ANONYMOUS?
Only eligible voters are allowed to vote, however in storing your vote the data is converted to anonymous.

WHY AM I RECEIVING A 404 ERROR MESSAGE?
404 errors are usually due to a miscommunication between your web browser and our server. Try using one of the following options to solve the issue:
• Refresh your browser page
• Close your browser and reopen it
• Open a different browser (e.g., if you’re using Chrome, try using Internet Explorer, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc.)
• Use an incognito/private browsing window
• Use a different device (e.g., if you’re using a computer, try a mobile phone or tablet)

Please reach out to the support team if issues persist.

DO I NEED AN ACCOUNT TO VOTE?
You do not need an account to vote! You can access the vote and your ballot using the voting credentials in the notice (email) you received from ElectionBuddy.

WHAT TYPE OF COMPUTER OR SOFTWARE DO I NEED TO VOTE?
You can vote on the NBA 2022 general election on a variety of Internet connected devices, including: Desktop Computer, Laptops, Tablets and Mobile Phones.

You do not need any additional software, apps, or equipment.

WHEN WILL THE ELECTION RESULT BE READY?
Election result will be published on or before 24 hours post election.

ARE MULTIPLE BALLOT FORMATS AVAILABLE?
No!… A single ballot per eligible voter. You cannot vote multiple times.

ARE ELECTRONIC VOTES STORED FOR RECOUNT, INSPECTION AND REVIEW PURPOSES?
Yes!… A comprehensive post-election report will be submitted for audit purposes. The audited election report shall be presented to the election committee and NBA.

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NBA ELECTIONS 2022: WHY 10,000 LAWYERS MAY NOT VOTE

No less than 9,051 lawyers may be barred from voting when the ballot opens next Saturday for the 2022 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections.

CITY LAWYER investigation shows that these are the number of lawyers who are yet to verify their personal details in order to be included in the final voters register soon to be published by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA).

In fact, the Electoral Committee warned yesterday that unless the lawyers take the last window of opportunity to verify their data, they would not be able to vote during the election.

An Information Release made available to CITY LAWYER by the committee states that “FOR THE RECORD, THIS IS THE FINAL EFFORT BY ECNBA TO ENABLE THIS SUBSET OF QUALIFIED VOTERS PARTICIPATE IN THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS.”

Titled “FINAL EFFORT TO ENSURE DATA ACCURACY OF SOME QUALIFIED VOTERS” and signed by Mr. Ayodele Akintunde SAN and Mabel Ekeke, ECNBA Chairman and Secretary respectively, the statement noted that “This information release is made further to the several publications, subsequent resolutions of complaints and the outcome of the TEST messages sent by the ECNBA’s ICT Service Provider on Saturday, 25 June 2022 to qualified voters.

“The ECNBA’s TSC has identified a subset of the data within the qualified Voters list that require further validation or correction of their emails and phone numbers to enable them to receive their ballots in the forthcoming elections holding on Saturday, 16 July 2022. The ECNBA therefore requires all qualified Voters on the list accompanying this Information release to follow the under listed steps for a further and final validation:

a. Visit the validation portal at https://votersrecordissue.ecnba.ng

b. Type your enrolment number in the box provided, click “Validate” and your name will be displayed to you along with your email and Phone number intentionally masked to comply with data protection law.

c. If you recognize the records to be yours, click “Validate” button beside the email and phone number one after the other, an OTP message will be sent to you, which you are required to enter to validate the record and a green tick box will be displayed next to each record, thereafter, click Close to complete the process.

d. However, if the record displayed is not accessible to you or unknown, click the edit button to supply and validate your email, Phone number, Branch, Year of Call as well as uploading a visible photo or scanned copy of any ONE of the following government issued forms of identifications, (i) Nigerian Driver’s License, (ii) International Passport Data page (iii) Voters Card, (iv) National ID Card, the supplied information will be reviewed and if acceptable will be updated otherwise rejected. e. Please note that voters records that do not require further validation are not available on this validation portal.

f. This portal will open from now till 11.59pm on Friday 8th July 2022 strictly for this purpose.

2. Qualified Voters that experience issues receiving OTP through their email should check their SPAM / Junk Folders and on their phones may have to temporarily disable Do not Disturb (DND) following these steps: a. 9mobile (Etisalat) numbers, Text START to 2442. b. MTN numbers, Text ALLOW to 2442. c. Glo numbers, Text CANCEL to 2442. d. Airtel numbers, Text ALLOW to 2442

3. FOR THE RECORD, THIS IS THE FINAL EFFORT BY ECNBA TO ENABLE THIS SUBSET OF QUALIFIED VOTERS PARTICIPATE IN THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS.”

The NBA Election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 16, 2022 to elect National Officers and NBA Representatives in the General Council of the Bar.

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NBA DECIDES: EDE ASENOGUAN URGES ELIGIBLE VOTERS TO VERIFY

FINAL VERIFICATION

The ECNBA has graciously extended the verification exercise for 48 Hours Only!

Are you verified to vote on Saturday 16th July, 2022?

If No? Click on the link below and enter your SC Enrolment Number.

https://votersrecordissue.ecnba.ng/

PLEASE NOTE : If you are eligible to vote, this link WILL NOT work for you; That is, if you have paid your BPF this year, if you have already been verified before or automatically verified after paying your BPF.

So please don’t panic if the link is showing invalid on the above accounts, it just means you are eligible.

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NBA PRESIDENCY: ENDORSEMENT WAR RAGES, AS BAR LEADERS BACK GADZAMA, MAIKYAU

An endorsement battle seems to be raging among the leading presidential candidates, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

Bar Leaders among others are currently lining behind their preferred candidates in the hope that this will sway eligible voters to tag along.

Each endorsement is celebrated by the campaign organisations with flashy flyers highlighting the testimonial about the candidate.

CITY LAWYER observes that the endorsements are not limited to the presidential candidates, as some candidates especially for national offices have also been receiving testimonials from close aides and associates.

Among those who have thrown their weight behind the presidential aspiration of Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN are incumbent Ondo State Governor and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu SAN; former Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief George Uwechue SAN; foremost human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana SAN, and former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN.

Others are leading chartered arbitrator, Prof. Paul Obo Idornigie SAN; Messrs Zik Obi and Chuks Ikokwu, both former Presidents of Otu Oka Iwu (Law Society), the umbrella body of lawyers of Igbo extraction; Chief Martin Ogunleye, former Chairman of NBA Lagos Branch; Mr. Sylvester Udemezue, a Lecturer at the Nigerian Law School, and Hadiza Nasir Ahmad, former member of NBA Electoral Reform and Audit Committee.

On his part, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN has garnered endorsements from equally eminent Bar Leaders including Mrs. Hairat Ade-Balogun OON, a Life Bencher; foremost arbitrator and former NBA Treasurer, Mrs. Funke Adekoya SAN; former Chairman of NBA Legal Profession Regulation Review Committee, Dr. Anthony Idigbe SAN, and Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN, pioneer Chairman, NBA Section on Legal Practice (SLP).

Others are Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Chief Adebayo Adelodun SAN; Mr. K. K. Eleja SAN; Prof. Wahab Egbewole SAN; former NBA General Secretary, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN and Mr. Abdul Mohammed SAN

An aide of Taidi told CITY LAWYER that “We need to take our time to compile the list. I have asked our team members to work on it.” He was yet to revert at press time.

The NBA Election is scheduled to hold via electronic voting on Saturday, July 16, 2022. The election will be conducted on ElectionBuddy voting platform in collaboration with Finesse Technology Limited.

The presidential candidates will tomorrow go head-to-head in a hybrid Presidential Debate organized by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA).

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GADZAMA, MAIKYAU, TAIDI TO CLASH, AS ECNBA HOLDS DEBATE JULY 7

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) will on Thursday, July 7, 2022 hold a “MANIFESTO DAY AND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE” to herald the 2022 NBA Elections for National Officers and NBA Representatives at the General Council of the Bar.

In an Information Release made available to CITY LAWYER, the Committee stated that “As part of the electoral process, the ECNBA invites members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to the Manifesto Day and Presidential Debate fixed for 10 am, Thursday, 7 July 2022 at the Auditorium NBA House, Plot 1101 Cadastral Zone Central
Business District, Abuja FCT.

“Ahead of the event, members are enjoined to send their question(s) to info@ecnba.ng. Please note that the link for virtual participation will be circulated in due course.”

A further release urged lawyers who plan to attend the debate in-person to register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTUuNEOSFZwix5qRCqpfrELg0K5Nbrg17k__3co1-Kq_wp9g/viewform.

The NBA Election is scheduled to hold via electronic voting on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

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WE WILL NOT EXTEND VOTER VERIFICATION – ECNBA

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has foreclosed reopening of the verification process for eligible voters in the forthcoming NBA Elections, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

Some stakeholders including one of the leading candidates for the position of General Secretary, Mr. Desmond Yamah, had called on the committee to extend the exercise to enable some eligible voters who are having challenges to verify their data.

But an unimpeachable source told CITY LAWYER that the verification exercise has been foreclosed, adding that the committee has moved on to the next stage of the electoral process.

Said the source, “No extension. We are in another phase of (verifying) accuracy of phone numbers and emails.”

It is recalled that the committee had in its last notice urged eligible voters to verify their details on the database, saying, “As a matter of urgency and importance, we are enjoined to make out time to get verified to enable us cast our votes at the upcoming National Elections of the NBA. The deadline for the Verification is today 27/6/2022.”

The election of NBA National Officers and representatives to the General Council of he Bar is scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

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DESMOND YAMAH HAILS ECNBA, WANTS VOTER VERIFICATION EXTENDED

Desmond Yamah, candidate for the office of the General Secretary, has appealed to the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) to extend the date for verification of eligible voters.

Yamah observed that many of the eligible voters are still struggling to verify their data on the NBA website after several attempts.

His words: “We appreciate the enormous responsibilities and the challenges of the ECNBA but the verification exercise is a test of the level of preparedness for the elections.

“I sincerely thank the ECNBA for a great job thus far.”

Desmond Yamah Esq.

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‘I’M EAGER TO HEAR FROM YOU,’ ISAAC OGBAH TELLS STAKEHOLDERS

Good afternoon learned silks, distinguished learned seniors and fellow colleagues of this noble legal profession.

My name is Isaac Omuta Ogbah, a candidate for the 3rd Vice President of the NBA in the forthcoming July 16th NBA National elections.

And as a precondition for campaign, all candidates for the various elective positions were mandated to submit their respective CV’s as well as their manifestos to ECNBA for approval and which have been since uploaded into the ECNBA official website.

Kindly use the above link to access all relevant information about myself and manifesto as published by ECNBA, while we look forward to ECNBA publishing other campaign materials that I submitted to them for necessary publication.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding any question, suggestion and enquiry regarding my 3rd Vice President of the NBA candidature. I solicit your support in every way possible towards making me the next 3rd Vice President of the NBA come the 16th day of July, 2022.

I celebrate you now and always. God bless you all.

Isaac Omuta Ogbah

https://www.ecnba.ng/ogbah-isaac-omuta 

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ECNBA HOLDS STAKEHOLDERS’ PARLEY TOMORROW

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) is set to hold its second “ECNBA Stakeholders’ Briefing and Press Conference” tomorrow at 4 pm.

A notice made available to CITY LAWYER by the committee reads:

Learned Colleagues,

We invite you to the ECNBA Stakeholders’ Briefing and Press Conference on Friday, 24 June 2022 by 4pm to discuss important electoral matters including the electronic magazine and campaign regulations amongst others. We look forward to interacting with you.

Kindly click on the link below to register and attend the conference.

https://tinyurl.com/ECNBA-Press-Briefing

PS – After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar

#nbadecides2022 #nba #election #2022 #ecnba 

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ECNBA OPENS VOTER VERIFICATION PORTAL, SETS JUNE 27 DEADLINE

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has set Monday, June 27, 2022 as the deadline for eligible voters to get their names on the final voters list, CITY LAWYER can report.

According to a statement by the electoral umpire, “failure to identify any error as regards the names, phone numbers, and email addresses, Supreme Court Number, or omission of names from the list by an Eligible Voter before 27 June 2022 can no longer be rectified and will remain the same.”

The full text of the notice reads:

FINAL REMINDER – FULL LIST OF MEMBERS QUALIFIED TO VOTE

The ECNBA pursuant to the provisions of the Second Schedule Part IV (9) and V (4) of the Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association 2015 (as amended), released information pertaining to the full list of members qualified to vote on 31 May and 6 June 2022 respectively. Please see these documents at https://www.ecnba.ng or www.nigerianbar.org.ng.

This serves as a reminder to members of the Association that paid their bar practising fee (BPF) as of 31 March 2022 (Eligible Voters), to confirm the accuracy of their emails and phone numbers on the NBA website on or before Monday 27 June 2022. Please note that this verification process is important, as unique voters’ credentials will ONLY be sent to valid phone numbers and email addresses.

2. Thus, Eligible Voters are expected to verify their BPF contact information. Please follow the step-by-step process below:

➔ Visit the NBA website: https://nigerianbar.org.ng
➔ Click on the Membership tab and then scroll down to “BPF Payment Status”;
https://nigerianbar.org.ng/nba/bpfv2/check_status
➔ Type in your enrolment number (SCN), and
➔ Click on “Verify” and the one-time password (OTP) will be sent to your phone and email.
➔ Type in the “OTP” and
➔ click “Validate” and your contact information will be successfully validated.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE that the list to be published by the ECNBA after this notice shall be the Final List. Hence, failure to identify any error as regards the names, phone numbers, and email addresses, Supreme Court Number, or omission of names from the list by an Eligible Voter before 27 June 2022 can no longer be rectified and will remain the same.

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ECNBA UNVEILS CANDIDATES’ MANIFESTOS FOR ELECTION

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has unveiled the manifestos of all the candidates for the forthcoming NBA Elections.

While the electoral umpire unveiled the manifestos of candidates for the National offices under the heading, “FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION OF NATIONAL OFFICES,” candidates for the position of NBA Representative at the General Council of the Bar were unveiled under the heading, “FULL LIST OF CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION OF NBA REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE BAR.”

The unveiling gives the electorate an opportunity to closely study the candidates with a view to choosing their preferred candidates for the election scheduled to hold on July 16, 2022.

CITY LAWYER recalls that several aspirants were disqualified by the electoral committee. All the decisions were upheld by the NBA National Election Appeals Committee tribunal.

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TRIBUNAL BARS 4 MORE ASPIRANTS FROM NBA ELECTIONS

The Nigerian Bar Association Election Appeals Tribunal (NBA-NEAC) has dismissed the appeals of four more aspirants in the forthcoming NBA Elections.

The aspirants whose electoral journey have been cut short by the tribunal include Ms. Adaeze Ann Anah, an aspirant for the position of NBA Representative at the General Council of the Bar (GCB) as well as her counterparts, Messrs Jude Okey Ugwanyi, Sunday Abayomi Akanni and Olufemi Adeneye Onakoya.

In upholding the decision of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) which disqualified Anah, the Appeals Tribunal held: “The Petitioner’s Nominator, Mr. Jacob Johnson Usman, SAN and the Seconder Ms Mimi Ayua, are both from the Northern Geographical Zone.”

“By virtue of Part V, Paragraph 2 of the Second Schedule to the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended), each Zone in the NBA must produce at least Six (6) representatives to the General Council of the Bar. This implies that representation into the General Council of the Bar is on zonal basis, and duly stipulated in the NBA Constitution.”

The tribunal then held that “In the light of the totality of the findings above, we hold that the Petitioner was not validly nominated and seconded, because the Petitioner’s Nominator and her Seconder are not as qualified as her.”

On Akanni, the tribunal stated that “We hold that the ECNBA acted within its powers and the Law, in disqualifying the Appellant in line with our findings above, because the Appellant’s seconder, did not and does not meet the constitutional requirement, having not come from the same geographical zone with the Appellant, which is in breach of Part V, Sections 2 and 5 of the Second Schedule of the NBA Constitution.”

Turning to Ugwanyi, the Appeals Tribunal said: “We hold that the Petitioner having not provided evidence of payment of his Nominator’s branch dues for years 2020 & 2021, did not meet the requirements of a valid nomination to enable him contest the election.

“We also hold that by the provisions of Part V, S. 2 of the Second Schedule to the Constitution, the Petitioner`s Nominator, Alhaji Ahmed Abdullahi being of the Northern Geographical Zone is not qualified to nominate the Petitioner who is from the Eastern Geographical Zone.”

On Onakoya, the tribunal stated that “The reason which the ECNBA premised its decision is well grounded because the Nominator does not meet the constitutional requirement, having not come from the same zone which is in breach of Part V, Sections 2 and 5 of the Second Schedule of the NBA Constitution. We also hold, that the zoning arrangement to aspire or contest to the seat as a representative to the General Council of the Bar, by a candidate, must of necessity, also apply to the Nominator and Seconder.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that the tribunal had earlier upheld the decisions of the ECNBA disqualifying some other aspirants from the election. These include NBA 1st Vice President aspirant, Mr. Muhammad Doko Idris; his 2nd Vice President counterpart, Mr. Finian Ndukwu, and a 3rd Vice President aspirant, Mr. Promise Besinginwayemi Awolowo Ademi-Akpeto.

Others are Mr. Chukwuemeka Mbamala, an aspirant for the post of Treasurer as well as Mr. Felix Ashimole (aka Che Oyinatumba) whose quest for the position of NBA Publicity Secretary was also cut short by the ECNBA hammer.

The NBA election is scheduled to hold via electronic voting on July 16, 2022.

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‘WHY WE DISQUALIFIED FELIX ASHIMOLE,’ BY NBA APPEALS COMMITTEE

The strident quest by Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Publicity Secretary aspirant, Mr. Felix Ashimole (aka Che Oyinatumba) to participate in the forthcoming NBA Elections has finally been laid to rest by the NBA National Appeals Committee, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

In a decision obtained by CITY LAWYER, the Appeals Committee affirmed its positions in similar cases that the inability of the aspirant’s nominator to provide certain document dealt a fatal blow to his aspiration to join the NBA National Executive Council.

This lays to rest the controversy that has trailed Ashimole’s disqualification by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), as he argued that the committee had not determined his appeal, having not communicated its decision to him.

Said the Appeals Committee: “Since there was no evidence before this Committee by the Petitioner of attachment of payment receipt by Mr. Mohammed Iyorember Tsav of the 2021 Branch Dues, to the Appellant’s nomination form, which is a prerequisite for a valid nomination, the decision of the ECNBA to disqualify him was in order and validly made.”

Putting the matter beyond doubt, the Appeals Committee held: “Therefore, this appeal lacks merit and ought to be dismissed and it is accordingly dismissed.”

The decision was signed by Mrs. Olufunmilayo Roberts and Mr. Augustine Ajineh, the committee’s Chairman and Secretary respectively.

The NBA Elections hold on July 16, 2022.

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ANXIETY, AS 2 US FIRMS, OTHERS BATTLE FOR E-VOTING ROLE FOR NBA ELECTIONS

Two United States based Information and Communication Technology (ICT) service providers are battling to be hired by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) to provide the electronic voting platform for the all-important NBA Elections, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report. The other bidders are VATEBRA Limited and Africa Prudential.

However, while the Virginia based leading E-Ballot Voting Services has submitted a direct bid to deploy its voting platform for the elections, CITY LAWYER reliably gathered that INITS Limited is presenting ElectionBuddy, the ICT provider for the controversial 2020 NBA Elections, as its partner. While acting as the ICT Service Provider, INITS Limited will deploy ElectionBuddy e-voting platform for the elections. INITS Limited was the Technical Support Consultant (TSC) for the 2020 NBA Elections.

In a notice by the ECNBA, it said: “We wish to invite any member of the Association who has any reason why the foregoing entities should not be engaged as Information Communication Technology Service Provider by the ECNBA, to contact us by email (info@ecnba.ng) with all relevant facts in that regard by or before 11:59pm Tuesday 7 June 2022.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that in a Final Report dated March 16, 2021 and submitted to NBA National Executive Committee (NBA-NEC), the Ayodele Akintunde SAN-led NBA Electoral Audit and Reform Committee noted that the service providers for the controversial 2020 NBA Elections “were Tavia Technologies (“Tavia”) as primary election platform provider and ElectionBuddy as secondary election platform provider. INITS was the technical consultant.” Akintunde is the Chairman of the 2022 ECNBA.

In a damning indictment of the 2020 Elections, the committee stated that “Nigerian lawyers were again optimistic that the 2020 Elections would be seamless as all the challenges encountered in the 2016 and 2018 Elections would have been fully addressed,” noting however that “that was not the case, like the previous elections, the 2020 Elections was controversial and there were pre-election and post-election issues and challenges.”

Continuing, the Audit Committee said: “INITS’ report revealed that during the elections on the ElectionBuddy platform, there were two major challenges. The first challenge was that based on the traffic and requests for the results between the first and second hour of the elections, voters and viewers began experiencing service degradation.”

In a searing indictment of the Technical Support Consultant, the NBA Electoral Audit and Reform Committee noted that “The INITS’ report did not include a Vote-by-Vote Audit Report. The Committee requested for the Report but was not able to obtain it before the submission of this Final Report. It will contain the following details:

a. Voter;
b. Ballot Open Time;
c. Ballot Submission Time;
d. IP Address;
e. Position; and
f. Selected Candidate /Abstention.”

The Audit Committee had warned that “The challenges highlighted above are continuous occurrences which have plagued the electoral processes and if not resolved, will persist.”

The ECNBA is set to announce its choice of ICT service provider as the elections draw near.

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ECNBA ISSUES FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES, ASHIMOLE DISQUALIFIED

The Nigerian Bar Association National Election Petitions Committee has now disqualified controversial NBA Publicity Secretary aspirant, Mr. Felix Ashimole aka Che Oyinatumba from participating in the forthcoming NBA Elections, paving the way for Messrs Ogaga Emoghawanre and Habeeb Akorede Lawal to slug it out for the post.

A document obtained by CITY LAWYER shows that the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) has also listed the canidates that will do battle at the elections.

The list is below.

ECNBA_FINAL LIST

https://citylawyermag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ECNBA_FINAL-LIST.pdf 

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IDRIS DOKO, AKPETO, ONAKOYA BARRED FROM NBA ELECTIONS BY APPEALS C’TE

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Election Appeal Committee has dismissed three more appeals filed by disqualified aspirants for the 2022 NBA Elections, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

Among those who have had their fate sealed as regards contesting the elections are NBA 1st Vice President aspirant, Mr. Muhammad Idris Doko; his counterpart for the office of NBA 3rd Vice President and former Chairman of NBA Sapele Branch, Mr. Promise Besinginwayemi Awolowo Ademi-Akpeto, as well as an aspirant for the General Council of the Bar (GCB), Mr. Femi Onakoya.

It is recalled that the National Appeals Committee headed by prominent chartered arbitrator, Mrs. Funmi Roberts had earlier dismissed an appeal by Mr. Finian Eze Ndukwu, an aspirant for the post of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2nd Vice President.

The committee has so far upheld all the decisions of the Ayodele Akintunde SAN-led Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) on qualification of aspirants for the eagerly awaited elections.

In the decision on Ndukwu’s obtained by CITY LAWYER, the committee stated that the sole issue for determination was “Whether upon consideration of the omissions in the Appellant’s Nomination Form constituting the basis for the rejection thereof and his disqualification thereby, the Appellant’s appeal is not devoid of merit and liable to being dismissed.”

It held that “It is therefore, our finding that the failures or omissions by the Appellant, his Nominator and Seconder in filling in those fundamental pages, portions, spaces, columns etc in the Appellant’s Nomination Form are not mere irregularities but failure to fulfil or supply to the ECNBA, facts/answers that would have aided ECNBA to determine his eligibility or otherwise for the position of office of the 2nd Vice President of NBA, in the 2022 General Elections.”

“We are in full agreement with the submissions by the ECNBA at page 2 lines 13, 21, and 24 of its Reply to the Appellant’s Appeal, that having failed to proffer answers to questions vii, viii, x, xi, xii, xiii, xiv, xv, xvi, xvii, and xviii of his Nomination Norm, which would have demonstrated his eligibility under the provisions of Part VIII(c), (d), (e) of the Second Schedule and Section 4(a), (b), (c), of the Constitution, the ECNBA was right to have rejected the nomination of the Appellant, and in consequence of that rejection, disqualify the Appellant pursuant to part I, paragraph 6, Second Schedule to the Constitution of the NBA2015, as amended in 2021.”

Bringing its final hammer on the quest by the aspirant to reverse the decision of the ECNBA, the Appeals Committee said: “The Appellant’s contention that he should have been notified of the errors, and that by not notifying him, his right to fair hearing is breached, is of no moment.

“The ECNBA is not clothed with such vires and more so, the Appellant was given the same opportunity as other aspirants to fill the Nomination Form properly, before submitting them. In Ayoade vs State (2020) 9 NWLR (pt 1730) 577 ratio 3 at pages 583 – 584, the Supreme Court held that:

“A party cannot and should not complain of breach of his right to fair hearing where he refused to avail himself as in the instant case, of the opportunity provided under the law to present his case. Darma Vs Eco Bank Plc. (2017) 9 NWLR (pt 1571) referred to………” See also C.M & E.S Ltd. (2020) 1 NWLR (pt 1704) 70 ratio 8 at page 78.

“It is upon the foregoing that this Committee resolves the sole issue against the Appellant and accordingly, his Appeal is hereby dismissed for lacking merit.”

It is recalled that the Appellant, an aspirant to the office of 2nd Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA/Association) in the 2022 National Elections of the Association, was disqualified by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) for failure to fill pages 4, 5, and 6 of the Nomination Form, and that his Nominator and Seconder did not fill pages 10 – 12 and 16 – 18.

The NBA Election is scheduled to hold on July 16, 2022.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Jun 04, 2022
  • 0
  • Comments Off on NBA APPEALS C’TE DISMISSES VP ASPIRANT’S CASE

NBA APPEALS C’TE DISMISSES VP ASPIRANT’S CASE

An appeal by an aspirant for the post of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2nd Vice President has been dismissed by the Nigerian Bar Association Appeals Committee headed by renowned chartered arbitrator, Mrs. Funmi Roberts.

The decision on the appeal filed by Mr. Finian Eze Ndukwu may also be a pointer to how the other appeals by other disqualified aspirants may be resolved by the committee.

In the decision obtained by CITY LAWYER, the committee stated that the sole issue for determination was “Whether upon consideration of the omissions in the Appellant’s Nomination Form constituting the basis for the rejection thereof and his disqualification thereby, the Appellant’s appeal is not devoid of merit and liable to being dismissed.”

It held that “It is therefore, our finding that the failures or omissions by the Appellant, his Nominator and Seconder in filling in those fundamental pages, portions, spaces, columns etc in the Appellant’s Nomination Form are not mere irregularities but failure to fulfil or supply to the ECNBA, facts/answers that would have aided ECNBA to determine his eligibility or otherwise for the position of office of the 2nd Vice President of NBA, in the 2022 General Elections.”

“We are in full agreement with the submissions by the ECNBA at page 2 lines 13, 21, and 24 of its Reply to the Appellant’s Appeal, that having failed to proffer answers to questions vii, viii, x, xi, xii, xiii, xiv, xv, xvi, xvii, and xviii of his Nomination Norm, which would have demonstrated his eligibility under the provisions of Part VIII(c), (d), (e) of the Second Schedule and Section 4(a), (b), (c), of the Constitution, the ECNBA was right to have rejected the nomination of the Appellant, and in consequence of that rejection, disqualify the Appellant pursuant to part I, paragraph 6, Second Schedule to the Constitution of the NBA2015, as amended in 2021.”

Bringing its final hammer on the quest by the aspirant to reverse the decision of the ECNBA, the Appeals Committee said: “The Appellant’s contention that he should have been notified of the errors, and that by not notifying him, his right to fair hearing is breached, is of no moment.

“The ECNBA is not clothed with such vires and more so, the Appellant was given the same opportunity as other aspirants to fill the Nomination Form properly, before submitting them. In Ayoade vs State (2020) 9 NWLR (pt 1730) 577 ratio 3 at pages 583 – 584, the Supreme Court held that:

“A party cannot and should not complain of breach of his right to fair hearing where he refused to avail himself as in the instant case, of the opportunity provided under the law to present his case. Darma Vs Eco Bank Plc. (2017) 9 NWLR (pt 1571) referred to………” See also C.M & E.S Ltd. (2020) 1 NWLR (pt 1704) 70 ratio 8 at page 78.

“It is upon the foregoing that this Committee resolves the sole issue against the Appellant and accordingly, his Appeal is hereby dismissed for lacking merit.”

It is recalled that the Appellant, an aspirant to the office of 2nd Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA/Association) in the 2022 National Elections of the Association, was disqualified by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) for failure to fill pages 4, 5, and 6 of the Nomination Form, and that his Nominator and Seconder did not fill pages 10 – 12 and 16 – 18.

The NBA Election is scheduled to hold on July 16, 2022.

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‘WE WILL DISQUALIFY ANY CANDIDATE IF ….,’ SAYS ECNBA CHAIR

  • ‘WE HAVE NO ANOINTED CANDIDATE’

The Chairman of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), Mr. Ayodele Akintunde SAN has warned that the committee will not hesitate to disqualify any candidate who breaches the guidelines for the forthcoming NBA Elections.

Meanwhile, the ECNBA Chairman has vowed that the committee is not under any pressure to favour any candidate during the election, saying: “We have no anointed candidate and nobody can thrust any candidate on us.”

Speaking at the maiden hybrid “Stakeholders Briefing and Press Conference” for the elections, Akintunde urged the candidates to abide by the electoral rules set out in the NBA Constitution, adding that “If the Constitution prohibits any act, we will apply sanctions.”

Emphasizing that “this is a clarion call” to all candidates especially as the electoral committee had restated the guidelines in letters and notices to the candidates, the ECNBA helmsman said: “Don’t look for loopholes to exploit.”

Akintunde also said that voters may be able to watch the voting process online real-time via the ECNBA dashboard, adding that the electoral umpire would make the dashboard “open to the public” as well as the candidates or their representatives. This would however depend on the guidance to be provided by the ICT service provider.

Responding to a question on the appointment of Finesse Integrated Technologies Limited as the Technical Support Consultant (TSC) to the electoral committee given that the company performed the same function in the controversial 2018 NBA Elections, Akintunde revealed that the technology company played a minimal role in the election, adding that it was brought in after the original ICT company was disengaged by the electoral umpire.

The ECNBA Chairman stated that in line with the NBA Constitution, petitioners do not have a right of audience with the Election Appeals Committee, even as he assured that the committee “attended to each and every petition. We are not court or LPDC or LPPC. But we deliberated as a committee and unanimously agreed on the decisions we took.”

Akintunde assured that there would be verification of the election results before publication, though he said that an audit could only be done in line with the NBA Constitution and after release of election results.

Adding his voice to the issue, ICT expert and ECNBA member, Mr. Basil Udotai noted that authentication of ballots has become a part and parcel of modern electronic voting, adding that post-election reports would be produced by the ICT service provider.

On his part, fiery human rights activist and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu chided those who sought to impugn the electoral committee on disqualification of some aspirants. He warned candidates to desist from acts that may breach the electoral guidelines, saying: “If you breach the rules, we will disqualify you. People should seek to do what is proper.”

Other members of the electoral committee who participated in the parley include Ms. Mabel Ekeke and Ms. Aisha Ado Ibrahim, ECNBA Secretary and member respectively. The NBA Election is scheduled to hold on July 16, 2022.

CITY LAWYER also noted that many candidates attended the briefing. These include 2nd Vice President candidate, Mr. Cement Ugo Chukwuemeka, Amanda Asagba (3rd Vice President), Funmilola Adeogun (Treasurer), Caroline Ande-Bishop (Treasurer), Mr. Churchil Aniekwena, Mr. Habeeb Lawal (Publicity Secretary), Mr. Daniel Kip and Mr. Dhikrullah Balogun.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 30, 2022
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  • Comments Off on ‘WHY WE DID NOT DISQUALIFY MAIKYAU’ – ECNBA

‘WHY WE DID NOT DISQUALIFY MAIKYAU’ – ECNBA

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has given reasons why it did not disqualify one of the leading presidential candidates, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN from contesting the forthcoming NBA Elections.

In a letter obtained by CITY LAWYER and addressed to embattled Bar aspirant, Mr. Kayode Bello who wrote a petition to the electoral committee seeking the disqualification of the senior lawyer, the ECNBA ruled that it “has no jurisdiction over the complaint, as the subject matter of the petition is pending before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (“LPDC”) the competent statutory body for adjudication.”

Dated May 27, 2022 and titled “2022 ELECTIONS OF NATIONAL OFFICERS OF THE NBA – RESOLUTION OF PETITION DATED 2 MAY 2022,” the electoral committee referred to Bello’s petition dated May 2, 2022 “and the response to the petition received from Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, FCIArb (“the Respondent”) dated 12 May 2022.”

In the letter which was copied to Maikyau, the electoral umpire noted that Bello had “requested that the ECNBA disqualifies the Respondent from contesting for the office of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).”

The ECNBA stated that it “has considered the petition and the response to same,” adding that aside from the jurisdictional hurdle which it was unable to surmount, “the power of the ECNBA to disqualify a person who wishes to contest for an office shall only crystallizes (sic) after a conviction of crime by a court of competent jurisdiction or if the candidate is found guilty of misconduct or professional impropriety by the LPDC by virtue of Part VII(e) and (f) Second Schedule of the Constitution.”

Sounding the death knell on Bello’s petition, the electoral committee wrote: “Consequently, your petition fails.”

In a petition addressed to the ECNBA Secretary and copied to CITY LAWYER, Bello had urged the ECNBA “to suspend the candidature of Mr. Y. C. Maikyau as the NBA presidential Aspirant, pending the determination of the disciplinary case against him at the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) for his misconduct.”

Restating his grouse, Bello wrote: “In summary, Mr. Y.C. Maikyau who stands as presidential aspirant for the office of the NBA President in the forthcoming NBA election has lied to the LPPC that I did not show up at the Nigerian Law School for my Bar Final examination and he has used his office and position as the Senior Advocate of Nigeria to frustrate the reconciliation process between the Council of Legal Education and myself (Kayode Bello).

“The fact that Mr. Y.C. Maikyau lied to the LPPC that I did not or refused to show up for my Bar final examination in 2017 is/was tantamount to perverting justice and conspiracy to disobey the order of the Court.”

Maikyau however denied all the allegations in his response to the electoral body.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 30, 2022
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  • Comments Off on ‘REVERSE MY UNREASONABLE DISQUALIFICATION,’ ASHIMOLE BEGS APPEAL C’TE

‘REVERSE MY UNREASONABLE DISQUALIFICATION,’ ASHIMOLE BEGS APPEAL C’TE

RE: 2022 ELECTIONS OF NATIONAL OFFICERS OF THE NBA AND NBA REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE BAR – NOTICE OF DISQUALIFICATION.

1. The email of disqualification was received in my spam today, 28th day of May 2022.

2. That I am contesting for the office of Publicity Secretary and duly completed a nomination form in that respect and not the office of Assistant General Secretary as indicated in the disqualification letter.

3. That on May 10th May, 2022, I was invited for a Zoom meeting for further screening. At this Zoom meeting, I did not meet any Committee member but was interrogated by two ladies, who told me that my sealed form had been opened in my absence, no video of the opening made or shown to me.

4. They informed me that 2021 Local Due Receipt of my 1st nominator, Mr. Mohammed lyorember Tsav, the immediate past chairman of NBA Bwari, my Branch, did not attach local Branch Due of 2021.

5. That my response was that I am shocked at this and asked the ladies, what should I do in the circumstance? They told me that the Committee will get back to me.

6. That I re-sent the said mysteriously missing due to the Committee via info@ecnba.ng. The copy of the email is annexed as F1.

7. That ECNBA did not reply my email, did not send me any letter, did not send any SMS or WhatsApp message to me.

8. That ECNBA instead forwarded me a petition by one Mr. Kayode Bello, a law school drop out. I responded to the said petition but ECNBA, did not communicate to me the outcome of my response to Mr. Bello’s petition.

9. That I never received any letter of disqualification from ECNBA when other candidates received or were cleared.

10. That on 27th May,2022, I sent an email to ECNBA asking what is my status, whether I am qualified or not, having not received any letter from ECNBA.

11. ECNBA merely sent me a copy of the reply they sent to Mr. Bello telling him that his petition had no merit and was dismissed.

12. That today 28th May, 2022 after I wrote to ECNBA on 27th May, complaining of the list “List of Properly Nominated Candidates” ECNBA sent me an email, of notice of disqualification for the office of Assistant General Secretary, dated 20th May, 2022, giving me 7 days to appeal to Appeal Committee.

Dear Sir, It is against equity and good conscience to disqualify me as Assistant General Secretary contender instead of the post of Publicity Secretary, which I am eminently qualified for.

13. That the disqualification sent to me is mischievous and not in compliance with the NBA Constitution and Electoral Guidelines published by ECNBA. That the non-submission of receipt of a nominator who paid is not a constitutional condition to disqualify me as my nominator paid as when due like me.

14. I hereby humbly pray to you the Appeal Committee, to reverse this unjustifiable, uncalled for, unreasonable decision of ECNBA to disqualify me for an office I did not apply for.

15. I further pray that you compel ECNBA to declare me as qualified, fit and proper candidate for the office of Publicity Secretary and not Assistant General Secretary as contained in the letter of disqualification sent to me, having met all requirements and re-submitted Mr. Mohammed lyorember Tsav’s mysteriously 2021 local due, which I duly submitted along with other documents in a properly sealed envelope.

Accept the assurances of my highest professional regards.

© Felix Chukwuma Ashimole, Esq.

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‘WHY WE DISQUALIFIED FELIX ASHIMOLE FROM NBA ELECTION’ – ECNBA

* I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTICE FROM ECNBA – ASPIRANT

An aspirant for the position of Publicity Secretary in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections, Mr. Felix Ashimole has been disqualified, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

The Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) however dismissed a petition by embattled Bar aspirant, Mr. Kayode Bello, saying that he “failed to provide sufficient evidence” in support of his petition.

However, there is a cloud of uncertainty on whether the aspirant actually received the notice of disqualification from the ECNBA. The aspirant vigorously denies receiving any email from the electoral committee.

CITY LAWYER investigation indicates that while the ECNBA actually dispatched an email to the aspirant, there may have been an error in the email address.

It was gathered that while the aspirant’s correct email is oyimnatumba92@yahoo.com, the Notice of Disqualification was actually sent to oyimnatumba29@yahoo.com.

A source at ECNBA headquarters vowed that the error was “an honest mistake,” adding that “There is no foul play. Our Secretary is trying her best in dispatching correspondence. A mistake can happen.”

Giving reason for disqualifying the aspirant, ECNBA had stated that Ashimole’s Nominator did not provide evidence of payment of his Branch Dues for 2021, even as CITY LAWYER gathered that the aspirant failed to provide a satisfactory answer to the irregularity at the further screening interview with the electoral committee.

It was unclear at press time whether the aspirant would appeal his disqualification.

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I SALUTE NBA ABUJA, ILORIN, PH, GWAGWALADA, LOKOJA, OTU OKA IWU – ISAAC OGBAH

FEATURED

I SALUTE NBA ILORIN, PORT HARCOURT, GWAGWALADA, LOKOJA 

I, ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH ESQ. FCIMC wish Ilorin, Port-Harcourt, Gwagwalada, Lokoja Branches of the NBA as well as NBA Ota Branch (The Utter Bar) for successfully having their May General meeting of their respective branches. I celebrate you all for the fruitful deliberations and all decisions arrived at at their monthly General Meetings.

You future meetings shall be more fruitful and productive.

I celebrate you all now and always.

‘YOUR LAW WEEK THEME VERY APT,’ ISAAC OGBAH TELLS ABUJA BRANCH

I, ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH ESQ. FCIMC, the immediate past Chairman of the NBA, Ota Branch (The Utter Bar) and the publisher of the Erudite Judgements of the Supreme Court, heartily felicitate with the NBA Abuja Branch (The Unity Bar) on the occasion of her 2022 Law Week.

The theme; “Nigeria: 2023 and Beyond-Building Systems for Accountable Leadership and Good Governance” is very apt and timely considering the period and the situation pervading our nation Nigeria today.

It is believed that the current happenings in Nigeria will be interrogated during the various sessions to see what we are doing wrongly and proper how improvements can be made to give us a better and brighter future as a nation.

I therefore congratulate the Chairman, the entire executive and members of the branch for being able to plan and organize 2022 Law Week.

Finally, I wish all participants happy, fruitful and fulfilled 2022 Law Week.

I WISH OTU OKA IWU FRUITFUL DELIBERATIONS – ISAAC OGBAH

I, ISAAC OMUTA OGBAH ESQ. FCIMC, the immediate past Chairman of the NBA, Ota Branch (The Utter Bar) and the publisher of the Erudite Judgements of the Supreme Court, congratulate the Otu Oka-Iwu, Abuja as it holds her General Meeting.

I wish Otu Oka-Iwu, Abuja an ever fruitful, peaceful and eventful deliberations in all her general meetings both now and always even as I celebrate you all now and always

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‘I DEDICATE ECNBA CLEARANCE TO MY SUPPORTERS,’ SAYS ISAAC OGBAH

FEATURED

IT IS WITH GREAT JOY FOR ME TO AWAKE TO THE NEWS OF MY HAVING MADE THE FINAL LIST OF THOSE QUALIFIED TO CONTEST THE FORTHCOMING NBA NATIONAL ELECTIONS

Having earlier received an email wherein the petition written against me by a fellow legal practitioner was dismissed, the news of my making the final list of those qualified to contest for the post of 3rd Vice President of the NBA crowns it all

*Once again I have no doubt whatsoever that God, who began the good works in me, will surely bring it all unto perfection *

*With all my heart ❤️ I sincerely appreciate and thank everyone of you for standing by me all these while. Special thanks to you all for all your support, counsel and prayers. I could never have gone this far without you all the way. Together we shall have cause to celebrate when the elections are finally over *

*I dedicate this victory so far to you all for your having to believe in me. You never gave up on me even in the face of the frivolous petition that was written against my person. And neither did any one of you ever stop believing in me even when the much needed email from ECNBA was delayed in coming. Surely we shall all have cause to celebrate together in the coming weeks. *

*Once again I sincerely appreciate and celebrate you all now and always *

*It shall all end up in testimonies. To God alone be all the glory *

Isaac Omuta Ogbah, FICMC, Past Chair, NBA Ota; Editor-in-Chief, EJSC

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 28, 2022
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  • Comments Off on ‘I HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY ECNBA,’ SAYS TAIDI

‘I HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED BY ECNBA,’ SAYS TAIDI

FEATURED

Dear Distinguished Colleagues,

Recall that on the 14th of April, 2022 in furtherance of my deep commitment to galvanize the Bar to live up to its challenges and the even more grievous challenges bedeviling our nation, I made a commitment and that commitment has now been certified as fit and proper by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA).

I therefore thank Almighty God for enabling my availability to serve, and our esteemed courageous supporters and would-be supporters for patiently and painstakingly keeping step with us.

Indeed, it has not and will not be an easy task to consolidate on the gains so far achieved and with vigour surpass every performance so far experienced, but it is possible.

In the coming days when ECNBA will unveil the manifesto for the well being of distinguished colleagues and total liberation of the Bar, each one will be required to share their lofty ideas with others for a focused, truly unified and dignified Bar.

I thank you all most sincerely and I am more than confident that together we win.

Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.
Candidate for NBA President

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‘ECNBA HAS DISMISSED PETITION AGAINST ME,’ SAYS ISAAC OGBAH

   FEATURED

ECNBA DISMISSES PETITION BY ONE UCHE AMULU AGAINST MY ELIGIBILITY TO CONTEST AS 3RD VICE PRESIDENT *

It is with great joy for me to announce to the General legal community that this evening, 27th May, 2022, I received an email from the ECNBA wherein I was copied with the official response of ECNBA written to Mr. Uche Amulu regarding the petition he wrote against my eligibility to contest for the position of 3rd Vice President.

To the glory of God the said petition has been dismissed.

I sincerely thank everyone for your support, words of encouragement and your prayers for me all these while.

One thing is certain, God who began the good works will surely bring same to perfection

I celebrate you all now and always.

Isaac Omuta Ogbah, FICMC

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 27, 2022
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  • Comments Off on ECNBA RELEASES LIST OF CANDIDATES, CLEARS GADZAMA, MAIKYAU, OTHERS

ECNBA RELEASES LIST OF CANDIDATES, CLEARS GADZAMA, MAIKYAU, OTHERS

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has released the list of candidates for the forthcoming NBA National Elections.

As earlier reported by CITY LAWYER, all the three presidential aspirants were cleared by the electoral committee. These are Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN and Mr. Jonathan Taidi.

Aside from the presidential candidates, three candidates were cleared for the post of 1st Vice President while only three aspirants were also cleared for the post of 2nd Vice President.

Two aspirants will slug it out for the post of 3rd Vice President while four candidates will battle for the post of General Secretary.

Assistant General Secretary has four candidates while three candidates will battle for the Treasurer position. On the other hand, Welfare Secretary has five candidates while Publicity Secretary has only two candidates. The same number of candidates will battle for the post of Assistant Publicity Secretary.

The position of NBA representatives for the General Council of the Bar has 22 candidates to do battle.

It was unclear at press time how appeals by some disqualified aspirants may affect the final list.

ECNBA_Nominated Candidates

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 27, 2022
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  • Comments Off on MAXIMUS UGWUOKE DEDICATES ECNBA CLEARANCE TO SUPPORTERS

MAXIMUS UGWUOKE DEDICATES ECNBA CLEARANCE TO SUPPORTERS

FEATURED

MAXIMUS UGWUOKE DEDICATES HIS CLEARANCE FOR NBA NATIONAL WELFARE SECRETARY ELECTION TO GOD AND SUPPORTERS

Ikechukwu Maximus Ugwuoke, frontline aspirant to the office of National Welfare Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association has received his notice of qualification to stand election for the position in the NBA election scheduled for July 16th 2022.

In reaction Ugwuoke has dedicated his clearance to God and to his supporters and surmised that God has the final say.

His reaction reads;

“This morning I received a notice from the Electoral Committee of Nigeria Bar Association (ECNBA) expressing their pleasure to inform me that I am qualified to stand for election into the office of
“Welfare Secretary” of NBA in the Election scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

I dedicate this clearance conveyed in this notice of my qualification which I received today 26th day of May 2022 to God who laid in my heart the desire and vision to seek and pursue an HAKUNA MATATA Regime of MAXIMUM WELFARE for the Nigerian Lawyers; And to my supporters who believe in this vision and my ability to deliver. The Mantra Maximus for Maximum Welfare coined by my supporters is gradually gaining space and shall see the light of the day. This is my honest prayer.

Having gone thus far, it is my belief that I have played my part in offering myself to serve the bar as its National Welfare Secretary and the electoral umpire has done its part of finding me worthy. Only two things are now left at this stage. First is for the bar to make a statement on this through their votes on 16th July 2022 being the election day. Second is for God to have the final say.”

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

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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ECNBA SETS MONDAY DEADLINE FOR ICT VENDOR PROPOSALS

The Electoral Committee of the Nigeria Bar Association (ECNBA) is requesting proposals to appoint an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Services Provider for the forthcoming NBA Elections slated for July 16, 2022.

In a release published today but dated May 20, 2022, the electoral umpire noted that the ICT Service vendor “will provide
the platform and services related to the conduct of electronic voting and post-election activities as required by the ECNBA.”

According to the statement signed by Mr. Ayodele Akintunde SAN and Ms. Mabel Ekeke, ECNBA’s Chairman and Secretary respectively, “The EMS Provider shall be responsible for providing the enterprise grade, robust and modern election management system to be deployed for the conduct of the NBA 2022 general elections as well as the pre-election and post-elections activities required for a successful free and fair online election.”

It indicated that “The ECNBA will shortlist and publish successful respondents on the ECNBA/NBA website or any other major platform to afford members of the Association the opportunity to object or file any compliant (sic) against the engagement of any the respondents. The decision of the ECNBA in respect of the choice of the respondent shall be final.”

While the electoral committee stated that the proposals must be submitted on or before 5 pm on Monday, 30 May, 2022 and must remain valid for 90 days, it indicated that the contract would be awarded by June 13, 2022.

To view the full ECNBA statement, please click on the link below.

ECNBA_ICT

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SENIOR ADVOCATE TACKLES ECNBA OVER DISQUALIFICATION OF VP ASPIRANT

A senior lawyer, Mr. Mohammed Ndayako, SAN has disagreed with the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) over its disqualification of NBA First Vice President aspirant, Mr. Muhammad Idris Doko from contesting the forthcoming NBA National Officers election.

Doko was disqualified from participating in the election because “your Seconder being a member of a political party in Nigeria is not qualified like you in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.” Ndayako is Doko’s seconder.

But in a response to the disqualification made available to CITY LAWYER, Ndayako described the turn of events as “rather unfortunate,” arguing that membership of political party was never raised as an issue in the nomination form.

He also berated the electoral committee for not contacting him to provide evidence of his membership of the NBA National Executive Committee (NBA-NEC), adding that his branch Executive Committee was also not contacted to provide the information.

His words: “This is rather unfortunate. I commend M D Idris for taking this decision in a sportsmanship way.

“However, for the records, I was one of the nominators of M. D. Idris for the position of 1st Vice President of NBA, filled and submitted the form by ECNBA. There was no where in the form where membership of political party was raised.

“I was the Chairman of NBA Minna branch between June, 2016 to June, 2018.

“I was the NEC Rep, member, the only one from Minna branch, between June, 2018 to June, 2020.

“Evidence of membership of NEC can easily be found in the minutes of NEC meetings. Meanwhile, I was never contacted to provide my Evidence of NEC membership, which I stated the relevant period in the form.

“My branch EXCO were not also contacted on my membership of NBA (NEC) between 2018 and 2020.

“I am not yet aware of any law, rule, guidelines of NBA placing restrictions on Members of the Bar from belonging to or actively participating in politics, when political office holders are considered worthy of being made Members of Body of Benchers.”

He urged Doko not to relent in his quest, adding that “we shall continue to support you in your future endeavors, particularly, in NBA politics.”

It was unclear at press time whether Doko plans to appeal his disqualification. The NBA Election is scheduled to hold on July 16, 2022.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 22, 2022
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  • Comments Off on ‘I ACCEPT MY DISQUALIFICATION BY ECNBA, I WON’T APPEAL,’ SAYS ABDUSSALAM SALEH

‘I ACCEPT MY DISQUALIFICATION BY ECNBA, I WON’T APPEAL,’ SAYS ABDUSSALAM SALEH

An aspirant for the post of Assistant General Secretary in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections, Mr. Abdussalam Mohammed Saleh has said that he would not challenge his disqualification by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA).

In a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, Saleh, who is currently the Welfare Secretary of NBA Unity Bar Abuja Branch and former member of NBA Ungogo Branch Human Rights Committee, said that he has “taken my disqualification in good faith.”

The statement reads:

‘I ACCEPT MY DISQUALIFICATION BY ECNBA, I WON’T APPEAL,’ SAYS SALEH

This weekend, l received with shock an email from the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) informing me of my disqualification as an aspirant for the position of Assistant General Secretary in the forthcoming NBA Elections scheduled to hold on July 16, 2022.

This was not the outcome l had expected when l filed my nomination to contest for the post. I had sought to offer myself as part of a team to revolutionize the NBA Secretariat and make it more member friendly. I was therefore deeply disappointed at this unfortunate outcome.

However, the unity of the Bar is more paramount than my personal ambition. Accordingly, l have taken my disqualification in good faith. I shall not challenge it.

Further, l am ready to serve and support whoever emerges as NBA President in any capacity my services may be needed.

I thank my numerous supporters for the confidence reposed in me, and urge them not to relent in their quest for a Better Bar! It is also imperative that we all elect competent, disciplined and honest National Officers who can sustain the gains made by the Akpata Administration.

Thank you.

SIGNED:
ABDUSSALAM MOHAMMED SALEH

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 21, 2022
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  • Comments Off on DOKO, NWOSU, AKPETO, OTHERS DISQUALIFIED, NDUKWU FILES APPEAL

DOKO, NWOSU, AKPETO, OTHERS DISQUALIFIED, NDUKWU FILES APPEAL

More aspirants have been disqualified by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) in the run-up to the 2022 NBA National Officers and General Council of the Bar (GCB) Elections.

While there is palpable anxiety within the ranks of the aspirants as most of them are yet to be communicated by the electoral committee on their fate, CITY LAWYER gathered that the ranks of aspirants who have come under the ECNBA hammer has swelled.

Meanwhile, CITY LAWYER can authoritatively confirm that at least one aspirant for the position of NBA First Vice President, three aspirants for the post of NBA Second Vice President and one aspirant for the post of NBA Third Vice President have been barred by the Electoral Committee from contesting the forthcoming elections.

Aside from NBA First Vice President aspirant, Mr. Muhammad Idris Doko who was slammed because “your Seconder being a member of a political party in Nigeria is not qualified like you in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution,” outgoing NBA Ukwa Branch Chairman, Sir. Samuel Nwosu was disqualified from the NBA Second Vice President race because as regards the mode of reckoning post call years, “your Nominator is less than the requisite 15 years post-call. Similarly, there is no evidence that your Seconder paid her Branch Dues for year 2020 and 2022.”

His counterpart in the NBA Second Vice President race, Mr. Anthony Chukwurah came under the ECNBA hammer because “your Nominator is not from the Eastern Zone, he is not qualified like you in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution.”

Another aspirant for the same position, Mr. Finian Ndukwu also fell by the way side. Giving reasons for his disqualification, the electoral committee told Ndukwu that “having failed and/or omitted to complete your nomination form and supply requisite answers for determining your eligibility to contest in the Election, your nomination form is accordingly rejected. Consequently, you are hereby DISQUALIFIED from contesting for the office of 2nd Vice-President in the Election.”

Mr. Promise Besinginwayemi Awolowo Ademi-Akpeto, an aspirant for the position of NBA Third Vice President, suffered a similar fate when the Electoral Committee noted that the Seconder for his nomination “is less than 15 years post-call as required” in view of the above constitutional provisions and particularly the mode of reckoning post call years.

Meanwhile, Ndukwu has activated the appeal process. In an appeal made available to CITY LAWYER and addressed to the Chairperson of the Chairperson of NBA 2022 National Election Appeal Committee, he wrote: “I herein attached the said unfiled pages 4,5 and 6 of my nomination form and pages 10-12 including pages 16-78 of my nominator and that of my seconder, as 2nd Vice President for your perusal and reconsideration in this
appeal for the following grounds….”

Outlining the grounds of his appeal, he wrote: “1. That I completed the up part of page 4 of the said form and never filed the remaining part of page 4,5 & 6 because it was clear and stated that it should be filed by candidate for the position of President, 1st Vice President and General Secretary only.

“2. That in respect to pages 10-12 of the said form, it was not also filed by my nominator because it was clear as it is strictly stated for it to be filed by the Nominator of Candidate for the position of President, 1st Vice President and General Secretary only including Nominator of candidates for the position of Treasurer only in the case of page 12 of the my form.”

In a veiled lampooning of the Electoral Committee, Ndukwu argued “that ECNBA in this information age ought to have given fair hearing by giving me time and notice to supply the said information to the above said pages either by invitation, E-mail, whatsapp or Phone call which is available to them and that of my Nominator, and seconder before disqualifying me.

“I therefore most humbly urge the Appeal Committee to reconsider my nomination in the interest of justice as my nomination form was not rejected but accepted with acknowledgement on the 16th of April, 2022 by the ECNBA at the time of submission.”

Meanwhile, almost all the aspirants told CITY LAWYER that the ECNBA is yet to communicate to them on the outcome of the screening process.

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ECNBA HAMMERS 3 NBA VP ASPIRANTS, AKPATA SETS UP APPEALS C’TES

At least three aspirants vying for the posts of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) First and Second Vice President have been disqualified from contesting the forthcoming NBA Elections.

CITY LAWYER gathered that several reasons were given by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) from bringing its hammer down on the aspirants.

Meanwhile, NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata has set up both national and branch appeals committees to resolve appeals that may arise from disqualification of the aspirants.

The nine-member NBA 2022 National Election Appeals Committee (NNEACO) has renowned chartered arbitrator Funmi Roberts as Chairperson with Mr. Austin Ajineh of NBA Warri Branch as Secretary. 

Three NBA 2022 Branch Election Appeals Committees were also established for the three zones, namely East, West and North.

However, at least one aspirant has kicked against his disqualification. In a trending post on his dedicated WhatsApp platform, Mr. Muhammad Idris Doko of NBA Lagos Branch challenged his disqualification, saying the ECNBA decision “came to me as a rude shock.”

Giving more details on his disqualification, he wrote: “The reason for this is that one of my nominators, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is a member of a political party and into active politics. In addition to that, the ECNBA also claimed they could not find evidence of his membership of the National Executive Committee.

“This has come to me as a rude shock but I feel i owe you all a duty to inform you of the present state of things. Your unflinching support over the past few weeks has motivated me so much on this journey and I am forever indebted to you all.”

He vowed to “consider the available options open to me which includes appealing the decision of the ECNBA,” while urging his supporters to “remain calm and steadfast in your support for this project and I promise to inform you of any developments.”

CITY LAWYER gathered that the ECNBA hammer fell on the aspirant as his seconder, Mr. Mohammed Nadayako SAN is a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The aspirants were given seven days to appeal the ECNBA decision. In an ECNBA disqualification notice sighted by CITY LAWYER, it wrote: “PLEASE NOTE that by virtue of Part IX, Second Schedule of the Constitution you can appeal to the Election Appeal Committee at e lectionappeal@nigerianbar.org.ng wihtin seven days of the communication of this decision to you.” 

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ECNBA CLEARS GADZAMA, MAIKYAU, TAIDI, OTHERS FOR NBA ELECTIONS

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has cleared three presidential gladiators for the race for NBA President,  CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report. 

However, some aspirants for the positions of NBA First Vice President and NBA Second Vice President among others are among casualties who fell under the ECNBA disqualification hammer.

Among those cleared to participate in the July 16, 2022 poll are Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN and Mr. Jonathan Taidi.

CITY LAWYER also gathered from a source who is familiar with the process that the elelctoral committee completed the screening process within the constitutional timeline and had started dispatching emails to aspirants on the success or otherwise of their applications. 

More details shortly.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 15, 2022
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  • Comments Off on MAIKYAU REPLIES KAYODE BELLO’S PETITION, SAYS ‘I’VE NOT BEEN FOUND GUILTY BY LPPC’

MAIKYAU REPLIES KAYODE BELLO’S PETITION, SAYS ‘I’VE NOT BEEN FOUND GUILTY BY LPPC’

An aspirant for the presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN has responded to the petition by embattled Bar aspirant, Mr. Kayode Bello which urged the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) “to suspend the candidature of Mr. Y. C. Maikyau as the NBA presidential Aspirant, pending the determination of the disciplinary case against him at the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) for his misconduct.”

But in a response dated May 12, 2022 Maikyau stated that section 20(1)(f) relied upon by the petitioner “is inapplicable to my person and to my candidature for the office of the President, Nigerian Bar Association.” He argued that the section deals with removal of National Officers from office, adding that the section “is not only inconsequential but irrelevant.”

The presidential aspirant stated that “I have not been found guilty of any offences or misconduct by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) or any other tribunal or Court whatsoever,” adding that “my right to fair hearing under section 36(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) dictates that until and unless the Disciplinary Committee of the LPPC hears and determines the petition before it, I cannot be subjected to any denial of my right as a consequence of the Petitioner’s petition before the Disciplinary Committee of the LPPC.”

Conceding that the petitioner authored a petition against him at the LPPC, Maikyau stated that he responded to the petition, “thereby joining issues with the Petitioner. I also appeared before the Disciplinary Committee of the LPPC to defend myself, but the Committee decided on 14th June, 2019 to adjourn hearing sine die until the Petitioner’s action before the Federal High Court is determined one way or another.”

He argued that Bello had elected the LPPC to ventilate his alleged grievance, adding that “This petition therefore and this hearing amounts to an abuse of administrative process and forum shopping by the Petitioner.

Maikyau stated that the lawsuit “upon which his petition and indeed this petitioner (sic) was originally founded” was dismissed by Justice N. E. Maha on March 11, 2020, adding that he communicated the outcome to the Disciplinary Committee of the LPPC through a letter dated February 4, 2021.

He argued that “It is based on the foregoing, that I humbly submit, that this Committee cannot entertain this Petition, as doing so would pre-empt the decision of the Disciplinary Committee of the LPPC before which the Petitioner has willingly submitted his grouse against me.” Maikyau however stated that he would “for the abundance of caution” isolate and respond to the kernel of Bello’s petition.

The presidential aspirant restated his response to the Disciplinary Committee of the LPPC, adding that he never lied to the Disciplinary Committee. He said that “Neither myself nor my client disobeyed the Order of Court to allow the petitioner write his exams,” adding that Bello “cannot hang the blame of his failure/refusal to show up to write his exams on the CLE or myself.”

Maikyau also denied scuttling settlement between Bello and the Council of Legal Education, noting that “Counsel have a minimal role to play in parties’ settlement.” He added that he “did not use my position as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, or even as Counsel to scuttle the Court’s advise (sic) on reconciliation.”

The senior lawyer stated that he “will not be blackmailed by the shenanigans of the Petitioner and his likes who believe that everything that does not go their way is rigged,” adding that “the necessity of me responding to it (petition) is only but one of the sacrifices of offering to serve.”

The decision of the ECNBA is awaited on the petition.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 14, 2022
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  • Comments Off on CONTROVERSY TRAILS PETITION AGAINST NBA PUB-SEC ASPIRANT, OGAGA

CONTROVERSY TRAILS PETITION AGAINST NBA PUB-SEC ASPIRANT, OGAGA

An Owerri based lawyer has urged the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) to bar NBA Publicity Secretary aspirant and current Secretary of NBA Welfare Committee, Mr. Ogaga Emoghawanre from further participation in the forthcoming National Officers Elections.

In the petition obtained by CITY LAWYER, the petitioner, Mr. Francis Ugwumsinachi alleged that Emoghawanre, a leading aspirant for the prominent post, is “not qualified to contest for the office of the Publicity Secretary of NBA in the forthcoming election.”

However, NBA Owerri Branch leadership has written a disclaimer to the ECNBA disowning the petitioner, saying he is not a member of the branch.

Ugwumsinachi had in the petition dated May 4, 2022 vowed that he is “a bonafide member of Owerri Branch and by virtue of same, I will be affected by the outcome of the conduct of 2022 NBA National Elections.”

Continuing, the young lawyer wrote: “Sir, Ogaga Emoghawanre Esq. by our understanding of the provisions of the NBA Constitution is not qualified to contest for the office of the Publicity Secretary of NBA in the forthcoming election.”

According to the petitioner, “His tenure as the Publicity Secretary of NBA will expire in June 2022. As at the time of collecting and submitting of his nomination form (21 March- 15th April 2022), he had not been in office for 2 years as prescribed by the constitution of our great NBA.”

He asserted that “It will be a miscarriage of justice if Ogaga Emoghawanre esq (sic) is qualified to contest in the face of manifest precedent,” arguing that former NBA Assisatnt Publicity Secretary Habeeb Akorede Lawal suffered the same fate in 2020 when he was disqualified by the ECNBA allegedly on the same grounds.

But in a letter dated May 9, 2022 and addressed to the ECNBA Secretary, the NBA Owerri Branch leadership described Ugwumsinachi’s claim of being a bonafide member of the branch as “spurious.”

Signed by Messrs Jude Ogamba and Chinedu Agu, the branch chairman and secretary respectively, the branch leadership said: “We have gone through our records to discover, much to our consternation, that the said Ugwumsinachi Francis Ajuruchi has never been and is currently not a registered member of our Branch, and therefore is not a person known to our Branch as such.”

This has however set off a controversy in the branch, with the petitoner threatening to head to court to clear his name. He told CITY LAWYER that the Branch Secretary has urged him to “calm down” as the matter would be amicably resolved soon.

“He sent an inbox message to me assuring me that he would issue an apology letter and a withrawal letter to ECNBA,” he said. “If that is not done, I will go to court to clear my name.”

Validating the petitioner’s membership of the branch, the Branch Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) Chairman, Mr. Kelechi Ogugbuaja told CITY LAWYER that “Ugwumsinachi is a member of the branch. He has a branch ID Card issued by the Secretary and signed by the Branch Chairman. He also furnished us with his branch dues from 2019 till date issued and signed by the Financial Secretary.”

Continuing, the Branch YLF Chairman said: “I do not know how they investigated to say that the young lawyer is not a member of the branch. I don’t believe that we should engage in politics as to deny our own member. Meanwhile, he did not write on behalf of the branch. He is a bonafide member of the branch. We are patiently waiting for the branch leadership to issue him an apology letter and withdraw the purported disclaimer.”

When CITY LAWYER contacted the Branch Chairman, he said: “We have written to the ECNBA. If there is an error, it will be remedied.”

When CITY LAWYER pointed out the petitioner’s claim that the Branch Secretary promised to withdraw the disclaimer, Agu said: “If that is the position of the secretary, he should know. I saw a picture he (petitioner) took with the Branch Secretary. We will not want to injure anyone. Recall that we are transiting from analogue to digital records. We would look at every record. In our branch, we have a procedure for obtaining membership. I have asked the appropriate officers to look at our records again.”

On his part, the Branch Secretary told CITY LAWYER that the disclaimer stands until the branch concludes its enquiry into the petitioner’s membership status. His words: “No such (withdrawal) letter will be issued without a further deep-pocketed inquest into the validity or otherwise of his membership. This inquest is underway.” Reminded that he had assured the petitioner of such a letter and an apology in a message sighted by CITY LAWYER, he said: “Letter of Disclaimer was an official Letter.”

It was unclear at press time if the electoral committee had taken a decision on the petition.

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MAIKYAU REPLIES PETITION, SAYS NEC MEMBERSHIP INTACT

A presidential aspirant in forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN has responded to the petition by an Abuja based lawyer that he ceased to be a member of the 2018-2020 National Executive Committee and is not qualified to contest the 2022 NBA presidential election.

In the petition dated 6th May, 2022 and received by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) on Monday, 9th May, 2022, the petitioner, Mr. Tochukwu Ohazuruike had alleged that Maikyau “is not constitutionally qualified to contest for the office of President in the forthcoming 2022 NBA National Officers’ election due to his failure to meet the eligibility criteria of not less than two years membership of NEC at the time of nomination mandatorily required under section 9(3)(c)(i) of the NBA Constitution.” Ohazuruike later delivered an addendum to the earlier petition where he alleged that Maikyau “did not attend any of the 9 NEC meetings for the period 2018 to 2020.”

In a response dated 12th May, 2022 and obtained by CITY LAWYER, Maikyau stated that “The allegation that I didn’t attend the meetings of the 2018-2020 NEC is hereby denied. I also deny the allegation that my membership of that NEC ceased at any time before the end of that administration. The Petitioner, beyond citing the provisions of the NBA Constitution and alleging that I did not attend meetings, has failed to show that my membership of the 2018-2020 NEC ceased at any time before the 26th of August 2020.”

Continuing, the senior lawyer wrote: “It should be noted that the Petitioner admitted my membership of the NEC for the period between 2018 to 2020, this being no less the action of any institution of the NBA than the NEC itself. Suffice to say that what has been admitted requires no further proof. Nonetheless, see my letter of appointment into the NEC dated 4th May, 2019 attached hereto, as Annexure 1.”

Maikyau argued that the proviso to Section 7(7) of the NBA Constitution “is noteworthy and germane to the resolution of this petition,” adding that “It is clear from the language of the Constitution that the provision is NOT self-executing. Rather, the provision contemplates that a Member of NEC shall cease to be a member ONLY by or UPON a resolution of the National Executive Committee (now Council) to that effect.”

He argued that “it is also clear from the language of the Constitution that, before such a resolution or decision is taken by NEC, terminating a person’s membership on the stated ground, there must first be a hearing and such a member must be given the opportunity to show reasonable cause for his absence to the satisfaction of the National Executive Committee.”

According to Maikyau, “In the petition under reference, the Petitioner has neither shown that there was any resolution of the 2018-2020 NEC terminating my membership of the Committee for non-attendance at meetings, nor has he alleged that there was any such resolution. The Petitioner has also not shown that I did in fact cease to be a member of the NEC. None of the documents which accompanied the petition, show or contain any complaint regarding my alleged absence from any NEC meeting, any deliberation by NEC on such a complaint or any decision of NEC, terminating my membership thereof.”

Maikyau contended that the petitioner’s allegation that he ceased to be a NEC member for non-attendance “must be strictly proved by him and the way to do so is by presenting before the Committee a Resolution of that NEC, duly signed by the President and General Secretary, declaring that I ceased to be a member thereof. May I also reiterate that this ECNBA cannot go into a forensic audit of Attendance Registers and Minutes of Meetings of NEC to decide whether I was attending meetings or not and whether my membership thereof ought to be terminated. It also cannot take a decision to terminate my membership of the 2018-2020 NEC. That is the sole duty of that NEC and it is only the proceedings of that NEC terminating my membership that can form the basis of a petition such as this, I so submit.”

Concluding, the senior lawyer wrote: “I therefore humbly request this Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association to disregard the Petition and the allegations contained therein as misguided and one predicated on a gross misunderstanding of the Constitution of the NBA.”

The decision of the electoral committee is awaited on the petition.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 13, 2022
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  • Comments Off on NBA ABUJA CRISIS: PETITIONER WANTS GADZAMA, MAIKYAU, OTHERS DISQUALIFIED

NBA ABUJA CRISIS: PETITIONER WANTS GADZAMA, MAIKYAU, OTHERS DISQUALIFIED

An Abuja based lawyer has urged the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) to reject any aspirant whose Letter of Good Standing is endorsed by any of the factional chairmen of NBA Abuja Branch.

If successful, this will sound the death knell for the ambition of two leading presidential aspirants, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN and Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN, paving the way for the emergence of the immediate past NBA General Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Taidi as the next NBA President.

Though undated but addressed to the ECNBA Chairman, Mr. Ayodele Akintunde SAN, the petition was received by the electoral body on May 9, 2022.

In the petition obtained by CITY LAWYER, Mr. Maris Chinye Obichie urged the electoral umpire “to invoke section 10 part 1(6) of the second schedule to the NBA constitution and accordingly reject the candidature of any person who has submitted a letter of good standing from anyone purporting to be chairman of Abuja Branch in respect of a candidate, nominator or seconder for election into national offices and the General Council of the Bar in the 2022 election.”

Arguing that there is a precedent to this effect, the petitioner stated that “the position of NEC on the issue is that none of the factions of Abuja Branch be recognized until the issues are resolved and reconciled,” adding that “Pursuant to this position, ECNBA had in 2018 already set the precedent by disqualifying candidates from Abuja Branch as no valid letter of good standing was issued from Abuja Branch.”

Obichie contended that a Letter of Good Standing from the branch of a candidate, nominator and seconder “is a condition precedent to a valid nomination,” adding that “From the minutes of the NBA National Executive Council (NEC) held on 15th December, 2020; 18th March, 2021; 24th June 2021; 30th September 2021; 2nd November, 2021 and 16th December, 2021 there is (sic) no Chairman for Abuja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.”

If the petition succeeds, it would lead to a gale of disqualification of aspirants. Aside from the two leading presidential aspirants from Abuja, there are aspirants for other positions including the General Council of the Bar, NBA Second Vice President, Publicity Secretary, Assistant Publicity Secretary and Assistant General Secretary.

Aspirants from branches other than Abuja who may have sourced their nominators or seconders from the branch would also be affected by the decision.

The decision of the electoral umpire is awaited on the petition.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 13, 2022
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  • Comments Off on NBA ELECTIONS: KAYODE BELLO ASKS ECNBA TO DISQUALIFY FELIX ASHIMOLE

NBA ELECTIONS: KAYODE BELLO ASKS ECNBA TO DISQUALIFY FELIX ASHIMOLE

Embattled Bar aspirant, Mr. Kayode Bello has written a petition to the Electoral Committee of the NBA urging it to disqualify Mr. Felix Ashimole (aka Che Oyinatumba) from contesting the forthcoming NBA Elections.

In a petition addressed to the ECNBA Secretary and copied to CITY LAWYER, the petitioner alleged that the NBA Publicity Secretary aspirant “has violated the above section of the NBA Constitution,” in reference to Section 9 (4) (b) of the NBA 2021 Constitution (as amended).

Titled “Petition to disqualify Mr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Ashimole as NBA aspirant/candidate in the forthcoming NBA election,” the petition was sent to the electoral committee via electronic mail.

He recalled the grounds for disqualification from holding any National Office, adding that a member “shall not be qualified to hold any national office in the Association if during election campaigns: (b) He/she sponsors or is associated with sponsoring a Newspaper or Magazine article or any electronic broadcast, vilifying other candidates or extolling a candidate’s virtues.”

Giving the particulars of alleged breaches by the aspirant, Bello stated that “Mr. Felix Chukwuma Ashimole operates uses and operates WhatsApp group and a website (www.kubwaexpress.com) as electronic broadcast media to promote the candidacy of Mr. Y. C. Maikyau, an NBA Presidential Aspirant/candidate, whom I have petitioned against, during these 2022 NBA elections/election processes.”

Continuing, he alleged that “Mr. Felix Chukwuma has also belittled other candidate(s) in his electronic broadcast.

“Hence, it is hereby prayed that the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association should disqualify Mr. Felix Chukwuma from holding any national office in the Association for such constitutional infractions.

“Kindly find attached screenshots of infractions by Mr. Felix Chukwuma.”

Asked whether the electoral committee had communicated him on the petition, Ashimole queried: “Why should they? A petition by a non-lawyer!”

The petition was copied to “Mr. Gadzama, NBA Presidential Aspirant;” “Mr. Laidi, NBA presidential Aspirant;” the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC), the United States Embassy and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

 

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‘MAIKYAU IS NOT ABUJA BRANCH MEMBER,’ PETITIONER TELLS ECNBA

There are strong indications that a leading aspirant to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Elections, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN may have his hands full responding to the gale of petitions against his candidacy as yet another petition has been brought against him by an Abuja based lawyer, Mr. Tochukwu Ohazuruike.

It is recalled that Ohazuruike had earlier brought an petition against Maikyau alleging that the senior lawyer “is not constitutionally qualified to contest for the office of President in the forthcoming 2022 NBA National Officers’ election due to his failure to meet the eligibility criteria of not less than two years membership of NEC at the time of nomination mandatorily required under section 9(3)(c)(i) of the NBA Constitution.” The petition was dated 6th May, 2022 and received by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) on Monday, 9th May, 2022. Ohazuruike later delivered an addendum to the earlier petition where he alleged that Maikyau “did not attend any of the 9 NEC meetings for the period 2018 to 2020.”

In the latest petition, the lawyer stated that he has been a member of the Unity Bar “and I know that Y. C. Maikyau, SAN has never formally been a member of the Unity Bar at any time whatsoever.” Continuing, he stated that “The authentic register and records of the branch will reveal this without difficulty,” adding that “The first and last time he was seen at the Abuja Branch meeting was on 1st April, 2022 when his friends hosted the monthly in his honour.”

Arguing that his petition was based on the eligibility requirement set out in Section 9(3)(a) of the NBA Constitution, Ohazuruike stated that “This branch membership requirement for qualification as full member of NBA, as set out above, has not been met by Yakubu C. Maikyau, SAN as he has indicated in his nomination form a branch – Unity Bar – which he does not belong to. No doubt, mere participation in activities of a branch (if any) or clearance or letter of good standing from a branch Chairman/EXCO does not translate to formal membership of a branch for purposes of qualification to contest for the office of NBA President under section 9(3)(a) read in conjunction with section 4(1)(a) of the NBA Constitution.

According to Ohazuruike, “Given that Yakubu C. Maikyau, SAN is not a member of the Unity Bar as represented by him, it follows that he is not eligible to contest the forthcoming elections under the highlighted provisions of the NBA Constitution. I therefore urge the ECNBA to scrutinize the eligibility of Yakubu C. Maikyau, SAN on this constitutional ground and accordingly disqualify him in the circumstances.”

It was unclear at press time whether the ECNBA has communicated the latest petition to the presidential aspirant.

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FEAR GRIPS ASPIRANTS AS ECNBA GRILLS GADZAMA, MAIKYAU, TAIDI, OTHERS

Palpable anxiety has gripped aspirants in the Nigerian Bar Association National Officers and General Council of the Bar Elections in the wake of the long-awaited screening by the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA), CITY LAWYER can authoritatively report.

The Electoral Committee summoned some aspirants to an online “further screening” via ZOOM during which the aspirants were grilled on their nomination forms and related documents.

An email on the virtual screening obtained by CITY LAWYER read: “Dear (Name of aspirant),

“Further to the preliminary review of your Nomination Form and the annexed documents in support, the ECNBA by this email invites you for a virtual screening to determine your eligibility to contest in the forthcoming election.

“Please see below the login details below for the screening scheduled for Tuesday, 9 May 2022 at (time).

“Topic: ECNBA Screening….”

The email was signed by ECNBA’s Secretary, Ms. Mabel Ekeke and titled “Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) – Further Screening Exercise.”

CITY LAWYER gathered from some aspirants that the online interviews were not without hitches, as there were some delays and connectivity issues which prompted the committee to reschedule at least one of the interviews.

Meanwhile, many aspirants who did not receive the emails from ECNBA for “further screening” have expressed worries on their fate, wondering whether they had been shut out of the process.

There were speculations that only aspirants who had queries on their submissions were invited by the ECNBA to clarify the issues via the virtual interviews.

Though CITY LAWYER sought clarification on the issue from ECNBA Chairman, Mr. Ayodele Akintunde SAN, he was yet to respond at press time.

Meanwhile, among those aspirants who had faced the ECNBA Panel at the virtual interviews are Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN, and Mr. Jonathan Taidi, all NBA presidential aspirants.

Also grilled by the ECNBA members are aspirants for the position of NBA First Vice President including Linda Rose Bala and Messrs Yakubu Saleh Bawa, Liman Salihu and Idris Doko Muhammad..

A source who is familiar with the process told CITY LAWYER that it was a mandatory screening for the presidential and First Vice presidential aspirants. However, other aspirants who were screened by the ECNBA Panel may have been summoned to clarify some gaps regarding their nominations.

Among the aspirants who confirmed to CITY LAWYER that they had appeared before the ECNBA Screening Panel are Messrs Ede Asenoguan, Collins Ogiegban, Gerald Abonyi, Anthony Chukwurah, Habeeb Akorede Lawal and Felix Ashimole.

Aspirants who told CITY LAWYER that they have not received any invitation from the electoral committee for “further screening” are Messrs Adesina Adegbite, Damian Nosike, Isaac Ogbah, Clement Chukwuemeka, Auta Nyada, Maximus Ugwuoke, Anthony Oseme, Lekan Oladapo, Anthony Nwoye, and Joshua Enemali. Others are Chinyere Obasi, Safiya Balarabe, and Caroline Ladidi-Bishop.

While the aspirants were queried on their documentations by ECNBA members, at least one aspirant said that he was interviewed by the ECNBA secretarial staff on his documents.

There are strong indications that aspirants who were not invited for further clarifications on their nominations may sail through while those who could satisfactorily clarify the queries posed to them by the ECNBA Panel would also get a green light from the electoral committee. This may not be the case for aspirants who have fundamental defects in their nominations.

CITY LAWYER gathered that the screening process has been concluded while aspirants with petitions have been asked to respond to the petitions. The electoral committee is expected to release the list of qualified candidates soon.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 10, 2022
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  • Comments Off on AGAIN, LAWYER ASKS ECNBA TO DISQUALIFY MAIKYAU OVER NEC MEMBERSHIP

AGAIN, LAWYER ASKS ECNBA TO DISQUALIFY MAIKYAU OVER NEC MEMBERSHIP

A frontline presidential aspirant in the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2022 Elections, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN has again been slammed with another petition by an Abuja-based lawyer.

In the petition dated 6th May, 2022 and received yesterday by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), the petitioner, Mr. Tochukwu Ohazuruike urged the electoral committee to “do the needful by ensuring that only qualified persons are cleared to contest the forthcoming NBA National officers’ election.”

Though CITY LAWYER contacted the presidential hopeful on the latest petition against his candidacy, he was yet to respond at press time.

Titled “INELIGIBILITY OF Y. C. MAIKYAU, SAN FOR ELECTION INTO THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (NBA) ON THE GROUND OF NON-FULFILLMENT OF SECTION 9(3)©(I) OF NBA CONSTITUTION,” the petition set out reasons why Maikyau should be barred from contesting the election scheduled for July 16, 2022.

Describing himself as a “concerned member of the Bar,” Ohazuruike stated that he considered it necessary “to formally complain and bring to the attention of the ECNBA that Y. C. Maikyau SAN is not constitutionally qualified to contest for the office of President in the forthcoming 2022 NBA National Officers’ election due to his failure to meet the eligibility criteria of not less than two years membership of NEC at the time of nomination mandatorily required under section 9(3)(c)(i) of the NBA Constitution.”

According to Ohazuruike, section 9(3)(c)(i) of the NBA Constitution “stipulates membership of NEC for not less than two (2) years at the time of nomination as a mandatory qualification for the office of the NBA President.” He noted that the same requirement was “clearly restated” on page 1 of the ECNBA Preliminary Notice of Election dated 17th March, 2022, adding that “My complaint herein is that Y. C. Maikyau has not met this eligibility requirement to contest for the office of President of the NBA as demonstrated in the succeeding paragraphs of this complaint.”

Setting out the particulars of the petition, Ohazuruike argued that Maikyau “was first appointed as a co-opted member of NEC in the year 2018 by the NBA administration led by Paul Usoro, SAN. Y. C. Maikyau SAN however automatically lost his membership of NEC when he absented himself, refused, failed and/or omitted to attend three (3) consecutive meetings of NEC by virtue of section 8(8) of the NBA Constitution.”

The petitioner argued that “Having lost his membership of NEC within the period under review, it therefore means such period of his non-membership cannot be reckoned with for purposes of computation of time as NEC member for his nomination, qualification and participation in the 2022 NBA National Officers’ election.”

Noting that minutes of NEC meetings showing attendance of members “are usually circulated to members and are thus easily accessible and verifiable,” the petitioner wrote: “Nevertheless, I have attached copies of verifiable minutes of NEC meetings and signed attendance lists within the period of 2018 to 2020 which confirms without equivocation that Y. C. Maikyau SAN indeed missed three consecutive meetings by virtue of which he automatically lost his NEC membership at the time by virtue of section 8(8) of the Constitution which provides as follows:

“Any member who is absent from three (3) consecutive meetings of the National Executive Council shall cease to be a member of the Council unless he/she shows reasonable cause for such absence to the satisfaction of the Council.”

Ohazuruike contended that “From the attached lists and minutes, it is clear that Y. C. Maikyau SAN automatically lost his initial membership of NEC before the end of the two years 2018 to 2020 tenure of Paul Usoro, SAN led administration. The implication of this is that in the eyes of the law, Y. C. Maikyau SAN was not a NEC member for that material period.”

Noting that Maikyau was again appointed as a co-opted member of NEC under the current NBA administration which was inaugurated on August 2020, Ohazuruike said: “Assuming that Y. C. Maikyau SAN has not missed three consecutive meetings under the current dispensation, he has still not and could not have met the NEC eligibility criteria of not less than two years between the short timeframe of August, 2020 to the 15th April, 2022 deadline for nomination of candidates which is barely 20 months (less than the requisite two years). Thus, the NEC membership of Y. C. Maikyau SAN under the current dispensation does not also meet the minimum two years NEC membership stipulated in the NBA Constitution.

“Flowing from the foregoing, it is crystal clear that Y. C. Maikyau SAN does not possess the qualification of not less than two years membership of NEC. Y. C. Maikyau SAN is therefore ineligible to contest the 2022 National Officers’ election and should therefore not be cleared by the ECNBA in line with the NBA constitution.”

Saying that the world “is watching the NBA electoral process and compliance with set rules and laid down regulations is not negotiable,” Ohazuruike warned that “As a professional body of lawyers with promotion and protection of the principles of the rule of law as one of its aims/objectives, we cannot afford to set bad precedents especially as we approach the 2023 general elections where the NBA as a body will be expected to uphold and advance the rule of law.”

The petitioner enjoined the electoral committee “to do the needful by ensuring that only qualified persons are cleared to contest the forthcoming NBA National officers’ election.”

CITY LAWYER recalls that embattled Bar aspirant, Mr. Kayode Bello had earlier brought a petition asking the ECNBA to also bar Maikyau from the eagerly awaited election for alleged disobedience of court order among others. Maikyau has denied the charge.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 08, 2022
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  • Comments Off on PETITION: ‘WE’LL DECIDE MAIKYAU’S FATE AFTER HIS REPLY,’ SAYS ECNBA

PETITION: ‘WE’LL DECIDE MAIKYAU’S FATE AFTER HIS REPLY,’ SAYS ECNBA

The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has vowed that it will determine the petition by embattled Bar aspirant, Mr. Kayode Bello against Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential aspirant, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN on merit.

In a response to Bello titled “Re: Petition Against Y.C. Maikyau as NBA Aspirant,” the electoral committee acknowledged receipt of the original petition and addendum and assured the petitioner that justice would be done.

In the email dated May 8, 2022 and sent via the electoral committee’s verified email address at info@ecnba.ng, the ECNBA also hinted that it would obtain a written response from Maikyau before delivering its decision on the matter.

Signed by its Secretary, Mabel Ekeke, the ECNBA wrote: “Your petitions are duly noted. The ECNBA will consider and determine its merit(s) after reviewing the written submission from the aspirants(sic) in response to the said petitions.”

It is recalled that Bello had through the petition urged the electoral committee to bar Maikyau from taking part in the NBA presidential poll. His words: “It is hereby prayed that Mr. Y.C. Maikyau, an aspirant for the NBA election, 2022, be screened properly based on the foregoing and his candidacy be suspended based on the doctrine of necessity to ensure sanctity and sanity of the noble legal profession. And that the ECNBA should do that which is appropriate and or necessary to sustain and maintain the nobleness of the legal profession.”
Maikyau, a frontline presidential aspirant, declined comment on the matter when CITY LAWYER contacted him, saying that the petition was not addressed to him. “Why should I respond?” he asked. He however expressed readiness to respond to the petition if asked to do so by the electoral umpire.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • May 08, 2022
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  • Comments Off on NBA ELECTIONS: KAYODE BELLO AMENDS PETITION AGAINST MAIKYAU

NBA ELECTIONS: KAYODE BELLO AMENDS PETITION AGAINST MAIKYAU

Embattled Bar aspirant, Mr. Kayode Bello has provided additional grounds to support his petition against the candidacy of a leading Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential aspirant, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN.

In an email to the Secretary of the Electoral “Commission” of the Nigerian Bar Association dated May 2, 2022 and copied to CITY LAWYER among others, Bello wrote: “Please kindly find attached my petition against Mr. YC Maikyau with amendment and more documents.” Among those copied are the United Nations, United States Embassy in Nigeria and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC).

He cited Section 10 of the NBA Constitution (as amended) and argued that “In my own view, this proviso of the Constitution implies that the grounds are not limited to the grounds specified in the second schedule of the NBA constitution, 2015 (as amended in 2021).”

The letter was titled “AMENDMENT/ADDENDUM TO RE: PETITON AGAINST Y. C. MAIKYAU AT THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS’ PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE: NEED FOR PROPER SCRUTINY AND SUSPENSION OF Y. C. MAIKYAU’S CANDIDATURE AS NBA PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT.”

Bello, who was expelled from the Nigerian Law School for alleged misconduct, then cited Section 9(3)(f) of the NBA Constitution and argued that “The intendment given and the intention of the draftsmen of the NBA Constitution are that those who aspire to become the President and General Secretary of the Association must be of proven, impeccable, and unimpeachable character, and if there is any evidence adduced as such in this case as against Mr. Y. C. Maikyau, such evidence of conspiracy and disobedience of Court Order (Contempt of Court) by Mr. Y. C. Maikyau according to Sections 133 and 126 of the Nigerian Criminal Code (sic).”

He concluded that he “would be glad and ready to forward and present more facts or information if or when needed.”

Bello proceeded to attach several documents relating to his face-off with the Nigerian Law School, the ensuing court battle and his petition against Maikyau at the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC).

It is recalled that CITY LAWYER had in an exclusive report cited the initial petition by Bello who based the ground of his petition on section 20 (1)(f) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Constitution 2021 (as amended) which states that “A National Officer may be removed from office where he /she is involved in an act or behavior that brings or is likely to bring the Association into disrepute.‘’

He had urged the ECNBA “to suspend the candidature of Mr. Y. C. Maikyau as the NBA presidential Aspirant, pending the determination of the disciplinary case against him at the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) for his misconduct.”

While Maikyau declined comment on the petition, it was unclear at press time whether the electoral committee has taken a decision on the petition.

 

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PETITIONER ASKS ECNBA TO BAR MAIKYAU FROM NBA ELECTION

* SAYS HE HAS PENDING PETITION AT LPPC

* ‘I HAVE NO COMMENTS,’ MAIKYAU TELLS CITY LAWYER

An embattled aspirant to the Nigerian Bar and erstwhile student of the Nigerian Law School has urged the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) to bar one of the leading presidential aspirants in the forthcoming NBA Elections, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN from taking part in the NBA presidential poll.

The petitioner, Mr. Kayode Bello, made the plea in a petition he emailed yesterday to the verified email handle of the ECNBA, info@ecnba.ng and copied to CITY LAWYER. Others copied in the petition include “Mr. Gadzama, NBA Presidential Aspirant;” “Mr. Laidi, NBA presidential Aspirant;” the “press/media;” Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC); “United States Embassy (for rule of law),” and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

His words: “It is hereby prayed that Mr. Y.C. Maikyau, an aspirant for the NBA election, 2022, be screened properly based on the foregoing and his candidacy be suspended based on the doctrine of necessity to ensure sanctity and sanity of the noble legal profession. And that the ECNBA should do that which is appropriate and or necessary to sustain and maintain the nobleness of the legal profession.”

Meanwhile, Maikyau declined comment on the matter when CITY LAWYER contacted him, saying that the petition was not addressed to him. “Why should I respond?” he asked. He however expressed readiness to respond to the petition if asked to do so by the electoral umpire.

Dated May 2, 2022 and addressed to the Secretary, Electoral “Commission” of the Nigerian Bar Association, the petition was titled “PETITON AGAINST Y.C. MAIKYAU AT THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS’ PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE: NEED FOR PROPER SCRUTINY AND SUSPENSION OF Y.C. MAIKYAU’S CANDIDATURE AS NBA PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANT.”

The petitioner based the ground of his petition on section 20 (1) (f) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Constitution 2021 (as amended) which states that “A National Officer may be removed from office where he /she is involved in an act or behavior that brings or is likely to bring the Association into disrepute.‘’

He urged the ECNBA “to suspend the candidature of Mr. Y. C. Maikyau as the NBA presidential Aspirant, pending the determination of the disciplinary case against him at the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) for his misconduct.”

Bello argued that the suspension of the candidature of Mr. Y.C. Maikyau “is necessary as expounded by the 13th century English jurist, Henry de Bracton,” adding that the doctrine of necessity is that ‘’that which is otherwise not lawful is made lawful by necessity.

“The suspension of Mr. Y.C. Maikyau from contesting as the NBA presidential aspirant would bring honour to the highly revered legal profession, and would prevent unnecessary distractions in the conduct of the NBA activities and duties in respect especially of the next administration of NBA and National Executive Committee of the NBA.”

Delving into the kernel of his grouse against the senior lawyer, Bello wrote: “The petition against Mr. Y.C. Maikyau at the LPPC is based on disobedience of Court Order obtained by me (Kayode Bello) permitting me to write my Bar Final examination at the Nigerian Law School after I was unlawfully expelled by the Nigerian Law School over reservation of seat by my colleague, Miss Chidinma Akam (who has been called to the Nigerian Bar), due to poor state of facilities at the Nigerian Law School.”

He alleged that he has not completed his Law School programme, blaming it “mainly to acts and lies” of a plethora of persons including a former Dean of Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan “who kept sending negative reports about me to the Nigerian Law School that led to my expulsion at the Nigerian Law School, Mr. Obasi Obi, the lawyer working with Mr. Y.C. Maikyau, Late Mr. Akinyemi Julius (of late memory) amongst others.

“Another Law School Application Form I obtained was sent by my Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, to the Nigerian Law School for admission purpose but the Nigerian Law School has neither admitted me nor given reason it did not admit me. In accordance to the code of conduct of the Nigerian Law School, I was not barred from attending the Nigerian Law School.”

Stating that Maikyau “elected” to be the counsel to the Council of Legal Education, the beleaguered Bar aspirant alleged that “It is also untruthful, unfair and unbecoming of Mr. Y.C. Maikyau in his response to the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) to have LIED that:

‘’ …. Notwithstanding the matters stated above, the Petitioner [myself] failed and or refused to show up to write the examination’’ (paragraph 12 of Mr. Y.C Maikyau’s reply to the Disciplinary Committee of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC), Supreme Court of Nigeria, dated 14th March 2019, whereas on August 15th, 2017 I was at the Nigerian Law School gate to enter for the Bar Final Examination, but I was not
allowed to enter.”

Bello alleged that while he proceeded to court to levy contempt proceedings against Maikyau among others, the NBA presidential aspirant “used his position as the Senior Advocate of Nigeria to scuttle the reconciliation efforts as advised by Justice B.O. Quadri on 8th of September, 2017, that we (parties) should reconcile.”

Restating his grouse, Bello wrote: “In summary, Mr. Y.C. Maikyau who stands as presidential aspirant for the office of the NBA President in the forthcoming NBA election has lied to the LPPC that I did not show up at the Nigerian Law School for my Bar Final examination and he has used his office and position as the Senior Advocate of Nigeria to frustrate the reconciliation process between the Council of Legal Education and myself (Kayode Bello).

“The fact that Mr. Y.C. Maikyau lied to the LPPC that I did not or refused to show up for my Bar final examination in 2017 is/was tantamount to perverting justice and conspiracy to disobey the order of the Court.”

He alleged that the acts “are against the basic aims, objects and tenets of the Nigerian Bar Association,” and “prayed that Mr. Y.C. Maikyau, an aspirant for the NBA election, 2022, be screened properly based on the foregoing and his candidacy be suspended based on the doctrine of necessity to ensure sanctity and sanity of the noble legal profession.”

The ECNBA is yet to respond to the petition. The NBA Election is scheduled to hold on July 16, 2022 to elect National Officers and NBA representatives at the General Council of the Bar.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Apr 27, 2022
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  • Comments Off on ANXIETY, AS ECNBA CONSULTANT IN CONTROVERSIAL 2018 ELECTION ‘RETURNS’

ANXIETY, AS ECNBA CONSULTANT IN CONTROVERSIAL 2018 ELECTION ‘RETURNS’

There are concerns in legal circles following revelation by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) that one of the applicants for the crucial role of “Technical Support Consultant” (TSC) played the same role in the controversial 2018 NBA Elections.

The ECNBA had in a Public Notice yesterday urged NBA stakeholders to comment on the suitability of two leading ICT firms seeking to fill the role of ECNBA Technical Consultant. The two companies are Finesse Integrated Technologies Limited and Thriveonus Limited, both Abuja based ICT companies.

While reeling out its numerous operations especially in the legal sector, Finesse Integrated Technologies Limited wrote: “NBA – Technical Consultant to the ECNBA for the 2018 NBA general elections.” This is aside from other jobs done for the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Court of Appeal, National Judicial Institute (NJI) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in an otherwise rich resume.

CITY LAWYER investigation however shows that the 2018 NBA Elections remains one of the most controversial in the history of the lawyers’ association. Following a CITY LAWYER exclusive report showing that former NBA President, Mr. Paul Usoro SAN – who was one of the presidential candidates in the election – was equally a non-Executive Director at Access Bank Plc alongside Dr. (Mrs.) Ajoritsedere Josephine Awosika, the pioneer female Chairman of CHAMS hired as ICT Partner to midwife the election, this set off a chain of events that took the election beyond the July deadline stipulated by the NBA Constitution.

Current ECNBA member and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu referred to the debacle when he wrote: “Under the constitution of the association, the ballot was to have concluded before the end of July. A cocktail of implausible cock-ups had conspired to defer the completion of the ballot by three weeks beyond the constitutionally permissible date.”

Passing a judgement on the 2018 NBA Elections, the fiery human rights activist wrote: “The figures announced by the ECNBA suggested a very spirited contest. In reality, the outcome was pre-determined. The ECNBA and the NBA leadership of AB Mahmoud SAN had presided over the most willfully manipulated ballot in the history of the association.” While Usoro emerged victorious with 4,509 votes, Chief Arthur Obi-Okafor SAN and former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof. Ernest Ojukwu SAN polled 4, 423 and 3, 313 votes respectively.

Odinkalu observed that the process leading to the engagement of CRENET, a new election data service provider, was shrouded in secrecy, adding: “One phone number in particular, 0807 410 7787 accounted for 41 voters; 0810 642 1702 accounted for 32 voters, while 0806 402 8401 accounted for 18. Between them, these three numbers alone accounted for 91 votes, that is six votes more than the announced margin of 86 votes between the declared winner and the runner up.”

This would later ground prosecution of two lawyers by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following a petition by Obi-Okafor. In the August 28, 2018 petition presented by the ICT Team Lead for his campaign organization, Mr. Olumuyiwa Olowokure, it said: “The NBA 2018 National Elections which held from August 18 to 20, 2018 has been mired in controversy following complaints of gross irregularities characterised by theft of members’ identities and data, internet fraud, interference/manipulation of the online portal … parties connived to fraudulently manipulate the electoral process to achieve a predetermined outcome.”

The EFCC in the suit marked FHC/L/118c/2020 and signed by its counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, alleged that the accused persons altered 1004 eligible voters’ personal details and cast votes for the former NBA president by impersonating voters through fraudulently using the Supreme Court Enrolment Numbers of some lawyers.

While CHAMS and CRENET were in the eye of the storm for the alleged fraud that enveloped the election, Finesse Integrated Technologies Limited seems to have been in the shadows. The process leading to its appointment as ECNBA’s Technical Consultant as well as the exact role it played during the 2018 NBA Election seem to be mired in mystery. Given that the ECNBA was decidedly silent on its involvement in the 2018 Election, it was not until yesterday that it announced its participation in the controversial election.

Said Odinkalu: “In the end, a voting process that was supposed to be seamless suffered at least eight deferrals and one suspension. Every stage in the process was tortured.”

Ojukwu also had only harsh words for the conduct of the election. He denounced the election as having been characterized by “massive vote buying, vote capture, rigging and a skewed process.”

The uproar that greeted the 2018 election as well as the one before and after it compelled the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) to set up a five-man committee to work with the NBA to review the 2018 and 2020 elections. Members of the committee were Chief Joe Kyari-Gadzama, SAN; Mr. Osaro Eghobamien, SAN; Chief Yomi Aliu, SAN; Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, SAN, and Mr. Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa, SAN.

Former NBA President and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN said of the electoral audit: “It is very good to review the electoral process of NBA, which is exactly what we, the Trustees recommended.” The BOSAN Committee soon became troubled itself, with the resignation of some of its members including Gadzama.

Following his commitment in his inaugural address to review the association’s electoral process and bequeath a flawless electoral system to the lawyers’ body, NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata on September 30, 2020 set up the Mr. Ayodele Akintunde SAN-led “Electoral Reform and Audit Committee.” One of the committee’s terms of reference was “To audit the elections of National Officers of the NBA of 2016, 2018 and 2020 and recommend reforms (if any) of the electoral process.” Aside from submitting a detailed report on the malfeasance that bedeviled past NBA Elections, the mantle again fell on Akintunde to walk the talk by implementing his committee’s recommendations geared towards a free, fair and credible NBA Election.

Attempts by CITY LAWYER to reach Finesse Integrated Technologies Limited on its role in the 2018 NBA Elections proved abortive. Though one Ruth Isaac told CITY LAWYER that the company’s Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mr. Akintomide Akinwolere would respond timeously to our enquiries, he was yet to do so at press time.

According to the “Request for Proposal For Technical Support Consultant to the ECNBA” dated April 11, 2022 the all-important role of the Technical Support Consultant was spelt out as follows: “The TSC shall be responsible for providing the requisite consulting and advisory services necessary to attain the goal established by the ECNBA for the Project. Specifically, the TSC shall play key roles in the following areas:

1. Member Identity & Database (Technical Assistance):
(a) Collect, review and certify as adequate and fit for purpose, an approximately 50,000– 60,000 member-rich database, and transform same into a Register of Voters in an integration ready format for use with any standard Election Management System (EMS); and

(b) Propose a multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) protocol to govern the identification and verification of members on the EMS to be deployed for the Project.

2. ICT Service Provider (“Service Provider”):
(a) Develop the technical requirements and the ECNBA’s criteria for engaging the Service Provider that will deploy the EMS;

(b) Support the ECNBA in developing the requisite RFP for the selection process and subsequent negotiations between the qualified, experienced, skilled, and selected Service Provider; and

(c) Outline the deliverables that will be incorporated in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) and Operational Level Agreement (OLA) that will govern the performance and operations of the EMS services by the Service Provider.

3. Stakeholder Support:
(a) Support the ECNBA in its voter sensitization and enlightenment outreach by producing materials, including Q&A’s, for publication on the Project website or distribution to members, and to attend the ECNBA branch or regional stakeholder programs physically (or virtually), to respond to technical issues raised by members;

(b) Conduct trainings for members (virtually or physically) on any aspect of the electoral process, including voter registration and certification as well as login and logout protocol of the EMS; and

(c) Set up and operate a Technical Support Centre, including 24/7 Call Centre from the commencement and throughout the election period, to assist members on any technical issues relating to access, login, or logout process on the EMS.

4. Tests, Audits & Reports:
(a) Conduct a system and software testing to ensure that the EMS is implementing the latest, modern technology and solutions;

(b) Conduct functionality testing to ensure that the EMS delivers on all the functional requirements and specifications stipulated by the ECNBA;

(c) Conduct vulnerability testing to identify any vulnerability or threat to which the system might be exposed, assign severity levels to threats found, and propose remediation or mitigation; and

(d) Perform process audit of the EMS, monitor elections real time, and carry out postelection audit and produce all relevant reports required by the ECNBA.

According to the approved ECNBA Budget, the Technical Support Consultant is to earn N15 Million for its services.

It remains to be seen the exact role played by Finesse Integrated Technologies Limited in the NBA 2018 Elections saga.

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  • EDITOR'S CHOICE
  • Apr 23, 2022
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  • Comments Off on PETITION: ‘ECNBA WILL CLEAR ME OF ALL CHARGES,’ SAYS OGBAH

PETITION: ‘ECNBA WILL CLEAR ME OF ALL CHARGES,’ SAYS OGBAH

Former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ota Branch, Mr. Isaac Omuta Ogbah has expressed confidence that the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) will dismiss the petition written against him by an Abuja based senior lawyer.

Mr. Uche Amulu had in a petition to ECNBA urged the electoral committee to bar Ogbah from participating in the forthcoming NBA Elections. Ogbah is gunning for the post of NBA Third Vice President.

Amulu alleged that Ogbah engaged in “anti-Bar, in fact anti-lawyerly (sic), activities as he is not fit to be part of us, let alone leading the Bar,” adding that “Isaac Ogbah notoriously abuses the judicial process by a wanton mix of police oppression and running for cover using police prosecutorial powers as provided by law. He cannot be allowed to lead the Bar, as the damages he will cause with any little position are better imagined than felt.”

But in a rejoinder to the CITY LAWYER report, Ogbah urged the “general public, my friends and well wishers to disregard this libelous petition now written by the same Uche Amulu of counsel.”

Placing his confidence in the electoral committee, the Bar Leader said in the rejoinder made available to CITY LAWYER: “I have no doubt that members of the ECNBA, who are men and women of impeccable integrity and character, upon reviewing the whole facts of the case will find nothing against me and would certainly clear and certify me as fit and proper to contest as one of the candidates for the post of 3rd Vice President of the NBA.”

Noting that he “was never copied nor have I been served a copy of the said Petition either by the Petitioner or by ECNBA,” the aspirant assured that he would “take appropriate steps to respond to same officially and make copies of my response to ECNBA formally in the coming days.”

The former branch chairman stated that contrary to Amulu’s allegations, there was “a formal Police Report issued in our favor clearly exonerating us of ever committing any offence known to law,” adding that “upon the conclusion of the investigative activities by the DIG’s office whether or not there was in fact any alleged offences of armed robbery, kidnapping, stealing and armed robbery as alleged by the same Uche Amulu of counsel, the Legal Advise was to the effect that Uche Amulu, Celestine Eze and His company be prosecuted for deliberately writing a false petition alleging the above named offences, when they knew was never committed.”

He said the suspects “including the aforesaid Uche Amulu of Counsel are now standing trail (sic) before the FCT Magistrate court and for which I have given my evidence in chief and with the same Uche Amulu himself having personally commenced his Cross-Examination personally and the matter adjourned to 11th May, 2022 for continuation of hearing.”

Saying that he has briefed his solicitors “to take appropriate legal steps to address the Petition in issue and make necessary demands from the law firm cum author of the petition,” Ogbah noted that there is also a civil libel suit pending against Amulu and 2 others which comes up for trial on April 26, 2022 “regarding his libelous publications he had previously made against my person and that of my clients. Hence everyone can, in their own wisdom, judge and or make their own personal opinion as to why this petition has been written and the intent it is meant to serve.”

Below is the full text of Ogbah’s rejoinder.

Today, Saturday the 23rd day of April, 2022, my attention was drawn to a Petition written by the Law Firm of Greys & Acquisition Legal Practitioners and authored by one Mr. Uche Amulu, a legal practitioner wherein he alleged several defamatory things against my person and requested that I be disqualified by the ECNBA from contesting the position of the 3rd Vice President of the NBA.

Unfortunately I was never copied nor have I been served a copy of the said Petition either by the Petitioner or by ECNBA.

While I will take appropriate steps to respond to same officially and make copies of my response to ECNBA formally in the coming days, since the said libelous petition is now being circulated by the authors of the Petition and several Press Media outlets are reaching across to me so as to get my response, I am now constrained to respond as below so as to set the records straight

1. Sequel to the unlawful infringement of our Client’s registered Trademarks by some persons we were instructed to write a Formal Petition to the Police Authorities and who in their wisdom and acting under relevant powers conferred on them by law thought it fit to investigate same.

In the course of their investigative activities 2 suspects were arrested and incriminating products evidencing their criminal activities of infringing our clients’ registered trademark taken into custody by the investigation Police officers after the suspects had been granted bail.

2. Whereas the arrested suspects secured the services of reputable lawyers based in Lagos and Abuja to represent them, with one of such lawyers being a well known and renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria 🇳🇬, attempts made by the suspects as well as their legal representatives to have the matter resolved out of court not yielding the desired results one Uche Amulu, also a lawyer, and who being very much seised of the facts of the case but who with intent to achieve whatever sinister motives of his, resorted to intentionally twist the facts of the case by writing a Petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) wherein he intentionally and falsely alleged that his clients, while traveling from Port Harcourt to Onitsha, were attacked by a group of about 7 armed robbers, who attacked and robbed them of their goods and personal effects as well stabbed and shot them with guns and also in the process kidnapped them until they were later released

3. They also alleged in their Petition that one of the phones alleged to have been stolen were tracked and found to be in our custody and as a result of the above said Petition the Inspector General of Police (IGP) directed that the IRT unit of the Police should carry out a discrete investigation of the said Petition, leading to my being arrested alongside one of my revered Client.

4. Upon the eventual investigative activities carried out by the various Police authorities that were involved in the whole process, below were the outcome of same, to wit:*

A. The IRT office concluded their investigation with the conclusion that none of the alleged offenses was ever committed by myself nor my clients as alleged by the Petitioners.

B. Consequently a formal Police Report issued in our favor clearly exonerating us of ever committing any offence known to law.

C. The office of the AIG Maritime also concluded their investigative activities and a formal legal advise issued to the effect that the suspects engaged in the unlawful infringement of my Client’s registered trademarks be prosecuted. They are presently standing trial before Court 6 of the Federal High Court sitting one Port Harcourt.

D. Also upon the conclusion of the investigative activities by the DIG’s office whether or not there was in fact any alleged offences of armed robbery, kidnapping, stealing and armed robbery as alleged by the same Uche Amulu of counsel, the Legal Advise was to the effect that Uche Amulu, Celestine Eze and His company be prosecuted for deliberately writing a false petition alleging the above named offences, when they knew was never committed.

All the suspects involved, including the aforesaid Uche Amulu of Counsel are now standing trail before the FCT Magistrate court and for which I have given my evidence in chief and with the same Uche Amulu himself having personally commenced his Cross-Examination personally and the matter adjourned to 11th May, 2022 for continuation of hearing.

It is also worthy of note that there is presently a civil suit of libel pending against Uche Amulu and 2 others and which comes up for trail on Tuesday, 26th April, 2022 regarding his libelous publications he had previously made against my person and that of my clients. Hence everyone can, in their own wisdom, judge and or make their own personal opinion as to why this petition has been written and the intent it is meant to serve.

I therefore sincerely urge the general public, my friends and well wishers to disregard this libelous petition now written by the same Uche Amulu of counsel. I have no doubt that members of the ECNBA, who are men and women of impeccable integrity and character, upon reviewing the whole facts of the case will find nothing against me and would certainly clear and certify me as fit and proper to contest as one of the candidates for the post of 3rd Vice President of the NBA.

Meanwhile I have briefed my solicitors to take appropriate legal steps to address the Petition in issue and make necessary demands from the law firm cum author of the petition and in the event of their unwillingness to retract and withdraw the libelous contents of the Petition now being published and circulating globally we will definitely seek legal redress from the law courts.

Once again, I remain yours and yours always.

Isaac Omuta Ogbah, FICMC

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

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 19, 2022
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  • Comments Off on HOW GADZAMA STORMED ECNBA, MOURNS PROF. GADZAMA

HOW GADZAMA STORMED ECNBA, MOURNS PROF. GADZAMA

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC), Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN recently submitted his nomination form and accompanying documents for the coveted position of NBA President in the forthcoming NBA National Officers Election.

The former Chairman of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) arrived the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) Secretariat at about 3:42 pm last Thursday to submit the form in compliance with the Electoral Guidelines. Many admirers of the leading litigator accompanied him to the ECNBA secretariat.

According to a statement made available to CITY LAWYER, “The Learned Silk giving his final remarks further appreciated the presence of teeming supporters and jokingly closed with a teaser, saying that, although the discussion had ended, just like the Honda Car, the discussion would continue. As usual, the jovial Bar Patriot elicited hearty laughs from all who were present amidst cheers of approval and accolades.

“Whilst exiting the premises, the Learned Silk was excused for an exclusive interview wherein he reiterated the importance of a good, all-inclusive and focused visionary leadership of the Bar.” He added that “We must live up to our roles as the watchdog of the society, the eyes of the blind, the eardrums of the deaf and the mouthpiece of the dumb. Our electoral process must set the pace and trend for the political class of our society to emulate… And this is our dream and vision, because life is not how much you acquire or own but how much impact you’re able to make on the lives of others.”

The submission process is available for download at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/6/folders/1lXqjxGWL4l6vz2ovb_PoZBJiNcQJvlMZ

Meanwhile, the Bar Leader has expressed sadness over the demise last weekend of Prof. Emeritus Njidda Mamadu Gadzama.

Reacting to the passing of the former university administrator, he said: “It is with great pain in my heart that I mourn the death of Prof. Njidda Mamadu Gadzama who doubled as a good friend of my late father and an uncle to myself. Prof. Njidda Mamadu Gadzama was a respectable and renowned academician whose dedication to the advancement of education in Nigeria earned him the right to be referred to as an academic leader.

“The late professor occupied several leadership positions having been the pioneer Pro-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of my alma mater, University of Maiduguri and the Acting Vice-Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt. I am certain that the Late Professor lived a fulfilled life as his impact through these various positions in the line of academics will forever be ingrained in our hearts. It is worthy to mention that he has also left behind a great legacy which outlives his time with us.

“On behalf of myself, my family and the entire staff of J-K Gadzama LLP, I express my heartfelt condolences to the family of Prof. Njidda Mamadu Gadzama. My solace lies in the fact that ‘the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1:21b)’ and ‘If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord (Romans 14:8).’ In light of the foregoing, I implore the family to take solace in the wise words of the Holy Book.”

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

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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