The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has given reasons why it sacked the Executive Committee of its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL).

In a communique signed by NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN and NBA General Secretary, Mr. Adesina Adegbite, the association stated that “NEC condemned the actions of the Chairman of Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) which undermines the authority of the President and the Council. Consequently, NEC resolved and directed the immediate removal of the members of the Executive Committee of SPIDEL. NEC also ratified all the actions taken by the President with respect to SPIDEL and directed that all actions filed by John Aikpoko-Martins and Funmi Adeogun, purportedly on behalf of NBA-SPIDEL be discontinued forthwith.”

It listed the lawsuits as Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1285/2023 – John Aikpokpo-Martins Esq & 2 Ors v. Federal Government of Nigeria & 2 Ors; Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/90/2024 – John Aikpokpo-Martins, Esq & Anor v. Ms. Hannatu Musa Musawa & 3 Ors; Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/246/2024 – John Aikpokpo-Martins & Anor v. The Inspector General of Police & 3 Ors; Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/247/2024 – John Aikpokpo-Martins, Esq & Anor v. The Inspector General of Police & Anor; Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/248/2024 – John Aikpokpo-Martins, Esq & Anor v. The Inspector General of Police & Anor.

The NBA also stated that “NEC further approved the constitution of a Caretaker Committee to manage the affairs of the SPIDEL with additional mandate to investigate the circumstances leading to the filing of actions in court without approval of NEC. The Caretaker Committee comprised of the following members: Sir Steve Adehi, SAN (Chairman), Yakubu Philemon, SAN (Member), Ben Oji (Secretary), Ronke Adeyemi (Member), and Eva Amadi (Member).”

CITY LAWYER recalls that some leading human rights activists had condemned the NEC resolution, saying it did not follow due process.

COMMUNIQUE OF THE NBA-NEC MEETING FOR THE 1ST QUARTER OF 2024

Distinguished Colleagues,

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had its meeting for the 1st quarter of 2024 in Jos on the 29th day of February 2024.

The national officers, sections, institutes, committees, and fora of the NBA all rendered report to the NEC, which is the highest decision making organ of the NBA, after the Annual General Meeting (AGM). NEC considered all of these reports, as well as other issues relating to the state of the bar and the nation.

Attached is the communique of the said NEC meeting, which reflects “…the unequivocal commitment of the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association to strengthen the legal profession and its institutions, ensure professional integrity, promote rule of law and justice, and advance the course of the nation building.”

Akorede Habeeb Lawal
National Publicity Secretary, NBA

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