The New President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), has inaugurated a 14-man committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the vandalisation of conference materials during the recent NBA annual conference.
The said incident happened on Tuesday, August 23rd when lawyers broke into the NBA pavilion for the distribution of conference materials, destroyed the booths and carted away bags and other valuables.
BASIC FACTS
- The new NBA President has set up a 14 committee to unravel the mob action at the NBA conference.
- At the last NBA conference in Lagos, lawyers had invaded the conference material stands and made away with the items.
- The Committee has 4 weeks to complete its work and submitted report.
WHAT WE KNOW
The incumbent NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), on Monday set up a panel to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the embarrassing scenario at the last NBA Conference in Lagos.
At the inauguration ceremony, which was held on Monday, the NBA chief charged the chairman of the investigation committee, the Attorney General of Ekiti State, Wale Fapohunda (SAN), and the other members to also make recommendations concerning the incident.
The president charged the committed to take into consideration the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association, 2015 (as amended in 2021), Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007 and other relevant legislations, policies, and guidelines.
The committee has four weeks within which to submit its findings and recommendations.
The Committee as constituted is made up of the following persons:
- Olawale Fapohunda, SAN – Chairman
- CP Lough Simon Asamber SAN – Alternate Chairman
- Oyinkan Badejo
- Ada Edozie
- Florence Marcus – Secretary
- Mujahid Muhammed
- Lucky Ekarume.
- Chini Nwora
- Adama Mohammed
- Shehu Sani Idris.
- Oyindamola Fashakin
- ThankGod-Mina Hope Obeten
- Folashade Owolabi.
- Toluwalope Aderiye
NOTABLE QUOTE
Inaugurating the committee, the NBA president said, “1. On Tuesday, the 23rd day of August 2022, on the sidelines of the just concluded 62nd Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association at Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos, an incident occurred at the venue for the distribution of conference materials. The sad incident resulted in the vandalisation of the said venue and destruction of valuables which allegedly include Conference materials, laptops, phones, and other items.”
“The conduct of our colleagues involved in that incident borders on possible violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners and other relevant laws applicable in Lagos State. It has been a source of embarrassment to the Association and raises cause for grave concern to the legal profession and to the general public; both within and outside Nigeria.”
“Recall that in my Inaugural Address on 26th August 2022, I had committed to setting up a committee to investigate the incident and identify all those who participated in that disgraceful act. Consequently, the Committee has been set up with the following Terms of Reference:”
“Investigate the said incident; the immediate and remote cause(s) of the same and identify the persons involved therein.
“Make recommendations concerning the matters stated above, taking into consideration the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association, 2015 (as amended in 2021), Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007 and other relevant legislations, policies, and guidelines.
COMMENTARY
Recall that on Tuesday 23rd, August 2022, at the weeklong 62nd NBA conference at the Eko Atlantic city in Lagos, lawyers had thrown caution to the wind, as they invaded the venue for the distribution of conference materials. The shameful act, led to the destruction of valuables including laptops, phones etc.
Following the above, the newly sworn in NBA Chairman in his inaugural address on the 26th of August, promised to set up a committee to investigate the incident.
No doubt, the honour of the silk profession came under disrepute at the 62nd annual NBA conference.
However, reassuring is the fact the NBA is not sweeping the matter under the carpet. A thorough investigation and sanction where necessary, will not only restore the learned NBA members to the path of honour, but will also set an antecedent for others to learn from.
