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Tag: Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN)

  • NBA describes invasion of National Assembly as threat to democracy

    …Cautions against use of security agencies to settle political scores

     

    The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has added its voice to the general condemnation of Tuesday’s invasion of the National Assembly by security personnel.

    NBA, in a statement by its President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), described the action by the security personnel as unconstitutional and constituting as grave threat to democracy.

    Read Also:Saraki storms National Assembly

    Part of the statement reads: “The Nigerian Bar Association condemns this brazen and blatant act of the security personnel and demands the immediate withdrawal of these personnel.

    “This action is unconstitutional and poses a threat to our democracy. We call on the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) to immediately call the security forces to order.

    “The Nigerian Bar Association condemns, in the strongest terms the attempt, by the government or any faction of the political class to drag the Nigerian security forces into their ongoing political bickering and manoeuvres, totally unrelated to their responsibilities of governance for which they were elected.

    “We call on the military, the Nigeria Police, Department of State Security and all other security agencies not to engage in any unconstitutional operations or allow themselves to be dragged into partisan political activities directly or indirectly.

    “We want to remind the heads of these security agencies that there is sufficient framework under domestic and international law to hold them accountable for illegal and unconstitutional operational use of security personnel.

    “The Nigerian Bar Association will continue to monitor the current situation and will not hesitate to take further and more drastic action in defence of Nigerian democracy should this call remain unheeded.”

  • NBA backs creation of special courts for corruption cases

    NBA backs creation of special courts for corruption cases

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has thrown its weight behind the decision by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen to create special courts to handle the trial of corruption cases.

    NBA President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) said members of his association have no objection to the CJN’s initiative, but that the special courts and conventional courts should be well funded and provided with needed materials to enable them function effectively.

    Mahmoud said the objective of the creation of special courts, which is speedy prosecution of criminal cases, can be achieved if attention is paid to the bigger picture of ensuring a functional criminal justice system.

    He spoke in Abuja on Tuesday, while inaugurating two committees of the NBA. They are the Disciplinary Prosecution Committee (DPC) and Constitution Review Committee.

    The NBA President said: “There has been a lot of agitation for special court, and as you know, this is not the first time that we will be having a special court in the country. We have had special courts before.

    “Essentially, what is important is that the courts are given enough resources and given nigrostriatal and manpower support to undertake speedy trial of, especially corruption cases. There is a lot of dissatisfaction about the speed of these trials.

    “So we don’t have any objection to the special courts being set up. But, in addition, we must not lose sight of the wider issues involved in criminal justice administration. We have a new Criminal Justice Act, which came into force in 2015.

    “A lot of innovations have been introduced. NBA is now in the process of organising a summit to really review the progress of the implementation of this Act and see what lessons have been learnt so far and what areas need to be improved. The whole idea, being that we need a more effective and a criminal justice system with improved speed,” Mahmoud said.

    He explained that although the existing Disciplinary Prosecution team of the NBA was doing well, the newly inaugurated one is an enlarged one, meant to bring in more hands, with the intention of speeding up the prosecution of erring members, and to give more teeth to NBA’s regulatory responsibilities.

    Mahmoud said the Constitution Review Committee is set up to address all the lingering issues affecting the NBA constitution. He said the decision to set up the committee was taken at the last annual general meeting of the association held in Lagos.

    He said the committee will, among others, look at the election process of the association, which he described as expensive, primordial and hardly allows the emergence of the best candidates.

    Mahmoud said after an extensive study of different models and best practices across diverse jurisdictions and countries, it has been concluded that no Bar Association or Law Society practices the existing NBA model of leadership succession and election of national officers.

    Members of the constitution review committee are: Yusuf O. Ali, SAN (Chairman) ; Prof. Paul Idornigie, SAN; Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN; Hon. Obafemi Adewale; Prof. Ogugua Ikpeze; Mrs. Abimbola Akerdolu SAN; Sagir Gezawa, Esq; Yusuf Dadien, Esq; and Ogaga John Emoghwanre, Esq.

    Others are: Mrs. Mercy I . Agada; Chris Nnoli, Esq; Mustapha Adekola, Esq; and Al`Ameen Abubakar, Esq.

  • Ambode to Lawyers: Support devolution of Power to States, fiscal Federalism

    Ambode to Lawyers: Support devolution of Power to States, fiscal Federalism

    …Says Weak Institutions Impeding Ease Of Doing Business

     

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday called on lawyers in the country to raise their voices in support of the demand for devolution of power to States and fiscal federalism, especially the review of the current revenue sharing formula.

    By the current revenue allocation formula, the Federal Government takes as much as 52.68% of centrally-collected revenues in the federation account, while States and Local Governments share 26.72% and 20.60% respectively.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 57th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held in Lagos, Governor Ambode tasked lawyers to utilize the golden opportunity of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution to lend their voices to the call for redress of all the aberrations that had stunted growth and inhibited capacity of States to harness their potentials.

    He said: “Let me use this opportunity to call on the Nigerian Bar Association as a body and members to raise your voices in support of the demand for devolution of power to States and fiscal federalism, especially the review of the current revenue sharing formula.

    “These, in my view, are fundamental and critical to creating an enabling environment that will accelerate development in all parts of the country. The ongoing process for the review of the 1999 Constitution presents a golden opportunity for us to redress all the aberrations created by the interjection of the military that have stunted growth and inhibited the capacity of States to harness the huge potentials of our nation.”

    Speaking on the theme of the conference, “African Business: Penetrating Through Institution Building,” Governor Ambode identified weak institutions as a major factor inhibiting growth in Nigeria and Africa, saying that the development had constituted a major disincentive for investment in the continent, which in turn, was hampering efficient and effective harnessing of the huge resources in the continent.

    He said in most cases, institutions are weak because their establishment is influenced by personal and short-term considerations, while in some other cases, institutions are deliberately weakened in order to make them subject to the whims and caprices of the leadership.

    As a way out, Governor Ambode said: “Building and sustaining strong institution requires our collective commitment to the rule of law.  It entails building the capacity of such institutions to be able to discharge their responsibilities effectively and transparently while also being accountable to the people. It must create an atmosphere of confidence, mutual understanding and protection against arbitrariness.

    “We must take a cue from developed economies where the integrity of their institutions is not compromised for whatever reason. In those climes, it is the institution that puts officials of the State in check and not vice versa as we have experienced and are still experiencing in most parts of the continent.”

    The Governor said such ideal situation and global best practice was what Lagos State had been striving very strongly to attain in order to build an economy that is globally competitive.

    “This has been one of our key commitments in the past two years as exemplified by the fa- reaching reforms we are implementing by way of security and judicial sector reforms. Happily, these efforts are yielding the expected outcomes,” Governor Ambode said.

    Besides, Governor Ambode expressed excitement at the recovery and return of President Muhammadu Buhari back to the country after long medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

    “Let me firstly on behalf of all the people of Lagos State and all Nigerians thank God for the safe return of Mr President, General Muhammadu Buhari. Mr President, we wish you well always,” Governor Ambode said.

    In his opening remarks, NBA President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), acknowledged the efforts of the Lagos State Government at building strong institutions, saying that the State had made greatest institutional transformation in recent times.

    He said the decision to host the conference in Lagos again was not just because of the facilities and infrastructure but also to support the transformative journey which the State had witnessed.

    “Our last conference in Lagos was in 2009. We are delighted to be here once again, especially to join the State to celebrate its 50th anniversary. We have come back here not just because of the conference facilities and other infrastructure but also to support the transformative journey that this State has witnessed in the last several years.

    “If we are talking of institutions, there is no better place to do that than in Lagos. Lagos is a State that has perhaps made the greatest institutional transformation in recent times. Many of us remember Lagos in the 80s and 90s with the state of the frustrating traffic, the very frustrating pollution, the hold-up, the smoky roads and army of unemployed youths rooming the street to what you now see as a much more modern city, a true centre of excellence. I therefore wish to thank His Excellency, Governor Ambode for the tremendous work he is doing in Lagos and also for being a strong partner to the Bar Association,” Mahmoud said.

    The conference, which is still ongoing, was attended by 11,935 delegates and 142 speakers from 15 countries.

  • NBA faults calls for nation’s break up

    NBA faults calls for nation’s break up

    …Says every Nigerian has right to habit any part of the country

     

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed discomfort over increasing intolerance among Nigerian and faulted agitation for the breakup of the country.

    NBA’s President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) said, in a statement Wednesday that the developments were results from the failure of past administrations to address nation’s many socio-political and economic problems over the years.

    He said torrent of hate speech, exhibition of intolerance any threat of eviction fuel insecurity, which threaten investors’ confidence in the nation’s economy.

    Faulting the ‘quit notice’ issued to the Igbo in the North, the NBA President argued that every Nigerian has the legal rights to live and to travel to and own or acquire property in any part of the country.

    He added that: “No individual, group or organisation under any guise can lawfully issue any form of notice to Nigerians with the goal of diminishing the enjoyment of these rights.

    “The NBA reaffirms that Nigerian citizens everywhere have a constitutional right to free expression and to robustly debate issues affecting our country.

    “It is however clear that the constitutional right to free speech does not extend to or protect hate speech.”

    Mahmoud commended the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) for his steps taken so far to douse tension in the land and restore public confidence.

    He urged government at all levels to respect rule of law and rights of citizens while the enforcing the laws of the country without fear, favour, or discrimination.

    The NBA President said his association was ready to work with government and persons committed to preserving the coexistence of the nation.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Bar Association is deeply concerned at the recent heightened agitation by individuals, groups and organizations calling for the violent breakup of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Some have advocated secession of certain parts from the country; others have called for some ethnicities to be excised and some others have even gone to the extent of issuing what they call ‘quit notice’ against some ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

    “These advocacies have been characterised by deeply hateful and hurtful speech on all sides, incitement, tendentious and unguarded comments and war mongering all designed to attack the resolve of the Nigerian people to live in peace, mutual respect and harmony.

    “These acts of hate and incitement have been disseminated through print, electronic, digital and social media platforms.

    “The Nigerian Bar Association rejects these tendencies unequivocally and condemns all such threats to the sovereign existence of Nigeria and the peaceful co-existence of our communities.

    “Admittedly, the content of these messages do not represent the views of most Nigerians, who remain peace loving.

    “The NBA is concerned, nevertheless, that these acts of hate speech threatening secession, war and violent breakup of the country have been allowed to persist to the point where they are now creating fear and anxiety amongst the people of Nigeria and sending panic signals to our neighbors and the international community.

    “They have, in addition, shaken investors’ confidence in our country, contributing to slowing down economic and social activities.”

    “The NBA commends the steps taken so far by the Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, in dousing tension and restoring public confidence in the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria and urges the Acting President to broaden the base of consultation to involve pan Nigerian groups.

    “The NBA reaffirms its willingness to work with government and all persons committed to preserving the coexistence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We urge government at all levels, to respect rule of law and enforce the laws of the country without fear, favor, or discrimination.

    “We also urge the security agencies to observe and respect constitutionally guaranteed rights of all citizens.”

    “The NBA commits to working with the appropriate security agencies to ensure accountability for such acts.

    “Accordingly, I have today directed the Section on Public Interest and Development Law and the Human Rights Institute of the NBA to collaborate with the national secretariat of the NBA in a unit to monitor and liaise with security agencies to ensure accountability for hate speech and incitement to identity-based hatred in Nigeria.”

    “The NBA reaffirms its belief in unity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We believe that the peoples of Nigeria, irrespective of diversities of identity, face common and shared everyday challenges and desire a stable and secure country based on justice, equity and the rule of law.

    “The NBA is convinced that our various peoples have consistently shown the capacity and desire to live together in a federation under democratically elected government, which alone can guarantee the conditions for addressing the imperfections that ail our country.

    “The NBA is convinced that our people are better off in a united Nigeria run and managed in accordance with the principles of justice, equity and the rule of law, and capable of harnessing our diversities in a manner that strengthens our historic bonds of coexistence. Any advocacy for violent breakup of the country is misguided.

    “The NBA appeals to media houses, publishers, broadcasters, opinion leaders, politicians, faith and community leaders, intellectuals, social media influencers and on air personalities (GAPS) to exercise responsibility and utmost professionalism in the content they publish or distribute through their platforms.

    “The NBA urges Nigerians to unite in isolating and shaming opportunists that have decided to put the co-existence and well-being of our people at risk for their narrow ends. Such a step will further affirm the resolve of the Nigerian people to live in peace and harmony under a democracy founded on justice, equity and rule of law.

    “The NBA urges the Nigeria Labour Congress, professional groups and associations, civil society groups and associations, the student movement and all civil democratic organisations to rise and seize the middle ground of moderation and peaceful resolution of political difference in our country.”

     

  • NBA election dispute: Court stops proceedings indefinitely

    NBA election dispute: Court stops proceedings indefinitely

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja has stopped further proceedings in the case challenging the outcome of the last presidential election of the Nigerian Bar Association.

    A defeated candidate in the election, Joe Gadzama (SAN) had sued, challenging the process leading to the election of Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

    He urged the court to among others, void the election on the grounds that it was conducted in breach of some provisions of the association’s rules guiding the conduct of elections.

    Friday, Justice Y. Halilu told parties that he will adjourn further proceedings indefinitely since the appeal filed against the court’s earlier ruling has been entered at the appellate court.

    The judge also referred to a letter by plaintiff’s lawyer, Sebastine Hon (SAN) seeking an indefinite adjournment to enable his client pursue his appeal at the Court of Appeal.

    Gadzama had appealed the court’s ruling in which the judge elected to first determine the objection filed by Mahmoud, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

    Gadzama had wanted the court to hear the objection along with the substantive suit.

    The letter by Gadzama’s lawyer titled: “Application for ‎adjournment sine die,” reads: “You may recall that we have appealed against the ruling on our application for consolidation of preliminary objection with the substantive suit delivered on November 8, 2016 by his Lordship, Justice Y. Halilu.

    “The notices of appeal already before this honourable court were filed on 15th and 22nd November, 2016 respectively. The Record of Appeal has also been transmitted to the court of appeal and served on all defendants/respondents.

    “In view of the pending appeal which has been duly entered, we hereby apply for adjournment of this matter sine die pending the decision of the court of appeal.”

     

     

  • NBA expresses concern over Niger/Delta, North East crisis

    NBA expresses concern over Niger/Delta, North East crisis

    …Inaugurates groups to aid FG’s efforts

     

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed concern over the destructive activities of militants in the Niger Delta region and Boko Haram in the North Eastern part of the country.

    As its contribution to Federal Government’s efforts to curb the crises, the NBA yesterday inaugurated two task forces to work in both regions of the country.

    Speaking while inaugurating the task forces Monday, NBA President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) noted that the twin challenges of insurgency and militancy in the North East and Niger Delta constituted a threat to national security.

    Mahmoud said the country has suffered from insecurity as a result of the activities of insurgents and militants.

    “Although the 1999 constitution provides that the security, protection of life and property is the primary duty of the government, the Bar and the general public have roles to play in tackling the security problems in Nigeria. Let me also commend the commitment and political will exhibited by the Buhari Administration in the fight against insurgency in the North East.

    “We have in the last year and half seen the liberation of most of the areas previously held by the insurgents and the restoration, to a large extent, of normalcy in the region.  Earlier this month Nigerians were delighted to receive the heart-warming news of the release of 21 out of the 219 Chibok school girls held in captivity for more than two years”.

    Mahmoud equally commended the military and security agencies for the success achieved.

    ‎”The NBA has reviewed the state of affairs in the North East region of Nigeria, especially the severe security problems confronting our members in particular and innocent citizens in general. In the last 12 months, I have visited the IDPS in Maiduguri 3 times the last being a campaign tour in my quest to occupy this office.

    “I recall during our last visit, some of my colleagues on the campaign broke down in tears on sighting the hundreds of malnourished children who were orphaned in the camps.

    “It is also worthy of mention that the insurgency in the North East has affected the independence of the legal profession and the welfare of our members.

    “Legal practice in North Eastern Nigeria has been largely disrupted as a result of the insurgency in the region. Our noble colleagues in that part of the country are besieged and endangered.

    “There are even many of our members from other parts of Nigeria who have lived and practiced in North Eastern Nigeria for years. Some even married and settled there. But as I speak most of our members have not only lost their practice as professionals, but have also lost their livelihoods and physical wellbeing.

    “Even some of our members are regarded as insurgents and threatened with prosecution. Also judicial officers are loathe to adjudicate on certain types of cases in the absence of adequate protection of their lives and families. This is the situation in which our members have found themselves in the North East of Nigeria”, Mahmoud said.

    On the trouble in the Niger Delta, Mahmoud said: “the devastating impact of the conflict on the various communities and citizens living in the region. It is clear that the environmental destruction and the human suffering and the general impact on the national economy are huge.

    “We believe that there is need to inculcate law into the development plans and objectives for the Niger Delta region. We consider law to be crucial to unlocking the potential key areas in the Niger Delta. Law can be applied to the framework for maritime and coastal security, ocean governance, trade, natural resources development, peace and conflict resolution initiatives.

    “It is our hope too that we can make our services available to address any possible negotiations between the various communities and actions in the region aimed and at achieving resolution of the conflicts”.

    Members of the task force for the North East are, Prof. Mohammed M. Tabiu – SAN – (as Chairman), Prof. Ayo Atsenuwa – Alternate Chair, Prof. Isa Hayatu Chiroma, Rakiya Mukhtar Tofa,  Altine Ibrahim, Hafsatu Mohammed and Hassan Maidoki.

    Others are Lauretta Adaeze,  Hauwa Shekarau, Amina Ibrahim, Ronke Ige, Alfa Ibrahim, Isa Muhammad Nurudeen and Kunle Adegoke.

    Members of the task force on Niger Delta are;  Albert Akpomudge, SAN – (as Chairman),  Ledum Mitee Esq (as  Alternate Chairman), Mia Essien (SAN),  Mba Ukweni, SAN,  Q. E. B. Offiong (SAN), Charles Ajuwa (SAN) and Sosoprieye Long Williams.

    Others are Kelvin Ejelonu, Muyiwa Olowokure, Sagir Gazawa,Mrs. Lillian Ene Ogar , Nkiruka Maduekwe, and Alex Mouka Esq.

     

  • NBA president asks court to strike out Gadzama’s suit

    NBA president asks court to strike out Gadzama’s suit

    Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) has asked an Abuja High Court to strike out the suit filed by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN) challenging his election.

    Gadzama is praying the court to nullify the election for being characterised by malpractices and to order a fresh poll.

    But, Mahmoud, through his counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN), said Gadzama did not first channel his complaints to the NBA Dispute Resolution Committee before suing.

    “This suit has not complied with the requirements of due process. The condition-precedent to the commencement of this suit was not fulfilled,” Mahmoud said.

    In a supporting affidavit deposed to by Kingsley Odey, a lawyer in the law firm of Paul Erokoro & Co, Mahmoud said that it was the duty of the Dispute Resolution Committee to hear appeals and resolve disputes amongst aggrieved members.

    “The plaintiff never filed any complaint before the NBA Dispute Resolution Committee challenging the conduct or outcome of the said NBA election,” said the NBA president.

    Mahmoud said Gadzama’s suit was, therefore, premature and robs the court of jurisdiction.

    “We submit that this Honourable Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain this action, given that the suit is premature, having regards to Section 16 of the NBA Constitution as amended in 2015.

    “We submit that the plaintiff’s claims are unmeritorious and we humbly urge this Honourable Court to so hold.

    “It would be in the interest of justice to strike out the plaintiff’s suit,” Mahmoud prayed.

    Gadzama told the court that he polled 2,963 votes in the election rather than the 2,384 announced by the electoral committee.

    He said Mahmoud, who was said to have won the election with 3,055 votes, actually polled 2,465.

    Gadzama, in his statement of claim, said: “The Plaintiff avers that contrary to the result declared by the eight Defendant (Mr. Kenneth Mozia (SAN), Chairman, Electoral Committee of the NBA), at the close of voting, at 12:00 midnight on Sunday, 31st July, 2016, the result of the 2016 Nigerian Bar Association Election as it relates to the office/position of the President, as collated from and contained on the official voting domain/platform was as follows: Joe-Kyari Gadzama, 2,963; Abubakar B. Mahmoud, 2,465.”

    Gadzama said he consulted ICT experts who, with the aid of advanced reporting tools, accessed the stack-trace, logs and other database files on the host server of the voting system.

    He said it was discovered that the election portal was set up on more than one domain, contrary to established standards and international best practices.

    Besides, he said there were multiple administrators/webmasters who accessed the backend of the portal and remained active throughout the period the voting lasted, contrary to established standards and international best practices.

    Gadzama alleged that there was continuous manipulation of data on the system throughout the period the voting lasted, which he said compromised the integrity of the outcome.

    The plaintiff said the process was “completely compromised” by the deployment of two voting platforms – https://election.nba-agc.org, which was the official portal, and ttp://www.nigerianbar.org.ng.

    “Voters were casting their votes on two different portals/domains, contrary to the Election Guidelines released by the ECNBA and international best practices. It amounts to, if voting was to be by manual ballot, different voters casting their ballots in two different ballot boxes but for the same office,” Gazdama said.

    Defendants are NBA trustees, Including Abdullahi Ibrahim (San), Chief Wole Olanipekun (San), Thompson Joseph Onomigho Okpoko (San), Chief Priscilla Kuye,    Alhaji Murtala Aminu And Chief Anthony O. Mogbo.

    Others are the Incorporated Trustees of NBA, Chairman, NBA Electoral Committee Mr. Ken Mozia (SAN), Mr. Oluwaseun Ajoba (Secretary, NBA Electoral Committee) electoral committee members Hajia Safiya Balarabe, Mrs Amaka Ezeno, Mrs. Eucharia Pepple, Grace Infotech Limited, NBA president MR. Augustine Alegeh (SAN) and Mahmoud.

    Gadzama is seeking a declaration that the election was in total violation and disregard of the mandatory provisions of the NBA Constitution 2015, Election Guidelines set down for the said Election fell short of established standards and international best practices, thereby making the said Election null, void and of no effect whatsoever.

    Gadzama is seeking an order nullifying and setting aside the 2016 Nigerian Bar Association Election as it relates to the office/position of the President held on the 30th and 31st July, 2016 which purportedly returned the 15th Defendant as the President.

    He also wants an order directing the first to seventh defendants to set up a newly constituted Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) which will issue Guidelines and conduct a fresh 2016 Nigerian Bar Association Election as it relates to the office/position KEYof the President.

    Gadzama is also praying for an order that the election as it relates to the office/position of the President should be held through Electronic voting in all branches of the NBA or at least at the three (3) zonal levels established by the NBA Constitution, 2015 and that results should be collated at branch or zonal levels and transmitted to the ECNBA Secretariat for final announcement.

  • NBA presidency: Agbakoba rejects call for fresh election

    NBA presidency: Agbakoba rejects call for fresh election

    Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has rejected a call for a fresh election by Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN).

    Former Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) was declared winner of the NBA election held last weekend.

    He polled 3,055 votes to beat Gadzama, who scored 2,384 votes out of 5,439 votes cast.

    But the Gadzama Campaign Organisation rejected the result, calling for its immediate cancellation “for failing to be credible, transparent, free and fair and for failing to comply with the provisions of the NBA Constitution and the electoral guidelines.”

    Calling for fresh elections, the organisation said collation was done in secrecy, and accused outgoing NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN) of partisanship.

    Agbakoba, in a statement, said virtually every NBA election has been criticised for being unfair, adding that he could, however, not recall any case where a loser called for cancellation.

    “As a former NBA President, I urge the Gadzama Campaign Organisation to take the election results in good faith. It will not be in our interest to create challenges for our association. The newly introduced electronic voting system may have had challenges but it was an innovative easy voting procedure.

    “I understand the reaction of the campaign organisation. However, it is important to protect the integrity of NBA. At this stage, what we need as an association is unity. I appeal to the Gadzama Campaign Organisation to accept the election results in good faith and accept A. B. Mahmoud, SAN, as our new President,” Agbakoba said.