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  • NBA chief advocates restructuring

    Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Second Vice President Mr Monday Ubani has advocated restructuring to move the country forward.

    He said the country was no longer working and that “there is no viable option left except we restructure”.

    Ubani spoke at a briefing on the state of the nation in Lagos.

    According to him, Nigeria has not been able to make progress because of the unitary system introduced by the military.

    He said the starting point would be to revisit the 2014 National Conference report.

    “Whether anyone likes it or not or wants to hear it or not, the truth of the matter is that Nigeria has a fundamental foundational issue which we need to deal with. Unfortunately we have failed, refused and or neglected to deal with it to our great detriment.

    “Previous and past governments have paid lip service to it even when they found out the truth that the country cannot make much progress with the present structure in place.

    “The present structure is bogus, over bureaucratic, over-centralised, oppressive, devoid of justice and equity.

    “The structure encourages laziness and lack of competitive spirit that was prevalent in our polity in the early 60s due to the apparent adherence to the tenets of operational federalism.

    “Today what we operate is highly distorted economy, the centre taking everything that belongs to the federating units and gathering the states in Abuja for handouts monthly.

    “The proper system would have been the various federating units paying certain percentage of what they have gathered in the federating units for the maintenance of a leaner, more efficient and adequately compensated public service,” Ubani said.

    The NBA chief praised President Muhammadu Buhari and the lawmakers for passing the not-too-young-to-run bill into law.

    He lamented that nothing seems to have been done to develop future leaders.

    He noted: “We have a lot of young people who have the zeal, wisdom, brains to lead instead of recycling the old people whose ideas have become archaic.

    “If we get the issue of leadership right but refused to restructure, we are getting nowhere.”

    Ubani urged the electorate to demand that any aspiring politician swear to a written affidavit on oath to restructure Nigeria upon winning and assumption of office in 2019.

    “We have no time. 2019 is around the corner and election of new public officers will soon commence. Let Nigerians demand any aspiring politician to swear to ‘a written affidavit on oath to restructure Nigerian upon winning and assumption of office at Aso Villa. That  should be the minimum requirement.

    “ Let us stop beating about the bush,  Nigeria is not working and may not work unless we address our defective and unhealthy structure that is clearly defective.

    “There is no viable alternative to a comprehensive restructuring of this polity if Nigeria would be united, peaceful and prosperous.

    “Irrespective of whatever anyone at any level thinks, if Nigeria is to actualise its manifest destiny as the leading black nation, there is no viable alternative to its comprehensive restructuring,” Ubani said.

    The lawyer described as “media trial” and  ”unhealthy for the country”,  the parade of suspects by the police without having been pronounced guilty by a law court.

    ”It is important we begin to emphasis that the issue of parading suspect is wrong. An accused person alleged to have committed a crime should be taking to court. Nigeria should follow international law practice,” he said.

  • NBA electoral committee meets stakeholders today

    The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) will meet with stakeholders today ahead of the association’s election next month.

    It has invited those who have submitted nomination forms to the formal opening.

    ECNBA Secretary Bolaji Agoro said the meeting would hold at the Conference Room of the President, Eighth Floor, NBA House, Central Business District, Abuja.

    The notice reads in part: “Consequent upon the closure of nomination on May 31, 2018, I am directed by the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Election Committee Prof. Yadudu Auwalu to invite you or your representative to attend a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the ECNBA to  open all the nominations submitted by contestants for the national offices of the NBA.

    “At the meeting, inventory of all documents submitted by all those who filed nominations shall be taken in their presence as one of the steps to be taken to secure the integrity of the screening process that will follow immediately after the nominations have been opened in the presence of some invited Bar leaders.”

  • NBA writes IGP over ‘threats’ to judiciary’s independence

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has decried what it called threats to the administration of justice and independence of the judiciary through intimidation and harassment.

    In a letter to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, the association urged him to urgently investigate the May 11 invasion of the Rivers State High Court to identify the perpetrators, no matter how highly placed, and institute appropriate criminal proceedings against them.

    NBA urged the IGP to also probe the security breach at the Court of Appeal Quarters in Calabar, Cross River State capital, and take appropriate disciplinary action against the officers involved.

    Copies of the May 16 letter, signed by the NBA President Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), were sent to Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, Court of Appeal President Zainab Bulkachuwa, Attorney-General of the Federation Abubabar Malami (SAN), Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Chief Judge of Rivers State, Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, and the Chief Judge of Cross River State.

    The association urged the IGP to issue appropriate directions to police formations on access to suspects or detainees and the need to accord due respect to lawyers who visit stations to carry out their professional duties.

    “These steps will send appropriate messages not only to lawyers and judicial officers, but indeed to all law-abiding citizens and reinforce confidence in the country’s law enforcement agencies and the legal system. Nigeria cannot afford to condone or tolerate such brazen affronts on our courts and the legal profession,” NBA said.

    Mahmoud vowed to ensure that lawyers also conducted themselves well.

    “I want to assure the IGP that, on our part, the NBA will continue to educate and enlighten our members on the need to maintain proper decorum and conduct whenever our members visit police stations across the country. The association expects no less from its members,” he said.

    Mahmoud said he was compelled by recent developments to write the IGP to express “deep concern over events that threaten the rule of law and administration of justice in the country”.

    NBA said on May 11, the High Court of Rivers State in Port Harcourt was invaded and some items destroyed.

    It said reports on the incident suggested that the invasion was masterminded by politicians and executed by political thugs acting on behalf of warring factions of a registered political party.

    The invasion, NBA said, is believed to be an attempt to prevent the court from carrying out its constitutional duty.

    Besides, Mahmoud said there had been several acts of lawyers’ harassment by officers in Onitsha, Ikeja, Abuja, among others.

    “I need not remind the IGP that Nigerian lawyers form an integral part of the stakeholders in the administration of justice and must retain the ability to carry out their duties to their clients and have unhindered access to persons accused of any criminal offence or in the custody of the police anywhere in the country.

    “An independent bar is, therefore, a sacred pillar of any democratic society,” Mahmoud said.

    NBA said it received a report on May 8 from its Calabar Branch concerning a quarrel involving a police officer attached to a consulate and the private security personnel attached to the official residential quarters of Court of Appeal Justices.

    The incident reportedly escalated into assault and unlawful arrest of the private security personnel and domestic workers in the Justices’quarters on the alleged instructions of the Divisional Police Officer of the State Housing Police Station, Calabar.

    “I understand a report of this incident was lodged with the Commissioner of Police for Cross River State and Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Zone 6).

    “The protection of our courts and judges, as well as the provision of unhindered access by lawyers to persons in need of legal representation without intimidation, threats or harassment are fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

    “In addition, Nigeria is a signatory and party to several United Nations Conventions and other international instruments which impose a duty on the country to protect our courts, judicial officers, lawyers and court personnel,” NBA added.

  • NBA to explore trade in Africa at conference

    Should Nigeria sign the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement? Should lawyers continue to self-regulate? Should pupillage be mandatory? Should there be ‘ladies’ at the Bar?

    These and more will be debated in one of the sessions at the 12th Annual Business Law Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL).

    It will hold from June 27 to 29 at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, with the theme: Bringing down the Barriers – the law as a vehicle for Intra-Africa Trade.

    Conference Planning Committee Chairman Okey Egbuchu, at a briefing in Lagos, said the theme was inspired by the fact that Africa does more business with other continents than within, thereby limiting her potential.

    “Fears have been expressed by stakeholders not only in Nigeria but other countries in respect of the AfCFTA on dumping, limitation of the ability to manage tariffs, loss of revenue, influx of persons and so on.

    “In fact, Nigeria tactically withdrew from signing the AfCFTA due to the concerns expressed by stakeholders like organised labour and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.

    “The Federal Government is currently engaging stakeholders and we have provided platforms at our conference for the Federal Government, the African Union, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and other African countries to dialogue with stakeholders on the AfCFTA and more.

    “These issues will, in the main, be discussed in sessions 1 and 4 of our conference,” he said.

    He said there would be a pecial plenary session Law Practice in the time of the African Continental Free Trade Area: Reimagining African Lawyers, during which the lawyers will examine the opportunities available for them when the AfCFTA takes effect.

    “Many African Law Societies have been invited to join us in the discussion. Speakers and panelists from all over the world sourced from the governments, corporates, the regional bodies like ECOWAS, the law firms and law societies and other professions will do justice to the many topics spanning twelve sessions.

    “Some of the speakers are: George Lipimile, the Czar of the COMESA Competition Commission, Ambassador Chiedu Osakwe, Nigeria’s Chief Trade Negotiator, Dr Stephen Karingi, Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Chief Chidi Ajaegbu, Founder and Chairman, Chisco Transport Limited, Samallie Kiyingi, General Counsel, Africa Export-Import Bank, Haresh Aswani, Managing Director, Tolaram Group, Nigeria, Linus Gitali, Executive Chairman, Tropikal Brands (Africa) Limited from Kenya, Yemi Candide- Johnson, SAN, President of the Lagos Court of Arbitration.

    “It would not be a lawyers’ conference without some controversy and hence, we have assembled eight legal pugilists to slug it out in a debate session. The audience will be the Judge. After the debate session, we will rock the closing party featuring Davido.

    “Over the years, our conferences have not only been talkshops, as we always ensure that there are tangible outcomes.

    “The NBA-SBL is in partnership with the executive arm of the Nigerian government through Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the National Assembly through the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER) in the ongoing review of our laws, regulations and procedures to enhance the ease of doing business.

    “The results have led to the improved ranking of Nigeria in the World Bank ease of doing business index. We expect to also engage government and stakeholders to position Nigeria to benefit from the AfCFTA,” Egbuchu said.

     

  • NBA challenges security agencies on peaceful election

    •Police underpaid, says Ekiti cj

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ado-Ekiti Branch, has urged security agencies to ensure safety of lives and property before, during and after the July 14 governorship poll in Ekiti State. Ado-Ekiti NBA Chairman, Mr. Gbemiga Adaramola, made the call while addressing a press conference to mark the commencement of the 8th Annual Law Week of the association.

    The theme for this year’s Ado-Ekiti NBA Law Week is: “Insecurity in Nigeria’s Stunted Metamorphosis to Greatness.”

    Those that will be honoured at the weeklong event are Justice Bamidele Omotoso, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, Chief Ibuoye Gbadebo and Mr. Oluwadare  Oluwatayo. They will receive the prestigious eminent lawyers’ awards by NBA National

    President, A.B. Mahmoud.

    Adaramola called for strong legal frameworks on how insurgents can be tackled, describing terrorism as a serious danger to peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

    The NBA boss noted that, although Ekiti is a peaceful state, the security agencies should ensure that there is no breach of peace as the governorship poll approaches.

    Adaramola said: “I have the belief that security agencies are up to the task. For the past four years, there is relative peace in Ekiti State.

    “I believe that security agencies like the Police, DSS and NSCDC have the capacity to curtail any uprising. Ekiti is peaceful and we believe that this will be maintained during the election.”

    In his keynote address, the Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, lamented that policemen in Nigeria are underpaid which affects their morale to tackle security challenges.

    According to him, insecurity of life will deny the country of investment and retard its development.

    He said: “Any nation that lacks adequate security of lives and property will remain undeveloped and will forever struggling to make any meaningful impact in the comity of nations.

    “Insecurity is a major disincentive to foreign investments which a developing country like ours seriously needs to quicken its growth.”

  • NBA to Fed Govt: stop killings

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged the Federal Government to stop violent crimes and killings across the country.

    It made the call in Kano during its quarterly National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

    NBA President Abubakar Mahmoud ( SAN) said the incessant killings had become worrisome.

    Mahmoud condemned President Muhammadu Buhari’s failure to act on National Judicial Council (NJC) recommendations for appointment to the Bench.

    His words: “It is a matter of great concern that various forms of communal conflicts, banditry and activities of insurgent groups have continued to lead to violence and loss of lives in many parts of the country.

    “On  May 1, 2018, over 60 people were reportedly killed in a bomb attack on innocent worshippers in Mubi Adamawa State.

    “On May 7 again, the news broke out of 45 persons killed in Gwaska Village of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State. In Zamfara State, bandits operate largely unhindered in vast swathes of the countryside.

    “The stories coming out of Zamfara paint a picture of complete absence or near absence of  state institutions in parts of the state.

    “The killings in Benue, Taraba arising from herders/farmers conflict have largely continued in spite of the efforts of the security agencies.

    “The NBA condemns these killings and call on Federal and state governments to do all within their powers to bring this carnage to an end.”

    Mahmoud said the association was deeply concerned that the country seemed to be drifting into some state of near anarchy in many parts.  According to him, Nigeria is being counted as one of the world’s fragile states.

    “We must halt and reverse this drift. The NBA calls on the Federal Government to rise to the occasion to tackle the rising wave of crime and killings in Nigeria.

    “We also call upon the government to be more proactive in the prevention of these criminal killings rather than taking some reactive measures after the occurrence of the criminal Act of murder.

    “I have in the past drawn attention to poor quality of governance even at the Federal level. I have called attention to seeming dissonance among various institutions. Many critical institutions seem to be working at cross-purposes. This trend has in our view not improved significantly.

    “We still do not observe the much-desired synergy within the administration. Many decisions are unnecessarily delayed to the detriment of national interest.

    “Many critical departments and agencies of government remain without their statutory heads or boards either because government is slow or unable to act or because of disagreement between the executive and legislative branches of government.

    “The Securities and Exchange Commission, for instance, has been without a board for most of the life of this administration and now without a substantive head for several months since the interdiction of the former director-general.

    ‘’This state of affairs is eroding confidence in the Nigeria’s capital market with huge negative consequence on the national economy. The situation is unacceptable.”

    Mahmoud also spoke on the judiciary.

    “Indeed, the judicial branch of government has not been spared from this dissonance. More than six months after the recommendations by the National Judicial Council for appointment of 13 Justices of the Court of Appeal in November 2017, the president is yet to act on these recommendations.

    ‘’Similarly, several recommendations for appointments to the Bench of the Federal High Court and other federal courts are still pending many months after these recommendations to the president.

    “Acting on the recommendations of the NJC is not a matter of presidential discretion, to be exercised whenever the President deems fit. It is a constitutional duty.

    “While the President is not bound to accept the recommendations, failure to act is a breach of the Constitution. I therefore call on the President to act without further delay!

    “This failure to act is causing unnecessary delays and avoidable negative consequences on the administration of justice across the country. I, therefore, wish to give notice of the intention of the NBA to take legal action should this constitutional dereliction continue.”

    Ahead of next year’s general election, Mahmoud urged all relevant agencies to maintain strict professionalism and discharge their mandate within the bounds of the Constitution.

    “The election management body – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and various security agencies must all discharge their respective duties in a professional manner and remain loyal to the Constitution.’’

  • 15 for NBA Ikorodu election

    IKorodu Branch of the Nige-rian Bar Association (NBA) will elect new officers on May 23.

    Fifteen candidates out of 21 aspirants have been cleared by the Electoral Committee led by a former chairman Olumide Otayomi.

    There are nine elective positions of the executive committee of the bar.

    The aspirants were screened in accordance with rules guiding branch elections.

    They include payment of bar practicing fee and branch dues as and when due and number of meetings attended within the period prior to elections.

    Candidates are not expected to hold the same executive positions consecutively. Their sponsors, in addition, are expected to be of good standing in  respect of dues payment.

    While campaign activities have since commenced, the committee has scheduled manifesto and debate day for May 21.

    According to the results of the screening exercise released by the electoral committee, the chairmanship position will be contested by two candidates, Akinlade Ademola and Oniyire  Olufunmilayo. Three others who signified intention for the position were disqualified.

    The position of the Vice-Chairman will be contested by Odibei Gloria Nkadi and Ogbaide Ezekiel.

    Messrs Adenaike  Ademola , former Public Relations Officer (PRO) and Nnamani Julius Udeh were cleared to contest the positions of the Secretary.

    The positions of the Treasurer, Welfare Secretary and Social Secretary would be contested unopposed by Oladipo  Abisola, Ajayi Aduke and Anonyai Nnochukwu, their opponents having been disqualified.

    Ogbara Rasaq and Ogunniran Rasaki will vie for the position of the Publicity Secretary while the trio of Abiodun Akinola, Adekoya  Kolawole and Aka Oluwaseun will vie for the position of the Assistant Secretary.

    The only aspirant for the position of the Financial Secretary was disqualified. The position will be filled through a by-election.

  • NBA opens nominations

    The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) has opened nominations for elections.

    It urged aspirants to pick their forms and acquaint themselves with the provisions of the NBA 2015 constitution as amended.

    It’s Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Agoro, said in a statement: “In line with the 2018 Election. Guidelines issued by the NBA Electoral Committee (ECNBA) on April 19, 2018, the Committee wishes to announce that nomination forms are now available on the following platforms from May 2 till May 31 when submission closes.

    “Members who are interested in contesting for any of the national offices are hereby urged to obtain their forms and familiarise themselves with the NBA Constitution 2015 as amended and the NBA 2018 Election Guidelines issued by the Committee.”

    The election will hold from July 27 to 28. Only lawyers who have paid their practising fees are qualified to vote. Voting will be done electronically.

    The ECNBA had on April 19 released guidelines and timetable for the election.

    By virtue of Section 8 (3) of the Constitution of the NBA 2015, a member of the association shall be qualified to contest a National Office if such member has paid, as at the date of his/her nomination, the Bar Practice Fees and Branch Dues for three consecutive years. Each of the payments must have been made as and when due, i.e on or before March 31 of each year.

    The member must also be in private legal practice and must have at any time prior to his/her nomination been either a member of the National Executive Committee or Branch Executive Committee as may be applicable to the post being contested in line with Section 8(3)(c)(i)-(iii) of the Constitution.

    Candidates for the offices of President, First Vice President, Second Vice President and Third Vice President must not be less than 15 years post-enrolment to bar.

    Candidates for the offices of General Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Secretary, Financial Secretary, Welfare Secretary and Legal Adviser. For the office of First Assistant Secretary, the candidates must not be less than eight years post-enrolment to bar.

    Candidates for the offices of Second Assistant Secretary, Assistant Publicity Secretary and Assistant Financial Secretary must not be less than five years post-enrolment to bar.

    In computing post-enrolment at the Bar for the qualification and nomination of candidates, the ECNBA shall take into consideration whether the candidate/member paid his/her Bar Practicing Fees promptly.

  • NBA honours criminal justice ‘gladiators’

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Criminal Justice Reform Committee (CJRC) has honoured the association’s President Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court Justice Ishaq Bello and others.

    They were recognised for their contributions to criminal justice administration reform in the country during NBA’s fifth Criminal Justice Reform Conference which held in Asaba, the Delta State capital from April 24 to 27.

    The committee’s Chairman Chief Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN) said the honouree were former chairmen of the committee and others who had helped to improve the society through their works on Justice sector reformation.

    Others, who received the highly-coveted award former NBA President Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), Dr. Garba Tetengi (SAN), Director-General Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) Prof. Deji Adekunle (SAN), National Coordinator of the Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) Mr Chino Obiagwu, Dr. Uju Agomo of PRAWA, among others.

    Obiagwu was honoured for his outstanding contributions in the reform of criminal justice administration in Nigeria.

    The award was presented to Obiagwu and others at the closing dinner of the conference.

    According to the NBA, the award was made in recognition of Obiagwu’s role as the Chairman of the National Working Group on the Reform of Criminal Justice in Nigeria between 2004 and 2009.

    The group prepared the first draft of the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, that was eventually passed into an Act of the National Assembly in 2015.

    Other awardees at the well-attended conference were Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), who was the secretary of the working group and later secretary of the Panel on Justice Reform.

    Others were a member of the Working Group and former Director of Public Prosecutions of Lagos State, Fola Arthur Worrey.

    Mahmoud, Daudu and Tetengi were the past chairmen of the NBA Criminal Justice Committee.

    Also honoured was the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, for his support to NBA’s criminal justice reform initiatives.

    Institutional awards were also given to the MacArthur Foundation for supporting criminal justice reform over the years and to Yar’Adua Centre.

    The conference was organised by the NBA Criminal Justice Reform Committee chaired by Chief Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN). Its theme was: Criminal Justice Reform in Nigeria: the Journey So Far.

    The event drew key players in the criminal justice sector, including representatives of the Senate President Bukola Saraki, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Walter Onnoghen, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, among others.

    There were six sessions featuring over 50 speakers, with the sub-themes: Unlocking the innovations of criminal justice legislation, Arrest, remand and awaiting trial syndrome in criminal justice: fixing the jigsaw to end prison congestion, Speedy trials, times and interlocutory proceedings: Has the ACJA helped?, Corruption, economic and financial crimes: Special courts to the rescue? Human trafficking and transnational crimes: institutional and legal remedies, and Prosecution and punishment of electoral offenders in Nigeria.

  • NBA fixes July 27, 28 for election

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) election will hold from July 27 to 28.

    Only lawyers who have paid their practising fees are qualified to vote. Voting will be done electronically.

    The Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) has released guidelines and timetable for the election.

    At the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on March 1 in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, a five-man Electoral Committee was approved with Prof. Auwalu Yadudu as its Chairman.

    Others include Teslim Olatunde Busari (SAN) (Alternate Chairman), Prof. Augustine Robert Agom (member) Gloria Anuria Ohia (member) and Bolaji A. Agoro (Secretary).

    The ECNBA was inaugurated at the NBA House, Abuja on March 12.

    ECNBA’s mandate is to organise and conduct a free, fair and credible election into the National Offices provided in Section 8 of the Constitution of the Association.

    The guidelines, according to Prof. Yadudu and Agoro, are in line with NBA’s objectives and in order to facilitate the ECNBA’s jobs as enshrined in the association’s 2015 Constitution.

    Qualification

    By virtue of Section 8(3) of the Constitution of the NBA 2015, a member of the Association shall be qualified to contest a National Office if such member has paid, as at the date of his/her nomination, the Bar Practice Fees and Branch Dues for three consecutive years. Each of the payments must have been made as and when due i.e on or before March 31 of each year.

    The member must also be in private legal practice and must have at any time prior to his/her nomination been either a member of the National Executive Committee or Branch Executive Committee as may be applicable to the post being contested in line with Section 8(3)(c)(i)-(iii) of the Constitution. Such member must also satisfy the post-enrolment requirement as indicated in Section 8(3)(d)(i)-(iii) as may be applicable.

    Constitutional requirements for the offices are:  Candidates for the offices of President, First Vice President, Second Vice President and Third Vice President must not be less than 15 years post-enrolment to bar; and not less than 10 years post-enrolment to bar for the positions.

    Candidates for the offices of General Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Secretary, Financial Secretary, Welfare Secretary and Legal Adviser respectively. For the office of First Assistant Secretary, the candidates must not be less than eight years post-enrolment to bar.

    Candidates for the offices of Second Assistant Secretary, Assistant Publicity Secretary and Assistant Financial Secretary must not be less than five years post-enrolment to bar.

    In computing post-enrolment at the Bar for the qualification and nomination of candidates, the ECNBA shall take into consideration whether the candidate/member paid his/her Bar Practicing Fees as and when due.

    Disqualification

    Pursuant to Section 8(4) of the Constitution, an Applicant/Aspirant shall be disqualified from holding any National Office of the Association if during the campaigns for the election the following is established against him/her: there is evidence that he/she is sponsored by or has received any financial assistance or inducement from any government of the federation, or members, organisations or bodies corporate; that he/she sponsors or is associated with sponsoring a newspaper or magazine article or any electronic or social media broadcast vilifying other candidates or extolling a candidate’s virtues; and that he/she has held an elective office as a national officer for two consecutive terms and that such person shall not be eligible to contest for a national office until at least 10 years after his/her last term in office.

    An aspirant can also be disqualified if there is any evidence from receipts for the payment of Bar practicing fees and the Branch dues disclosing that it was not paid as and when due; if either of the two nominators is not qualified as the candidate or has any element that vitiates his qualification as a candidate; of he/she or either of his/her nominators did not meet the post-enrolment requirements for the office being sought.

    Pursuant to paragraph 2.6 of the second schedule of the constitution, a member shall not be eligible for election as a national officer if he/she is not a Nigerian Citizen; is a member of a political party in Nigeria; has been adjudged bankrupt or has made a composition or arrangement with his creditors; is adjudged mentally unfit to take up the position by a competent medical authority; and has been convicted of a crime or has been indicted by a disciplinary committee for an alleged or professional impropriety.

    Nomination of candidates

    The NBA National Elections will hold between July 27 and 28.  Nomination of candidates will begin from May 2 and end on May 31. Nomination forms will be available at the National Secretariat, NBA House and online as from May 2.

    Any disqualified aspirant who is aggrieved may within seven days of the communication of the decision, appeal against such decision. Such appeal should be presented not later than June 22. The ECNBA upon the receiving an appeal will consider it and give its decision within 14 days.

    Voting

    The election will be by universal suffrage. Branches must send the list of their members who have paid their yearly practising Fees as well as the Branch Dues to the Secretary of the ECNBA vide 2018elections@nigerianbar.org.ng and copy sarah.ajijola@ nigerianbar.org.ng ,rabiah.auduhassan@ nigerianbar.org.ng. The list must contain the name, mobile phone number and active email address of a member.

    Every Branch must also attach the photocopies of the receipts and bank deposit slips evidencing payment of the Annual Bar Practicing Fees as well as the Statement of Account of Bank showing payment of Branch dues and levies by members whose names are contained in the list. The comprehensive list of members eligible to vote will be published not less than 28 days before the date of the elections.

    Campaign rules

    Candidates shall submit by email not more than four pages of A4-size electronic copy of their Curriculum Vitae, comprehensive manifestoes and other campaign material to the ECNBA for publication on the NBA website.

    The publication, printing or distribution of any campaign materials, gifts and any form of souvenir whatsoever by a candidates or his supporter(s) is prohibited and any candidate who contravenes these provisions shall be disqualified from being voted for.

    Traveling across the country to the branches to canvass for votes is discouraged under these Guidelines.

     Electronic voting 

    The elections shall be conducted electronically. Further guidelines on the modalities for the E- Voting, verification and accreditation of voters shall be published at a later date in accordance with paragraph 2.4(c) of the Second Schedule of the Constitution, the ECNBA said.