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Tag: Paul Usoro

  • Court orders arrest of A/Ibom commissioners for alleged money laundering

    *NBA president Usoro re-arraigned

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday issued a bench warrant for the arrest of two Akwa Ibom State commissioners.

    They are Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa also ordered the arrest of Akwa Ibom State Accountant-General, Mfon Udomah.

    Their arrest followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which said they were at large.

    They were charged along with Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Mr Paul Usoro (SAN) for alleged N1.4billion fraud.

    EFCC re-arraigned Usoro before Justice Aikawa. He pleaded not guilty.

    After the re-arraignment, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo urged the court to compel the appearance of the suspects due to the commission’s inability to produce them.

    He said the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) empowers the court to compel the appearance of a suspect either by summons or warrant.

    “We seek your Lordship’s order to compel their attendance. We seek to bring them before the court in the interest of justice,” he said.

    But, Usoro’s lead counsel Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) opposed the application.

    He said those sought to be arrested were not named as defendants in the charge.

    “The individuals were not charged before the court. Until they are charged, you cannot order their arrest,” the SAN said.

    But the judge refused Ifedayo’s objection.

    Granting the prayer, Justice Aikawa held: “I order that bench warrant be issued against the named persons.”

    Justice Aikawa is the third judge to handle the case.

    Usoro was first arraigned before Justice Muslim Hassan on a 10-count charge.

    The judge later withdrew from the case after Usoro asked him to recuse himself.

    Usoro was to be re-arraigned before Justice Chika Obiozor, but the judge recused himself for personal reasons on the day of re-arraignment.

    “For personal reasons, I hereby disqualify myself from handling the case.

    “I hereby return this file to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge,” Justice Obiozor ruled.

    Also named in the charge is Governor Emmanuel Udom, “currently constitutionally immunity from prosecution.”
    EFCC alleged that the defendants committed the offence on May 14, 2016.

    The commission alleged that Usoro conspired with others to commit the offence within the court’s jurisdiction.

    He was alleged to have conspired to convert N1.4 billion, property of Akwa Ibom State Government, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity.

    The prosecution said the unlawful activity included criminal breach of trust which contravened sections 15 (2), 15(3), and 18 (A) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

    Usoro, represented by six SANs and other lawyers, pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Aikawa allowed him to continue on the bail granted him by Justice Hassan.

    Justice Hassan granted Usoro bail for N250 million, with one surety in like sum.

    The court added that the surety must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction, or be a civil servant not lower than the rank of a Director in the Federal or State civil service.

    The NBA President was further ordered to deposit his international passport with the Court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR), which will be verified for genuineness.

    The court then ordered that Usoro be handed over to a counsel of the inner bar, Mr E.B. Effiong (SAN), pending perfection of his bail terms.

    Justice Aikawa added that if the surety is below the rank of director, he must deposit his title documents with the court’s registry.

    Oyedepo pointed out that Usoro was yet to meet the bail conditions imposed on him by Justice Hassan.
    Justice Aikawa ordered Usoro to perfect his bail terms within two weeks.

    “The defendants shall be released to Offiong pending fulfilment of his bail conditions, which shall be on or before March 15,” the judge said.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned until March 18 and 19 for trial.

  • Breaking:NBA President re-arraigned, as court orders arrest of four

    President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Paul Usoro on Friday, appeared before Justice Rilwan Aikawa, of the Federal High Court Lagos, to answer to a 10 count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He pleaded not guilty to all counts of the charge.

    Meanwhile, the court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest and production in court of four others named in the body of the charge, who are said to be at large.

    They are: Uwemedimo Nwoko, Margaret Ukpe, Linus Nsikn, and Mfot Udomah.

    Details shortly…

  • Second judge withdraws from NBA President’s N1.4bn case

    Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday withdrew from the trial of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Presiden Paul Usoro (SAN), charged with N1.4billion fraud.

    Usoro was first arraigned before Justice Muslim Hassan on a 10-count charge.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Hassan later withdrew from the case.

    Others charged with Usoro are Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General, Mfon Udomah; Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko and Margaret Ukpe, said to be at large.

    Also named in the charge is Governor Emmanuel Udom, “currently constitutionally immune from prosecution.”

    Usoro was to be re-arraigned before Justice Obiozor, but the judge recused himself for personal reasons.

    “For personal reasons, I hereby disqualify myself from handling the case.

    “I hereby return this file to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge,” Justice Obiozor ruled.

    Prior to Usoro’s arraignment before Justice Hassan last December 18, his lead counsel Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), informed the judge of a December 17 letter to the Chief Judge seeking the transfer of the case to another judge for an undisclosed reason.

    Read Also; NBA chief Usoro docked for alleged N1.4b fraud

    Olanipekun said Usoro would want the case transferred to either Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, or Abuja.

    He said if the case would remain in Lagos, it should be transferred to “any other honourable judge apart from my noble Lord.”

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that the defendants committed the offence on May 14, 2016.

    The commission alleged that Usoro conspired with others to commit the offence within the jurisdiction of the court.

    He was alleged to have conspired to convert N1.4 billion, property of Akwa Ibom State Government, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity.

    The prosecution said that the unlawful activity included criminal breach of trust which contravened sections 15 (2), 15(3), and 18 (A) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

  • CCT Chair truly answerable only to Presidency, says NBA

    …..Pleads with FG to stop Onnoghen’s CCT trial

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said on Tuesday that it agreed with the argument by the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal ( CCT ), Danladi Uma that he and his tribunal were not answerable to the Judiciary, but the Presidency.

    NBA, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its President, Paul Usoro (SAN), said Umar was correct in that argument, but contended that the fact that the CCT was under the control of the Executive informs the urgent need to discontinue charge of breach of code of conduct pending against the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen before the CCT.

    It said: “the Chairman of the CCT, Hon. Danladi Umar, in his response to a petition that was written against him and which was forwarded to him by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) states emphatically that he and his tribunal are answerable and report only to the Presidency, by law and practice. He is absolutely correct.

    “An insistence, in the circumstance, on the CJN, the head of an independent arm of the FGN, standing trial before a tribunal that is under the Presidency and is answerable only to the Presidency, mocks the concept of and completely erodes the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional separation that should exist between the three arms of the FGN.

    “It is precisely for this reason that our Constitution created the NJC and we are pleased that the FGN has warmed up to the utilization of that due process, as illustrated by the submission of the EFCC petition to the council.”

    NBA’s new intervention in the case is coming a day before the resumption of proceedings in the case before the CCT.

    The Chairman of the CCT, Danladi Umar had, at the last proceedings on February 4 this year, insisted that Onnoghen must appear before the tribunal in person before any further businesses could be conducted in the charge pending against him (Onnoghen).

    Umar gave the directive shortly before agreeing to the request by parties for adjournment to February 13.

    He said: “Under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), a defendant, who is served with a charge and represented by lawyers, must take his plea before raising any objection.

    “The defendant has continued to stay away from this tribunal. I am going to grant this adjournment at the instance of the prosecution and defence, but must state that the defendant must attend court at the next adjourned date so that all the issues would be resolved in his presence.”

    Read Also: Onnoghen to CCT chair: you’re a biased, tainted arbiter

    Also on Tuesday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja failed to hear the three appeals filed suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    The appellate court had in late January adjourned on February 12, 2019 for the hearing of the appeals

    But, when lawyers to parties got to court on Tuesday, the court could not form quorum (of three Justices) for the purpose of hearing the appeals.

    Parties were told to await information, on a later date, on when the hearing is to be rescheduled.

    The appeals are against the decisions of the Code of Conduct to assume jurisdiction over the charge pending against Onnoghen and the ex-parte injunction granted by the CCT, and on which President Muhammadu Buhari acted to suspend Onnoghen.

    The statement by the NBA reads: “Ahead of the adjourned proceedings in the above-named matter before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (“CCT”), scheduled for tomorrow, February 13, 2019, the Nigerian Bar Association again urges the Executive arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria (“FGN”) to discontinue this Charge against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honorable Mr. Justice Walter S N Onnoghen, GCON (“CJN”) for the following reasons, amongst others:

    “First, as widely reported, one of the two petitions against the CJN that is currently before the National Judicial Council (“NJC” or “Council”) is an exact replica of the petition that motivated the CCT Charge.

    “The second petition was reportedly presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an FGN agency. We commend the FGN for adhering to due process by submitting the EFCC petition to the NJC for consideration.

    “In like manner and in adherence to the law and due process, we urge the FGN to discontinue the CCT Charge and allow the NJC consider the initial petition which, as widely reported, has already been responded to by the CJN.

    “Second, the Chairman of the CCT, Hon. Danladi Umar, in his response to a petition that was written against him and which was forwarded to him by the Federal Judicial Service Commission, states emphatically that he and his tribunal are answerable and report only to the Presidency, by law and practice. He is absolutely correct.

    “An insistence, in the circumstance, on the CJN, the head of an independent arm of the FGN, standing trial before a tribunal that is under the Presidency and is answerable only to the Presidency, mocks the concept of and completely erodes the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional separation that should exist between the three arms of the FGN.

    “It is precisely for this reason that our Constitution created the NJC and we are pleased that the FGN has warmed up to the utilization of that due process, as illustrated by the submission of the EFCC petition to the Council.

    “Third, and complementary to the two points afore-stated is the fact that the spectacle of having our CJN, while still holding that title, in the dock before the CCT or any other court, truly diminishes all of us, not least the Executive arm of the FGN.

    “The NJC process allows an initial determination to be made on the petitions against the CJN and if His Lordship is found liable or wanting howsoever, appropriate sanctions would be imposed by the NJC including recommendation for his dismissal or retirement.

    “In that event, he would no longer hold the office or title of CJN and could be prosecuted for any criminal infraction before the CCT or any other Court.

    “An insistence on the CCT prosecution paints a picture of persecution of the CJN by the Executive and such a spectacle in no way ennobles the FGN Executive arm and/or its officials. Such a scenario should be avoided by all means.

    “Given these non-exhaustive considerations and facts, we press on the Executive arm of the FGN to please discontinue the Charge against the CJN when the matter comes up before the CCT tomorrow, Wednesday, 13 February 2019.

    “We respectfully urge full compliance with due process by FGN in this matter by allowing the NJC process to take its course in respect of the two petitions against the CJN – a step that has already, commendably, been embraced by FGN in respect of the EFCC petition.”

  • Alleged N1.4bn fraud: New judge to hear case against NBA President

    The trial of President of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ), Paul Usoro, over N1.4 billion fraud, could not proceed on Tuesday before Justice Muslim Hassan of Federal High Court Lagos, following the transfer of the case to a new judge, Prof. Chuka Obiozor.

    Usoro is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 10-count charge bordering on fraud.

    Also named in the charge, is the incumbent governor of Akwa Ibom, Gov. Emmanuel Udom, who is described in the charge as being “currently constitutionally immune from prosecution”.

    Others charged are: the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General of Akwa Ibom State, Mfon Udomah; the Akwa Ibom State Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko and Margaret Ukpe.

    The defendants were said to be at large.

    Usoro was charged on Dec. 18, 2018 before Justice Hassan, and his plea was taken.

    Hassan had subsequently admitted him to bail in the sum of N250 million with one surety in like sum.

    The court had then adjourned the case until Feb. 5, March 5, and March 6, for continuation of trial.

    However, on Tuesday, when journalists approached the court for coverage of the trial, it was observed that the case was not on the cause list.

    On enquiry, journalists were informed that the case had been transferred to Justice Obiozor by the Chief Judge, following application to that effect.

    Meanwhile in Justice Obiozor’s Court, the case was also not itemised on the cause list, as the judge was said to be away on a workshop.

    In the charge marked FHC/418c/18, the anti graft agency alleged that the accused committed the offence on May 14, 2016.

    The commission alleged that Usoro conspired with others, to commit the offence within the jurisdiction of the court.

    He was alleged to have conspired to convert the sum of N1.4 billion, property of Akwa Ibom State Government, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity.

    The prosecution said that the unlawful activity include criminal breach of trust which contravenes the provisions of section 15 (2), 15(3), and 18 (A) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

  • I participated in NJC meeting, says NBA President

    The President of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ), Paul Usoro (SAN) has denied rumour that he left early and did not participate in Tuesday’s emergency meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC) in Abuja.

    Usoro said, contrary to the wrong impression created by some publications, he participated in the meeting until all NBA’s representatives were asked to excuse the meeting when petitioners against the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the acting CJN, Justices Walter Onnoghen and Ibrahim Muhammad were about to be considered.

    The NBA President, who said he presented his association’s position to the meeting, said he was the last of NBA’s representatives to exit the meeting.

    Usoro’s position is contained in a statement issued early on Wednesday by NBA’s Publicity Secretary, Kunle Edun.

    The statement reads: “Gentlemen, while our patriotic members were doing the needful to ensure full compliance with the directive of NBA-NEC regarding the boycott of courts, a false reportage was published purporting that the NBA President, Paul Usoro, SAN did not participate in the NJC meeting yesterday, and left early.

    “Please, kindly disregard the false reportage. It is most unfortunate that important issues can be trivialised for no just cause. The story is 100% untrue.

    Read Also: What NJC must do, by Mamora, Igbokwe, others

    “The NBA President, Paul Usoro, SAN was at the meeting with the other NBA representatives up to the point that the NJC had to consider the petitions against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Mr. Justice Walter Onnoghen and Hon. Mr. Justice Tanko Muhammad, at which point the NBA representatives had to leave the meeting in compliance with the constitutional stipulation that excludes NBA representatives from the meeting when disciplinary issues are considered by the NJC.

    “It is important to also state that before the exit of the NBA Representatives, the NBA President had fully briefed the NJC on the NBA stand & position, and the Council was most appreciative.

    “We continue to urge members not to be distracted by such negative reportage. The NBA remains non partisan but shall continue to insist that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria be respected by all parties regarding the purported suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.”

  • NBA asks FG to discontinue CJN’s trial at CCT

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asked the Federal Government to discontinue the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    NBA President, Paul Usoro (SAN) in a statement on Monday claimed that it was now obvious that the actual aim Executive arm of government was to remove Justice Onnoghen from office.

    Usoro argued that the dictate of democracy and rule of law mandate that the Federal Government complies with the constitutional requirement and lawful procedure in effective such removal.

    He said: “Due process is not followed when the Executive branch of the FGN files an Interlocutory Motion before the Code of Conduct Tribunal for the removal of the CJN.

    “Such an application disparages, and assaults due process as enshrined in Section 292(1)(a)(i) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) (“the Constitution”).

    “The Constitution leaves no room howsoever for the removal of the CJN from office, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, other than through the process afore-quoted.

    “Being a country governed by laws, the FGN owes us a duty to comply strictly with these provisions of the Constitution for the removal of the CJN.

    “We therefore urge the Executive Branch of the Federal Government to please retrace its  steps and discontinue the entire proceedings before the CCT forthwith and follow the constitutional procedure afore-stipulated.

    “Established judicial precedents, dictate that the allegations must be referred to and handled by the National Judicial Council (“NJC”) and it is only after the NJC’s pronouncement thereon against the CJN can the FGN prosecuting agencies proceed against him before any Tribunal or Court of Law. or as long as the CJN remains a judicial officer, that process avails him and is mandatory of compliance by the FGN.

    “Should the Federal Government however succeed in removing Honorable Mr. Justice Walter S N Onnoghen, GCON as the CJN pursuant to the provisions of Section 292(1)(a)(i) of the Constitution, there would be no need or requirement for the FGN to fulfill the NJC pre-condition ahead of his possible prosecution.

    “With such a constitutional removal from office, Onnoghen CJN would cease to be a judicial officer and the allegations against him would not need to be determined by the NJC ahead of any possible prosecution.

    “The choice is therefore that of FGN to make – either to pursue the removal of the CJN pursuant to Section 292(1)(a)(i) of the Constitution or report the alleged assets declaration infraction to the NJC for its consideration as a pre-condition for the possible prosecution of the CJN.

    “Whichever route the FGN chooses, the CCT proceedings must abate and be discontinued.  It constitutes an assault on due process and undermines the Rule of Law.

    “The sponsored media trial of the CJN must also stop.  Amongst others, it criminally destroys the justice sector, subverts due process and completely erodes the Rule of Law.  This desecration of the justice sector must stop now, please.”

  • Breaking: Alleged N1.4bn fraud: NBA President docked, gets bail

    .Court rejects request to transfer case to Abuja

     

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the President of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ), Mr Paul Usoro (SAN), at the Federal High Court, Lagos, for an alleged N1.4billion fraud.

    Usoro pleaded not guilty to a 10-count charge of fraudulent conversion of N1.4bn said to belong to the Akwa Ibom State Government.

    The NBA President’s arraignment followed Justice Muslim Hassan’s rejection of his application for the case to be transferred to Abuja.

    The case continues on February 5

    Details later…

  • NBA President Paul Usoro: A barrister and a gentleman

    CHIEF Rotimi Williams of blessed memory was referred to as Timi the Law, in his lifetime. And now, these many years after his passage, who should more fittingly inherit that moniker than Paul Usoro, Esquire? Yes, the erudite Paul Usoro has just now been baptized with two new names: NBA President AND Paul the Law.

    The soft-spoken but razor-sharp legal luminary last week emerged the winner of the presidential election of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.

    The keenly contested election with an all-SAN finish saw a university don, Professor Ernest Ojukwu SAN polling 3,314 votes to place third.

    The candidature of Chief Arthur Obi Okafor SAN had the full backing of the Eastern lawyers group; the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF). Obi Okafor is the Chairman of the NBA Criminal Justice Reform Committee.

    He scored 4,423 votes and that was how the Electoral Committee of the Association (ECNBA) last Monday declare Mr. Paul Usoro SAN as the new NBA President with a decisive win of 4,509 votes at the polls. That learned gentleman has distinguished himself and is renown as Nigeria’s Premier Communications Law Expert.

    Paul Usoro has over 30 year’s experience in the practice of law and in addition to being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, he is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

    As NBA President, he is promising that the Bar Association which is a national watchdog would hold periodic briefings on national issues and bark whenever things got out of order, even bite where necessary .

    Usoro is founder and senior partner of Paul Usoro and Co, a sprawling top floor, top flight office on Lagos Island. I visited that office once over ten years ago and the sense of awe one experiences upon entry is similar to the feeling of stepping into Westminster Abbey in London. Only there would be happy staff going about, in the former.

    Paul Usoro the litigator once worked with the National Assembly in the formation of the Nigeria Communications Act of 2003.

    That is to underscore the fact that this Barrister at Law and respected SAN is a reformist. It is no surprise then that one of the tasks the new Bar Association President has set himself is to initiate several reforms in the NBA system targeted at efficiency and at giving the NBA a new sense of direction under his leadership.

    A warm and engaging personality, not stuffy and crusty like one might expect him to be, Usoro has also acknowledged growing division among members of the Bar Association and has made a pledge to unite the Bar and rebuild bonds of friendship amongst Nigerian lawyers.

    A little bit on his personal side -the bespectacled SAN is one of those rare people who, every year you see them they look the same, even younger! (They are sometimes called silver foxes on social media!)

    Others of that rare group include: Eyimofe Atake SAN, Aliko Dangote, former Governors Niyi Adebayo and Bola Tinubu, Sunmi Smart-Cole, Tony and Godwin Elumelu, John Momoh and Odein Ajumogobia SAN amongst a few others.

    On a final note and at national level, the freshly minted President of the Bar, sometimes referred to as The Consummate Silk has also pledged his commitment to the adoption of international best practices in the investigation of corruption cases in Nigeria.

    May we hail the Barrister at Law, the President, and the Gentleman!

    (Reactions to 07055547031)

  • Usoro wins NBA presidency as Okafor, Ojukwu kick

    The Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) Monday declared a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Paul Usoro winner of NBA presidential election.

    The election was held by electronic voting from Saturday to Sunday. The result was announced in the early hours of Monday.

    Read Also:How Buhari, Osinbajo plan to sack Daura was nearly aborted

    Usoro polled 4,509 votes to beat Chief Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN), who scored 4,423 votes and Prof Ernest Ojukwu (SAN), who got 3,313 votes.

    Stanley Chidozie won the race for First Vice President with 6,188 votes, while Dada Olayemi was elected Second Vice President with 4,242 votes.

    Taidi Gunu won the post of General Secretary with 3,574 votes, beating Mobolaji Idris who polled 1,993 votes and Balogun Oyeyemi who got 1,630 votes.

    Okafor and Ojukwu have, however, faulted the result, insisting that the election was rigged.

    In a letter to the outgoing NBA president Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), Okafor rejected the result and called for a post-election audit.

    He said: “I participated in the aforesaid election to conclusion. It is in my candid view that the election was rigged by which I was denied victory.

    “In the course of the election, my team made complaints of obvious malpractices including harvesting of voters’ details using some funny email domains. These complaints were not attended to.

    “I do hereby reject the result of the elections. Whilst considering various options open to me, I call for a participatory post-election audit of both the verification process and voting.”

    Ojukwu, a former Law School Deputy Director-General, claimed that he contested against corruption, rigging and a skewed process, but said he would not challenge the result.

    In a message to his supporters, he said: “Though a winner has emerged from this present contest, remember that we contested against corruption, massive vote buying, vote capture, rigging and a skewed process.

    “These reasons make a challenge of the result important but because of my long and selfless commitment to regenerating the Bar, and the need not create tension in our legal profession, I shall not contest it.”

    Praising his supporters for their efforts, Ojukwu said they sacrificed so much to alter the destiny and fate of the legal profession and their country Nigeria.

    “Regrettably the outcome of our efforts has not been pleasant. I plead with you not to lose hope. With the kind of passion you have and expressed in various actions recently to create a bar of our dream, our destiny is still in your hands.

    “Keep moving on the task of setting a new bar. The Bar is yours. It is your right to have the kind of Bar you desire. It is also your responsibility.

    “Just note that though we could not effectively commence the journey to reform and transform the Bar now, time is still on your side to make that difference in your life time.

    “Do not surrender to a dirty system and fall of our profession. Continue to do your best to help clean it up and set a new bar that would be relevant to all,” Ojukwu said.

    A professor of law and former National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Chidi Odinkalu described the election as a “messy racket” and a “disgrace”.

    He said in a statement: “This was not an election. It was not even a selection. It was a racket and a messed up one at that.

    “Now, they will ask the NBA National Executive Committee to make this messed up racket their own and ratify it at the pre-conference NEC. That will be interesting. This racket is a disgrace.

    “The process was compromised and did not even pretend about it. The outcome lacks legitimacy and the declared winner has procured a compromised non-mandate.

    “Those who hope or expect that there will be an audit should come off that kind of hallucination – you don’t ask a burglar to investigate the burglary.

    “The outgoing Bar leadership is incredibly tarnished by its role in this messy racket. Yet, we are unlikely to learn.

    “There are no plaudits to hand out, no congratulations to anyone and no one comes out of this a winner.”