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A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Thursday at a rally in Abuja, urged Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to obey court order that nullified election which produced the association’s incumbent President Mahmoud Abubakar (SAN).
The convener of the rally, Mr Omoluabi Adeyemi, told newsmen that the Federal High Court judgment Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/545/2016 between OLASUPO OJO and THE REGISTERED TRUSTEES OF THE NBA nullified the actions, decisions and activities of the NBA.
He stressed that the NBA ought to obey the order.
Adeyemi, therefore, expressed worry that the association, which was key association in the judiciary sector, decided not to obey the order which was delivered since March.
Reading from the coalition’s petition, also presented to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnonghen, Adeyemi urged the CJN to prevail on Abubakar to vacate his office pending the determination of the court case brought against him.
He said “we are calling on your lordship to use your good office and powers to embark on activities that will ensure that Mahmoud Abubakar vacates the office he is currently occupying.
“In your lordship’s capacity as CJN and double as Chairman of Body of Benchers, it is within your powers to enforce compliance to the judgment,” the coalition petition read in part.
“Non-enforcement of the Federal High Court judgment which nullified the 2015 Amended Constitution of the NBA among other reliefs granted meant that anything the Constitution gave life to was now dead.
“It also meant that the 2016 national election of the NBA was voided and the national officers ousted.”
He added that the tenure of the Abubakar-led NBA ended abruptly by virtue of the instant court judgment.
He noted that the judgment, however, necessitated takeover of the administration and management of the affairs of the NBA by Body of Benchers.
Adeyemi said that the CSOs decided to speak up because NBA would be sending wrong signals to the public by not obeying the judgment.
“The election that brought the current leadership of NBA did not seem to have respected the laws of the association and some members of the bar who went to court and got judgment.
“We were surprise that a judgment delivered on March 30, 2017, was not obeyed up till now.
“If NBA can fragrantly disobey court orders, then Nigeria is gradually turning to banana republic.
Africa Media Roundtable Initiative, Ahead Nigeria, Adopt A Goal, Policy Advocacy and Integrity Network, among others, were part of the coalition.
– NAN
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