OLUMIDE AKPATA REITERATES THE NEED FOR INCLUSION OF LAW OFFICERS IN THE AFFAIRS OFTHE NBA
Frontline NBA Presidential aspirant, Olumide Akpata, has reiterated the need for a Bar that does not discriminate against any section or segment of the profession. Speaking last night to a group of law officers, Olumide Akpata explained that law officers are critical to the development of the legal profession and that they deserve the active support of the Bar in actualizing their goals.
He started “As I often say, I am focused on building a Bar that not only has utilitarian value for its members, but one that would also work for all” He continued, “For law officers, the exclusion and discrimination under section 8(3) of the NBA Constitution, is to my mind unjustifiable and my administration will champion the relevant constitutional amendments to ensure fairness and equal treatment. There should be not discrimination against those who are not in private practice”.
Regarding the push by the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN) to be registered as a body at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Mr. Akpata said that “It is difficult to resist or fault a move by well-meaning individuals with common interest who want to associate and constitute themselves into a recognised union that would speak for them and act in their best interest. It is their constitutional prerogative to pursue such rights and I will give institutional backing to such arrangement should I become President of the Bar”.
Concluding, Akpata said “I know that these are key issues for law officers, and I can assure you that as President of the Bar, I will work with the NBA-NEC and the generality of the Bar to ensure that these are addressed”.
