NBA NEC Sacks Aikpokpo-Martins Led NBA-SPIDEL EXCO, Appoints Caretaker Committee, Orders Withdrawal of SPIDEL Court Cases
The Nigerian Bar Association’s National Executive Council (NBA-NEC) has unanimously voted to oust the leadership of the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL). A caretaker committee, comprising Ben Oji, Funke Aderemi, Yakubu Philemon SAN, and Eva Amadi, has been appointed to withdraw all court cases initiated by the removed SPIDEL executives.
This decision, made during the recent NEC quarterly meeting in Jos, was prompted by a motion from the NBA Gwagwalada Branch, seconded by a co-opted member from the Maiduguri Branch, advocating for the president to preside over NEC meetings and validate actions regarding SPIDEL. The motion also called for an investigation into SPIDEL’s leadership and their suspension, a move supported by other NEC members.
The caretaker committee is tasked with the withdrawal of court cases initiated by the ousted SPIDEL leaders. The NEC additionally expressed confidence in the NBA Executive Committee, led by President Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau.
Reacting to the removal of SPIDEL leaders, a NBA-NEC member emphasized the challenge of challenging the NBA President, requiring support from a significant majority of NEC members. The member stressed the importance of engaging branch chairmen and noted the strong backing the President receives from co-opted NEC members.
The NBA NEC further frowned at a letter written by the some members of the General Council of the Bar to the Attorney-General of the Federation seeking to be treated as independent of the Nigerian Bar Association. The letter was also signed by John Aikpokpo-Martins.
The NBA NEC further proscribed The forum of body of vice chairmen and any other forum or Body unknown to the NBA constitution.
President Maikyau accused SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins, of unauthorized actions beyond the section’s mandate, leading to the halt of activities pending a meeting on February 1st.
In another development, the NBA has scheduled its 2024 National Officers elections for July 20th.
