2022 NBA Elections: Controversy As J-K Gadzama Allegedly Describes Y. C. Maikyau’s Entourage As ‘Rented Crowd’ And ‘Empty Vessels’

*J-K Gadzama’s Camp Debunks The Allegation
*Says Gadzama Never Made Such Utterances During The EBF Meeting
*Maikyau’s Camp Insist He Did

There has been controversy in the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, over alleged reference to the entourage of the NBA Welfare Chairman, Y. C. Maikyau, SAN at the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF’s) quarterly meeting by Chief J-K Gadzama as ‘rented crowd’ and ’empty vessels’.

CME Newsng had published that in the course of the EBF meeting which held on February 12, 2022, the Leadership of the EBF gave opportunity to the many prominent visiting lawyers to express goodwill to the EBF. Amongst those who took the opportunity included: Jonathan Taidi; J. K. Gadzama, SAN and Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN.

Y.C Maikyau’s invitation was said to have been accompanied to the podium by over 50 lawyers, including NBA Chairmen and past Chairmen from Northern Branches, Bar leaders and many other prominent lawyers from different branches across the country.

When it was his turn to deliver his goodwill message to the Forum, J-K Gadzama allegedly remarked that he didn’t need to turn up with a ‘rented crowd’ of ’empty vessels’ to show his broad support.

However, Director General of Vox Populi Foundation, Chief Chukwudi Prince Oli, has refuted claims. According to him, Gadzama never referred to Maikyau’s supporters as ’empty vessels’ and ‘rented crowds.’ He described the allegation against chief Gadzama as ‘falsehood’

Oli said, “I state authoritatively that at no point did Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN refer to supporters of YC as ‘rented’ or ’empty vessel’. I have further painstakingly, reached out to others who were also physically and directly present at the venue of the said EBF Meeting, held in Anaocha, and they have also confirmed to me too, that Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN, never called nor referred to supporters or friends, howsoever described, of YC Maikyau,SAN as ’empty vessels’ or ‘rented.’ I remember vividly that all Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN (the Okwuluora of Ukpo) said was simply that he needed no introduction in Anaocha as he is a Chief there, and that they know him and he knows them, and that he didn’t need to come with a rented crowd to prove who he is.”

Oli further explained that Gadzama hailed Chief Emeka Obegolu by describing him as a quiet achiever and impactor and that he, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN does not make noise as empty vessels make the most noise.

He then queries, “Could it be that it was the said ’empty vessels’ as used above, that is now presently and mischievously being construed as a reference to supporters and friends of YC Maikyau, SAN?”.

The Chairman of NBA Gusau Branch, Junaidu Abubakar, also debunked the allegation against Gadzama. According to him, the allegation is baseless and nothing but mischief.

He said, “Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN did not call or refer the supporters of Y.C. Maikyau as ‘rented crowd’ and ’empty vessel’ during the Eastern Bar Forum’s (EBF) at Anaocha, Anambra State on 17th day of February, 2022 as falsely alleged by our opponent. The allegation is baseless. It is founded on nothing but mischief. It is nothing but jack of all lies.”

Abubakar therefore called on lawyers to disregard the falsehood as same is aimed at tarnishing the image of Gadzama.

“I therefore urge our learned colleagues to disregard this blatant lies aimed at ternishing the good image of our good leader who is known for his examplary leader that is worhty for emulation.

“Canpaign of columny is not our own as legal practitioners. Therefore I call our learned colleaques to desist from this unreasonable false allegation in the name of NBA election campaign.

“This is the my advise to our political opponents who I believe are our friends and brothers.” Abubakar said

The former Chairperson Kano FIDA and Present Chairperson, Women Forum & Law Week Committee, Kano Branch, Huwaila Muhammad Ibrahim, insisted that Gadzama referred to Maikyau’s entourage as rented crowd and empty vessels and it happened in the presence of hundreds of people as she was there.

Ibrahim said it was not by design, but rather a coincidence that YC Maikyau, SAN was called upon to give a goodwill message before Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN. When YC Maikyau stepped out to the podium, his supporters all stepped out with him. YC Maikyau, like his usual self, sought the permission of everyone present to introduce members of his entourage, as he would not be happy to speak without recognising them.

“Gadzama was equally called upon to give his goodwill message. He was accompanied by two persons: Mustapha Imam from Ungogo Branch and Steve Abar from Jos Branch. We all clapped for him and cheered him up as he walked to the podium, as a senior Barman just as we did to those before and after him. But the first words that came out of his mouth were innuendos and insinuations that a junior secondary school student would know that he was referring to us.

” ‘I don’t need a rented crowd for me to be recognised here,’ he said to us.

” ‘They are just empty vessels,’ he added.

” ‘If accompanying YC Maikyau makes us ‘a rented crowd’ then we’re happy to be rented by YC Maikyau,’ some of us clapped back to him.

“The whole place flooded with murmurs of disappointment. We all expected more of him. After he had finished calling us “a rented crowd” and “empty vessels”, he left the podium, and on his way down, YC Maikyau reached out to him, shook his hand and warmly embraced him.

“These are facts within my knowledge. The allegations against Joe-Kyari Gadzama are true. I was there: Gadzama referred to us as “empty vessels” and “a rented crowd”

“Lawyers are known for tailored words, Joe-Kyari Gadzama referred to us as a rented crowd and empty vessels. As if that was not enough, now one Oli is saying all of us are lying, that Gadzama did not say so. We are highly respected Bar men and women both in our branches and at the national level. I never had the intention of saying anything about it. But for someone to come and say that Gadzama did not do it, is absurd, to say the least.” Ibrahim said.

However, some lawyers who were available at the event are saying that they have the video recording which is yet to be up in the public domain.

TheNigeriaLawyer, cannot ascertain the truth or otherwise of the allegation since we weren’t at the meeting.

This news is gathered from the views of those in attendance.