Mr. Adesina Ademola Ogunlana a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja (Branch “Tiger Branch”, has responded to a human rights activist, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, over the professor’s alleged jubilation regarding his disqualification from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential elections coming up on July, 2020 .
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In a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL), he Ogunlala said he has submitted his appeal against the disqualification on the 17th of June, 2020.
He expressed dismay however that on the same 17th June 2020, “our attention was drawn to Professor Chidi Odinkalu’s comment on my disqualification from the NBA PRESIDENTIAL RACE. The self ascribed Oracle and Pontificator hailed my disqualification from the NBA PRESIDENTIAL RACE. According to Professor Blunderbuss, the disqualification was a good thing – citing my case with the EFCC as reason , yet conceding the presumption of innocence in my favour.”
Ogunlala said Prof. Chidi Odinkalu is entitled to his opinion but considered the comment as “interfering with the electoral process”. He said his appeal has not been exhausted.
“Two things , we care to say on Odinkalu . First, he is eminently entitled to his opinion, no matter how unreflective . Second, Odinkalu is interfering with the electoral process by that his effusion, in that the purpoted disqualification is not yet final. The disqualifer has opened a door for appeal, the appeal process has not been exhausted yet a professor of (what ?) has rushed out his bile in his typical blunderbuss fashion in a matter not finally determined and, is it not more interesting when one considers that the reason stated for the disqualification has nothing to do with Professor Blunderbuss’ shade? Odinkalu merely in our humble view, is noise- making here. Happily, ‘ ariwo ko ni music’ ( Noise making is not Music)”
Ogunlala added that “Our Appeal has gone in. There are many who consider it a futile exercise , merely a formality. We shall see. They call it the cabal effect in the NBA, by which perceived ‘ Alphas and Omegas’ in the NBA and not the Electorate, determine who not only participate in Elections, but who wins same. Again, we, shall see.”
He gave an explanation on the “UNLOCK THE COURTS” protest they organized in Lagos. “The past few days were rather hectic for the core of our fledging activist organisation, the RADICAL AGENDA MOVEMENT IN THE BAR ( RAMINBA). We organised the UNLOCK THE COURTS protest in Lagos at the entrance of the IKEJA HIGH COURT on Monday 15th June 2020 and on 17th June 2020, we submitted the appeal against my disqualification from contesting the NBA presidency to the ECNBA.” Ogunlala said
He gave reasons for the protest to include their conviction and the starvation of some lawyers. He appreciated all for the success of the protest.
“We wish to express our appreciation to all, on the success and controversy of our UNLOCK THE COURTS protest . We only acted out and on our conviction. No apology for that . Those who disagreed with us have their points too, but let it be noted that our protest demand is not for a full and unregulated unlocking of the courts as our critics seem to perceive . Our position , for emphasis, is that THE COURTS SHOULD BE OPENED UNDER STRICT SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR THE CURTAILMENT OF COVID 19 , from about the present 5 percent utilisation to about 70 percent . Lawyers are starving in our thousands while the litigating public is suffering and hurting in their millions .On the other hand, our judges, magistrates, judiciary workers, state counsel etc on government pay roll are still earning their salaries, readily and assuredly.
“I thank you for seeing this ‘ epistle’ to the end. Blessings of God on you and all yours”
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