*Describes Exclusion As Unconstitutional And Discriminatory
*Says South-East Is Not The Only Region Experiencing Insecurity; Gives PTDF 48 hours To Retract Exclusion

An Association of legal practitioners of Igbo extraction called the Otu Oka-iwu Abuja (mainly domiciled in South East Region) duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission whose mandates include the protection of the civil rights of the people of the South East and guiding against any form of discrimination, has issued a preaction notice to the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) stating that intends to take legal action against the body as regards the unconstitutional and discriminatory exclusion of the South East Region ad one of the host regions for the conduct of interview for the 2022/2023 overseas scholarship scheme, if PTDF fails to reverse their decision and tender apology.

In the notice made available to TheNigeriaLawyer signed by the President, Secretary, Chairman, Federal Character/Public Interest Committee and Secretary, Federal Character Monitoring/Public Interest Committee, Barr. Ejiofor Onwuaso, Dr. Nicholas Udeb, Barr. Agams Udebuani, and Barr. Obioma Ezenwobodo respectively, and dated 10th June, 2022 the Out Oka-Iwu Abuja stated that it was relying on its mandate to challenge the actions of the PTDF.

According to the association, the actions of PTDF had no logical basis or reasoning to back it up, as the reasoning they relied on – which is insecurity in the region – is faulty. The notice read in part thus:

“We wish to remind you that the issue of insecurity is not only prevalent in the South East Region but much widespread in other regions of the country where the PTDF is comfortably conducting same interview. The reliance on the excuse of insecurity frontally flies against logic as your regional office in South East Region, Public and Private educational institutions in South East Region and other examination bodies (including JAMB and WAEC) are fully functional and none suspended operations.”

According to the Association, the actions of PTDF was not only illegal and unconstitutional but an abuse of fundamental rights. The letter stated thus;

“We equally wish to remind you that your policy of excluding the South East Region will not only cause untold hardship to applicants of Igbos of South East extraction but amounts to an illegal and unconstitutional act as it offends the Federal Character Principle and the fundamental rights against discrimination of any form.”

The Association went on to lay her demand thus:

  1. An immediate reversal of the injurious, illegal, discriminatory and unconstitutional policy of excluding the South East Region as one of the venues for the conduct of PTDF interview.
  2. Inclusion of the South East Region as one of the venues for the conduct of the PTDF interview.
  3. To tender public apology to be published in five national dailies, electronic and other media.

The body went on to give PTDF a 48 hours ultimatum to heed their demand or face legal action.

______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

______________________________________________________________________ ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. Bonus: Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.

How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com

Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626

_______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation ________________________________________________________________________ The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola ______________________________________________________________________ “Bridging Theory And Courtroom Practice” — Hagler Sunny Okorie, Nathaniel Ngozi Ikeocha Unveil ‘Functional’ Tort Law Book For Nigerian Legal System The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.