A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, J.S. Okutepa has carpeted the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Executive Council for ratifying the suspension of embattled General Secretary, Joyce Oduah during the NEC meeting held yesterday evening.
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According to Okutepa, the ratification of the suspension amounted to the “worst example of disrespect for the rule of law and showed disrespect to the pending processes filed by Mrs Joyce Oduah challenging her suspension”.
Okutepa who said he is not in support of the alleged misconduct of Mrs Joyce if found true, however insisted that NBA cannot be seen to br engaged in self-help to rectify actions already being challenged in court.
He said: “That decision to ratify her suspension is a bad example coming from an association that should be the vanguard of, protection of and promotion of the rule of law. Our courts have consistently frown at resorts to self help to undermine pending processes”.
Citing a number of court authorities which frown against sabotaging the adjudicatory powers of the courts and the doctrine of lis pendens, the Okutepa concluded that, “The NBA was in a fatal error rooted in self-help to have ratified the suspension being challenged in court”.
He concluded, “Court processes may be slow, but as professional association we have a duty to show example. Here NBA under Olumide Akpata failed fatally flat in the test for respect for the rule of law and due process when he presided over and took decision that showed lack of respect for our judicial process. We must respect our courts otherwise anarchy is being invited.”
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