Inside sources at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) headquarters have revealed that NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau SAN, is extremely angry with the association’s public interest section, SPIDEL, over its recent lawsuits challenging government agencies and officials.
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According to the source who spoke to TheNigerialawyer, Maikyau is incensed by some of the legal actions filed by SPIDEL in recent times seeking to hold authorities accountable or protect public interest.
The cases include lawsuits against the Federal and Lagos State governments over newly imposed vehicle ownership levies, a demand by SPIDEL that the eight judges recommended to the Edo State Government by the National Judicial Council, be sworn in.
A Section known for its public interest, also called for Justice Flora Azinge to substantiate her allegations of attempted bribery by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria during her tenure as Chairman of the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal in Kano State.
SPIDEL also warned security agencies to stop compelling lawyers to surrender their phones in agency premises, threatening legal action if the practice persists.
In more recent development, SPIDEL, filed a lawsuit against the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and others at a Federal High Court in Abuja, addressing controversies related to the legally permitted time for participating in the youth service. The Federal Government, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, and music producer Kenny Ogungbe are co-defendants in this matter.
These legal actions seem to have provoked a strong reaction from the NBA President, who has allegedly threatened to take action against the SPIDEL Council for their audacity, source said.
TheNigerialawyer, further gathered that SPIDEL Governing Council held an emergency meeting over the threat yesterday but kept its resolutions private.
There is speculation that Maikyau was pressed by influential figures to crack down on SPIDEL and reverse its bids to challenge executive power. Critics see this as part of a broader attempt to intimidate the SPIDEL known as the “heart of the NBA” for protecting rule of law.
“Many thought Maikyau would be glad SPIDEL is tackling impunity. Instead he threatens them while summoning the leadership to Abuja for unknown purposes,” the source claimed. “His past pro-govt leaning makes this dangerous for SPIDEL’s independence.”
The unfolding confrontation between the NBA President and the association’s renowned public interest section signifies a pivotal moment with implications on legal activism in Nigeria.
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