In response to a recent publication authored by Peres Agari, Chairman of the Young Lawyers Forum of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Sagbama Branch, the Chairman of the NBA Sagbama Branch, Igbomgbo Paraboma Nelson, has responded to the issues raised regarding inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability within the branch.
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In a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer, the Chairman emphasized his commitment to peace and clarifies that the content of the aforementioned publication warrants a factual response for the sake of posterity.
In his response, he asserts that the Young Lawyers Forum of the NBA Sagbama Branch has always had unrestricted access to the current branch leadership, stating that an open channel of communication has been maintained, enabling the Young Lawyers Forum to formally address any concerns or issues. Copies of several correspondences, labeled as exhibits 1, 2, and 3, were attached to demonstrate the responsiveness of the branch leadership to the forum’s letters.
He said, “The Young Lawyers Forum of NBA SAGBAMA BRANCH has unfettered access to the current leadership of the branch. We have maintained an open channel of communication which the Young Lawyers Forum has explored on many occasions and this they do by writing formally any time the need arises or they need to draw our attention to any issue. This they have done severally and all the issues raised in their letters are always attended to. Find attached copies of some of the correspondences hereunder attached as exhibits 1, 2 and 3.”
The Branch Chairman also highlighted his efforts to promote inclusiveness within the Young Lawyers Forum.
He stated that as a pioneer member of the forum’s Executive Committee, he initiated various measures to increase membership and improve its operations. These initiatives included personally visiting the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp to attract new members to the forum and the bar at large. Notably, he involved the forum’s leadership in these activities.
To address the financial challenges faced by the Young Lawyers Forum, Chairman Nelson states that the branch provided funds to support their day-to-day operations. This practice was agreed upon by the Executive Committee and would continue within the limits of available resources. An application for funds submitted by the forum was approved by the Executive Committee, as shown in exhibit 2.
Contrary to the claims made in the publication, Mr Nelson asserts that the Young Lawyers Forum has been actively involved in various branch committees. Each committee has had at least two to three members from the forum, with a forum member serving as secretary on all committees formed.
He further added that in a groundbreaking move to empower young lawyers and ensure their future leadership, members of the Young Lawyers Forum have been appointed as the Chairman and Alternate Chairman of the 2023 Annual General Conference Planning Committee.
He stated, “In a daring move for an extra ordinary inclusion of the members of the Young Lawyers Forum in the scheme of things as future leaders of our great bar, for the first time in our history YOUNG LAWYERS FORUM MEMBERS are holding the position of CHAIRMAN AND ALTERNATE CHAIRMAN of our 2023 ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE. This we did after consultation and approval of our very revered elders in the committee who undertook to groom them for the future good of the bar. Making spurious claims of lack of transparency and accountability of non existent facts is indeed below the standards that even our profession tolerates.”
He dismissed the allegations of lack of transparency and accountability as baseless and unsupported by any factual evidence. He emphasized that the recent successful Continuous Legal Education Program and an unfortunate accident involving Freeman Oputa, a respected member, have occupied the leadership’s attention. Despite these challenges, the Executive Committee remains committed to expediting the formation of additional committees to enhance the association’s activities.
Expressing disappointment, the branch Chairman pointed out that the Chairman of the Young Lawyers Forum did not follow the usual protocol of submitting a written complaint or utilizing formal NBA channels to express concerns. Instead, he chose to publish his views in a widely read national media outlet. He described the action “unnecessary, particularly as it does not represent a decision of the forum’s Executive Committee.”
He further revealed that the publication by the YLF Chair was done in bad faith as a retialatory action because prior to the constitution of the 2023 Annual General Conference Committee, the Young Lawyers Forum Chairman expressed his desire to represent the forum in the committee, stressing his readiness to secure the position at all costs.
However, the forum chairman’s name did not appear among the nominees and eventual members of the committee.
The branch Chair added that he deems this subsequent publication an act of malice aimed at tarnishing the image of the current leadership.
Undeterred by these actions, Mr Nelson reaffirmed his commitment to fulfill the promises made during his campaign, and further encouraged the YLF Chair to take the path of peace and cooperation.
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