[DOWNLOAD] NBA-NEC Quarterly Meeting Communiqué: Recap Of Resolutions Made On February 29th, 2024.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has taken strong stands on several pressing issues confronting the legal profession in the country at its recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Jos, Plateau State on February 29th, 2024.

In a communiqué issued by NBA President Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau and General Secretary Adesina Adegbite at the close of the meeting, the lawyers’ umbrella body condemned the actions of some of its nominees in statutory bodies which undermine the NBA’s interests. It directed the nominees to be accountable through activity reports to the leadership.

The NBA also removed the entire executive committee of its Public Interest and Development Law section over the unauthorized filing of multiple lawsuits. It set up a caretaker committee to manage the section and investigate the circumstances behind the court cases.

Other key decisions by the NBA include prohibiting and proscribing groups like the “Body of Vice Chairmen” and “Representatives of NBA to the General Council of the Bar” which are not recognized in its Constitution.

The body further took steps addressing issues in some of its branches, passing a vote of confidence on the President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN, while reaffirming commitments to strengthen the legal profession.

On the State of the Bar, the NEC approved NBA’s budget for 2024 as presented by the National Treasurer. It condemned NBA representatives in statutory bodies whose actions undermine the Association’s interests and directed them to report their activities through the NBA President going forward.

The NEC also deferred consideration of the 2023 Annual General Conference (AGC) budget and ratified the 2024 AGC Planning Committee to be chaired by Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya. July 20th, 2024 was approved as the date for the next NBA general elections.

Additionally, the NEC approved creation of the Eti-Osa Branch of the NBA and authorized caretaker committees for the Eti-Osa and pending Surulere Branches. It intervened in the leadership crisis in the Okrika Branch, directing the 1st Vice President to ensure conduct of elections.

On the State of the Nation, the NEC ratified and adopted the letter by President Maikyau to President Bola Tinubu on February 14th regarding national issues. It also endorsed the Press Conference held the same day by the NBA leadership on the State of the Nation.