ECNBA Probes Anze-Bishop’s NBA General Secretary Bid After Petition Alleges NSCDC Employment

Prominent law firm Falana & Falana’s Chambers has petitioned the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) regarding the candidacy of Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop for the position of NBA General Secretary in the forthcoming elections, Acording to Ctylawyermag report.

The petition, signed by Samuel Ogala, Esq., alleges that Anze-Bishop is not in full-time private legal practice, which is a requirement under Section 9(3)(b) of the NBA Constitution for candidates aspiring to the positions of President, 1st Vice President, and General Secretary.

According to the petition, Anze-Bishop is currently an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and is serving in the Plateau State Command of the Corps. Ogala claims that this fact is well-known to many lawyers within Plateau State and beyond.

In an effort to substantiate the allegations, Ogala wrote to the Commandant-General of the NSCDC on March 25, 2024, requesting details about Anze-Bishop under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

The NSCDC confirmed holding the requested information but withheld specific details, citing exemptions under Section 14(1)(b) of the Act, as the information was deemed personal and would require the consent or approval of the subject individual before disclosure.

Ogala argues that the NSCDC’s response confirms Anze-Bishop’s employment with the Corps and that her candidacy is against the spirit and letter of the NBA Constitution, which requires candidates for the aforementioned positions to be in full-time private legal practice to assert the NBA’s independence and ensure its leadership is answerable solely to the association.

In response to the petition, the ECNBA has invited Anze-Bishop to a meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 2:30 pm at the ECNBA Secretariat to address the allegations and provide necessary clarifications.

The ECNBA emphasizes the importance of Anze-Bishop’s participation in the process to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

The outcome of this petition and the ECNBA’s decision on Anze-Bishop’s candidacy is expected to have significant implications for the upcoming NBA elections and the adherence to the association’s constitutional requirements for its leadership positions.