*Faults Senior Lawyers Who Defend IGP’s Tenure Elongation
*Says Usoro’s Tenure Was More Vocal To Rule of Law Abuse.
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An Abuja based legal practitioner and Senior Associate with the law firm of Bimak Associates, Mr. Silas Joseph Onu, has passed a vote of no confidence on the Olumide Akpata leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, as well as on some Senior Lawyers in the Profession.
Mr Onu who made his voice known via an opinion he made available to TheNigeriaLawyers condemned the audible silence of the NBA leadership, as well as the purported support of some senior lawyers to what he regarded as the unlawful and unconstitutional extension of the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Adamu Mohammed.
He noted that the carriage as demonstrated by the NBA and some senior lawyers leaves much to be desired as their actions speak loud of why most lawyers and Bar were against the Paul Usoro led leadership which was seen as somewhat permitting the actions of the Presidency on issues that were in contravention of established rule of law.
Onu wondered when the NBA would fully take its place as the watchdog of society and call out the visibly ‘unlawful and unconstitutional’ act of the President, noting that the silence of the NBA is a huge disappointment to those who rallied to ensure that the current administration of THE NBA leadership emerges, especially in light of the fact that the Akpata led administration was seen as one anchored on activism aimed at enthroning the rule of law, but sadly the NBA has yet failed again in disappointing those who looked to it for hope.
His statement in full
MY DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION AND SOME SENIOR LAWYERS
SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY, 2021
Today, I am constrained to openly express my displeasure with the current NBA leadership which I very much helped to put in place.
Not long ago, when the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unlawfully removed the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Usoro led NBA passively made some comments that seem to embolden rather than correct the government. We went to the public square and condemned Paul Usoro SAN and did the condemnation of government by ourselves – which was easily dismissed as political.
This conduct and the total silence of NBA on national issues, brought many of us to a conclusion that Paul Usoro SAN was incapable of speaking to promote justice & the rule of law in Nigeria because of a criminal prosecution he was faced with at that time. We massively supported and in like manner, voted for Olumide Akpata.
We had hoped that activism aimed at promoting the cause of justice and rule of law will be enthroned once again in the NBA, but that is looking like a mirage already.
Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari has launched an onslaught on rule of law with series of illegal action applauded by Senior Advocates whose only interest is money, rather than justice. Some of them even shamelessly do so neatly dressed with a clean dyed hair, precisely carved to present them as honourable people as they destroy and desecrate the calling of a lawyer.
The recent purported “elongation of the tenure” of the retired Inspector-General of Police – Muhammed Adamu (Retired) by President Buhari is one that should worry any lawyer and most importantly, the body of lawyers like the NBA.
Arguing about the propriety of President Buhari’s action is needless as even lay people are able to read the constitution of the FRN and Police Act, 2020 to ascertain for themselves and come to the conclusion that President Buhari has no power to do what he purportedly did by claiming to extend the tenure of the retired IGP. Is the IGP now on contract?
Now, the saddest part of this is the remarkable silence of the Nigerian Bar Association. When will the NBA begin to call President Buhari to order regarding his abuse of the rule of law? Is it when he decides not to leave office in 2023?
This is not the NBA I desired when I wholeheartedly fought for and rallied votes for Olumide Akpata. No! I must say that I am disappointed already. The NBA is now more silent than during the Paul Usoro led NBA, even as I know that the incumbent President is not facing any form of prosecution. What could be the problem?
Do we wait for another messiah? Should we simply give up on anything good coming out of the NBA?
This is one too many let downs.
My heart is broken that a Senior Advocate will even sit in front of a camera and try to rationalize the illegal action of President Buhari by simply saying that “as commander in chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President can do anything”, God have mercy on those destroying this nation for their selfish gain.
This is my frustration about the NBA.
God help us all.
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