Speaking on the controversies trailing his leadership of the Bar in Ikeja, Oloke explained that he was duly elected through a bye-election conducted by the national body of the NBA to douse the tension created by the elections earlier conducted by an electoral body appointed by the branch. Oloke explained that the election of Mr. Adesina Ogunlana, who is presently contesting the leadership of the branch in court, was annulled by the NEC of NBA held at Benin on June 16, 2016. “The election was nullified by the provisions of Article 6 (3), of the Bye Laws of NBA branches in Nigeria. Before the election, at the meeting of the branches in April 2016, NEC asked the former chairman Mr. Adeyinka Faronbi to tell the floor that election will be conducted based on the rules of the uniform bye law of NBA. “Article 6(3) of the uniform Bye Law of NBA states that any would be aspirant to an elective position of NBA, who has held position twice in the executive of any branch within 5 years before the year of election is ineligible to contest for election until another five years. It should be noted that on February 18, 2016, Mr. Adesina Ogunlana was present as an observer at the conference where this law was amended. Also, the minimum attendance of any aspirant according to NBA Ikeja by law should be 11 while a voter will be eligible if he/she pays their dues for the year of election. “Mr. Yinka Faronbi put together the first electoral committee of the branch and single handedly announced Dr. Gbenga Akingbeji, his friend as the chairman of the body. The chairmanship aspirants are Mr. Adeshina Ogunlana, Mr. Bathlomew Aguegbodo, Mrs. Gloria Nwaeze and Mr. Lateef Abdusalam. “By reason of Article 6 (3) of the Uniform Bye law, they are all ineligible. When it became obvious that these fellows are ineligible, the past chairman Mr. Yinka Faronbi disbanded the electoral committee he set up on the floor of the house. But members challenged him that he lacked the capacity to disband the committee, which made the chairman of the committee, Mr. Gbenga Akingbeji to resign. “Mr. Yinka went forward to appoint another candidate, Mr. Adebamigbe Omole who was not eligible on the ground that he has never attended the meeting of the branch for two years to be the NEC chairman. Mr. Omole latter decided to pick unqualified candidates for the position of chairman. “Then, Mr. Nurudeen Ogbara, former chairman of NBA Ikorodu branch was appointed to conduct a bye election for the chairmanship of NBA Ikeja branch by the national body, where I contested and won unopposed. Later, I received a mail from the national body addressing me as the chairman of the branch. “Nevertheless, we are peace lovers and our prayer is that everything be settled soon. Two years is just around the corner, the other party can just wait till then. Leaders of the bar should not change the law to suit certain individuals because that is the law we have made for ourselves”, he stated. However, in a reaction, the contender to the office of the chairman of the Ikeja Bar, Mr Adesina Ogunlana said the issues raised at the press conference were contrary to what is on ground.]]>