NBA Is The Only Voice Of The Legal Profession In Nigeria — NBA President, Olumide Akpata

*Warns Other Groups Within The Association, Whether Senior Or Junior Advocates, From Embarking On Needless Show Of Issuing Statements
*Says It Portrays NBA As Uncoordinated And Ineffective

The Nigerian Bar Association on Thursday warned lawyers in Nigeria against discordant tunes in the condemnation of attempts to desecrate the sanctity of the judiciary.

The organisation also condemned the operation by security operatives on the residence of a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Odili, insisting that as ministers in the temple of justice, lawyers must speak in one voice against any evil against the Bench.

The President of NBA, Olumide Akpata, said this at the Court Room of the Supreme Court of Nigeria during a valedictory special court session in honour of late Justice of the Apex Court, Justice Samuel Oseji.

Akpata said, “The cacophony of often discordant voices emanating from what ordinarily should be one Bar, on this same issue, has almost become comical and those to whom we direct our umbrage may be forgiven for not taking us seriously.

“It serves no useful purpose, after the NBA has clearly articulated a position on such a serious matter, for other groups within the association, whether they be a body of senior or junior advocates, to muddy the waters by embarking on needless road-shows and issuing statements that only serve to portray our association, and indeed our approach to the issue at hand, as uncoordinated and ultimately ineffective.

“The NBA is the only voice of the legal profession in Nigeria and it has spoken unequivocally on this issue and shall follow this up with unmistakable resolve.

“We have called an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the association at which immediate next steps were prescribed and adopted.

“We are dissatisfied with the denials emanating from the relevant agencies and departments of government and we have vowed to leave no stone unturned in our bid to unmask those behind this attack and to bring to justice anyone found culpable, no matter how highly placed.”

The NBA President, who described Oseji as an epitome of integrity and a jurist of unquestionable repute said the best way to honour him was to keep the sanctity of the courts.

During the session, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, described the late Justice Oseji as a dedicated and passionate judicial officer.

The CJN, said, “He had, in no small way, displayed high proficiency in the seamless dispensation of justice, which evidently reclined on his mastery of law and impressive scholarship.”

The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, represented by

Prof. Awa Kalu (SAN), described late Justice Oseji as a man whose judicial pronouncements would forever have a foothold on logic.