NBA-NECouncil Meeting: I Will Never Compromise Bar Professional Standards — NBA President Maikyau to NBA-NEC Members Over Row With BoB

– Faults BoB’s Attempts To Take over Bar Association
– Confirms N1.5 Billion Earmarked For Lawyers Finance Scheme Will Take Off After Constitution Amendment

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association has restated his commitment to the continuation of projects started by the previous administration, including the ‘Lawyers Finance Scheme’ initiated by the Akpata administration.

Maikyau who re-affirmed his commitment at the quarterly meeting of the National Executive Council Members of the Association , which was held yesterday at Abuja, also assured NEC members of the availability of the N1.5 Billion fund earmarked for the take-off of the scheme.

The Bar leader noted that the failure of the Association to pass the amendment of the Bar constitution, during the last AGM of the Association in August of this year, largely contributed to the stagnation of the scheme.

However, noting that the association would frown and block any attempt by the scheme’s banking partners to renegotiate its terms to accommodate the prevailing economic situation of the country and the overboard inflation.

Maikyau SAN also used the meeting to address suspicions of a cold war between the NBA and the Body of Benchers, leading to the withdrawal of the Association from the December 2022 ‘Call to Bar’ ceremony.

According to the Bar leader, the boycott was off the call to bar Ceremony on the 6th and 7th of December 2022 was necessary following the refusal of the BoB chair to recuse himself from presiding over the hallowed body after calls, on him(BoB chair), by members of the Association.

The Bar president also faulted attempts by the BoB to bring the NBA under its direct control through the amendment of the NBA Act, stressing his readiness to advocate for equal and fair treatment for all practitioners.

He further noted that the vexed and controversial confrontations between the Body of Benchers and the NBA, remain a test of character stating his willingness to resign his office rather than compromise on the standard expected of his office.