NBA Presidency : Time for a paradigm shift(1).By Jose Mourinho Ifeanyi Agwuncha

The Presidency of the NBA has undergone various transitions from the title of its President to the mode of electing the President. The history of the Presidency of the Bar qua nomenclature metamorphosed from “chairman ” to “president”, the election modus has oscillated between universal suffrage and the delegate system. The period of 1900-1959 had leaders of the Bar designated as chairman. The six leaders of the bar in that era were : 1. Christopher Sapara Williams(1900-1915). 2.Sir Kitoyi Ajasa (1915-1937). 3.Eric Olawale Moore (1937-1944). 4.E.J.Alex Taylor(1944-1950). 5.Sir Adeyemo Alakija (1950-1952). 6.Jubril Martin (1952-1959). The common denominator amongst these leaders is that none of them were SAN prior to leading the Bar. It must be stated however that the rank of SAN was introduced in Nigeria in 1975. Worthy of note is that the period of 1960-1992 witnessed the change of the leadership nomenclature from Chairman to President. This era had 16 Presidents in all. It was a potpourri. The Presidents consist of those who never became SAN before emerging as President, those who were elevated to the inner bar while in office and those who never became SAN even after leaving office. The visible handwriting on the wall is that regardless of status any lawyer can vie for the Bar Presidency. It was never the exclusive preserve of any group. A distinct common denominator amongst the Presidents in this era is that they emanated courtesy of universal suffrage as lawyers who are of good financial standing via paying their practicing fees and branch dues voted. They were also lawyers of repute, integrity and that demonstrated a strong commitment and track record with the NBA and a respect for the Rule of Law. The list of the presidents in this era are as follows : 1.Frederick Rotimi Williams (1960- 1968) took the rank in 1975. 2.Peter Thomas (1968–1969) never took the rank . 3.Chief B.M. Boyo (1969–1970) never took the rank. 4.Chief Richard Akinjide (1970–1973) – took the rank in 1978. 5.Chief Adebayo Ogunsanya (1973–1974) took the rank of SAN in 1980. 6.Dr. Mudiaga Odge (1974–1975) took the rank of SAN in 1978. 7.Dr. Nwakanma Okoro (1976–1978) took the rank of SAN in 1978. 8.Chief B.O. Benson (1978–1980) took the rank of SAN in 1983. 9.Chief Adetunji Fadairo (1980–1982) took the rank of SAN in 1988. 10.A.N. Anyamene (1982–1984) took the rank of SAN in 1982. 11.Prince Bola Ajibola, (1984–1985) took the rank of SAN in 1986. 12.Ebele Nwokoye (1985–1987) never took silk. 13.Alao Aka-Bashorun (1987–1989)- never took the rank. 14.Charles Idehen (1989–1991) never took the rank. 15.Chief Clement Akpamgbo SAN- (1991–1992). 16.Priscilla Kuye (1991–1992) – never took the rank. The period of 1992-1998 was a dark moment in the history of the NBA. Between 1992 and 1998 the NBA had no President, functioning only in branches.The crisis of 1992 traced its birth to the Military rulership shenanigans. The Bar as a vocal point in the political firmament were thorns in the flesh of the dictators. To cow the association the election of that year was infiltrated by non-lawyers and hence the stalemate in Portharcourt of 1992. *To be continued * By Jose Mourinho Ifeanyi Agwuncha]]>