The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Election Appeal Committee has directed the Election Committee of the NBA Udu branch to conduct the body’s elections in accordance with the Union’s constitution, while postponing the planned election scheduled for June 16, 2024.
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In a letter dated June 11, 2024, signed by the Election Appeal Committee Chairman, Ama Etuwewe, SAN, and Secretary, Catherine Ogunjebi, the committee upheld appeals brought by Messrs Odohisi E. John Esq., and Austin E. Nyekigbe Esq., members of the Udu Branch. The appeals focused on the failure of the branch Election Committee to publish the list of voters at least fourteen (14) days before the election, as required by Article 15(2) of the NBA Uniform Bye Law for Branches.
The committee tasked the Udu Branch to comply with Articles 15(2) and 16(4) of the NBA Uniform Bye Laws for Branches, emphasizing that the publication of the electoral register/voters’ list is a constitutional requirement that must be fulfilled before a free and fair election can be held. The alleged publication of the voters’ list in the Udu High Court Premises on June 2, 2024, which was a Sunday, did not satisfy the provision of Article 15(2).
The committee further stated that given the Election Committee’s electronic communication with the Branch, the list of voters should be published electronically to the members of the Branch. Enquiries and complaints from members regarding the list should be addressed, and a final voters’ list should be circulated within the time stipulated by the Uniform Bye Law.
Consequently, the Udu Branch elections scheduled for June 16, 2024, have been postponed. The Election Committee has been given twenty-one (21) days from the receipt of the order to conduct the Branch election after strictly complying with all laid down constitutional requirements.
This decision was based on the unanimous agreement of the Appeal Committee members during a meeting held on June 9, 2024.
The letter also revealed that the appellants had formally written to the Branch Election Committee without receiving any response, prompting them to seek redress from the Appeal Committee. Upon receipt of the petitions (appeals), the committee forwarded them to Mr. Rotimi Fawehinmi, the Election Committee Chairman of the Branch, for his response, which was received on June 9, 2024.
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