In the wake of a disclaimer issued by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary, Adesina Adegbite, regarding TheNigeriaLawyer’s report on the release of Pius I. Awoke Esq and Onyiba Emmanuel Chinonso from the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), the blog’s author, Chioma Unini, has come forward to defend the integrity of her publication.

Chioma, who wrote the article titled “NBA Receives Pius Awoke And Cousin From SSS Custody, Raises Concerns Over Health Condition,“ stated that her interview with Adegbite was recorded to ensure accuracy and prevent misrepresentation. She emphasized that the earlier publication was based on the conversation she had with the NBA General Secretary.

While acknowledging the potential influence of the current NBA election season on people’s behavior, Chioma felt compelled to issue a rejoinder to protect the reputation of TheNigeriaLawyer brand. She clarified that although she is aware of data protection implications, she will not release the audio of the interview into the public domain.

Chioma asserted that the recorded interview is protected under Section 3(2)(d) of the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023, which allows for publication in the public interest for journalism, educational, artistic, and literary purposes. She maintained that the interview with Adegbite falls under the category of journalistic purposes and public interest, justifying her decision to record the conversation.

TheNigerialawyer recalls that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) General Secretary, Adesina Adegbite, has issued a disclaimer in response to a report published by TheNigeriaLawyer, titled “NBA Receives Pius Awoke And Cousin From SSS Custody, Raises Concerns Over Health Condition.”

Read His Statement In Full Titled “DISCLAIMER Re: NBA Receives Pius Awoke And Cousin From SSS Custody, Raises Concerns Over Health Condition

I read the report by Chioma Unini with the above referenced title, published through her blog, theNigeriaLawyer with bewilderment. When Chioma called me at about 10pm last night (Saturday 22nd June, 2024), the impression I had was that she called to appreciate the efforts of NBA for the release of Pius I. Awoke Esq, as that is what was reasonably deductible from her expressions to me. She also asked me how Pius I. Awoke Esq got released and I made it clear that it was the intervention of the NBA President that prompted the release of our colleague. At the just concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, the Chairman, Security Agencies Relations Committee (SARC) had reported the issue of the continuing incarceration of Pius I. Awoke Esq, by the DSS, which led to the NBA President informing NEC about his efforts on the matter. It is therefore ridiculous and mischievous for anyone to report that the General Secretary who is the custodian of the record of NEC proceedings will say SARC played no role in the release of our colleague or that members of a community that is unknown to NBA collaborated with Association to secure the release of our colleague.

While I must say without equivocation that no community member or anyone whatsoever outside NBA played any role in the release of Pius I. Awoke Esq and Onyiba Emmanuel Chinonso, it must be noted the NBA President who is the spokesperson of the Association is the only person that can effectively address the press on the issue. Therefore, no statement whatsoever has been issued yet on this development by the Nigerian Bar Association. Until that is done, our colleagues and members of the public are advised to be wary of mischievous publications which may be driven by political motivations. I have asked Chioma Unini of theNigeriaLawyer to bring down the misleading publication. I hope she does.

Adesina Adegbite, FCIMC, MCIArb
General Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association

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