TML Blog on the 14th May 2017, where he made specific remarks about certain developments in the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar). We are not surprised at the posturing and position of the purported Caretaker Committee led by Mr. Caleb Dajan, bearing in mind the scant regards Mr. Danjan has for both the rule of law and our Constitution. Unfortunately, Mr. Dajan, by his own admission in the interview, alluded to carrying on with his hatchet man job of muddling the waters of the Unity Bar, by parading himself as Chairman of Caretaker Committee of the Branch, contrary to the subsisting Order of Court and the clear provisions of our Constitution. There is a subsisting order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, sitting in Apo, Abuja, in the suit: Ezenwa Anumnu V AB Mahmoud & 1 other, Suit Number: FCT/CV/277/16 – wherein the Court, on the 8th day of March 2017, restrained them from taking further steps pursuant to the ABA NEC, as the matter is currently before the Court. This Order has been duly served on the parties, but in demonstration of his scant regards for both the rule of law and the extant provisions of the constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association, the 1st vice President is purporting to derive powers from the Defendants who apparently are above the law; and has carried on irrespective of a subsisting court order against the action of the defendants; who, at the Aba NEC, sought to tie the hands of the court of law; an action which every legal practitioner ought to be wary of. Secondly, the criteria for appointing a Caretaker committee of a Branch is clearly set out in our constitution. Section 11 of the Constitution provides the procedure for appointment and qualification of members of a Branch Caretaker Committee and none of the members of the Aba committee has met the requirement of qualification. This committee is either proceeding in grave error or in ignorance of our constitutional provisions which set out the criteria for the members of a branch caretaker committee. It is clear that they are not only operating outside the constitution of the NBA, but are illegal and unknown to any law. It is our belief that it is the lack of accountability that breeds illegality in the Bar and Caleb Dajan’s committee will be made to account for the funds of the Unity Bar which they have been disbursing unlawfully; since they have successfully diverted the Unity Bar Branch dues for their use. Mr. Dajan’s refusal to give effect to the resolutions of the NEC in Benin which was subsequently ratification by the Annual General Meeting (AGM in Port Harcourt) of the NBA in this matter is a contravention of S.15 (7) of the Nigerian Bar Association constitution. This development is unfortunate, worrisome and not expected of a person occupying the high office of the 1st Vice President of our noble Association. We demand that he be called to order or be advised to resign honorably; as he has clearly failed to understand the responsibility which he bears as the holder of the high office of 1st Vice President of NBA. Similarly, Mr. Dajan’s reference to the support of some elders clearly shows a hostile animus towards Unity Bar administration and only seeks to short-change the members of the Abuja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association. We challenge him to name the elders from whom he is receiving support. This further demonstrates that his committee lacks the capacity to be an impartial umpire in the whole process and are only out to play a script. As lawyers, we must shun mediocrity and refrain from taking actions that are unlawful. We call on Mr. Danjan and his members to end this dance of shame and excursion to nowhere, which is capable of bringing the Bar to disrepute failing which we will be constrained to proceed against him for contempt of Court. Finally, we thank the members of the Branch for their continued support to the Ezenwa Anumnu led Executive Committee and urge them to continue with their lawful activities even in the face of unprovoked assaults and incursions by the members of the Caleb Dajan Led committee. Lawrence Erewele Esq. Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (UNITY BAR) 14/5/2017]]>