Concerned financial members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nyanya-Karu Branch, have raised serious allegations against the branch’s Electoral Committee, accusing it of gross misconduct, bias, and violation of constitutional provisions in the conduct of the upcoming branch elections.

In a press statement signed by Peter Sunday Umoru on behalf of the group, the members alleged that the Electoral Committee, recently constituted by the NBA President, has cleared unqualified candidates while disqualifying those who are constitutionally eligible to contest.

A major point of contention is the clearance of Ogbe Benson, a candidate for the position of Publicity Secretary, who the group insists is not constitutionally qualified. Citing Section 14(2) of the Uniform Bye-laws for branches, the statement explains that Benson, called to the Nigerian Bar on September 15, 2020, will not attain the required five years post-call until September 15, 2025. Yet, the committee cleared him to contest, while another candidate, Mr. Adie Christopher, was disqualified on the basis of the same provision.

“The inconsistency is glaring,” the statement reads, “and it clearly exposes the bias of the Committee.”

The group also alleged that the voters’ list was compromised, noting the inclusion of unqualified individuals and, most troublingly, members of the Electoral Committee themselves—raising ethical concerns about conflict of interest.

“It baffles us to think, how will an electoral umpire who is supposed to conduct the election be cleared to also vote in the election it is conducting?” the group queried.

The statement further alleged that certain members of the Electoral Committee, notably Collins Marshall and S. M. Essienekak, were seen in political meetings with cleared candidates and were even contributing financially to their campaigns, a development the group describes as “disturbing and unethical.”

The group is demanding the immediate disbandment of the current Electoral Committee and the establishment of a new, neutral body to oversee the elections. They also called for:

  1. A review and reversal of unconstitutional decisions.
  2. Immediate removal of Electoral Committee members from the voters’ list.
  3. Full audit and publication of vetting and voter registration criteria.
  4. Urgent intervention by the NBA National President and the National Executive Committee (NEC).

“We are united in the belief that a flawed process cannot produce legitimate leadership,” the statement concluded. “The Nigerian Bar Association must remain a beacon of justice, rule of law, and democratic ideals.”

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