The Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) annual Unbarred event sparked controversy in the early hours of Thursday morning.
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Unbarred, traditionally held to entertain lawyers attending the NBA conference, took place at the Velodrome in the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Hundreds of lawyers waited for hours anticipating the start of the event. However, confusion and outrage erupted when controversial singer Portable was announced as the guest performer.
NBA President Yakubu Maikyau gave brief remarks before a DJ entertained the crowd. But when Portable took the stage shirtless, scores of lawyers headed for the exits in protest around 1 AM.
Many questioned the selection of the controversial artist known for his Zeus antics. “How dare they call Portable to perform for lawyers?” one conferee messaged. Another stated, “They spoiled my day with this Zazu. He couldn’t even wear a shirt.”
While some lawyers departed early, others remained for Portable’s raucous performance. Videos circulated on social media showed the singer climbing stadium equipment shirtless.
The Unbarred entertainment session is a staple conference event held annually. In previous years, stars like 2baba, Wande Coal, and Falz have graced the stage. The Portable fiasco left many lawyers dissatisfied with this year’s pick.
The episode ignited debates around decorum and entertainment choices for legal professionals. However, despite the controversy, Unbarred provided a lively coda to the gathering of esteemed legal minds.
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