Onnoghen: Lawyers defy NBA’s court boycott directive in Ibadan

Lawyers in Oyo state on Tuesday defied the directive of the
Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to boycott courts as they turned out
in large numbers to attend to their cases in High and Magistrate
courts respectively in Ibadan, the state capital.

The NBA yesterday directed members to boycott court proceedings
following the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice
Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Judges in Magistrate Court 17, Iyaganku division were carrying
out their usual activities until the officials of the Ibadan branch
of NBA led by its Secretary General, Akeem Okelola stormed the
premises to inform the judges and colleagues of the directives
given by the association.

One of the lawyers who spoke to journalists complained that the
information from NBA was not well circulated adding that they
couldn’t act on uncertainty hence they needed to come to court to
confirm the news.

Another lawyer, Babatunde Bello said he heard it on radio last
night that they are to boycott court today, adding that, “our
coming to court today is the mistake of not passing the information
rightly across to members.

“We were not sure if the directive cuts across all the states. I
came to court today and discovered that the state is included. It
is a good idea for us to boycott for that two days. What Mr.
president did is too bad, it is a rape on democracy. He’s acting
through to type – a dictator.

“Is there any CJ in this federation who does not have millions
of dollars in his account?”

Speaking on the development, Okelola, the secretary of the
Ibadan branch of the association, confirmed to journalists that
some courts were sitting but the association had to come out to
spread the information as directed by NBA.

NDA to Establish Driving School for Cadets

The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), has disclosed it is
formalizing plans to establish a driving school in Kaduna. This was
revealed by the Commandant NDA, Major General A Oyebade, during a
courtesy visit by Zonal Commanding Officer, Federal Road Safety
Corps, Kaduna Zone, Assistant Corps Mashal Ayobami Omiyale in
Afaka.

General Oyebade said the driving school will be primarily to
train cadets in the rudiments, theory and practical knowledge of
driving.

The Commandant, who commended FRSC for the tremendous impact it
has made in forestalling safety of lives and property on our roads,
also praised the partnership between the two institutions.

Earlier, the Zonal Commanding Officer while stating his purpose
of visit said he came to pay homage to the commandant and to
appreciate the synergy between FRSC and NDA. He applauded the
Commandant for instilling discipline and learning in the cadets
urging him to maintain the high standard NDA is known for.

Abubakar Abdullahi

Major

Academy Public Relations Officer