The 2nd Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr.
Foluke Dada, has said that the purported election held by some
members of the Ikorodu Branch of the NBA on Friday the 15th of
March, 2019 is nothing but a Sham. Dr. Foluke Dada said this while
reacting to the election that brought Mrs. Gloria Cassius as the VC
elect of the branch.
According to her, as the coordinating National Officer for this
Branch, she will not support any act of disobedience to the
instruction of the President of the NBA. She further added that if
the Branch will not respect or refuse to recognize the authority of
the National Bar, then they should resign their membership
voluntarily, stressing that no newly elected officer will be
recognized from this Branch.
Her words:
“The purported election held by some members of the Ikorodu
Branch of the NBA on Friday the 15th of March, 2019 is nothing but
a Sham. As the coordinating National Officer for this Branch, I
will not support any act of disobedience to the instruction of the
President of the NBA. If the Branch will not respect or refuse to
recognize the authority of the National Bar, then they should
resign their membership voluntarily. No newly elected officer will
be recognized from this Branch. There was no need for any rush or
disobedience. This is my position and I have so recommended to the
National Secretariat. Mr. Bayo Akinlade is not an island unto
himself.”
TheNigerialawyer (TNL) recalls that the Nigerian Bar Association
(NBA) Ikorodu branch, Lagos State on Friday, declared Mrs. Gloria
Cassius as the winner of the bye-election conducted for the
position of the vice chairman of the branch. Mr. Cassius was said
to have polled 31 votes to beat one Mr. Ezekiel Ugbaide who scored
just one vote. Recall that the NBA had earlier asked the branch not
to conduct the said election, pending the conclusion of the
investigation on the complaint brought before the NBA.
The NBA Constitution has expressly made it clear that the NBA
President will function as the spokesperson of the Association.
Section 15 (7) of the NBA Constitution as amended, which speaks of
DISCIPLINE makes it clear that a National Officer may be removed
from office for acts of disobedience to the Association, National
Executive Committee, the President or any other of its organs or
professional misconduct; provided however that such officer may
only be removed from office by two-third (2/3) majority of National
Executive Committee members present at a meeting of the National
Executive Committee where the matter is raised save also that such
National Officer shall have been given the right of fair
hearing.
Being that the Chairman of a branch is not expressly listed as a
National officer, one begins to wonder to what extend can the
Chairman be penalized for disobeying the directive of the NBA
President.
Nigerian Army Commissions New Projects in
Bayelsa
The Nigerian Army has commissioned several landmark projects at
the 16 Brigade in Bayelsa State.
The projects commissioned include remodeled 16 Brigade Quarter
Guard, the Garrison Headquarters Complex,
Integrated Medical Centre, the Warrant Officers and Sergeants’ Mess
and ‘Tukur Buratai Camp’ accommodation.
Nigerian Army Projects Bayelsa
Commissioning the projects, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General
Tukur Burataion charged commanders to always impact positively on
their environment.
Represented by Commander, Training and Doctrine Command
(TRADOC), Major General AA Salihu, the COAS promised to provide
more funds for infrastructure in the Brigade and army formations
across the country.
He also called on the citizens to cooperate with the military by
providing useful information to tackle insecurity in the
country.
In his address at the occasion, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa
State, Rear Admiral Jonah Gboriagha (rtd) called on Nigerians not
to blame the army for its involvement in the 2019 general elections
saying he had investigated the Nigerian Army’s involvement in the
elections and found out that what they did was not different from
what the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai mandated
them.
While appealing to Nigerians to continue to support the Nigerian
army which he described as a stabilising factor, to discharge its
duties he recalled that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Buratai
had at different fora warned officers and soldiers of the Nigerian
Army to stick to the rules of engagement of participation in the
elections in suppory of the Nigerian Police Force.
He cited Section 217 of the 1999 constitution as amended which
empowers the army to support civil authority in addressing internal
security challenges when called upon.
Also speaking at the occasion, the GOC 6 Division Port Harcourt,
Major Gen. Jameel Sarham noted that the Brigade would assist in
addressing security challenges in Bayelsa and Niger Delta in
general.
Sarham thanked the state government for the support it provided
for the construction of the barracks.
Welcoming guest at the commissioning, Brigade Commander, 16
Brigade, Brigadier General Aligbe said what was required in the new
barracks now was perimeter fence, parade ground and officers’
quarters.
Statement by Col Sagir Musa
Acting Director, Army Public Relations.
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