*Says Association is Non-Profit Making
*NBA-NEC: NBA Insurance Scheme Premium Was Approximately N35
Million In Total,
* Information Shows NBA has 98 Pending Cases, Some Without
Legal Representation
*Recommends Audit Into Cases Without Certain Status
* NBA Has 1459 Petitions In Petition Database
* Balance Of Practicing Fee As At 31st August 2018
Is N3, 948, 681.50
NBA House: Value Of The Outstanding Work Is
N126,000,000.00
*Says The NBA Currently Has No Operational Insurance
Scheme
The Transitional Committee (TC) of the Nigerian Bar Association
chaired by Chief Offiong E.B. Offiong, SAN, has during the National
Executive Council meeting held at the NBA Secretariat, on the
28th day of March, 2019, presented a report of
information received from the past administration.
In the report prepared by the Transition Committee, further to
the mandate given by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association,
Paul Usoro, SAN, (then president-elect) following the conclusion of
the election of the national officers of the NBA, in August 2018,
in line with the mandate given to it by the President, the 15-man
committee, noted that it received from the past administration of
the NBA headed by A.B. Mahmoud, SAN, the handover notes and tenure
report of the NBA 2016-18 administration by the former president as
well as the handover notes of the NBA Secretariat administration by
the General Secretary of the NBA, Mr. Isiaka Abiola Olagunju.
TheNigerialawyer (TNL) discovers that the
report contained a breakdown of some sections, among others, the
Organogram of the National Secretariat, Statutory Bodies, Statutory
Boards and NBA Nominees. The Committee also disclosed that it was
informed of the petition database for professional misconduct.
According to it, the petition database of same in the custody of
the legal research and development directorate has about 1459
petitions.
The Report also shows that the TC was informed that there were
currently 98 pending cases, the records of which are with the legal
research and development directorate, and published in the AGM. It
however stated that the status of some cases were not certain while
some were not with legal representation.
For completion, the TC requires the legal research and
development directorate to ensure that there is legal
representation of NBA in all the cases, an audit of all cases to
ascertain their current status, a schedule of any threatened or
pending material arbitration, litigation administrative or
regulatory proceedings, investigations or hearings or any other
governmental action which are not included in the AGM report
and a summary and status report of all outstanding settlements,
arbitral awards, judgements, rulings, injunctions or other
decisions or orders made in favour or against the NBA.
On Material Contracts and Uncompleted Projects, the TC recorded
the outstanding works on the NBA National Secretariat project. It
affirmed that same was awarded to HT Engineering Ltd for completion
of the ground and 2nd floors of the NBA House, and that
the Contract is yet to be executed which value of the outstanding
work is N126,000,000.00. It also reported that the outstanding
works on the NBA Secretariat project – awarded to Ground Hog
Construction and Project Design Limited (Ground Hog) for
construction of drainage at the NBA House is yet to be executed and
the value of the outstanding work is at N5, 074,000.00. It stated
further that a full inventory of assets owned by the NBA was
provided, and is contained in the Financial Report attached to the
TC Report, comprising the main buildings, vehicles, mechanical
equipment, electronic and electrical equipment and furniture. It
however observed that two brand new standing air conditioners
belonging to the NBA were discovered to have been taken away by
Mrs. Sarah Ajijola, Head, Bar Services and Compliance, without
authorization. It, therefore, advised the new administration to
take necessary actions in that regard.
On insurance policies, the TC reported among others that The NBA
inherited an insurance scheme to provide feasible insurance for
members who are up to date, with payment of their annual practicing
fees and within the stipulated time.
“The NBA inherited an insurance scheme to provide feasible
insurance for members who are up to date, with payment of their
annual practicing fees and within the stipulated time. This scheme
was entered into under the President Alegeh’s administration at a
premium, payable from the practicing fees of members. The Premium
was approximately N35 million in total.
“The Former GS reported that the association was unable to
continue with the Scheme at such a high premium and on account of
difficulties experienced with settling individual claims. The NBA
thus currently has no operative insurance scheme.”
On insurance for staff, it was reported that an insurance cover
was created under the Lead Way Assurance Company Limited on behalf
of 28 staff of the NBA for two years in a premium of N1, 203, 811.
20, and that the said sum was paid on 3/7/2018, further to the
approval of the former GS to the Insurance brokers – Boff and
company. The insurance policy also includes Health insurance scheme
for senior and middle-grade staff, vehicle insurance, and building
insurance, it read.
The TC also reported on the NBA Tax Clearance Certificate, that
records available shows that NBA paid tax in 2016 to the process of
the documents for the Secretariat. However, it didn’t pay any in
2017, while that of 2018 is not yet due. It further stated that the
new administration should confirm whether NBA should continue to
pay tax in view of the non-profit status of the Association.