*Refers Oduah For Disciplinary Actions, Recommends Removal For Misconduct

The National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA-NEC) has ratified the suspension of the General Secretary of the Association, Mrs Joyce Oduah at the NBA-AGC holding at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos..

The decision is predicated upon the endorsement by 9 out 11 NBA-NEC Members upholding the suspension of Joyce Oduah.

The rationale for suspension was because the allegations of the suspensions was “weighty allegations against the General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah in particular her acts of alleged disobedience to the President, the National Executive Council of the Association (NBA-NEC) and the National Executive Committee.”

In the resolution passed by the National Executive Committee, the NBA-NEC was also invited to investigate the actions of the suspended General Secretary and possibly remove her from office.

The Council also ratified the appointment of Uche Nwadialo as the Acting General Secretary.

Furthermore, the council unanimously decision, resolved to refer the General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah to NBA-NEC for disciplinary action under the provisions of section 20(1) of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended in 2021) and to recommend her removal from office for gross misconduct.

At the ongoing NBA-NEC meeting, the NBA-NEC considered the counsel of the elders of the Bar including past Presidents and Senior Advocates of Nigeria on the need to protect the unity of the Bar and the glorious legacies of the Olumide Akpata administration and resolved that the suspension be ratified.

Nevertheless, you would recall that Mrs. Joyce Oduah has challenged her suspension in a Federal High Court.

ASKLEGALPALACE reported that her Counsel wrote to the NBA-NEC, praying that they act in line with the objectives and Constitution of the NBA, and ensure the respect of the pending case before Court.

In reaction to the above, a source told ASKLEGALPALACE, that the NEC upheld the suspension, stating that it was not acting against the objective of upholding the rule of law.

According to the source, the matter before the NEC would be adjourned until further consideration and conclusion of the case before the Court, but she remained suspended.