Says incident amounts to possible breach of Rules of Conduct and Lagos State Laws

*Committee to investigate and make recommendations within four weeks or such extended time allowed by the President *Fapohunda SAN, Asamber SAN to head committee

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Y. C Maikyau SAN has inaugurated a committee charged with the responsibility of investigating the NBA Annual General Conference (NBA-AGC) incident, saying that there was need to get to bottom of the incident as it amounted to a possible violation of Rules of conduct and some Lagos State laws.

In a statement by the NBA President during the inauguration ceremony, made available to ASKLEGALPALACE, Maikyau SAN stated clearly that the incident which took place on Tuesday, 23rd August,2022 was a sad incident that resulted in the vandalization of the venue, and destruction of valuables which allegedly include Conference materials, laptops, phones and other items.

The President noted that this was a possible violation of professional rules of conduct and some Lagos state laws as well as a source of embarrassment to the Association. His words read thus: “The conduct of our colleagues involved in that incident borders on possible violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners and other relevant laws applicable in Lagos State. It has been a source of embarrassment to the Association and raises cause for grave concern to the legal profession and to the general public; both within and outside Nigeria.”

Maikyau SAN recalled that in his Inaugural Address on 26th August 2022, he had committed to setting up a committee to investigate the incident and identify all those who participated in that disgraceful act. Consequently, the Committee has been set up with the following Terms of reference:

1) Investigate the said incident; the immediate and remote cause(s) of the same and identify the persons involved therein.

2) Make recommendations concerning the matters stated above, taking into consideration the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association, 2015 (as amended in 2021), Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007 and other relevant legislations, policies and guidelines.

The inauguration took place on the 5th of September, 2022 and the committee as constituted is made up of the following persons: 1-Olawale Fapohunda, SAN – Chairman 2-CP Lough Simon Asamber SAN – Alternate Chairman 3-Oyinkan Badejo 4- Ada Edozie 5-Florence Marcus – Secretary 6-Mujahid Muhammed 7- Lucky Ekarume. 8-Chini Nwora 9-Adama Mohammed 10-Shehu Sani Idris. 11- Oyindamola Fashakin 12-ThankGod-Mina Hope Obeten 13-Folashade Owolabi. 14-Mrs. Toluwalope Aderiye

The Committtee expected to submit its Report (Findings and Recommendations) within a period of 4 weeks from the date of its inauguration or within such extended time as may be allowed by the President.

The President appreciated the Learned Silks and distinguished colleagues for accepting to serve on this Committee.