Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) took a dramatic turn on Thursday when national officers accused NBA President Yakubu Maikyau SAN of deliberately undermining them.
In his report to lawyers, 2nd Vice President Chukwuemeka Clement Ugo lamented being sidelined by Maikyau despite his constitutional duties as acting president when the president is unavailable. An emotional Ugo pleaded for empowerment of his office at the AGM, regarded as the NBA’s highest decision-making body.
Likewise, 3rd Vice President Mandy Asagba accused Maikyau of disregarding her office and enacting deliberate measures to render her position redundant. Asagba claimed the entire AGM and Annual General Conference planning excluded national officers.
In a shocking moment, National Treasurer Caroline Anze-Bishop disowned the presented financial statement, saying it was prepared without her input. Anze-Bishop refused to adopt the financial report, saying she respects the Bar too much to sign off on unknown accounts.When former NBA President OCJ Okocha SAN suggested the national officers’ grievances be addressed through an elders committee, Maikyau insisted on responding directly to the allegations.
Maikyau accused the national officers of resentment over his refusal to share lawyers’ annual practicing fees with them, referencing past attempts to share millions in NBA funds which he blocked. He alleged the officers came to the National Executive Council meeting intent on squandering BPF money, leading to their rebellion when he opposed the plans.
Maikyau spoke extensively in his defense while rejecting others’ right to respond. The AGM ended abruptly amidst shouts and chaos as Maikyau hastily adjourned the tumultuous meeting.
In a separate development, lawyers unanimously rejected proposed constitutional amendments to scrap elections for the NBA president and treasurer positions. Shouts of dissent filled the hall as Maikyau repeated the motion.
The chaotic AGM has stirred debates within the legal community over the NBA’s administrative structure and allegations of marginalizing national officers. While Maikyau defended his actions, many have questioned the transparency and efficacy of NBA’s governance.
The AGM’s tumultuous events have brought to light deep-seated issues within the NBA’s administration, with lawyers and members expressing concerns about the lack of institutionalized mechanisms for governing the association. Many called for structural changes within the NBA to address these recurring disputes and ensure more effective governance.
The future of the NBA remains uncertain as its leadership grapples with internal conflicts and the need for reforms in the organization’s structure and management
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