By Justice Christopher
The theme for the 2023 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference (AGC) is “GETTING IT RIGHT, CHARTING THE COURSE FOR NATION BUILDING.” The AGC was on a highway to becoming the most excellent conference held in the annals of the NBA, ranging from the apt theme, captivating and purposeful topics, to the erudite and sagacious speakers. The venue was superb, and the logistics were excellently delivered. Furthermore, for the first time, all diverse groups and interests, especially the interests of the lawyers with disabilities were fully included and accommodated.
However, just when all conferees were nodding away with satisfaction, they were utterly shocked by the allegations and counter-allegations by some National officers particularly the 2nd Vice President, 3rd Vice President, and Treasurer, who accused the NBA President Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN, of side-lining them and running a one-man show. Attempts by the former NBA President, O. C. J. Okocha SAN to stem the show of shame by suggesting that the matter be referred to the Elders Committee was overruled by the NBA President Y. C. Maikyau SAN.
Mr. Maikyau SAN remained unfazed in the face of these unsubstantiated allegations. He displayed rare candour, maturity, and responsibility. He allowed everyone to have their say unhindered. Then he gave a detailed response backed by statistical evidence suggesting that the said National officers are ignorant of their constitutional roles and or came to the National Executive Council with the sole aim of squandering money generated from the lawyers’ Bar Practicing Fees (BPF).
From the totality of the allegations against the NBA President by some national officers and the response of Mr. President, together with an independent investigation by my humble self, I can unequivocally state without any fear of contradiction that the gang up against the President is ill-motivated. The NBA President has challenged the old order whereby national officers see election to the National Executive Council as meal tickets or a bazaar of some sort where every income of the Association must be shared. The said officers have only one area of practice – NBA politics.
Unfortunately, however, the old order is fighting back. We now have an NBA President who insists that getting it right starts with the NBA. Since the inception of his administration, Mr. Maikyau SAN has maintained that when things are not done properly and transparently in the NBA, the Association is bound to lose its potency and dynamism. He has thus been providing dynamic, responsive, responsible, all-inclusive, and purposeful leadership and executing wonderful plans and programs for the NBA. His track records are there for all to see.
Consequently, I find these baseless and unsubstantiated allegations against the office and person of the NBA President, a man of overwhelming personality, excellent charisma, intimidating humility, commendable independence, potent diplomacy, astounding integrity, and utmost dependability as most unkind, uncharitable, unfair and unfortunate.
I hereby humbly urge my learned Seniors and Colleagues to support this movement led by the NBA President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN of GETTING IT RIGHT, starting from the NBA and ending the era of free meals at the Association.
Justice Christopher
Abuja Branch
