As the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) prepares for its customary pre-Conference National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, an atmosphere of unease and apprehension hangs over the proceedings.
The meeting, typically a two-agenda affair focused on ratifying actions taken by the Conference Planning Committee and introducing newly elected Branch Chairmen and Secretaries to the NEC, has taken on a more contentious tone this year.
According to kubwaexpress sources close to the situation have revealed that the tension stems from an ongoing conflict between the NBA President and the NBA Treasurer. Audio recordings circulating through unofficial channels suggest that a motion will be put forward by a Branch Chairman aligned with the NBA President, calling for the suspension of the NBA Treasurer.
The motion is reportedly based on allegations that the Treasurer had petitioned the NBA President and declared an unwillingness to present any Treasurer’s report, reminiscent of events that transpired at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Abuja. Supporters of the President are said to be demanding action, insisting that suspending the Treasurer is the only way to ensure the presentation of the NBA’s Financial Report to lawyers at the AGM without the embattled Treasurer causing embarrassment to the Bar.
The 2023 NBA AGM concluded on a disappointing note, with the National Treasurer, Mrs. Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop, disowning the Financial Statement that the NBA President, Mr. Y.C. Maikyau SAN, intended to present to delegates.
In response, supporters of the Treasurer are leaving no stone unturned, issuing stern warnings that any suspension of the Treasurer at the pre-Conference NEC will have dire consequences for the entire Conference. They draw comparisons to the President’s local political maneuvers that led to the suspension of the BBA-SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins. Calls for caution are being made, with references to the Joyce Oduah-Akpata debacle.
As the pre-Conference NEC, scheduled for Saturday, August 24th, at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, draws near, pundits and observers of Bar activities are eagerly awaiting the outcome, prepared for a potentially explosive meeting.
Recall that the National Treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs. Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop, has alleged perpetual abuse of office, marginalization, and usurpation of her constitutional duties by the NBA President, Mr. Y.C. Maikyau SAN.
According to the petition dated July 14th, 2024, Mrs. Anze-Bishop claims she has been shut out from performing her role as the Principal Financial Officer of the NBA. She alleges that the NBA President has unilaterally taken over the financial affairs of the association, running it solely with the General Secretary and keeping her in the dark regarding the NBA’s financial position and expenditures.
The Treasurer states that this is a repeat of a similar pattern from the previous year which she had reported at the NBA Annual General Meeting in August 2023. However, her grievances were allegedly dismissed by the President without any corrective actions taken subsequently.
Mrs. Anze-Bishop further alleges vindictive actions by the NBA President, including denying her allowances provided to other National Officers for official events. She claims important decisions are made by the President without involving or even informing the National Executive Committee as mandated by the NBA Constitution.
“As it stands now, I know nothing about the Financial Position of the Association or how Mr. President is spending our Association’s finances,” Mrs. Anze-Bishop states in her petition. “In truth, Mr. President and the General Secretary are the NBA Treasurers de facto while I have become a Treasurer who shows up at meetings to present and adopt doctored Financial Reports.”
The Treasurer has called for an immediate investigation by a high-powered committee into her allegations of executive lawlessness and disregard for the NBA Constitution by the President. She warns that allowing this to continue unchecked sets a dangerous precedent for future NBA leadership.
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