THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bauchi Branch has condemned the decision of the National Executive Committee of the NBA to withdraw the invitation extended to the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to serve as a guest speaker in the forthcoming Annual General Conference of the NBA.

This is contained in a press release dated 21st day of August, 2020 signed by the Branch Chairman, Abubakar Abdul Hamid and Secretary, Dr. Shamsudeen Magaji which was sighted by legaldeskng

It was noted that the decision of the NEC was unfounded. “The withdrawal was predicated upon unscrupulous and unfounded allegation(s) against the Governor, which are yet to be substantiated”.

Furthermore, it was stated that the position taken by NEC is in contravention of Section 36(1), (4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In any case, it was stated that the rule of law was violated by the single act of the said withdrawal.

“By the singular act of withdrawing the invitation, we see the provisions above as being violated.”

In the light of the above, the Branch has called on the leadership of NBA to rescind this decision or boycott the forthcoming NBA Annual General Conference as a mark of their protest.

“Consequent upon the above, we call on the National Executive Committee (NEC) as well as the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association to immediately rescind its decision and apologize to our teeming members for reaching such unpopular decision which affects the hard earned image and integrity of the Nigerian Bar Association as an umpire.

“Furthermore, failure to rescind its decision, the leadership of our noble Branch has resolved unanimously and unequivocally to boycott the forthcoming NBA conference scheduled for this 2020 . We also call on all members of our branch to comply with same above.”

“Let us be promoters of rule of law and not to be driven by parochial sentiments”.