THE Caretaker Committee of the Dutse Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on members of the Branch to discard a statement issued by Garba Abubakar (who addressed himself as the Branch Chair) calling on members to boycott the forthcoming NBA Annual General Conference (AGC) in protest of the decision of NEC to dis-invite the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai as a speaker in the virtual conference.

This is contained in a press release statement dated 22nd day of August, 2020 signed by the Committee Chair, Mr. Baffa Alasan, Esq., which was made available to Legaleskng.

According to the CTC Branch Chair, he noted that the purported press release does not represent the position of the Branch because Mr. Garba Abubakar is bereft of the requisite competence to have issued same, in a purported capacity as the Chairman of the Branch.

“All the opinions expressed in the said press release are personal to him and does not have the authority to issue same on behalf of NBA Dutse Branch. We call on members and general public to disregard the press release issued by Mr. Garba Abubakar on behalf of NBA Dutse Branch.”

Meanwhile, it was further stated that the decision to dis-invite Gov. El-Rufai was taken by NEC although, regrettable but that the representatives of the Branch at the NEC opposed same but the decision of the majority prevailed.

In another development, TheNigeriaLawyer recalls that the Nigerian Bar Association announced the dissolution of the Dutse Branch Executive vide a letter dated 23rd June, 2020 signed by the NBA Secretary, Mr. Jonathan Gunu Taidi, Esq.

Also in another letter of the NBA dated 3rd July, 2020 it announced the decision constituting a Caretaker Committee.

In addition, in a letter dated 5th July, 2020, which was made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL), Mr. Garba Abubakar was dis-invited by Abubakar B. Mahmoud OON, SAN which earlier invited him to participate in a webinar organized by Dikko and Mahmoud (Solicitors and Advocates) themed ‘Access to Justice in Times of Pandemic: A Discussion on Covid-19 Courts’ Practice Directions in Nigeria’.

The above-mentioned letter partly reads:

“My attention has been drawn to the letter of the NBA National Secretariat dated 25th June, 2020 dissolving the NBA Dutse Electoral Committee and appointing your Committee to oversee the affairs of the branch. I, therefore, withdraw the letter of invitation dated 1st July, 2020 sent to Garba Abubakar who purports to act as the Chairman of the Branch.”