The former Welfare National Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Adesina Adegbite Esq., has refuted all allegations against him that he is not qualified to nominate Mr. Dele Adesina, SAN to contest in the forthcoming NBA National Elections on the premise that as one of his nominators, Mr.Adegbite Esq., is himself not qualified to contest for an election for failure to pay the 2018 Bar Practicing Fee, allegedly missing in the record of the Branch.

It would be recalled that a member of the Ikeja Branch of the NBA, Valerian Nwadike Esq. had by a petition dated the 17th day of June, 2020 requested the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) to disqualify Mr. Dele Adesina, SAN.

It would be further recalled that the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch had disqualified one Adeola Ademilola, Esq., an aspirant to the position of Financial Secretary on the basis that Mr. Adegbite’s record of payment of BPF is missing, the same nominator of Mr. Dele Adeshina, SAN.

However, reacting to these developments, Mr. Adegbite noted in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer, that it is sad happening because the Electoral Committee set out to do what is ludicrous despite him having paid the said BPF receipts. Furthermore, he noted that the Chairman of the Electoral Committee is a supporter of Dr. Ajibade, SAN.

“The gist of the matter is that the Electoral Committee was out to do a hatchet job by disqualifying all candidates not annointed by the Branch Chairman and his cohorts.”

“Unfortunately, they raised the most ludicrous reason against the person I seconded her nomination for Financial Secretary, claiming they did not have evidence of payment of my Bar Practicing Fees, despite having the payment receipt.

“A payment that is made to the NBA National not the Branch. I’m aware the Appeal Panel is still sitting over the appeal of the lady. They sponsored the so called petition as that was their ultimate objective abinitio. The Chairman of the Electoral Committee is a known supporter of Ajibade and it’s obvious that this was all scripted. I also have a letter issued by the General Secretary confirming the payment. The development is rather sad and shameful.” He said.

Furthermore, Mr. Adegbite noted that upon the allegations that his 2018 BPF could not be found, he had earlier written to the General Secretary of the NBA who wrote to the Registrar of the Supreme Court and in the latter’s reply dated 10th day of June, 2020, he was confirmed to have paid the fees in question.

“While it is true that I seconded the nomination of a colleague who is contesting for the office of Financial Secretary in the NBA Ikeja Branch Election, one Adeola Ademilola Esq (the candidate), that the NBA Ikeja Electoral Committee claimed they did not find record of payment of my BPF is most ludicrous.

“Upon being notified of her non-clearance by the Electoral Committee, I caused an application to be made to the General Secretary of NBA to confirm my payment of the 2018 BPF. The General Secretary replied vide a letter addressed to the Registrar of Supreme Court of Nigeria and dated 10th of June, 2020, wherein he confirmed the payment in issue. I thereafter released a copy of the said confirmation letter and other documentary evidence of payment to the candidate.

“However, before the candidate could make the said letter available to the Electoral Committee, the Committee issued a notice disqualifying the candidate alongside other candidates. Interestingly, I have my Practice Licence and stamp for 2018, yet some mischief makers will rather promote evil and falsehood.” He said.

Besides, it was further noted that the entire situation unfolding is merely targeted at Mr. Dele Adesina, SAN.

“I am aware that the candidate in the Branch Election who was disqualified has since written an Appeal to the NBA Branch Elections Appeal Committee in charge of South West. That a sponsored petition was written over this issue merely strengthens our suspicion that the whole disqualification saga was pre-planned and targeted at Deacon Dele Adesina SAN.” He added.

In addition, Mr. Adegbite added that it is unfortunate that this situation is happening in the NBA.

“It is rather sad and most unfortunate that NBA politics has degenerated to this level of shenanigans we are currently witnessing.

Election must not be a do or die affair. Sponsoring frivolous petitions to embarrass a candidate is indecent and dishonourable.” He said.