The National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA-NEC) has unanimously voted to remove the leadership of the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL).

A caretaker committee has been appointed and tasked with withdrawing all court cases filed by the ousted SPIDEL executives.

This decision was made during the recent NEC quarterly meeting held in Jos. A motion was moved by the NBA Gwagwalada Branch Chairman, Emmanuel Ogunjide, and seconded by a co-opted member from the Maiduguri Branch calling for the president to preside over NEC meetings and ratifying all actions taken regarding SPIDEL.

The motion also called for an investigation into SPIDEL’s leadership and their suspension.

This was reinforced by other NEC members underscoring the need to uphold the recommendations.

The caretaker committee is comprised of Ben Oji, Funke Aderemi of Ilorin Branch, Yakubu Philemon SAN of Abuja Branch, and Eva Amadi of Port Harcourt Branch. They have been mandated to withdraw all court cases filed by the removed SPIDEL leaders.

The NBA NEC further proscribed the Forum of Body of Vice Chairmen and any other forum or body unknown to the NBA constitution.

Additionally, the NEC passed a vote of confidence on the NBA Executive Committee led by President Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN.

Meanwhile, a member of NBA-NEC, reacting to the NBA-NEC’s removal of SPIDEL leaders, stated, “To challenge the NBA President, you need the support of 2/3 of 128 X 2 NEC members.

You must engage branch chairmen and win their support!

However, it’s important to note that the NBA President has the backing of co-opted NEC members, 98% of whom are expected to support the President’s position on any issue.

SPIDEL leadership showed enthusiasm but lacked receptiveness to those with superior strategic logic and reasoning.”

Also, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has scheduled its 2024 National Officers elections to take place on July 20th.

Maikyau had accused SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpokpo-Martins of taking unauthorized actions beyond the section’s mandate. He consequently ordered officials to halt activities pending a meeting on February 1st.