The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has issued a notice of disclaimer regarding the purported SPIDEL 2024 Annual Conference scheduled to be held in Abuja on 18th July, 2024. The elected NBA-SPIDEL Executive Committee has stated that the conference is not an event duly authorized or organized by the legitimate leadership and members of NBA-SPIDEL.

The notice comes amidst ongoing legal disputes concerning the legality of the NBA-NEC’s purported dissolution of the constitutionally elected leadership of NBA-SPIDEL and the appointment of a “Caretaker committee” for the section. These matters are currently pending before the Delta State High Court in Suit Nos. EHC/40/2024 and W/128/2024.

According to the NBA-SPIDEL leadership, the current NBA administration, led by Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, has disregarded the rule of law and the principle of lis pendis by proceeding to fix a date for the supposed SPIDEL Annual Conference. The NBA President is also alleged to have constituted the Conference Planning Committee with non-SPIDEL members, in contravention of the NBA Constitution and extant resolutions of NBA-SPIDEL.

In response to these actions, the elected NBA-SPIDEL Executive Committee sought redress from the Delta State High Court sitting in Warri. On 9th July, 2024, the court granted an order restraining the Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau-led NBA from holding the purported “SPIDEL 2024 Conference” on the scheduled date.

John Aikpokpo-Martins, the Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, has urged all members of NBA-SPIDEL, NBA members, invited speakers, and the general public to disregard all matters pertaining to the purported conference in deference to the rule of law and due process. He emphasized that proceeding with the conference would impugn the majesty and integrity of the courts and the Judiciary.

Below Read The Full Statement

10th July, 2024.

NOTICE OF DISCLAIMER OF THE -PURPORTED- NBA-SPIDEL 2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

This is to inform members of the -Nigerian Bar Association- Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), -Nigerian lawyers- and the general public that the so-called “SPIDEL Annual Conference” scheduled to hold in Abuja on 18th July, 2024 is NOT an event -duly authorised or organised by the leadership and members- of NBA-SPIDEL.

The legality or otherwise of the NBA-NEC purported dissolution of the constitutionally elected leadership of NBA-SPIDEL and the purported appointment of a “Caretaker committee” for SPIDEL are the subject matters of Suit Nos. EHC/40/2024: John Aikpokpo-Martins & Anor v. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN & 2 Ors. and -W/128/ 2024: John Aikpokpo-Martins v. Ben Oji & Anor all pending at the Delta State High Court.

Characteristic of the current NBA administration’s disrespect for the rule of law, the Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN -led administration has proceeded to fix 18th July, 2024 for a supposed SPIDEL Annual Conference.

Significantly, the NBA President, in purporting to organise the annual conference, constituted the Conference Planning Committee with non-SPIDEL members, against the express provisions of the -NBA Constitution- and extant resolutions of NBA-SPIDEL.

Given this total disregard and disrespect for the rule of law, the principle of lis pendis and extant provisions of the NBA Constitution by the Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau-led administration, we, the elected NBA-SPIDEL Executive Committee had no other lawful option than to approach the court for redress.

On the 9th of July, 2024, the Delta State High Court sitting in Warri, upon a consideration of our application, restrained the Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau-led NBA from holding the purported “SPIDEL 2024 Conference” fixed for the 18th day of July, 2024 at the NBA House, Abuja.

Due to the serial disrespect for the rule of law by this NBA administration led by Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN, it has become imperative to inform you that the scheduled conference being vigorously publicised is not a conference of NBA-SPIDEL and that the Delta State High Court, Warri has on the 9th day of July, 2024 restrained the NBA leadership from proceeding with the purported conference.

It is sad and highly worrisome that an association which has “Promoting the rule of law” as its motto will choose to ride roughshod over our courts.

We therefore urge all members of NBA-SPIDEL, members of the NBA, invited speakers, and the general public to disregard all matters pertaining or connected to the purported conference in deference to the rule of law and due process. To do otherwise is to impugn the majesty and integrity of our courts and the Judiciary.

John Aikpokpo-Martins
(Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL)