By Ifeoma Geraldine Ihesie Esq.

The publication of the President of Nigerian Bar Association YC MAIKYAU SAN awarding 75/80 % to INEC is highly unfounded and ridiculous.

The action of NBA President does not only intend to influence the mindset of the presiding judges in the petition brought by the aggrieved parties in the just concluded Presidential election of 25th February, 2023, but operates to adjudge a matter pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.

The said publication of the President of Nigerian Bar Association that the election went well with applause of 75/80 percent to INEC highly bias and lopsided.

Judiciary and Nigerian Bar Association are the hope of a common man in Nigeria, ministers of these noble institutions should be meticulous in decision making that would affect the citizenry.

A man who is heading a body such as NBA which is the hope of Nigerian citizens should not be in a hurry to dive into a merit of a matter highly controversial such as the presidential election conducted in contravention of Electoral Act, 2022.

By the pronouncement of the President of Nigerian Bar Association YC Maikyau SAN, one could draw the following inferences;

(a) That the minds of judges who are presiding or to be presiding over the election petitions emanating from the presidential election already filed or to be filed have been desuaded or influenced by the actions of the NBA President.

(2) That the aggrieved parties would be disappointed at NBA as a body and feel that they might be wasting their time and resources in contesting the election in the courts, NBA President having judged the matter and awarded 75/80 percent to INEC.

(3) The President of Nigerian Bar Association has already discharged and acquitted INEC Officials of the alleged violation of the Electoral Act, 2022 in the course of the conduction of the presidential election of 25th February, 2023.

(3) An average citizen of Nigeria who felt that his or her vote did not count in the election just concluded, who had trusted that NBA would be have been their last hope, would be disappointed by that single pronouncement of the NBA President.

NBA President had at the beginning of the controversies surrounding the presidential election pointed out that he would not make any statement owing to his position as the president of Nigerian Bar Association to avoid taking side. He cannot approbate and reprobate. Law does not permit a person to both approbate and reprobate something at one time.

Nigerian Bar Association is not a tribal association. It is not a religious association nor political association.

The Nigerian Bar Association is a non-profit, umbrella professional association of all lawyers admitted to the bar in Nigeria. It is engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights, the rule of law and good governance in Nigeria.

It’s therefore highly unethical for the president of this noble profession saddled with the aforementioned responsibilities to portray an act of lopsidedness and biases.

Lawyers are ministers in the temple of justice as such should always endeavor to adhere to the voices of the oppressed rather than the oppressors.