A splinter group of the Nigerian Bar Association called the New Nigerian Bar Association has faulted the decision of the foremost legal body to rescind its invitation to Governor Nasir Elrufai to its annual conference, as a speaker.
A press statement signed by members of the New NBA body, Barrister Abdulbasit Suleiman Esq, and Nuhu Ibrahim Esq, said the recent rumblings from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has left much to be desired within the ranks of concerned lawyers especially from the Northern part of the Country.
According to the statement, the recent happening has exposed the inability of the NBA to manage and contain the heterogeneity of its members as well as their various interests.
The group said it has now resolved to form its own legal body for the protection of the interest of its members.
“It’s penal powers have been deployed discriminatively based on ethnicity and regionalism.
“As a body of Lawyers who have undergone training towards ensuring the promotion and protection of Human rights and liberties, the NBA is supposed to live above sentiments, regionalism and discrimination on any basis and of any kind.
“Therefore, the NBA cannot afford to be seen not to be upholding the rights and freedom of its members if at all, it should be seen to be practising what it preaches.
The statement further added that “based on the foregoing, some Lawyers of like mind and duly called to the Nigerian Bar have decided to form New Nigerian Bar Association to protect their interests as encapsulated under Section 40 of the Constitution.
“Members of this Association have commenced consultations with very Senior Lawyers of Northern Nigeria extraction and those practising therein with the view to constituting the Trustees and for purposes of fixing a date for the formal inauguration of the Association.
