Abubakar Mamoud leads bar entourage to Aso Rock, restates NBA position on judges’ arrest
In his determination to move the Bar to its proper place as one of the foremost Bar Associations in the World, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association Mr. Abubakar Balarabe Mamoud, SAN paid a courtesy call on His Excellency the Vice President, Prof Yemi Oshinbajo, SAN in Aso Rock, presidential villa yesterday the 17th day of Oct 2016.
In his entourage for the visit were General Secretary Mr. Isiaka Olagunju, National Officers and some notable members of the Bar such as Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN, Garba Tetengi SAN, S.I Ameh SAN, Muyiwa Akinboro SAN, Prof Chidi Odimkalu and Muritala Abdul-Rasheed ( Murray). The purpose of the visit to the seat of power was to pay homage to the VP in his official capacity as the most senior Learned official in Government .It is the first official courtesy call to be paid by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association after being sworn as the 28th President of the Bar at the 56th Annual General conference of NBA held in Portharcourt. In his presentation the NBA President thanked His Excellency for accepting to host the Bar. He congratulated the VP on the safe return of the 21 chibok girls. He raised issues bothering on election postponement by security managers of the country, the economic recession, Niger Delta issues and IDP camps.
The NBA President stated the desire of Bar to support the fight against corruption saying “ it can no longer be business as usual” for corrupt Judges.He however emphasised that the fight against corruption must be done within the ambit of the Rule of law. He maintained the NBA position against Gestapo style operation of the DSS on 7th of October,2016 while effecting the arrest of Judges of superior Courts. It will be recalled that on the 8th day of October 2016 ,the President in his press briefing in Lagos stated inter alia ;“ the Bar condemns this Gestapo operation in its strongest term possible and we say that we will not accept this modus operandi adopted by the state against the Judicial officers or against any citizen. In his reply, the VP thanked the NBA President, National Officers and the Bar Leaders and reminded them that he belongs to the Profession forever. He acknowledged the congratulations on the Chibok girls and said all efforts are on the way to release the remaining ones. He lamented and wondered how the country had gone deep in corruption.
He said the administration is
determined to fight corruption at all level and advised the NBA to strengthen its disciplinary aparatus to fight corruption at the Bar and Judiciary. He asked NBA to always count on him for support. The President on behalf the Bar later presented a plaque to the VP.