NBA condemns IPMAN letter to FG

The Nigerian Bar has written to the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG), condemning a purported 14-day ultimatum made by the Union to the Federal Government demanding it to intervene in what it described as ‘the abuse of judicial process.’

Referring to a publication where this ultimatum was given, the NBA expressed its aversion to such a demand to the federal government.

“Without prejudice to the inalienable right of your union to issue ultimatum to the Federal Government and your right to a protest,” the letter said “We should inform you that the Nigerian Bar Association is averse to any form of intervention by the Federal Government in a judicial process, being mindful of the doctrine of separation of powers and our determined efforts to ensure the independence of the judiciary and the Bar. These are the twin pillars of rule of law, which we guard most jealously at the Bar.

It continued, “We perfectly understand your frustration about the protracted crisis and litigation that has ensued but we believe that your statement was over the board, with regards to the denigrating attacks on the judiciary and the invitation of the Federal Government to intervene in a judicial process.”

In the letter signed by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Okey Wali, SAN, the NBA urged NUPENG to seek redress by sending a letter to the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria and chairman National Judicial Council Hon. Justice Aloma Mukhtar or the Nigerian Bar Association, where it perceives misconduct by a judicial officer or legal practitioner.

“I give you our assurances that it will be expeditiously dealt with. The capacity of the honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria to adequately deal with such situations promptly has been acknowledged by all and sundry and the same for the Nigerian Bar Association.

“You also have the option of going to the Court of Appeal, unless of course, if you complain of misconduct. This said, we trust that you will take appropriate steps in ventilating the grievances you have against the judgement of Honourable Justice Valentine Ashi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory,” the NBA president concluded in the letter.

NUPENG had purportedly given a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government, demanding that the FG intervenes in ‘the abuse of judicial process’ in a protracted leadership crisis within the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigerians (IPMAN), failing which it said, it would mobilise its members for a nation-wide strike.