Proud to have a befitting NBA secretariat in the heart of FCT – Ike Ekweremadu
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has expressed great delight at the possibility of having a befitting National Secretariat for the Nigerian Bar Association located right in the heart of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Senator Ekweremadu, who made this known during a facility tour of the ongoing NBA Secretariat, stated that the effort by the present leadership of the NBA to see the project to completion was a highly laudable one.
He said, “I must commend the President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Barr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN for the great job that he is doing here.
“The usual practice in Nigeria when a new administration comes into office – whether in the public or private sector, is to abandon projects met on ground. This president has proved his worth by carrying on with a project he met on ground and we must applaud such a distinctive quality in a leader.
“As a lawyer, I feel absolutely proud that to have an edifice of this nature as the NBA Secretariat; located in the heart of the capital.”
According to the deputy senate president, the action was a good testament to the quality of leadership that the Nigerian Bar currently has.
“To me” he continued, “it is a good sign that the Bar has come of age and I am really impressed. I will invite some of my colleagues to come and see what is happening here and why we should not only be proud but should be associated with it.”
Fielding questions from Pressmen, Ekweremadu stated that the only way forward for the Judiciary in Nigeria is to ensure the separation of the Office of the Attorney General from the Minister of Justice. According to him, this separation will ensure fairness and independence in the justice sector as an independent Attorney General will work for the people and not government essentially.
“This will also ensure that citizens have access to justice without fear of persecution or whatsoever, he said”
The Deputy senate president further disclosed that the separation was recommended during the last Constitution amendment exercise,
“There were certain provisions in the fourth alterations to provide for the Independence. We separated the two offices and our colleagues, graciously accepted it but unfortunately the last President did not sign it.
“We believe this is the way to go. Thus, we will revisit this provision. There would also be provisions for financial autonomy and security of tenure. These would be some of the fallouts of a separate office for the Attorney General, as it will ensure financial independence and ultimately, access to justice.
Also speaking during the facility tour, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senate. Sen. (Dr) Ita Solomon Enang, noted that the facility was a pride to the Bar.
“It will be very encouraging to future generation of lawyers and very encouraging to us Seniors at the Bar.
“I want to join his Excellency, the Deputy President of the Senate to commend the President of the Nigeria Bar Association Augustine Alegeh,
SAN and the entire NBA. It is our hope that we will be able to commission this project before the next Annual Conference.
He further urged members of the bar present to ensure that secretariat was used as a ‘Unity’ Centre for the Nigerian bar.
“As the President mentioned, there will be virtual offices, there will be an E-Library, research offices where lawyers from all over Nigeria and visiting jurisdictions can have virtual offices. I do hope all of these would be judiciously used for the advancement of the bar and its members.
Thanking the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and the SSA to the President, Senator Etang Enang for their visit, the NBA President, Augustine Alegeh, SAN said,
“It is very, very important that those you served and those who have employed us to work come see the work that we are doing. This project was started by my predecessor in office and we felt that it is something that he has done very well and that we should continue. By the grace of God and with the support of the entire Bar, we have been able to reach this place. We believe that in the next few weeks, the building will be completed and it is already about 75% completed.
He continued, “It is fully painted on three sides and the tilling is ongoing and I believe now and in the middle of August, we will be in a position to start using the building. It’s a building that will be of great use to not just lawyers but the entire justice system.
Theodora Kio-Lawson