COUNT US OUT! NBA Withdraws From Ongoing National Conference

       

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said that it is withdrawing from the ongoing National Conference in Abuja. The withdrawal follows the allocation of only one slot to it by the federal government in the conference.
A communique issued after its executive committee meeting, president of the association, Chief Okey Wali (SAN), said the single slot was not sufficient for the association to make impact in the proposed conference.
“In view of the fact that so many legal issues would be addressed at the national conference, it is only fitting and proper for the umbrella association of all lawyers, the profession with expertise on law making in Nigeria should have more than one slot,” he said.

Wali also condemned the recent violent attacks in North East, Kaduna and Benue states which claimed many lives, and also called for “dispassionate and decisive” action.
While criticizing the dwindling budgetary allocations to the judiciary which dropped from N95 billion in 2010 to N68 billion in 2014, the NBA stated that “only the existence of a virile, fearless, and independent judiciary that can guarantee and enduring democratic government, and the maintenance of law and order.”