…As Adesina calls for cancellation of election
Nigerian lawyers have elected Mr. Olumide Akpata as the next President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. The announcement was made at 12:56a.m., on Thursday, by Chairman of the NBA Electoral Committee, Taiwo Taiwo (SAN).
Akpata won the election with over 50 percent of the total votes cast. His rivals for the office of NBA President were Dr. Babatunde Ajibade (SAN) and Deacon Dele Adesina (SAN).
The NBA election, which commenced at 11 pm on Wednesday, ended at 11 pm on Thursday.
Other winners are Mr. John Martin for NBA first Vice President; Second Vice President, Mr. Adeyemo Kazeem; General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah; Assistant Secretary, Uchenna Nwadialo; Mr. Olukunle Edun, Welfare Secretary; Dr. Rapulu Nduka, Publicity Secretary and Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr. Naza Afam.
Olumide Akpata is a Senior Partner and Head of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group at Templars Law Firm.
Meanwhile, Dele Adesina, a candidate in the just concluded election had earlier petitioned the electoral committee of the association, alleging gross manipulation in the polls.
In the petition addressed to Taiwo Taiwo, chairman, electoral committee of the NBA, Adesina claimed the ongoing poll is being marred by over-voting, disenfranchisement of some eligible voters and non-compliance with the provisions of the NBA constitution.
He said the verified voters’ list was only published about five hours to the commencement of voting contrary to the provision of the NBA constitution (2015) as amended, which provided that the list be released not later than 28 days before the election.
He also said the list contained 86 “names of lawyers under the subheading international diaspora” which is also a clear violation of association’s constitution.
Adesina said over 4000 names of lawyers on the list were not ascribed to any branch of the NBA while many others found their names in branches they do not belong.
