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Tag: NBA

  • Lawyers March To NASS, As Judiciary Workers Begin Nationwide Protest

    Lawyers March To NASS, As Judiciary Workers Begin Nationwide Protest

    Members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Monday marched to the National Assembly in solidarity with judiciary workers who are protesting financial autonomy.

    The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to press home their demands has commenced a nationwide strike.

    At the nation’s capital, the JUSUN workers converged on the gate of the court of appeal in Abuja chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards.

    Toping the list of demands is the issue of financial autonomy to the judiciary. They are also asking for the payment of peculiar allowances to their members.

    JUSUN had since April 6, 2021, left the courts in Nigeria under lock and key because of the non-implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary as the third arm of government.

    The union had alleged that the Federal and State governments had over the years, declined to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary.

    The NBA President had earlier on Friday directed its branch chairmen nationwide to lead “visits” to government houses in their states over the 36 governors’ alleged unwillingness to implement judiciary’s financial autonomy.

    A statement by the president of the association, Olumide Akpata, directed the branch chairmen to lead the “visits”, which are more like peaceful protests, on Monday, and on all other subsequent Mondays until the demand for the judiciary’s financial autonomy is met.

    It urged the branch leaders “to effectively mobilise their members” for the “visit to the governors at the state government houses” to press home the demand.

    PHOTOS;

  • NUJ Beats NBA 3-1 in a novelty match

    NUJ Beats NBA 3-1 in a novelty match

    Abel Leonard/ Lafia

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) Nasarawa state chapter on Tuesday defeated the state chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) 3 – 1 in a novelty match.

    Daybreak newspapers reports that the match was organised by the NUJ as part of activities to mark her press week.

    At about 15 minutes of the first half encounter, Abel Leonard of NUJ scored the first goal while Amarach Ekeleham scored the second goal 63 minutes into the encounter given NUJ a good stead to maintain momentum.

    Daybreak newspapers reports that the team NBA finally scored a goal 71 minutes into the encounter after intense pressure.

    NUJ again got the third goal 78 minutes of the encounter as a result of an own goal from team NBA defender bringing the total goals scored by NUJ to three.

    Reacting to the match, Ibrahim Ibrahim, NUJ coach said he was excited over the outcome of the match that saw NUJ victorious, while ascribing it to team work.

    He lauded the leadership of NUJ for giving the team necessary support and encouragement, which he said was a motivation on the part of the team to give their best performance.
    “I am so excited by the outcome of this encounter that saw the team NUJ victorious. I want to also commend our opponent for their performance too, we won because we have stronger team than them,” he said.

    Daybreak newspapers reports that the novelty match which was played in Lafia Township Stadium witnessed a large turn out of football lovers.

  • NBA Asks Obaseki To Review COVID-19 Curfew In Edo

    NBA Asks Obaseki To Review COVID-19 Curfew In Edo

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asked Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to review the dusk to dawn curfew imposed to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the state.

    NBA in a statement issued on Monday by its Chairman, Pius Oiwoh, said the move is necessary because some security operatives have turned it into an extortion ring and a huge money spinner.

    “The Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch appeals to the Edo State Government to urgently review the modus operandi of the curfew currently in force in the Edo State,” the statement partly read.

    “While lauding Government’s effort so far in reducing the spread of COVID-19 which is the raison d’etre for the curfew, it has however been brought to our attention that some members of the security forces have turned it into an extortion ring and a huge money spinner.

    “This ridiculous and opportunistic behaviour by some security personnel has brought embarrassment to both residents and visitors in the state.”

    The NBA said it had received many complaints about the activities of the security agents, particularly policemen.

    While noting that a matron, who was conveying a diabetic student to St. Philomena Hospital, Benin was detained by the police on Friday night, the legal body said it took the intervention of Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, who had to personally come to the scene at Dawson Akpakpava to facilitate the movement of the matron and the patient to the hospital for medical attention.

    It also asked the security operatives to be mindful of the fact many cases of injustice against Nigerians triggered last October’s #EndSARS protests, which led to loss of lives of many innocent persons and destruction of valuable property.

  • NBA Sues Buhari Over Extension Of IGP’s Tenure

    NBA Sues Buhari Over Extension Of IGP’s Tenure

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has filed a suit to challenge the extension of the tenure of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Suit with number FHC/L/CS/214/2021 is filed against the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Police Service Commission, and Mr Mohammed Abubakar Adamu.

    The NBA in a statement signed on Friday by its President Olumide Akpata said it is seeking a judicial determination of the constitutionality of the President’s extension of Mr Adamu’s tenure as the Inspector-General of Police for three months after Mr Adamu had, on 1 February 2021, attained 35 years of service as a member of the Nigeria Police Force.

    The NBA said in its view, the President’s extension of Mr Adamu’s tenure by three months is unconstitutional.

  • NBA Urges Benue Security Council to Lift Ban on Use of Motorcycles

    NBA Urges Benue Security Council to Lift Ban on Use of Motorcycles

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Makurdi branch, wants the Benue State Security Council (BSSC) to as a matter of urgency reverse its ban on the use of Motorcycles in Ukum and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State.

    Benue State Security Council had approved ban on use of motorcycles operation in the aforesaid local government areas following an assassination attempt on the Chairman, Katsina-Ala Local Government, Mr Atera where his Orderly  and four other persons were murdered by a militia gang.  

    Briefing Newsman in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, the Chairman NBA, Makurdi branch, Barr. Justin Gbagir pointed out that motorcycles are the commonest and affordable means of transportation in communities such as Ukum and Katsina-Ala, stressing that the ban has brought untold hardship on them.

    Gbagir contended that the communities are predominantly farmers who depend on the use of the motorcycles as means of transportation to their farms.

    Continuing, he stated thus: “The inability of government to provide white- collar jobs for the unemployed youths, commercial motorcycles have become their means of livelihood”.

    According to him, “some of the youths obtained their motorcycles through long term savings and hired purchase, and to ban the use of motorcycles will bring hardship to the youth and criminal activities would spring up more in the zone.”

  • Declare State of Emergency on Security, NBA tells Buhari

    Declare State of Emergency on Security, NBA tells Buhari

    By  Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    The Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Makurdi branch has urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on security.

    Speaking at a valedictory court session held in honor of Barr. Moses Udam who was murdered by suspected herders in Makurdi, the Chairman of the association, Mr Justin Gbagir maintained that declaring an emergency on security would to a large extent address the security challenge in the country.

    The NBA boss also called on the Federal Government to declare armed herdsmen as a Terrorists group, adding that they should be treated as such.

    Gbagir contended that based on the current security situation in Nigeria, the Federal Government has failed to safeguard the lives and property of citizens as enshrined under the 1999 Constitution by section 14 (2) (b), which provides that “… the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”.

    He implored security agents to fish out assailants of the slained legal practitioner, averring that the association has petitioned the Commissioner of Police and Department of State Service, DSS, over the gruesome murder of their  colleague. 

  • NBA Urges Buhari to sack Service Chiefs, as Bar Members boycott Court sittings in Benue State

    NBA Urges Buhari to sack Service Chiefs, as Bar Members boycott Court sittings in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo Makurdi    

    Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, in Benue State has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Service Chiefs and inject new blood into the system, people with creative ideas who would protect lives and property.   

    Chairman of the association, Makurdi branch, MrJustine Gbagir who led other executive members to monitor boycott of court sittings in Makurdi to protest against the gruesome murder of their colleague, Barr Moses Udam said the current security Chiefs have failed the nation.    

    He contended that the security architecture in the country was deteriorating, hence the need to bring able hands who  would turn around things for the good of the nation.    

    Gbagir averred that they boycotted the courts to express their feelings over the gruesome murder of  Barr Moses Udam and his two months pregnant wife, Nkechi at their residence in Makurdi by suspected herders.    

    Meanwhile, litigants who came to courts were disappointed as nobody was on ground to attend to them.

  • Police brutality: NBA to provide free legal services to poor victims

    Police brutality: NBA to provide free legal services to poor victims

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi    

    The Nigeria Bar Association is to provide free services to the victims of Police brutality, human rights violation and Extra-judicial killings who could not afford services of lawyers to defend them at the panel of Inquiry investigating Police brutality, Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Makurdi branch, Mr Job Ishember has revealed.    

    Ishember who disclosed this in an interview in Makurdi maintained that the decision is sequel to the directive by the National President of the association that all the branches should provide free legal services to such victims throughout the nation.    

    To this end, the Makurdi branch of the association has sent a team of lawyers led by Barr Samuel Akor to defend the aforementioned category of victims of Police brutality.    

    Meanwhile, the Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the human rights violation and Extra-judicial killings has received 54 petitions from victims of Benue Police Special Anty Robbery Squared brutality.     Secretary of the panel, Mr Edward Yange contended that they would continue to receive petitions from victims throughout the six months’ duration.   
    He pointed out that the duration may be extended if there are many cases for members to handle.

  • COVID-19: 48 NBA Players Tests Positive

    COVID-19: 48 NBA Players Tests Positive

    The NBA announced on Wednesday that 48 players have tested positive for the coronavirus, a dramatic increase over the zero positive tests reported during last season’s quarantine bubble in Florida.

    The league said the positive tests are the result of 546 tests carried out between November 24-30 as the NBA gets set to begin preseason games in nine days.

    The zero positive tests were from the beginning of last season’s quarantine bubble to the end of the season in mid-October.

    One team, the Golden State Warriors, has already delayed the beginning of their individual workouts by a day this week because of players testing positive.

    This was the initial round of tests for players as they returned to their teams ahead of the start of individual workouts on Tuesday. The NBA says it will be testing all of its players daily throughout the season.

    The infection rate number is also higher than the 46 players that tested positive for Covid-19 in the weeks ahead of the start of the pandemic-disrupted season. The new results show the league has a positivity rate of 8.8 percent, which is high.

    Under the league’s new COVID-19 protocols, a player who tests positive has to refrain from workouts for at least 10 days and more if he is showing symptoms.

    The NBA’s first preseason games are December 11 with the regular season scheduled to begin less than two weeks later.

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  • #EndSARS: NBA set to take legal actions against Nigeria Army Over Lekki Massacre

    #EndSARS: NBA set to take legal actions against Nigeria Army Over Lekki Massacre

    The military has been asked to immediately release the identity of soldiers that carried out the shooting of protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos State on Tuesday night.

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) made the call while condemning the shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers in Lekki

    President of NBA, Olumide Akpata, in a statement, faulted the incident.

    We had earlier reported that End SARS protesters at the Lekki ground came under heavy fire by the military on Tuesday.

    Bullets fired by security operatives hit some persons and at least two persons have been confirmed killed by the police and many injured

    Voices in a viral footage blamed the shootings on soldiers.

    “The Military High command is hereby requested to immediately identify and name the officers involved in this gross professional misconduct for immediate prosecution and dismissal in line with extant laws,” Akpata said.

    “The NBA shall immediately commence legal proceedings at all relevant fora– both locally and internationally – against the Nigerian Military and other relevant authorities, on behalf of the families of the victims, for abuse of power, disregard of rules of engagement and the infringement of the fundamental rights (including the right to life) of the affected citizens.”.

    Akpata pointed out that even if the protesters were in breach of the Lagos government’s curfew, such a misdemeanor did not warrant the use of live ammunition by the military.

    “The NBA believes that the current situation in the country calls for dynamic leadership and, as critical stakeholders in the Nigerian project, invites the President of Nigeria and others in authority to show uncommon leadership in saving the situation, instead of deploying troops against defenceless citizens whom they swore an oath to protect,” the NBA president said.