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  • Gov. Ganduje cautions NBA against ethnic, religious chauvinism

    Gov. Ganduje cautions NBA against ethnic, religious chauvinism

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has cautioned the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), not to allow ethnic and religious bigotry to tear it apart.

    Ganduje made the call in a statement signed by Malam Muhammad Garba, the state’s Commissioner of Information.

    According to the statement, Ganduje made the call when the NBA President, Olumide Akpat, paid him a courtesy visit in Kano on Friday.

    The statement quoted the governor as saying that internal wrangling in the NBA was most unfortunate providence to befall the association.

    Ganduje noted that the trend was inimical to the NBA and the country, adding that the association ought to champion the cause of the rule of law.

    “While there are bound to differences, it is better to be united than to be divided, as a conventionally persuasive opinion moulder and group that helps shape public policy, it is never going to fulfil that role if it is divided.

    “No one expects the NBA to be invulnerable to bickering associated with any group of people coming together, but as a body of lawyers with outstanding record of achievements in shaping the country for good, it should not allow ethnic or religious sentiments to riven it,” Ganduje was quoted as saying in the statement.

    The governor urged members of the association to come together and resolve their differences  by ironing out their views through consensus rather than breaking into splinter groups.

    While stressing the need to sensitise its members and seek to accommodate their views on matters of serious concern, Ganduje urged them to mend fences and work toward the good of the association as well as the country at large.

    Also speaking, Akpat said he was in the state in continuation of a nationwide tour and expressed satisfaction with the feat achieved by the Ganduje’s administration in transforming the judiciary.

    Akpat lauded the governor for the construction of the Court of Appeal edifice, the Ceremonial Court building as well as enhanced welfare for the judicial staff. 

  • El-rufai Sanction extension vindicated NBA – Lawyer

    El-rufai Sanction extension vindicated NBA – Lawyer

    ..Visa bans will protect democracy in Nigeria – Lawyer

    From Ujah Simon, kaduna
    The Sanction extension of Governor Nasir El-Rufai of kaduna state by the United States of America has vindicated Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, a member of the Bar has revealed.
    The senior member of the Bar who did not want his name in print for security reasons disclosed this in kaduna on Tuesday while reacting to the visa bans and sanction extension on the Governor and four other notable Nigerians.
    He said the sanction extension of the Governor and four others, all of the All progressive Congress, APC, stalwart, showed that the NBA is conciensious, credible and a reputable association to reckon with. “NBA is unbiased, reputable and a demonstrated as  a credible association Nigerians can reckon with especially under the present leadership of the Barrister Akpata. According to the lawyer, who repeatedly pleaded anonymity, NBA, would remained unbiased umpire when it comes to matters of serious national conscience and law, and therefore should be divulge from politicking in matters affecting human rights and justice system in the country. “And indeed from any other Association when I comes to protecting the human rights generally,” he added.He also noted that the US visa bans on those personalities, Published in an online media, are in the best interest of the democracy devoid of abysmal election rigging, corruption and respect for the rule law.Recalled that NBA overwhelmingly voted against governor El-Rufai nomination to present paper in the last national conference, which resulted to serious national outrage within the ranks and files of the law Associations.

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  • El-rufai reacts to NBA Petition: Alleges defamation

    El-rufai reacts to NBA Petition: Alleges defamation

    By Ujah Simon, Kaduna

    Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai may drag Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, member to court over alleged defamatory statement in the petition against his invitation to from participate in their forthcoming 60th conference.

    The Governor made allegation, in a reaction statement issued in Kaduna and signed by his media officer Muyiwa Adekeye.

    “The defamatory statements in the petition is another matter entirely, and they will get the appropriate response”, the statement noted.
    The statement also stressed that the governor will continue to contribute to the national conversation, despite the withdrawal of earler invitation to him to participate in it’s Annual General Conference, AGC.
    It added that “When lawyer friends requested Malam Nasir El-Rufai to accept the invitation of the NBA to participate in a panel discussion on national identity, he accepted as part of his commitment to having a national conversation and the evolution of a national consensus.

    “NBA platform or not, these worthy conversations must continue. He will continue to make his voice heard on the things our country needs to do for its progress”, it stated.

    According to the release while the decision about who speaks at its event is clearly the NBA’s, Malam El-Rufai “wishes to make clear that he did not seek the platform and is not agitated that he has one less speaking engagement.

    “However, the circumstances of the last few days warrant some comments. That a professional organisation has elected to endorse a one-sided narrative on a profound national issue is something that its members may wish to reflect upon.
    “For an association, whose bread and butter is about justice to make a ruling based on the stridency of people who lampoon judicial processes against certain individuals without hearing the other side is odd.
    “It bears noting that in its response to pressure, the NBA leadership has signaled an unfortunate embrace of injustice, unfairness, absence of fair hearing and total disregard for the rule of law”, it stated.
    Malam Nasir El-Rufai, it stated, has taken several actions on the security, institutional and technology fronts to address the legacy of violent strife in the state.
    “He is the governor that made permanent military and police bases a reality in southern Kaduna, after close to 40 years of waiting. He is the governor that set up a Peace Commission to nudge communities to embrace their responsibility to live in peace and harmony.

    “He has done this with equality of concern for all residents, not just those with access to the media and who are able to mobilise sentiment even when they are part of the problem. His investments in building a constituency for peace, anchored on the rule of law, respect for the citizenship rights of everyone and an embrace of the obligations of a common humanity will continue.

    “Those who have chosen to pretend that it is only Kaduna State that is experiencing the security challenges in North-West, or that it is only one part of the state that is affected can enjoy the illusion.

    “Malam El-Rufai remains focused on the tough and hard work of stopping the bleeding and the needless breaking of bones”, it further stated.

  • El-Rufai blasts NBA over withdrawal of invitation

    El-Rufai blasts NBA over withdrawal of invitation

    Kaduna State Governor Mal. Nasir El-Rufai has described withdrawal of his invitation to speak at the 2020 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference as an “unfortunate embrace of injustice”.

    El-Rufai, in a statement by his spokesperson, Muyiwa Adekeye, vowed he cannot be gagged.

    The NBA withdrew the invitation, following vociferous protests from some lawyers.

    However, El-Rufai in the statement, insisted he will continue to offer his opinions on critical issues in the country and his voice will not be silenced.

    “While the decision about who speaks at its event is clearly the NBA’s, Malam El-Rufai wishes to make clear that he did not seek the platform and is not agitated that he has one less speaking engagement.

    “However, the circumstances of the last few days warrant some comments. That a professional organisation has elected to endorse a one-sided narrative on a profound national issue is something that its members may wish to reflect upon.

    “For an association, whose bread and butter is about justice, to make a ruling based on the stridency of people who lampoon judicial processes against certain individuals without hearing the other side is odd.

    “It bears noting that in its response to pressure, the NBA leadership has signaled an unfortunate embrace of injustice, unfairness, absence of fair hearing and total disregard for the rule of law.”

  • BREAKING: NBA withdraws invitation to El-Rufai

    BREAKING: NBA withdraws invitation to El-Rufai

    The Nigerian Bar Association has withdrawn its invitation to Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, following protests from some lawyers.

    The NBA said this in a tweet on Thursday via its Twitter handle @NigBarAssoc.

    The tweet read, “The National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association at its ongoing meeting resolves that the invitation to the Kaduna State Governor, H.E. Nasir El-Rufai, by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning committee be withdrawn and decision communicated to the Governor.”

    A petition to stop the governor from attending the Annual General Conference which was started by a lawyer, Usani Odum, had garnered over 3,150 signatures on Change.Org as of 4 pm on Thursday.

    In a separate letter titled, ‘Request to Withdraw the Offer of Platform at the 2020 Annual General Conference of the NBA to Mallam Nasir el-Rufai,’ addressed to the Chairman, Technical Committee on Conference Planning, NBA, Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi, some lawyers said the governor must not be allowed to speak at the conference.

    The letter, which was signed by Silas Onu and Auta Nyada, listed 10 allegations against el-Rufai and his son, Bello, who is a Special Adviser to Kaduna Central lawmaker, Senator Uba Sani.

    They faulted the NBA for inviting el-Rufai, citing his alleged poor human rights record and his inability to stop the killings, particularly in southern Kaduna.

    The lawyers also referenced many controversial utterances of the governor, including a threat during the run-up to the general elections in 2019 that any foreigner that interfered in the poll would leave Nigeria in body bags.

    The NBA virtual conference, which holds from August 24-26, 2020, is expected to have Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in attendance.

    Others expected to speak at the event include former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Governor Wike of Rivers State and a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.

    The theme of the conference is: ‘Am I a Nigerian – A Debate on National Identity, the Indigeneship-Citizenship Conundrum.’

  • The Waiting Game: For NBA coaches that’s a new schedule

    The Waiting Game: For NBA coaches that’s a new schedule

    Orlando’s Steve Clifford figures he’s like every other NBA coach right now: Wake up, go to whatever now serves as the office, study his own team, maybe think about possible opponents, and resume planning.

    Of course, nobody knows what they’re planning for — or when these plans will get used.

    A stoppage in play doesn’t mean vacation time has arrived for NBA coaches, especially those like Clifford in position to take their teams to the post season — assuming this pandemic-interrupted season is able to resume.

    They’re all spending more time at home, not able to run practices, but none seem to be sitting idly. (AP/NAN)

  • NBA hiatus could be three-plus months

    NBA hiatus could be three-plus months

    The NBA’s season — on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic — could be suspended for at least three months, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday night.

    Per the report, owners and executives are bracing for the possibility of mid-to-late June — a time when, in a normal year, the NBA Finals would typically be over — being the best-case scenario for play to resume.

    When the season was suspended on Wednesday night, about a month’s worth of regular-season games remained. The postseason typically runs from mid-April through early-to-mid June.

    Wojnarowski reports fears exist that the season might not resume, but the league is considering a variety of creative options for a possible return. With the CDC recommending on Sunday that gatherings of 50 or more people should be avoided for the next eight weeks, one plan could involve a return without fans at games, perhaps even playing games in smaller venues like team practice facilities and a different television experience.

    The report adds that teams are exploring the availability of venues through August for the playoffs, and that a financial report is expected to be presented to owners soon. That report would include projections on expected revenue that would be lost if canceling the rest of the season, resuming at some point without fans or holding the playoffs without fans.

    Meanwhile, The Athletic reports the league has informed teams that players can begin traveling outside of their home market beginning Monday, with the requirements that they provide their whereabouts, remain at home and practice social distancing.

    According to a separate ESPN report, the league extended its ban on team practices indefinitely, though players remain allowed to work out at team facilities on their own.

    Earlier Sunday, ESPN reported that the G League, the NBA’s minor-league system, is expected to have the remainder of its season canceled.

    The NBA was the first major sports league in America to suspend its season, doing so Wednesday after news emerged of Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert’s positive test for the virus. All other leagues in the U.S. have quickly followed suit. (reuters)

  • No high-fives with fans, only fist-bumps, NBA tell players as coronavirus precaution

    No high-fives with fans, only fist-bumps, NBA tell players as coronavirus precaution

    National Basketball Association (NBA) players in the U.S. should fist-bump with fans instead of high-fiving them and avoid taking items to autograph, the league told teams in a memo.

    The memo listed short-term recommendations to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

    “The coronavirus remains a situation with the potential to change rapidly,” the league told its 30 teams in the memo obtained by Reuters.

    “The NBA and the Players Association will continue to work with leading experts and team physicians to provide up-to-date information and recommend practices that should be followed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.”

    The league said it is closely monitoring the situation and consulting with the Centres for Disease Control as well as experts, including a renowned infectious disease researcher at Columbia University.

    “The health and safety of NBA players, coaches, staff, and fans is paramount,” the memo said.

    The virus has killed more than 3,000 people worldwide since it emerged in China in December.

    Its escalation can potentially threaten pre-draft combines, on-site workouts and international scouting events if it worsens.(Reuters/NAN)

  • NBA roundup: Harden’s heroics lead Rockets past Hornets

    NBA roundup: Harden’s heroics lead Rockets past Hornets

    James Harden finished one rebound shy of a 40-point triple-double and the host Houston Rockets erased a 15-point deficit to beat the Charlotte Hornets 125-110 on Tuesday.
    Harden was exceptional throughout but especially down the stretch, fueling a 12-3 run in the fourth quarter that enabled Houston to secure control.

    He finished with 12 assists, nine rebounds and three steals as the Rockets prevailed despite the absence of Russell Westbrook (thumb) and Clint Capela (heel).

    Danuel House Jr. had 22 points and nine rebounds for Houston while P.J. Tucker posted 13 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals.

    Miles Bridges and Terry Rozier scored 20 apiece for the Hornets, who have dropped four in a row and 12 of their past 13 games. Bridges added a game-high 15 rebounds.

    Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points and 17 rebounds, and visiting Milwaukee used a third-quarter surge to pull away from New Orleans.

    The Bucks trailed for most of the first half and were down 61-58 at halftime before outscoring the Pelicans 42-24 in the third quarter. Antetokounmpo scored 16 in the period. Fellow All-Star Khris Middleton added 20 points for Milwaukee.

    All-Star forward Brandon Ingram led New Orleans with 32 points, and rookie Zion Williamson scored 20 (although on 5-of-19 shooting).

    Final scores Milwaukee Bucks 120 – New Orleans Pelicans 108.

    LeBron James scored 19 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter as host Los Angeles overcame a slow start shooting from the field and cruised past San Antonio.

    Anthony Davis and Kyle Kuzma scored 18 points each, and Kuzma added 12 rebounds as the Lakers won at home for the first time since the death of former Laker Kobe Bryant and eight others in a Jan. 26 helicopter crash.

    DeMar DeRozan scored 28 points and Bryn Forbes added 13 for the Spurs, who lost on back-to-back nights in Staples Centre after falling to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.

    The Spurs have dropped five of their past seven games.

    Final scores Los Angeles Lakers 129 – San Antonio Spurs 102.

    Nikola Jokic had 29 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, Jamal Murray scored 20 in his return to the lineup after missing 10 games, and host Denver beat Portland.

    Jerami Grant scored 17 points, Will Barton added 16, and Malik Beasley scored 14 for the Nuggets, who have won all three meetings with Portland this season. Denver won for the third time in four games overall.

    Damian Lillard was held to 21 points, his lowest output since Jan. 9, and CJ McCollum had 20 for Portland. The Trail Blazers had their four-game winning streak snapped.

    Final scores Denver Nuggets 127 – Portland Trail Blazers 99. (Reuters/NAN)

  • NBA roundup: Raptors defeat Cavs for 9th straight win

    NBA roundup: Raptors defeat Cavs for 9th straight win

    Serge Ibaka scored 26 points and the visiting Toronto Raptors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-109 Thursday night to extend their season-best winning streak to nine games.

    Kyle Lowry added 23 points — 14 in the third quarter — for the Raptors, who completed a three-game sweep of the season series with the Cavaliers. Norman Powell scored eight of his 16 points in the final 1:02 of the game for Toronto to help repel a Cleveland rally.

    Pascal Siakam contributed 19 points for Toronto, Chris Boucher had 10 points and Fred VanVleet had eight points and a season-best 12 assists.

    Kevin Love and Collin Sexton scored 23 points each for Cleveland. Darius Garland had 16 points and eight assists, Kevin Porter Jr. and Larry Nance Jr. added 13 points each, and Tristan Thompson had two points and 12 rebounds.

    De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 34 points with eight assists and four steals, sparking Sacramento to a surprising win over host Los Angeles, which played without Kawhi Leonard.

    Buddy Hield added 19 points off the bench for Sacramento, which set a franchise record with 21 3-pointers. Hield converted 5 of 11 from behind the arc. The Kings also made 50 per cent of their shots from the floor compared to 38 per cent for the Clippers.

    Paul George was back in the lineup for Los Angeles after being sidelined for nine games with left hamstring tightness.

    However, George managed just eight points on 2-of-10 shooting. Leonard was a late scratch after being ruled out with lower back tightness shortly before tip-off.

    Final scores Sacramento Kings 124 – Los Angeles Clippers 103.

    Nikola Jokic had 28 points and 10 assists, Will Barton scored 18, and host Denver held on to beat Utah.

    Jerami Grant added 15 points, Torrey Craig scored 13 and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Michael Porter Jr. added 12 points and 12 rebounds off the bench for Denver, which overcame a huge fourth quarter from Jordan Clarkson.

    Clarkson scored 24 of his season-high 37 points in the final quarter to nearly rally Utah from 17 down.

    Rudy Gobert had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Bojan Bogdanovic added 18 points and Georges Niang had 10 points for the Jazz, who have lost three in a row.

    Final scores Denver Nuggets 106 – Utah Jazz 100.

    Gordon Hayward scored 25 points, Marcus Smart added 21 and Boston beat visiting Golden State.

    Jayson Tatum had 20 points in his return from a three-game absence (groin), and Jaylen Brown chipped in 18 as the Celtics won for the fifth time in their last six games.

    Tatum was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team as a reserve earlier in the day.

    D’Angelo Russell had 22 points and Alec Burks 18 for the Warriors, who have lost five straight and 15 of 16.

    Final scores Boston Celtics 119 – Golden State Warriors 104.

    Trae Young exploded for 39 points and a career-high 18 assists and host Atlanta stunned visiting Philadelphia with a 39-point first quarter en route to a dominant win.

    John Collins accumulated 17 points and a season-high 20 rebounds for the Hawks, who avenged an earlier 105-103 home loss to the 76ers. Ben Simmons paced the 76ers with 31 points.

    Young had 14 points and 10 assists while De’Andre Hunter 10 of his 15 points in the first quarter, as the Hawks took a lead they never relinquished in winning their third straight at home.

    Young finished the first half with 29 points and 11 assists, becoming the first player since Kobe Bryant in 2013 with 25 points and more than 10 assists in a half.

    Final scores Atlanta Hawks 127 – Philadelphia 76ers 117.

    Bradley Beal scored 34 points and Washington put together a strong second half to defeat visiting Charlotte and snap a two-game skid.

    Thomas Bryant added 21 points, Isaiah Thomas tallied 18 points, Troy Brown Jr. supplied 12 points and Ish Smith had 11 points.

    Charlotte was held to 47 second-half points after a big first half. Miles Bridges led the Hornets with 23 points and Terry Rozier pumped in 21.

    PJ Washington had 15 points; Willy Hernangomez added 12 points and Devontae’ Graham, who was slow to get cranked up for the second game in a row, finished with 11.

    Final scores Washington Wizards 121 – Charlotte Hornets 107. (Reuters/NAN)