The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, National Executive Council, on Monday, March 4, 2024, sacked the Executive Committee of its Section on Public Interest and Development Law.
The NBA NEC accused the SPIDEL chairman, John Aikpoko-Martins, of engaging in activities that undermined the authority of the NBA president, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), and the council.
The PUNCH reports that SPIDEL under Aikpoko-Martins’ leadership had been challenging the decisions of government institutions and individuals in court.
Noteworthy among the cases was a lawsuit asking the court to remove the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, citing alleged violations of the National Youth Service Corps Act.
He filed a similar suit against music producer, Kenny Ogungbe.
In another lawsuit, the Aikpoko-Martins-led SPIDEL sought to stop the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, from implementing the Central Motor Information System for vehicle owners nationwide.
Additionally, SPIDEL also approached the court to stop the Federal Government’s imposition of an annual levy for a certificate of proof of vehicle ownership in the country.
However, in a communique issued at the end of the NEC’s first quarter meeting held in Jos, the NBA NEC ordered the immediate withdrawal of the cases.
The communique signed by Maikyau and the General Secretary, Adesina Adegbite, partly read, “The NEC condemned the actions of the Chairman of Section on Public Interest and Development Law, which undermine the authority of the President and the Council. Consequently, NEC resolved and directed the immediate removal of the
members of the Executive Committee of SPIDEL.
“NEC also ratified all the actions taken by the President with respect to SPIDEL and directed that all actions filed by John Aikpoko-Martins and Funmi Adeogun, purportedly on behalf of NBA-SPIDEL, be discontinued forthwith.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, the said lawsuits include: Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1285/2023 – John Aikpokpo-Martins Esq & 2 Ors v.
Federal Government of Nigeria & 2 Ors.
“Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/90/2024 – John Aikpokpo-Martins, Esq & Anor v. Ms.
Hannatu Musa Musawa & 3 Ors.
“Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/246/2024 – John Aikpokpo-Martins & Anor v. The Inspector General of Police & 3 Ors.
“Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/247/2024 – John Aikpokpo-Martins, Esq & Anor v. The Inspector General of Police & Anor.
“Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/248/2024 – John Aikpokpo-Martins, Esq & Anor v. The Inspector General of Police & Anor.”
The NEC also recommended the constitution of a Caretaker Committee to manage SPIDEL’s affairs.
It also directed the committee to probe the circumstances leading to the court cases filed by SPIDEL without the approval of NEC.
“NEC also approved the constitution of a Caretaker Committee to manage the affairs of the SPIDEL with an additional mandate to investigate the circumstances leading to the filing of actions in court without approval of NEC.”
