Deborah Yakubu: NBA Postpones SPIDEL Convention indefinitely

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The Nigerian Bar Affiliation has postponed indefinitely the 2022 NBA Convention scheduled to be held in Sokoto State, Nothern Nigeria.

In a press launch seen by Nairametrics, NBA President Olumide Akpata cited the ugly killing of Deborah Yakubu as one of many the explanation why they’ve determined to postpone it. He additionally cited the safety of lives of the attendees of the occasion, who have been anticipated to go to Sokoto State from everywhere in the nation.

Based on Akpata “having critically reviewed the present safety situation in Sokoto, it has develop into obvious that we can not assure the protection of our visitor audio system, delegates and different stakeholders which have dedicated to attend the NBA-SPIDEL’s convention which was designed to place the State within the international highlight at some stage in the convention and past.”

He additionally defined that the choice to postpone was additionally as a mark of respect for the reminiscence of Miss Deborah Yakubu who was killed.

“Accordingly, the Govt Committee of NBA-SPIDEL got here to the painful resolution to request, and I’ve authorized, that the 2022 NBA-SPIDEL Annual Convention be postponed not just for the protection of our conferees and visitors however as a mark of respect for the reminiscence of the slain Miss Deborah Yakubu.”

He urged the Sokoto State Authorities to completely collaborate with the Federal Authorities to provoke measures and the place essential deploy its coercive devices to revive peace and order to the State, safeguard lives and property and dissuade vandalism and impunity.

See Press launch

ISSUED ON WEDNESDAY 17^th MAY 2022

1. The final week, like many earlier than it, has been replete with unlucky developments which have trivialized the sanctity of human lives, uncovered the weak point in our safety structure, examined our collective resolve as a individuals, and considerably threatened the unity of Nigeria as a nation. Within the South-East, there have been stories of the ugly killing of safety personnel by the now infamous “unknown gunmen” and different nonstate actors; in Lagos, a younger man (merely recognized as David) was reportedly lynched by business motorcyclists round Lekki; and in Sokoto, there may be the unlucky and heart-wrenching homicide of Miss Deborah Yakubu, a 200-level pupil of Shehu Shagari Faculty of Schooling, Sokoto by a few of her faculty mates for alleged blasphemy.
2. The Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA) is saddened by these developments and unequivocally condemns extra-judicial killings in any a part of the nation as reprehensible, barbaric and unacceptable. Our safety companies should do extra to stem these ugly developments, and be certain that the perpetrators of those heinous acts, wherever or whomever they might be, are made to face the complete wrath of the legislation. The federal government ought to instantly start the prosecution of all suspects concerned in these brutal and arbitrary killings in an effort to ship a powerful sign that such acts will now not be tolerated in Nigeria. The NBA additionally believes that the immediate and efficient prosecution of the alleged killers will instil confidence within the residents, promote accountability, and signpost the federal government’s dedication to the rule of legislation.
3. With explicit reference to the homicide of Miss Deborah Yakubu and associated developments in Sokoto, we notice that some arrests have been made by the Nigeria Police and that the suspects are actually being prosecuted. We’re, nonetheless, fearful by yet-to-be confirmed stories reaching us that the suspects have been charged with mere breach of public peace in an episode that minimize brief Deborah’s life in her prime. The NBA is strongly against a banalization of the state of affairs, and if these stories are true, then we name on the Sokoto State Authorities to instantly rethink its prosecution technique and file expenses that really replicate the gravity of the state of affairs.
4. Whereas the expectation of Nigerians and the worldwide group is that the culprits ought to be dropped at justice speedily for the suitable offences, the demand for the discharge of the suspects by some protesting youths coupled with assault on harmless residents, burning of worship facilities and destruction of property has added a completely new and worrisome dimension to the unlucky incident. That is clearly a take a look at of the need of the State to completely implement its legal guidelines and foster rule of legislation.
5. The NBA believes that the unity of our polity holds immense promise for our greatness and progress as a nation. For us, our unity, regardless of our variety, has remained a threshold challenge. In fostering this unity, the NBA and its varied sections have made it a deliberate coverage to rotate our annual conferences among the many areas of the nation. On this respect, it’s noteworthy that the NBA Part on Public Curiosity and Improvement Legislation (NBA-SPIDEL) held its 2019 Annual Convention in Aba, Abia State whereas its subsequent convention (2021) was held within the historic metropolis of Ibadan, Oyo State after the 2020 convention was cancelled on account of the Covid-19 pandemic.
6. Having held the 2 annual conferences within the outdated Jap and Western areas, the Govt Committee of NBA-SPIDEL was unanimous in its decision that the 2022 Annual Convention ought to be held within the Northern area, in step with the NBA’s coverage of inclusiveness. I’m conscious that NBA-SPIDEL sought to bequeath internet hosting rights on any keen State within the Northern area, and the internet hosting proper was ultimately given to Sokoto State when its Governor, H.E Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Life Bencher) agreed that the Sokoto State Authorities could be a headline sponsor for the Convention.
7. Because of this, I led a delegation to pay a courtesy go to on the Sokoto State Governor to finetune preparations for the Convention, and through our assembly, the Sokoto State Authorities renewed its dedication to make sure a serene and protected setting to host a hitch-free Convention.
8. The Govt Committee of NBA-SPIDEL led by Dr. Monday O. Ubani and the Central Planning Committee led by Dr. Muiz Banire SAN labored around the clock and held prolonged conferences to finalize plans in direction of delivering a best-in-class convention. Sadly, it was in the course of all these that we acquired the unhappy information of the ugly killing of Miss Deborah Yakubu, whose homicide threw the complete nation into shock and disbelief.
9. The NBA is deeply fearful not simply by the chilling information of the homicide of Miss Deborah Yakubu, but additionally by the sudden and unhappy flip of occasions and the deteriorating safety state of affairs in Sokoto State. As such, having critically reviewed the present safety situation in Sokoto, it has develop into obvious that we can not assure the protection of our visitor audio system, delegates and different stakeholders which have dedicated to attend the NBA-SPIDEL’s convention which was designed to place the State within the international highlight at some stage in the convention and past. Accordingly, the Govt Committee of NBA-SPIDEL got here to the painful resolution to request, and I’ve authorized, that the 2022 NBA-SPIDEL Annual Convention be postponed not just for the protection of our conferees and visitors however as a mark of respect for the reminiscence of the slain Miss Deborah Yakubu.
10. The NBA acknowledges the efforts put in by the Sokoto State Authorities in direction of the convention which is now beset by the prevailing safety state of affairs. Whereas we acknowledge that the Sokoto State Authorities has imposed a curfew to stem the unrest, the NBA urges the State Authorities to completely collaborate with the Federal Authorities to provoke measures and the place essential deploy its coercive devices to revive peace and order to the State, safeguard lives and property and dissuade vandalism and impunity.
11. Lastly, we thank our delegates and our visitor audio system who’ve made sundry bills and commitments in direction of taking part within the Convention. We apologies for any inconvenience that this postponement is certain to event. The NBA will proceed to observe the state of affairs and can present additional data on subsequent steps when normalcy returns.