Physique of Benchers speaks on NBA’s letter asking Olanipekun to resign

The Physique of Benchers (BoB) defined on Friday why it didn’t deliberate on the letter by the Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA)  calling for the suspension of its chairperson, Wole Olanipekun.

Mr Olanipekun has been caught in an issue threatening his place because the BoB chair, following allegation {of professional} misconduct levelled in opposition to him and his regulation agency.

Within the scandal that broke out in June, Mr Olanipekun’s regulation agency was accused of “affect peddling”.

The NBA insisted Mr Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the NBA, should resign his chairmanship of the physique.

The affiliation, within the letter by its president, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), requested Mr Olanipekun to not preside over Tuesday’s call-to-bar ceremonies throughout which 4711 new attorneys have been admitted into the occupation.

However regardless of the decision by the NBA, Mr Olanipekun presided over the call-to-bar ceremony.

‘Why NBA’s letter was not debated’

The BoB defined in an announcement by its Secretary, Daniel Tela, that the NBA’s letter was not debated on the physique’s 5 December assembly meant to finalise preparations for the call-to-bar ceremony of the brand new attorneys as a result of it was delivered late at its headquarters in Abuja.

“The mentioned letter was acquired on the Physique of Benchers Secretariat at 9:32am on Monday, fifth December, 2022.”

It added that members didn’t take into account the difficulty, when it was raised by Mr Maikyau as a result of they weren’t in receipt of the letter and Mr Olanipekun to whom it was addressed to, was not afforded the chance to answer the letter earlier than the NBA president introduced it up.

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Mr Tela additional mentioned, other than the truth that the NBA’s letter was addressed to Mr Olanipekun, it was not an merchandise on the agenda of the physique’s assembly which had been scheduled since 14 November.

He added that the letter had been revealed on the social media earlier than it was acquired on the BoB headquarters at precisely 9:32 a.m. on 5 December, the day of the assembly, therefore, it was not ripe for dialogue.

Background

It should recalled that Adekunbi Ogunde, a accomplice in Mr Olanipekun’s chambers, was caught requesting briefs for the regulation agency in alleged violation of the skilled code of conduct for attorneys in June.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Ms Ogunde knowledgeable the possible shopper, Saipem Contracting Nigeria Restricted, that the presence of Mr Olanipekun in a case “will considerably change issues in favour of Sapiem”.

Fuller model of BoB letter

“It’s on file that the media, (print and social media) has been agog with the stories relating to the decision by the Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA) for the Chairman of the Physique of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) to not preside over the Name to Bar ceremonies.

“This extensively circulated name has saturated the media house from Sunday, 4th December, 2022 until now.
“On the assembly of the Physique of Benchers held on Monday fifth December, 2022, which discover was given on 14th November, 2022, the only merchandise for dialogue was the consideration of the report of the screening committee of the Physique, preparatory to the Name to Bar ceremonies.

“The report was duly thought-about and authorised.

“Underneath the AOB, the President of the Nigerian Bar Affiliation knowledgeable members that he had written a letter to the Chairman of the Physique to which the Chairman acknowledged that though, he had not learn the letter because it was not but dropped at his consideration, he was conscious of the truth that it had already been circulated within the media, notably the social media.

“And although the letter was personally addressed to him and to not the Physique, he was ready to waive his rights as he would need it mentioned by some means in view of the contents of the letter which centred on his persona and integrity.

“The NBA President then acknowledged that he despatched the letter to members mails within the night of Sunday, December 4, 2022 and in addition made copies of the mentioned letter and dropped at the assembly however majority of the members responded that they have been but obtain such mails.

“Some members have been of the view that the the letter was undoubtedly not ripe for consideration, assuming it was meant or addressed to the Physique.

“Regardless of all of the feedback and contributions of members, the Chairman nonetheless passionately pleaded that the matter be taken, and made reference to a earlier letter written in July 2022 on the eve of Name to Bar ceremonies.

“Majority of the members have been of the view that the Chairman drop his insistence that the matter be conclusively determined, allowing for, a number of components together with the truth that majority of the members didn’t obtain the e-mail, coupled with the truth that the Name to Bar topic was too necessary and central to the Physique and the content material of the letter was not such that may very well be taken beneath the AOB.

“Moreover, the letter was addressed to the Chairman, Physique of Benchers, due to this fact, there may be the necessity for the Chairman’s response to be acquired for correct consideration.

“It was due to this fact, resolved that the matter be taken on the emergency assembly of the Physique scheduled to happen in January 2023 at a date to be communicated to members.

“Thereafter, the movement for adjournment of the assembly was moved.

“The Physique frowned at the usage of the social media platform in forwarding delicate official paperwork communication.

” I’ve been directed to concern the above assertion following the repeated calls made looking for info on the conduct of the Name to Bar ceremonies and the place of the Physique of Benchers on the decision by the NBA for the Chairman, Physique of Benchers to recuse himself from presiding over the ceremonies.

“To the glory of God, the Name to Bar ceremonies have been profitable.”