By Adedapo Adesanya
Drama ensued at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Thursday when some national officers of the group accused the NBA President, Mr Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), of not carrying them along with his decisions.
In a trending video on social media, the National Treasurer of the association, Mrs Caroline Anze-Bishop, disowned the financial statements presented at the meeting, saying it was prepared without her input.
Mrs Anze-Bishop refused to adopt the financial report, saying she respects the bar too much to sign off on unknown accounts.
In her words, “I was not allowed to know anything about the finances of the NBA. The Financial Reports were prepared without my singular input. [The document] was only brought to me to sign! I respect the bar too much to sign an account I don’t know.”
She wasn’t the only one as Business Post learned that 2nd Vice President, Mr Chukwuemeka Clement Ugo, also lamented being sidelined by Mr Maikyau despite his constitutional duties as acting president when the president is unavailable.
He called for his office to take on more responsibilities at the AGM, regarded as the NBA’s highest decision-making body.
He was joined by the 3rd Vice President, Mrs Mandy Asagba, who accused Mr Maikyau of disregarding her office and enacting deliberate measures to render her position redundant.
She claimed the entire AGM and Annual General Conference planning excluded national officers.
An attempt to sweep the matter under the carpet by former NBA President, Mr OCJ Okocha (SAN), was met with strong resistance by the accused, who insisted on responding directly to the allegations.
The former officeholder suggested the national officers’ grievances be addressed through an elders committee, but Mr Maikyau ensured he addressed the matter.
On the issue raised by the National Treasurer, he said, “I never said I don’t need the Treasurer; I only told her that I don’t need her permission to function.”
He also accused the national officers of resentment over his refusal to share lawyers’ annual practising fees with them, referencing past attempts to share millions in NBA funds, which he blocked.
He alleged the officers came to the National Executive Council meeting intent on squandering BPF money, leading to their rebellion when he opposed the plans.
In a lengthy speech, he went on a spat that saw the meeting end abruptly amidst shouts and chaos, leading him to hastily adjourn the event.
The development has since raised many concerns about the power play in the politics of the association.
