NBA HIGH POWERED COMMITTEE TO INTER-ALIA INQUIRE INTO THE ISSUES AFFECTING THE JUDICIARY SUCH AS RECENT FACE OFF BETWEEN THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA AND PRESIDENT, COURT OF APPEAL, ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION AGAINST THE JUDICIARY AND COMPLAINTS AGAINST LEGAL PRACTITIONERS WHO AID AND ABET CORRUPTION IN THE JUDICIARY.

Pursuant

  to the resolution of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association made at the Awka, Anambra State on the 17^th of February 2011.  I have been in my capacity as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association directed to set up a high powered committee to investigate and report back to NBA-NEC the following:

1. CJN/PCA faceoff.
2. Debilitating corruption eating into and corroding the entire judicial system.
3. Legal practitioners who promote corruption in a variety of ways in the system.

In compliance with the said NEC directives/resolution, I hereby appoint the following eminent persons as members of the above described NBA committee; they are:

1. Chief T.J.O. Okpoko, SAN                              Chairman
2. Mr. Ebenezer Obeya                                    Secretary
3. Mr. Idowu Sofola, SAN                                  Member
4. Dr. S.S. Ameh, SAN                                       Member
5. Mr. O.C.J. Okocha, SAN                                 Member
6. Mr. E.J.J. Toro, SAN                                       Member
7. Chief Assam. Assam, SAN                             Member
8. Professor G. O. Olawoyin, SAN                     Member
9. Mr. Marcus Yarkasuwa Saleh, SAN               Member
10. Mr. Obi Ulasi, SAN                                        Member
11. Chief Bamidele Aiku, SAN                             Member
12. Alh. M. U. Ibrahim -                                     Member
13. Mrs Stella Ugboma                                       Member

The Secretariat of the NBA has been put on high alert to ensure that the activities of the committee proceeds unhindered.  The General Secretary, Mr. Olumuyiwa Akinboro (08035869896, akinboro@akinboro.com), Director of Administration, Mr. Osita Okoro (08033748857, ositaokoro@yahoo.com, osita.okoro@nba.org.ng) Program Officer, Mr. John Demide (08034755035, johndemide@yahoo.com, john.demide@nba.org.ng) will be on hand to minister to the committee. 

Finally, the Chairman of the committee will as expeditiously as possible fix a date (preferably within this week) for a commencement of the committee’s activities.  The committee will regulate its activities and within the shortest possible time, submit its report to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, who will in turn forward it to NEC/NBA for it to deal with as it pleases. 

Joseph Bodunrin Daudu, SAN
Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja
21/02/2011