Trouble in Nigeria’s legal body as NBA president Akpata fail to attend Body of Benchers’ meeting

Trouble in Nigeria’s legal body as NBA president Akpata fail to attend Body of Benchers’ meeting

The outgoing president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata was conspicuously absent on Tuesday at the meeting of the Body of Bencher

El-Rufai: Northern lawyers exit NBA, form new association
Group asks NBA to withdraw Obasanjo, Wike’s invitation as conference speakers
Obasanjo shuns NBA invitation as speaker to annual conference

The outgoing president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata was conspicuously absent on Tuesday at the meeting of the Body of Benchers (BOB).

The meeting which held at the Body of Benchers Complex in Jabi, Abuja, was well attended by key stakeholders in the legal profession, including the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kayode Ariwoola, past CJNs – Justice Mahmud Mohammed and Justice Walter Onnoghen.

Also in attendance was Justice Mary Odili (Rtd), who doubles as the Vice-Chairman of the Body of Benchers.

Presidents of the NBA, including Paul Usoro (SAN); O. C. J. Okocha (SAN); J.B. Daudu (SAN); Okey Wali (SAN) and A.B Mahmud (SAN), amongst several others leaders of the legal profession, were also there some of who participated virtually.

Apata who, by virtue of his office, is a member of the BOB, failed to attend Tuesday’s meeting, the first since he requested the BOB Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) to step down over a petition against a lawyer in Olanipekun’s firm.