Adamant SPIDEL excos reject sacking, NBA raises caretaker committee

The Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law has kicked against its disbandment by the Nigerian Bar Association’s National Executive Council.

But the NBA, on Tuesday, announced the formation of a caretaker committee to replace the sacked SPIDEL executive members.

The NEC had accused the SPIDEL Chairman, John Aikpoko-Martins, of engaging in activities that undermined the authority of the NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), and the council.

As a result,  the NEC in a meeting presided over by Maikyau, ordered the immediate removal of SPIDEL executives.

The NEC also ordered the immediate withdrawal of cases instituted by SPIDEL and directed a probe to unravel the circumstances leading to the filing of such suits without the NEC’s approval.

Noteworthy among the cases was a lawsuit asking the court to remove the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, citing alleged violations of the National Youth Service Corps Act.

He filed a similar suit against music producer, Kenny Ogungbe.

In another lawsuit, the Aikpoko-Martins-led SPIDEL sought to stop the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, from implementing the Central Motor Information System for vehicle owners nationwide.

Additionally, SPIDEL also approached the court to stop the Federal Government’s imposition of an annual levy for a certificate of proof of vehicle ownership in the country.

However,  in a resolution reached by SPIDEL’s executives in an emergency meeting held on March 1, a copy which was obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday,  the executives vehemently rejected their removal.

In the resolution signed by the chairman and secretary, Funmi Adeogun, the executives vowed to continue with the court cases.

They noted that the cases were purely on public interests aimed at addressing impunity in the country.

They said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive Committee vehemently disagrees with the decisions of the NBA-NEC purportedly dissolving the NBA-SPIDEL Executive Committee and directing the withdrawal of cases aimed to secure the public interest and checkmate impunity.

“The Executive Committee will among other measures, await the outcome of pending cases on the SPIDEL matter.”

SPIDEL’s executive also stated that the NEC’s decision was a breach of a court order directing it to appear before it.

The executives also alleged that the NEC denied them the right to a fair hearing before arriving at its decisions.

However, the NBA NEC, on Tuesday,

A statement by NBA National Publicity Secretary,

Akorede Lawal, said,  “Following the decision of the National Executive Council on 29 February 2024, to remove the Executive Committee of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law, the NBA President, today, 2nd March 2024 inaugurated a caretaker committee for SPIDEL.”