The Nigerian Bar Association has insisted that the nomination of respected senior lawyer, Mrs. Funke Adekoya, (SAN) to represent the Bar as the Vice Chairperson of the Body of Benchers at the BoB quarterly meeting at its headquarters in Abuja is in right direction and very appreciate.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Body of Benchers, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau SAN communicated the unanimous decision of the NBA National Executive Council of the to nominate Adekoya’s nomination to represent the Bar.
The meeting will serve as the valedictory meeting for outgoing Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN who will be replaced by current Vice Chairman, retired Justice Mary Ukaego Odili in line with Regulations 3 (1), (2) and (3) of the Body of Benchers Regulations which provide that upon the Chairman ceasing to be Chairman, the Vice-Chairman shall succeed him/her as Chairman for the next following year.
On the 23rd March, 2023, Mrs. Adekoya, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, life-bencher and former 1st Vice President of the NBA secured the nomination of the Bar at the quarterly meeting of the National Executive Council of the NBA which held in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State.
In line with the NEC directive, the NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau SAN in a letter dated 27th March, 2023, wrote to the Body of Benchers informing it of the nomination of Adekoya by NBA as its preferred candidate for the post of Vice Chairman.
Adekoya who is renowned for her work as an Arbitrator and Mediator is considered by many in both the outer and inner bar to be a unifying factor within the legal profession and her nomination came amidst concerns raised at the NEC of attempts by certain members of the Body of Benchers to cause division within the legal profession and usurp the efficacy and vibrancy of the Bar.
However, a source who spoke on conditions of anonymity said the outgoing Chairman prefers Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, instead of Adekoya.
This revelation comes as a group prepares to counter the nomination of the beloved female lawyer, Adekoya, on grounds of seniority at the Body of Benchers. Though not contained in its Regulations.
Chief Awomolo, SAN also championed the Body of Benchers Bill which was alleged by past NBA President Olumide Akpata to be an attempt to hijack the legal profession and impose the Body of Benchers, a government institution, as the paramount regulatory body over Nigeria’s legal profession.
Chief Olanipekun’s tenure as Chairman of the BoB was enmeshed in controversy and conflict. Former President of the NBA, Olumide Akpata and other leaders of the Bar had called on Olanipekun to step down as Chairman of the BoB.
This call was renewed by current NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN in December, 2022.
The Body passed a passed a vote of confidence on Olanipekun at its emergency meeting on January 24th, 2023.
