2nd January, 2019
1) His
Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, C-in-C of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
2) His
Excellency Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, SAN Vice President
3) His
Excellency Dr Bukola Saraki, President of Senate
4) His
Excellency Rt. Honourable Dogara (ESQ) Speaker of the House of Representatives
5) The
Inspector General of Police
NOTICE
OF DE-RECOGNITION OF MR PAUL USOROS SAN AS PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN BAR
ASSOCIATION AND HIS IMPERSONATION OF THE OFFICE OF NBA PRESIDENT.
On 18th December
2018, the erstwhile President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Paul Usoros
SAN, FCIArb(Nigeria) was arraigned before the Federal High Court Lagos on a
ten-count charge of money laundering, corruption
and criminal breach of trust. He was granted bail in the sum of N250Million
with one surety.
Conversely, our noble,
learned and honourable colleagues demanded immediate resignation of Mr Usoros
from the exalted office out of honour to the exalted office he occupied and to
respect the honourable and legal profession whose tainted head could not be permitted to spread
the opprobrium on innocent members who are not beneficiaries of Usoros corrupt
practices particularly bearing in mind:
1. That
even civil servants face interdiction for corrupt conduct or other misconduct and
are suspended pending clearance, much more is expected of the learned profession,
whose nobility&honour tower high.
2. In October 2016, the Nigerian Bar Association
then under the presidency of A.B Mahmoud SAN resolved that Judges standing
criminal trials must step aside from their duties until “their innocence is
fully and completely established”. The quoted words are words of the Nigerian
Bar Association.
3. Two
weeks after the Nigerian Bar Association published her communications to the Nigerian
public, the National Judicial Council, on 1st and 2nd Nov
2016, at its 79th meeting toes the noble path, in a directive
compelled such Judges facing corruption charges to step-aside from their
duties. Plus appointed anti-corruption policy monitoring implementation
committee. Click: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/njc-bows-pressure-asks-arrested-judges-step-aside/
4. On
the strength of the dictum of the Supreme Court in DAUDU
vs FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (2018) 10 N.W.L.R (PT. 1626) 169
Usoro’s criminal exculpation is daunting.
5. The Usoros
were never Bar men Sirs and hitherto never held any NBA office at the Branch,
National or Intl levels; could they list off the cuff the names of some
Presidents of Nigerian Bar Association. We elected Mr Usoro at the time three
candidates contested for the office of the President of the Nigerian Bar
Association and he was the most senior.
6. The
allegation of bribery and corruption of a Judge of National Industrial Court
was hovering on the Usoros and they claimed it was not bribe money. Unfortunately
for Usoros NJC found the Judge Mr James Agbadu-Fishim culpable and dismissed
him from the bench, cause follows event. http://www.barristerng.com/with-justice-agbadu-fishim-facing-dismissal-for-receiving-gifts-should-nba-president-paul-usoro-san-be-worried/
7. Since
Mr Usoros inauguration on 31st August 2018 our members have been
dropping off like planes falling off planet earth. Unprecedented 14 Lawyers
Dead in 4 months of his ominous presidency. Some kidnapped. Lawyers lives
matter and must preserve precious lives.
8. In
his 4 months rule 31st August 2018 to 31st Dec 2018, he
failed to listen to the yearnings of our members that payment of annual practicing
fees should entitle a Lawyer to one packet of NBA Stamps. The Usoros are not on
the same Bar wave length with other two candidates in terms of reducing our
members financial burden. Usoros increase yoke, with nil regard for truth, un-democratic,
they promote mediocrity and corruption and they use thugs to fight clearly
professional battles.
9. The
Usoros were an integral part of the George Etomi TCCP 2018 conference planning,in
charge of logistics, they fleeced our
members and the TCCP was also officially condemned by National Executive
Committee of Nigerian Bar Association on 6th Dec., 2018 NEC-NBA.
10.
Articles
2.3(i)&(j) and 10(7) of the NBA Constitution 2015 summon extraordinary
general meeting of NBA to fill the vacant position of NBA President, at which
Mr Usoro can’t preside. He is not our President. NBA Constitution lists the
cadre of Vice Presidents to preside in alternative hierarchy pursuant to
Article 8(5)(b)(c)(d) and in their absence, most senior Lawyer present at the
extraordinary general meeting presides.
With profound respect, we
urge you to stop recognizing Mr Paul Usoro henceforth as President Nigerian Bar
Association. Correspondences should please be addressed to NBA House Abuja as
distinct from his name, the office of:
The President
Nigerian Bar Association
NBA House
AND/OR
The General Secretary
Nigerian Bar Association
NBA House
Compliments of the season
Yours respectfully,
C N AJIE ESQ
Coordinating Counsel
No comments:
Post a Comment