EXCELLENCIES AND ALL: DO NOT RECOGNIZE MR PAUL USORO HENCEFORTH AS NBA PRESIDENT!

2^nd 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 18^th 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 1^st and 2^nd Nov 2016, at its 79^th 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 31^st 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 31^st August 2018 to 31^st 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 6^th 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