Rivers State Bar Association Fights Back Against Government Query
NBA Leaders from the Rivers team Deny Sole Administrator's Inquiry, Branding It as a Silencing of Freedom of Expression
In a bold move, the eight branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Rivers State have stood their ground against a query issued to the Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch, Cordelia Eke, by the Sole Administrator of the state via the Ministry of Justice.
The contentious query, signed by Director of Administration at the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Ebiriemg Deresima, alleged that Eke engaged in "serious misconduct" by co-signing a communique that criticized the state administration for alleged acts of lawlessness and impunity.
The communique, which echoed the collective stance of all NBA branches in Rivers State, raised concerns over the dismantling of democratic structures and suppression of peaceful demonstrations, actions that violated the Public Service Rules, as per the query.
Perceiving this as a blatant attempt to intimidate Eke and other legal professionals in the state, the chairmen of the Rivers NBA branches vehemently refused to back down.
They clarified that the communique was not authored by Eke in her capacity as a public servant but as the elected Chairperson of the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA. The communique, dated April 9, was a product of formal NBA deliberations and represented a united front against perceived unconstitutional governance practices.
Notably, the chairmen's position was consistent with that of the NBA at the national level, as outlined by the Association's President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.
Accusing the Sole Administrator of attempting to silence opposing voices and dismantle democratic principles under the pretext of fostering peace, the chairmen declared their resolve to stand against such tactics.
"This query to our brother Chairman is nothing but a ploy by which the Sole Administrator seeks to intimidate her into discontinuing her functions and duties as Chairman of NBA Port Harcourt Branch, and an attempt to intimidate lawyers in Rivers State and by extension other good people of Rivers State from standing up and speaking against executive rascality and impunity," they stated.
Emphasizing the significance of their role as the watchdog of society, they promised to continue resisting any acts of intimidation or victimization against NBA leadership, members of the legal profession, or the people of Rivers State.
The statement was signed by the chairpersons of various NBA branches in the state, including Dr. Hilda Desmond-Ihekaire (Ahoada), Simple Dioha, Esq. (Isiokpo), Abiye Abo, Esq. (Degema), Dr. N. A. Duson (Bori), and Dr. Celestine Nwankwo (Okehi), among others.
In line with the NBA's mission to promote the rule of law, the chairmen stood firm, refusing to be silenced in their pursuit of justice.
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- The eight branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Rivers State have refused to back down against a query issued to the Chairman of Port Harcourt Branch, Cordelia Eke.
- The query accused Eke of engaging in "serious misconduct" for co-signing a communique critical of the state administration.
- The communique, authored by the NBA as a united front, raised concerns about dismantling of democratic structures and suppression of peaceful demonstrations.
- The chairmen of the Rivers NBA branches view this query as an attempt to intimidate legal professionals in the state.
- They clarified that the communique was not authored by Eke in her capacity as a public servant but as the elected Chairperson of the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA.
- The chairmans' position was consistent with that of the NBA at the national level, as outlined by the Association's President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.
- The chairmen accused the Sole Administrator of attempting to silence opposing voices and dismantle democratic principles under the pretext of fostering peace.
- In a statement, the chairpersons of various NBA branches in the state declared their resolve to stand against such tactics.
- The NBA's role as the watchdog of society and their pursuit of justice led them to refuse being silenced.
- In the general news, the chairmans' stance comes amidst the predicted migration due to war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation changes, with sports such as football and basketball offering a temporary escape in the NBA.
