By Dayo Benson & Abdulwahab Abdulah

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has said the issuance of the practice licences to Nigerian lawyers will now be based on their participation in the Continuing Professional Development Programmes, CPDP.

Making the disclosure at the just concluded national executive council (NEC) meeting of the association in Sokoto, NBA President, Mr Augustine Alegeh, SAN, said though, the practising licence will be issued this year on the basis of payment of Bar Practising Fees, he added that future issuance will be different.

Alegeh who spoke on several development programmes going on in the Bar, said “Presently, the Practice Licence this year will be issued on the basis of payment of Bar Practising Fees alone. However, its issuance in subsequent years will be based on the participation at Continuing Professional Development Programmes in line with the provisions of the RPC.

“We have referred this matter to our General Practice Committee to review and make recommendations on the way forward.” Speaking on the NBA Insurance Policy, the president said the scheme has been unfolded on April, 15, 2015, adding that lawyers who have paid their Bar practising fees and verified are covered under the scheme.

“All Lawyers who have paid their Bar Practising fees are encouraged to fill and submit their Insurance Forms to their branches as soon as possible to enable them reap the benefits of this scheme.” He added that said the association has embarked on what he called-NBA VISA Affinity Cards, which he noted will serve as an Identification Card of members as well as a payment card that serves all online payment portals; ATMs and POS terminals.

“The NBA VISA Affinity card will also afford lawyers the opportunity to access the various discounted welfare packages of several Service Providers negotiated on their behalf by the NBA. “Most importantly the NBA VISA Card when used for payment on the NBA online platform for NBA Conferences, programmes and Seminars will attract a certain level of discount,” he added.

Emphasising the importance of pro bono services by lawyers, Alegeh said that plans had been concluded to establish a National Pro Bono Centre, NPBC, to address all issues relating to pro bono work/services rendered by lawyers to the general public.

“We are currently looking for an Office space in Abuja and will soon employ staff to work at the Pro Bono Centre,” he added. He commended the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal for his support for the programme held in Sokoto and promised to give a purposeful leadership to the Nigerian Bar.