By Ola Ajayi

THINGS are definitely not at ease with the members of Egbe Amofin, an umbrella body of lawyers in the South West, over nomination of a presidential candidate for the 2014 election of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which comes up in July. Egbe Amofin has been split into two with a faction supporting the candidacy of Dele Adesina(SAN).

At a meeting in Akure last December, Adeshina was chosen to the disappointment of the forum headed by Bamidele Aiku (SAN).
Lawyers in the zone almost engaged themselves in a free-for-all last Saturday when the screening committee led by Mrs. Priscillia Kuye could not screen the only candidate (Adesina) who presented himself for the screening.

*Funke Adekoya

Out of the three aspirants, Chief Adeniyi Akintola(SAN), and Mrs. Funke Adekoya(SAN) had earlier sent two separate letters to the screening committee set up by Egbe Amofin, that they would not appear before it for various reasons.

She stated, “the committee did not discuss or decide on whether the criteria established by the previous screening committees, or any other criteria, were to be used for the selection of a candidate. It is therefore unclear on what basis the candidates are to be screened.”

She alleged that, “at the conclusion of the Egbe meeting, certain branch chairmen were overheard stating that adjourning the screening was a waste of time as they have already decided on which candidate to endorse, even without the privilege of reading the CVs and manifestoes of all candidates”.

She also argued that the tenure of some branch chairmen who are members of the committee had expired, particularly that of the chairman of Ota branch. Adding that the appointment of such persons into a committee saddled with such important assignment is procedurally wrong and unacceptable.

Akintola in his own letter said “At the meeting of the Egbe Amofin held in Ibadan on January 11, 2014 , members of two branches particularly Okitipupa and Ikorodu told the meeting that their chairmen’s adoption of one of us in Akure were done against the will of the executive members and the entire members of the respective branches.

Yet, this same chairmen in spite of the denouncements are members of the committee of chairmen who sat on February 15, 2014 to screen the candidates. On what basis then can we be sure that they are representing the wishes of their members”.

Chief Akintola further stated that seniority at the bar is a long respected rule in the legal profession but that “the composition of the committee of chairmen as screening committee has constituted an abuse of this cherished rule and subjecting myself to the committee will amount to aiding in the abuse…..”

Also, some members of  the branches share the feelings of the two aspirants. In separate letters written to Kuye, lawyers in Ikorodu and Badagry branches have also stated that as far as the screening of candidates for the Egbe was concerned, their chairmen do not hold their mandate.

According to the letter signed by the Vice chairman and Social Secretary of the Ikorodu branch, L.T Ganiyu and Islamiyyat Adesola respectfully, the branch had not met to deliberate on the position that reflects the wish of the entire branch as far as selecting a candidate is concerned.

Secretary to the Badagry NBA branch, SYZ Orlando said in his own letter: “Badagry Branch therefore has not authorized or mandated either the Chairman of the branch or any person whosoever to vote on our behalf the adoption of any candidate in your forthcoming meeting said to be convened for the purpose.

The refusal of the two aspirants indeed stalled the screening that was to take place last Saturday as the committee declined to screen Adesina who was the only aspirant that showed up.
But, the committee had a rather hectic time as loyalists of Adesina threw caution to the winds calling the screening committee many unprintable names. They even chanted many slogans suggesting they had no regard for Egbe Amofin again.

Four-hour meeting
But, this did not make Mrs. Kuye to change her stance. After a four-hour meeting with branch chairmen at the Afe Babalola Bar Centre, Ibadan, she said, “we have four aspirants for the election and one did not submit his CV. Out of the three remaining aspirants, two refused to submit themselves for screening under our jurisdiction. Besides, we have received six petitions.

Four from branch chairmen and two from aspirants.  The four branches that wrote the petitions are Okitipupa, Badagry, Ikorodu and Ogbomoso. In the petitions, they alleged that some of the members of the screening committee had received financial inducement”.

There is no Egbe Amofin again” and chanted many anti-solidarity songs discrediting the committee.
At a time, both parties were struggling to have audience with newsmen at the venue. When Mrs. Kuye wanted to speak with newsmen on the corridor of the Bar Centre, those who were not pleased by her decision booed her until she retreated.