NBA constiution is obsolete, expensive- President

The President of Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), has inaugurated a 13 man member committee to review the Constitution of the Association to ease its leadership succession.

Mahmoud who expressed concern over the association leadership succession and electoral system stressed the need to adopt a less expensive and advanced system in order to keep pace with best international practices.

Mahmud stated this in a speech he delivered at the inauguration of a Committee on the Review of the NBA Constitution in Abuja.

He said one of the areas that require total constitutional overhaul and which the Committee should pay close attention to is in respect of leadership succession in NBA, and the mode of electing NBA National Officers.

According to him, an extensive study of different models and best practices across diverse jurisdictions and countries revealed that no Bar Association or Law Society used the current NBA model of leadership succession and election of National Officers.

Even amongst other professional Associations and Trade Union in Nigeria like ICAN, Nigerian Medical Association, Nigerian Society of Engineers, and NLC, Mahmud believes their leadership succession model is far more advanced and in line with international best practices compared with NBA.

“The current NBA leadership succession and election model are expensive, primordial, obsolete, risky, and may throw up mediocrity” Mahmud posited.

He maintained that the existing system does not ensure that the best candidate emerges, as it ensures the primacy of politics over professionalism.

In view of this, he urged the Committee to interrogate and review the current electoral system with a view to recommending reforms.

This challenge among others, Mahmud noted, relate to the governance structure of NBA.

However, in view of current realities, emerging trends, and challenges facing the Bar association, the NBA President said it has become imperative to amend or review the current NBA constitution.

Members of the committee are: Yusuf O. Ali, SAN Chairman; Prof. Paul Idornigie, SAN; Prof. Tahir Mamman, SAN; Hon. Obafemi Adewale; Prof. Ogugua Ikpeze; Mrs. Abimbola Akerdolu SAN; Sagir Gezawa, Esq; Yusuf Dadien, Esq; and Ogaga John Emoghwanre, Esq.

Others include: Mrs. Mercy I. Agada; Chris Nnoli, Esq; Mustapha Adekola, Esq; and Al`Ameen Abubakar, Esq.

Their terms of reference among others are as follows: To thoroughly study the NBA Constitution with a view to identifying areas that require amendment and propose appropriate amendments that will promote the objectives of the Bar.

To propose appropriate amendment in the areas pointed out in the President’s speech where the current Constitution is lacking and inadequate.

To review and propose all other such amendments as may be required necessary to the provisions of NBA Constitution.

To receive memoranda from members on all aspects of the NBA Constitution that require amendment.

To submit within 6 weeks of its inauguration the report to the Nigerian Bar Association.