We’re embarrassed and scandalised by conflicting court judgements – NBA

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has described as embarrassing, recent judgements delivered by judges of Federal High Court in the country.

This is as the association restated its commitment to the federal government’s war against corruption, calling on the government to ensure that its anti- corruption fight is fought within the ambits of the law.

Outgoing NBA president, Mr Augustine Alegeh, SAN, spoke in Port Harcourt yesterday at the opening ceremony of the 56th annual general conference of the association, with the theme, “Democracy and Economic Development”.

He said, “As a group, as a body and as lawyers, we restate our commitment to zero tolerance to corruption in Nigeria. At the risk of sounding out loud, the war against corruption can be fought mostly and be won within the ambits of the law.

“Also, we want to state that any attempt to fight corruption through the back door amounts to corruption also. The NBA will provide free legal services in the fight against corruption.

“If the fight against corruption is personal, if the fight against corruption is political or if the fight against corruption is to collect one man’s property and hand it over to another man, we are not part of it.”

Alegeh called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, to rise up and check the rise in number of conflicting judgements dished out daily by judges of the Federal High Court.

The NBA President said, “The NBA is highly embarrassed and scandalised by the state of conflicting judgements from judges of the Federal High Court. We urge the National Judicial Council (NJC) and Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to look into it. It is a shame and embarrassment to the legal profession.”

Alegeh decried the attempt by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to take over the duties and responsibilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police by going after politicians who were involved in electoral violence.

He appealed to the Attorney-General of the Federation, to, as a matter of urgency, streamline the responsibility and functions of NHRC, to enable it continue its fight against human right abuses in the country.

In his speech, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, said the NBA’s decision to hold its conference in the state was an indication of calmness in the state as well as an opportunity to attract investments.

Wike called on members of the opposition political party in the state to join hands with the state government in its efforts in developing the state.