Nigerian Bar Association has withdrawn its invitation to Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai to speak at its annual conference, following protests from some lawyers.
NBA in a tweet on Thursday evening, stated;
The National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association at its ongoing meeting resolves that the invitation to the Kaduna State Governor, H.E. Nasir El-Rufai by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning committee be withdrawn and decision communicated to the Governor.
The National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association at its ongoing meeting resolves that the invitation to the Kaduna State Governor, H.E. Nasir El-Rufai by the 2020 Annual General Conference Planning committee be withdrawn and decision communicated to the Governor.
— Nigerian Bar Association (@NigBarAssoc) August 20, 2020
This follows protest against his invitation as a speaker at the NBA conference by lawyers across the country, as they began to de-register from attending the event.
Read Also: NBA Conference: Lawyers Oppose El-Rufai’s Invitation, Threaten To Boycott Event
They have criticised NBA President Paul Usoro for El-Rufai’s invitation over the killings in Southern Kaduna, alleged disdain for court orders and other things happenings in the state.
Read Also: Gunmen Kill 11 Persons In Kaduna Village
A online petition on Change.Org to stop the governor from attending the Annual General Conference was also started by a lawyer, Usani Odum, which had garnered over 3, 150 signatures as at 4pm on Thursday.
In addition, some lawyers in letter titled, ‘Request to Withdraw the Offer of Platform at the 2020 Annual General Conference of the NBA to Mallam Nasir el-Rufai’ addressed to the Chairman, Technical Committee on Conference Planning, NBA, Prof Koyinsola Ajayi, demanded for the exclusion of the governor at the conference.
The letter, which was signed by Silas Onu and Auta Nyada, listed 10 allegations against el-Rufai and his son, Bello, who is a Special Adviser to Kaduna Central lawmaker, Senator Uba Sani.
They faulted the NBA for inviting el-Rufai as a speaker at the annual conference, citing his poor human rights record and his inability to stop the killings, particularly in southern Kaduna.
The lawyers also referenced many controversial utterances of the governor including a threat during the run-up to the general elections in 2019 that “any foreigner that interfered in the poll would leave Nigeria in body bags.”
The NBA virtual conference, which holds from August 24 to August 26, 2020, is themed: ‘Am I a Nigerian- A Debate on National Identity, the Indigeneship-Citizenship Conundrum’.
Guests expected to speak at the conference include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, Governor Wike of Rivers State and a former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili.
Also included are Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Tanko Mohammed, former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami amongst others.
