2024 Poll: NBA National Officers Election Appeals Committee Issues Guidelines For Disqualified Candidates
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) National Officers Election Appeals Committee (NBA-NOEAC) has released guidelines for candidates who were disqualified from participating in the upcoming elections for National Officers and Representatives of the NBA in the General Council of the Bar. The elections are scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
The NBA-NOEAC was established under Section 14(1)(L) of the NBA Constitution, 2015 (as amended in 2021), with the mandate to receive and resolve electoral complaints and disputes arising from the election of National Officers and Representatives. The committee, constituted by NBA President Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON, SAN, with the approval of NEC, comprises seven members, including Chairman Usman Ogwu Sule, SAN, and Secretary Stella Omoikhefe Owu, Esq.
According to the guidelines, any candidate disqualified by the ECNBA in respect of their nomination or candidature may appeal to the NBA-NOEAC within seven days of the communication of the decision. The appeal must be sent via email to stellaobiozokai@nigerianbar.ng, accompanied by the Letter of Disqualification from ECNBA and other supporting documents.
The NBA-NOEAC may conduct hearings by reviewing documents presented by the petitioner, and where necessary, may call for an oral hearing, either online or in-person. The committee may rely on any document, information, or materials relevant for the just determination of the appeal petition, after giving the parties the opportunity to address it.
The hearing and determination of all appeals must be concluded within 14 days of receipt of an appeal lodged by a candidate. The decision of the NBA-NOEAC on any appeal shall be final and binding on the parties.
The guidelines, dated May 6, 2024, were signed by the Chairman, Usman Ogwu Sule, SAN, and Secretary, Stella Omeikhefe Owu-Chidozie, Esq
Recall that the following candidates were not cleared for their respective positions in the 2024 NBA General Election:
| Candidate Name | Position | Branch |
|---|---|---|
| Joyce Oduah | President | Lagos |
| Caroline Anze-Bishop | General Secretary | Bukuru |
| Sabastine Anyia | First Vice President | Aguata |
| Osamuede Asenoguan | Second Vice President | Benin |
| Tsav Iyorember Mohammed | General Secretary | Bwari |
| Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop | General Secretary | Bukuru |
| Prince Henry Mamah Chiduabo | Assistant General Secretary | Onitsha |
| Chukwuemeka Mbamala | Treasurer | Enugu |
| Felix Ashimole | Publicity Secretary | Bwari |
In the category of Representative to the General Council of the Bar
| S/N | Name | Zone | Branch | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Precious Ndidi Nwadimuya | Western | Asaba | Cleared |
| 13 | Adejorin David Abiona | Western | Ibadan | Disqualified |
| 14 | Wahab Muhammad | Northern | Gwagwalada | Disqualified |
| 15 | Dhikrullah Adewale Balogun | Western | Ibadan | Disqualified |
| 16 | Ibekwe Jovita Nkiru | Eastern | Enugu | Disqualified |
Here’s a table showing the number of candidates cleared and disqualified for each position:
| Position | Cleared | Disqualified |
|---|---|---|
| President | 3 | 1 |
| First Vice President | 5 | 1 |
| Second Vice President | 2 | 1 |
| Third Vice President | 2 | 0 |
| General Secretary | 2 | 2 |
| Assistant General Secretary | 2 | 1 |
| Treasurer | 2 | 1 |
| Welfare Secretary | 3 | 0 |
| Publicity Secretary | 2 | 1 |
| Assistant Publicity Secretary | 2 | 0 |
| Representative to the General | 11 | 4 |
| Council of the Bar | ||
| Total | 36 | 12 |
