Samuel Ogala Withdraws Petition Against Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop’s Bid For NBA General Secretary, Cites Sub Judice
Samuel Ogala, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja Branch, has formally withdrawn his petition against the candidature of Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop for the NBA elections.
The petition, which was submitted to the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) on April 22, 2024, alleged non-compliance with the provisions of Section 8(3)(b) of the NBA Constitution.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the ECNBA, Ogala clarified that he authored the petition in exercise of his legal right as an NBA member and not on the instructions of his principal, Mr. Femi Falana SAN, as insinuated by various media outlets. He emphasized that his decision to withdraw the petition was based on the fact that a lawsuit had been filed by Paul J. Magga at the Federal High Court Abuja, with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2024, against the NBA and the ECNBA Chairman on the same subject matter.
Ogala stated that since the matter is now sub judice due to the ongoing lawsuit, it would not be practically possible for him to appear before the ECNBA committee as scheduled on Thursday, April 25, to discuss the contents of his petition. He formally notified the ECNBA of his withdrawal of the petition on this premise.
The withdrawal of the petition comes amidst speculation about the involvement of Ogala’s principal, Mr. Femi Falana SAN, in the matter. However, Ogala has clarified that he acted independently in filing the petition and that his decision to withdraw it is based on the ongoing legal proceedings in the Federal High Court.
The development adds a new twist to the NBA elections, as the candidature of Caroline Ladidi Anze-Bishop has been a subject of controversy
