The NBA Owerri crisis has entered another dramatic phase after Senior Advocates, former Branch Chairmen and dozens of lawyers arrived for an extraordinary general meeting only to meet a padlocked gate and police presence outside the premises housing the Bar Centre.
Members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, have fixed October 15 for another Extraordinary General Meeting after their planned October 10 gathering could not hold.
According to an account by former Branch Secretary Chinedu Agu, lawyers who arrived at the Magistrates’ Court premises housing the Bar Centre found the entrance locked while police officers were stationed around the facility.
Those who attended reportedly included Senior Advocates of Nigeria, former Branch Chairmen and Secretaries and other financial members.
The aborted meeting was connected with the continuing controversy over Branch administration and questions surrounding expenditure of ₦100 million received from the Imo State Government.
Agu said 183 financial members had initially requisitioned the meeting pursuant to the Uniform Bye-Law.
He also made allegations concerning the involvement of police and judicial administrative officials in restricting access. Those claims have not been independently established and should not be treated as findings against the persons mentioned.
Former Branch Chairman Dec Madu subsequently announced that members would reconvene on Thursday, October 15.
Related: NBA Owerri Past Chairmen Back Meeting Over ₦100m Dispute
Source
behind Games Village, Abuja
5A, CGH, Games Village, Abuja