*DATED THIS 27TH DAY OF APRIL 2025.*
The Nyanya-Karu Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) under my leadership has observed with utter dismay and profound disappointment the recent publication in Punch Newspapers of 24th April, 2025, authored by an unknown group parading itself as the *”Public Interest Lawyers League, (PILL)”* and led by one Abdul Mahmud, a character hitherto unknown in reputable circles of our noble profession.
This so-called group, whose very name is concocted and whose existence is fictitious, has called for the resignation of our hardworking and bold President, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, and the highly respected Chairman of the NBA 2025 Annual General Conference Organizing Committee, Chief Emeka Obegolu SAN, on the flimsy and laughable allegation of receiving financial support from the Rivers State Government.
We, members of the NBA Nyanya-Karu Branch, Abuja, categorically reject, condemn, and denounce the baseless and ill-motivated press release. It is clear to all discerning minds that this attack is a desperate attempt by enemies of democracy and agents of tyranny who are aggrieved by the NBA’s bold and historic decision to move the 2025 Annual General Conference from Rivers State to Enugu State in principled protest against the unconstitutional suspension of democracy in Rivers State.
The conduct of Abdul Mahmud and his cohort is not only irresponsible and ignoble but also constitutes a grave violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023, which expressly provides that “a lawyer shall not engage in any conduct which is unbecoming of a legal practitioner.” Their shameful conduct is clearly unbecoming, intended solely to tarnish the hard-earned reputation of our President and bring the entire legal profession into disrepute.
In light of these developments, the Nyanya-Karu Branch has immediately constituted a special team to investigate and uncover the full identities of Abdul Mahmud and his collaborators. Upon identification, we shall not hesitate to file a petition before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for appropriate disciplinary action against these impostors who have thrown caution and professionalism to the wind.
Furthermore, we must remind all stakeholders and the general public that one of the key mandates of the NBA Annual General Conference Organizing Committee is to mobilize funds to ensure the delivery of a world-class conference. All donations and financial support received for that purpose from legitimate stakeholders, including the Rivers State Government, are valid, transparent, and consistent with the long-established practices of the Association.
We reiterate in the strongest terms our unflinching confidence in the pro-active, courageous, and visionary leadership of Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN as the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, and the sterling stewardship of Chief Emeka Obegolu SAN as Chairman of the 2025 Annual General Conference Organizing Committee.
The Nyanya-Karu Branch stands solidly with them and urges them to remain undeterred and focused on delivering their mandate to the Nigerian Bar Association and the Nigerian people at large.
*Enemies of democracy and their cowardly proxies will not succeed!*
*Signed:*
*Elder Morris Osakwe*
*Caretaker Committee Chairman*
*NBA Nyanya-Karu Branch, Abuja*
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