The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has begun steps to de-list the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
It also vowed to sanction its members promoting the parallel bar association.
The group frowned at the involvement of some senior members of the Bar and past leaders of the Association in the registration process of the alternative body.
The association firmly resolved that the NBA is the only recognised, umbrella association of all lawyers called to the Bar in the country adding that there is no other body permitted to operate as such.
It stated this in a communique at the end of its quarterly National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja.
The communique was signed by the NBA President, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, and Assistant General Secretary, Daniel Ka-ayii Kip.
In it, the association said NEC “received with dismay” the report of the attempt to register a parallel body of lawyers as an alternative to the Nigerian Bar Association.
The statement said, “NEC categorically resolves that the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN), a body so registered, is unknown to members of the Bar and mandates the NBA President to commence processes for the delisting of the LSN by the Corporate Affairs Commission.
“NEC further resolves to sanction all members of the Bar seeking to promote or register a new lawyers’ association, whether using a new name or an old registered, Law Society of Nigeria (LSN).
“NEC particularly resolves that a Past NBA General Secretary, Mr. Nimi Walson-Jack who acted as a solicitor to the promoters of the new law society be stripped of his privileges as past General Secretary and consequently, be suspended from being a member of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Association.”
The NEC further resolved that the NBA “remains one united entity and restates that the unity of the Bar is non-negotiable; NEC therefore enjoins all members to remain resolute in the pursuit of justice and be dedicated towards moving the association forward, despite any perceived division.”
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