Some legal practitioners say it would be “serious waste of scarce resources” should the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) leadership proceed with its proposed N100m budget for this year’s Virtual General Conference.
In an open letter dated August 17th and addressed to the chairman of the Technical Committee on Conference Planning (TCCP), Prof. Konyin Ajayi, SAN, the lawyers called for reflection, accountability and transparency.
The NBA 60th AGC 2020 would hold virtually between 26th to 29th August.
On behalf of the lawyers, a former chairman of NBA Ikorodu branch, Lagos State, Adebayo Akinlade, reasoned that there may not be any need for the AGC this year owing to the prevailing economic hardship.
While admitting that the budget is way meagre compared to previous editions, he added that such funds can be utilised in other areas, especially with the coronavirus still upon us.
“One believes that to spend or rather; to invest such a sum in a 6-day event would, at least, yield some measurable outcomes, which will help in ascertaining the worth of hosting such events,” the letter partly reads.
“In the Post-Covid era, which has negatively affected the earning capacity of Lawyers, one
would think that the NBA would take a closer look at its structures and review its
activities with a view to impacting the lives of its members. It, therefore, begs the question
whether holding a virtual AGC this year is a priority for our embattled Association.”
He, however, suggested that “these are funds that could be used for developing our human rights outreach platform, to provide an Intervention fund for law firms and lawyers that provide pro bono services, funds that could be used to start an insurance scheme for lawyers who find themselves out of employment for a brief period, funds that could be used to assist the Judiciary with much needed infrastructural requirements, funds that could be donated as grants, funds that can be used to improve the lives and practice of members through diverse schemes and initiatives; etc.”
He added saying, “Our Association at the national level did not raise a finger to provide palliatives during the height of the Covid pandemic; instead, plans were ongoing to host an AGC. As I write this letter, not one single lawyer has benefitted from the so-called palliative that NBA National was forced to embark upon. In the midst of all these; we conducted another less than desirable national elections, which further undermines our integrity as the conscience of the nation and to crown it all up; we are faced with the news that a virtual the conference will cost us nearly 100 million Naira or more.
“Mr Chairman; I know you to be a man of God who would not knowingly be part of a charade that will compromise your good standing in this profession. I, therefore, urge you to advice the President of the NBA to abandon plans to host this year’s AGC as a sign of respect to those who have suffered a great deal from the COVID pandemic.”
