The Nigerian Bar Association National Executive Council (NEC) has taken decisive action by ordering the immediate removal of the Executive Committee of the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL).
This move comes in response to allegations that the SPIDEL chairman, John Aikpoko-Martins, engaged in activities that undermined the authority of NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), and the council itself.
SPIDEL, under Aikpoko-Martins’ leadership, has been involved in challenging various decisions of government institutions and individuals through legal means.
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Notable among these cases include lawsuits aimed at halting the implementation of the Central Motor Information System by the Inspector General of Police and seeking the removal of the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy for alleged violations of the National Youth Service Corps Act.
SPIDEL also contested the imposition of an annual levy for vehicle ownership certificates by the Federal Government.
However, following the NEC’s first quarter meeting held in Jos, it was decided that the actions of the SPIDEL chairman were unacceptable.
Consequently, the NEC ordered the immediate removal of the SPIDEL Executive Committee.
Furthermore, the NEC ratified all actions taken by the President regarding SPIDEL and directed the discontinuation of all lawsuits filed by Aikpoko-Martins and Funmi Adeogun purportedly on behalf of NBA-SPIDEL.
These lawsuits included those challenging various government decisions.
To manage SPIDEL’s affairs going forward, the NEC recommended the constitution of a Caretaker Committee.
This committee is also tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the filing of court cases by SPIDEL without the approval of the NEC.
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