The executive committee of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Enugu Branch in response to numerous requests by its members postponed its monthly meeting earlier scheduled for Friday, 24th February, to a future date.
This flows from the practice by governments, non-governmental agencies, schools, and other associations that grant breaks/holidays to its members and workers, to enable them to travel to their villages between Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th February to vote and relying on section 11:2 of the Uniform Byelaws of NBA Constitution.
The notice of postponement was published by the secretary of the branch, Mr. Gozie Iwuala on Wednesday, 23rd February 2023.
“The Chairman of NBA, Enugu Branch, Chief CNN Nwagbara mid way into this publication to emphasize the importance of the publication of the unusual rescheduling of the monthly meeting of NBA Enugu branch received with rude shock the news of the gruesome murder of prominent lawyer, Elder Barr Oyibo Chukwu, who was a candidate in the Enugu East senatorial zone election at Amechi Awkunanaw, the murder and attempt to murder other persons within the same area at the same day,” Publicity Secretary, J.O. Onyeabor, Esq. said in a statement.
‘The Chairman in liaison with the chairmen of other NBA branches in Enugu State boycotted the courts and issued a press statement condemning the murder and other attacks as barbaric acts of terrorism and an attempt to intimidate voters and called on the police to arrest the perpetrators, bring them to book within forty-eight hours and put a stop to such acts of terrorism.
“The Chairman while expressing his condolences to the family and the Bar over the death of Elder Barr Oyibo Chukwu admonished members not to be deterred by this painful act which must have been perpetrated by the enemies of democracy.
“He also wished members a safe journey as they travel and passionately appealed to them to strive and come out en-mass in the upcoming elections scheduled for 25th February and 11th of March to exercise their franchise by voting for the candidates of their choice.
“The Chairman further appealed to the general public not to be discouraged by the current situations in the country, vis-a-vis the killing of Elder Barr Oyibo Chukwu, the fuel scarcity, cashlessness, other acts of Insecurity, and other ills paveding our society, rather they should be determined, to surmount the challenges and ensure that they cast their votes as their major duty to have a better Nigeria.
The chairman wishes to remind members and the general public that the two dates fixed for the general elections are dates that come every four years and therefore rare opportunities which we must take full advantage of now to reshape and better our states and Nigeria in general.
The Chairman finally urged members of the Bar and the Public to come out en mass and use their votes to ensure that only the right candidates with the zeal to have a better Nigeria emerged.
He wished members a peaceful election and God’s Grace.”
