by 
The Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) Lagos Branch is demanding that the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) to permit an independent audit of the recent national election of the NBA.
In a letter, sent by the NBA Lagos Branch chairman, Olabisi Makanjuola and secretary, Emuobonuvie Majemite, they contend that an impartial audit of the election will be in the interest of accountability and transparency which are at the heart of democracy.
Below is the full text of the NBA Lagos Branch’s letter to ECNBA:
July 31, 2024
The Chairman
Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA House
Plot 1101 Mohammadu Buhari Way Central Business District
Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Attention: Oluseun Abimbola SAN Dear learned silk,
2024 ELECTIONS IN RESPECT OF THE NATIONAL EXECTUIVE COMMITTEE AND
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE BAR
IN RE: REQUEST FOR DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION NECESSARY TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF THE 2024 ELECTIONS CARRIED OUT BY ELECTION BUDDY
We refer to Part II of the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), particularly Section 8 thereof which details the conduct of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA).
Specifically, we refer to Section 8 (c) of Part II of the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the NBA which provides that the ECNBA shall:
“Establish a system that allows interested parties to access, in a timely manner, all critical information, documents, and databases used in an election process, or used in the normal operation of the election administration.”
As a Branch where several of our members ran for office, we hereby request that an independent audit of the elections be commissioned in accordance with Section 8 (c) of Part II of the Second Schedule to the Constitution of the NBA. We specifically request you set up a protocol that allows for inspections, interrogations and audit in a controlled environment that creates a balance between transparency in public affairs and the privacy of individuals.
It will interest you to note that during our Annual General Meeting held on Friday 26th July 2024, our Branch resolved to issue this request for information.
We opine that our request falls squarely within the purview of the obligations of the ECNBA, and we trust that your Committee will accede to this request in the interest of accountability and transparency.
We thank your Committee for your efforts in superintending the 2024 elections into the National Executive Committee and Representatives of the NBA to the General Council of the Bar, even as we look forward to you actioning our request.
Please accept the assurance of our highest professional regards.
Yours faithfully,
NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, LAGOS BRANCH
Olabisi Makanjuola, Chairman
Emuobonuvie Majemite, Secretary
