NBA Inuagurates Security Agencies Relations Commitee
By Prosper Okoye –
Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has formerly inducted into office members of its Security Agencies Relations Commitee (SARC), that was set up to build bridges, and strenghten communication between the legal practitioners and security agencies in Nigeria.
The initiation of NBA SARC became necessary as a result of the increase in cases of maltreatment of legal practitioners by security operatives, whilst discharging official duties and obligations to clients, according to a press release by the Association.
NBA national President, Olumide A. Akpata Esq. In the association’s last NEC meeting, set up the NBA – Securities Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC) to work in liaison with all security agencies across the country to forestall the ugly trend, while Manning the following functions:
“1. Formulate policies to be implemented by the NBA (whether alone or in collaboration with other stakeholders) that will deal holistically with the risk posed to Nigerian lawyers by security agencies.
2. Collaborate with the relevant security agencies to promote and advance a mutually beneficial relationship between the said agencies and lawyers in Nigeria.
3. Develop and promote proper protocols for engagement with security agencies by lawyers, in the course of carrying out their professional duties.
4. Work with the various branches of the NBA to achieve, at the branch level, objectives that are similar to those set out in these terms of reference.
5. Promptly intervene in cases of harassment, unlawful detention, intimidation, etc. of lawyers (in the course of carrying out their professional duties) by security agencies.
6. Carry out any other function that may be assigned to the Committee by the President or the National Executive Council; and
7. Make recommendations to the NBA President as appropriate and carry out such other functions that are consistent with the foregoing or which are necessary to achieve the mandate of the Committee.” The statement reads.
Legal Practitioners who have, or are been unjustly intimidated, harassed, humiliated or subjected to unwarranted hardship in the course of interaction with any security agency, are enjoined to report same to the Committee via the telephone numbers of the Committee members enumerated below.
1. Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, MFR, OFR. (Chairman)- 08022231999
2. Alex Muoka (Alternate Chairman)-08033009242
3. Marian Jones (Secretary)-08033479752
4. Taiwo Lakanu (DIG Rtd.) (Member)-08037160989
5. Mohammad I. Tsav (Member)-07035653513
6. Valentine Odili (Member)-08035047498
7. Adanna Lynda Uba (Member)-08032925119
8. Chief M. A. O. Iyamanbhor (Member)-08037204923
9. Julie Ariahu (Member)-08023411581
10. Salman Alhaji Salman (Member)-08037252757
11. Nnaemeka Emmanuel Otagburuagu (Member)-08039566682
12. Peter Chukwunyelu Ikebuaso (Member)-08033133739
13. John Aikpokpo-Martins (Member)-08023063841
14. Rabiah A. Hassan (Committee Liaison Officer)-08063579840.”
