NBA to take Umahi’s apology to CJN, affected judge

thecornetadmin March 10, 2022

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Olumide Akpata, the president of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, says it has accepted the apology of Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi and would take the same to Justice Iyang Ekwo and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Tanko.

The Cornet reported the NBA’s angst at Umahi’s broadside against Justice Ekwo, who in a ruling, proclaimed the governor and his deputy’s removal for defecting from their initial party, the PDP, to the All Progressives Congress.

Akpata, in string of tweets on Thursday, said Umahi had complied with the NBA’s demand of an ‘apology and a retraction of the comments.’

He also said, “Following that statement, H.E. Engr. Umahi made extensive efforts to reach me and in the course of our conversation, I reiterated that the NBA has no interest in the case other than to ensure that the sanctity of the judicial system is protected & the rule of law respected

“In line with our demands, H.E. Engr. Umahi addressed a cross section of Ebonyi State citizens, where he unreservedly apologised for his comments, clarified his intentions and very importantly too, called for calm while urging his people to refrain from denigrating the Judiciary.

“I will immediately transmit this apology to His Lordship, Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo and My Lord the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, who is the head of the Judiciary in Nigeria, and urge them to also accept same.

“I must however reiterate that there is a well established procedure by law for challenging unfavourable decisions of courts of competent jurisdiction and the @NigBarAssoc under my administration will continue to fulfil its mandate by rising to the defence of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the sanctity of court orders.

“Now that the right thing has been done & the appeal process has been activated, we shall resume our backseat and allow the process take its course. As far as the NBA is concerned, this brings an end to this unfortunate episode but we hope that important lessons have been learnt.”