- slams legal body for allegedly overstepping its boundaries
By John Dike, Osogbo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has slammed the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for what it described as undue interference in the issue surrounding the seized federal allocations to local government councils in the state.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, the party accused the NBA of acting beyond its constitutional powers and attempting to assume the role of the judiciary in what is purely a legal and political matter.
His words, “We are deeply disappointed that the NBA, a body of respected legal professionals, has chosen to act as a meddlesome interloper in a case where it has no legal standing.
“The NBA is not a party to the suit and lacks the locus standi to interpret or review court judgments.”
The APC questioned the basis of the NBA’s recent advisory to the Attorney General of the Federation, which called for the release of Osun’s withheld local government allocations.
The party insisted that only the Supreme Court has the authority to interpret judgments of the Court of Appeal and described the NBA’s conclusions as misleading and legally unfounded.
It said, “The NBA’s claim that the courts have ‘tacitly recognized’ the Adeleke-backed PDP council officials is a fabrication.
“No court has made such a declaration, and the February 10, 2025 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which reinstated the APC-elected chairmen, remains unchallenged and binding.”
The statement also pointed out alleged inconsistencies in the NBA’s stance, recalling that the association had earlier criticized the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction over the matter.
“Now, the same NBA appears to be backtracking and attempting to validate the decisions it once opposed,” the APC noted.
Citing the recent Supreme Court judgment in Attorney-General of the Federation vs. Attorney-General of Abia & Ors (SC/CV/343/2024), the APC argued that only local governments, not state governments or professional bodies like the NBA, have the legal right to make financial claims or request allocations on their behalf.
The APC further condemned the NBA’s alleged silence over the killing of Hon. Remi Abass, the reinstated chairman of Irewole Local Government, describing it as hypocritical for the legal body to remain mute on such a grave incident while rushing to defend an “unlawful takeover” of local councils.
“The NBA’s recent intervention appears politically motivated and raises serious questions about its objectivity and integrity,” the statement added.
The party warned the NBA to refrain from actions that could undermine public confidence in the legal profession and advised its leadership to focus on issues within its statutory mandate rather than acting as a proxy for political interests.
“We urge the NBA to stop trading the name of the noble legal profession for personal or political gain,” the party said.
