As the Nigerian Bar Association prepares to elect a new President, a former President of the association, Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has said a former Deputy Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof Ernest Ojukwu (SAN), is the best candidate for the job.
The NBA Presidency has been zoned to the South-East and Ojukwu is up against two legal titans – Mr Paul Usoro (SAN) and Mr Arthur Obi-Okafor (SAN), in the presidential race.
In a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, Agbakoba urged fellow legal practitioners to go for Ojukwu, among the three aspirants, describing the former law school don as an experienced man of “integrity, sincerity and courage.”
According to Agbakoba, having worked closely with and contributed to the achievements of past NBA Presidents, Ojukwu is the most qualified candidate for the job.
He said the NBA needed Ojukwu at this time to protect the independence of the judiciary.
Agbakoba said, “In about one week, we would vote for the next President of the NBA. It is clear to me, from the list of contestants, that Prof Ernest Ojukwu (SAN) is the most qualified.
“Ernest worked closely with me on many thematic subjects of reform when I was NBA President. He was extremely resourceful. I also know he immensely contributed to the success of past Presidents, such as Chief Okpoko (SAN), OCJ Okocha (SAN), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Bayo Ojo (SAN), Prince Lanke Odogiyan, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), etc.
“He has clear vision and understanding of the workings of the Bar and the legal profession at the highest level.
“The NBA needs Prof Ojukwu’s leadership experience, integrity, sincerity and courage.
“I believe that the Bar needs a President who can stand as did Thomas Erskine, in England, and declare bravely that: ‘I will, at all hazard, protect the independence’ of the Nigerian Bar and the legal profession.
“We need a man of courage and conviction who has a full grasp of issues, not just of the Bar, but also of our nation and will be able to speak out with courage, conviction and candour.
“I have read the manifestos of all the candidates. Prof Ojukwu’s is inspiring. I endorse him.”
