Eastern SANs Call for Truce Despite Recent Security Challenges in the Southeast

Concerned Senior Advocates of Nigeria of Southeast extraction, have noted with deep regret the recent killings and destruction of private and public properties, including those of the Police and other law enforcement agencies, as well as State institutions such as INEC, Courts, and Correctional Centres by unknown persons.

The Concerned Southeast SANs, in a statement signed by Chief Udechukwu Nnoruka Udechukwu, SAN, condemned unequivocally and in very clear terms, the said acts of arson and the taking of human lives in the process.

He said ‘These acts of violence are not supported, and cannot be supported by the people of the Southeast. The Concerned Southeast SANs commiserate with the families of law enforcement officers, other public servants and private individuals, who have lost their loved ones as a result of the recent carnage’.

‘Southeasterners are peace-loving, law abiding and development-oriented people, and the recent carnage is not representative of the aspirations of the good people of the Southeast, just as is the case with the other geo-political zones of the country, where there have been security challenges.

‘It is indeed, worrisome, that the persons or group of people responsible for the mayhem; where they are from and what their objectives are, remain unknown. It is equally worrisome, that the management of the crisis unfortunately exhibits double standards with regard to the response of Federal security agencies in South East vis- à-vis other similarly afflicted Zones.

‘In order to find an immediate resolution and stop further degeneration of the security situation, the Concerned Southeast SANs hereby call for a truce and immediate cessation of hostilities on all sides, to allow for a consideration of the underlying issues and grievances which have led to the recent rise in ethnic or tribal nationalism, not only in the Southeast but in other parts of the country.

‘The Concerned Southeast SANs, hereby call on those who are destroying public and private properties, especially facilities of law enforcement agencies in the Southeast zone to immediately discontinue their actions, in order to forestall the slide into a total breakdown of law and order in the Zone. The Concerned Southeast SANs urge all persons in the Southeast to remain law-abiding, whilst calling on the law enforcement agencies to respect the sanctity of life and avoid indiscriminate arrests.

‘The Concerned Southeast SANs also appeal to the Federal Government to embrace dialogue and diplomacy as a means of resolving the myriad of growing disaffections across the entire country, in the interest of peace and unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

‘The Concerned Southeast SANs also appeal to all Nigerians, especially those in leadership positions, to desist from rhetoric capable of inflaming the situation, rather than bringing the desired peace and unity which we earnestly desire. In this regard, the Concerned Southeast SANs respectfully request His Excellency, General Abdulsalam Abubakar GCFR, His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, His Excellency, Chief Emeka Anyaoku CFR, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Colonel Dangiwa Umar (Rtd) jointly with other well-meaning Nigerians from the six geo-political zones to intervene quickly in the matter, with a view to securing a truce which would provide a conducive atmosphere for resolving the underlying issues which are currently threatening the survival of our dear nation.’

Change of Baton at NBA-SLP

The Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Legal Practice successfully inaugurated a new Exco, at the recently concluded Annual General Conference of the NBA in Port Harcourt. It new officers immediately assumed office, after the Section’s forum during the Conference.
The new Exco is led by:-
* Chief Ferdinand Orbih, SAN, KSG as Chairman
* Mrs F. Boma Ayomide Alabi OON, SAN – Vice Chairperson
* Professor Augustine Agom – Secretary
* Mr Laolu Osanyin – Treasurer
Members of Council include
i. Chief J. B. Daudu, SAN
ii. Mallam Yusuf O. Ali, SAN
iii. Mr E. C. Ukala, SAN
iv. Mrs Funke Adekoya, SAN
v. Mrs Miannaya A. Essien, SAN, CArb
vi. D. C. Denwigwe, SAN
vii. Y. C. Maikyau, SAN
viii. Mr Richard Ayodele Akintunde, SAN
ix. Prof Wahab Egbewole, SAN
x. Oluseun Abimbola, SAN, FCArb
xi. Mr Charles Adeogun – Phillips
xii. Mrs Folashade Alli CArb
xiii. Mrs Ezinwa Okoroafor