From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
No fewer than 25 lawyers have tackled the Kano State Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association over his statement on the Kano emirate dispute, cautioning him to avoid dragging the bar into politics.
The statement which was signed by Abdurazaq A Ahmed Esq, Asmau Suleiman Esq and 21 other lawyers cautioned the Chairman against promoting politics and becoming partisan.
The lawyers objected to several aspects of his statement and alerted the public that the views he canvassed were his personal opinion as there was no consultation with the members of the association ahead of his statement
Speaking on the point of law, they reminded him of a Federal High Court order dated May 23rd which suspended the implementation of the 2024 Kano Emirate Law.
They also disagreed with him on whose court has jurisdiction over the matter adding that the NBA cannot determine the court that has jurisdiction or has no jurisdiction
“It is an issue to be canvassed and ventilated before the court and for the court to determine and not for the social media to determine” they stated.
According to these lawyers, the NBA chairman’s condemnation of the military was without legal basis, adding that both the police and the military are there to obey the court order, both of which they argued were constitutional and backed by Section 287 (3) of the Nigeria Constitution. “This uncalled condemnation of the military is the reason the NBA Chairman is dragging the NBA into politics.
“We see nothing wrong in the actions of the army. They are here to maintain law and order and peaceful coexistence’ they stated while cautioning the chairman to be mindful so as not to encourage the Kano State government to disobey the court
It could be recalled that the NBA state chairman, Sagir Suleman Gezewa had in a statement yesterday asserted the prerogative of the governor to assert to laws, saying that once assented it, it has become a law and its implementation should be done by all states apparatuses among other issues
Meanwhile, a group of protesters marched through the streets of Gaya Emirate Council on Sunday. They assembled, prayed and thereafter, demanded the return of their Emir.