During the Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference in Abuja, a number of lawyers made to leave an event called ‘Unbarred’.
The event, was hosted by Timi Agbaje and held at the Velodrome of the MKO Abiola Stadium, featured DJ Skillz and Veentage Band responsible for the music, along with a promised surprise performance.
After waiting for the event to start for quite some time, the lawyers were surprised to find out that Portable, a controversial singer, was the guest performer. Yakubu Maikyau, the NBA president, briefly spoke before a DJ entertained the lawyers and subsequently, the contentious singer took the stage.
Many of the lawyers were dissatisfied with the choice of the performer, who is known for controversies, and as a result, they decided to leave the show.
“How dare they call Portable to come and play for lawyers at the conference? Can you imagine? Normally, ‘Unbarred’ doesn’t end till 3am or 4am but we are leaving for our hotels. We are so upset,” one of the lawyers said during the walkout.
“They spoiled my day with this Zazu. He couldn’t even wear a shirt,” another lawyer said. Videos circulated on social media show a shirtless Portable climbing some of the equipment at the stadium.
Another lawyer said, “I also left but it was largely due to the fact that I was tired. Many of the conferees were unhappy that Portable was invited.”
The protesting lawyers were seen walking or driving out of the stadium around 1am.
A user, bearded_lawyah said, “I just want to see the genius at the Planning Committee meeting that thought it’d be a good idea to bring Portable to #Unbarred because if they aren’t high on Odogwu Bitters then they must be charge and bail lawyers because this thing no dey make sense no matter how you look am!”
Another user marcel_great said, “As #NigBarAssoc has decided to embarrass the bar with their choice of artiste for the unbarred concert, let it be known that we will visit the issue during the next year’s election. What business does NBA have with Portable? #afamosigwe we will remind you.”
Other lawyers, however, stayed behind to watch the controversial singer perform.
The Unbarred Concert is a live entertainment session organised for lawyers as part of the annual NBA conference.
It is the grand conference closing party and is held a day before the association’s annual general meeting.
2baba, Wande Coal, Teni, Bez, Brymo, Nini, Falz, Olamide and Ruger had performed at previous editions.