The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata was reportedly absent on Tuesday at the meeting of the Body of Benchers (BOB).
The meeting was held at the Body of Benchers Complex in Jabi, Abuja, was well attended by key stakeholders in the legal profession, including the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kayode Ariwoola, past CJNs – Justice Mahmud Mohammed and Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Also in attendance was Justice Mary Odili (Rtd), who doubles as the Vice-Chairman of the Body of Benchers.
Past Presidents of the NBA, including Paul Usoro (SAN); O. C. J. Okocha (SAN); J.B. Daudu (SAN); Okey Wali (SAN) and A.B Mahmud (SAN), amongst several others leaders of the legal profession, were also there some of who participated virtually.
Akpata’s failure to attend today’s meeting might have be due to a letter sent to the BoB Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) to step down over a petition against Ms Ogunde, a lawyer in Olanipekun’s firm
The meeting by the BOB was held in furtherance of its traditional preparations for the Call to Bar ceremonies, scheduled for Wednesday, among other important issues bordering on the security of the nation, particularly as it affects the legal profession