…Opposes Rivers As AGC Venue, Citing Threat To NBA’s Motto, “Promoting The Rule Of Law
Prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Jibrin Okutepa has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to abandon plans to hold its 2025 Annual General Conference in Rivers State, arguing that the state’s unconstitutional state of emergency and the replacement of its democratically elected government with a sole administrator violate the NBA’s core mission of promoting the rule of law, urging the body to reject any association with “those who murdered democracy.”
In a strongly worded statement, Jibrin Okutepa SAN, a respected legal luminary, has challenged the NBA to relocate its 2025 Annual General Conference from Rivers State, decrying the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration and the imposition of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd) as Sole Administrator by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, 2025.
Okutepa asserted that the NBA, whose motto is “promoting the rule of law,” cannot align itself with a region where democratic principles have been “dictatorially” upended. “The bedrock of democracy is the rule of law. NBA should not be seen allowing those who murdered democracy to teleguide its conferences,” he declared.
Citing the 1999 Constitution, Okutepa argued that the emergency declaration breaches foundational legal tenets. He referenced Section 1(2), which mandates that Nigeria “shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the Government… except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution,” and Section 13, which obliges all authorities to uphold constitutional duties. Sections 14(1) and (2) further affirm Nigeria as a democracy where “sovereignty belongs to the people” through free, fair, and credible elections—not arbitrary appointments. “The legitimacy of government is a function of the sovereignty of the people,” he emphasized, slamming the sole administrator’s appointment as undemocratic.
Okutepa contested the legality of the state of emergency under Section 305, which requires conditions like war, imminent threats, or natural disasters—none of which, he argued, apply to Rivers. He branded the National Assembly’s approval as “grave constitutional insubordination,” alleging it relied on voice votes rather than the mandated two-thirds majority count, calling it “the grossest constitutional absurdity.”
“The declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State is unlawful and unconstitutional. I stand by NBA. That is the position of law,” he insisted, urging the NBA to shun political actors “benefiting from this constitutional aberration.”
The SAN warned that hosting the conference in Rivers would undermine the NBA’s integrity, suggesting it move to “anywhere in Nigeria that has a semblance of democratic institutions in place.” He cautioned against blackmail or pressure to proceed, stating, “Nothing should bother NBA.” Okutepa also called for scrutiny of conference donors, urging the NBA to reject funds from “persons with unexplained wealth” or those using donations as “licenses for democratic misconduct.”
“The foremost motto of NBA does not support accepting gifts from questionable sources or gifts rooted in undoubtedly doubtful and illegitimate sources,” he stressed, positioning the NBA as a “vanguard for eradication of corruption.”
Okutepa further demanded accountability within the profession, urging the NBA to haul lawyers who “bring the legal profession to disrepute” before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), regardless of their societal status.
“Nigerians are looking to the NBA for leadership. NBA must show leadership by not only barking but also biting,” he said, reiterating, “NBA should not go to Rivers State for the 2025 Annual General Conference.”
