We bring you Season’s Greetings from NBA Human Rights Monitoring Committee and pray the Almighty to see us through these remaining days to the New Year.
Our attention has been drawn to the complaint and protest in various tabloids by the leadership and good people of NBA Ikorodu branch that in compiling the results of the best performing branches of the NBA in Human Rights Day celebration, the report revealed that Ikorodu branch performed only six (6) activities from January – October, 2025.
They further argued that the report was not correct and as such the NBA HRI Monitoring Committee undermined their activities. They equally alleged that they were not treated fairly while other publications referred to it as discriminatory.
Initially, we had thought that there was no need responding to avoid turning this to media war, thus, defeating the good intention the NBA HRI had introduced. The essence of this competition among branches is to create awareness and promote Human Rights not just among lawyers but among Nigerian citizens and eradicate intimidation from security agencies. But due to the negative publications and the repeated calls by NBA authorities, especially calls from the Chairman of the NBA HRI we are compelled to make this response.
We are terribly worried by the publication of the NBA Ikorodu branch as it was really unnecessary. We are therefore forced to put the record straight as follows :
We made a publication of requirements needed for the competition in most NBA platforms and also sent same to all branches of the NBA. We equally sent a link to that effect. All branches complied to the requirements. However, NBA Ikorodu branch rather than comply with the instructions sent report in form of a brochure with different pictures and wanted us to use the pictures as their activities for the said competition.
Furthermore, unlike other branches in the competition that gave details and particulars of their activities as required by stating for example the charges and their Charge Nymbers. and/or the Suits Numbers for the cases they handled in court, the particulars of the cases, the parties involved, the date the Charges and/or Suits were decided and annexed copies of Judgments and Rulings. The NBA Ikorodu branch did not do this.
Most NBA branches stated the dates they visited the police stations and correctional centre facilities, the dates and venue where they created awareness or conducted seminars, unfortunately NBA Ikorodu branch failed to do so.
For instance, they stated that they handled 18 cases on domestic violence in March, 2025. However, they failed to State the details and particulars of the cases. No charge number, no Suit number, no date, no parties. We cannot as lawyers believe that they handled 18 cases without giving the particulars of the cases.
Again, they submitted that in April, 2025 their probono committee reported multiple cases at local court but no details of the cases were stated. Till date the cases are unknown. They failed to mention them and yet they expected that they should be counted in their favour.
They stated that in May 2025, their Pro Bono Committee participated in 15 pro bono cases, yet they failed to mention the charge Numbers or Suits Numbers numbers or the cases, the parties involved and the dates of Judgments or Rulings.
This is how their report was made without specific details or particulars. In fact, in January 2025 they only proposed the activities they intended to achieve.
We ask, does it mean that the 15 pro bono cases in May, 2025 do not have Charge Numbers or Suit Numbers? What of the Judgment, Rulings or Decisions? Same is applicable to other activities.
There is no way we can embark on a voyage of discovery or speculate in order to ascertain all these activities they stated without specific details.
We as a Committee strictly complied with the instructions as contained in our Notice. Many branches who submitted their reports late were not considered which affected a member of our Committee who is from the said branch.
In order to ascertain the activities, the Committee looked at the Judgments, Rulings, Charge Numbers and Suit Numbers submitted by Branches. We also looked at dates and venues when activities were said to have taken place based on the report from the branch. Any branch that just stated the activities they participated in without giving further particulars was deemed to have failed to prove themselves and lost points. This affected many branches and not just Ikorodu branch.
We as a committee did our best and we followed the rules we set. We urge all branches that feel wronged to look at the instructions given again and take notes to avoid future occurrence.
It’s unimaginable that Ikorodu branch will feel cheated by the committee, to gain what? They should take the results in good faith and congratulates the winners. Tomorrow might be their turn. We are men of integrity and shall always keep the flag of the NBA high.
Long live the FRN
Long live the NBA
Long live the NBA – HRI
Signed:
Adam Tanko Jubreel
for the NBA Human Rights Monitoring Committee.
