REPORT ON THE MEETING OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, UYO, EKET, IKOT EKPENE AND ORON BRANCHES WITH THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. UDOM GABRIEL EMMANUEL ON WEDNESDAY, 5TH DAY OF MAY, 2021.

The meeting which was in response of the Bar in Akwa Ibom State to the directive of the National President of Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata, directing the Chairmen and members of the various branches of NBA across the nation to meet with their State Governors and dialogue on the way out of the ongoing strike by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), and consequent upon the peaceful protest march to Government House, Uyo by the leadership and members of Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Eket Branches, on Tuesday, the 4th day of May, 2021 to press home the demands of the Bar, as captured in the Press Statement jointly signed and issued by the four branches of NBA in Akwa Ibom State, dated 30th April, 2021.

At the meeting with His Excellency, the Bar presented five fundamental issues to the Akwa Ibom State Government, to wit;

1. The ongoing strike by members of JUSUN for the implementation of the constitutionally provided Financial Autonomy to the State Judiciary and its effects on the Justice system in Akwa Ibom State.
2. The non-implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Akwa Ibom State, purportedly signed into law by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State on 21st March, 2017.
3. The State of insecurity in Akwa Ibom State.Complaint of assault on lawyers during the peaceful protest march on Tuesday, 4th May, 2021 by DSP Ezra Yuguda Maiha, the Camp Commandant of Government House Security, Uyo.
4. The State Government’s lack of support to the Nigerian Bar Association in Akwa Ibom.

The Governor reacted to these fundamental issues as follows:

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1. That the JUSUN strike affects the 36 States of the nation, wherein discussions between the leadership of JUSUN, representatives of the 36 States of the nation and the Federal Government are currently ongoing to resolve same. He however stated his commitment to implementing to the latter the outcome of the meetings.
2. His Excellency expressed surprise that the ACJL has not been in force, admitting that he had signed the bill into law. He however directed the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN to look into it and give him a report.
3. He assured the Bar that the State Government has set machineries in place to checkmate and curb the menace of insecurity in the State.
4. His Excellency frowned at the action of the Government House Camp Commandant and assured the Bar that the matter will not be swept under the carpet. He directed the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem to investigate the complaint and asked the Bar to supply all necessary information, including the video footage of the incidence to aid the investigation.
5. The Governor informed the Bar that he has been supporting the Bar with funds, especially to defray cost of attending Annual General Conferences and expressed his surprise that the Bar has not been receiving same. He directed the Head of Civil Service, Mr. Effiong Essien to look into the complaint and report to him.
6. The Governor admitted that this was the first time he was meeting with the Bar since his assumption of office in 2015 and expressed his readiness to interface with the Bar regularly for the development of the State.

The Bar is appreciative of the Governor for granting audience to the Bar and it is our strong recommendation that His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel fulfills his promise of addressing these issues as rightly raised by the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association in the State.

To ensure that the recalcitrant action of DSP Ezra Yuguda Maiha is addressed with all amount of seriousness, the leadership of the Bar in Akwa Ibom State has set up a three man committee with the mandate;

A. To review the unfortunate incidence

B. Meet with the Nigeria Police hierarchy in the State and register our complaint

C. Make recommendations, including instituting a class action, if necessary, against DSP Ezra Yuguda Maiha.

Signed:

Elder Aniema Etuk
Chairman, NBA Uyo

David Ekpo, Esq.
Chairman, NBA Ikot Ekpene

Gloria Etim, Esq.
Chairman, NBA Eket

Tokunbo Otoyo, Esq.
Chairman, NBA Oron