Agbakoba rejects National Conference allowances

Chief Olisa Agbakoba,(SAN) a former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association and a rights activist on Tuesday rejected the allowances set aside for delegates to the National Conference estimated at about N4 million per month for the three months exercise.

Lagos based cleric, lawyer and convener of Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare had also earlier rejected the allowance.

Bakare told the congregation in his church last Sunday that he rejected the allowance to prevent insinuation that his participation at the Conference was motivated by monetary gains.

However, Agbakoba, who was nominated into the Conference by Civil Society Organisations, based his decision on the fact that the conference “is a call to service and an opportunity to chart a new course for our country,” in his letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, whose office serves as secretariat for the National Conference.

The former NBA President said in his letter, entitled ‘Acceptance of nomination as delegate to the National conference’ that he will not be able to accept the allowances to be paid delegates.

“I write to accept my nomination as one of the 24 civil society delegates to the National Conference.

“I believe the National Conference is a call to service and an opportunity to chart a new course for our country.

“Regrettably, I will not be able to accept any form of remuneration/financial benefits from the conference,” said Agbakoba who is also a former President of Civil Liberties Organisation.