NBA Probe: Court Reserves Ruling

A n Ikeja High Court will on April 23 decide whether or not to stop the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association from investigating a Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Victor Otuyemi over allegation of N5.5 million fraud levelled against him.

The court will on that day determine whether the NBA should proceed with its investigation into a petition presented before it by an aggrieved businesswoman, Titilayo Okuyiga that the lawyer allegedly defrauded her of a total sum of N5.5 million in respect of her father’s property at 12, Church Street, Oshodi, Lagos State.

Objecting to the step taken by Okuyiga, the respondent (Otuyemi) instituted a suit before the Ikeja High Court praying the trial judge, O.O. Oke to stop the professional Ethics and Disciplinary Committee of NBA, Ikeja branch from going ahead with the investigation.

Countering the suit, the claimant, Okuyiga prayed the court to allow the committee carry out its assignment in the interest of justice and prayed the court to dismiss the suit brought by Otuyemi.

She averred in the 48-paragraph counter affidavit that the committee “has been very fair, just and neutral ”to everybody despite the numerous applications for adjournments and motions by the claimants.

She deposed further that the committee “is not a court or tribunal and does not judge anybody,” adding that the committee is just an administrative panel on fact finding mission.”

At the commencement of the proceedings yesterday, the two parties adopted their written addresses in support of heir averments.