You can’t suspend Ikorodu NBA Chairman – Court

An Ikeja High Court has granted an injunction restraining the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) from suspending Mr Bayo Akinlade, the Chairman of its Ikorodu Branch.

Justice Adebowale Candide-Johnson granted the injunction in a ruling on Friday, following a motion exparte filed by Mr Femi Falana (SAN), Counsel to Akinlade.

Joined as defendants in the matter are the registered trustees of the NBA and Ezekiel Ogbaide, the Acting Chairman of the Ikorodu Branch of the NBA.

Akinlade’s application sought among others, an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from acting on the purported suspension of him as the Chairman of the branch on March 28 pending the determination of the motion on notice.

Justice Candide-Johnson in his ruling said “I hold that this present case is covered by the case law of 7up Bottling Company vs Abiola and Sons Nigeria Limited.

“The motion exparte dated April 2 succeeds, the interim injunction is hereby granted as order as prayed.

“The lifespan of the interim injunction granted this Friday (April 5, 2019) shall operate until midnight of April 12, 2019.

“Substantial hearing of the motion on notice is fixed for Tuesday April 16, 2019.”

NAN reports that Akinlade was suspended on March 28 during the National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting of the NBA.

He was suspended for allegedly flouting an order from the national body of the NBA to halt the bye-election of the branch, which eventually held on March 15.