The Chairmen of the eight branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Rivers State have rejected a query issued to the Chairman of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch, Cordelia Eke, by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State through the Ministry of Justice.
The controversial query, dated April 25 and signed by Ebiriemg Deresima, Director of Administration at the Ministry, accused Mrs. Eke of “serious misconduct” for co-authoring a communique that criticised the state’s administration.
The communique condemned what it described as “severe and brazen acts of lawlessness and impunity,” including the dismantling of democratic institutions and the suppression of peaceful protests. The query had argued that Eke’s conduct violated the Public Service Rules and was unbecoming of a civil servant.
In a joint press conference held on Monday in Port Harcourt, the NBA branch chairmen described the query as a deliberate move to intimidate Mrs. Eke and muzzle legal voices calling out injustice in the state. They emphasised that Eke acted within her rights as an elected leader of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch and not as a government employee.
“Our brother Chairman did not speak as a civil servant, but as the duly elected Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association,” the chairmen said. “Her statements reflected the collective position of all NBA branches in Rivers State and were consistent with deliberations held within the Association.”
They further pointed out that the position taken by Mrs. Eke and other branch chairmen aligns with that of the national NBA, as expressed by President Afam Osigwe, SAN.
The chairmen condemned the query as part of a wider clampdown on free expression in Rivers State. “The query is nothing but a ploy to intimidate Mrs. Eke into abandoning her role as Chairman and to silence lawyers and citizens who dare to speak against executive lawlessness,” they said.
The group insisted that the NBA has a constitutional duty to uphold the rule of law and to serve as a voice of conscience in society. “We cannot and will not be intimidated into silence,” they stated.
Calling the query an “unfortunate act” and a “suppression of constitutional rights,” the chairmen demanded its immediate withdrawal. They accused the Sole Administrator of misusing his office to target those who speak out against his actions, which they say threaten democratic norms and civil liberties in the state.
The statement was endorsed by Dr. Hilda Desmond-Ihekaire, Chairman, Ahoada Branch, Simple Dioha, Chairman, Isiokpo Branch, Abiye Abo, Chairman, Degema Branch, Dr. N. A. Duson, Chairman, Bori Branch, and Dr. Celestine Nwankwo, Chairman, Okehi Branch
The NBA chairmen reaffirmed their commitment to defending the legal profession and resisting any form of intimidation or harassment directed at their leadership, members, or the general public in Rivers State.
