According to a statement signed by H.O.Bazuaye,Esq, Publicity Secretary Midwest Bar ForumMWBF), the MWBF, responding to the aspersions cast on it and Olumide Akpata, the immediate past NBA President, by Niyi Akintola SAN, states that MWBF, is to large to respond to the opinion of a single individual.
In the same statement, MWBF disassociated itself from a publication by one of its member, Douglas Ogbangwa and urged the public to take with a pinch of salt publications of attention seeking fellows.
The statement reads;
The attention of the Midwest Bar Forum has been drawn to a statement credited to one Douglas Ogbankwa who ascribes to himself the role of publicity secretary of the Forum. In the referenced statement issued for and on behalf of Midwest Bar Forum, Douglas Ogbankwa pilloried and condemned Niyi Akintola SAN for his unbridled criticism of the highly successful Olumide Akpata administration of the NBA.
We hereby categorically state that the statement issued by Douglas Ogbankwa was issued without the authority of the Midwest Bar Forum (MWBF) under the overall able leadership of Chief T.J. O. Okpoko OON (SAN) (FCIARB)
To this end, the actual leadership of the MWBF deems it fit to inform lawyers and the general public that the comments of Niyi Akintola, SAN are his isolated individual opinion, that does not merit any response from the MWBF. Olu Akpata was the President of the entire membership of the NBA across the country and enjoyed massive national support.
We believe that it should not be the business of regional fora, particularly the MWBF to reduce his national status to a regional or sectional one. An appropriate response is better handled through the national platforms of the NBA.
Hence the purported condemnation done by Douglas Ogbankwa is at best another personal opinion on the matter as he, by no means represents in any capacity the leadership or members of the MWBF.
Indeed, respected legal giants of Egbe Amofin extraction and other leading lights of the legal profession have published repostes to the Niyi Akintola SAN position and we believe the matter should end there.
Signed :
H.O.Bazuaye,Esq(Midwesterner)
Publicity Secretary Midwest Bar Forum
H.O.Bazuaye,Esq
CC: CHIEF T.J. ONOMIGBO OKPOKO OON (SAN) (FCIARB) Leader Midwest Bar Forum & Past National President NBA.
Prof. A. A. Utuama,SAN
Albert Akpomudje,SAN
Augustine Aleghe, SAN(Past National President, (NBA)
Chief Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan,SAN
Chief Ferdinand Orbih,SAN
Ama Etuwewe,SAN.
Ayo Asala,SAN
Aikhunegbe Anthony Malik, SAN
Prince Yusuf Asamah Kadiri SAN,FCIArb(UK). Ogaga Ovrawah,SAN.
Chairmen of MWBF Branches