A lawyer, Christopher Chidera, has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for allegedly failing to speak out or intervene in what he described as the unjust treatment and unfair trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Chidera, a member of the Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Global Legal Consortium, made the allegation in a letter addressed to the NBA leadership and copied to the International Bar Association (IBA).

The lawyer accused the NBA of becoming a spectator to what he described as the erosion of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, particularly in relation to Kanu’s legal battles.

The NBA is currently holding its annual convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with about 23,000 lawyers reportedly attending.

Chidera expressed disappointment over the association’s alleged silence on Kanu’s case, accusing it of abandoning its responsibility to defend the rule of law.

“The NBA is holding a jamboree while criminal justice burns,” he said, alleging that the association’s silence amounted to complicity.

He also compared the current NBA leadership with the legacy of the late human rights lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi, whom he described as a fearless advocate who confronted government whenever he believed power was being exercised unlawfully.

According to Chidera, the NBA has become more focused on professional gatherings, titles and access to political power than on defending the principles of justice and the rule of law.

He cited the October 13, 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which discharged Kanu and quashed the charges against him, arguing that the government did not file an appeal or obtain a stay of execution for eight days after the judgment.

“For eight days, the judgment stood and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remained entitled to the consequence of that judgment: his liberty,” Chidera said.

He questioned the subsequent use of a stay of execution to prevent the effect of the appellate judgment, describing the development as an issue that should concern criminal lawyers across the country.

Chidera also alleged that Kanu had spent about 14 months in detention without a valid charge following his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria, accusing the legal establishment of failing to adequately challenge the development.

The lawyer further faulted the NBA over alleged silence during contempt proceedings involving the Department of State Services (DSS) and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, over alleged disobedience of the Court of Appeal judgment.

He argued that the NBA had a responsibility to question whether government authorities could disobey court orders and subsequently benefit from judicial protection against the consequences.

“The Nigerian Bar Association cannot continue to pretend that this is merely another case involving a controversial defendant,” Chidera said.

He maintained that the central issue was not whether lawyers supported Kanu personally, but whether the rule of law and constitutional protections applied equally to every citizen.

Chidera called on the NBA to revive what he described as the courage and activism associated with Fawehinmi and urged the association to take a stronger position on issues affecting the integrity of Nigeria’s justice system.

“The watchdog has become a lapdog. NBA, where is your conscience? Where is the Nigerian Bar Association?” he asked.