By Ayodele Oni
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has disclaimed a protest by some persons claiming to be lawyers against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in support of former Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello.
The protesters on Monday in Abuja claimed that EFCC resorted to what they called the illegal approach in handling allegations against Yahaya Bello.
The no fewer than 500 self acclaimed legal practitioners from across the country had stormed the Supreme Court complex.
The lawyers, under the umbrella of judicial watchdogs, faulted the siege on the ex-Gov’s residence, in a bid to arrest him, inspite of a valid court order to the contrary, which had not been vacated.
However the NBA through its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Habeeb Lawal, on Tuesday clarified that the group of protesters are not lawyers.
The notice reads: “The above report refers.
“The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is aware that some news outlets have reported this news.
“Please be informed that while the NBA respects the rights of citizens to assemble and protest, we insist that this particular group of persons are not lawyers.
“For completeness, their supposed leader or convener Sylvanus K. Alewu is not a name known to us.”
Meanwhile, the embattled immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello said on Tuesday that he was ready to appear before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer to the 19-count charge the EFCC, preferred against him.
Though Bello was again absent for his arraignment, he briefed a team of lawyers who addressed the court on his behalf on Tuesday.
A member of his legal team, Mr. Adeola Adedipe, SAN, told the court that his client would have made himself available for the proceedings, but was afraid that he would be arrested.
“The defendant wants to come to court but he is afraid that there is an order of arrest hanging on his head,” Adedipe, SAN, submitted.
Consequently, he urged the court to set aside the exparte order of arrest it earlier issued against the former governor.
Adedipe, SAN, contended that as at the time the order of arrest was made, the charge had not been served on his client as required by the law.
 has disclaimed a protest by some persons claiming to be lawyers against the EFCC in support of former Governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello. No fewer than 500 self acclaimed legal practitioners under the umbrella of judicial watchdogs, faulted the siege on the ex-Gov’s residence, in a bid to arrest him){kind=link}