Badejo-Okusanya Sworn In As 33rd NBA President

Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya has been inaugurated as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), taking over the leadership of the professional body from Afam Osigwe, SAN.

Badejo-Okusanya was sworn into office during a ceremony held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday. The oath of office was administered by her predecessor, who formally handed over the affairs of the association to her.

During the transition ceremony, Osigwe presented Badejo-Okusanya with a handover document containing details of the association’s affairs and wished her success as she begins her tenure.

The event attracted prominent members of the legal profession, including senior lawyers, judicial officers and other dignitaries who gathered to witness the change of leadership.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has rejected allegations made by social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, that some police officers stationed at checkpoints along major highways provide kidnappers and bandits with information about travellers, thereby assisting criminal groups in carrying out abductions.

According to Ireporter Online, the Police described the allegations as serious, unsubstantiated and damaging to the reputation of the institution.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the comments made by VeryDarkMan during the NBA conference in Port Harcourt were not supported by evidence.

The Police maintained that officers deployed to checkpoints across the country are tasked with preventing crime, detecting criminal activities and protecting motorists and other members of the public.

The Force also highlighted the risks faced by its personnel, noting that police officers have been attacked and killed by terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements while carrying out their duties.

The Police said it would not shield any officer found to have compromised his or her responsibilities, stressing that such individuals would face disciplinary measures and prosecution where necessary.

However, it cautioned against making sweeping accusations against the entire police institution based on claims that have not been backed by evidence.

The Force urged VeryDarkMan to provide any evidence supporting his allegations, assuring that credible information would be treated seriously and subjected to proper investigation.

The Police further appealed to members of the public to distinguish between isolated cases of misconduct and the activities of the wider institution, stressing that many of its personnel continue to work under difficult and dangerous conditions to protect lives and property.