The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, says sanctions will be meted out on any erring judicial officers participating in the resolution of electoral disputes.
The President of the NBA, Mr Yakubu Maikyau, stated this in Abuja while addressing a journalists on the state of the nation.
While ensuring that lawyers would not be intimidated by the political class, Mr Maikyau pledged the NBA’s support within its legal powers to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
“Members of the bar who misconduct themselves while participating in the resolution of electoral disputes will face disciplinary action at the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), where Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) are involved.”
Mr Maikyau lauded INEC for extending the deadline for the collection of the Permanent Voter Cards, adding that it indicated the commission’s willingness to give every eligible citizens the opportunity to exercise their franchise.
The NBA president therefore charged the INEC, to maintain its independence and integrity in the conduct of the presidential, governorship and National Assembly elections.
Reporting by Ifeoma Nwowv; Editing by Adeniyi Bakare