Chairmen of the eight Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches in Rivers State have jointly condemned a recent query issued to the Chairperson of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch, Cordelia Eke. The query, issued by the Administrator of Rivers State through the Ministry of Justice, accuses Mrs. Eke of misconduct—an accusation the NBA leaders have dismissed as an attempt to silence her and stifle free speech within the legal profession.
The query, dated April 25 and signed by Ebiriemg Deresima, Director of Administration at the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, alleged that Eke co-authored a communique that criticised the current administration in the state. The communique had accused the Sole Administrator of “severe and brazen acts of lawlessness and impunity,” including the unconstitutional dismantling of democratic institutions and attacks on peaceful protesters. The Ministry claimed that Mrs. Eke’s actions violated the Public Service Rules and were inappropriate for someone holding a position in the civil service.
In response, the chairmen of all NBA branches in Rivers State issued a strongly worded joint statement on Monday, rejecting the accusations and defending Eke’s actions. According to the statement, Eke signed the communique not as a civil servant, but as the duly elected Chairperson of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch, which gives her the constitutional authority to speak on issues affecting the association and the rule of law.
The chairmen emphasized that the communique in question, including one released on April 9, was not a personal statement from Eke, but the collective position of all NBA branches in the state, following proper consultations and internal deliberations. They also pointed out that their stance is consistent with the position of the national body of the Nigerian Bar Association, led by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.
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“The query to our colleague, Chairman Cordelia Eke, is clearly an attempt to intimidate her and force her to abandon her responsibilities,” the statement read. “It is also a warning shot aimed at silencing lawyers in Rivers State and, by extension, the general public, discouraging them from speaking against executive excesses and unlawful governance practices.”
The NBA branches in Rivers State accused the Sole Administrator of using his office to suppress civil liberties under the guise of preserving peace. They said the use of administrative tools such as queries to target voices of dissent was a dangerous trend that could undermine the country’s fragile democracy.
“The main objective of the Nigerian Bar Association is the promotion of the rule of law,” they continued. “As the watchdog of society, it is our duty to speak truth to authority. We will not shy away from this sacred responsibility, and we will not allow ourselves to be intimidated into silence.”
The chairmen called for the immediate withdrawal of the query issued to Mrs. Eke, warning that failure to do so would be viewed as a deliberate attack on constitutional rights and the independence of the legal profession.
“The query issued to our Brother Chairman is an unfortunate tactic being employed by the Sole Administrator to suppress freedom of speech and prevent criticism of his administration,” they said. “His actions are already dismantling existing democratic institutions in Rivers State and are capable of disturbing the peace, rather than maintaining it as his office was originally intended to do.”
The press statement was signed by:
– Dr. Hilda Desmond-Ihekaire, Chairman, Ahoada Branch
– Simple Dioha, Esq., Chairman, Isiokpo Branch
– Abiye Abo, Esq., Chairman, Degema Branch
– Dr. N. A. Duson, Chairman, Bori Branch
– Dr. Celestine Nwankwo, Chairman, Okehi Branch
The chairpersons concluded by reaffirming their commitment to the rule of law and their resolve to resist any form of harassment or persecution targeting NBA leadership, legal professionals, or members of the wider public in Rivers State.
They reiterated that the NBA branches in Rivers State will continue to stand united in defending democratic values, professional independence, and the constitutional rights of Nigerians.
