John Austin Unachukwu
NIGERIA Bar Association (NBA) President Olumide Akpata has visited Kano State and its Grand Khadi Alhaji Tijani Yussuf Yakassai as part of his efforts to forge a united Bar and a Bar association that works for lawyers.
Akpata also held an interactive session with members of the Bar in the state.
At the event, which held last week, were the state Attorney-General, Musa Lawan, the chairmen of the Kano and Ungogo Branches of the NBA.
In his welcome address, the Grand Khadi noted that visit to the Sharia Court of Appeal was historic being the first by a president of the NBA.
He expressed hope that the momentous occasion would herald enhanced cooperation between the NBA and the Sharia Court and engender a mutually beneficial working relationship between both institutions.
Akpata stated that it was important for him to visit the Grand Khadi because many members of the NBA practice within the Sharia Court system and a close working relationship between the Court and the NBA would be in the best interest of these members of the association.
He said: “My visit to the Grand Khadi is both timely and important. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind. Many lawyers practise within the Sharia Court system and so, the court is an important part of our justice system.
‘’I believe that a cohesive and close working relationship between the Sharia Court and the NBA is pivotal to the progress of the NBA.”
The NBA chief commended the Grand Khadi for championing many lawyer-friendly policies, including ensuring that Khadis in the Sharia Courts at all levels are qualified legal practitioners.
He expressed his delight that parties involved in the trial and sentencing of Yahaya Aminu, the Kano-based musician, who was recently sentenced to death by a Sharia Court, have affirmed that Aminu has the inalienable right to appeal this conviction and that this right would not be abridged.
