Ize-Iyamu/Obaseki Face-Off: Emwanta Withdraws From Benin NBA

Fireworks from the 2020 Edo governorship election deepened among lawyers in Edo State on Friday leading to a prominent member, Barrister Andrew Emwanta withdrawing his membership of the Benin branch of the Nigeria Bar Association.

Mr. Emwanta in a letter intimating his withdrawal said his decision was informed by the partisanship of some members of the exco. He as such vowed to take up the issues with the national body.

 GreenWhiteGreen GWG reports that Emwanta served as Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to Governor Godwin Obaseki in his first term and was a passionate canvasser for his second term.

 GreenWhiteGreen GWG also reports that there were insinuations of the endorsement of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Obaseki’s challenger on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC by some officials of the NBA.

The latest uproar arose after arose after a supporter of Pastor Ize-Iyamu, Felix Isere wrote a petition to the police against two Obaseki supporters, Cynthia Emokpae and Uyi Marybrown Obaseki in respect of exchanges that they had on Facebook.

The matter went to court on Thursday with Barrister Emwanta standing in as lawyer for Marybrown Obaseki.

The petitioner, Isere, a lawyer, brought two members of the NBA Benin Branch Exco to court along with other lawyers to stand in for him. When they entered appearance, with the legal adviser of the Benin branch leading them, Emwanta raised an objection on the ground that the NBA was not a party in the criminal case.

The presiding Magistrate agreed with Barrister Emwanta.

However, in the middle of the proceedings, the NBA legal adviser made an objection that Emwanta cannot stand in as a lawyer for Uyi Marybrown Obaseki, the defendant, citing a provision of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

The rule he cited had to do with a situation where a lawyer can’t represent a party in a case if the lawyer will be called as a witness in the case.

However, Emwanta insisted that from the documents in court that he was not in any way connected with the case, apart from being the lawyer of the defendant.

The court then ordered that the NBA Benin branch legal adviser should forward whatever observation he has to the Police Prosecutor handling the case. 

Barrister Emwanta also made an application for the bail of Uyi Marybrown Obaseki. The Magistrate in her ruling, granted the application for bail.

The matter was adjourned to 29th of April, 2021 for hearing.

However, Emwanta, upon the development withdrew his membership of the Benin branch of the association.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us 

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG