The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikorodu Branch has declared it is cushioning the effects of the14-day lockdown extension by giving each member N5, 000.
Its chairman, Bayo Akinlade, said he would expend all of the “less than N700k” in the branch’s bank account on helping vulnerable members weather the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He urged lawyers in all NBA branches to look out for one another until normalcy returns.
Akinlade said: “All due paying members will receive the sum of N5,000 each.
“Those who have already collected 20 percent of their branch dues will have the amount deducted from the N5000 and the balance given to them.”
The chairman said a loan arrangement already in place will still be available to those who require it despite the N25,000 stipend.
“We call on those who have more than enough to spare to make donations to our welfare scheme,” he added.
Akinlade, who is aspiring to the office of the NBA Vice President, counselled lawyers from making financial demands from aspirants.
He lamented that such demands were becoming too rampant, adding that the practice called for reflection.
He said the electorate should rather support aspirants seeking to reform the NBA.
“With the kind of requests members of NBA are making from aspirants to the leadership of NBA both at Branches and at the national level, I feel the need at this point say a bit about my thoughts about leadership in NBA.
“Members, it is unfair to make a financial or any demand from an aspirant to any elective position within NBA.
“These aspirants will not get a salary when they take office
“They won’t be able to take briefs as they would have and will spend their time and personal resources for the next two years of service to the NBA.”
He advised that if any one contesting feels the need to spend “or go out of his/her way for his colleagues let it be his/her decision and not a demand from anyone.”
Akinlade added: “Each Branch has monies paid in by members. What should that money be used for at a time like this? What is the essence of an association that only collects but when the member is stranded cannot give a helping hand.
“In my Branch, we have less than N700k in our account but I will empty it to support all my members because that money came from them.”