Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) has accused the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) of poor and unfair treatment of its members at the just concluded NBA 2019 Annual General Conference.
The lawyers with disabilities in a statement signed by its President, Daniel Onwe, noted that this happened after members paid both their statutory fees, and conference fees to the NBA.
The statement reads, “For instance, at previous conferences, a limited number of indigent members of ALDIN would be sponsored to the conference, and such sponsorship would cover conference registration, transportation and accommodation.
“This year, it was two days into the conference already, that the NBA, via whatsapp message, contacted ALDIN, calling for nomination of ALDIN members who would be given registration fee waiver and free lunch. And because of the timing and circumstance, no ALDIN member could take advantage of the said offer.
“In previous years, there were sign language interpreters at the conference; there was none this year. This year, lawyers with disabilities had difficulties access both the conference venues and shuttle buses.This made some of them to break down, others got their mobility aids damaged; and were unable to make it to the conference on subsequent days.”
ALDIN also alleged that NBA President, Paul Usoro shut down attempt to raise issue of Lawyers with Disabilities at the conference while adding that NBA acted against the law that states that people with disabilities should not be discriminated against or subjected to hardship.
“NBA flouted all these laws without scruples. It gives us more concern, that these happened under an NBA President who, during his campaign, passionately promised to alleviate the sufferings of lawyers with disabilities.
“Much as we have unimpeachable cause of action against the NBA in the circumstance, in keeping with our avowed and unalloyed loyalty to the NBA, we shall restrain ourselves from taking any legal action. Also, given our understanding that two wrongs do not make a right, we shall not relent in paying our practicing fees and branch dues to the NBA as and when due.”
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