A group of vendors who provided services at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual conferences have threatened to occupy the association’s secretariat in Abuja over alleged unpaid debts.
The vendors, who claim they are owed millions of naira, say they have run out of patience after several failed attempts to get the NBA to settle the debts. According to Olakintan Seyikumi, the spokesperson for the affected vendors, the NBA has refused to clear payments for services rendered at the 2022 conference and only made partial payments for the 2023 conference, which were completed as late as March 2024—six months after the event.
Vendors Demand Immediate Payment
In a statement, Seyikumi expressed frustration over the delay and accused the NBA of ignoring their demands despite previous protests and letters. “We have been patient for too long. We have written letters, made phone calls, and even protested before. But still, the NBA has refused to pay us. We have no choice but to occupy the NBA secretariat until our debts are paid,” he said.
According to him, many vendors who rendered services such as catering, logistics, and event management at the NBA conferences have been left in serious financial difficulty due to the outstanding payments. He explained that some of them took loans to execute their contracts, hoping they would be paid on time. However, the delayed payments have left them struggling with debts and financial losses.
History of Unpaid Debts
The allegations of non-payment by the NBA are not new. In 2023, the vendors staged a protest demanding payment for the services provided at the 2022 conference, but their demands were reportedly ignored. They claim that despite several promises from the NBA, nothing has changed, and they are now left with no option but to take more drastic measures.
“We protested last year, but nothing was done. We cannot keep begging for our own money. We are ready to take any action necessary until we are paid what we are owed,” Seyikumi added.
NBA Yet to Respond
As of the time of this report, the NBA has not officially responded to the allegations. Efforts to get a reaction from the association’s leadership have been unsuccessful. However, the silence from the NBA has only fueled the anger among the vendors, who insist they will not back down until their grievances are addressed.
Some legal analysts say this situation, if not resolved quickly, could damage the NBA’s reputation and raise concerns about financial mismanagement within the association. Many observers believe the NBA, as the country’s leading professional body for lawyers, should lead by example in respecting contracts and fulfilling its financial obligations.
Possible Legal Actions
The vendors have also hinted at the possibility of taking legal action if the NBA refuses to settle the debts. Legal experts believe the vendors have a strong case if they can provide documentation proving the services they rendered and the payment agreements they had with the NBA.
“There are clear contractual obligations here. If these vendors have valid agreements with the NBA, they can take the association to court to enforce their rights and recover their money,” said a senior lawyer who preferred to remain anonymous.
If the vendors proceed with legal action, it could lead to prolonged litigation, further damaging the NBA’s image and possibly exposing internal financial issues within the association.
Calls for NBA Leadership to Act
The vendors have called on the NBA leadership to step in and resolve the matter before it escalates further. Seyikumi urged the association’s president and other senior officials to intervene and ensure the payments are made without further delay.
“We are calling on the NBA leadership to take immediate action to settle our debts and restore the association’s reputation. This is not how a professional body should treat service providers,” he said.
Some members of the legal profession have also joined the calls for the NBA to address the vendors’ complaints. They argue that an organization that represents legal practitioners should not be seen as defaulting on payments to those who work with it. “The NBA should not be setting a bad example. If lawyers cannot honor contracts, what message does that send to the public?” a senior lawyer remarked.
Broader Implications
This dispute has raised concerns about financial management within the NBA. Some analysts suggest that if the association is struggling to pay vendors on time, it may indicate deeper financial challenges. Questions are also being asked about how the NBA allocates funds for its events and whether there are accountability measures in place to ensure that contractors and service providers are paid as required.
If the vendors proceed with their threat to occupy the secretariat, it could lead to a major embarrassment for the NBA, potentially disrupting its activities and drawing more public attention to the issue.
Next Steps
For now, the vendors remain firm in their decision to take action if the NBA fails to address their demands. As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the NBA leadership to see whether they will resolve the issue swiftly or allow it to escalate further.
Many within the legal community believe that the NBA must take urgent steps to settle the debts and prevent further reputational damage. The coming days will determine whether the association can resolve the matter peacefully or if the vendors will follow through with their threat to occupy the secretariat.
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