Only courts can determine what constitutes illegal orders, NBA tells Tinubu

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reacted to the comment made by President Bola Tinubu on not tolerating “illegal” court orders.

In his Democracy Day Speech on Monday, Tinubu said his administration will not tolerate “unnecessary illegal orders” from the judiciary used to “truncate or abridge democracy”.

Reacting to the comment in a letter addressed to the president on Tuesday, Yakubu Maikyau, NBA president, said the determination of what constitutes “illegal orders” is within the purview of the courts.

Maikyau said the NBA will “vehemently oppose” any attempt to truncate the country’s democracy.

“Your Excellency had earlier in your address observed “that the unnecessary illegal orders used to truncate or abridge democracy will no longer be tolerated,” the NBA president said.

“While the NBA will at all times vehemently oppose any attempt by any person or group of persons to truncate or in any way abridge our democracy, it is important to note that the determination of what constitutes “illegal orders” still remains a matter within the exclusive preserve of the courts of law.

“The NBA looks forward to Your Excellency’s demonstration of high regard for the rule of law and the orders of the courts of the land.”

On the removal of petrol subsidy, the NBA asked the president to address the “difficulties” associated with the hike in the price of petrol.

“One of the issues that featured prominently in the discourse on the economy during the NBA State of the Nation Dialogue, was the issue of fuel subsidy,” the letter reads.

“We had divergent views from two seasoned economists who passionately propounded their theories for and against the removal of subsidy.

“Your Excellency has on the get go, taken this bull by the horns. The preponderance of views, arguments and propositions clearly favour the removal of subsidy.

“To this extent and based on the opinions of persons who have had the opportunity of in-depth examination of the subject, Your Excellency should be assessed as having taken the right step in the right direction.

“What remains however, is the need to immediately deploy such measures that will address the ensuing difficulties associated with the withdrawal of the subsidy.”