•NBA president, Olumide Apata

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Olumide Akpata has ask for audit into body’s 2016, 2018 and 2020 elections.

Akpata has set up an Electoral Audit and Reforms Committee to this effect.

The Committee, headed by Ayo Akintunde SAN, will also recommend reforms for future electoral systems and processes.

Akpata, sworn into office for a two-year term last Friday, made the disclosure Sunday morning in a series of tweets on his Twitter handle.

The NBA has faced threats to its unity following unresolved questions on the credibility of its national officers’ elections of last July 29 and 30.

The NBA leadership had been dominated by Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) until Akpata, 47, caused an upset and won the presidential race by a landslide.

He defeated two SANs – Dr Babatunde Ajibade and Mr Dele Adesina – to become the first elected non-SAN president of the NBA in 22 years.

But Adesina faulted the process, alleging the election was manipulated. The NBA Board of Trustees agreed that the election was not perfect.

Last Thursday, two northern lawyers announced the formation of a parallel bar, the ‘New Nigerian Bar Association’ following the withdrawal of a speaking engagement offered Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, among other grievances.