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The Nigeria Bar Association has urged the Senate to look into
the case of Sani Yerima’s child marriage, saying that he cannot continue to sit
in the hallowed chamber of the Senate, contributing in the making of laws which
he claims do not bind him.

The Bar said attempts being made by some individuals and groups
to trivialise Mr Yerima’s disgraceful act are also political.

“We state without any equivocation that the act of contracting
any arrangement to satisfy the hedonistic urge of any individual is criminal,”
Rotimi Akeredolu, the national chairman of the association, said. “It becomes
even more worrisome to note that these people strive to hide under a popular
religion which preaches continence.”

The association also berated Mr Yerima’s manner of “clinging to
a supposed aspect of his religion, which allows a child barely out of the
cradle to warm his bed. The abiding injunctions on honesty, philanthropy and
continence, among others, on which all religions stand, are of little
significance to this man.”

While referring to Mr Yerima’s argument, when he was invited by
a child protection agency in Abuja, that he only recognized Sharia law and not
whatever the federal law said on his action, the NBA leader said, “The position
of the Bar is that this man cannot continue to sit in the hallowed chamber of
the Senate, contributing in the making of laws he does not believe in.

“Characters like this man should not be allowed to hide under
religion to perpetrate acts inimical to the wellbeing of the citizens of this
country, most especially children who must be protected by reasonable adults.
The news that a former child-wife was divorced for him to marry a new child, as
his fourth wife, in line with what he perceives as his religious obligation,
must rile the sensibility of decent people.”

The leadership of the Bar, specifically referring to Micheal
Aondoakaa and the ongoing litigation against him, assures Nigerians that it
will not shield any member of the NBA who has been accused of any wrong-doing.

“It is important we state this in the light of the recent
judgment delivered by a Federal High Court in Calabar on the suitability of the
immediate past Attorney General of the Federation, Mike Aondoaaka to hold
public office or any position of responsibility.

“We hasten to state, without gloating, that the Bar feels
vindicated on its positions on national issues which certain political jobbers
twisted to paint us with the brush of partisanship undeservedly. We expect more
of those whose activities have brought this country to this sorry pass to be
exposed,” Mr Akeredolu said.

Oyo crisis

The Bar, however, warned Goodluck Jonathan to check recent
political attack on the House of Assembly in Oyo State by some hoodlums.

It said that the action “is a litmus test for this
administration. It is treasonable to employ the force of arms to disrupt a
legislative process. It is akin to waging a war against the people. These
political charlatans got away with all manner of atrocities under Olusegun
Obasanjo. Mr Jonathan must follow his words with deeds which give hope.” The
NBA, however, hailed the appointment of the new Independent National Electoral
Commission boss, Attahiru Jega, and urged him to start on a clean slate.