Former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, has called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to play a more active role in defending the rule of law and holding political leaders accountable.

Melaye made the call while speaking at the 66th Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA-AGC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The former lawmaker challenged lawyers across the country to take greater interest in national issues rather than leaving matters of public concern solely to the NBA national leadership.

He also questioned issues surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s educational credentials, urging the legal profession to scrutinise matters that could have implications for public accountability.

According to Melaye, “We must make sure that the leadership of the NBA begins to take on issues of common interest across this country.”

He added, “The President of this country filled an INEC form. He is the most brilliant person on earth. He went to university straight without attending primary and secondary schools. What are we saying about it? What questions are we asking about this?”

Melaye urged individual lawyers and NBA branches to take action on issues within their respective jurisdictions without waiting for directives from the national body.

He said, “Every lawyer in this country must make sure that the leadership of this country or the NBA becomes very proactive on all issues, and we must not leave everything to the National President and Executive of the NBA.”

The former senator further noted that the NBA’s nationwide structure gives lawyers an opportunity to respond to issues affecting their communities and states.

“We have branch chairmen and branches across the states. If things happen within your jurisdiction and your state, you can take affirmative action within your jurisdiction without waiting for the national body,” he stated.

Melaye said the legal profession must reclaim its traditional role as a major voice for justice, accountability and democratic values in Nigeria.

“NBA must come back to be the watchdog and conscience of this country,” he declared.

He argued that the association’s leadership could not achieve this responsibility alone, stressing that individual lawyers must also be prepared to ask difficult questions and demand accountability from those in authority.

“The leadership will not do it until every one of us here starts asking questions and holding the leadership accountable,” Melaye said.

He also challenged the incoming NBA president to build on the work of the current leadership and ensure that the association remains actively engaged in issues affecting the country.

“That is the big challenge for the incoming president: to please continue from where the current national president stopped,” he added.