Deborah: NBA postpones Sokoto conference

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Apata, has announced the postponement of the 2022 NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) annual conference billed to take place in Sokoto State over insecurity.

The NBA president said the association was deeply worried not just by the chilling news of the murder of Deborah Samuel, but also by the sudden and sad turn of events and the deteriorating security situation in Sokoto.

Deborah Samuel, a second level female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto was lynched over alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The police in Sokoto State have arraigned two suspects in connection with the murder.

The suspects, Bilyaminu Aliyu and Aminu Hukunchi, who are also students of the college, were arraigned before a chief magistrates’ court which ordered their remand in Sokoto correction centre.

Apata said the association was afraid for the safety of participants at the event.

He said, “As such, having critically reviewed the current security condition in Sokoto, it has become apparent that we cannot guarantee the safety of our guest speakers, delegates and other stakeholders that have committed to attend the NBA-SPIDEL conference which was designed to put the state in the global spotlight for the duration of the conference and beyond.

“Accordingly, the executive committee of NBA-SPIDEL came to the painful decision to request, and I have approved that the 2022 NBA-SPIDEL annual conference be postponed not only for the safety of our conferees and guests, but as a mark of respect for the memory of the slain Miss Deborah Yakubu.”