NBA urges Senate to revisit stance on e-transmission, raises alarm over Abuja ‘one-chance’ killings

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticised the Senate’s refusal to make electronic transmission of election results mandatory, warning that the decision weakens electoral transparency and public trust in the democratic process.

The position was contained in an executive report presented by the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, at the association’s NEC meeting held in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Osigwe informed members that the Senate rejected a proposed amendment to Clause 60, Subsection 3 of the Electoral Amendment Bill, which sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to upload polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing Portal in real time after Form EC8A had been duly signed and stamped.

Instead, the Senate retained the existing provision of the Electoral Act, which allows results to be transmitted “in a manner as prescribed by the Commission.”

Following deliberations, the NEC resolved that the National Assembly should reconsider the decision and expressly mandate electronic transmission of results to strengthen credibility in the electoral system.

According to the NBA, the absence of a clear legal requirement for electronic transmission would continue to fuel disputes, erode public confidence in elections and increase post-election litigation.

Beyond electoral reforms, the NEC meeting also addressed the worsening security situation in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly the resurgence of deadly “one-chance” robberies.

Osigwe told council members that Abuja had recently witnessed the killing of two women by criminals posing as commercial transport operators.

He identified the victims as Ms Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem, a nurse, and Princess Chigbo Mediatrix, a lawyer and former Treasurer of the NBA Abuja Branch.

Describing the incidents as tragic and alarming, the NBA President said the killings underscored the growing insecurity in the nation’s capital.

“These were not faceless victims. They were professionals and law-abiding citizens whose only intention was to return home safely from their daily activities,” he said.

Osigwe noted that the murder of the Abuja-based lawyer was particularly painful for the association, stressing that the incident highlighted the vulnerability of citizens, including legal practitioners.

“When citizens cannot commute safely and criminals operate unchecked in the nation’s capital, the foundations of social order are gravely threatened,” he added.

The NBA condemned the killings and called on security agencies and the Federal Capital Territory Administration to treat the situation as an emergency, urging intensified surveillance, intelligence gathering and policing of transport routes.

The association also demanded thorough investigations and prosecution of all those responsible for the crimes.

“Those responsible, whether direct perpetrators or collaborators, must be identified, arrested and prosecuted. Justice must not only be promised; it must be delivered,” Osigwe said.

The NEC meeting ended with the NBA reaffirming its commitment to constitutional governance, electoral integrity and public safety, while urging the legislature and security agencies to take decisive actions to restore public confidence.