Labour Union Petitions Three Lawyers Over Compromise Allegation

The National Association of Plants Operators, (NAPO), has petitioned three practising lawyers in Rivers State to Nigeria Bar Association(NBA) Port Harcourt branch for alleged compromise in representing the union.
The petitioners also copied the Attorney General of the Federation and Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as well as Chief Judge of the State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi and seek for disciplinary measures against three legal practioners.
NAPO, which is an associate affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria in the petition alleged that Mecha Mecha Kalu, Chike Kingsley-Ehiogu and Chike Chukwunyem compromised in a legal representation committed to them by the association.
The NAPO in the petition which was supported with fifty-eight affidavit and insisted that the lawyers have a clear case of compromise to answer.
National President General of NAPO, Harold Benstowe who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday after he presented the petition at the NBA secretariat opined that the reasons for the petition was that the under listed lawyers had taken their matter to the wrong courts, abandoned the suits and as well raised contrary prayers against the wish and request of the Association which he said was a clear proof of compromise, hence, the need to investigate them.
The NAPO leader further explained that members of the association were beaten, arrested and arraigned in court on frivolous charges over their stand in unionisation of workers with two contracting construction companies on the ongoing NLNG train seven job in Bonny.
“Let the leadership of NBA purge the Association from the corrupted practices and ensure that the defaulters are sanctioned according to the ethics of the profession,” he stated.
When contacted for reactions on the allegations, Mecha Mecha Kalu Esq explained that he did defend the association with his professional experience, while Chike Chukwunyem Esq took a swipe on the National President of the association, and described him as a man without a complete sense of reasoning.