Ekiti State chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA) has donated palliatives to members to cushion the effect of the current lockdown amidst global fight against coronavirus pandemic.
The relief materials, which were personally donated by the NBA Chairman, Ado-Ekiti branch, Barrister Olakanmi Falade, included bags of rice, spaghetti, Indomie, groundnut oil, and other consumables.
In a statement in Ado-Ekiti, Falade, the principal partner of Olakanmi S. Falade and Chambers, said the measure was taken in view of the indefinite suspension of all legal cases as the state combat the pandemic.
He added that the lockdown, occasioned by unending spread of COVID-19, has affected every facet of the economy, including the legal profession.
Falade said, “As legal practitioners, lawyers live and survive on briefs and once that avenue is cut off, there was no way my people won’t be feeling the heat of this lockdown, because we belong to the same society like others.
“We lawyers as patriotic Nigerians embraced in totality the closure of courts, because the pandemic is no respecter of any person.
“We shared that view that if courts are opened at this time, the lives of the lawyers, judges and even the litigants will be endangered. The fight against Coronavirus is a collective battle and the NBA is ready to cooperate under this circumstance.
“These palliatives might not solve all the needs of the beneficiaries, but it will go a long way in assisting them at this economically-challenging time.
“I pray that God will keep every member of the bar in good health. I plead with them to join the global community’s fight against COVID-19, by adhering to the preventive guidelines outlined by the World Health Organization and comply with the stay- at- home order pronouncement of the government”.