ASABA — National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun has waded into the on-going face-off between the Delta State Deputy Governor, Chief Benjamin Elue and a frontline journalist/politician, Chief Chris Okolie who is alleging that the Deputy Governor was threatening his life following the purported disagreement between both of them over the choice of a vice-chairmanship candidate in the last local government elections.
The intervention of the NBA national president followed a petition which Chief Okolie raised on the issue.
Olanipekun in a three-paragraph letter addressed to the Deputy Governor stated that “I have just received a letter dated 21st May 2004 from Chief Chris Okolie, a honourable member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in respect of the above suject - Re: Threat To the Life of Chief Chris Okolie.
“While as a lawyer and President of the NBA, I must not condemn your excellency without hearing or listening to your own side of the matter, may I appeal with all sense of responsibility that you should use your very high offices at ensuring an amicable resolution of any lingering issue, whether political or otherwise between you and the respected chief. I notice that both of you had hitherto enjoyed very close and intimate relationship, I see no reason why politics should now set you apart or asunder.
"As the NBA president”, he went on, “I do not not waste any time in reacting to any allegation of threat to the life of any of my members in particular and that of any citizen of this country in general, therefore I do hope that your excellency would take this letter in good faith”.
The letter was also copied to the state governor, Chief James Ibori and Chief Okolie himself.
Meanwhile, the state Deputy Governor, Chief Benjamin Elue has denied ever threatening the life of Chief Chris Okolie, describing the allegation as “unfounded and mischievous”.
Responding to the letter sent to him by the NBA national president, Chief Elue, who replied through his Special Assistant (Political), Mr. Sylvester Eseagwu, stated “I want to place on record that the deputy governor has always had an excellent and warm relationship with Chief Chris Okolie who is a notable member of PDP. His honour is therefore shocked by the allegation of threat to his life which is unfounded and to say the least, mischievous”
