Segun Atanda/
Lagos State government has taken a step further to stop the Ikeja Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) from getting in the way of the implementation of the new Land Use Charge in the state.
According to the chairman of the Ikeja branch of NBA known as Tiger Bar, Mr Adesina Ogunlana, the state government has contacted higher NBA authorities to talk to him.
He said, “This morning , Mr A B Mahmoud SAN, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association interacted with me over the telephone.
“The President told me that the learned Attorney General of Lagos State had reported me to him and that he (the President) was asked to talk to me over our situation with the Lagos State Government over the Land Use Charge.
“Said the President ‘What’s happening in Lagos, Mr Ogunlana? ‘I ventured a response and after a short while, the President asked whether he could get a report from me. I responded in the affirmative but requested for the e- mail address of our esteemed leader to send the needful.
“The time of interaction was 10-44 am 22/3/2018 .
“Thank you, gentlemen.”
Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, recently announced an increase of 400 per cent in the LUC payable by home owners in the state.
But he later buckled under pressure and reduced the charges by 50 per cent along with some waivers.
But Ambode’s gesture was roundly condemned and rejected by the Tiger Bar that has threatened a showdown and put 3000 lawyers on notice to defend those who refuse to pay the levy pro bono.