Furious lawyers walk out of NBA conference programme over choice of Portable as guest performer

Some lawyers in the early hours of Thursday 31st August 2023 walked out of a programme organised as part of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual general conference in Abuja.

The programme tagged Unbarred was held at the Velodrome, MKO Abiola Stadium.

Lawyers who had waited several hours for the programme to start were shocked when Portable was announced as guest performer.

NBA president Yakubu Maikyau gave a brief speech and a DJ entertained the lawyers before the controversial singer appeared on stage.

Many of the lawyers questioned the choice of the Zazu singer and opted to walk out of the show.

The protesting lawyers were seen walking or driving out of the stadium around 1am.

“How dare they call Portable to come and play for lawyers at the conference? Can you imagine? Normally, Unbarred doesn’t end till 3am or 4am but we are leaving for our hotels. We are so upset,” one of the lawyers said.

“They spoilt my day with this Zazu. He couldn’t even wear a shirt” another lawyer said.

Another lawyer told journalists “I also left but it was largely due to the fact that I was tired. Many of the conferees were unhappy that Portable was invited.”

Other lawyers, however, stayed behind to watch the controversial singer perform.

Videos circulated on social media show a shirtless Portable climbing some of the equipment at the stadium.

Unbarred is a live entertainment session organised for lawyers as part of the annual NBA conference.

It is held a day before the association’s annual general meeting.

2baba, Wande Coal, Teni, Bez, Brymo, Nini, Falz, Olamide and Ruger have performed at previous editions.