Angry lawyers walk out of NBA conference over choice of Portable as performer

In the early hours of Thursday, some lawyers walked out of a programme held as part of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) annual general conference in Abuja.

The Unbarred programme was held at MKO Abiola Stadium’s Velodrome.

Lawyers who had been waiting for the show to begin for several hours were taken aback when Portable was announced as a guest performer.

Before the controversial singer took the stage, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau gave a brief speech and a DJ entertained the lawyers.

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 in a message sent to newsmen during the walkout.

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

Another lawyer told newsmen “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.