The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has a new President-elect. He is Augustine Alegeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In the elections of the association contested yesterday, in Abuja, Mr. Alegeh polled a total of 691 votes to beat his closest rival, Dele Adesina (SAN), who garnered total votes of 370. Mrs Funke Adekoya (SAN), the only female candidate in the race, came third with 255 votes, while a fourth Senior Advocate who also contested the race, Niyi Akintola, polled 126 votes to place fourth and Justus Erhabor polled 17 votes to place fifth.

Mr. Alegeh is from the Benin branch of the NBA and a member of the Mid-West Forum of the association. He succeeds Mr. Okay Wali (SAN).

With this result, it appears the zoning process of the association has been jettisoned as the presidential elections were zoned to the South-West.

Other elected officers included Gbolaham Gbadamosi (publicity secretary); Salawo Olatunji (first assistant secretary); Amina Ibrahim Mustapha (treasurer); Mackson Oruma (welfare); Kelvin Ejelonu (financial secretary); Francis Ekwere (first vice president and Taiwo Obayemi Taiwo (second vice president).

The delegates also elected Ephraim Nwaeke (second assistant secretary, unopposed); Cecilia Ugbuji (assistant financial secretary, unopposed); Enoch Adebisi Ayeni (legal adviser) and Salawu Nasiru Olatunji (first assistant secretary), among others.

In his acceptance speech, the president-elect promised to revamp the association with reforms that would restore it to its lost glory. Top on his agenda is the reform of the electoral process through the introduction of electronic voting and welfare of voters.

He said his administration would confront corrupt public office holders and their cohorts in the legal profession, promising to fight corruption and indiscipline ruthlessly.

The newly elected officials will be sworn-in on the last day of the Annual General Conference of the NBA to be held in Owerri, Imo State, between August 24 and 29.

•Text pieced together from Channels and Daily Sun reports. Photo shows NBA President-elect, Mr. Augustine Alegeh, SAN.