A prominent tourism stakeholder and legal practitioner, Wale Ojo-Lanre, has condemned the purported suspension of Mr. Fadina, President of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), by the Board of Trustees (BOT), describing the action as unconstitutional, ultra vires, and of no legal effect.
In a strongly worded statement released to the press, Ojo-Lanre stated that the BOT overstepped its legal boundaries by attempting to remove a democratically elected executive officer, a move he described as “a travesty of justice and a gross abuse of process.”
“The purported suspension of a democratically elected President of an Association by the Board of Trustees is unconstitutional, ultra vires, illegal, and utterly null and void,” Ojo-Lanre asserted.
He emphasized that, by both law and convention, the BOT is only empowered to serve in a custodial role over the assets and properties of the Association. Its primary responsibilities include holding property in trust, ensuring the Association’s legal continuity, and acting in a fiduciary capacity—not interfering in executive functions or administration.
Citing the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and the standard constitutional frameworks governing associations in Nigeria, Ojo-Lanre insisted that the BOT has no authority to interfere in the executive arm’s day-to-day operations.
“The BOT stands in a fiduciary relationship with the Association; it is not a parallel executive organ. To assume such power is a gross abuse of process, a violation of democratic norms, and a travesty of justice,” he added.
Ojo-Lanre clarified that if Mr. Fadina had committed any infractions, there are established procedures for addressing such issues. These procedures must be initiated by the appropriate executive or disciplinary organs and, where necessary, ratified by the Annual General Meeting (AGM), which remains the highest decision-making body of the Association.
He warned against what he described as “executive recklessness” and called for respect for the rule of law and natural justice within professional bodies, particularly in the tourism sector.
“Nigeria is a country governed by law, not by whims. We cannot allow Associations, especially in the noble sector of tourism, to descend into anarchy or be run on personal impulses,” he stressed.
In conclusion, Ojo-Lanre called on the BOT to immediately withdraw the purported suspension, respect its statutory boundaries, and allow due process to prevail in line with the constitution and the law.
—
**About the Author**
Wale Ojo-Lanre is a Legal Practitioner, Fellow of the Institute for Tourism Professionals (ITP), and a well-known voice in the tourism industry. He has served as PRO of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and held key positions including President of the Guild of Tourism Journalists in Nigeria and Vice-President of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Editors of Tourism (ANJET).
—
Let me know if you’d like this tailored for print, online, or broadcast media formats.
