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Tag: Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)

Ex-NBA official killed in Abuja vehicle attack
- Police launch probe
A lawyer and former Treasurer of the Abuja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chigbo Princess Mediatrix, has been reported dead.

Her body was discovered by the roadside near the Dawaki area, opposite Gwarimpa Estate on the Kubwa Expressway in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by a commuter heading to work.

According to the source, “preliminary findings suggest that the deceased may have fallen victim to suspected mobile armed robbers, popularly known as “one chance” operators, who are notorious for targeting unsuspecting commuters within the FCT.

“Eyewitness accounts indicate that the circumstances surrounding her death point to a violent encounter.

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“A handbag believed to belong to the deceased was found some distance away from her body, reinforcing suspicions that she may have been robbed and possibly pushed out of a moving vehicle.

“The incident has sent shockwaves across the legal community and the wider public, once again drawing attention to the persistent security threats faced by residents and commuters on major highways in Abuja.

The Nigeria Police Force, Dawaki Division, has been notified and has since taken custody of the body. Investigations into the cause and circumstances of her death are expected to start immediately.

“The police have appealed to members of the public who may know the deceased or her family to come forward. Relatives are advised to contact the Nigeria Police Force, Dawaki Division.

A group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed displeasure over the continuous daring operations being carried out by “one-chance armed robbers in the FCT.”

HURIWA said the development indicates a clear absence of any sort of preventive security strategy and a strange lack of political and competent leadership in the nation’s capital.

HURIWA said the Federal Government did not have to wait for these killings to continue unabated before a major political decision was made to appoint a much more focused, committed, non-partisan patriotic technocrat to provide good governance, security of lives and property, sustainable development and tranquility to the good people of the FCT.

It described the recent killing of two women in the FCT, including a nurse, by gangs of armed one-chance robbers as clear signs that those appointed to provide good governance, stability, and security of lives and property of the residents and citizens of the FCT are engaged in other external activities unrelated to the core objectives of the essence of their appointments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The group recalled that the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives Federal Health Institutions Sector expressed shock over the killing of a nurse, Chinemerem Chukwumeziem of the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja. HURIWA stated that the killing and that of many others could have been prevented if the political authorities in the FCT are made up of persons of dedicated service and by non-political administrators committed to deliver selfless services to citizens of Nigeria resident and engaging in lawful business activities in the FCT.

It added: “But, as it has become notorious, those assigned with the onerous task of protecting lives and property of Abuja residents are totally distracted by the politics of the next year’s general election thereby neglecting their primary responsibility as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria.”

The group recalled that it was not just one person but indeed two women that were found dead in separate locations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in incidents suspected to be linked to the activities of notorious “one chance” criminal gangs operating within Nigeria’s capital.

One of the victims, Chinemerem Pascalina Chuwumeziem, was a nurse with the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi, whose killing subsequently drew condemnation from the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT Council.

The second victim, identified as Princess Ochigbo, was said to be found lying lifeless by the roadside, with indications suggesting she might also have fallen victim to “one chance” hoodlums.

In the statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint Mr. Nyesom Wike as his Director General of his presidential bid for 2027 so that a fresh, competent, totally focused professional administrator and technocrat is appointed to provided the much desired governance standards in the FCT given that the lives of citizens are no longer safe

The group wonders why the security forces in the FCT seemed to have gone to sleep and have proved to be incapable or unwilling to map out effective preventive security strategy to curb the incessant cases of bloody attacks by one chance armed robbers in the FCT.

The group said the government should give the citizens the right and licences to carry military grade AK-49 guns to protect themselves because the right to self-defence is constitutionally imperative and indeed provided for in chapter 4 of the 1999 constitution under Section 33 which is binding and enforceable.

HURIWA recalled that globally, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948 essentially, is the foundation and the fundamental of contemporary human rights law, including the right to life.

It added that in Nigeria, the right to life as a constitutionally guaranteed right is protected under Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended). While Section 33 strongly affirms the sanctity of life, its subsections 2(a) (b) (c) provide certain exceptions which legal scholars say poses formidable challenge to the absolute nature of this right.

HURIWA argued that since the FCT administration has demonstrated a clear absence of any sort of preventive security strategy to curb the constant killings of residents by one chance robbers and other armed criminal non-state actors, the president should direct that citizens be granted the legal permits to bear arms for self defence.
January 8, 2026
NBA seeks urgent police action over missing lawyer

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, has called for urgent intervention by security agencies to secure the safe return of its member, Mr. Ugwuoke Henry Onyebuchi.

The missing lawyer, popularly known as “Odogwu Lawyer,” was last seen about 9 pm on December 10 in Lagos, and his whereabouts have remained unknown since then.

NBA, in a statement by the Chairman, Uchenna Ogunedo Akingbade, said a complaint has been lodged at the Ilasan Police Station, where preliminary investigations are ongoing.

It added that the case has also been escalated to the state Commissioner of Police (CP) for further action.

Describing the development as troubling, the NBA noted that the disappearance of a legal practitioner raises serious concerns not only about his safety, but also about the broader issue of security and the protection of members of the profession and Nigerians at large.

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“In light of the security realities in the country, this development is extremely disturbing,” the statement said.

Stressing that cases of missing persons require swift action, the Branch called on the state CP to intervene by deploying investigative resources to determine Mr. Onyebuchi’s whereabouts and ensure his safe recovery.

It warned that with each passing day without progress, the chances of a safe outcome could diminish, and, therefore, urged relevant authorities to treat the matter with the urgency, seriousness, and priority it deserves.

NBA Lagos assured that it stands ready to cooperate with security agencies in the investigation and would continue to monitor developments until the matter is resolved.

December 25, 2025
NBA branch to hold law, culture night

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Eti-Osa, also known as The Coastline Bar, is set to hold an evening of refined culture, high-level networking, and entertainment, tagged: 2025 Law and Culture Dinner next Tuesday at Naval Dockyard on Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event, with theme: A Night of Nigerian Elegance, will be opened by Chairman of the Dinner, Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour (rtd). Judicial leaders expected on the occasion include Justice Ayokunle Faji, presiding judge of Federal High Court, Lagos; Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, chief judge of Ogun State; Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of Lagos; Justice Ramon Oshodi of Lagos; and Justice Obafemi Adamson of Lagos. AIG Adegoke Fayoade of Zone 2 Headquarters, Lagos, will be present to add a strong representation from the security leadership.

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Among lawyers to attend are Prof. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), Emeka Ozoani (SAN), Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), Muritala Abdu-Rasheed (SAN), Biola Olagunju (SAN), and Mr. Jonathan Thaidi (SAN). Academia will be represented by Prof. Momodu Kassim Momodu, past dean of Faculty of Law at Crescent University, to ensure an enriching blend of scholarship, jurisprudence, and professional expertise.

To complement the legal and cultural atmosphere, the NBA Eti-Osa Dinner will feature performances by guest artists King Jesse Buga and 6stemboy. In addition, celebrated textile artist and cultural icon, Dr. Nike Davies-Okundaye of Nike Arts Gallery will showcase artworks reflecting Africa’s rich heritage.

December 4, 2025
NBA branch seeks conclusion of cases before swearing-in

The Akure branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Ondo State has called for the conclusion of all election cases before the winners declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are sworn into office.

The NBA branch stated this in a communiqué it issued yesterday by the branch chairman, Onimisi Umar, at the end of this year’s Law Week held in Akure between November 9 and 14 in honour of Senator Bode Olajumoke, a former lawmaker representing Ondo North.

The theme of the Law Week was: Nigeria: Quest for Utilitarian Judiciary and Role for Stakeholders.

The association aligned itself with the ongoing proposal by the National Assembly for constitutional amendment to ensure that all election disputes are fully resolved within a reduced timeframe.

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The Bill proposes the cutting of the 180 days allowed for tribunal judgments to 90 days, with expedited processes up to the Supreme Court.

According to the communiqué, the reform will ensure that declared winners do not assume office while their election is still being contested, thereby strengthening electoral integrity and public trust.

“It is suggested that election disputes should be resolved or determined before candidates are sworn into office,” the NBA said in the communique obtained by The Nation.

It urged the legislature to enact clearer and less ambiguous electoral laws to reduce the loopholes often exploited by politicians.

The association warned against excessive judicial involvement in election matters, saying overburdening courts would undermine the timely handling of regular cases.

It called for a balance that places greater responsibility for electoral integrity on the executive and legislative arms without compromising justice.

Also, the communiqué criticised what it called the persistent financial dependence of the judiciary on the executive arm of government, which it said remains a major threat to judicial independence.

“The judiciary is severely compromised by financial dependence on the executive, undermining its ability to function impartially and effectively,” the association stated.

November 17, 2025
NBA sues police over tinted glass permit policy

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has dragged the Nigeria Police Force to court over the controversial tinted glass permit policy introduced earlier this year by the Inspector-General of Police.

Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL, Prof Paul Ananaba (SAN) confirmed that the litigation would be pursued to its logical conclusion.

He urged the police to respect the judicial process and suspend enforcement of the policy pending the court’s decision.

The suit has yet to be assigned to a judge.

At its pre-conference National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on August 23 in Enugu, the NBA resolved to challenge the legality of the policy, which requires motorists to obtain annual permits for tinted vehicle glasses through a digital portal managed by a private vendor.

The policy, announced in April, this year, directed motorists to apply for permits and pay theprescribed fees. Although enforcement was initially scheduled to start on June 1, the police extended the date to October 2.

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However, reports of harassment and extortion of motorists by officers citing the new policy have persisted across the country.

Critics, including the NBA, argue that the policy infringes on citizens’ fundamental rights to dignity, privacy, freedom of movement and property, as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution. The Association also questioned the reliance on the Motor Tinted Glass (Prohibition) Act, a 1991 military decree, arguing that it may not pass the constitutional test of laws “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.”

Another point of contenti

on is the financial structure of the scheme. Payments for the permits are reportedly being made into a private account belonging to Parkway Projects, rather than the Federation Account or the government’s Treasury Single Account, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

Following its NEC resolution, the NBA through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) instituted a suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja. The matter, filed on September 2 under Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/182/2025, has the Incorporated Trustees of the NBA as claimant and the Inspector General of Police as defendant.

September 5, 2025
Enugu 2025: Before NBA leaves coal city

It was supposed to take place in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. But the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) changed its mind at the die-minute and relocated the hosting of its annual general conference which ends tomorrow to Enugu. It changed the venue when it was discovered that it collected N300 million for the conference from the Rivers State Government, which it never disclosed. The bubble burst when NBA became too big for its breech.

Things would have remained hush-hush if it did not open its mouth too wide. NBA is a professional group. It comprises many eminent lawyers who can write off the bill for its annual general conference. But the body, like many other related associations, rather than look inwards for the funding of their conferences and other activities, prefer to go cap in hand begging. Under arranged courtesy visits to some personalities, especially governors, they solicit for funds for many things. Some even beg for money for the wedding of their children! It is that bad.

These visits become intensified when the event is close at hand. It was a few months to the conference then slated for Port Harcourt that NBA visited the now suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. After ‘people had talked to people, and people understood’, as we used to say in some political gatherings in the short-lived third republic, NBA left Government House N300 million richer. It kept the ‘donation’, so it calls today, to itself, until Administrator Ibok-Ette Ibas blew the lid open. Ibas did because NBA pushed him to the wall. With his back to the wall, he fought back with what he had.

The matter would have remained in the dark, if NBA had not tried to play smart. It wanted to have its cake and eat it. But you cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hound. You must maintain a position. It is either you are a critic or a collaborator. You cannot play both sides. This was what NBA attempted to do, and it got its hands burnt. Unknown to NBA, Ibas had looked at the books after he was appointed Rivers administrator in the wake of the emergency rule in the state. Under the emergency, President Bola Tinubu also suspended Fubara and the House of Assembly. The President’s action got NBA’s dander up.

In a swift reaction, it described the President’s action as illegal. According to NBA, Fubara’s “suspension or otherwise summary removal” was unconstitutional. To political watchers, NBA’s position is its opinion which does not carry any weight, until decided by the court. But NBA wanted its opinion to be taken as the law, notwithstanding that some of its members hold contrary views on the issue. Without a second thought, it decided not to hold the bar conference in Port Harcourt, any more, and moved it to Enugu. But it conveniently forgot to do the needful, that is return the N300 million ‘gift’. The association did not know that Ibas was aware that it took money from Fubara for the conference.

It thought its relocation of the conference to Enugu was the end of the matter. It was not. NBA was shocked to its marrows when Ibas asked for the refund of the N300 million which he described as “hosting fee”paid by Fubara, but which the group called “gift”. What was NBA celebrating that Fubara gave it N300 million? Did he give the association the money because he liked the members’ faces? Was it not the group that solicited for the money or gift or donation, or by whatever name some NBA jokers want to call it? As an association which more or less also acts as a pressure group and societal watchdog, NBA is supposed to know that there are certain things it must not be involved in. It costs a lot to host a bar conference, no doubt. And there is no offence in seeking help to host such a conference. But then are the consequences of such begging not more than the benefits when the chickens come home to roost?

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This is the dilemma NBA put itself. If in the past, it got funds from governors to host its conferences and got away with it, that does not make its action right. It is because of a day like this – that a provoked governor or administrator may spill the beans – that NBA and other related associations must always think twice before going to beg for funds for any of their activities. Unabashedly, NBA has refused to refund the money, daring Ibas to go to court. There is no need for Ibas to do that because he has shown NBA for what it truly is. If NBA were to be a firm believer of what it preaches, it would have refunded the money even before Ibas asked it to do so.

Holding on to the money and probably collecting another sum from the Enugu State Government, which is today hosting the conference, does not portray NBA in good light. What would it cost NBA to have returned the money after shifting the conference? By not returning the money, NBA has diminished its status in the eyes of right-thinking members of the society, and it no longer has the moral right to be societal watchdog. What societal rebirth is NBA preaching if it cannot set good examples so that”nature”, as Shakespeare said, “may stand up and say to all the world: this is an association”.

It is curious that the issue is not even an item on the agenda as curtain falls on the conference tomorrow. Rather than take a look at itself in the mirror, NBA, in its usual style, will look elsewhere and point fingers. It should stop living a lie, if it really wants to stand out, and stand tall. It can start by refunding the N300 million which belongs to the Rivers people. The money is neither Fubara’s nor Ibas’. Though collected from Fubara, refunding the money through Ibas is the same thing as returning it to Rivers people whose collective patrimony he holds in trust as their administrator, irrespective of the circumstances of his appointment.

August 28, 2025
NBA electoral reform Committee submits expanded proposals to President

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Electoral Reform Committee, has presented its expanded electoral reform recommendations to the President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN).

The committee chaired by Dr. Monday Ubani (SAN) submitted the report last Monday at NBA national secretariat in Abuja.

Oher members of the delegation included the Committee Secretary, Mr. Lawrence Ebewele, alongside members Victor Giwa, Mojirayo Ogunlana, and Christopher Areghan.

The Co-Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Sam Itodo, was absent due to another national assignment.

In his remarks, Dr. Ubani explained that the proposals were developed in response to long-standing concerns among members about the credibility, transparency, and inclusiveness of NBA elections.

He stressed that the reforms are designed to rebuild trust, enhance participation, and set a new democratic standard for the association.

Key highlights of the reform package submitted to the NBA President , Mazi Osigwe include: “Strengthening the independence of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA); Establishing a reliable and auditable digital voters register; Deployment of secure, audited electronic voting infrastructure.

It also include “Early publication of timelines and consistent electoral guidelines; Equal access to NBA-owned platforms for campaigns; Creation of an independent Electoral Offences and Petitions Body;

Transparency in campaign financing and enforcement of a code of conduct; Mandatory national and zonal debates.

Other recommendations are: “Member sensitisation and digital literacy programmes; Effective collaboration with branches in monitoring elections; and Equal access to the voter database by all candidates at least 30 days before elections.”

Receiving the recommendations, Mazi Osigwe (SAN) commended the committee for its diligent work and described the proposals as timely and progressive.

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He noted that some of the recommendations were already under consideration in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, particularly those relating to transparency and campaign finance regulation.

He further stated that candidates would be expected to express their interest early to ensure proper guidance through the electoral legal frameworks, thereby guaranteeing compliance with the ground rules.

The NBA President assured the committee of the association’s commitment to fair, credible, and transparent internal elections, which he said must reflect the same democratic standards that the NBA demands in Nigeria’s national elections.

On behalf of the committee, Dr. Ubani expressed gratitude to the NBA President for the opportunity to serve and pledged the committee’s continued support for the success of his administration.

He emphasised that the reforms are intended to strengthen the NBA as a model of internal democracy.

The expanded proposals are regarded as one of the most comprehensive reform efforts yet to address challenges in NBA elections, and are expected to help shape the conduct of future elections within the association.

August 26, 2025
NBA, do what is ethical

Ray Ekpu

The storm between the Rivers State government and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) may be a storm in a tea cup but it is a storm. The story is that the Rivers State government under Governor Siminalayi Fubara gave N300 million to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which had planned to hold its 2025 Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State. This was before President Bola Tinubu removed the governor on March 18, declared a state of emergency and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokete Ibas as the Sole Administrator of the state.

Now that the NBA has moved the conference away from Port Harcourt and relocated it in Enugu, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State has asked the NBA to refund the N300 million to the state. The media aide to the administrator, Hector Igbikiowubo says that the money was a hosting fee while the NBA says it was a “gift” unrelated to hosting.

The NBA’s explanation for relocating the conference to another state, Enugu, is in protest against the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State and the appointment of a Sole Administrator which the NBA says is unconstitutional. The matter is at the Supreme Court which has the authority to decide whether the declaration of an emergency by the president which has been approved by elected legislators of both houses of the National Assembly is unconstitutional or not. Take note that a state of emergency had been declared before in Plateau State by an elected President Olusegun Obasanjo. That decision was approved by the National Assembly and it was considered a constitutional decision.

The truth is that by March 18, when Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, the state was at the threshold of anarchy: bombs were exploding in several places. The state legislature had served notice of impeachment of the governor and deputy governor; vandalisation of oil assets was surging; the Ijaws from which tribe Fubara comes were baying for blood. It would have been most unpatriotic and irresponsible for the president to stand and stare while the menacing madness in the horizon was showing its ugly face. The elders, youths, women and various other groups had tried, but failed, to resolve the menace. Anarchy was at the door and it was prim and proper for the president to step in and save the state from implosion. If there was trouble in the Rivers State, it could conceivably snowball into other oil producing states because the Niger Delta region is very, very volatile. That would have damaged our democracy and the oil region irreparably.

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If the NBA says that it took its planned conference away from Rivers State because of the emergency status of the state which, in any case, is headed by a civilian, what did it do during the military days when autocratic military dictators held sway? Did it or did it not hold its Annual General Conferences in those states? It did. It held its conferences in the north, south, east and west, where dictators lectured lawyers on the rule of law? Moving the conference from Rivers State was wrong since the NBA did not mind holding its conferences under full-fledged military dictators.

Such a rash decision deprived the Rivers State of benefits of hosting which it hoped to get from its N300 million payment. The hotel and transport owners, travel agencies, airlines, restaurants and other hospitality outlets would have benefitted from the hosting of the conference in Rivers State. The youths of the state would also have had the opportunity to learn something on the legal profession and rule of law in a state where restiveness is an enduring problem.

I had to laugh when I read what the chairman of the organizing committee of the conference, Emeka Obegolu, SAN said, namely that the N300 million was a “gift” attached to no condition. Obegolu is wrong. There is no free gift, not even in Freetown. Every gift comes with a string, whether seen or unseen. Even if the Rivers State government did not outrightly spell out any condition or benefits, it paid the money because it knew that there would be enormous benefits coming to Rivers State if the conference was held there. The truth is that the money was not given for nothing; it was given for something, the favour of hosting right, whether expressly stated or muted. If the NBA says the money was just a gift, it violated the rule for buying something in a bottle. The rule is that you must examine the contents not the bottle. If it didn’t know that the money was for hosting rights, then its knowledge of such matters in this system is suspect because anyone who collects money as support fund for a conference knows that the giver obviously expects some benefits to come to him or her or it.

Everyone knows that the legal profession is often involved in the indiscriminate defence of right and wrong. That is why there are often lawyers on both sides of any case. That is also why some lawyers may see what is wrong but still seek to defend it as right. The NBA is a respected and respectable association. I have worked with a number of prominent and respected lawyers in various settings. That is why I think the NBA does not need to make any indefensible argument about this money. Taking the conference away from Rivers State is an injury. Refusing to refund the money is adding insult to that injury. The NBA should not put its conscience and integrity in jeopardy for the sake of mean money making. It would be unethical to keep the money if you have taken the hosting of the conference away from the state. Don’t let the unfortunate happenings in the Rivers State become a sweet pleasure that can choke the NBA now or in future. Don’t let this money matter be seen as a breach of trust and as an expedition in the exploitation of the government and people of Rivers State. The NBA is too big to bring itself down to that nadir of disrespect.

Now, my closing arguments: If the NBA is going to collect hosting fees as a “gift” from the Enugu State government, as it is likely to do, why should it also keep the one it collected from Rivers State? It should not if it wishes to be respected as an ethical organisation. The argument about the money being a free gift and not returnable is nonsensical. The money was a hosting fee whether stated or implied. If the hosting is taken away from the state, the money must be refunded to the state since it has been capriciously deprived of the hosting benefits. The money was given to the NBA by the Rivers State government. Now a refund of the money is demanded by the Rivers State government. Why should there be any quibbling about it? There should be none.

If the new hosting state is not paying hosting fee to the NBA, which I doubt, would it be ethical to use the hosting fee paid by a state you are depriving of the benefits of hosting to host the conference in the new hosting state? It would be unethical especially since keeping the money is not approved by the donating government.

The NBA fights for justice. It needs to conduct its affairs in a transparent and accountable manner that does not put a question mark on its integrity. Its leadership must show a good example that should be emulated by other professional associations. It must refund the money to its owner, the Rivers State government. Here ends my closing argument.

April 29, 2025
NBA’s moral burden

A lawyer lives for the direction of his people and the advancement of the cause of his country – Sapara Williams

To a large extent, the constitution of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) hereinafter referred to as the Bar or NBA, is hinged on this Christopher Sapara Williams’ creed. He was the first indigenous Nigerian lawyer who was called to the English Bar on November 17, 1879. He started practising in Nigeria on January 13, 1888. During his legal practice, he held on to the precepts of being an advocate of the people and society’s watchdog.

Williams was a pathfinder whose creed has come to define the essence of legal practice and shaped the minds of other lawyers, many of who held him in awe, even though they never met him. One of such lawyers was the irrepressible Gani Fawehinmi who had Williams’ immortal words framed and well placed in his law chambers and Ikeja, Lagos home. Gani took Williams’ creed to heart. That was how he became the Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM), and the people’s lawyer, an appellation which was the exclusive preserve of Kanmi Ishola-Osobu in the 70s and 80s.

Sapara Williams was a leading light of the NBA which he chaired between 1900 and 1915, when he died. Under his watch, the Bar was the upholder of the truth. It never strayed from the right path. It took up causes that affected the masses at no cost to them, giving them a sense of belonging and being. NBA earned the people’s trust without lobbying for it. Under him, the Bar was never enmeshed in any scandal that besmeared it.

The Bar was the Bar – upright and not beholden to any elected or appointed office holder. It earned the public’s respect for its integrity, decorum and decency, the cherished values held dear by lawyers like Gani and another Bar leader, Alao Aka-Bashorun, who both came after Williams. Though Gani was never an NBA leader, he lived his life for a Bar with a banner without stain. He was always quoting Sapara Williams in everything he did. He and his hero and Gani had few heroes who can be counted off the finger tips will be turning in their graves over the way the Bar is being run today.

Even before the scandal over NBA’s collection of N300 million from the Rivers State Government for the hosting of its 2025 annual general conference in Port Harcourt, which has been shifted to Enugu blew open, the Bar was already treading on slippery grounds. It was always involved in one politically-motivated cause or the other, taking sides in matters in which it should be neutral. It must, however, be emphasised that the collection of ‘unconditional’ monetary gift for the hosting of its conferences did not start today.

It is an age-long practice which predates the present NBA leadership. The only difference is the controversy that is dogging its decision to shift the conference to Enugu after collecting what the planning committee called the N300 million ‘unconditional gift’. Truly, no conditions are attached to such gifts and other miscellaneous and logistic freebies that the state where the event is billed for is always willing to dole out for reasons best known to it. But it is with the unwritten understanding of ‘you rub my back, I rub your back, tombo’.

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Meaning the Bar, though a pressure group, will see no evil and speak no evil about the state, no matter how bad things may be there, at least during preparations for the conference; as well as while the event is on and shortly after it. But the NBA breached this unwritten rule when it sou moto moved the conference to Enugu because of what it described as the ‘unconstitutional rule’ in Rivers. ‘Unconstitutional’? How did the Bar arrive at that conclusion? I am unaware of any court declaring the present administration in Rivers unconstitutional.

What we have in Rivers is a state of emergency as provided for under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The suspension of the democratic institutions under the emergency rule is galling to many people, among them lawyers. But until the court which has adjudicatory powers speaks on the Rivers emergency no other person no matter the number of SAN titles they may have, can declare it unconstitutional. At best, they like any other professionals, can only bellyache over the matter, no more, no less.

The prerogative of holding the annual general conference in any part of the country is the NBA’s. So, it can decide to move it out of one state to the other, if it so wishes. But in so doing, it must be mindful of the fallout of its action, which we are all now witnessing. With the exception of its inner circle, many of its members and other Nigerians never knew that the Bar got N300 million from the Rivers government for the conference. So, having moved the conference to Enugu since it no longer finds Port Harcourt conducive, what should the NBA do with the gift cash?

Retain it? Return it? For its own good and image, it is better it returns the cash. The money is not that of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara whose cause it is openly fighting by its insistence that it cannot gather in a state where there is no democracy. The money belongs to Rivers and whether NBA likes it or not, there is a government in place there. It may call the administration by whatever name it likes, but that will not detract from the fact of the government’s existence.

The owner of the money, the government of Rivers is asking for a refund. Rather than run its mouth over the propriety or otherwise of its action, NBA should just quietly return the money the way it got the cash and stop ridiculing itself in public. Enough of its show of shame. As the self-styled voice of the voiceless and defender of the defenceless, NBA should not be seen engaged in matters belittling of a professional group of its stature. It is disheartening seeing the way it is defending its indefensible action.

NBA messed up big time. Though the damage has been done, it is still not too late for the Bar to redeem itself by returning the money to its rightful owner. If its problem is Sole Administrator Ibok-Ette Ibas, NBA should not see itself as returning the N300 million to him, but to the government and people of Rivers that are the rightful owners of the money. NBA has not fared well at all in its handling of this case. How can the Bar say that it would not refund the money because it is an ‘unconditional gift’?

Yet, it has attached condition to the hosting of the conference by moving it from Port Harcourt to Enugu on the grounds of unconstitutional government in Rivers. The Bar cannot have its cake and eat it. It is in its own enlightened self interest to return the money and make do with whatever the Enugu government provides for moving the conference there. The money belongs to Rivers and the rightful place to return the cash to is the state since it has a sitting government.

NBA should not allow this matter to go to court because the outcome may not favour it. A giver, whether an individual or an institution can take back his or its gift, if the recipient is not appreciative. It is as simple as that.

April 17, 2025
Ramadan/lent: NBA launches free food scheme for lawyers in Ekiti

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ado-Ekiti Branch, has launched the Lawyers’ Ramadan and Lent Market as part of efforts to alleviate the financial burden of its members during the fasting period for Muslim and Christian legal practitioners in the state.

At the market, which was held on Saturday at the Afe Babalola Bar Centre, High Court Premises, Fajuyi, Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti state capital, members of NBA were freely given fruits- pineapple, apple, banana, orange, and watermelon.

Speaking to journalists, the NBA branch Chairman, Taiwo Omidoyin, said the initiative was part of the association’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of its members.

He stated that the market was designed to provide relief to members who were struggling to make ends meet, adding that the association would continue to explore ways to support its members.

Omidoyin said: “We understand that the holy months of Ramadan and Lent can be challenging for our members, especially those who are struggling financially. That’s why we decided to organise this market to provide them with free food items.”

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He expressed his delight at the turnout of members at the market, saying it was a testament to the branch’s commitment to the welfare of its members.

Omidoyin said that the branch has been at the forefront of promoting the well-being of its members, noting that it has organised several initiatives including free medical check-ups, a discounted food market, and a gas station, to support its members.

A member of the association, Dr. Olubiyi Ifeoluwa, Associate Professor, College of Law, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti

described the initiative as a “welcome development”.

March 23, 2025