The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asked former Chief Justice of Nigeria and Vice Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola to immediately forward its petition against body’s Chairman, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN to the body’s Ethics, Compliance and Internal Disciplinary Committee.

The request is contained in a letter obtained by CITY LAWYER and dated 17th March, 2025. The letter was received by the Body of Benchers Secretariat the same day for onward transmission to the CJN.

The latest letter referenced NBA’s original petition dated 24th February, 2025, and titled “PETITION AGAINST THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BODY PETITION (SIC), CHIEF A. S. AWOMOLO, SAN FOR GROSS VIOLATION OF THE BODY OF BENCHERS REGULATION AND FOR FLAGRANT DISREGARD OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION.”

Signed by NBA President and Life Bencher, Mr. Afam Osigwe SAN, the letter stated that the Benchers Regulation (as amended) “provides that if a complaint is against the chairman, it shall be sent to the Vice-Chairman of the body and copied to the Secretary.”

Attaching evidence of delivery of the complaint dated 24th February, 2025, the NBA wrote: “It is worrisome that despite the petition being received by the Secretariat of the Body of Benchers as well as forwarded to your goodself since the said date, the same has not been forwarded to the Ethics, Compliance and Internal Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers in violation of the mandatory provision of Regulation 19(7) of the Body of Benchers Regulation (as amended) which stipulates that a person, like your Lordship, the Vice Chairman, “receiving the complaint shall within three (3) days thereafter forward three copies thereof to the Chairman Ethics, Compliance and Internal Disciplinary Committee.”

Hinting that it is not prepared to back down on the impending face-off, the NBA warned that it “would hate to litigate this matter if impression is unwittingly given that there is no intention to have the matter referred to or heard by the Ethics, Compliance and Internal Disciplinary Committee of the Body of Benchers.”

In the 24-page original petition obtained by CITY LAWYER, the lawyers’ body accused Awomolo of “gross violation of the Body of Benchers Regulation, disregard (of) decisions of the Elders Committee of the Body of Benchers and for disregarding the Nigerian Bar Association.”

The NBA alleged that “Chief Awomolo was present when the Elders Committee resolved that the Appointments Committee Report should be approved as presented and he agreed that he would call a meeting of the Body for that purpose.”

CITY LAWYER gathered that the controversy turns on the list of 30 nominees to represent the NBA at the Body of Benchers.

NBA claims that instead of a solely virtual meeting to formally adopt the recommendations, Awomolo altered the resolution to a hybrid mode, adding that “The Chairman led debate and encouraged resolution to reject list of members presented by the Nigerian Bar Association which had been approved at the meeting of the Elders Committee as recommended by the Appointment Committee of the Body of Benchers.”

The NBA stated that “In order to achieve his aim of rubbishing the NBA, the Chairman has rushed to issue letters to these persons and also fixed Thursday, February 27, 2025, as inauguration day for these new Benchers even though the inauguration of Benchers is not known to practice and Regulation of the Body.”

It stated that “The Chairman has by his conduct shown that the decisions and resolutions of the Elders Committee of the Body can be overturned by the Chairman and or accorded little or no respect.”

The lawyers’ body alleged that aside from shutting out NBA from its statutory representation, Awomolo’s actions are not only capable of causing a rift within the elite body “but also aimed at slighting the Nigerian Bar Association and undermining the Elders Committee of the Body.”

Again warning that it was not averse to litigating the debacle, NBA demanded that “The Chairman should be prevented from going ahead with the issuance of letter of appointment as Bencher to any of the persons purportedly approved at the meeting of the February 20, 2025 as well as going ahead with the planned inauguration of these Benchers pending the pending the (sic) determination of this matter.”

The Awomolo-led body has since gone ahead to inaugurate the new Benchers, contrary to NBA’s demand.

The Body of Benchers helmsman is yet to respond to the allegations contained in the petition. An inquiry to the Secretary of the elite body, Mr. Daniel Tela, on the controversy did not receive any response at press time. When CITY LAWYER also called his verified telephone number, it rang out without a response.

It is recalled that a major controversy rocked the Body of Benchers following reconstitution of various standing committees of the Body and creation of new ones by Awomolo, allegedly contrary to the Benchers’ Regulation as amended. Former NBA President, Mr. Augustine Alegeh SAN headed to the Federal High court to reverse his removal as Chairman of the body’s Appointments Committee. He was subsequently reinstated into the position following an out-of-court settlement.

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