NBA PRESIDENT VOWS TO RESIST ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE ITS INDEPENDENCE

USE OF NIN WILL EXPOSE ELECTIONS TO GOVERNMENT CONTROL
WARNS JUDICIARY AGAINST GRANT OF EXPARTE ORDERS FROM REMOTE COURTS
‘NO GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL CAN DICTATE TO NBA’

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Afam Osigwe, SAN, has declared that his administration will not allow any external interference in the affairs of the association, and will ensure the forthcoming NBA National Elections are conducted freely, fairly and credibly.

Speaking at the Eastern Bar Forum Quarterly Meeting in Owerri, Imo State on Thursday, Osigwe addressed recent developments, including reported attempts by external bodies to influence NBA processes, judicial actions relating to the elections, and the debate over the proposed use of the National Identification Number, NIN, for voter authentication. The President said the NBA must remain autonomous and self-regulating.

“It can never be under my watch that anybody attempts to take over the Bar,” he stated. “No institution, and no government official, has the legal authority to dictate how the Nigerian Bar Association conducts its internal affairs.”

Referring to a recent statement by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN on the NBA elections, Osigwe said the administration remains committed to defending the constitutional independence of the Bar.

On the communiqué issued by the Body of Attorneys-General, he welcomed calls for peace and dialogue, but cautioned against any impression that such engagement confers statutory authority over the NBA.

“The affairs of the Association are governed by law and by our Constitution. Section 12(4) of the Legal Practitioners Act vests the power to make rules of professional conduct in the General Council of the Bar. It does not vest in the GCB the power to administer the NBA or to conduct its elections. That power resides in the ECNBA and NEC under the NBA Constitution,” he explained.

He added that anyone seeking to lead the NBA must earn the mandate of lawyers through democratic engagement.

The NBA President acknowledged that election seasons are competitive, but warned that the integrity of the Bar must not be sacrificed for personal ambition.

“We will ensure a free, fair and transparent electoral process. The will of lawyers must prevail,” he said.

He also cautioned against the use of ex-parte orders from remote jurisdictions to disrupt the process, and urged members of the judiciary not to allow the courts to be used to undermine the association’s democratic process.

On the proposal to make NIN compulsory for voting, Osigwe noted that while the ECNBA has the mandate to conduct elections, a technical review showed that mandatory NIN could expose the process to external control through NIMC.

“Lawyers are already securely identified through our Supreme Court enrolment numbers and OTP verification. If the Bar in future desires to adopt NIN, that decision must come through a constitutional amendment by members, not by administrative directive,” he said.

The President disclosed that he will hand over leadership to a duly elected National Executive Committee on 28 August, 2026.

He thanked the Eastern Bar Forum for its support over the last two years, describing it as “a privilege to serve the NBA and to represent the Forum as a son.”

He also congratulated the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice Ijeoma Agugua, on her re-appointment by the National Judicial Council (NJC), and urged lawyers to continue to respect judicial institutions and uphold the rule of law.

He commended the Eastern Bar Forum for hosting the quarterly meeting and called on all members to remain united in defending the independence and constitutional order of the Bar.

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