• OPPONENTS CONCEDE DEFEAT

Bar Leaders have been lining behind themselves to congratulate the newly elected pioneer female Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch, Mrs. Uchenna Ogunedo Akingbade.

Akingbade polled 552 votes to defeat two other opponents and make history as the first female chairman in the over 60 years history of the very influential and largest NBA branch. The branch boasts of about 15,000 members adjudged as some of the finest talents in Nigeria’s legal profession.

Meanwhile, the two candidates who battled for the top spot against the newly elected chairman have both conceded defeat to the chairman-elect.

In a message obtained by CITY LAWYER, Mr. ‘Nonso Azih, who polled 419 votes as the runner-up, hailed Akingbade on her victory, saying: “I congratulate Mrs. Ogunedo-Akingbade on her victory and extend my sincere best wishes as she assumes the responsibility of leading the NBA Lagos Branch.”

Continuing, he added that “Elections, at their core, are a celebration of participation, dialogue, and collective choice. The members have spoken, and their decision deserves not only our respect but our support.”

As predicted by CITY LAWYER, Mrs. Abiye Tam-George polled 72 votes to bring up the rear.

While she did not specifically mention Akingbade, the Bar Leader wrote: “The NBA Lagos Branch elections have come to a close, and while the outcome was not in our favour, I remain deeply grateful and proud of the journey we shared.”

According to the former branch Vice Chairman, “We ran a campaign grounded in integrity, ideas, and hope for a more vibrant, inclusive, and accountable NBA Lagos.

“Though the result was not what we had hoped for, the values we stood for remain. Let us continue to serve our noble profession and community with the same passion and purpose.”

Among the Bar Leaders who have hailed Akingbade on her victory are incumbent NBA General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara; his predecessor-in-office, Mr. Olumuyiwa Akinboro SAN; former NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Yemi Akangbe SAN, and current NBA Treasurer, Blessing Udofa-Poromon.

A statement announcing the results of the election and signed by the Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr. Kelechi Obi SAN indicated that for the post of Treasurer, Ogechi Olisa-Mokelu garnered 538 votes to defeat her only challenger, Jacob Dipo Famodimu who polled 488 votes.

For the post of Publicity Secretary, Oliver Omoredia ran a blistering campaign to coast to a landslide victory against returnee candidate, Bayo Olusanya. While Omoredia polled 712 votes, Olusanya garnered 325 votes.

Other candidates who emerged unopposed are Kelechukwu Uzoka (Secretary); Ngozi Victor (Assistant Secretary); Rita O. Nwokocha (Social Secretary); Bennita Nneka Olejeme (Welfare Secretary), and Igwebuike Michael Ikechukwu (Provost).

The statement noted that the Electoral Committee “will continue to call for nominations for candidates for the Financial Secretary position, following the disqualification of the previously nominated candidates.”

Though a Nigeria Data Protection Commission “NDPR Audit Compliant 2024” badge was attached to the statement, it was unclear whether this relates to the results or the data deployed for the election.

The election was marked by fierce campaigning especially among the three chairmanship candidates. Though more muted, the chairmanship race had the trappings of the last branch elections where the candidates were heavily backed by former NBA presidential candidates, Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom SAN and Mr. Tobenna Erojikwe.

CITY LAWYER gathered that while some pundits were worried that Akingbade may be too beholden to the power brokers in her bloc, others feared that Azih may be too much of a free agent.

CITY LAWYER investigation shows that the Electoral Committee tracked and dealt with complaints relating to non-receipt of ballots. At the peak of the election, Obi’s telephone contact was trending, as supporters urged eligible voters who had not received their ballots to reach him directly.

Pouring effusive praise on the Electoral Committee scribe, Carolynda Anyanwu, a commentator wrote: “I testified (sic) to her diligence. After mail was sent to me, she followed it up with a call. So lovely.”

Other members of the Electoral Committee are Mr. Andrew Malgwi SAN; Mrs. Sola Adegbonmire, and Ms. Geraldine Wey.

Meanwhile, as Akingbade warms up to take over from the Bisi Makanjuola-led Executive Committee, Bar Leaders have started setting agenda for the incoming administration. Opening the floodgate of suggestions, Akangbe admonished the incoming administration to pursue reconciliation, saying: “I urge you to embrace a leadership style that prioritizes inclusion, healing, and unity. Every voice matters, and carrying everyone along will only strengthen the bond that makes our Branch truly exceptional.

“May your tenure usher in a season of reconciliation, progress, and renewed purpose.”

Hinting on unity, Azih wrote: “Let us now channel our shared energy and ideals toward building a stronger, more united NBA Lagos Branch.”

Also speaking, senior lawyer and President of CITY LAWYER, Mr. Emeka Nwadioke urged the Akingbade-led administration to prioritize due process and rule of law.

His words: “The incoming administration must prioritize due process and the rights of members. I have been at the receiving end of arbitrary treatment by the current branch leadership because I exercised my constitutional right to freedom of expression by publishing a blogpost which sought to spotlight the distress of a young lawyer, Uduak Adams, who was molested by some miscreants.

“The leadership violated basic natural justice rules in handling the matter. I was never issued with a query. What is more, the branch leadership turned itself into judge, jury and executioner by removing me from the branch WhatsApp platform. By so doing, it violated the principles of audi alteram partem and nemo judex in casua sua. Incredibly, the branch leadership has persisted in its error for more than 20 months.

“In deference to ADR and notwithstanding several representations to the leadership, it has refused to reinstate me to the platform till date. Having established that platform as apparently the first NBA Branch WhatsApp platform, I recall that the maximum period members who infringe Platform Rules are suspended was a nominal three months period. For starters, I did not infringe any platform rule. I only published a factual blogpost and even went ahead to publish a rebuttal issued by the branch.

“Till date, I have been removed from the platform for over 20 months, thereby adversely impacting my constitutional right to freedom of association! It also raises a more fundamental issue of how such issues should be dealt with by branch leaderships, given that freedom of expression and freedom of association are distinct rights.

“To quote The Nigeria Lawyer blog, ‘Many lawyers have condemned the NBA Lagos Branch’s high-handedness, arguing their action infringes on Nwadioke’s freedom of expression.’ Given the high standards to which our beloved branch has become accustomed for years, I expect the incoming Akingbade Administration to do  a lot better in this regard.”

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