A major crisis has engulfed the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) as two of its factions in Nigeria are in a face-off over its planned International Conference scheduled to hold in Accra, Ghana.

CITY LAWYER recalls that African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) International Inc. has been promoting its international conference, saying that it is planned to attract heavyweights in the women and child rights sector.

However, in a post seen by CITY LAWYER, African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria warned that it “is NOT the organiser, co-organiser, partner, sponsor or affiliate of the purported conference, and no person or organisation should represent otherwise.”

In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Dr. Grace Ajaegbo, the body stated that “ALL MEMBERS OF AWLA NIGERIA, PARTNERS, STAKEHOLDERS AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE HEREBY CAUTIONED TO DISREGARD THE PUBLICATION AND NOT TO ACT ON ANY INVITATION, REQUEST FOR REGISTRATION, PAYMENT, DONATION, TRAVEL ARRANGEMENT OR OTHER SOLICITATION ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PURPORTED CONFERENCE ON THE STRENGTH OF AWLA NIGERIA’S NAME.”

But in a rebuttal, the Mrs. Falilat Oluwatoyin Orire-led faction of AWLA Nigeria urged stakeholders to disregard the disclaimer, adding that “We wish to state unequivocally that the said disclaimer does not emanate from, represent, or reflect the position of the duly recognised AWLA Nigeria Chapter.”

According to the statement signed by factional General Secretary, Toyin Ndidi Taiwo-Ojo, “The persons behind the said publication are members of a breakaway faction which has already been suspended by the African Women Lawyers Association International following resolutions of the International body.”

Meanwhile, African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) International Inc. led by fiery former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Third Vice President Mandy Demechi-Asagba is yet to react to the latest development which may put spanner in its works regarding its planned conference.

Below are the full texts of the statements by the factions.

OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER

AFRICAN WOMEN LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (AWLA) NIGERIA

The attention of the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria has been drawn to a publication currently circulating on social media and other platforms concerning an organisation styling itself as “African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) International Inc.” and purportedly announcing a 2026 International Conference in Accra, Ghana.

AWLA NIGERIA HEREBY STATES, UNEQUIVOCALLY, THAT IT HAS NO CONNECTION, AFFILIATION, PARTNERSHIP, ENDORSEMENT OR ASSOCIATION WHATSOEVER WITH THE SAID ORGANISATION OR THE PURPORTED CONFERENCE.

For the avoidance of doubt, AWLA Nigeria is NOT the organiser, co-organiser, partner, sponsor or affiliate of the purported conference, and no person or organisation should represent otherwise.

Accordingly, ALL MEMBERS OF AWLA NIGERIA, PARTNERS, STAKEHOLDERS AND MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE HEREBY CAUTIONED TO DISREGARD THE PUBLICATION AND NOT TO ACT ON ANY INVITATION, REQUEST FOR REGISTRATION, PAYMENT, DONATION, TRAVEL ARRANGEMENT OR OTHER SOLICITATION ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PURPORTED CONFERENCE ON THE STRENGTH OF AWLA NIGERIA’S NAME.

AWLA Nigeria DISTANCES ITSELF COMPLETELY from the said publication and from any activities, representations, financial transactions or commitments undertaken by the persons behind it.

We further caution members of the public to exercise the utmost diligence and vigilance and to verify any purported communication claiming to originate from AWLA Nigeria through our recognised and official channels before taking any action or making any financial commitment.

AWLA Nigeria shall not be responsible or liable for any loss, damage, transaction, representation or consequence arising from any person’s decision to engage with the said organisation or persons purporting to act on its behalf. Such engagement shall be entirely at the individual’s own risk.

AWLA Nigeria remains committed to protecting the integrity, reputation and identity of the Association and will take all appropriate steps within the law to protect its name, members and stakeholders from misrepresentation, impersonation or unauthorised use of its identity.

THIS NOTICE SHOULD BE TREATED AS AN OFFICIAL AND AUTHORITATIVE POSITION OF AWLA NIGERIA ON THIS MATTER.

Members are urged to share this disclaimer widely to prevent misinformation and possible loss or exploitation.

Grace Ajaegbo, PhD
Public Relations Officer
African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria

4 September 2026

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5 September 2026

The attention of the duly recognised African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria Chapter, led by the Country Representative, Mrs. Falilat Oluwatoyin Orire, has been drawn to a disclaimer currently being circulated on social media and other platforms, purportedly issued on behalf of “AWLA Nigeria,” concerning the 2026 AWLA International Conference scheduled to hold in Ghana in November 2026.

We wish to state unequivocally that the said disclaimer does not emanate from, represent, or reflect the position of the duly recognised AWLA Nigeria Chapter.

The persons behind the said publication are members of a breakaway faction which has already been suspended by the African Women Lawyers Association International following resolutions of the International body.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive Council and Country Representatives of AWLA International, at its meeting of 25 June 2026, considered the conduct of the breakaway faction in Nigeria and unanimously resolved that the faction led by Caroline Ibharuneafe, together with its executive members and associates, be suspended from membership, recognition, representation and participation in the affairs of AWLA, with immediate effect. The resolution further expressly prohibited suspended persons from representing AWLA, participating in official AWLA programmes or holding themselves out as authorised representatives of the Association.

A formal Notice of Suspension was subsequently issued to Caroline Ibharuneafe by AWLA International. The notice specifically directed her to cease and desist from using the AWLA name, logo, letterhead and platforms, and stated that any act or communication purportedly undertaken by her in the name of AWLA would be null and void ab initio and would not bind the Association.

More importantly, the notice of suspension signed by Yanne Mbiyavanga, Acting Deputy Secretary General, AWLA International and a formal letter dated 14 August 2026 by AWLA Nigeria Chapter was addressed to the current President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN through the President Emeritus Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN forwarding the resolution and notice of suspension concerning the Nigerian breakaway faction.

That letter was duly received and acknowledged by the National Secretariat of the Nigerian Bar Association on 21 August 2026. The documentary record therefore leaves no basis for suggesting that the NBA National Secretariat was unaware of the position of AWLA International regarding the suspension.

THE RECOGNISED AWLA NIGERIA CHAPTER

We reiterate that the AWLA Nigeria Chapter led by Mrs. Falilat Oluwatoyin Orire is the recognised Nigerian Chapter of the African Women Lawyers Association International.

This recognition is not merely a matter of internal Nigerian disagreement. It is affirmed by the Founder of AWLA, Hon. Betsy Mould-Iddrisu, as well as the International President, Mrs. Mandy Demechi-Asagba, and is supported by the recognised AWLA structures and chapters across Africa and the South Americas.

The African Women Lawyers Association was founded in 1997 in Kenya, and the organisation has, over the years, built an international structure comprising recognised chapters across the continent and beyond.

It is therefore deeply troubling that individuals operating under a suspended breakaway structure would now attempt to undermine an institution which has been built over decades and, more particularly, seek to declare unlawful the annual International Conference organised by the international body.

CAN A BREAKAWAY CHAPTER DECLARE THE PARENT BODY ILLEGAL?

As learned professionals, we find it increasingly worrisome that the actions of Caroline Ibharuneafe and her cohorts appear to be moving beyond an internal disagreement into what can reasonably be perceived as a calculated attempt to discredit and undermine the institution itself.

Indeed, this is not the first time such a disclaimer has been issued.

A similar attempt was made in respect of the AWLA International Conference held in 2025 at Cotonou, Benin Republic. Despite the disclaimer and attempts to discourage participation, the conference went ahead and was successfully held, becoming one of the best International Conferences organised by AWLA International to date.

It is therefore difficult not to view the repeated issuance of such disclaimers as an effort to frustrate, discredit and ultimately destroy what generations of African women lawyers have painstakingly built since AWLA’s establishment in 1997.

Can a child declare his or her parent illegal?

A constituent or breakaway faction cannot, by issuing a press statement or social-media disclaimer, arrogate to itself the authority to invalidate the parent organisation or an official event of that parent body.

The recognised AWLA International remains the parent and governing body of its recognised chapters, and the AWLA International Conference is an official programme of the International body.

THE GHANA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

We therefore wish to make it abundantly clear that the 2026 AWLA International Conference scheduled to take place in Ghana in November 2026 is an official and duly recognised AWLA International event.

It is the annual international gathering through which recognised AWLA chapters and members from across Africa and the global African community come together for professional engagement, networking, advocacy and the advancement of the objectives of the Association.

The conference is not an event organised by the suspended breakaway faction, and its legitimacy does not depend on the approval or participation of that faction.

THIS MATTER IS ALREADY BEFORE THE COURT

We also consider it important to remind all concerned that the dispute between the contending factions is already before the courts.

It is therefore inappropriate for parties to attempt to determine the substantive issues through competing social-media declarations, public accusations and self-serving disclaimers.

The proper forum for the determination of the legal rights of the parties remains the court, and we will respect and abide by the judicial process.

We consequently urge all parties, particularly learned members of the profession, to exercise restraint and allow the judicial process to take its course rather than continually escalating the matter through public pronouncements.

OUR POSITION

Accordingly, the recognised AWLA Nigeria Chapter led by Mrs. Falilat Oluwatoyin Orire hereby:

1. Completely dissociates itself from the disclaimer issued and circulated by the suspended breakaway faction;
2. Rejects any attempt by the suspended faction or its members to represent themselves as speaking for AWLA Nigeria;
3. Reaffirms that Mrs. Falilat Oluwatoyin Orire is the recognised Country Representative of AWLA Nigeria;
4. Reaffirms the recognition of the Orire-led Nigerian Chapter by AWLA Founder, Hon. Betsy Mould-Iddrisu, and AWLA International President, Mrs. Mandy Demechi-Asagba;
5. Reaffirms that the 2026 AWLA International Conference in Ghana is an official AWLA International event;
6. Calls on members, partners, stakeholders and the general public to disregard the purported disclaimer and any communication emanating from the suspended faction purporting to speak on behalf of AWLA Nigeria; and
7. Urges all concerned to allow the court to determine the legal issues in dispute, rather than attempting to obtain judgment through social media or public opinion.

AWLA is an institution that has existed since 1997 and has served as a platform for African women lawyers to promote the rights, interests and welfare of women and children. It is therefore incumbent upon all of us, particularly as members of the legal profession, to protect institutional integrity and resolve disagreements through the mechanisms provided by the Constitution, the courts and other lawful processes.

The attempt to rewrite the history, structure and authority of AWLA through social-media disclaimers cannot alter the reality of the Association’s recognised international structure.

For the avoidance of doubt:

AWLA NIGERIA UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MRS. FALILAT OLUWATOYIN ORIRE IS THE RECOGNISED NIGERIAN CHAPTER OF AWLA INTERNATIONAL.

THE AWLA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN GHANA IN NOVEMBER 2026 IS AN OFFICIAL AWLA INTERNATIONAL EVENT.

THE DISCLAIMER ISSUED BY THE SUSPENDED BREAKAWAY FACTION DOES NOT REPRESENT THE POSITION OF AWLA NIGERIA AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED.

Signed:
Toyin Ndidi Taiwo-Ojo,
General Secretary,
African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) Nigeria
5 September 2026

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