Foremost human rights activist, Professor Chidi Odinkalu has congratulated leading justice sector reform advocate, Prof. Uju Agomoh on her election as the new Chair of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL).

In a post on his verified Twitter/X handle, Odinkalu, who is often described by his admirers as the ‘Conscience of the Nation,’ noted that “#SPIDEL is in excellent hands.”

His words: “The @nba_spidel has a new Chairperson. Welcome to the job, @DrUjuAgomoh. #SPIDEL is in excellent hands.”

The post has opened a floodgate of congratulatory messages to the new NBA-SPIDEL Executive Committee which was inaugurated at the recently concluded Annual Conference of the section in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Prominent Bar Leader, Mr. Jibrin Okutepa SAN also hailed the new Executive Committee, even as he led the charge in setting agenda for the SPIDEL leadership, urging the team to “engage in so many public interest litigations.” He wrote: “Congratulations @Dr Uju Agomoh my new chair. I am happy for you. Spidel needs to engage in so many public interest litigations.”

Continuing, he wrote: “For instance is there any relationship between the right to life and the failure of government to provide Nigerians with good roads, security, hospitals and other life-saving social amenities? We need to find out. Congratulations Uju.”

On his part, Senator Dino Melaye wrote: “Congratulations to all our new excos. More grace. My new chairman and Vice, double twale.” Melaye is a member of NBA-SPIDEL.

Adding his voice to the floodgate of solidarity and congratulatory messages, former Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) Chairman, Mr. Bulus Atsen wrote: “Congratulations to all the new members of the Executive.”

He was joined by former NBA Jos Branch Chairman and Chairman of the Media & Publicity Sub-Committee for the NBA-SPIDEL 2025 Annual Conference, Mr. Yakubu Bawa. His words: “Congratulations to the newly elected leaders.”

It is recalled that Agomoh had emerged as Chairman of the section while Mr. Paul Daudu SAN will serve as the Vice Chairman. NBA Calabar Branch Chairman, Mr. Enome J. Amatey emerged as the new Secretary while Saadatu Abdullahi Mohammed is the Treasurer. Other Executive Committee members include Barbara Tosan Onwubiko (Financial Secretary) and Mojirayo Ogunlana (PRO).

The NBA-SPIDEL Annual General Meeting (AGM) also ratified the following senior lawyers as Council members, including Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN, Dr. Monday Ubani SAN and Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, all former NBA-SPIDEL chairmen; Mr. Ejike Ezenwa SAN, Mr. Ntufam Mba Ukweni SAN, Mr. Andrew Odum SAN, Mr. Kunle Edun SAN, Dr. Princess Frank-Chukwuani, and Mr. Okey Leo Ohagba, among others.

Agomoh, who anchored the highly successful NBA-SPIDEL 2025 Annual Conference, attended the University of London (Queen Mary) and Westfield College where she obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree. She was later admitted to the Nigerian Bar. She is a Chevening scholar and has a doctoral degree in Criminology & Prison Studies.

A profile by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) titled “CELEBRATING WOMEN ICON” reads: “Dr. Uju Agomoh @ujuagomoh is the Founder and Executive Director of Prisoners’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), a leading NGO focused on security, justice, and development with regional and continental initiatives across Africa. She currently serves as the President of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) Africa Chapter.

“Dr. Agomoh is also the Programme Manager for the Speeding Up Project (Component 4.2) under the Justice for All Programme, a UK DFID-funded initiative in Nigeria. Additionally, she leads the Police and Human Rights Project, funded by the Swiss Embassy in Nigeria.

“Previously, she was a Research Fellow at the Institute for Development Studies (IDS), University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (2010–2013). She has also served on the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and is a member of the Steering Committee of the African Security Sector Network (ASSN).

“Dr. Agomoh has made significant contributions to justice reform, with a focus on increasing access to justice, reducing offending behavior, and preventing violence and torture —particularly in low-income communities. Her work continues to shape policies and interventions for a more effective and humane justice system in Africa.”

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