Legal Diary News

NBA Anaocha Branch Names Hall After Okey Wali, SAN The (NBA), Anaocha Branch (Family Bar), has resolved to name its main meeting hall after the 26th President of the Association, . This decision was reached during the Branch’s monthly general meeting, where members unanimously approved the naming of the hall as “Hon. Okey Wali, SAN Hall of Honour.” The honour is in recognition of Okey Wali, SAN’s outstanding contributions to the legal profession, as well as his enduring support and commitment to the growth and unity of the Nigerian Bar, particularly the Anaocha Branch. According to the Branch, the resolution reflects deep appreciation for his legacy of service, leadership, and dedication to the advancement of justice and the rule of law. The formal naming and commissioning of the hall will take place during the Branch’s 2026 Law Week , scheduled to commence on May 8, 2026 . The event is expected to attract members of the Bar, senior advocates, and key stakeholders wi...

The recent assertion by my brother, Festus Okoye Esq, that lawyers have become scapegoats in internal party conflicts owing to their recourse to the courts calls for careful constitutional and judicial interrogation. At the centre of this debate lies Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the suggestion that it absolutely ousts the jurisdiction of the courts over the internal affairs of political parties. With the greatest respect to lawyers who are holding this view, that broad interpretation may appear overstretched and not constitutionally sustainable. Section 83(5) of the Electoral Act, read in isolation, appears to bar courts from entertaining disputes relating to party internal issues absolutely.  On a literal reading, it suggests a legislative intent to shield political parties from judicial scrutiny. That may not absolutely be true. Such a construction ignores a foundational principle of Nigeria’s constitutional order, which is the fact that...

Dual party membership has continued to erode party discipline and weaken democratic accountability in Nigeria. The amendment to Section 77 of the Electoral Act is a bold s tep forward, expressly prohibiting multiple party membership and prescribing strict penalties ₦10 million fine, two years imprisonment, or both to deter political inconsistency. Nonetheless, this must be balanced with Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees freedom of association. The law does not restrict political participation but ensures that party affiliation is singular, clear, and lawful at any given time. For this reform to be effective, political parties must enforce internal discipline through credible membership registers, transparent primaries, and strict adherence to their constitutions. However, enforcement cannot rest on parties alone. The  must take decisive steps by establishing a centralised digital membership database, auditing party registers, and enforci...

I read with a mixture of amusement and sadness the statement credited to one Mr. Chidi Uwaeziozi, who claims to be the Controller of Works for Abia State in the Federal Ministry of Works. In that statement, he asserted that the Umuahia/Ikwuano/Ikot Ekpene Road continues to be executed and funded by the Federal Government, apparently in response to recent remarks from the administration of His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, which identified the project as a State-led intervention. Ordinarily, such a claim would not deserve a response, especially as the Abia State Government has already addressed and refuted the misleading assertions contained in that statement. However, it is important that the people of Abia State, and indeed Nigerians, understand the true situation surrounding this vital road project. Infrastructure remains the backbone of economic development. Roads in particular connect communities, facilitate trade, and reduce the burden of daily life for ordinary citi...

From the look of things, Nigeria’s National Assembly has tactically harmonised both chambers on the Electoral Amendment Bill 2026, thereby eliminating the necessity for a conference committee. With identical versions now passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the Bill may have to await the presidential assent. At the core of the amendment are three major provisions relating to electronic transmission. First  is the mandatory Electronic Transmission of Results. And second is the statutory Recognition of the IREV Portal. The third is the  fallback to Form EC8A in Cases of Communication Failure. Under the proposed framework, where there is no communication failure, results recorded at each polling unit on Form EC8A, duly signed by the Presiding Officer and countersigned by party agents, must be uploaded to the IREV portal immediately after announcement. Where electronic transmission fails due to communication challenges, the duly completed and signed E...

I respectfully write to share my considered thoughts on the ongoing deliberations concerning the amendment of the Electoral Act, particularly on the issue of electronic transmission of election results. Nigeria stands at a critical democratic crossroads. As the continues its deliberations on proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, the nation must decide whether to consolidate recent electoral reforms or retreat into familiar controversies that have historically undermined public confidence in our democratic process. Recently, Dr. SAN appeared on The Morning Show on , where he provided a historical perspective on the evolution of electoral reforms in Nigeria. He carefully traced the mischief that the introduction of electronic transmission was designed to cure manipulation during manual collation, alteration of figures between polling units and collation centres, ballot snatching, and the disappearance or substitution of result sheets. According to him, electronic t...