legal diary News

In a significant human rights intervention, the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), and Chairman of the Branch Human Rights Committee, Ikemefuna Onyeka, Esq., has facilitated the release of two Inmates, Bali Joshua and Paul Sunday, who had been in custody since 2023 in connection with an alleged homicide. Upon assuming office on 31st July 2026, Ikemefuna Onyeka, Esq. was briefed on the prolonged detention of the two individuals, whose matter had remained unresolved for more than three years. Although the Human Rights Committee of the Branch had not yet been formally inaugurated, the Vice Chairman immediately took steps to address the matter, demonstrating an early commitment to the protection of fundamental human rights and access to justice. Following his intervention, Dr. Amin Abdulhaleem, Esq. and Joseph Okolo, Esq. were engaged to commence appropriate legal proceedings for the enforcement of the inmates’ fundamental rights. The...

Vows Independent, Bolder Bar, Better Welfare and Tough Action on Abusive Lawyers The newly inaugurated President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, FCIArb , has unveiled an ambitious reform agenda focused on lawyers’ welfare, economic empowerment, electoral reform, accountability, inclusion and the independence of the Bar. Badejo-Okusanya, who was sworn in as the 33rd President of the NBA in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, also announced that Abuja will host the 2027 NBA Annual General Conference , with further details on the dates, theme and planning committee to be released subsequently. In her inaugural address titled “From the Call to the Cause,” the new NBA President declared that her administration would be guided by the principle, “Members First. Always,” with a commitment to building what she described as a “Bolder Bar” where lawyers can earn better, live better and practise better. Her inauguration makes her the second wom...

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), Yakubu Philemon, SAN , on behalf of the Executive Committee and entire membership of the Branch,  congratulates  Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN , on her swearing-in as the 33rd President of the Nigerian Bar Association , alongside other members of the newly inaugurated National Executive Committee. Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, was sworn in on Friday, 28 August 2026, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State , succeeding Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN , the 32nd President of the Association.        Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya       President, Nigerian Bar Association ,   Philemon, SAN, particularly congratulates  two distinguished members of the NBA Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), Afamefuna O. Okeke, Esq., and Audrey Chinelo Ofoegbunam, Esq. , on their assumption of office as General Secretary and Welfare Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Ass...

It gives me immense pride to present to you the official report of our high-powered, multi-chapter delegation to the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, His Excellency, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, on Tuesday, 25th August 2026. Stepping away from the plenary sessions at the just concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Otu Oka-Iwu asserted its role as the intellectual vanguard and legal anchor of Ndigbo. Led by our President, Sir Chidi Udekwe Esq., the delegation brought together leadership and members from across our flagship chapters, including Abuja, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Kaduna States, alongside cross chapter delegates. The visit was both a sacred cultural homage and a strategic alignment between the apex socio-cultural organization of Ndigbo and the body of Igbo legal practitioners. Key Highlights of the Address Delivered by Sir Chidi Udekwe Esq., laid out an ambitious, actionable roadmap designed to t...

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), Mr. Yakubu Philemon, SAN, has congratulated Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, on the successful completion of his 2024–2026 tenure as President of the Nigerian Bar Association, describing his stewardship of Africa’s largest Bar as courageous, purposeful and impactful. Philemon also hailed the outgoing NBA President as a worthy ambassador of the Abuja Branch whose leadership at the national level brought pride and honour to the Unity Bar. In a congratulatory message issued on behalf of the Chairman, Executive Committee and entire membership of the Branch, the Publicity Secretary, Michael Obinna Ochili, Esq., noted that Osigwe’s two-year stewardship was marked by courage, focus, resilience and an unwavering commitment to strengthening the legal profession and repositioning the Bar. “As you hand over the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, I salute you for the courage, focus and resilience wit...

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), Mr. Yakubu Philemon, SAN , has congratulated the Unity Bar Amazons and Unity Bar FC on their outstanding performances at the 2026 NBA President’s Cup in Port Harcourt, describing their achievements as a source of immense pride and glory to the Abuja Branch. The Unity Bar Amazons once again demonstrated their dominance in the women’s category by defeating NBA Bwari Branch Ladies 3–2 on penalties , following a keenly contested 1–1 draw in regulation time , to retain the coveted trophy. The remarkable victory makes it four consecutive President’s Cup titles for the Unity Bar Amazons, further cementing their reputation as a formidable force in the competition. Significantly, the triumph came despite the challenges and difficulties encountered by the female team just days before the start of the competition . Rather than allow the setbacks to derail their campaign, the Amazons displayed remarkable res...