legal diary News

The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has announced its 2026 Annual Conference, scheduled to hold from 10 to 13 November 2026 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State. The conference, themed “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development,” will bring together legal practitioners, judicial officers, policymakers, public-interest advocates and other stakeholders to examine critical issues affecting justice, democratic governance and national development. Arrival and pre-conference activities are scheduled for 9 November 2026. Registration for the conference is now open, with discounted early-bird rates available until 30 September 2026. The early-bird fees are as follows: Lawyers of 1–5 years post-call — ₦10,000 Lawyers of 6–10 years post-call — ₦20,000 Lawyers of 11–19 years post-call — ₦30,000 Lawyers of 20 years post-call and above — ₦40,000 Senior Advocates of Nigeria and B...

It is with a profound sense of loss that the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch, pays tribute to Onyekachukwu Alex Anunusor, a young lawyer, a valued member of our Branch and a member of the 2019 Call to Bar Set, whose life and promising journey in the legal profession have been brought to an untimely end after a protracted illness. Alex was one of us; a brother at the Bar, a colleague and a member of our professional family. Alex hadp lofty dreams and ambitions to pursue. Those dreams, and the future they envisioned, now belong to others. These reflections remind us that however far we intend to travel, however much we hope to achieve, and however many tomorrows we confidently make plans for, life does not sign a contract with us for those tomorrows. They are neither sealed, nor ever truly delivered. Alex was young. He belonged to a generation of lawyers still at the beginning of their professional journey. Like all of us, he had plans, aspirations and perhaps a long l...

There is something increasingly unsettling about Nigeria’s political environment as we approach the 2027 general elections. Political competition appears to be giving way, gradually but unmistakably, to political intolerance. Threats, intimidation, bullying and open hostility are becoming disturbingly familiar features of our political discourse. This should worry every Nigerian. The campaign season may only be gathering momentum, but some of the language and conduct already on display suggest that the political temperature is rising dangerously. One of the early signals came from Ebonyi State, where the Governor, while addressing newly sworn-in local government chairmen, was reported to have warned them not to permit defeat in their respective constituencies. The message appears to have been taken seriously by some of the beneficiaries of the new political order. One of the newly sworn-in chairmen, Eze Paul Ituma of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, was reported to have decla...

…recounts journey from Political Science to Law, student leadership and enduring friendships Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN , has described the University of Nigeria as an institution that profoundly shaped his intellectual development, character, friendships and eventual journey into law and public service. Ubani made the remarks while sharing reminiscences of his university years at a gathering of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association, Abuja Chapter , where he delivered a reflective presentation titled “The University That Made Me: Reminiscences of My Sojourn at the University of Nigeria, 1983–1989.” Taking his audience through a six-year journey spanning the Nsukka and Enugu campuses, the former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) said his university experience went far beyond obtaining a degree. “There are places we visit, places we live in, and places that live in us. For me, the University of Nigeria is not me...

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, has urged women of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, Owerri  to draw their strength from Christ and deploy their God-given gifts in the service of the Church, family and society. Dr. Ubani made the call while delivering the keynote address, “The Source of Our Strength,” at the Annual Women’s Conference of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Naze, Owerri. Taking his text from Philippians 4:13 - “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”,  Ubani cautioned against interpreting the scripture as a declaration of human self-sufficiency. Rather, he described it as a testimony to the sufficiency of God’s grace in every circumstance. According to him, true Christian strength is not the absence of weakness, difficulties or vulnerability, but the ability to remain firmly anchored in Christ when confronted by the challenges of life. He particularly challenged women, who often ca...

The Forum of Chairmen of Branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has paid a courtesy visit to the President of the NBA, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, FCIArb., reaffirming its commitment to a productive partnership with the Association’s national leadership. During the meeting, the FCT Branch Chairmen pledged to maintain constructive engagement and close collaboration with the President and her administration in advancing the collective interests of the Bar. The Forum expressed confidence in the leadership of Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, and assured her of its support towards the effective implementation of the programmes and objectives of her administration. Particular emphasis was placed on initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of lawyers, strengthening professional development and creating greater opportunities for members across the various branches. The Chairmen further underscored the importance of...

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...

Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, Ph.D., has congratulated the Unity Bar Amazons of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) on their remarkable victory in the women’s category of the President’s Cup at the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference (AGC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State . The Amazons emerged champions after a keenly contested final against NBA Bwari Branch Ladies , further cementing their reputation as a dominant force in the competition. Remarkably, this is the fourth consecutive time the Unity Bar Amazons have lifted the coveted trophy , an extraordinary feat that underscores the team’s consistency, resilience, discipline and winning mentality. Winning once is an achievement, but successfully retaining the crown year after year for four consecutive editions is a feat deserving of special recognition. Chief Obegolu, SAN, described the achievement as a source of immense pride to the Unity Bar and commended the players, technical crew and supporters whose...

Legal Diary News The NBA Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) Amazons have once again asserted their dominance in Nigerian Bar Association football, successfully defending the Women’s President’s Cup at the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference (AGC) in Port Harcourt to become champions for an impressive fourth consecutive time . The defending champions defeated NBA Bwari Branch 3–2 on penalties following a thrilling and fiercely contested final that ended 1–1 at regulation time . The victory means that the Unity Bar Amazons have successfully defended the trophy they won at the previous NBA Annual General Conference in Enugu , extending their remarkable championship run to four consecutive President’s Cup titles . It was a final worthy of the occasion, as both sides displayed determination, tactical discipline and resilience in their quest for the coveted trophy. With the scores level at 1–1 after regulation time, the championship had to be decided from the penalty spot. The Abuj...

Legal Diary News The football competition at the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference (NBA AGC) in Port Harcourt ended in spectacular fashion as the NBA Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) Amazons were crowned champions of the Women’s President’s Cup after overcoming NBA Bwari Branch in a dramatic final decided by penalties. In a pulsating and fiercely contested championship encounter, the Unity Bar Amazons defeated NBA Bwari 3–2 on penalties after both teams could not be separated at the end of regulation time, which finished 1–1 . The final produced everything expected of a championship encounter: intensity, determination, tactical discipline and moments of high drama as both sides battled for the coveted trophy. Neither team was willing to concede ground easily. After an intense regulation period ended with honours even at 1–1, the contest proceeded to the nerve-racking penalty shootout. It was there that the Unity Bar Amazons demonstrated re...

Those who attended the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference in Enugu last year will recall that I wrote what many described as a scintillating assessment of that conference. My verdict at the time was unequivocal: the Enugu Conference would remain one of the most memorable NBA Annual General Conferences in recent history, particularly in terms of organisation, movement around the host city, environmental friendliness, traffic management and the warmth of hospitality. The only minus, minute though, was prominence given to new wigs over old wigs.  There is little doubt that the glowing reports and eulogies that followed the Enugu Conference from many participants contributed significantly to the tremendous increase in attendance at this year's conference in Port Harcourt. Younger lawyers, in particular, came in torrents, eager to experience what they had been told was the NBA Conference at its very best. Sadly, my interim report so far is one of profound dis...