Legal Diary News

There appears to be some misunderstanding regarding the recent communication from the Registrar of the Supreme Court concerning the use of the title "Barrister."  Some have interpreted the directive to mean that it is now unlawful for anyone to address a legal practitioner as "Barrister." With respect, I do not believe that is the correct interpretation. In my view, the directive is essentially an administrative and professional guideline regulating how legal practitioners should describe themselves in official documents, particularly court processes and formal correspondence. It is directed at lawyers in the conduct of their professional practice, not at members of the public in their everyday interactions. The circular does not create a criminal offence. It does not make it a crime for anyone to call a lawyer "Barrister," nor does it render a lawyer liable simply because another person chooses to address him or her by ...

The recent publication by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the personal particulars and credentials of candidates for the 2027 Presidential Election has once again reignited public debate over the constitutional educational qualification required for election to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The immediate issue that has dominated public discourse, particularly regarding one of the candidates, is whether a presidential aspirant who submits only a university degree, without attaching his Primary School Leaving Certificate or Senior Secondary School Certificate, has thereby violated the Constitution or the Electoral Act. This question calls for a careful legal analysis rather than partisan commentary or political sentiment. Section 131(d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), provides that a person shall be qualified for election to the office of President if: "He has been educat...

The newly elected Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), Mr. Yakubu Philemon, SAN, has reaffirmed his commitment to building a stronger, more united, and forward-looking Branch, promising to lead with integrity, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of members. In a statement he issued during his acceptance speach Mr. Philemon expressed profound appreciation to members of the Unity Bar for the confidence reposed in him and other members of the newly elected Executive Committee. Describing his election as both an honour and a solemn responsibility, the Chairman said the new administration would be driven by excellence, inclusiveness, innovation, and service to every member of the Branch. "I am deeply humbled by the confidence you have placed in me. This victory belongs to every member of the Unity Bar. Together, we will build a Branch where every lawyer has a voice, every member feels valued, and excellence r...

Abuja, Nigeria | July 27, 2026 Today, the legal profession, the Christian community, and countless admirers across Nigeria join in celebrating an exceptional leader, distinguished legal practitioner, and committed servant of God, Dr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, SAN, PhD , as he marks another birthday. The occasion is not merely a celebration of age but a tribute to a life distinguished by unwavering integrity, selfless service, visionary leadership, and remarkable contributions to the legal profession, the Church, and national development. Throughout an illustrious career spanning decades, Dr. Ubani has remained a respected voice in the pursuit of justice and the rule of law. His outstanding leadership within the Nigerian Bar Association has earned him widespread admiration. He has served meritoriously as Chairman of the NBA Ikeja Branch , Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association , Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL , and currently serves as Chairman of the NBA Electoral Reform Co...

Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to formally inform all members of our dear association of the landmark judgment delivered by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division, on 10 July 2026 in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/264/2025: Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association v. Police Service Commission & 5 Ors. This public interest action was instituted by the Nigerian Bar Association through the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) to seek judicial interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of the Police Act, 2020 and the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, particularly as they relate to the status, functions, and deployment of legal practitioners serving within the Nigeria Police Force. In a well-considered judgment, the Court upheld substantial aspects of the NBA’s claims and made important declarations and consequential orders, including: 1. Declaring that police officers who are legal practitioners b...

The two decisions of the Federal High Court delivered respectively by Justice Mohammed G. Umar and Justice James Kolawole Omotosho are already generating intense constitutional and electoral discourse within legal circles. Both judgments dealt with the legality of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s administrative timetable and guidelines issued for the 2027 general elections vis-à-vis the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. Although both courts addressed substantially similar legal questions, they arrived at partially convergent and partially divergent conclusions. This has now sparked debate among senior members of the Bar on whether Justice Omotosho ought to be reprimanded for allegedly delivering a judgment inconsistent with that of Justice Umar. This article examines the two judgments, identifies their points of agreement and disagreement, and evaluates whether the controversy over judicial contradiction is legally sustainable or merely academic se...

The recent  renewed call for a single six-year tenure for Nigeria's President and Governors  has reignited once again an important constitutional debate.  The central argument of proponents like Distinguished Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and his colleagues is straightforward: a Chief Executive who is not seeking re-election will be less distracted by politics and more focused on governance. This proposition has some appeal and merit.  Under the current constitutional arrangement, Presidents and governors  are elected for four years and may seek one additional term. In practice (like what is presently playing out) preparations for re-election often commence well before the expiration of the first term, creating political pressures that can influence policy choices. A single tenure no doubt, could potentially eliminate this concern and encourage long-term policy implementation. However, it is not necessarily about  administrative efficiency alone. Dem...