A former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), has called on the Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant security agencies to investigate the conduct of the recently conducted NBA national officers’ election, describing the exercise as a “sham” riddled with constitutional breaches.

In a 41-page statement, Akinboro, who was also a presidential candidate, urged the agencies to probe alleged infractions, including possible violations of the Cybercrimes Act and the Data Protection Act.

Akinboro said he declined to approach the NBA appeals committee, saying that the legitimacy of the election itself was in question.

He alleged that the election was compromised by irregularities, such as migration between voting portals, failure to conduct integrity tests and non-compliance with stipulated guidelines.

“Immediately the election was migrated to a different portal, it became a different election altogether that would require strict compliance with the step-by-step requirements as provided in our constitution,” he said.

He maintained that the absence of mandatory trial runs and integrity checks undermined the credibility of the process, adding that he would not “legitimise” the jurisdiction of the appeals committee under such circumstances.

The senior advocate further demanded an independent forensic audit of the entire electoral process, recommending that reputable firms be engaged to determine issues, such as the authenticity of reported cyber-attacks, compliance with electoral guidelines, and whether unqualified persons participated in the voting.

He also called for scrutiny of the use of multiple voting links, the failure of some voters to receive authentication codes, and the role and qualifications of service providers.

Akinboro, who urged the NBA leadership to make public reports of the election observers, including those from international bodies and local institutions, further called for the immediate reconstitution of the Electoral Committee of the NBA to conduct a fresh election in line with constitutional provisions, as well as an urgent stakeholders’ meeting involving the Body of Benchers, General Council of the Bar, and past NBA leaders.

He warned that failure to address the concerns raised could compel him to explore further legal options.

Meanwhile, President-elect of the NBA, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, has pledged to heal divisions within the legal profession and unite members of the Association as she prepares to assume office at the end of August.

Badejo-Okusanya, while speaking with journalists after paying a courtesy visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said her immediate priority was to engage members and stakeholders across the Bar with a view to fostering reconciliation, addressing grievances and strengthening institutional cohesion.

She assured members that her administration would be inclusive and committed to carrying every segment of the Association along.

The NBA president-elect said she would spare no effort in restoring confidence and ensuring the Association remained united and effective in discharging its responsibilities to the legal profession and the wider society.