The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, constitutional democracy, accountability, and due process in governance.
This resolution was reached at the end of its 2025 Annual General Conference (AGC) held in Enugu. The meeting, presided over by NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN), brought together NEC members, branch delegates, past presidents, eminent lawyers, and representatives of fraternal bar associations.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the deliberations, NEC strongly condemned rising acts of intolerance and disregard for the law by political office holders, pledging that the NBA would continue to speak truth to power and safeguard constitutional order.
On human rights, the council decried increasing cases of brutality by security agencies, citing the assault of a female passenger on an Ibom Air flight and the manhandling of a youth corps member in Anambra State.
It resolved to pursue public interest litigation to secure remedies for victims of abuses rather than relying solely on press statements. The NEC also raised concerns about non-state policing structures, warning that state or community policing must be subject to strict accountability and oversight to protect citizens’ rights.
The council also rejected the Department of State Services’ (DSS) involvement in screening Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) aspirants, describing it as degrading and inconsistent with the Rules of Professional Conduct.
It called for a review of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee guidelines to safeguard the independence and integrity of the process. In addition, NEC condemned police regulatory policies, particularly the tinted glass permit and the Electronic Central Motor Registry (ECMR) licensing policy, branding them unconstitutional and exploitative.
It mandated its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) to challenge these policies in court. On capacity building, the council emphasised that Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) remain mandatory, urging branches to expand training in emerging fields such as technology, environmental law, and international trade.
The council further ratified the extension of tenure for outgoing NBA Trustees and approved Prof Peter Terkaa Akper (SAN) as a trustee to replace the late Yunus Ustaz (SAN).
It also charged newly elected NEC members and branch executives to demonstrate discipline, humility, and accountability in leadership. On forthcoming NBA elections, NEC stressed that the process must be anchored on integrity, inclusivity, and devoid of acrimony or financial inducement.
The NBA further urged its members to remain steadfast in upholding professional ethics, protecting human rights, and defending democracy, while working collectively towards the success of the 2025 AGC.
