The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch, staged a peaceful protest at the Nigerian Navy’s yard over the weekend against what it described as unlawful actions in defiance of a subsisting court judgment.
In a notice signed by the branch Chairman, Uchenna Ogunedo Akingbade, the NBA said the protest was prompted by the Navy’s continued classification of Vice Admiral Dada Olaniyi Labinjo (Rtd.), a retired senior officer and member of the association, as a “deserter,” despite a ruling of the National Industrial Court declaring otherwise.
The association condemned the Navy’s stance as a violation of Labinjo’s fundamental rights and a “flagrant disregard” for judicial authority, warning that such actions posed a grave danger to Nigeria’s justice system and democracy.
“The peaceful protest is a stand for justice, accountability, the supremacy of our courts, and the rule of law. We urge members to turn out in large numbers and lend their voices to this critical and noble cause.”
The lawyers converged at Marine Bridge, Ijora, in the early hours before moving to the Western Naval Command Headquarters, Dockyard Road, Apapa, Lagos, where the association presented its protest letter and demands.
Also, members on Lagos Island gathered at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus, before joining buses to the venue.
The NBA said the action was necessary to “spotlight the anomaly” and to seek immediate redress, stressing that no institution in the country is above the law.
“The Nigerian Navy is fully aware of the judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria presided over by Hon. Justice I.G. Nweneka, delivered on the 24th day of March 2025 in Suit No. NICN/LA/67/2023: Dada Olaniyi Labinjo v. Nigerian Navy & 3 Ors, where the Court held emphatically in paragraphs 42 and 48–52 that the claimant was not absent without official leave.
“Paras 48–49: By 12th April 2017, the claimant had exceeded the statutory age of 60 years and 35 years of service, and must retire immediately after reinstatement.
Paras 50–51: The Court rejected the Navy’s argument that the claimant could be kept in service beyond this date.”
The NBA said the claimant was declared a retired Naval Officer of the rank of Vice Admiral with effect from 11th April 2017.
“From the foregoing, it is beyond dispute that Vice Admiral Labinjo (Rtd.) ceased to be a serving Naval officer as of 12th April 2017. Nevertheless, by a signal issued on 3rd September 2025, the Navy purported to classify him as a deserter with effect from 2nd December 2019. This step is unlawful and particularly troubling, as it was taken months after the National Industrial Court, in its binding judgment of 24th March 2025, conclusively resolved this very issue.
“The NBA Lagos Branch views this signal as a grave overreach. We hereby call on the Nigerian Navy, and all law enforcement agencies, to remain law-abiding and to respect the sanctity of court judgments.”
