Osigwe urges support, warns against unfounded allegations

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has entered a new chapter with the inauguration of its 33rd President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), who has promised to build a “bolder Bar” that will speak truth to power, defend judicial independence and demand accountability from institutions of government.

Badejo-Okusanya assumed office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with a wide-ranging agenda that combines national advocacy with an aggressive focus on the welfare, economic security and professional development of lawyers.

In one of the strongest messages of her inaugural address, she said the NBA must be independent enough to challenge those in power, disciplined enough to command credibility and courageous enough to act whenever fundamental rights, judicial independence and the rule of law are under threat.

She equally said the NBA would not become an appendage of government, saying: “We will engage governments constructively but we will not be captured by any government, party, region, religion, interest or individual.”

She emphasised that while the NBA would collaborate with governments where such engagement advanced the public good, the association would not allow itself to be captured by any government, political party, region, religion, interest group or individual.

“Our loyalty is to the Constitution, to justice, to the rule of law and to you, the members whose mandates we hold in trust,” she said.

Badejo-Okusanya said her administration would support the judiciary while demanding integrity, efficiency and accountability within the justice system.

“We will defend judicial independence but we will not be indifferent to delay, conflicting decisions, corruption or conduct that diminishes public confidence,” she noted.

According to her, respect for institutions should not be interpreted as silence in the face of their shortcomings, stressing that genuine respect requires the courage to help institutions improve.

She also promised that the NBA would engage governments constructively but would challenge them whenever necessary, insisting that such engagements would be guided by “facts, fairness, discipline and boldness.”

Her position, she explained, was not an attack on the judiciary but a commitment to strengthening it.

“Respect for institutions does not require silence about their shortcomings. True respect requires the courage to help them become better,” she said.

Also, Badejo-Okusanya promised a major technology-driven overhaul of NBA services explaining that membership-related services–payments, stamps, enquiries, continuing professional development and access to benefits–should become easier, faster and more transparent.

According to her, a service portal would soon allow members to submit their credentials and areas of interest for consideration for appointments and service opportunities.

She also announced plans for highly subsidised electronic law reports for members.

The NBA affinity card is equally expected to return in an upgraded form, combining payment functionality with negotiated discounts on airlines, hotels, supermarkets, pharmacies and other essential services.

In a significant welfare intervention, the new president said the NBA would engage the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice over compliance with the Legal Practitioners’ Remuneration Order.

She also plans to establish a committee to explore lawful mechanisms for encouraging payment of living wages to vulnerable lawyers.

The objective, she said, is to make proper remuneration a professional standard rather than leaving individual lawyers to negotiate from positions of weakness.

Healthcare is another major plank of the new administration, as Badejo-Okusanya disclosed discussions with the African Medical Centre of Excellence, in partnership with King’s College Hospital, London, for discounted comprehensive wellness screening for lawyers.

She said the proposed partnership could also facilitate medical outreach programmes across NBA branches, including basic checks capable of detecting warning signs before serious conditions develop.

She disclosed that the administration would also explore possible support mechanisms for indigent lawyers requiring further medical care.

“A healthier Bar is a stronger Bar, and a stronger Bar is a bolder Bar,” she said.

Meanwhile, the immediate past President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), urged members of the association to rally behind Badejo-Okusanya, declaring that her victory was based on competence and merit rather than tokenism.

Osigwe, who spoke during his farewell remarks at the NBA’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, said members of the association must recognise that a new leader had emerged and work collectively to ensure the success of her administration.

He said the NBA did not elect Badejo-Okusanya simply because she is a woman, but because she demonstrated the competence, preparedness and capacity required to lead the association.

“Today we celebrate that the female president has been elected. We must not see it as tokenism. She won on her merit. She just happens to be a woman,” Osigwe said.

According to him, Badejo-Okusanya had come into office fully prepared for the responsibility, expressing confidence that she would provide effective leadership for the Bar.

“A leader has emerged. You may not have supported her, but by winning, all of us are her supporters,” he said.

He urged members who disagree with the new administration to offer constructive criticism rather than resort to allegations capable of undermining the credibility of the association.

“I have an interest in seeing that the Bar succeeds. We have to see that we do not continue to delegitimise the association and continue to make unfounded allegations. The whole world is watching,” Osigwe said.

The outgoing NBA president also used the occasion to reflect on his two-year tenure, acknowledging that his leadership style was not always easy for those who worked with him.

Osigwe said his experience as president had made him a better and more tolerant person, teaching him to listen more, control his emotions and appreciate the enormous responsibility associated with leading the Bar.

“I may have made my mistakes. And you do have my apology for any of my mistakes, for any bad words I may have used, for any impressions I may have made. Forgive me,” he said.

He described his two-year tenure as “an honour of a lifetime” and one of the best experiences of his life, saying his administration had sought to fulfil its promise of making the NBA a more proactive Bar.

“We made a promise to you to be a proactive Bar. We did our best to do that. We may not always have succeeded. But know that if we failed in any way, it was not for want of trial. It was not out of bad faith,” he said.

Female lawyers at the ceremony said their principal expectation from the new leadership was effective service delivery, particularly initiatives capable of improving the welfare and professional prospects of members.