NBA RESISTED ATTEMPTS TO INTERFERE WITH ITS INDEPENDENCE – OSIGWE

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), has said his administration resisted attempts to undermine the association's independence while defending constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

Osigwe made the statement while presenting his final annual report at the 2026 NBA Annual General Meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said his administration, which assumed office in August 2024, faced several institutional and professional challenges but made progress in strengthening the NBA's finances, digital infrastructure, welfare schemes, professional regulation and legal education.

Osigwe said one of the major moments of his tenure was the NBA's opposition to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and the suspension of democratically elected institutions.

According to him, political disagreements and conflicts within government should be resolved through constitutionally recognised institutions rather than extraordinary executive intervention.

The former NBA president also said the association successfully resisted attempts to interfere with its 2026 national elections, including legal proceedings seeking to stop the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association from conducting the election.

He said the Court of Appeal later ruled that the Oyo State High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case and set aside proceedings that had restrained the electoral committee.

Osigwe further disclosed that the NBA rejected a purported directive attributed to the Attorney-General of the Federation seeking to disband the electoral committee and postpone the election, describing the move as unconstitutional.

He maintained that only the NBA's constitutionally recognised organs had the authority to determine how its elections should be conducted or postponed.

Osigwe also highlighted several achievements of his administration, including the NBA's digital transformation, improved welfare schemes, investments, financial reforms and efforts to protect lawyers from unlawful arrest, detention and harassment.

He urged the incoming NBA leadership to consolidate the reforms, prioritise members' welfare, sustain the association's digital transformation and continue defending the rule of law.