In a recent statement, Dr. Chinedu Oburu, a lawyer affiliated with the Nigerian Law Society, criticized the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), claiming it has lost its significance in contemporary Nigeria. He expressed concerns over the exorbitant expenses associated with the NBA’s presidential elections, suggesting that the necessity of spending hundreds of millions of Naira undermines the association’s purpose.
Oburu’s remarks come in the wake of the NBA’s recent elections, where Afam Osigwe was elected as president, defeating Tobenna Erojikwe with a substantial margin. This election raised questions regarding the financial implications and priorities of the NBA, with Oburu emphasizing the need for more than one law society to represent the interests of lawyers effectively.
Additionally, the NBA has faced calls from various organizations, including the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), to take a more active role in safeguarding citizens’ rights, particularly regarding the right to protest. ASCAB’s chair, Femi Falana, urged the NBA to mobilize its members to monitor and address illegal arrests and detentions, highlighting the association’s potential to influence judicial practices and uphold human rights.
Falana’s appeal included recommendations for the NBA leadership to engage with magistrates and judges to ensure accountability in detention facilities and to regularly visit correctional centers to protect the rights of inmates. This underscores a growing demand for the NBA to re-evaluate its role and responsibilities in the legal landscape of Nigeria, particularly in advocating for justice and human rights.
