NBA NEC Holds Quarterly Meeting In Ilorin, Issues Far-Reaching Resolutions

Ilorin, Kwara State – May 15, 2025

Contents

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The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held its statutory quarterly meeting on Thursday, 15th May 2025, in Ilorin, Kwara State, under the leadership of the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN.

The well-attended meeting brought together past Presidents and General Secretaries, National Officers, Branch Chairmen and Secretaries, representatives of Sections, Fora, Committees, and other stakeholders of the legal profession.

In his welcome address, the NBA President praised Ilorin as the “City of Harmony,” commending members for their continued commitment to the advancement of the Bar. The meeting featured deliberations on pressing issues, committee reports, and national developments affecting the legal profession and the broader society.

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At the conclusion of its deliberations, the Council issued a 17-point communiqué outlining its resolutions:

Relocation of the 2025 NBA Annual General Conference: NEC approved the relocation of the NBA-AGC from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Enugu State, citing political instability and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers. It commended the swift actions of the NBA President in securing the Enugu International Conference Centre and Okpara Square as new venues.
NBA’s Financial Autonomy and Funding Model: NEC stressed the need for greater financial independence, urging a review of conference pricing models and encouraging branches to enhance dues collection to support national events.
National Advocacy and Social Interventions: NEC applauded the NBA’s ongoing advocacy, especially on environmental issues in the Niger Delta, corruption, and its UNICEF partnership to protect vulnerable groups, particularly children.
Regulatory Compliance and Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (CLE): NEC reiterated the enforcement of Rules 11 and 12 of the RPC, mandating a minimum of 5 CLE credit hours annually for all legal practitioners. The Institute of Continuing Legal Education was tasked with accrediting affordable and accessible CLE programs nationwide.
Security, Injustice, and the Legal Profession: NEC condemned communal violence in parts of the country and the harassment of legal practitioners. Branches were directed to report such incidents for coordinated national action.
JAMB UTME Anomalies: NEC expressed concerns over inconsistencies in the 2025 UTME results, urging JAMB to audit the process and ensure greater transparency.
Aviation and Consumer Protection: Decrying poor services by domestic airlines, NEC called for stronger consumer protections and proposed the creation of an NBA regulatory engagement unit.
Tax Harassment and Road Extortion: NEC lauded the NBA Warri Branch’s legal action against unlawful roadblocks and urged other branches to emulate this.
Discipline in the Legal Profession and Judiciary: While noting NJC’s recent disciplinary actions, NEC called for more deterrent sanctions and affirmed the NBA President as the official voice of the Bar.
Branch Remittances and Resource Management: NEC clarified that the 10% remittance to branches is to support participation in national activities, not for general administrative use.
Solidarity with Rivers State Branches: NEC passed a vote of confidence in the NBA Port Harcourt Branch leadership and condemned the recent query issued to its Chairperson, Mrs. Cordelia Eke.
Court Infrastructure and Technology: NEC urged the judiciary to embrace e-filing, courtroom automation, and improved infrastructure for better justice delivery.
Women Empowerment and Bench-Bar Relations: NEC praised the NBA Women Forum’s push for gender parity and encouraged increased female leadership and court visitations.
Resolution of SPIDEL Crisis: NEC dissolved the SPIDEL Caretaker Committee and ratified a new 7-member Electoral Committee led by Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN, to conduct elections.
Local Branch Initiatives: NEC applauded the Ilorin Branch for implementing the Legal Practitioners Remuneration Order 2023 and commended infrastructure upgrades.
Other National Interventions: NEC responded to calls from branches for intervention on issues of revenue extortion and forest security and acknowledged JAMB’s admission of errors while advocating broader education reforms.
Closing Address: NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, reaffirmed the Bar’s commitment to institutional integrity, professionalism, and its role as a guardian of justice and constitutional order.