Dear Colleagues,
The 1st Vice President, Mr. Sabastine Anyia, has issued a statement addressing the SPIDEL issues.
The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a clarification regarding recent narratives circulating within the Bar concerning the 2025 elections of the Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), stressing that all decisions taken in Uyo were guided solely by the need to avert an imminent electoral crisis and restore institutional stability within the Section.
In a statement released by the Association, the NBA expressed concern over what it described as misleading and, in some instances, inaccurate public commentary surrounding the SPIDEL electoral process. While acknowledging the right of members to express dissatisfaction, the Association emphasized that such discourse must be anchored on facts, the law, and established administrative realities.
Background to the SPIDEL Electoral Process
The NBA recalled that at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Ilorin on May 15, 2025, the Association resolved to appoint a Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN–led interim leadership and Electoral Committee to conduct elections for SPIDEL.
However, contrary to this NEC resolution, the Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN–led interim leadership reportedly proceeded to set up another Electoral Committee chaired by Kunle Edun, SAN. The Association noted that this committee failed to comply with several mandatory provisions of the Uniform Bye-Laws for Sections, Third Schedule to the NBA Constitution.
Among the identified breaches were failures to publicly announce the election date, invite nominations, publicise eligibility criteria for contestants and voters, issue election guidelines, notify disqualified candidates of reasons for disqualification, publish the list of candidates and eligible voters within stipulated timelines, and clearly indicate the mode and procedure for the election.
Concerns Over Eligibility and Alleged Imposition
The NBA leadership further disclosed that it became aware of a decision by the purported Electoral Committee to clear Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins to be returned unopposed as Chairman of SPIDEL, notwithstanding constitutional provisions barring him from seeking a second term. It was also discovered that, despite the numerous procedural breaches, a list of individuals allegedly hand-picked to be returned unopposed as officers of SPIDEL had been drawn up.
These developments, the Association noted, raised serious constitutional and institutional concerns.
Emergency Stakeholders’ Meeting and Harmonisation
In response, the President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, requested Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN, to convene an emergency meeting involving SPIDEL leadership, past chairmen, and key stakeholders to prevent an impending crisis.
At the meeting, the constitutional breaches were extensively discussed, and stakeholders unanimously agreed that the proposed election could not proceed. It was further resolved that a harmonised leadership arrangement would better serve the interest of the Section and preserve its stability.
A harmonised list of officers was accordingly agreed upon for presentation to the SPIDEL Annual General Meeting (AGM). The Association clarified that Kunle Edun, SAN—contrary to reports that he resigned as Chairman of the Electoral Committee—actively participated in the meeting, accepted the resolutions reached, and nominated himself as a Council member.
Following this development, Kunle Edun, SAN, was advised by the NBA President that the committee he purportedly chaired should step aside to enable Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN, brief the AGM and seek ratification of the harmonised list in order to avoid plunging SPIDEL into another crisis.
Response to Allegations and Public Commentary
The NBA described as unfounded claims by Dr. Anne Agi that the NBA President rejected her nomination as Secretary of SPIDEL on political grounds. The Association noted that such an allegation unfairly imputes bias on the President and is contradicted by established facts, including the appointment of individuals who did not support the President during the NBA elections to key roles within the administration.
The Association also clarified that its current leadership does not subscribe to the long-standing practice of repeatedly appointing the same individuals as conference rapporteurs. Instead, a deliberate policy of broadening participation was adopted, resulting in the engagement of new rapporteurs—largely drawn from the host state of the Annual General Conference—thereby enhancing inclusion and significantly reducing conference costs.
Additionally, the NBA dismissed claims that the President declined an invitation to the launch of Dr. Anne Agi’s book, Space Law 101 for Beginners, due to political considerations. The Association noted that verifiable records show the book was launched in 2022, well before the President assumed office or commenced his campaign.
Call for Unity and Stability
The NBA acknowledged that SPIDEL has experienced a difficult period and called on all stakeholders to work collectively to restore peace and allow the Section to function effectively. The Association emphasized that every decision taken at the Uyo meeting was motivated by good faith, aimed solely at averting crisis and concluding the tenure of the Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN–led caretaker leadership.
The statement concluded with an appeal for restraint, unity, and cooperation, urging members to move forward in the interest of SPIDEL and the wider Nigerian Bar Association.
Kindly find attached:
Signed:
Sabastine Anyia
1st Vice President
Nigerian Bar Association
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