The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reaffirmed that its 2026 national officers' election will go ahead as scheduled, rejecting what it described as attempts to interfere with its electoral process through alleged directives attributed to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi.
The association said it would not be swayed by any external pressure, insisting that only its constitutional organs have the authority to determine the conduct or postponement of its elections.
In a statement signed by NBA President, Afam Osigwe, the association said it had become aware of a document purportedly containing recommendations directing the dissolution of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), postponement of the election, replacement of the election service provider, appointment of a caretaker committee, introduction of National Identification Number (NIN) verification and amendments to the NBA Constitution to abolish universal suffrage.
The NBA said none of the recommendations had any legal effect, stressing that the Office of the Attorney-General has no constitutional role in the administration of the association.
"The Nigerian Bar Association is an independent body not under the control of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation," the statement said.
It added that the powers conferred on the Attorney-General under the Legal Practitioners Act do not extend to supervising or directing the affairs of the association.
The NBA also questioned the authenticity of the purported report, noting that it was neither issued on the Attorney-General's official letterhead nor formally communicated to the association.
It argued that the recommendations mirrored issues already before the courts in suits instituted by Egbe Amofin at the Oyo State High Court, making it improper for the Attorney-General, who is involved in discussions relating to the dispute, to issue directives on matters pending before the judiciary.
The association further criticised the sub-committee that reportedly prepared the recommendations, accusing it of acting outside the assignment given to it during a meeting convened by the Attorney-General on June 11, 2026.
According to the NBA, the committee was only expected to facilitate discussions aimed at resolving the dispute and encouraging the withdrawal of pending cases, not to investigate the NBA leadership or make findings against its president.
It also alleged that the committee violated the principles of fair hearing by making adverse findings against Osigwe without giving him an opportunity to respond.
The association further questioned the neutrality of the committee chairman, Wole Olanipekun, alleging that his relationship with parties in the ongoing litigation raised concerns about impartiality.
The NBA maintained that the election timetable released by the ECNBA remains valid and that any outcome of mediation efforts can only become binding if accepted by all parties involved.
It also defended its decision not to introduce NIN verification into the current election, explaining that after reviewing the proposal, it concluded that integrating the National Identity Management Commission's verification platform at this stage could disrupt the voting process because of possible system limitations.
The association similarly dismissed suggestions that its election technology provider should be replaced because it is a sole proprietorship, describing such arguments as discriminatory.
It insisted that its internal affairs are governed solely by its constitution and that no evidence of misconduct had been established against the ECNBA.
Meanwhile, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, accused the Attorney-General of attempting to use his office to influence the outcome of the NBA leadership election.
In a post on X, Odinkalu alleged that there had been plans to deploy the Attorney-General's office to take control of the association if certain interests failed to secure victory through the ballot.
He argued that because the Attorney-General is a party to the pending litigation concerning the NBA election before the Court of Appeal, he cannot lawfully issue binding directives on matters that are sub judice.
Odinkalu also criticised the reported proposal to introduce NIN as a voting requirement, arguing that the NBA does not maintain the official Roll of Legal Practitioners and therefore lacks the authority to impose such a condition.
He equally dismissed suggestions that the Attorney-General could appoint a caretaker committee to oversee the NBA, insisting that the association is a non-governmental organisation administered by its incorporated trustees.
"The military tried and failed to take over the NBA. This lot, too, shall fail. The NBA is not a department of the Federal Ministry of Justice," he said.
As the controversy continues, the ECNBA has released the provisional voters' register for the 2026 election, inviting lawyers across the country to examine the list and submit observations before the final register is published.
The committee said the register excludes sensitive personal information to protect members' privacy and disclosed that 671 legal practitioners who paid practising fees but were not attached to any NBA branch had been listed separately pending regularisation of their branch membership.
It also confirmed that the NBA national officers' election will now be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, instead of July 20, while the results will be announced on Sunday, July 19, following consultations with candidates and other stakeholders aimed at improving participation and ensuring a credible electoral process.
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