The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held its quarterly meeting on Thursday, 20th November 2025, in Benin City, Edo State. The meeting reviewed issues affecting the legal profession, the justice sector, national security, governance, and the general state of the nation.
Institutional and Legal Profession Matters
* Electoral Committee (ECNBA): NEC approved the constitution of the Electoral Committee for the conduct of the 2026 National Elections. Aham Ejelam, SAN was ratified as the Chairman, and Ibrahim Aliyu Nasarawa as the Secretary. The committee was charged with upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
* Adjudicature Review Committee (ARC) Editorial Committee: NEC approved the constitution of this committee to strengthen judicial scholarship and address concerns over contradictory and inconsistent judgments of the appellate court. Prof. R.A.C.E. Achara was appointed Chairman, with J.S. [cite_start]Okutepa, SAN as Alternate Chair. The committee is mandated to publish the Nigeria Adjudicature Review quarterly.
* NBA Lagos House BOT Agreement: NEC approved an Ad-Hoc Committee, chaired by Dr. [cite_start]Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, to review the longstanding challenges with the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Agreement with Stabilini Visinoni Ltd, which has failed to deliver projected benefits since 2014.
* Police Lawyers Conversion Lawsuit: NEC reviewed the lawsuit challenging the Nigeria Police Force’s refusal to convert and promote qualified legal practitioners to the legal specialist cadre and seeks judicial orders to compel the proper upgrading of affected officers.
* NBA Representation on the Council of Legal Education: NEC resolved that NBA representatives shall henceforth serve a fixed three-year tenure to promote orderliness and equitable participation.
* Creation of New NBA Branches: Nine new branches were approved to improve service delivery: Ankpa, Bende, Kwale, Iseyin, Oyigbo, Oru/Oguta, Potiskum, Nike, and Udi.
* 2026 Annual General Conference (AGC) Planning Committee: NEC approved Abdul Mohammed, SAN as Chairman, and Sammie Somiari, SAN as Alternate Chairman.
Justice Sector and Governance
* Disregard for Court Orders and Security Agencies’ Interference: NEC expressed deep concern over increasing arbitrary arrests, disregard for court orders, and the growing interference of security agencies in civil disputes, which undermine constitutional guarantees.
* Presidential Pardons and Clemency: NEC expressed concern that some of the recent presidential pardons undermined accountability. NEC resolved that Nigeria requires a statutory framework to regulate clemency powers to ensure transparency and insulation from political influence.
* Judicial Appointments: NEC expressed concern over the underrepresentation of private practitioners in recent shortlists for superior courts and reiterated its call for the amendment of Rule 3(4) of the NJC Guidelines** to adopt a transparent, merit-driven process, including written examinations
* Lower Courts’ Conditions: NEC called on State Governments to improve infrastructure, provide official transport, and ensure dignified working environments for magistrates and lower court judges due to unsafe working conditions and inadequate remuneration.
* Partisan Conduct and Conflicting Judgments: NEC condemned the partisan conduct of the Nigeria Police during the PDP leadership dispute and the issuance of conflicting court orders, urging the IGP to discipline erring officers.
* Correctional Justice Reform: NEC acknowledged rehabilitation efforts at Kuje Correctional Centre and announced the establishment of a Post-Custodial Rehabilitation Fund to support ex-inmates’ reintegration.
National Security and Insecurity
* Security Situation: NEC expressed alarm at the unprecedented levels of killings and kidnappings and condemned the failure of government to respond effectively
Security Reforms Demanded: NEC’s resolutions include:
* Demanding decentralisation of security command to enable State-level control.
* Recommending the establishment of State and Local Government Police with regulated authority to bear arms.
* Calling for substantial funding and the adoption of modern security technologies.
* Demanding zero tolerance for criminality and calling for an end to negotiations or amnesty for terrorists and bandits.
* Rejecting the integration of purported repentant terrorists into the military or security agencies.
* Seeking amendment of the Firearms Act to decentralise firearm licensing powers and advocating for a secure, transparent licensing framework for limited civilian self-protection.
Other Issues
FCT Minister-Military Clash:
NEC condemned the confrontation in Gudu, Abuja, stressing that all parties must adhere to the law and due process.
Proposed 15% Import Duty on Petrol and Diesel:
NEC called for the permanent cancellation of the proposed 15% import duty, stating it would worsen economic hardship.
Abuse of Police Power:
NEC condemned the unlawful declaration of Mr. Omoyele Sowore as “wanted” by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, emphasizing that only a court may issue such declarations.
Litigation on Tinted Glass Permit:
NEC noted the filing of a lawsuit challenging the Police Tinted Glass Permit Policy as unconstitutional.
XXII. Correctional Justice Reform NEC acknowledged rehabilitation efforts observed during its visit to Kuje Correctional Centre and announced the establishment of a Post-Custodial Rehabilitation Fund to support reintegration of ex-inmates.
XXIII. Professional Misconduct: Illegal Rank Promotion NEC condemned the actions of Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja seeking to create or promote an illegal “privileged rank” or “Blue Silk” and reaffirmed that such conduct constitutes professional misconduct.
XXIV. Creation of Nine New NBA Branches
1. NEC approved the creation of the following new branches: Ankpa, Bende, Kwale, Iseyin, Oyigbo, Oru/Oguta, Potiskum, Nike, and Udi.
2. These branches were carved out to improve service delivery and professional support to members across judicial divisions. XXV. 2026 Annual General Conference (AGC) Planning Committee
1. NEC approved the appointment of Abdul Mohammed, SAN as Chairman of the 2026 AGC Planning Committee, with Sammie Somiari, SAN as Alternate Chairman, Barbara Omosun as Secretary, and Emeka Obegolu, SAN as Consultant.
2. The full committee list will be published later.
Issued this 20th day of November, 2025 Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN (President)
Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara (General Secretary)
See attached document below
COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE NEC November 2025
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