Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has been elected as the new president of the NBA.
The results of the 2024 NBA election were announced early this morning.
Osigwe secured the position by garnering 20,435 votes, surpassing his nearest rival, Tobenna Erojikwe, Chairman of the NBA-Institute of Continuing Legal Education Governing Council, who received 10,998 votes.
Former NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN), also contested and obtained 9,007 votes.
The election process was conducted online, beginning at midnight and concluding at 11:59 PM.
The results were available live online for all positions.
Osigwe is set to succeed Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) as president.
Born on October 25, 1972, he graduated from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, in 1997 and was called to the Bar in 1999.
He founded his legal firm, the LAW FORTE, in 2002 and became a Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2006.
Osigwe’s academic credentials include a Master’s of Laws Degree (LL.M) from the University of Jos and another LL.M in Transnational Commercial Practice from the Centre for International Legal Studies, Austria, in collaboration with Lazarsky University, Poland.
In addition to Osigwe’s victory, other key positions in the NBA were filled as follows:
– 1st Vice-President: Sabastine Anyia, with 12,114 votes, defeated Barthlomew Aguegbodo, who received 6,864 votes.
– 2nd Vice-President: Bolatumi Olasunbo Animashun, with 26,534 votes, defeated Pius Idemudia Oiwoh, who secured 11,121 votes.
– 3rd Vice-President: Zainab Aminu Garba won with 23,550 votes against Michael Olarewaju Olorunmola, who got 13,897 votes.
– General Secretary: Dr. Mobolaji Idris Ojibara emerged victorious with 25,713 votes, defeating Abdulwasiu Alpha, who received 11,730 votes.
During his tenure as Chairman of the NBA, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), Osigwe was instrumental in the creation of the Bwari and Gwagwalada Branches.
He later became the first Chairman of Chairmen of NBA Branches in the FCT in 2012 and served as the General Secretary of the NBA from August 2014 to August 2016.
Earlier, one of the candidates Chukwuka Ikwuazom had withdrawn from the election
citing concerns over the integrity of the electoral process.
“It is with a heavy heart that I, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, announce my decision to withdraw from the 2024 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Presidential race,” Ikwuazom stated.
“This decision has not been made lightly but is necessitated by a series of alarming developments that have compromised the integrity of the electoral process.”
Ikwuazom highlighted observed irregularities since the voting began, suggesting that the results were manipulated to maintain a predetermined outcome, which consistently placed him in third position.
Before Ikwuazom’s withdrawal, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, had issued a statement to deny speculation that President Bola Tinubu had a preferred candidate in the election.
Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, addressed the alleged misinformation in a signed statement, emphasising the president’s commitment to democratic principles and impartiality in the NBA election:
“My attention has been drawn to the news making the rounds in the social media to the effect that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has endorsed Afam Osigwe, SAN, as his preferred candidate in the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) election.
“To buttress these lies, I was made a point of reference for confirmation. I wish to state categorically, that at no time did Mr. President give any such instruction. I completely dissociate myself from such a statement because nothing of such happened.”
Fagbemi further clarified that neither he nor President Tinubu had any discussions regarding endorsing a candidate:
“I am also in a position to confirm, and I do so, that the president neither had a discussion with the author nor did he give any such divisive instruction. I also had no such discussion with anyone,” he said.
He condemned the rumours as false and harmful, suggesting they were the work of individuals seeking to exploit the president’s popularity within the legal community:
“The news is a lie from the pit of hell being peddled about by mischief makers seeking cheap popularity to ride on the acceptance of Mr. President among lawyers.”
Fagbemi reaffirmed President Tinubu’s stance as a democrat who supports a fair electoral process and is prepared to work with whoever wins the NBA presidency:
“Mr. President is a democrat who believes in playing by the rules. He has not and will not endorse anyone as a preferred candidate in the ongoing NBA election.
“As a democrat and president of the country, he will abide by the outcome of a free and fair election. He is also ready to work with any candidate that emerges.”
The Attorney General called for an end to the spread of divisive rumours, urging respect for the NBA’s election process and its members:
“I seize this opportunity to call on those who are bent on causing disaffection among NBA members on the one hand and between our respected president and the respected NBA, on the other hand, to desist from such an unprofitable venture.
“The president wishes the NBA a hitch-free election and is looking forward to working with whoever emerges.”
The NBA, the umbrella professional association for all lawyers admitted to the bar in Nigeria, is also an influential body in Nigerian civil society.
Founded in 1933 as the first professional association for legal practitioners in Nigeria, it has evolved into a formidable organization with over 120 branches across the country.
It has consistently advocated for legal reforms, human rights, and the independence of the judiciary and has been instrumental in key legal and political issues in Nigeria, including the fight against military rule, advocacy for democracy, and the promotion of legal education and standards.
The NBA elections are a significant event within the Nigerian legal community, as they determine the leadership of the association for the next term.
The elections are held periodically, with all registered members eligible to vote.
The positions up for election include the President, Vice President, General Secretary, and other executive committee roles.
The NBA employs an electronic voting system to ensure transparency and efficiency in the election process. Members cast their votes online, a process overseen by an independent electoral committee.
