Dr. M.O. Ubani, SAN, a prominent legal practitioner and public policy analyst, has called for urgent reforms within the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to address systemic challenges undermining the welfare, dignity, and professional advancement of Nigerian lawyers. In a detailed statement, Ubani criticized the NBA’s leadership for its perceived detachment from critical issues affecting its members, warning that inaction could lead to the collapse of the legal profession and the Nigerian judiciary.
Ubani highlighted several grievances that have fueled discontent among lawyers, particularly those in the public sector and private practice:
- Stagnation in Public Sector Career Progression:
Ubani noted the NBA’s failure to secure improved entry points and remuneration for lawyers in the Nigerian Civil Service, unlike medical doctors and engineers whose professional bodies have successfully negotiated better conditions. He also condemned the exclusion of public sector lawyers from contesting certain NBA offices, a restriction he deems unjust and contrary to the protections offered by the Trade Union Act. - Judicial Inefficiencies and Indignities: Lawyers face systemic issues within the judiciary, including arbitrary filing fees, extortionate practices at court registries, punitive actions by court staff, and significant hurdles in post-judgment enforcement. Ubani described these as “institutional indignities” that the NBA has failed to address, leaving members vulnerable and disillusioned.
- Delays in the National Industrial Court: Once known for efficiency, the National Industrial Court now suffers from delays in filing, service, and case assignment, mirroring dysfunction in State and Federal High Courts. These inefficiencies exacerbate the economic hardship faced by litigation lawyers, many of whom are sliding into “professional poverty.”
- Exclusion of Nigerian Law School from TETFund:
Ubani criticized the NBA’s inaction on the exclusion of the Nigerian Law School from Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) benefits, which has left law school campuses underfunded and burdened by unsustainable fees, unlike institutions like the Nigerian Defence Academy. - Harassment by Security Agencies: Lawyers face consistent harassment, intimidation, and arrests by security agencies while performing their duties. Ubani cited unconstitutional practices, such as barring lawyers from entering security agency premises with phones, as violations of the rule of law that the NBA has failed to
challenge.
Excruciating Court Delays: Ubani decried the prolonged wait times for appeals at the Court of Appeal (six to seven years) and the Supreme Court (eight to ten years or more), which frustrate justice delivery, discourage investors, erode business confidence, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic stagnation. He questioned how lawyers can sustain their practice under such conditions and what becomes of litigants whose hopes are dashed by delays.
Despite his criticisms, Ubani commended the current NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, for demonstrating effective leadership in his first year.
Osigwe’s proactive style, accessibility, and understanding of members’ challenges have yielded visible results, including a push for a harmonized and realistic scale of fees for property documentation and conveyancing. If implemented across jurisdictions, this reform could enhance lawyers’ earnings and dignity in property transactions.
Ubani urged Osigwe to leverage his remaining year in office to tackle the pressing issues outlined, expressing confidence in his ability to lead transformative change. He called for a reorientation of the NBA’s vision to prioritize vibrant, inclusive, and assertive leadership that engages with the real challenges facing lawyers.
Specifically, Ubani advocated for:
- Advocating for better remuneration and career progression for public sector lawyers.
- Addressing judicial inefficiencies and protecting lawyers from institutional indignities.
- Pushing for TETFund inclusion for the Nigerian Law School.
- Challenging harassment by security agencies through legal action.
- Addressing court delays to restore confidence in the judiciary.
Ubani warned that the NBA’s silence on these issues risks public opprobrium and the collapse of the legal profession, emphasizing that leadership must be present in the “trenches of everyday legal practice,” not just during conferences and elections. He stressed that the future of the legal profession depends on a Bar that is
unapologetically committed to its members’ cause, urging immediate action to prevent further erosion of public trust in the judiciary and the NBA.
Dr. M.O. Ubani’s statement serves as a clarion call for the NBA to reinvent itself as a responsive and caring professional body. With the legal profession at a critical juncture, his appeal to President Osigwe and the broader NBA leadership underscores the urgency of addressing systemic challenges to restore dignity, protect members, and safeguard Nigeria’s judicial system.