By Elvis Evbaruovbokhanre Asia
The just-concluded Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference in Enugu was, in many respects, well-organized and showcased the capacity of the Association to host major national events outside the usual Abuja and Lagos venues. This demonstrates that restricting the Annual General Conference to these two cities is neither necessary nor beneficial for the NBA’s growth and inclusivity. However, while the logistics and hospitality of the Enugu Conference were commendable, several troubling developments during the event raise questions about the Association’s values, ethical standards, and leadership culture.
Failure to Address Core Issues of Discipline and Ethics
The NBA, as the umbrella body of legal practitioners in Nigeria, has a statutory and moral duty to lead by example in promoting discipline, ethical conduct, and integrity within the legal profession. Unfortunately, the conference proceedings reflected a disappointing lack of attention to these pressing issues. Conversations that could have advanced solutions to declining public confidence in the Bar and Bench were overshadowed by displays of material extravagance and political maneuvering.
Disregard for Seniority and Professional Decorum
One of the longstanding traditions of the Bar is respect for rank and seniority. Reports of lawyers only recently called to the Bar occupying spaces traditionally reserved for senior members undermines this culture of respect and order. The Bar’s hierarchical traditions are not mere formalities but symbols of professionalism, institutional memory, and mentorship—values that must be preserved to uphold the dignity of the legal profession.
Endorsement of Vote Buying Practices
The most troubling development at the conference was the apparent tacit endorsement of vote-buying and monetization of NBA politics. Observers reported that a candidate for the next NBA elections deployed mobile billboards, distributed branded packs, water, caps, shirts, and sponsored various activities, including a fireworks display at the “Unbarred” concert. Some others also participated in this large scale show of financial might. These excessive displays of campaign spending raise serious questions about the source of these funds and the potential influence of external financiers in NBA elections.
An independent professional body cannot maintain its integrity or moral authority if its leadership emerges through financial muscle rather than merit and service. Such practices risk turning NBA elections into auctions, with leadership positions awarded to the highest bidder. This not only threatens internal democracy but also erodes public trust in the Bar’s ability to speak against political corruption and electoral malpractice in Nigeria.
Erosion of Public Trust: A National Risk
The erosion of public confidence in the legal profession poses a grave danger for the nation. During one of my trips to a colleague’s village in the course of the conference, a driver lamented bitterly that the NBA and the courts have failed the country. My attempt to reassure him fell on deaf ears, a sobering reminder of the public’s growing disillusionment with the legal system. If ordinary citizens no longer see the Bar and Bench as bastions of justice, the rule of law itself is at risk. NBA must rise to its promise of leadership and integrity, beginning with decisive and public action against candidates who brazenly sought to “buy votes” at the conference.
It is commendable that the AGM has already recognized the need to address these excesses through constitutional amendment; however, the association must go beyond this acknowledgment by critically reviewing the events that transpired at the conference, questioning prospective candidates on their conduct, and examining the NBA’s existing legal framework to ensure appropriate sanctions are enforced where necessary.
