A presidential aspirant in the forthcoming 2018 NBA national election, the former 1st Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeazor Akaraiwe, has withdrawn from the presidential race. Ikeazor Akaraiwe in a statement sent to The Nigeria Lawyer (TNL) on Sunday, 24th June 2018 stated that this is a decision he reached after a period of consultation and confrontation with Article 2.2 (b) and (e), 2nd Schedule of the NBA Constitution. His exact statement: âMotivated by the principles of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) adopted at the Bauchi NEC meeting of November 2006; A. Conceptual Definition: To be at the vanguard for the promotion and defence of the Rule of Law, Good Governance, Social Justice and the Dignity of all persons; B. Vision: To rank among the foremost Bar Associations in the world; C. Mission: To use the Law As An Instrument For Social Change; D. Motto: Promoting The Rule of Law; E. Core Values: Integrity, Excellence, Courage, Professionalism; and F. A Brand Responsibility to be Courageous, Assertive, Independent, and a Leader; Convinced that there is a need to restore a voice to the Bar, and further convinced that the justice delivery sector in Nigeria is in a state of declension, which only a proactive Bar can help the government to reverse; I decided to throw my hat and heart into the ring for the 29th presidency of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2018-2020; However, being confronted with Article 2.2 (b) and (e), 2nd Schedule of the NBA Constitution which specifically stipulates that certain offices including the NBA Presidency can only be contested for from the âgeographical zone of originâ and not the âgeographical zone of practiceâ of candidates, I submitted a memo to the NBA Constitution Amendment Committee seeking removal of that clause, not because I must be NBA President but because it sent a wrong message, in my view, to the next generation of Nigerian lawyers to retreat away from residing and doing business anywhere in Nigeria to their âgeographical zones of origin.â âThe clear implication of art. 2.2 (b) and (e) is that Ikeazor Akaraiwe who was found worthy to emerge unopposed as Chairman, Enugu Branch (2006-2008) (in the NBA-designated East Zone) having been Financial Secretary (2001-2004) and Vice-Chairman (2004-2006) thereof; and who was the Eastern Bar candidate for the position of 1st Vice-President, NBA in 2008, must now contest only from the NBA-designated âWest Zoneâ one account of his Okwe hometown, 4 kilometres from Onitsha on the western banks of the River Niger, and statutorily part of the Delta State Capital Territory, Asaba. It did not matter that Ikeazor Akaraiwe has never belonged to any branch or paid branch dues to any branch in the NBA-designated West and indeed has practiced mainly in the NBA -designated East since Call to Bar in 1985.â He further stated that âby enshrining this clause, it is my respectful view that the NBA has retreated from giving leadership to a united and more inclusive Nigeria. Being bound by Section 20 of its Constitution to amend the said Constitution during its Annual General Meeting which holds in August of each year, The NBA is yet to amend that clause, and so, I went to court to seek interpretation of said Article 2.2, 2nd Schedule vis a vis constitutional provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which mandated inclusivity and national cohesion. I reiterate that I took this step not because I must be president, but because the NBA, primus inter pares of all professional associations in Nigeria, must send a better message to Nigeria. The FCT High Court disagreed with me, and held that my concerns were significantly impaired by S.299 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) and not protected by S. 300 thereof as I thought.â Based on the issues raised above, Akariwe decided to pull from the race and pledges to support and work with any aspirant who emerges as the president of the NBA âIn the circumstances, I hereby formally announce the discontinuation of my earlier steps towards actualisation of the 29th NBA Presidency. I shall work with whoever emerges as NBA President, assuming the person shares my burden to achieve the goals, which galvanized my candidacy in the first place. In the light of our Conceptual Definition, Vision, Mission, Motto, Core Values and Brand Responsibility aforesaid, the Nigerian Bar Association can not afford to be quiet in the midst of the gradual unraveling of the Nigerian state due A. To genocidal manifestations here, there and everywhere; and B. The justice (delayed) delivery system which has resulted in crystallisation of impunity here, there, and everywhere, to mention only a few. I did not think that the President the NBA needs in times like this, indeed, the 29th President of the NBA, should be one unable or unwilling to speak up consistently and courageously. After all, we are the voice of the people, and it is not for nothing we are called Solicitors and Advocates. For my associates who are dismayed by my constitutionally mandated step-down from the race, I am sorry, and request refuge in the dictum of Paul of Tarsus that âall things work together for good…â and the essays by Chinua Achebe, that âit is morning yet on creation day.â Good morning NBA. Good morning the a-just-Rule-of-Law-dominated Federal Republic of Nigeria,â Ikeazor Ajovi Akaraiwe added.]]>
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Naija-Virtual-Notary.jpg")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
A timely new publication, Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria, co-authored by Olumide Babalola and Uchenna Nnawuchi, đ Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria is now available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8TmFZrd
______________________________________________________________________
Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes âArtificial Intelligence For Lawyersâ With Free Research eBook
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
How to Order:
đ Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
đ§ Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
đ Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
______________________________________________________________________
Alexander Payne Co. Law Reports
Contact & Orders đ 0704 444 4777 | 0704 444 4999 | 0818 199 9888 đ www.alexandernigeria.com
______________________________________________________________________
The books are available for purchase at:
Online: www.educodex.com | www.selar.com | www.amazon.com | www.mikeozekhome.com
Enquiries: +234 704 044 9375 | +234 814 813 4773 | +234 816 872 3532
Email: educodexl@gmail.com
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
The publishing firm has produced an impressive catalogue of authoritative legal texts authored by its proprietor, Basil Momodu, Esq.,
For inquiries, contact:
đ§ momodulawpublishing@yahoo.com
đ 07051822705
______________________________________________________________________
âYour Must-Have Legal Classicâ â 225-Page Hardback Offering The Definitive Guide To Electoral Security In Nigeria And The U.S.
Edited by Dr. Akin Olawale Oluwadayisi, Ph.D; ACIArb, FIPDM, Notary Public, Awi Boluwaji, and Olumide Awoyemi, LL.M, Price: âŠ20,000 or $20 per copy
Order Your Copy Now:đ§ Email: benakollegalclassics@gmail.com,đ± WhatsApp: 07038211889, đ Voice Call: 07065830466 | +2347038211889
______________________________________________________________________
