Nigerian lawyer based in the United Kingdom, I.M. Isadoh, Esq., has raised serious concerns regarding the state of leadership in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). In a comprehensive statement, he criticized the current NBA administration led by Afam J. Osigwe, SAN, calling for greater accountability, transparency, and immediate action to address issues plaguing the legal profession in Nigeria.
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Isadoh responded to a recent statement attributed to the NBA General Secretary (GS), which he described as a baseless attempt to shift blame onto the YC Maikyau SAN administration for ending the free NBA stamp policy. According to him, lawyers received free stamps as recently as 2024, making the claim unfounded unless supported by NEC resolutions or circulars.
He expressed disappointment that the leadership resorted to such narratives without providing adequate documentation. “The tale that YC Maikyau SAN stopped the free stamp policy should not be believed except we all agree that the leadership of the Bar leads us only by words of mouth,” he asserted.
Isadoh further criticized the current NBA administration for focusing on fee increments and attributing decisions to economic challenges, which he described as excuses rather than solutions. He highlighted the recent NBA conference fees as an example of insensitivity to the financial struggles of lawyers across the country.
“Lawyers are barely finding their footing financially at the start of the year, yet they are met with exorbitant conference fees justified in the name of the economy,” Isadoh noted. He questioned whether the NBA leadership was truly in touch with the realities faced by its members, urging them to prioritize cost-effective measures for conferences and other association activities.
Isadoh called on the NBA leadership to address critical questions regarding its financial and operational decisions:
- What is the financial state of the Bar?
- Have the manufacturers of NBA stamps raised concerns about production costs?
- What are the economic indices used to justify claims of inflation impacting NBA policies?
- Has the leadership formally requested financial reports from the previous administration?
The plight of Nigerian lawyers was another focal point of Isadoh’s statement. He described the financial instability, threats from judicial officers, and lack of respect from law enforcement that lawyers endure daily. “Lawyers in this country practice law in fear and trepidation,” he remarked, emphasizing the NBA’s failure to provide adequate protection for its members.
He also criticized the leadership’s pattern of issuing statements without follow-up action, particularly in cases of assault against lawyers. “We only see bloggers write things like, ‘NBA condemns the assault of Taiwo Musa Chinedu,’ but I have never heard of any law enforcement official being prosecuted for assaulting a lawyer,” he added.
Isadoh took particular issue with the NBA’s approach to its annual conference, arguing that the fees were disproportionately high and not reflective of the current economic realities. He suggested that the leadership should explore more affordable options to ensure inclusivity for all members, particularly younger lawyers and those facing financial difficulties.
In addition to financial concerns, Isadoh emphasized the need for professionalism in the association’s communications. He urged the NBA leadership to include the photograph of the NBA President or the association’s logo in all official statements, describing this as a matter of discipline and respect for the office.
Isadoh called on lawyers across Nigeria to unite and demand transparency, accountability, and genuine representation from the NBA leadership. “The Bar exists today because of the collective will of its members, and we demand a say in everything,” he stated.
He urged the NBA to prioritize the welfare of lawyers, implement meaningful reforms, and act decisively against injustices faced by members of the profession.
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