Chief Emeka JP Obegolu, SAN, Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Remuneration Committee, has firmly refuted claims circulating in a viral video which alleges that lawyers must now obtain NBA approval before preparing or submitting legal documents such as Deeds of Assignment or Powers of Attorney.
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Describing the assertions in the video as “a gross misrepresentation of the provisions and intent of the Remuneration Order,” Chief Obegolu emphasized that the Legal Practitioners’ Remuneration Order 2023, enacted by the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation pursuant to the Legal Practitioners Act, contains no such requirement.
In the video, a man identified as Frank Abo claimed that the NBA now mandates that clients must:
- Collect a form from any NBA secretariat,
- Pay 10% of the property value into an NBA account,
- And obtain NBA approval and stamping before the document is deemed valid.
He further alleged that failure to follow this procedure would render such documents inadmissible in court and expose the lawyer to disciplinary sanctions including disbarment.
But Obegolu categorically debunked these assertions, stating:
“The Order provides a structured fee framework to guide legal practitioners and protect clients from exploitation. It is not designed to create an additional layer of bureaucracy or validation through the NBA. Any contrary narrative is false, misleading, and must be disregarded.”
He further clarified that lawyers remain solely responsible for franked documents bearing their names, enrolment numbers, and official NBA stamp/seal.
“There is no provision under the Order that renders such documents invalid if not vetted by the NBA,” he added.
In a strong advisory to legal practitioners and the general public, Chief Obegolu urged full compliance with the Remuneration Order 2023 and encouraged the reporting of any instance of misinformation to the NBA Remuneration Committee Programme Office at 08033888791.
TheNigeriaLawyer investigations revealed that some NBA branches—particularly in certain Eastern states and possibly Ilorin—have independently adopted processes resembling what was described in the viral video. This, it appears, led the individual to wrongly assume the process was a national policy.
The Remuneration Committee, under Obegolu’s leadership, reaffirmed its commitment to a uniform and accurate implementation of the Order nationwide, including in ministries, departments, agencies, courts, and all state institutions.
The Committee also commended the unwavering support and visionary leadership of the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, whose administration has prioritized fairness, transparency, and accountability in legal service delivery.
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As the Committee continues to work toward entrenching just remuneration and ethical practice across the legal profession, members of the public are advised to disregard unofficial statements and rely solely on verified information from the NBA National Secretariat or the Remuneration Committee.
For official complaints or inquiries, contact Stella Charles Akupue, Programme Officer, via 08033888791.
“The Committee remains committed to upholding the dignity of the legal profession and ensuring that all legal practitioners receive just compensation for services rendered,” Obegolu concluded.
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