The Advocacy for Bar Licence Freedom (ABLIF) has informed members of the legal profession and the general public that a Motion on Notice was filed on Thursday, 16 January 2026, before the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the CPD Compliance Notice recently issued by the Nigerian Bar Association Institute of Continuing Legal Education (NBA-ICLE).
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The said application seeks, among other reliefs, interlocutory orders restraining the implementation, enforcement, or giving effect to the CPD Compliance Notice, pending the determination of the substantive issues already before the Court.
According to court documents obtained, the motion also seeks declarations that the issuance and circulation of the CPD Compliance Notice during the pendency of the suit constitutes an act capable of undermining the authority and dignity of the court, and that the notice is illegal, invalid, null and void.
In a detailed affidavit supporting the motion, Christabel Zoe Ayuk, ESQ., the first plaintiff and National Secretary of ABLIF, deposed that despite a subsisting Bench Order made by Justice B.F.M. Nyako on November 24, 2025, directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit, the NBA-ICLE proceeded to publish a CPD Compliance Notice on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
The affidavit states: “On Sunday, January 11, 2026, (while this Suit and this Interlocutory Injunction Application is pending and despite) the Bench Order made by Your Lordship at the last adjourned date of 24th of November, 2025, that parties should maintain status quo and not to do anything that would render whatever the decision of the Court would be on the subject matter (and in disobedience to such Bench Order made by Your Lordship), published a notice stating the compliance deadline of the mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to be 1 April, to 31 March.”
The notice reportedly stated: “For clarity, the annual CPD reporting year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Accordingly, the 2025 CPD reporting period commenced on 1 April 2025 and will close on 31 March 2026. CPD activities completed outside this window will not count toward the current reporting year.”
According to the affidavit, the Assistant General Secretary (Henry Barnaba Ehi) of the 1st and 2nd Defendants via his WhatsApp Number: 08037780064, issued and posted the said Notice on his personal WhatsApp Number and the 1st and 2nd Defendants also published same on its WhatsApp handle.
WhatsApp printouts showing the CPD compliance notice with the deadline of March 31, 2026 were attached to the motion as Exhibits A1 and A2. The exhibits show the notice was circulated through official NBA channels, reminding lawyers to complete a minimum of 5 CPD units/hours on or before the deadline.
The applicants argued that the issuance of the CPD Compliance Notice directly affects the subject matter of the pending suit and is capable of pre-empting the decision of the court.
The written address supporting the motion states: “My Lord, the Continuing Professional Development-herein after referred to as-CPD- Compliance Notice issued by Nigerian Bar Association- Institute of Continuing Legal Education herein after referred to as-NBA-ICLE- does not exist in a vacuum. It speaks directly to the subject matter of this suit. To issue and circulate such a notice, fixing a compliance deadline and exerting regulatory pressure on legal practitioners (including the Plaintiffs/Applicants), while the legality of the regime itself is under judicial interrogation, is to invite chaos into the administration of justice.”
The motion further contends: “The gravamen of this application is not mere disobedience; it is institutional overreach.”
Citing the case of Mobil Oil (Nig.) Ltd v. Assan (1995) 8 NWLR (Pt. 412) 129, the applicants submitted that obedience to court orders is not optional but the bedrock of constitutional democracy, and that where a court orders maintenance of status quo, no party is permitted to act in a manner that alters, disturbs, or pressures the existing state of affairs.
The written address also referenced Order 35 Rule 1 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, which deals with contempt of court proceedings.
This matter is pending before Court 3 of the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Honourable Justice B. F. M. Nyako, in Suit No.: FHC/ABJ/CS/2241/2025 – Christabel Zoe Ayuk & 11 Ors. v. Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) & 4 Ors.
The suit is fixed for hearing on 20 January 2026.
The twelve plaintiffs include Christabel Zoe Ayuk, Queendaline Odinkemma Ewo, Edeki Friday Jomani, Sunday Okeremute Akporido, Stephen Danjuma Ziri, Abdullahi Abubakar, Clive Eyimearelu Otaigbe, Akinwale Sunday Michael, Temitope Benson Akeredolu, Abdulazeez Ayobami Abdulkareem, Ndamzi Ogbonda Ekwulo, and Oseikhuemen Ainabebholo.
The defendants are the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), President of the Nigerian Bar Association, General Council of the Bar (GCB), Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
The plaintiffs are represented by Hameed Ajibola Jimoh, Esq., of The Vicegerent Legal Consult, Abuja, while the defendants are represented by various senior advocates and legal practitioners.
In a press release dated January 16, 2026, and signed by National Convener Hameed Ajibola Jimoh, Esq., ABLIF stated: “Members of the legal profession and the general public are respectfully advised that, having regard to the pendency of this application and the ongoing proceedings before the Court, all concerned parties should await the decision of the Federal High Court on the application.”
ABLIF SUIT FOR CONTEMPT AGAINST NBAABLIF reiterated its unwavering commitment to the rule of law, respect for judicial authority, and the orderly resolution of professional regulatory issues through the courts.
The substantive suit challenges the legality, constitutionality, and enforceability of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD)/Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) regime.
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