The National Executive Council of the Nigerian Bar Association has affirmed that the 2026 NBA National Officers and General Council of the Bar elections will proceed on Saturday, July 18, despite the temporary detention of the Managing Director of the association’s electronic voting service provider by the Department of State Services.
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The decision was reached during a virtual emergency NEC meeting held on Thursday, July 16, 2026, following concerns that the detention could disrupt preparations for the election.
Shortly after the meeting ended, the NBA confirmed that the service provider’s Managing Director had been released from DSS custody, clearing the immediate uncertainty surrounding the conduct of the poll.
During the emergency meeting, ECNBA Chairman Aham Ejelam, SAN, briefed NEC members on the state of preparations and assured them that the committee remained fully ready to conduct a free, fair, transparent and credible election.
The ECNBA said there was no operational or logistical basis for postponing the poll, notwithstanding the service provider’s temporary detention, as all necessary arrangements remained on course.
Following deliberations, 127 NEC members voted for the election to proceed as scheduled, while 15 supported postponing it for one week.
The overwhelming majority consequently affirmed Saturday, July 18, as the date for both the national officers’ election and the election of NBA representatives to the General Council of the Bar.
NEC strongly condemned the arrest and detention of the election service provider’s Managing Director, describing the development as unacceptable, deeply troubling and capable of undermining confidence in the electoral process.
The council demanded his immediate and unconditional release and insisted that no government agency or external interest should be allowed to frustrate the election.
The NBA said the credibility and integrity of its democratic institutions must be protected, maintaining that neither external interference nor unforeseen circumstances should derail the electoral timetable approved by the association.
The association did not disclose the reason given by the DSS for the detention. The security agency had also not publicly explained the action at the time of the NBA’s announcement.
NEC called on the relevant authorities to protect NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN; the ECNBA chairman and members; NBA national officers; the election service provider; and every other official involved in conducting the election.
It said they must be allowed to perform their duties without harassment, arrest or interference by any security agency.
The council reaffirmed the NBA’s commitment to constitutional democracy, institutional independence and the rule of law, while urging government authorities to respect the association’s autonomy.
The NBA confirmed at about 7:36 p.m. on Thursday that the detained Managing Director had been released shortly after NEC demanded his freedom.
The association consequently maintained that the July 18 election remained uninterrupted and that the ECNBA would continue with its preparations.
NEC urged eligible lawyers to remain calm, participate peacefully and uphold the democratic ideals and independence of the legal profession.
The ECNBA had appointed Mikrodigital Connect as the electronic voting service provider for the election following a procurement exercise in which 19 bids were received.
Six bidders were shortlisted for interviews and further assessments before Mikrodigital Connect was selected to develop, deploy and supervise the election’s digital voting platform.
The committee separately appointed Thanelinc Nigeria Limited as the Data Protection Officer responsible for ensuring that voters’ personal information is handled in compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
Both firms were directed to work together to protect the security, integrity and smooth conduct of the election.
The July 18 poll will determine the NBA’s next national officers and representatives to the General Council of the Bar amid weeks of legal disputes and allegations of external interference in the association’s electoral process.
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