The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) International has issued a notice suspending Caroline Ibharuneafe from membership and office in the association, while also declaring that a group it described as a “breakaway faction” of its Nigeria Chapter, allegedly led by her, had been suspended from recognition, representation and participation in the affairs of the association.
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Documents made available to TheNigeriaLawyer show that the disciplinary action followed resolutions said to have been adopted by the Executive Council and Country Representatives of AWLA after considering reports concerning the conduct of groups in its Nigeria and Burkina Faso chapters. The documents also show that the resolution and notice of suspension were subsequently forwarded to the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, with the scanned copy bearing a stamp from the Office of the President of the NBA showing receipt on August 21, 2026.
In the covering communication dated August 14, 2026, the writer, who identified herself in the body of the letter as acting in the capacity of General Secretary of AWLA Nigeria, said she was formally forwarding the resolution and notice of suspension issued by AWLA International concerning the affairs of the Nigerian chapter for the attention of the NBA leadership.
According to the covering letter, the International House, acting pursuant to Article XII, Section 12(e) of the AWLA Constitution and its Uniform Bye-Laws, resolved to suspend the leaders of what it described as the breakaway faction of AWLA Nigeria led by Ibharuneafe and their executive members with immediate effect over alleged conduct said to constitute unethical conduct, insubordination and acts ultra vires the Constitution and Uniform Bye-Laws of the association.
The underlying resolution states that the Executive Council and Country Representatives met on Thursday, June 25, 2026, and considered reports concerning the conduct of two country chapters Nigeria and Burkina Faso before unanimously adopting disciplinary resolutions.
AWLA International stated in the resolution that its Constitution and Uniform Bye-Laws required all country chapters to operate in strict compliance with directives, policies and the governance framework issued by the parent body.
It alleged that despite repeated communications, warnings and opportunities to remedy what it described as identified breaches, the affected groups continued to act in a manner which, according to the association, undermined its authority, unity and integrity.
“The Executive Council considers these actions to constitute serious violations warranting disciplinary measures in accordance with the Uniform Bye Laws,” the resolution stated.
The association consequently resolved that “the breakaway faction in Nigeria led by Caroline Ibharuneafe, her executive members and associates,” alongside the Burkina Faso Chapter led by Fatimata Quilma Sinare and her associates, be suspended from “membership, recognition, representation and participation in all affairs of the African Women Lawyers Association” with immediate effect, citing Article 12, Sections 12(e) and (f) of the Uniform Bye-Laws of AWLA 2020.
AWLA International further declared that during the suspension, the affected chapters and persons purporting to act on their behalf must not represent or speak on behalf of the association, participate in meetings, elections, conferences or any official programme in the association’s name, exercise voting rights or hold themselves out as authorised representatives.
It also directed all officers of the suspended groups to immediately cease exercising authority or performing official functions on behalf of AWLA until the suspension is lifted.
A separate notice of suspension, dated June 26, 2026, and directly addressed to Caroline Ibharuneafe, stated that the action arose from Resolution 2 passed at the AWLA General Meeting.
The notice said the House had “noted with concern the formation and operation of a purported breakaway faction within AWLA Nigeria Chapter” and the conduct of its leaders, which the association alleged constituted “unethical conduct, insubordination, and acts ultra vires the AWLA Constitution and Uniform Bye-Laws.”
“By this letter, you are hereby SUSPENDED with immediate effect as a Member/Officer of the African Women Lawyers Association Nigeria Chapter,” the notice stated.
AWLA International then set out four specific terms governing Ibharuneafe’s suspension.
First, it prohibited her from holding herself out or acting as an officer, member or representative of AWLA in any capacity whatsoever during the period of suspension.
Second, she was directed to “cease and desist” from using the AWLA name, logo, letterhead or any of the association’s platforms and resources.
Third, the international body declared that any act or communication purportedly undertaken by her in the name of AWLA would be “null and void ab initio” and would not bind the association.
Fourth, the notice warned that the International Secretariat could take further disciplinary or legal steps where considered necessary under the Constitution.
Ibharuneafe was also directed to acknowledge receipt of the suspension letter within seven days.
The notice was signed by Yanne Mblyavanga, identified as Acting Deputy Secretary General of AWLA, “for AWLA Executive Council.”
Copies were listed as having been sent to the Country Representative of the AWLA Nigeria Chapter; the Chair and Board Members of the Board of Trustees of AWLA Nigeria Chapter; the Chair and Board Members of the Board of Trustees of AWLA; the Nigerian Bar Association and all its branches; all AWLA Country Representatives; and other stakeholders.
The resolution forwarded to the NBA also addressed the dispute involving AWLA’s Burkina Faso Chapter.
In a certified extract, the association accused Fatimata Quilma Sinare, identified as Country Representative of the Burkina Faso Chapter, of persistently failing to attend statutory meetings of the association and allegedly failing to render mandatory reports on her activities as well as a report concerning the 2025 AWLA International Conference.
The House consequently stated that it “formally disclaims” Sinare as Country Representative of the AWLA Burkina Faso Chapter with immediate effect.
It further authorised the International Secretariat to write a formal letter of disclaimer to the Government of Burkina Faso and notify relevant stakeholders that Sinare allegedly lacked the mandate, authority or approval to represent, bind or act on behalf of AWLA or its Burkina Faso Chapter.
According to the certified extract, any act undertaken by her in that capacity would be regarded by the association as null and void and would not create liability for AWLA.
The same certified extract identifies “Nigeria Chapter — Breakaway Faction” as Resolution 2 and records that the motion was moved by Falilat Orire, described as Country Representative, AWLA Nigeria, and seconded by Tike Meanbipole, identified as Country Representative for Tanzania.
There is, however, a notable date inconsistency in the documents. While the main resolution states that the Executive Council and Country Representatives met on June 25, 2026, and the notice of suspension is dated June 26, 2026, the certified extract attached to the documents records the “Date of Meeting” as “Thursday, 25th June 2020.” The documents supplied do not explain whether the 2020 date appearing on the certified extract is a typographical error.
The covering correspondence transmitting the documents to the NBA is dated August 14, 2026, while the copies bear a “Received” stamp of the Office of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association dated August 21, 2026, indicating that the dispute and AWLA International’s disciplinary position had been formally brought to the attention of the Bar leadership.
The materials provided do not contain a response from Ibharuneafe or the other members of the Nigerian group affected by the resolution to the allegations of unethical conduct, insubordination or operating a purported breakaway faction. Accordingly, those allegations remain the position of AWLA International as contained in the documents and should not be treated as independently established findings.
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