Barbara Tosan Onwubiko, a legal practitioner and qualified candidate for the Treasurer position of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), has accused a transition committee allegedly influenced by NBA leadership of manipulating the upcoming elections scheduled for December 4, 2025. Onwubiko claims her name and that of other eligible contenders have been unjustly removed from the ballot, paving the way for unqualified individuals and non-members to be installed as leaders.
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The controversy comes just one day before the highly anticipated Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections, where members are set to vote for key positions including Secretary and Treasurer. According to Onwubiko’s statement, the election process has been marred by “blatant illegality,” prompting the Chairman of the NBA-SPIDEL Election Committee, Mr. Kunle Edun SAN, to withdraw his involvement to avoid complicity in the alleged misconduct.
Onwubiko detailed several irregularities in her public reaction, emphasizing that she and Dr. Anne Uruegi Agi – both fully compliant with nomination guidelines – were sidelined despite timely submissions. “I submitted my application for Treasurer on October 30th at 12:50 p.m. and am unopposed,” Onwubiko stated, highlighting her eligibility and the absence of any valid grounds for disqualification.
The timeline of events, as outlined in her statement, paints a picture of rushed and flawed procedures:
- October 17, 2025: Election Committee members appointed.
- October 18, 2025: Official notice published.
- November 4, 2025 (5:00 p.m.): Nomination deadline.
- November 17, 2025: Scheduled publication of qualified candidates list (allegedly ignored).
Instead of adhering to the official list vetted by Edun SAN, Onwubiko alleges that stakeholders aligned with the transition committee have curated a parallel slate of candidates, including:
- Prof. Uju Agomoh (disqualified for non-payment of NBA and SPIDEL dues).
- Enome Amatey (did not submit nomination for Secretary).
- Sa’adu Abdullahi Mohammed (did not submit nomination for Treasurer).
These individuals, some reportedly not even SPIDEL members, are purportedly slated for swearing-in on December 5, 2025, bypassing the democratic process. Onwubiko warned that such actions would “stain the banner” of NBA-SPIDEL under the current NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN, and undermine the section’s integrity.
The allegations have sparked widespread dismay among NBA-SPIDEL members and the broader legal fraternity. One prominent lawyer, speaking anonymously, echoed Onwubiko’s concerns: “Are we genuinely serious? How can we permit unqualified candidates to hold the position in NBA SPIDEL? We are lawyers, not jesters. What principles are we standing for? We are aware of the SPIDEL members and know who has paid their dues and who hasn’t. Is this an election or a selection process? Even if it’s a selection, it should be done properly, and qualified candidates should be selected!!”
While another lawyer offered a more measured perspective, defending the NBA president’s role while urging internal resolution: “Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe SAN as the NBA president has done for SPIDEL all a president is expected to do for a section to stand and flourish. If there is some internal conflict within the SPIDEL, I believe the leadership of the SPIDEL should be able to manage it effectively. We await the leadership and the electoral committee to address the issues raised. Let us look forward to a positive outcome. Thanks.”
Onwubiko’s outburst appears to be a direct response to a press statement issued on December 1, 2025, by the NBA-SPIDEL Interim Management Committee, chaired by Prof. Paul Ananaba SAN with Secretary Mr. Okey Ohagba. The statement announced the full constitution of the NBA-SPIDEL Development Law Committee, approved at the August 28, 2025, AGM in Enugu and now headed by Mr. Andrew Odum SAN, with Yakubu Bawa as Secretary.
The committee, established to advance the “development” aspect of SPIDEL’s mandate, comprises 45 distinguished members, including legal experts, academics, and practitioners. The Interim Management Committee (IMC) urged stakeholders to provide “maximum support” for the committee’s work.
Leadership:
- Chairman: Andrew Osemedua Odum SAN
- Secretary: Yakubu Bawa
Members:
- Prof. Ogugua V.C. Ikpeze
- Mrs. Joyce Oduah
- Ededem Ani Esq
- Dr. Ikenna Ukam
- Hajia Sadia B. Saleh
- Utomobong Inyang
- Samuel Etuk
- Idris Aboyomi Shehu
- Otunba Olumide Olaiya
- Nwabueze Eseagwu
- Nwadimuya Precious
- Fatima Kere-Ahmed
- Francis Nwaorah
- Victor Nwakasi
- Nkem Agboti
- Raymond Isitor
- Ezeala Chukwuma
- Philip Njetene
- Chisom Keje
- Francis Ibekwe
- Mustapha Imam
- Lauretta Ikuka
- Terhemba Gbashima
- Sunny Emeyeven
- Ezebu Ogugua
- Joy Onukwue
- Martha Egeonu-Akabo
- Dr. (Mrs.) Ejiro Kore-Okiti
- Dr. Sam Amadi
- Dr. Ozioma Izuora
- Dr. Ngozi Nwanga
- Dr. Eze Onwunma
- Dr. Sam Amadi (listed twice)
- Princess Frank-Chukwuani
- Monday Adjie
- Likko-Al Bashir Lawal
- Lucky Wosu
- Umar Sanni SAN
- Nonyem Damula
- Nnenna Ojiako
- Esther Chiemeka
- Nkwachi Onwutuebe-Mad
- Benson Iwuagwu
- Ejike Ezenwa SAN
- Daniel Asomeji
While the committee’s formation was framed as a positive step toward fulfilling SPIDEL’s public interest goals, Onwubiko’s reaction and sentiments from other lawyers suggest it may be perceived as a diversionary tactic amid the election turmoil. Critics argue that prioritizing such appointments over transparent elections erodes trust in the section’s governance.
NBA-SPIDEL, a vital arm of the NBA focused on public interest and development law, has long championed transparency and accountability in legal advocacy. The current rift threatens to overshadow its AGM tomorrow and the subsequent swearing-in ceremony. Stakeholders are bracing for potential boycotts or legal challenges, with Onwubiko vowing that “this will not go unnoticed in the record of the NBA-SPIDEL.”
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