The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a series of resolutions addressing Nigeria’s escalating security crisis, judicial inconsistencies, and executive overreach following its quarterly meeting on November 20, 2025, in Benin City. In a comprehensive 25-point communiqué signed by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and General Secretary Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the council condemned government failures, demanded police decentralization, and called for sweeping reforms to safeguard the rule of law.
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The meeting, held at Horatio Marquee 2, Okada Avenue, GRA, brought together national officers, past presidents, branch leaders, and observers. NEC’s deliberations painted a grim picture of the nation’s legal and security landscape, urging immediate action on issues ranging from banditry and kidnappings to controversial presidential pardons.
NEC expressed “alarm at the unprecedented levels of killings, kidnappings, and destruction of property,” criticizing the federal government’s “outdated, over-centralized” security structure as inadequate. The council called for decentralization of security command, the establishment of state and local government police with regulated arm-bearing authority, and the adoption of modern technologies such as drones and cyber-tracking.
The council rejected negotiations or amnesty for terrorists and bandits, calling for “zero tolerance for criminality irrespective of status or ethnicity.” It also opposed integrating “purported repentant terrorists” into the military and urged amendments to the Firearms Act to allow transparent civilian self-defense licensing. The communiqué highlighted recent abductions of schoolgirls in Maga, Kebbi State, and the killing of Brigadier-General M. Uba in Borno, urging foreign assistance and enhanced border surveillance if needed.
The NEC highlighted systemic judicial flaws, approving the constitution of an Editorial Committee for the Adjudicature Review Committee (ARC) to publish a quarterly Nigeria Adjudicature Review. Chaired by Prof. R.A.C.E. Achara, the panel includes J.S. Okutepa, SAN, and Prof. Josephine Agbonika, SAN, aiming to reduce contradictory judgments in appellate courts.
NEC decried the underrepresentation of private practitioners in recent Federal High Court and National Industrial Court shortlists, citing the “overwhelming majority” from the judiciary and Ministries of Justice. It reiterated demands to amend Rule 3(4) of the National Judicial Council (NJC) Guidelines, which grants “excessive discretionary powers” to Chief Judges, advocating merit-driven appointments and written exams.
The council also raised concerns over lower courts, calling on state governments to improve infrastructure and provide official transport, citing unsafe working conditions and poor remuneration for magistrates, as seen in Ondo State. NEC condemned conflicting court orders in the PDP leadership dispute and partisan police conduct, urging the IGP to discipline erring officers.
NEC criticized recent presidential pardons for 175 individuals convicted of serious crimes, stating that they “undermined accountability and public confidence.” While commending the reversal of some controversial pardons, the council called for a statutory framework to govern clemency, ensuring transparency, protection of victims’ rights, and insulation from political influence.
The council also addressed the proposed 15% import duty on petrol and diesel, calling for its permanent suspension, and condemned the unlawful declaration of activist Omoyele Sowore as “wanted” by the Lagos State Police Commissioner, stressing that only courts can issue such orders under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
On NBA matters, NEC ratified the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) for the 2026 national elections, chaired by Aham Ejelam, SAN, emphasizing “transparency, technological reliability, and fairness.” An Ad-Hoc Committee led by Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, was formed to investigate the NBA Lagos House Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement with Stabilini Visinoni Ltd.
NEC approved nine new branches Ankpa, Bende, Kwale, Iseyin, Oyigbo, Oru/Oguta, Potiskum, Nike, and Udi to enhance service delivery. It also set a three-year tenure for NBA representatives on the Council of Legal Education and appointed Abdul Mohammed, SAN, to chair the 2026 Annual General Conference Planning Committee.
The council weighed in on other flashpoints, including the FCT Minister’s clash with military personnel in Abuja’s Gudu district, demanding due process. It also called for a public apology over partisan music at the All-Nigerian Judges Conference and raised concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments on deploying American troops to Nigeria, urging diplomatic pushback.
NEC supported ongoing litigation by SPIDEL challenging the Nigeria Police Force’s refusal to convert legal officers to a specialist cadre and opposed the unconstitutional Police Tinted Glass Permit Policy, whose enforcement remains suspended pending IGP discussions. The council acknowledged progress in rehabilitation at Kuje Correctional Centre and announced a Post-Custodial Rehabilitation Fund for ex-inmates.
COMMUNIQUE-OF-THE-NEC-November-2025-1Finally, NEC condemned Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja’s attempt to promote an illegal “privileged rank” or “Blue Silk” as professional misconduct.
The communiqué reaffirms the NBA’s “unwavering commitment” to rule of law and justice sector reform amid “systemic challenges.” Publicity Secretary Bridget Edokwe encouraged members to review the full document for “critical updates on policy positions and institutional reforms.”
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