A viral video has sparked confusion in Nigeria’s legal and real estate circles, following claims by a man identified as Frank Abo that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) now mandates all land-related legal documents be routed through it for approval and stamping, before they are considered valid.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
In the video, obtained by TheNigeriaLawyer, the man—who claims to be issuing a public warning—asserts that under a new Remuneration Order allegedly issued by the Attorney General, property buyers must no longer pay lawyers directly for documents such as Deeds of Assignment or Powers of Attorney. Instead, he says, clients must:
- Obtain a designated form from any NBA secretariat;
- Pay 10% of the property value into an NBA account;
- Wait for the NBA to approve the document and stamp it for recognition.
He warns that any document not routed through this process will be deemed invalid, inadmissible in court, and subject to rejection by land registries nationwide. He further threatens that lawyers who issue such “unapproved” documents would face disciplinary action, possibly leading to disbarment.
“This is a message from the Nigerian Bar Association,” the man declares in the video. “Any lawyer who is found franking a document without presenting it to the NBA for approval will stand trial before the NBA Disciplinary Committee.”
@thenigerialawyer“Don’t Pay Lawyers Directly”— Man Claims NBA Must Approve All Property Documents In Viral Video; NBA Disowns Statement♬ original sound – TheNigeriaLawyer
However, efforts by TheNigeriaLawyer to verify the authenticity of the claims have revealed that the NBA’s Remuneration Committee has disowned the video and distanced itself from its content.
A source close to the NBA Remuneration Committee, chaired by Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, said the assertions made in the video are not only misleading but also inaccurate and unauthorized. The Committee clarified that no such directive requiring lawyers to remit 10% of a property’s value to the NBA as a prerequisite for document validation has been issued.
“There is no directive or regulatory framework within the NBA requiring that legal documentation must pass through the Association before becoming valid,” a Committee member said. “Lawyers are not required to remit 10% of property value into NBA accounts, and clients are not prohibited from paying lawyers directly.”
The Committee warned members of the public and legal practitioners to disregard the video and await official communication from the NBA on any changes to practice procedures. It added that a formal statement is being prepared to that effect.
The video has raised serious concerns within the legal community, with some lawyers calling it “an outright impersonation” of NBA processes and a dangerous source of misinformation. Property buyers have also expressed confusion over what the new requirements might mean for transactions already underway.
Lawyers are urging the NBA to take legal steps to address what they describe as “unauthorized use of the NBA’s name for fraudulent or misleading purposes.”
As of press time, TheNigeriaLawyer could not independently verify the identity or legal standing of Frank Abo. Meanwhile, the NBA is expected to issue a formal statement to clarify the matter and may launch an investigation into the origin and motive behind the video.
Editor’s Note: The public is advised to rely on official NBA announcements and consult licensed legal practitioners before engaging in any property transaction.
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