*Members Slam AGM as Tyrannical, Say Chairman Denied Microphone to Dissenters

The Nigerian Bar Association-Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) is grappling with internal turmoil following the announcement of its new Executive Committee and Council members. What was intended as a seamless transition at the section’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 5, 2025, has instead sparked widespread dissent among members, with allegations of electoral irregularities, imposed leadership, and a betrayal of democratic principles.

The new council, sworn in yesterday at 1:00 p.m. in Uyo, comprises prominent figures in legal and human rights advocacy. Professor Uju Agomoh, PhD, a veteran activist in prison and criminal justice reform, was named Chairman. Other key positions include:

  • Vice Chairman: Paul Daudu, SAN
  • Secretary: Enome J. Amatey
  • Treasurer: Sa’adatu Abdullahi Mohammed
  • Financial Secretary: Barbara Tosan Onwubiko
  • Publicity Secretary: Mojirayo Ogunlana

The council also features 20 additional members, including heavyweights like Prof. Paul Ananaba, SAN; Monday Ubani, SAN; Kunle Edun, SAN; and Andrew Odum, SAN, among others such as Simple Dioka, John Aikpokpo-Martins, Princess Frank-Chukwuani, and Dr. Nennah Eboh.

The announcement, issued via an official statement from NBA-SPIDEL, described the process as a constitutional election conducted by the Electoral Committee during the AGM at the IBOM Hotel & Golf Resort. However, behind the scenes, the process has been mired in controversy, with members decrying it as a “puppet show” and an “undemocratic imposition.”

Dr. Anne Uruegi Agi, one of the elected council members, publicly rejected her position, explaining that she never applied for the role. “I did not fill a nomination form for council member but for Secretary of Council,” she said. “I will not be pacified with a council member slot so I can keep quiet and let impunity thrive.”

However, sources told TheNigeriaLawyer that she rejected the position partly because certain interests within the group allegedly did not want her initially, claiming she did not support the current NBA President during the election. Her stance echoes a broader wave of discontent.

In a heated WhatsApp group discussion among members, one lawyer lambasted the outcome, writing: “I hereby reject this publication. I cannot work under these strange fellows who are not members of SPIDEL. This is very unfortunate. I will suggest that those of us that are not comfortable with this imposition should technically withdraw… I will personally litigate this matter, for the sake of posterity.”

Critics have zeroed in on the qualifications of the appointees, particularly the Chairman. One member fumed: “A lawyer who does not pay BPF [Bar Practicing Fee] and local dues cannot hold even the lowest office in the Bar… How on earth those who believe they ‘own’ SPIDEL could appoint a chairman who is a non-SPIDEL member, a person not even qualified to practice law for the year (due to non-payment of BPF) beats my imagination hollow.” TheNigeriaLawyer could verify whether the person referred to as Chairman was a full financial member at the time of filing the report.

The AGM itself came under fire for procedural lapses. A dissenting voice described it as: “That AGM that was run much like a tyrannical or dictatorial show? That AGM where the chairman refused to give the microphone to anyone who he felt was likely to dissent… That was no AGM but a mere puppet show contrived to give legitimacy to an undemocratic imposition of leaders on a section as sensitive as SPIDEL.”

Further fueling the fire, the Chair of the Electoral Committee, Kunle Edun, SAN, resigned abruptly. Sources close to TheNigeriaLawyer revealed that Edun stepped down to avoid further embarrassment, citing anger among financial members over his appointment despite knowing no genuine election would occur. Many who obtained nomination forms allegedly active participants were sidelined in favor of “non-active and financial members.” When reached for comment, Edun stated: “All I can say is that I have resigned. No further comment. Thank you.”

Not all reactions were condemnatory. Some members urged restraint and unity. One lawyer defended the process: “Gentlemen of the bar, please there was no impunity. We are going through a process; Professor Ananaba consulted the National President and other stakeholders to arrive at this transition. Let us all sheathe our swords and support the transition period. Two years will soon be here and they will hand over… My only annoyance is with that Mr. Nassarawa, who opened his mouth wide yesterday and accused all of us (Electoral committee) of not carrying the transition committee along.”

This appeal, however, drew sharp rebuttals. Critics questioned the prioritization of external consultations over member rights: “So, you think the resignation of the Chair of Electoral Committee was wrong? Is it more important to carry the ‘National President’ along and ignore SPIDEL as a Committee of persons who pay dues and have rights to elect their leaders? In other words, oligarchy trumps democracy?”

Another member lamented the irony: “The former chairman would not have made members go through an electoral process if all he had in mind was to ‘consult’ the NBA President… If this happened in SPIDEL, then sadly I can say as a lawyer that what moral right do we have to hold the government accountable?”

A more somber reflection came from yet another: “Gentlemen of the Bar, it is so sad that we are having this conversation after the time we have devoted to talking about and addressing the malaise in our national life! To discover that we, who are the conscience of the nation, have got to this low state is very concerning to me.”

One vocal dissenter vowed persistence: “I expect the newly imposed leadership of SPIDEL to start yanking off some dissenting voices from this platform… But rest assured that until that is done, I will continue to scream to high heavens that what we now have is an illegitimately entrenched leadership. A leadership without the requisite credibility brought in by a compromised process.”

REPORT OF THE NBA SPIDEL'S ELECTORAL SUB-COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS NOMINATIONS

As NBA-SPIDEL, a section dedicated to public interest and development law, navigates this crisis, questions linger about its credibility and ability to champion justice. The two-year term ahead promises challenges, with threats of litigation and withdrawals potentially fracturing the group further. Members have called for transparency, including the release of the Electoral Committee’s signed report, drawing parallels to past disputes during the “Maikyau time.”

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