The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Branch Election Appeal Committee (North) has set aside the election conducted by the Lafia Branch on June 26, 2024, citing non-compliance with the NBA Uniform Bye-law for Branches and other election guidelines.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-IDRI-Masterclass.png")
In a decision reached on Monday, July 8, 2024, the committee, chaired by Abdul A. Ibrahim SAN, upheld the petition filed by Issah Hassan Naralaba Esq., an aspirant for the position of Chairman, who alleged that the declared winner, Abdullahi Shuaib Gayam, did not meet the minimum requirement of ten years at the Bar as of the date of his nomination.
The committee found that both the petitioner and the respondent, along with some other purportedly elected members, were not qualified to vie for their respective positions. Naralaba had not attended a minimum of five branch meetings in the twelve months preceding his nomination, while Gayam was called to the Bar on November 25, 2014, falling short of the ten-year requirement.
Furthermore, the committee noted that the election timetable did not adhere to the guidelines outlined in Section 16 (1) of the NBA Uniform Bye-law for Branches.
In response to the petition, Gayam claimed that Naralaba would have been disqualified if not for the intervention of “stakeholders” who resolved to allow all aspirants to contest. The Electoral Committee simply forwarded its previously published report to branch members.
[pdf-embedder url=”https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Lafia-Decision.pdf” title=”Lafia Decision”]
The Appeal Committee emphasized that no provision in the law empowers anyone or group to waive the requirements of the election guidelines, referring to Section 15 (3) of the Uniform Bye-law for Branches.
Consequently, the committee declared the Lafia Branch election void and recommended that the NBA President appoint a caretaker committee to oversee the branch’s affairs until a proper election is conducted.
The decision was signed by Abdul A. Ibrahim SAN, Chairman, and Oluronke Adeyemi, Secretary of the NBA Branch Election Appeal Committee (North).
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
