NBA-NEC Declines Body Of Benchers (BoB) 10% BPF Demand, Approves Establishment Of Two New Branches

*Shorter 2024 Conference, Nixes Bag And Unrobed Event Proposals

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has rejected a demand by the Body of Benchers (BOB) for 10% share of the annual Bar Practicing Fees (BPF) at a quarterly meeting held in Jos.

NBA President Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau SAN informed the NEC that a letter dated June 21, 2023 was sent to BoB asking for the legal justification for demanding a share of the BPF proceeds.

In other major decisions, the NBA-NEC approved proposals to shorten future NBA Annual General Conference days from five days to three or four days (Wednesday to Friday). It also approved plans to dispense with providing conference bags to participants as a cost-reduction measure.

However, the NBA-NEC turned down proposals to cancel the annual dinner night, usually tagged as “Unbarred,” and replace it with DJ Nights. The Council further approved recommendations to increase conference registration fees in light of rising inflation and Naira devaluation.

The NBA-NEC expressed concerns over the N378 million deficit incurred in organizing the 2023 Conference as well as N122 million debt carried over from the 2022 edition. Despite past losses, the projected budget for the 2024 Conference stands at over N2 billion with 18,000 lawyers expected to participate.

In a major win for lawyer, the NBA-NEC greenlights the establishment of two new branches in Lagos State: Eti-Osa and Surulere. This decision comes after years of advocacy, spurred by the opening of a new High/Magistrate Court jurisdiction in Ajah’s Addo Road. The NBA has set up a caretaker committee to oversee the election process for these new branches