*Affirms Right to Criticise Courts
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The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has condemned the growing incidents of political violence across Nigeria, particularly the attacks involving supporters of political parties in Asaba, Delta State; Omoyele Sowore and his team in Ekiti State; and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi’s convoy in Calabar, Cross River State.
The NBA President demanded credible investigations extending beyond those who physically carried out the attacks to persons who may have organised or financed them, insisting that political participation must not expose Nigerians to assault, intimidation or threats to their lives.
She also announced that the NBA would examine allegations of conflicting judicial decisions in political cases, reassignment of proceedings and disobedience of superior court orders, while warning that lawyers found to have facilitated abuse of judicial processes could face disciplinary action.
Badejo-Okusanya further addressed allegations concerning Sowore’s conduct on court premises, maintaining that the NBA would defend his right to protection against violence without overlooking credible complaints of misconduct involving him or his supporters.
The NBA President made the remarks on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, while delivering her address at the Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State.
The conference had as its theme, “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development.”
Addressing participants, Badejo-Okusanya said the gathering should be measured not merely by the quality of speeches delivered but by the practical improvements it produces in the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.
She drew attention to citizens who face injustice but lack the resources or influence to obtain legal remedies, including detainees without legal representation, traders whose unpaid debts threaten their businesses and children wrongly treated as adults in detention facilities.
According to her, such individuals may never know that the conference took place, but their circumstances should determine the priorities of lawyers engaged in public interest advocacy.
“They may never hear our speeches or know this conference took place. Yet we have gathered in their name. That places a responsibility on us,” she stated.
The NBA President consequently challenged participants to examine the practical meaning of public interest and identify the people whose lives should benefit from their professional interventions.
“Who exactly is the public in whose interest we speak, and what should they gain from our gathering?” she asked.
Badejo-Okusanya thanked the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, and the government and people of the state for hosting the conference.
She also commended the Chair of NBA-SPIDEL, Associate Professor Uju Agomoh, members of the Section’s Executive Committee and the Conference Planning Committee chaired by Sir Ejike Ezenwa, SAN, for organising the gathering.
The NBA President welcomed the keynote speaker, former Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, whose experience in legal practice, scholarship and public service she said would enrich the conference discussions.
Speaking on the responsibilities associated with public interest advocacy, Badejo-Okusanya observed that governments, institutions, lawyers and civil society organisations frequently relied on the expression to justify their activities.
However, she maintained that describing an action as being in the public interest did not necessarily establish that it genuinely benefited the public.
“But invoking the public interest does not establish that it is being served,” she declared.
According to her, anyone claiming to act in the public interest must be prepared to identify whose needs are being addressed, whose views influenced the decision, who bears its consequences and what remedies are available where rights are violated.
She stressed that public interest advocacy must especially protect people who lack political influence or financial resources.
“Those with the least influence must have a way to be heard. That is why justice, democracy and development belong together. People need an effective remedy against wrong, a meaningful voice in decisions, and opportunities that will improve their lives,” she said.
Turning to the political situation in the country, the NBA President expressed concern about reported attacks on individuals participating in political activities.
She maintained that every Nigerian must be free to support a candidate, attend political meetings, participate in lawful processions and persuade others without fear of violence.
According to her, the right to participate in political activities is fundamental to democracy and must be protected regardless of political affiliation.
“When citizens are attacked for participating in politics, the public interest we have gathered to advance is directly threatened,” she warned.
Badejo-Okusanya specifically referred to recent political violence in Asaba, where the police confirmed that one person died and five others sustained injuries during a political procession.
She also cited reported attacks against Sowore and members of his team in Ekiti State, as well as the attack on Obi’s convoy in Calabar.
“Three different cities, similar stories. Without decisive action, there may be many more,” she stated.
The NBA President declared that the association would not hesitate to condemn politically motivated violence even where allegations concerning the identities or affiliations of those responsible remained disputed.
“The NBA condemns political violence. And disputed allegations about who sponsored what will not prevent us from condemning the violence itself,” she said.
She maintained that participation in lawful political activities should never expose citizens to intimidation or physical attacks.
Badejo-Okusanya acknowledged reports of arrests and investigations following some of the incidents but insisted that law enforcement authorities must establish the responsibility of everyone involved.
“We require credible investigations that follow the evidence to whoever organised, financed or carried out these attacks,” she demanded.
She further maintained that prosecutions must follow wherever sufficient evidence is available.
According to her, witnesses must receive adequate protection, while video recordings and other relevant materials should be preserved to ensure that responsibility can be established through fair and credible judicial processes.
On the violence in Asaba, the NBA President referred to the police account that security advice had been issued before the procession.
She maintained that such advice could not be treated as a sufficient response to an incident in which a citizen had lost their life.
“That account must be examined alongside the protection provided and the response to the violence. When someone has died, prior advice about a security threat cannot be the end of the story,” she declared.
Badejo-Okusanya consequently called on President Bola Tinubu, state governors, political party leaders and security authorities to demonstrate their opposition to political violence through concrete actions.
She said public resources and security agencies must serve Nigerians impartially without discrimination based on political affiliation.
“No party owns a state or has an exclusive right to seek the people’s support,” she stated.
The NBA President also addressed concerns relating to Sowore’s reported conduct in and around court premises.
She clarified that the NBA’s condemnation of attacks against Sowore should not be interpreted as approval of every action attributed to him or his supporters.
“I want to make something clear. Defending Mr. Sowore’s rights is not an endorsement of his conduct towards the courts,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya disclosed that she had received written complaints alleging that Sowore and some of his supporters disrupted activities on court premises.
According to her, some of the complaints concerned occasions when Sowore allegedly appeared at court premises despite having no matter before the court.
She stressed that the allegations would be examined fairly rather than accepted without investigation.
The NBA President maintained that citizens had the right to criticise judicial decisions and engage in lawful protests but could not obstruct court proceedings, harass court users or intimidate judicial officers and other persons involved in the administration of justice.
“Mr. Sowore is entitled to protection against violence, and he and his supporters are accountable for their conduct. We will insist on both,” she declared.
Badejo-Okusanya revealed that she was already engaging with the head of the relevant court over the complaints.
She assured that the association would support lawful measures to protect court premises and ensure that established misconduct attracted consequences prescribed by law.
The NBA President subsequently turned her attention to concerns about the judiciary, particularly the handling of politically sensitive cases.
She identified allegations of apparently conflicting judicial decisions, the reassignment of proceedings and disregard for binding orders of superior courts as matters requiring serious institutional examination.
According to her, judicial independence must protect judges against political pressure, intimidation and improper inducements, but must also require judicial officers to comply with the obligations of their offices.
She maintained that established disobedience of a binding superior court order could not be ignored by the relevant judicial institutions.
“Judicial independence demands freedom from political pressure, intimidation and inducement. It also demands fidelity to the obligations of judicial office,” she stated.
Badejo-Okusanya announced that the NBA would examine relevant judgments, orders and proceedings to determine whether particular complaints involved ordinary judicial errors or conduct requiring disciplinary investigation.
“The NBA will examine the relevant judgments, orders and proceedings, distinguish errors requiring appellate correction from conduct warranting disciplinary investigation, and pursue substantiated concerns through the appropriate channels,” she said.
However, she warned against treating every controversial judicial decision as evidence of wrongdoing.
“An unpopular judgment is not, by itself, proof of misconduct,” the NBA President cautioned.
She explained that the proper distinction between an appealable error and judicial misconduct was essential to protecting the independence and credibility of the courts.
Badejo-Okusanya also warned that lawyers who knowingly facilitated the abuse of judicial processes could be held professionally accountable.
According to her, legal practitioners must not escape scrutiny where their conduct contributes to the improper use of court proceedings.
“Where we facilitate abuse of the judicial process, our conduct must attract scrutiny and, where misconduct is established, it must result in disciplinary action,” she declared.
The NBA President maintained that the association would continue to defend judges against intimidation and baseless accusations while pursuing credible allegations of wrongdoing through established procedures.
“The Bar will defend the judiciary against intimidation and unfounded accusations. But we will pursue credible evidence of misconduct. Both duties protect the justice system,” she said.
She further cautioned lawyers against making public accusations or circulating claims about judicial decisions without first examining the relevant legal materials.
Badejo-Okusanya questioned whether lawyers who publicly criticised court decisions had actually read the judgments, studied the orders allegedly disobeyed or verified the information they circulated.
“Have we read the judgment we criticise? Examined the order said to have been disobeyed? Verified the account we circulate?” she asked.
The NBA President reminded legal practitioners that their professional training required them to distinguish evidence from suspicion and provide an opportunity for the other side to be heard.
She warned that public confidence in lawyers could be damaged when practitioners presented unverified allegations as established facts.
According to her, citizens often assume that lawyers have properly examined legal issues before speaking publicly because of their professional training.
She maintained that lawyers must not abuse that trust.
“Citizens and colleagues may assume we have done the necessary examination. We must not misuse that trust,” she stated.
The NBA President urged lawyers who possessed credible evidence of misconduct to assemble the necessary materials, submit formal complaints to the appropriate institutions and pursue them through the established processes.
Where an institution failed to respond, she said lawyers should document the failure and demand accountability.
“Public advocacy should strengthen our work, not diminish it. The ethical discipline we owe in practice must remain with us when we speak or write in public,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya explained that the NBA leadership’s commitment to “Members First. Always.” required efforts to strengthen the justice system in which lawyers practise.
She maintained that effective institutions were essential not only for legal practitioners but also for the citizens whose interests they represented.
The NBA President also called for urgent intervention concerning deaths in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
She identified the deaths, conditions in detention facilities and the treatment of children who come into conflict with the law as issues that must remain priorities for the association.
According to her, investigations and measures already announced following the Minna custody deaths must be pursued to their conclusion.
She stressed that affected families deserved accountability and appropriate remedies, while survivors required assistance.
“The investigation and measures announced must be followed through. Families need accountability and appropriate redress; survivors need assistance. We must also work to prevent a recurrence,” she said.
The NBA President consequently invited NBA-SPIDEL to collaborate with her leadership on a practical programme addressing detention conditions and the rights of vulnerable persons in custody.
She proposed that the Section work with the NBA Human Rights Institute, the NBA Pro Bono Centre, public authorities and organisations involved in child protection.
According to her, the programme should identify detention facilities requiring inspection, document violations and institutional failures, and connect vulnerable detainees with lawyers capable of following their cases through the justice system.
She specifically emphasised the need to protect children who become involved in criminal justice proceedings and prevent their rights from being disregarded because of their age or circumstances.
Badejo-Okusanya also urged the participating bodies to engage relevant authorities in pursuing reforms and seek judicial remedies where necessary.
She called for a concrete workplan to be prepared within 30 days of the conference.
The workplan, according to her, should identify the persons and institutions responsible for implementation, proposed partners and the first practical interventions to be undertaken.
She further proposed a review of the progress made within 90 days.
The NBA President requested that the commitment be incorporated into the Umuahia Declaration, the outcome document of the conference, to provide a basis for monitoring implementation.
She said the objective was to ensure that improvements in detention conditions and the treatment of children could eventually be traced to actions initiated at the conference.
“Let us work to ensure that the Minna deaths were not in vain,” she urged.
Badejo-Okusanya maintained that the success of public interest advocacy should be measured by whether lawyers secured remedies and improvements capable of changing people’s lives.
She said the NBA and its members must demonstrate courage in challenging abuse while maintaining accuracy, fairness and professional discipline.
According to her, the association’s responsibility was to represent citizens who otherwise might have no effective voice in the justice system.
She urged lawyers to remain committed to public interest interventions until measurable improvements were achieved.
The NBA President also reiterated her commitment to building a stronger and more courageous Bar capable of defending its members and serving the wider public.
Describing her vision as building “a bolder Bar that works for our members and the public we serve,” she called on NBA-SPIDEL to support her leadership in achieving that objective.
She maintained that the Section’s work must extend beyond conference discussions to sustained engagement with government institutions, detention authorities, judicial bodies and vulnerable communities.
Badejo-Okusanya concluded by urging participants to ensure that the conference produced practical outcomes in the protection of political rights, judicial accountability, access to justice and improved treatment of persons in custody.
She wished delegates productive deliberations and encouraged them to remain focused on the needs of the people whose interests the legal profession exists to protect.
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