The Advocacy for Bar Licence Freedom (ABLIF), a coalition of Nigerian lawyers campaigning for equitable access to legal practice, has issued a scathing preliminary response to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President’s July 9 statement on the enforcement of the Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) Rules, 2025.
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In a strongly worded statement signed by its National Convener, Amb. Hameed Ajibola Jimoh, Esq., ABLIF accused the NBA leadership of unilateralism, lack of consultation, and a disturbing drift towards authoritarianism in implementing the new Continuing Legal Education (CLE) regime.
ABLIF questioned the legal and procedural legitimacy of the MCPD Rules, stating that the rules were neither debated nor ratified by the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC) as required by the association’s constitution. The group also decried the method of enforcement through administrative circulars rather than constitutional instruments.
“We had hoped for an era of leadership grounded in inclusion, consultation, and fairness—not unilateralism,” the statement read. “Instead, what we have witnessed is a pattern of non-engagement, disregard for due process, and punitive posturing towards dissenting voices.”
While acknowledging that CLE is a beneficial professional tool, ABLIF emphasized that the core issue is not the value of CLE, but the method of its enforcement—which the group says undermines democratic norms and violates member rights.
The group expressed alarm over the tone of the NBA President’s statement, describing it as “authoritarian overreach.” It also raised concerns over alleged threats to refer critics to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), warning that such actions would constitute an abuse of office.
“The Bar must not normalize intimidation masquerading as regulation,” ABLIF declared, urging the NBA President to publicly confirm or deny the alleged threats.
The statement further warned that the controversy has evolved beyond the debate on CPD, into a broader struggle about governance, equity, and the integrity of the legal profession.
“Let it be clear: this is no longer a debate about CPD alone. This is about the integrity of our Association, the legitimacy of its processes, and the boundaries of executive power within a professional body.”
Citing constitutional provisions, ABLIF confirmed that it had activated dispute resolution mechanisms within the NBA, not out of a desire for division, but in pursuit of accountability.
“We do not seek to destroy the NBA. We seek to return it to its foundational ideals: service, inclusion, and justice.”
The group ended its statement with a rallying cry:
“Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta.”
The NBA is yet to issue a formal response to ABLIF’s position.
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