The Committee of Past Chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, has intervened in the escalating dispute within the branch over the ₦100 million donated by the Imo State Government, insisting that a requisitioned General Meeting scheduled for October 10, 2026, should be allowed to proceed in accordance with the NBA Uniform Bye-Laws.
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The intervention followed an Emergency General Meeting of the past chairmen held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the chambers of Emeka Nwagwu, SAN, where the committee considered what it described as the crisis arising from the donation and the manner in which the ₦100 million was disbursed. Resolution of Past Chairmen of …
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the past chairmen said their intervention was aimed at finding a solution to the worsening disagreement within the branch and restoring order while ensuring that all sides were heard.
The committee noted that a General Meeting of the branch had already been requisitioned for October 10 and that the requisition was made pursuant to the provisions of the Uniform Bye-Laws governing NBA branches.
It therefore resolved that the process of requisitioning and holding the meeting should be allowed to run its course to conclusion.
The past chairmen further called on the Branch Chairman and members of the Executive Committee to convene the General Meeting as requisitioned and in accordance with the Bye-Laws, saying this would enable all parties to fully present their respective positions in line with the rules of fair hearing. Resolution of Past Chairmen of …
The committee, however, went beyond the immediate dispute over the ₦100 million and raised concerns about the relationship between the leadership of the branch and the executive arm of the Imo State Government.
According to the communiqué, the committee “condemns the idea of the branch Chairman hobnobbing with the Executive arm of Imo State Government, supposedly on behalf of the Bar.”
It maintained that the leadership of an NBA branch must preserve the institutional independence of the Bar and should not undertake official visits to the executive arm of government without the approval of the General House.
The communiqué stated:
“No Chairman of NBA has a right to embark on any visitation to the Executive arm of Government without the approval of the General House, such approval obtained or given in a General or Emergency Meeting, let alone embarking on such visits with members of the Bench or with staff of the Judiciary.”
The past chairmen consequently urged the NBA Owerri Branch Executive Committee to remain conscious of the independence of the Bar and to ensure that such independence is maintained at all times. Resolution of Past Chairmen of …
Amid the increasingly heated exchanges surrounding the controversy, the committee also appealed for restraint from everyone involved.
It resolved that “all parties in the crisis should take steps to intentionally de-escalate actions and avoid incendiary comments, pending the outcome of the meeting.”
The intervention places the October 10 General Meeting at the centre of efforts to resolve the dispute, with the former branch chairmen taking the position that members should be given an opportunity to ventilate their concerns before the General House rather than allow the disagreement to continue through public accusations and counter-accusations.
In its conclusion, the committee expressed hope that both the Chairman and his Executive, as well as members of the branch, would heed the recommendations contained in the communiqué so that all parties could be comprehensively heard and the controversy resolved in the long-term interest of the NBA Owerri Branch.
The communiqué was signed by Chief N.B.E. Nwigwe, Esq., as Chairman of the Committee, and Nze Ama Akalonu, Esq., as Secretary. Chief Mike I. Ahamba, SAN, was also identified on the document as leader. Resolution of Past Chairmen of …
Among those recorded as attending the emergency meeting were Chief Mike I. Ahamba, SAN; Emeka Nwagwu, SAN; Chief N.B.E. Nwigwe; Declan O. Madu, Esq.; Ama Akalonu, Esq.; L.U.N. Nwakaeti, Esq.; D.O. Nosike, Esq.; Ugochukwu Alinnor, Esq.; and Chief Chris Ihentuge. The document also stated that Prof. F.C. Dike, SAN, called in to indicate that he stood with the committee and would accept and be bound by whatever decision was reached. Resolution of Past Chairmen of …
The communiqué makes clear that the immediate objective of the past chairmen is not to pre-empt the outcome of the dispute over the government donation, but to have the controversy addressed through the branch’s established internal processes, with all sides afforded an opportunity to be heard and with the independence of the Bar preserved.
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