The Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to register a new association for lawyers in Nigeria following a lawsuit filed by some legal practitioners. The lawyers, including Bolaji Ayorinde, Mela Nunge, Garba Gajam, Emeka Ichoku, Chioma Ferguson, and Tejumola Adigun, took legal action against the CAC for its failure to register their association as a recognized legal practitioner body.
The plaintiffs argued that the proposed names for registration were distinct from that of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), expressing concerns that such dissimilarity could potentially mislead the public. In a judgment dated December 15, 2023, and disclosed on Tuesday, Justice Gladys Olotu ordered the CAC to approve any of the proposed names submitted by the plaintiffs.
The names submitted for registration include “Nigerian Law Society,” “Nigerian Bar Society,” “Nigerian Lawyers’ Society,” and “Association of Legal Practitioners of Nigeria.” Justice Olotu mandated the CAC to register and issue a certificate of registration for any of the proposed names, emphasizing the right to peaceful assembly and association as guaranteed by Section 40 of the Constitution, Article 10 of the ACHPR, and Article 20 of the UDHR, covering the kind of association the plaintiffs intend to establish.
The Nigerian Bar Association, founded in 1933, has traditionally been the sole professional body for legal practitioners in the country. Over the years, the NBA has faced multiple challenges with various groups seeking registration as lawyers’ associations. As of the time of this report, attempts to obtain a response from the NBA spokesperson, Akorede Lawal, have been unsuccessful.
