OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUÉ: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2026 BRANCH JOURNAL AND LEGAL SERIES.
NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (LAGOS BRANCH) EDITORIAL BOARD DATE: March 13, 2026 FROM: The Office of the Chairman, Editorial Board TO: All Members, NBA Lagos Branch Distinguished Learned Silks, Benchers, and Colleagues, The Editorial Board of the NBA Lagos Branch is pleased to announce a formal call for scholarly articles, personal commentaries, and practice notes for our upcoming 2026 Lagos Bar Journal and our high-visibility "Emerging Legal Areas" series, to be featured in national dailies including The Guardian , Punch , Ba…
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026!
As the hourglass turns and we step into a brand-new year, the team at Matters of the Nigerian Bar wishes you a remarkable 2026. Last year was filled with significant legal milestones and vibrant discourse. As we cross this new threshold, we remain committed to being your most trusted sources for legal news, judicial insights and bar updates. Our Wish for You: Peace: May your practice and personal life be guided by serenity and balance. Happiness: May the year bring you reasons to celebrate both in and out of the courtroom. F…
THE RURAL LAWYER'S REALITY – WELFARE CHALLENGES BEYOND THE CITIES. | Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam
Introduction – Law Beyond the Skyline When people picture the Nigerian lawyer, the image that comes to mind is often that of a sharply dressed professional navigating the busy courts of Lagos, Abuja, or Port Harcourt. The lawyer who drafts high-stakes contracts for multinational clients or argues in fully air-conditioned courtrooms before a judge with access to digital case files. Yet, this image, though glamorous—is a narrow reflection of legal reality. Across Nigeria’s small towns and rural communities, thousands of lawyers labour quietly un…
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THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR COMBATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN NIGERIA: EXPLORING LAWS LIKE THE VAAP ACT. | Lydia Ehisuoria Ohonsi, Esq.
INTRODUCTION Legal framework combating violence against women in Nigeria has evolved significantly, anchored by the landmark Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act of 2015 and supported by constitutional provisions and other laws. However, the system's effectiveness is challenged by gaps in implementation and enforcement. The Cornerstone: The VAPP Act of 2015 The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act represents a monumental shift in Nigeria's legal approach to gender-based violence. Enacted in 2015, its main thrust…
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PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: LEGAL AND SUPPORT PERSPECTIVES FOR LAWYERS. | Lydia Ehisuoria Ohonsi, Esq.
INTRODUCTION The psychological impact of violence against women is profound and complex, affecting survivors' mental health and every aspect of their interaction with the legal system. For lawyers, understanding this impact is not merely beneficial—it is the foundation of a trauma-informed legal practice that serves clients more effectively and protects the well-being of the practitioner. The Psychological Impact of Violence on Women Violence against women is a significant public health issue with serious social and psychological consequen…
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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR THE NIGERIAN LAWYER: A COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY | Lydia Ehisuoria Ohonsi, Esq.
The contemporary Nigerian legal profession demands far more than technical legal expertise. Personal development for today's Nigerian lawyer is a multifaceted, holistic endeavour that encompasses ethical integrity, business sophistication, emotional intelligence, technological adaptability, psychological resilience, continuous learning, and professional leadership. Lydia Ehisuoria Ohonsi, Esq.'s November 2025 piece articulates seven interconnected themes that collectively define what it means to build not merely a successful legal care…
NEW PRE-TRIAL ISSUES UNDER THE ACJL. | Lydia Ehisuoria Ohonsi, Esq.
Lydia Ehisuoria Ohonsi The Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2015 addresses the issue of pre-trial parade of suspects primarily through a recent amendment which explicitly abolishes the public parade of suspects before the media by security agencies. This is embodied in Section 9(a) of the amended Lagos State ACJL , which states: “As from the commencement of this law, the police shall refrain from parading any suspect before the media.” This reform aims to uphold the constitutional rights of suspects, including the p…
STAYING IN PRACTICE: YOUR GUIDE TO RENEWING YOUR LICENSE AS A LAWYER IN NIGERIA.
For every legal practitioner in Nigeria, renewing your annual practising license is not just a formality; it's a non-negotiable requirement that underpins your legitimacy to operate. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), through its various committees and initiatives, continuously refines the process to ensure professionalism, ethical conduct, and continuous learning within the legal fraternity. Staying compliant means staying relevant and authorised. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of how to renew your practising license as a lawyer in Nig…
BAR PRACTICING FEE (BPF) SUPPORT FORM.
Distinguished colleagues, As we all know, the payment of Bar Practicing Fees as and when due ended on 31st March 2023. This however does not prevent anyone who failed to pay within time but still desires to make the payment to so do. We are aware that some of our colleagues did not receive the official BPF payment receipt due to either network challenges or technical glitches. Please note that the BPF receipt shall be made available to everyone who made the payment. Therefore, if you are yet to receive your BPF receipt or you are a new wig an…
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE NBA-NEC HELD ON 23RD MARCH, 2023 AT BIRNIN KEBBI.
Distinguished Colleagues, The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held its quarterly meeting in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State on 23rd March 2023. At the said meeting, NEC unequivocally condemned the tribal/ethnic bigotry, violence, and intimidation of voters recorded during the just concluded general elections, particularly in Lagos State. NEC, therefore, demanded the arrest and prosecution of identified electoral offenders. Further to the NBA President's proposal, NEC also called for a live broadcast of the …
WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS NOT E-FILING. WHAT WE HAVE IS AN E-DELAY. | Olajide Abiodun Esq.
The Lagos State Judiciary through its nonchalance and inadequate speed to give ears to the yearnings of the people is constructively making access to a court near impossible. There are wicked people in the judiciary who do not want us to have an effective justice system. But time will tell. FIRST OBSERVATION: What we have now is not e-filing. What we have is an e-delay. The e-filing system should be a process where you do not have to be physical in court before you could do anything. Save for depositions which could also be done before any no…
APPOINTMENT OF SIX JUSTICES FOR THE SUPREME COURT: REQUEST FOR PETITIONS AND OPPOSITION TO THE APPOINTMENT OF SHORTLISTED INDIVIDUALS.
Dear Colleagues, Recall that on the 7th day of February 2022, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) through its Judiciary Committee called for expression of interest, from suitably qualified legal practitioners from specific Geo-political Regions in Nigeria for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court. This call was based on a request for nomination sent to the NBA President by the Chief Justice of Nigeria. Consequently, following receipt of expressions of interest from 23 members, the NBA, hereby publishes the names of the potential appoi…
MY OBSERVATIONS AND OR RECOMMENDATIONS ON JUSTICE DELIVERY IN LAGOS AND OTHER CONNECTED PURPOSES.
FIRST OBSERVATION: WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS NOT E-FILING. WHAT WE HAVE IS AN E-DELAY. The e-filing system should be a process where you do not have to be physical in court before you could do anything. Save for depositions which could also be done before any notary public or authorised person. The idea of coming to court registry to file a process, access the process, make payment, and being referred to the e-delay section, sorry e-filing section for you to scan, make another round of payment, and then a tag is placed on the process before you no…
APPOINTMENT OF SIX JUSTICES FOR THE SUPREME COURT: CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST.
Dear Colleague, The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, CFR by a letter dated the 19th January 2022, called for the nomination of suitably qualified legal practitioners from South East, South South, South West, North Central and North West Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria, for appointment as Justices of the Supreme Court. Kindly find attached a Call for Expression of Interest, from the Judiciary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, detailing the procedure for the expression of such interest. Dr. Rapulu Nduka Publ…
NBA INAUGURATES NBA-SARC: URGES MEMBERS MALTREATED IN THE COURSE OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL DUTIES TO REPORT TO THE COMMITTEE.
Dear Colleagues, Following the surge in cases of maltreatment of legal practitioners by security operatives whilst discharging official duties and obligations to clients, you may recall that the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at the last NEC meeting set up the NBA – Securities Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC) to work in liaison with all security agencies across the country to forestall the ugly trend. In furtherance of the above, the NBA President has duly inaugurated the Committee. The Committee which was inaugurated…
RID YOUR PROFESSION OF BAD EGGS, CJN TELLS JUDGES, LAWYERS.
Friday Olokor 27 October, 2021. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, on Tuesday challenged judges and lawyers to go on individual self-cleansing and do everything possible to rid the law profession of bad eggs. According to him, judges should not be issuing reckless ex-parte orders while lawyers too should stop filing frivolous suits and forum shopping. The CJN made his position known in Abuja during the inauguration of Justice Hussein Yusuf as the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory. Muhammad said, “An occasion like …
A NEW LEGAL YEAR MESSAGE FROM BAYO AKINLADE ESQ. (CONVENER, FIACJ & DSN)
A tradition within the Judiciary celebrating the begining of a new legal circle is celebrated yearly starting with prayers at a mosque and church. Recognizing that we are spiritual beings, the judiciary knows the importance of God to guide its affairs, but what is the spiritual condition of the Judiciary and the legal profession in general today? While there is no point stating the obvious problems such as corruption, delay in justice delivery, lack of infrastructure and other vices; the real challenge is our attitude towards all these vices a…
