Yoruba Lawyers Support Attorney General Amid Election Dispute
The Egbe Amofin Oduah, the umbrella organization for Yoruba lawyers, has extended its support to Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, amid his involvement in the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) national executive elections. The group described the backlash he has received from NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN) and others as unjustified.
According to Egbe Amofin, Fagbemi’s recommendations regarding the election timetable were intended to uphold the electoral process’s credibility and integrity, rather than to meddle in the association’s governance.
AGF Proposes Delay to Address Election Concerns
The controversy traces back to a meeting on June 11, 2026, attended by former NBA presidents and lawyers involved in ongoing election disputes. During this gathering, Fagbemi suggested postponing the elections from late July to August to adequately address several outstanding issues. Among these were mandatory usage of National Identification Numbers (NINs) for electronic voting, the resolution of pending litigation, and concerns over appointing a service provider without prior experience in conducting NBA electronic elections.
NBA President Criticizes Recommendations
However, Osigwe termed this suggestion unconstitutional, arguing that it constituted an undue interference with an independent professional body. He referenced Article 10(2) of the Lawyers Act, asserting that the Attorney General lacked the legal authority to impose such directives.
Egbe Amofin Condemns Criticism of the AGF
In a statement co-signed by the group’s Chairman, Aare Isiaka Abiola Olagunju (SAN), and Secretary, Prince Adetunji Oso (SAN), Egbe Amofin condemned the criticism directed at Fagbemi and other prominent leaders in the legal sector. The association was particularly disheartened by the NBA president’s dismissal of the outcomes from the June 11 meeting, notably his opposition to the inclusion of former NBA president Wole Olanipekun (SAN) in the three-member committee.
Pointing Out Disappointment
The statement expressed disappointment over Osigwe’s stance, particularly given his absence from the bilateral agreement meeting on June 23. It stated, “Unfortunately, among those who have made defamatory and derogatory comments about the character and work of HAGF are Mazi Afam Osigwe of San State, the Eastern Bar Forum (EBF), and the Midwest Bar Forum (MBF).” The implication was clear: these parties had not addressed the Attorney General’s directives with the seriousness they warranted.
Emphasis on Electoral Integrity
Egbe Amofin reiterated that Fagbemi’s recommendations were informed by insights from a committee formed after the June 11 discussions, which involved former NBA presidents and legal representatives of the disputing parties. The meeting also scrutinized issues related to specific case numbers and emphasizes that the NBA president did not engage in these deliberations.
Advocating for Democratic Principles
The organization called for members of the legal community to practice restraint and prioritize the integrity of the NBA’s electoral process, asserting that such principles should supersede individual interests. “Our electoral process must be examined through the lens of the rule of law, public trust, and democratic legitimacy,” the statement concluded, echoing a respected Nigerian’s advice to the NBA to address its institutional credibility.
The NBA’s upcoming elections, set to be conducted electronically, have highlighted several legal disputes surrounding voter eligibility and election technology. This ongoing friction has sparked discussions on the delicate balance between safeguarding the association’s autonomy and ensuring that the elections uphold transparency, fairness, and credibility.
