Today in Owerri, as I stood before colleagues and friends at the Eastern Bar Forum Quarterly Meeting, I was reminded that every generation of lawyers is called upon to defend something greater than itself. For our generation, that responsibility lies in the fact that we must preserve the independence of the NBA @NigBarAssoc, protect the integrity of our democratic institutions, and ensure that the Bar remains a fearless voice for justice and the rule of law. These are values we must never negotiate, regardless of the pressures we face.
I emphasized the point that the independence of the Nigerian Bar Association is non-negotiable.
No individual, institution or external body has the authority to dictate how the NBA conducts its affairs or chooses its leaders. Under my watch, I will continue to resist every attempt to undermine the constitutional independence of our Association because an independent Bar remains the strongest voice in defence of the rule of law, democracy and justice.
While I commend the Body of Attorneys-General for its commitment to promoting a peaceful resolution of issues affecting the Bar, we must be careful not to confuse dialogue with statutory authority. Those who aspire to lead the NBA must earn the confidence and mandate of lawyers by engaging members on their vision for the Bar and not through external influence.
As we approach the NBA National Elections, I urge every candidate and every supporter to remember that no election is worth diminishing the dignity or integrity of our Association. Competition is natural, but our shared responsibility to protect the image of the Bar must always come first. I remain committed to ensuring a free, fair and credible electoral process.
I also expressed concern about attempts to use court processes to frustrate the democratic will of lawyers. The judiciary must never become a tool for subverting the electoral process of the NBA. Equally, while the National Identification Number (NIN) is an important national identity system, any decision to adopt it as part of our electoral process must be one taken by lawyers through the constitutional processes of the Association, not imposed from outside.
With just a few weeks left before I hand over on 28 August, I remain grateful for the trust reposed in me by members of our great Association. I particularly thank the Eastern Bar Forum for its unwavering support throughout my tenure. Serving the NBA has been one of the greatest honours of my professional life, and I have been proud to represent the Forum as one of its own.
I also congratulate the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice Ijeoma Agugua, on her reappointment by the National Judicial Council and commend the Eastern Bar Forum for another successful quarterly meeting.
As we prepare for another democratic transition, let us remain united in defending the independence, constitutional order and enduring values of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
President, Nigerian Bar Association
