The High Court of Justice, Oyo State sitting in the Ibadan Judicial Division has issued an interim order restraining several individuals from acting as members of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) in connection with the conduct of the association’s 2026 national officers’ election.
The order was granted by Justice G. A. Opayinka in Suit No. I/221/2026 following an ex-parte application filed by Ibrahim Lawal, Esq., Raymond Oki, Esq., Omotan Olusola Ogunmodede, Esq., and Chief Gabriel Ojo Adekunle Ijalana, Esq. The court restrained the 5th to 9th defendants—Aham Ejelam, SAN; Ibrahim Aliyu Nasarawa, Esq.; Muhamad M. Nuhu, Esq.; Uju Okafor, Esq.; and Ume Maduka, Esq.—from parading themselves or acting as Chairman, Secretary, or members of the ECNBA, or from participating in any process related to the conduct of the 2026 NBA national officers’ election pending the determination of a motion on notice.
In a further directive, the court also restrained Afam Josiah Osigwe, SAN, listed as the 2nd defendant, from taking any steps toward the constitution or composition of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association or from interfering in any manner with the conduct of the forthcoming 2026 NBA national election until the substantive motion is heard and determined.
Other defendants in the suit include the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Body of Benchers, and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation in his capacity as Chairman of the General Council of the Bar. The development has generated considerable interest within Nigeria’s legal community, particularly as preparations intensify ahead of the NBA’s 2026 national elections.
