On Thursday, June 26, 2025, the Young Lawyers Forum (YLF) of the Nigerian Bar Association, Onitsha Branch, under the leadership of Chukwudalu Daniel Morah as the YLF Chairman, successfully hosted its much-anticipated Colloquium 2.0 themed: “Fearless Advocacy in Turbulent Times: The Role of Lawyers, the Bench, and Security Agencies in Upholding the Rule of Law.” The event, meticulously planned by the Colloquium Planning Committee chaired by Henry O.L. Nzute, took place at the historic Sir Louis Mbanefo Bar Centre, High Court premises, Onitsha, Anambra State. It brought together prominent figures from the judiciary, the security sector, legal academia, and the Bar.
As a vibrant prequel to this notable event, the YLF, Onitsha branch also organised a thrilling all female football tournament on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. This engaging tournament saw the NBA Onitsha female players face off against Asaba female players in a friendly match at the All Saints Cathedral Field and this set off an energetic tone for the intellectual discussions that followed on June 26, 2025 at the Colloquium 2.0.
The keynote address, delivered by Professor Chidi Odinkalu, a renowned human rights advocate and academic, was nothing short of a powerful call to conscience. In a sweeping and intellectually charged speech, Prof. Odinkalu traced the decline of justice and the rule of law in Nigeria to a historical and institutional erosion—rooted in both colonial legacies and present-day impunity. He painted a grim but honest picture of a country where “the poor cannot sleep because of hunger, and the rich cannot sleep because the poor are awake,” echoing the urgent warning that poverty and hunger have now morphed into national security threats.
This keynote address was a clarion call to hope, leadership, and moral courage—qualities which he urged young lawyers to embrace in the face of growing despair.True advocacy, according to Prof. Odinkalu, must be fearlessly pursued in the court of public opinion, the court of posterity, and the court of conscience.
The Panel of Discussants featured rich and notable voices which included Peter Afuba, SAN, FCIArb – Former Attorney General of Anambra State; CP Ikoiyio Orutugu FWC, Ph.D. – Commissioner of Police, Anambra State; Col. A.K. Mohammed – Commander, 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha; AIG Abayomi Peter Oladipo – Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 13 and Hon. Justice Nkemdilim Izuako – Retired Judge. These discussants offered practical insights into the intersection of law enforcement, judicial integrity, and societal responsibility in upholding justice.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, along with some of the prominent members of the NBA National Executives, also honoured the event with their presence. This attendance added significance to the occasion and reflected the support of the national leadership of the NBA to the efforts of the Onitsha YLF.
The Onitsha YLF Colloquium was more than an event—it was a reawakening. In a country plagued by institutional decay, this gathering of young legal minds, seasoned professionals, and civic leaders stood as a defiant reaffirmation of justice, accountability, and fearless advocacy.
As Prof. Odinkalu concluded, “Fearlessness must be anchored on a fear of consequences. That begins with building and sustaining capable institutions.” The challenge now is for the legal profession—especially its younger generation—to heed this call.
