In a move aimed at deepening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and advancing meaningful constitutional reform, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), led by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, held a high‑level engagement with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Review, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, at the National Assembly.
The NBA used the courtesy visit to reaffirm its commitment to a people‑driven constitutional amendment process—one that reflects Nigeria’s present realities and addresses systemic weaknesses in governance and the justice sector.
Referencing the Association’s recent State of the Nation Discourse, convened in response to the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment on local government autonomy, Osigwe noted that the ongoing constitutional review presents a timely opportunity to resolve long‑standing structural and procedural challenges that have hindered effective governance and national development.
The NBA President stressed the urgent need to reform the administration of justice, particularly by:
– Reducing the caseload of the Supreme Court.
– Addressing institutional bottlenecks that undermine judicial efficiency.
– Reviewing the current judicial governance model, where the Chief Justice of Nigeria chairs both the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) and the National Judicial Council (NJC).
He described this dual role as one requiring reconsideration to enhance transparency, accountability, and institutional balance within the judiciary.
Osigwe further underscored that judicial appointments must be central to the constitutional review process. He called for a transparent, merit‑based, and independent framework that ensures integrity, competence, and diversity, while insulating the judiciary from political interference.
On electoral matters, the NBA President advocated for constitutional amendments to:
– Institutionalize independent candidacy.
– Strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
– Reduce the volume of electoral disputes that overburden the courts and erode public confidence in the political process.
Reaffirming the NBA’s readiness to collaborate with the National Assembly, Osigwe pledged the Association’s support in legislative advocacy and inclusive public consultation, to ensure that the amendment process is participatory, transparent, and effective.
The engagement ended with both parties restating their shared commitment to constitutional and institutional reform. The NBA pledged to continue its role as a guardian of the rule of law, defender of justice, and catalyst for democratic renewal in Nigeria.
