The Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, has resolved to adopt the outcome of a mediation process facilitated by the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, following recent internal disagreements that led to negative publications about the Branch. At the emergency meeting held at the Branch House on July 18, 2025, the EXCO unanimously accepted the terms of reconciliation and committed to working harmoniously to implement the resolutions reached during the intervention.
In line with this renewed commitment, the Branch confirmed that its scheduled Cocktail event will proceed on Friday, July 25, 2025. The Exco approved the formation of an Adhoc Cocktail Committee chaired by the Social Secretary, Mary Dikibo, with Dr. Peter Ayogu as Alternate Chairman, tasked with organizing the event. It also reinstated the previously dissolved Social Committee, which will be reconstituted after the cocktail. Additionally, executives directed that the Social Secretary take instructions from the Branch Chairman and the executive throughout the planning process, while arrangements for vendors and funding are to be finalized immediately. An update on the verification of signatories for the requisitioned Extraordinary General Meeting is expected from the Branch Secretary by Monday, July 21, 2025.
Read full statement below;
RESOLUTIONS OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION, PORT HARCOURT BRANCH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
At the end of the Emergency Meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association, Port Harcourt Branch Executive Committee held on the 18th day of July, 2025 at the ADR Room 2, NBA Port Harcourt Branch House, it was resolved, as follows:
1.The events of the past one week wherein some negative publications about the Branch were circulated online are regrettable.
2. The Branch cocktail slated for Friday 25th July 2025 will still hold as scheduled.
3. Pursuant to the intervention of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the outcome of the mediation brokered by the NBA President in resolution of the outstanding issues is acceptable to the EXCO with a commitment by all members of the EXCO to work harmoniously as a team towards the implementation of same.
4. Following the Mediation, EXCO has approved the Adhoc Cocktail Committee Constituted by the Branch Chairman with the Social Secretary Mary Dikibo as the Chairman of the Committee and Dr. Peter Ayogu as the Alternate Chairman.
5. The Adhoc Cocktail Committee is constituted to execute the branch cocktail holding on the 25th of July 2025.
6. The Branch Social Committee earlier dissolved has been reinstated but will be reconstituted after the Cocktail. However, members of the Social Committee interested in working in the Adhoc Cocktail Committee can indicate their interest to do so.
7. The Social Secretary is to take directions from the EXCO and Chairman in the course of organising the cocktail and should comply with EXCO directives with respect to the cocktail.
8. ‘The Branch chairman and the social secretary are to work out the details of the vendors for the cocktail and funds made available immediately.’
9. The Branch Secretary will give update to the EXCO on the verification of the signatories for the requisitioned Extra Ordinary General Meeting by Monday, 21st July, 2025.
Dated this 18th day of July, 2025.
`Obum D. Nwoye Esq. FICMC Branch Secretary `
Cordelia U. Eke,(Mrs). Chairman
Emmanuel John,Esq. Vice Chairman
Obum D. Nwoye,Esq. Secretary
Francis I-Allagoa,Esq. Assistant Secretary
Nnenda A. Kejeh,Esq. Treasurer
Dr. Modupe Babalola Financial Secretary
Mary Samuel Dikibo,Esq. Social Secretary
Kelechi Faith Chinule,Esq. Publicity Secretary
David O Onyema,Esq Welfare Secretary
Adums Ezechimenum,Esq. Provost
