Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has declared his loss of confidence in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) after its recently concluded national officers' election, which he described as a "sham coronation" marred by illegality and lack of independence.
Okutepa's allegations
In a post on X on Sunday, Okutepa said the election, which produced Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN) as the 33rd president, "stripped the association of the credibility, objectivity, honesty and integrity" it once stood for. He alleged that "every stage of the processes" was manipulated to produce a predetermined outcome, citing the composition of the Electoral Committee of the NBA (ECNBA) and its lack of independence.
"It is sad that NBA has lost everything noble," Okutepa stated. He argued that the election was "stage-managed and biased to produce the sham outcome" and warned of adverse consequences for the legal profession.
Election results and turnout
Badejo-Okusanya secured 12,317 votes to defeat Lateef Omoyemi Akangbe (SAN), who polled 7,934 votes, and Olumuyiwa Akinboro (SAN), who received 5,855 votes. Only 26,184 of 82,172 registered voters cast ballots for all 13 national offices, a turnout of 31.86 percent. Other winners included Oghenero Okoro (first vice president), Egya Nuhu John (second vice president), Pepple Iniobong Irene (third vice president), Afam Okeke (general secretary), Aghogho Gladys Okpomor (assistant general secretary), Esther Ifeoma Jimoh (treasurer), Audrey Chinelo Ofoegbunam (welfare secretary), Prince I. Azubuike (publicity secretary), and Hadiza Nasir Ahmad (assistant publicity secretary). Chidi Betsy Nnaji, Rotimi Komolafe, and Huwaila Muhammad Ibrahim were elected as zonal representatives.
Okutepa rejects process
Okutepa criticized lawyers who condemn government breaches but remain silent over NBA irregularities. He alleged that more lawyers were unable to vote due to technical failures than those who voted. "The lawyers who did not vote are far more than the lawyers that were alleged to have voted," he said, adding that the election changed his perception of some legal professionals who apply double standards.
Mixed reactions
Akangbe rejected the process as "shambolic," citing widespread technical failures and the ECNBA's alteration of the election timetable without National Executive Council approval. Outgoing NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) defended the election, acknowledging technical challenges but maintaining its credibility. He said the ECNBA would review the election to improve future electronic voting.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar congratulated Badejo-Okusanya, urging her to uphold constitutional democracy, rule of law, human rights, and judicial independence. Badejo-Okusanya thanked lawyers for their confidence in her vision of "A Bolder Bar That Works for Everyone" and pledged to lead with integrity, courage, humility, fairness, and accountability.
