Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has officially assumed the position of the 32nd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). His swearing-in ceremony, held in Lagos, marks the beginning of a new chapter for the NBA, one of Nigeria’s most influential legal and civil society organizations.
Osigwe succeeds Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, whose tenure as NBA President concluded today. In his inaugural address, Osigwe emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency, pledging that the NBA, under his leadership, will hold both federal and state governments to account. “Our association will continue to be a strong advocate for the rule of law and government transparency,” Osigwe stated, setting the tone for his tenure.
Osigwe’s rise to the presidency follows the conclusion of the 2024 NBA elections, where he emerged victorious in a highly competitive race. The election results, announced early this morning, saw Osigwe securing 20,435 votes. His nearest rival, Tobenna Erojikwe, Chairman of the NBA-Institute of Continuing Legal Education Governing Council, received 10,998 votes, while former NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, garnered 9,007 votes.
The election was conducted online, with voting beginning at midnight and results being made available live for all positions. This transparency in the electoral process is seen as a positive step towards ensuring the credibility of NBA elections.
Mazi Afam Osigwe was born on October 25, 1972. He graduated from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, in 1997 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1999. In 2002, he founded his legal firm, LAW FORTE, and by 2006, he had become a Notary Public of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. His academic qualifications include a Master’s Degree in Law (LL.M) from the University of Jos and another LL.M in Transnational Commercial Practice from the Centre for International Legal Studies in Austria, in collaboration with Lazarsky University, Poland.
The NBA, founded in 1933, is Nigeria’s umbrella professional association for all lawyers admitted to the bar. With over 120 branches nationwide, it plays a crucial role in advocating for legal reforms, human rights, and the independence of the judiciary. The association has been instrumental in key legal and political issues in Nigeria, including the fight against military rule, advocacy for democracy, and the promotion of legal education and standards.
This year’s election was not without controversy. One of the candidates, Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, withdrew from the race, citing concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to withdraw from the 2024 NBA Presidential race,” Ikwuazom stated. He expressed concerns over observed irregularities in the voting process, suggesting that the results were manipulated to maintain a predetermined outcome, consistently placing him in third position.
In response to these concerns, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, issued a statement denying any involvement by President Bola Tinubu in the election. Fagbemi emphasized that President Tinubu had no preferred candidate in the NBA election, addressing rumors circulating on social media. “I wish to state categorically, that at no time did Mr. President give any such instruction,” Fagbemi clarified, reinforcing the president’s commitment to a fair and impartial electoral process.
Fagbemi condemned the rumors as false and harmful, attributing them to individuals seeking to exploit the president’s popularity within the legal community. He reaffirmed that President Tinubu is a democrat who supports a free and fair electoral process and is ready to work with whoever emerges as the NBA president. “Mr. President is a democrat who believes in playing by the rules,” Fagbemi added, calling for an end to the spread of divisive rumors and urging respect for the NBA’s election process.
During his tenure as Chairman of the NBA Abuja Branch (Unity Bar), Osigwe was instrumental in creating the Bwari and Gwagwalada Branches. He also served as the General Secretary of the NBA from August 2014 to August 2016, where he contributed significantly to the association’s growth and influence.
