Ubani Criticizes NBA’s Inaction on Lawyers’ Challenges.
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Ubani Criticizes NBA’s Inaction on Lawyers’ Challenges.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Monday Ubani, has criticized the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for its lack of response to the worsening c
onditions affecting legal practitioners across the country.
In a statement titled *“Reinventing the Nigerian Bar Association: Urgent Imperatives for Reformative and Caring Leadership,”* Ubani urged the NBA to step up and defend its members, warning that the legal profession risks becoming irrelevant if the association continues to neglect its core responsibilities.
He expressed concern over the growing frustration among lawyers—especially those in public service and litigation—who feel abandoned by the NBA. Unlike other professional bodies such as those for doctors and engineers, which have successfully fought for better pay and conditions, lawyers in the public sector continue to face stagnation without meaningful NBA advocacy.
Ubani also condemned a rule that bars public sector lawyers from holding certain NBA offices, calling it discriminatory and in violation of the Trade Union Act, which protects all professional members from political exclusion.
He pointed to broader systemic problems in the judiciary, including excessive court filing fees, corruption at registries, unfair disciplinary actions by court staff, and the near impossibility of enforcing judgments—all of which the NBA has failed to address.
“The silence of the Bar in the face of these indignities is deeply troubling. A profession that cannot protect its own will eventually lose its value,” he said.
He highlighted ongoing inefficiencies in the National Industrial Court and other courts, where delays in filing, case assignment, and judgment enforcement have become widespread, forcing many litigation lawyers into financial hardship.
Ubani also criticized the NBA’s failure to lobby for the inclusion of the Nigerian Law School in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), pointing out that other institutions like the Nigerian Defence Academy benefit from such support while law school campuses remain underfunded.
He raised concerns about the continued harassment of lawyers by security agencies and described the ban on mobile phones in certain government buildings as unconstitutional—a policy the NBA should have legally challenged.
Ubani expressed particular concern over the long delays in appeals at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, where cases can remain unresolved for up to a decade. He stressed that such delays damage justice, deter investors, and devastate legal careers.
Despite his criticism, Ubani acknowledged some progress, particularly the NBA’s recent efforts to establish a standardized fee structure for property transactions a move he believes could improve lawyers’ earnings if fully implemented.
He also praised NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, for showing responsive leadership since taking office and encouraged him to address the urgent issues affecting the profession.
“This is not to undermine what has already been achieved,” Ubani clarified. “It is a call to action. We need a Bar that actively supports its members, challenges injustice, and protects the integrity of the legal profession.”
He concluded by urging a complete shift in the NBA’s leadership approach—one that prioritizes inclusion, advocacy, and meaningful reform to secure the future of the Nigerian legal system.
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Faith Kegh
Content & Editorial Manager - Leads the creation, review, and publication of high-quality news and media content. She ensures that all editorial work reflects the organization’s standards of accuracy, professionalism, and relevance, while also engaging and informing the audience.
As the key driver of TokinPoint Media LTD's editorial voice, the manager oversees content planning, assigns tasks to writers or editors, enforces deadlines, and ensures consistency across all platforms. She also plays a strategic role in aligning content with audience interests and search engine optimization (SEO) best practices.