Afam Osigwe, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has recently emphasized the importance of clarity in judicial rulings, urging courts to avoid complex phrases that could lead to ambiguity. “The court should make clear orders as to what it means so that there is no ambiguity,” Osigwe stated, highlighting his concerns over vague court orders that can result in multiple interpretations.
This call for clarity comes amid a backdrop of internal strife within the NBA, particularly following a month-long public feud between Osigwe and fellow lawyer Jibrin Samuel Okutepa. The reconciliation between the two, brokered by J.J. Usman SAN, marks a significant development in the NBA’s internal politics ahead of the 2026 elections. However, the specific terms of their reconciliation agreement remain unconfirmed.
Osigwe had previously filed a petition against Okutepa to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, stemming from accusations that Osigwe unconstitutionally hand-picked members of the electoral committee. This conflict has raised questions about the integrity of the NBA’s electoral processes.
In addition to addressing internal conflicts, Osigwe has also condemned the practice of politicians gifting judges with cars and building courtrooms. He stated, “It is wrong for the executive to build courtrooms, buy cars for judges, invite judges and hand over vehicles to them,” emphasizing that such actions erode judicial integrity.
Osigwe further criticized the public display of judges receiving gifts from politicians, asserting that it portrays judges as beneficiaries of political patronage, which weakens public trust in the justice system. He insisted that judicial needs should be handled through proper budgetary processes, reinforcing the necessity for judicial independence.
As the NBA prepares for its upcoming elections, the status of Okutepa’s Body of Benchers reappointment remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether Osigwe will withdraw the LPDC petition against Okutepa as part of their reconciliation. Observers are keenly watching how these developments will unfold in the coming months.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific terms of the reconciliation and the implications for both Osigwe and Okutepa’s professional futures.