THIS DAWN — The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has assured that it will match action with words, respecting the suit filed against it by the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP).
ALDRAP had approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain NBA from interfering in the newly introduced Blue Silks rank for Nigerian lawyers.
The suit, case file: FHC/ABJ/CS/2547/2025, argues that NBA has no jurisdiction over the Blue Silks initiative.
ALDRAP insisted that it was established under the constitutional right to freedom of association as guaranteed by Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution.
This Dawn reached out to the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, for his reaction on the suit, but he could not respond before the publication.
Osigwe, however, responded on Saturday, noting that he can’t comment on same since the matter is now in court, which will amount to subjudice.
He, however, noted that NBA has kickstart an investigation into conduct of one Dr. Clinton Tonye Jaja, believed to be the brain behind the ALDRAP suit.
The move, he said, is to ascertain whether there’s is ground for presenting a petition against him to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for professional misconduct.
“The NBA is not interested in the activities of ALDRAP.
“Our concern is only with regard to the conduct of members of our Association,” he said.
NBA Queries Tonye Clinton Jaja
NBA has formally written to Dr. Jaja, raising concerns over his alleged promotion and circulation of a so-called “privileged rank” for legal practitioners.
This was contained in a letter signed by NBA General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, dated November 19, 2025.
The Association described Jaja’s actions as inconsistent with the legal profession’s regulatory framework and capable of misleading both lawyers and the public.
It stressed that such conduct amounts to professional misconduct under the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA) and the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC).
The Association clarified that by Section 5 of the LPA, only the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) is legally empowered to confer the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Any attempt to create or promote an alternative title, it warned, undermines the integrity of the profession and devalues the SAN rank.
Citing Rule 74 of the RPC, NBA emphasized that contravention of established rules attracts disciplinary measures.
It noted that Jaja’s purported promotion of a parallel “privileged rank” risks creating confusion, eroding institutional legitimacy, and destabilizing the profession’s hierarchy.
Reverse Trend
NBA has, meanwhile, directed Jaja to submit a written explanation within 14 days of receiving the letter.
His response must include a witness statement on oath, sworn in a Magistrate Court, High Court, National Industrial Court, or Federal High Court.
It should be submitted along with supporting documents and passport photographs of himself and any witnesses.
The Association further instructed that 20 copies of his defence be submitted to the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja.
It warned that failure to respond will not halt disciplinary proceedings, as the panel reserves the right to determine a prima facie case based on available documents.
The NBA urged strict compliance, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding the profession’s integrity and protecting the sanctity of recognised institutions.
