NBA President Condemns Political Violence, Calls for Probe of Attacks on Sowore, Obi
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has condemned the growing incidents of political violence in the country, calling for credible investigations and prosecution of those responsible.
Badejo-Okusanya made the call on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, while delivering her address at the 2026 Annual Conference of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State.
She cited the recent violence in Asaba, where police confirmed one death and injuries to five people during a political procession, as well as reported attacks on the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and his team in Ekiti, and the convoy of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Calabar.
Describing the incidents as similar attacks in three different cities, the NBA President warned that failure to take decisive action could lead to further violence.
“The NBA condemns political violence. And disputed allegations about who sponsored what, will not prevent us from condemning the violence itself,” she said.
She insisted that citizens must be free to support political candidates, attend meetings and participate in lawful processions without fear of assault or intimidation.
While acknowledging reported arrests and ongoing investigations, Badejo-Okusanya called for investigations that would identify those who organised, financed or carried out the attacks. She also demanded the protection of witnesses, preservation of relevant evidence and prosecution where sufficient evidence exists.
The NBA President further urged the President, state governors, political party leaders and security authorities to demonstrate their opposition to political violence through their conduct and the institutions they control.
On the reported attacks involving Sowore, she clarified that defending his rights against violence did not amount to endorsing his alleged conduct towards the courts.
She disclosed that she had received written complaints alleging that Sowore and some of his supporters disrupted activities on court premises, including instances when he had no matter before the court.
According to her, while citizens are entitled to criticise judicial decisions and protest lawfully, they must not obstruct court proceedings, harass court users or intimidate judicial officers.
“I want to make something clear. Defending Mr. Sowore’s rights is not an endorsement of his conduct towards the courts,” she stated.
She added that she was already engaging with the head of the relevant court and that the NBA would support lawful measures to protect the courts and ensure that established misconduct attracted appropriate consequences.
Badejo-Okusanya also raised concerns about apparently conflicting judicial decisions in political cases, reassignment of proceedings and alleged disregard for superior court orders.
She said the NBA would examine relevant judgments, orders and proceedings, distinguishing between judicial errors requiring appellate correction and conduct that might warrant disciplinary investigation.
The Bar President cautioned lawyers against making public allegations without examining the relevant judgments and verifying the facts, stressing that professional discipline must guide public advocacy.
Turning to human rights and detention conditions, she urged SPIDEL to work with the NBA Human Rights Institute, Pro Bono Centre, public authorities and child-protection organisations to address deaths in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) custody in Minna, conditions in detention facilities and the treatment of children in conflict with the law.
She called for a focused intervention programme involving inspections of detention facilities, documentation of human rights violations and access to legal representation for children and other vulnerable detainees.
Badejo-Okusanya proposed that SPIDEL develop a workplan within 30 days of the conference, identifying responsibilities, partners and initial interventions, with a progress review scheduled within 90 days.
She said the initiative should form part of the Umuahia Declaration, adding that the NBA must ensure that the deaths in Minna were not in vain.
Speaking on the conference theme, “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development,” the NBA President challenged lawyers to look beyond speeches and consider the ordinary citizens whose rights and welfare should inform their professional responsibilities.
She said public interest must be measured by whose needs a decision addresses, whose voices are heard, who bears its costs and what remedies are available to those whose rights are violated.
Badejo-Okusanya also thanked Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, and the government and people of the state for hosting the conference. She commended SPIDEL Chair, Associate Professor Uju Agomoh, the Section’s Executive Committee and the Conference Planning Committee led by Sir Ejike Ezenwa, SAN.
She welcomed former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, who served as the conference keynote speaker.
The NBA President said the responsibility of building a stronger Bar must extend beyond protecting lawyers’ professional interests to strengthening the justice system and securing practical improvements for the public.
