Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over alleged directives reportedly issued by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), regarding the forthcoming national elections of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), warning that any government interference would undermine the independence of the legal profession and the rule of law.
In a statement, the global human rights organisation urged the Federal Government to respect the autonomy of the NBA and refrain from any direct or indirect involvement in the association’s internal affairs.
According to Amnesty International, the NBA had alleged that the purported directives include the disbandment of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), postponement of the elections, termination of the services of the current election service provider, establishment of a caretaker committee, introduction of National Identification Number (NIN) verification for voters, and amendments to the NBA Constitution aimed at removing universal suffrage.
The organisation insisted that the election of the NBA’s national officers should proceed as scheduled, warning that any attempt by the Federal Government to dictate or influence the association’s electoral process would amount to an unjustifiable attack on the independence of the legal profession, civic space and the rule of law in Nigeria.
Amnesty International maintained that the Nigerian Bar Association is an independent professional body and not an agency of government, stressing that the Federal Government has no legal authority to determine how the association conducts its elections or manages its internal affairs.
It added that any such interference would be inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights law, particularly those relating to freedom of association and the self-governance of professional organisations.
The rights group called on the Nigerian authorities to immediately withdraw any purported directives affecting the NBA’s electoral process, uphold the association’s independence and ensure that its elections are conducted freely, fairly and without intimidation or political interference.
According to Amnesty International, safeguarding the independence of the legal profession is essential to strengthening the rule of law, protecting democratic institutions and preventing the abuse of state power.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to the allegations.
