President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), has denied allegations of bias and interference in the association’s electoral process, describing them as premature and unfounded.

In a response to a petition addressed to the NBA Board of Trustees and circulated on social media, his counsel, Abdul Mohammed (SAN) of Madyan Legal Consult, said the claims failed to recognise constitutional safeguards guiding the process.

The letter argued that the NBA electoral process had not commenced when the petition was written, as no aspirant could be recognised under the constitution without submitting an Expression of Interest form. It noted that neither petitioner had obtained the form at the time, and therefore no valid contest existed.

It added that the expression of interest window remained open, with the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) issuing four public notices and the deadline set for February 28.

On concerns about the ECNBA’s independence, the response cited constitutional provisions establishing the committee as independent of the President and National Executive Committee. It stated that ECNBA members are appointed by the National Executive Council, not the President, and that there was no evidence of interference.

Source; The Nation News