The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okunsanya, SAN, has condemned recent attacks on political figures and their supporters in different parts of the country, insisting that no political party has exclusive ownership of any state.
She called for credible investigations into the attacks on former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s convoy in Calabar, Cross River State, and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and his team in Ekiti State.
Badejo-Okunsanya made the position known on Tuesday, November 10, while delivering her address at the 2026 annual conference of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL) in Umuahia, Abia State.
She also cited violence during a political procession in Asaba, Delta State, where the police confirmed that one person was killed and five others injured.
The NBA President said the incidents in the three cities raised serious concerns about citizens’ freedom to participate in political activities without fear of violence or intimidation.
She acknowledged reported arrests and ongoing investigations but urged security agencies to go beyond identifying those who physically carried out the attacks.
According to her, investigations must establish those who organised, financed or facilitated the violence, while witnesses should be protected and relevant evidence preserved. She called for prosecution wherever sufficient evidence is established.
Badejo-Okunsanya urged the President, governors, political party leaders and security authorities to demonstrate their opposition to political violence through the conduct of the institutions under their control.
She stressed that public resources and security agencies must serve all Nigerians fairly, regardless of political affiliation.
“No party owns a state or has an exclusive right to seek the people’s support,” she said.
NBA separates Sowore’s rights from alleged court misconduct
The NBA President also addressed complaints concerning Sowore and some of his supporters over alleged disruptions on court premises.
She clarified that defending the activist’s right to protection against violence did not amount to endorsing any alleged misconduct towards the judiciary.
Badejo-Okunsanya disclosed that the association had received written complaints alleging that Sowore and some supporters disrupted activities at court premises, including occasions when he had no matter before the court.
She said the complaints would be examined fairly, adding that while citizens were entitled to criticise judicial decisions and engage in lawful protests, they must not obstruct court proceedings, harass court users or intimidate judicial officers.
She further disclosed that she was engaging with the head of the relevant court and that the NBA would support lawful measures to protect court proceedings.
NBA to examine conflicting judgments
Badejo-Okunsanya also announced that the association would examine concerns over apparently conflicting decisions in political cases, reassignment of proceedings and alleged disregard for orders of superior courts.
She said the NBA would review the relevant judgments, orders and proceedings to distinguish judicial errors that require appellate correction from conduct that may justify disciplinary investigation.
The NBA President, however, cautioned that an unpopular judgment does not automatically amount to judicial misconduct.
She urged lawyers to verify facts and examine court records before making public allegations, stressing that credible evidence of misconduct should be submitted to the appropriate institutions for action.
She also warned legal practitioners against facilitating abuse of court processes, insisting that proven professional misconduct must attract disciplinary consequences.
NBA raises concern over deaths in detention
The association’s President further drew attention to deaths in Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps custody in Minna, conditions in detention facilities and the treatment of children in conflict with the law.
She urged SPIDEL to work with the NBA Human Rights Institute, the Pro Bono Centre, public authorities and child-protection organisations to develop a focused intervention programme.
The proposed programme would include inspections of detention facilities, documentation of rights violations and efforts to connect vulnerable detainees, particularly children, with lawyers who would follow their cases.
She called for a workplan outlining responsibilities, partners and initial interventions within 30 days of the conference, with a review of progress within 90 days.
The NBA President said families of those who died in custody deserved accountability and appropriate redress, while survivors required assistance.
The conference, held under the theme, “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development,” featured former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON, as keynote speaker.
Badejo-Okunsanya said lawyers must use their professional skills to challenge abuses, protect citizens’ rights and pursue practical improvements in the justice system.
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