The Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division, has cleared the way for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to proceed with its 2026 National Officers’ Election after setting aside the controversial interim order issued by the Oyo State High Court that had halted the electoral process.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Tuesday, the appellate court allowed the appeal filed by the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA), declaring the entire proceedings of the lower court a nullity.
The Court of Appeal held that the Oyo State High Court lacked the jurisdiction from the outset to entertain, hear or determine the suit, rendering all orders made in the matter invalid.
The dispute arose after the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan granted an ex parte interim injunction restraining the ECNBA and the NBA from conducting or supervising the 2026 National Officers’ Election.
The order had effectively paralysed the activities of the electoral committee by preventing it from carrying out any function relating to the election. It also barred the NBA leadership from participating in or overseeing the electoral process.
The suit was instituted by a group of legal practitioners who questioned the legitimacy of the electoral process and challenged the composition of the ECNBA.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the electoral committee approached the Court of Appeal, arguing that the lower court lacked the legal authority to entertain the matter.
In its judgment, the appellate court agreed with the ECNBA, ruling that the High Court acted without jurisdiction. Consequently, it nullified the proceedings and vacated all the restrictive orders that had stalled preparations for the election.
The decision removes the legal impediments that threatened the transition of leadership within the NBA and restores the ECNBA’s authority to conduct the election.
Following the judgment, the ECNBA is now legally empowered to proceed with the 2026 National Officers’ Election as scheduled.
Legal analysts have described the ruling as a significant affirmation of the autonomy of the NBA’s internal electoral process, noting that it underscores the principle that courts lacking the requisite jurisdiction cannot interfere with the association’s internal affairs. The judgment is also expected to bring certainty to the electoral timetable and pave the way for a seamless leadership transition within Nigeria’s foremost body of legal practitioners.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
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