Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The newly inaugurated President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has warned lawyers against using abusive and insulting language on social media, declaring that legal practitioners who engage in such conduct risk disciplinary action.
Badejo-Okusanya, who was inaugurated as the 33rd President of the NBA at the association’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said her administration would not tolerate professional misconduct that tarnishes the image of the legal profession.
She expressed concern over the growing trend of lawyers attacking colleagues online, particularly over political disagreements, stressing that such behaviour damages public confidence in the profession.
“Such lawyers will be subjected to public proceedings for bringing us all into disrepute in the eyes of the public, who look up to us and are increasingly aghast, as all right-thinking colleagues are, at the type of language that lawyers employ on social media against other colleagues, all in the name of politics.
“So, we’re coming after you,” she said.
The NBA president also pledged to uphold judicial independence while demanding higher standards of integrity and efficiency within the justice system.
According to her, the association would not ignore issues such as delays in court proceedings, conflicting judgments, corruption and other practices capable of undermining public trust in the judiciary.
“We will defend judicial independence, but we will not be indifferent to delay, conflicting decisions, corruption, or conduct that diminishes public confidence. Respect for institutions does not require silence about their shortcomings. True respect requires the courage to help them,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya stated that the NBA would continue to support the judiciary while advocating reforms that strengthen the administration of justice and enhance confidence in legal institutions.
On the association’s relationship with government, she said the NBA would remain independent and would not become an instrument of any political party, government, religious group, region or individual.
“We will collaborate where collaboration advances the public good. We will challenge where challenge becomes necessary. And above all, we will act with facts, fairness, discipline, and boldness,” she said.
The senior advocate also promised to expand professional development opportunities for young lawyers, improve member welfare, strengthen NBA branches, promote transparency in appointments and enhance the use of technology across the association.
She added that her administration would build on successful initiatives introduced by previous leaderships and would not hesitate to adopt beneficial ideas from former contenders in the NBA presidential election.
Badejo-Okusanya further announced that the 2027 NBA Annual General Conference would be held in Abuja, noting that preparations for the gathering would begin immediately.
Calling on members to hold her administration accountable, she said, “I don’t ask you for blind faith. I ask you to hold us to account.
“Our administration will consolidate what works, repair what doesn’t, and build what the future demands.”
She urged lawyers across the country to support the new leadership, saying the association remained committed to protecting members, strengthening the legal profession and advancing the rule of law in Nigeria.
