Osigwe Assures Tinubu: Together We Will Address Justice Challenges

Osigwe Assures Tinubu: Together We Will Address Justice Challenges

Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) president-elect, Afam Osigwe, has pledged to President Bola Tinubu that he would work together with his administration to tackle justice system challenges.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said he felt honoured and grateful for President Tinubu’s congratulatory message.

In a statement on Tuesday morning on his X handle, Osigwe said he was committed to upholding vigilance, responsiveness and constructive engagement with the federal government.

“I am deeply honored and grateful for your congratulatory message. Your words of encouragement mean a great deal to me and serve as a powerful reminder of the responsibility that comes with this new role.

Under my stewardship, the Nigerian Bar Association will uphold vigilance, responsiveness, responsibility, constructive engagement, and forward-thinking.

“We will actively tackle issues that hinder the administration of justice and respond to emerging trends that impact legal practice,” Osigwe said.

He added that he remained committed to leading a proactive bar.

Recall that President Tinubu was accused of anointing Osigwe to lead the NBA, during the weekend’s election.

However, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) said the accusation was false.

In a statement on Sunday, Fagbemi said: “My attention has been drawn to the news making the rounds in the social media to the effect that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has endorsed Afam Osigwe SAN as his preferred candidate in the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) election.

“To buttress these lies, I was made a point of reference for confirmation. I wish to state categorically, that at no time did Mr President give any such instruction. I completely dissociate myself from such statement because nothing of such happened.

“I am also in a position to confirm, and I do so, that the president neither had discussion with the author nor did he give any such divisive instruction. I also had no such discussion with anyone.

“The news is a lie from the pit of hell being peddled about by mischief makers seeking cheap popularity to ride on the acceptance of Mr President among lawyers.

“Mr President is a democrat who believes in playing by the rules. He has not and will not endorse anyone as a preferred candidate in the ongoing NBA election.

As a democrat and president of the country, he will abide by the outcome of a free and fair election. He is also ready to work with any candidate that emerges.

“I seize this opportunity to call on those who are bent on causing disaffection among NBA members on the one hand and between our respected president and the respected NBA on the other hand, to desist from such an unprofitable venture.“