Victory For Lawyers: Gadzama, SAN Hails New Association As CAC Ordered To Register Rival Body To NBA

Victory For Lawyers: Gadzama, SAN Hails New Association As CAC Ordered To Register Rival Body To NBA

Celebrations have erupted in the legal fraternity as Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Joe Gadzama, lauds the recent Federal High Court judgment ordering the registration of a new umbrella body for lawyers in Nigeria, distinct from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)…..CONTINUE READING

The court victory, which directed the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to register the Nigerian Law Society (NLS), has been described by Gadzama as a triumph for lawyers and constitutional principles.

Gadzama, a former Chairman of the Abuja Branch of the NBA and current Chairman of the Mentoring Committee for Young Lawyers of the Body of Benchers of Nigeria, commended the court’s decision, stating that it signifies a new era for legal practice in Nigeria. He expressed his intent to participate in the inaugural meeting of the NLS.

Describing the judgment as a landmark victory, Gadzama, SAN, emphasized that the legal profession would benefit from competitive development with the emergence of multiple lawyers’ associations, akin to practices in other jurisdictions. He urged lawmakers who are lawyers to consider amending laws regulating the legal profession to align with this new reality.

Contrary to the notion of rivalry, Gadzama sees the birth of the NLS as an opportunity for diverse associations to coexist and complement each other for the enhancement of lawyers and the legal profession.

The court’s decision, resulting from a suit filed by six legal practitioners, directs the CAC to register any of the proposed names submitted by the plaintiffs, including the Nigerian Law Society, Nigerian Bar Society, Nigerian Lawyers’ Society, and Association of Legal Practitioners of Nigeria.

The legal practitioners, dissatisfied with the initial rejection of their association’s registration, argued that the proposed names were distinct from the NBA, which had been the sole umbrella body since 1933. The court, in its judgment on December 15, 2023, affirmed the right to peaceful assembly and association, guaranteeing the establishment of the new legal body.

The ruling directs the CAC to issue a certificate of registration for the newly approved association. The legal landscape in Nigeria is poised for interesting times as lawyers anticipate the unfolding developments in the wake of this groundbreaking judgment.