President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), has defended the decision to petition the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against senior lawyer, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN), insisting the move is based on professional accountability, not personal bias.
In a statement shared via his official X handle on Monday, Osigwe dismissed allegations of abuse of office, forgery, and misconduct as misleading, stating they were aimed at distorting the facts. He maintained that the petition was prompted by serious ethical concerns surrounding Okutepa’s conduct in a legal matter involving the NBA Electoral Committee.
According to Osigwe, the issue is not about Okutepa’s right to accept a legal brief or challenge the composition of the Electoral Committee, but whether he adhered to ethical standards, particularly in ex parte proceedings. He emphasised that lawyers are obligated to fully disclose all relevant facts to the court, especially in cases where one party is not present.
The controversy is linked to Suit No. I/221/2026, in which ex parte orders were reportedly obtained to restrain the NBA Electoral Committee from functioning, thereby affecting the association’s electoral process.
Providing context, Osigwe explained that the Electoral Committee was duly constituted during a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Benin, where its formation was formally proposed, seconded, and adopted. He noted that Okutepa attended the meeting and actively participated, including presenting a report shortly after the committee’s approval.
He added that official records, including a widely circulated communiqué and video footage of the meeting, confirmed the proceedings and Okutepa’s presence. These, he argued, raise critical questions about whether all material facts were disclosed to the court when the ex parte application was filed.
Osigwe stressed that failure to disclose such information could undermine the integrity of judicial proceedings, noting that the Rules of Professional Conduct require lawyers to act with utmost candour.
He rejected claims that the petition was retaliatory or politically motivated, describing it as a necessary institutional step taken in good faith. He also denied lobbying for Okutepa’s removal from the Body of Benchers, explaining that the NBA simply chose not to recommend his renewal due to the pending disciplinary matter.
In response, Okutepa dismissed the allegations, accusing the NBA leadership of manipulation while affirming his readiness to face the disciplinary process.
