Leadership crisis rocking the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has taken a new dimension as the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan issued an interim order restraining the association from proceeding with steps toward its 2026 National Officers’ Election.

In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Justice G. A. Opayinka granted an ex parte application restraining members of the Electoral Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (ECNBA) from parading themselves as officials of the committee or taking any steps in furtherance of the forthcoming election, pending the determination of a motion for interlocutory injunction fixed for March 12.

The judge also restrained the NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN) and other defendants/respondents from taking any steps toward the composition of the ECNBA or from participating in, supervising, influencing, or interfering in any manner with the conduct of the 2026 National Officers’ Election, pending the determination of the instant suit.

The suit marked: 1/221/2026 was filed by four legal practitioners: Ibrahim Lawal, Esq., Raymond Oki, Esq., Omotan Olusola Ogunmodede, Esq. and Chief Gabriel Ojo Adekunle Ijalana, Esq.

The applicants/claimants filed the instant suit against the NBA President and named the Incorporated Trustees of the NBA, the Body of Benchers, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, among others, as co-defendants/respondents.

The applicants/claimants are challenging the legitimacy of the electoral process and the role of the NBA leadership in its composition.

The March 4 order specifically restrains the ECNBA Chairman and members from performing any function related to the election until the court hears the motion on notice scheduled for March 12. (Guardian)