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The newly inaugurated President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has warned that lawyers who engage in abusive or insulting exchanges against colleagues on social media will face disciplinary sanctions.
Badejo-Okusanya, the 33rd President of the NBA, issued the warning in her inaugural address at the close of the 66th NBA Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, shortly after taking over from her predecessor, Afam Osigwe, SAN.
She said her administration would adopt a zero-tolerance approach to professional misconduct, particularly where lawyers use offensive language against one another over political disagreements or other issues on social media.
According to her, legal practitioners whose online conduct tarnishes the image of the profession will be subjected to disciplinary proceedings conducted in public.
She expressed concern that the behaviour of some lawyers on social media had become a source of embarrassment to both the legal profession and members of the public.
"Such lawyers will be subjected to public proceedings for bringing us all into disrepute in the eyes of the public. We are coming after you," she declared.
The NBA President also pledged to protect the independence of the judiciary while demanding greater accountability and reforms within the justice system.
She said the association would not ignore persistent delays in court proceedings, conflicting judgments, corruption and other practices capable of eroding public confidence in the judiciary.
Badejo-Okusanya stressed that defending judicial independence should not prevent the NBA from speaking out against shortcomings within the system.
She assured members that the association would continue to support the Bench while insisting on integrity, efficiency and professionalism in the administration of justice.
On the NBA's relationship with government, she said the association would remain independent and would not become an instrument of any government, political party, region, religion, interest group or individual.
She maintained that the NBA's loyalty would remain with the Constitution, the rule of law, justice and the welfare of its members, adding that the association would collaborate with government where it serves the public interest and challenge authorities whenever necessary.
The NBA President also promised to strengthen opportunities for young lawyers through improved access to quality training and professional development, while empowering branches, enhancing transparency in appointments and expanding the use of technology in the association.
She further pledged to sustain successful initiatives introduced by previous administrations, adopt useful ideas from other contestants in the NBA presidential election, improve disciplinary processes and ensure members derive greater value from their membership.
Badejo-Okusanya announced that the 2027 NBA Annual General Conference would be held in Abuja and urged members to hold her administration accountable, promising to leave the association stronger, more transparent and better positioned to serve legal practitioners across the country.
