AMNESTY International (AI) has expressed concerned over purported directives attributed to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), regarding the forthcoming national elections of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), urging the Nigerian authorities to respect the independence of the Association and refrain from any direct or indirect interference in its internal affairs.
NBA had said the purported directives include the disbandment of its Electoral Committee, postponement of the elections, termination of the current election service provider, establishment of a caretaker committee, introduction of National Identification Number (NIN) verification for voters, and “recalibration” of the NBA Constitution to remove universal suffrage.
However, AI stated that the scheduled election of the NBA’s national officers must proceed as planned and any attempt by the federal government to dictate, control or interfere with the association’s governance and electoral processes would constitute an unjustifiable attack on the independence of the legal profession, the rule of law and civic space in Nigeria.
It stated: “The Nigerian Bar Association is an independent professional body, not an agency or department of government. The federal government has no legal authority to issue directives on how the association conducts its elections or manages its internal affairs.
“Any such interference would be inconsistent with Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and the country’s obligations under international human rights law, including the rights to freedom of association and self-governance of professional organisations.
“Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian authorities to immediately withdraw any such directives, respect the autonomy and independence of the Nigerian Bar Association, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that its elections are conducted freely, fairly and without intimidation or political interference.”
AI stressed that ensuring the independence of the legal profession would advance the rule of law and prevent abuse of state power.
