Court approves registration of new lawyers association

The Federal High Court in Abuja has given the green light for the registration of a new lawyers’ association in Nigeria.

In a ruling delivered on December 15, 2023, the judge, Gladys Olotu, approved the registration of “The Nigerian Law Society,” “Nigerian Bar Society,” “Nigerian Lawyers’ Society,” and “The Association of Legal Practitioners of Nigeria.”

According to the court ruling and reported by Premium Times, Justice Olotu ordered the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to approve and register any of the proposed names submitted by the plaintiffs, which include “The Nigerian Law Society,” “Nigerian Bar Society,” “Nigerian Lawyers’ Society,” and “The Association of Legal Practitioners of Nigeria.” The CAC must also issue a certificate of registration to that effect.

The plaintiffs, comprising Bolaji Ayorinde, Mela Audu Nunge (both Senior Advocates of Nigeria), Garba Gajam, Emeka Ichoku, Chioma Ferguson, and Tejumola Adigun, had sued the CAC, seeking a court order to compel the defendant to register their association as legal practitioners in Nigeria.

“A declaration that it is unlawful and illegal for the defendant to refuse to register or impede the registration of the plaintiffs and/or lawyers, legal practitioners or barristers and/or solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, admitted to practice law in Nigeria as an incorporated trustee of lawyers.”