NBA president-elect Afam Osigwe accepts victory, restates reform plans

The Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA) president-elect, Afam Osigwe, has accepted his victory in Saturday’s election, restating his marketing campaign vow to push for the reform of the Nigerian judiciary.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Osigwe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), polled 20,435 votes, greater than half of the ballots forged for the presidential place, to defeat his two rivals.

Tobenna Erojikwe got here second with 10,998 votes, and one other SAN, Chukwuka Ikuazom, who introduced withdrawing from the race in the course of the election on Saturday, got here third with 9,018 votes.

In his victory remarks in a press release shared through his X account on Sunday, Mr Osigwe mentioned he would tackle urgent points in Nigeria’s prison justice system, together with delays in case processing and corruption.

Mr Osigwe, 51, who will probably be inaugurated because the thirty second NBA president in August, additionally mentioned he’s dedicated to addressing the challenges impeding the capability of Nigeria’s authorized system to ship justice.

“Our authorized system is stricken by inefficiencies and corruption that impede justice,” Mr Osigwe mentioned. “We are going to confront these obstacles head-on and reply to rising traits that influence authorized follow.”

Mr Osigwe proposed a sturdy mentorship programme aimed toward growing the talents of younger legal professionals, which he believes is essential for skilled progress and enhancing the standard of authorized follow.

Know-how in court docket programs

He additionally promised to push for the modernisation of Nigeria’s court docket programs in his marketing campaign. He mentioned he would assist integrating digital applied sciences to expedite case administration and guarantee environment friendly justice supply.

Mr Osigwe promised to steer a proactive Bar dedicated to vigilance and innovation.

“Underneath my management, our Bar will deal with addressing potential challenges earlier than they escalate,” he said.

Gratitude

He thanked his marketing campaign workforce, advisers, and supporters, acknowledging their essential roles in his success.

“This election demonstrates our shared dedication to advancing justice and fostering a extra inclusive authorized neighborhood,” Mr Osigwe remarked. “We’re not simply dealing with challenges; we’re seizing the chance to remodel our authorized system.”

Mr Osigwe additionally praised his fellow candidates, Mr Ikwuazom, a SAN, and Mr Erijiokwe, for his or her dedication and contributions to the marketing campaign.

“Your engagement and fervour for the occupation ensured that our focus remained on significant reforms,” Mr Osigwe mentioned, including, “Thanks in your belief and assist. Collectively, we are going to embark on a journey of excellence and proactive management.”

Inauguration and different points

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the inauguration of the brand new president and different nationwide officers will probably be held through the NBA 2024 Annual Convention between 23 and 28 August in Lagos.

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Mr Osigwe, who campaigned for workplace to deal with corruption within the bar and on the bench, is predicted to revive the dwindling NBA’s conventional function of holding public officers accountable and taking management on different public curiosity points.

His NBA management comes when public confidence within the judiciary and the authorized occupation, typically, has saved a downward spiral fuelled by a sequence of perverse court docket choices, crashing skilled and moral requirements, and irritating delays instances endure in court docket.

Mr Osigwe, who turned a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2020, may also inherit the welling discontent of varied curiosity teams threatening to interrupt the NBA into splinters.