NBA can Punish its members for Representing Law Society of Nigeria, LSN – Abuja Court Dismisses Walson-Jack’s Case

The Federal Capital Territory High Court has ruled in favor of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), dismissing the lawsuit brought by former NBA General Secretary, Hon Nimi Walson-Jack. The court affirmed the NBA’s authority to manage its internal affairs, including the withdrawal of membership privileges.

In this matter, Walson-Jack contested the NBA’s decision to revoke his attendance privileges at the association’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings. However, the court upheld the NBA’s right to regulate membership privileges based on its constitution.

This ruling sets a precedent, emphasizing the delicate balance between individual rights and association governance within professional bodies. It underscores that while membership is voluntary, adherence to association rules is binding once opted in

Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack had filed the lawsuit challenging the National Executive Council, NEC, of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) power to suspend him and strip him of his privileges as a former General Secretary of the Association. The suit seeks a declaration that lawyers are not liable to sanctions for lawfully representing clients. Specifically, it chllenges the NBA’s resolution that stripped him of his privileges as a past General Secretary and suspended him from the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Association for acting as a solicitor to the promoters of the Law Society of Nigeria, LSN, a rival body to NBA.

Walson-Jack’s association with a rival organization was deemed incompatible with his allegiance to the NBA, justifying the withdrawal of privileges by NBA-NEC.