NBA Nyanya-Karu Branch Election Holds Today as NBA Appeal Committee Upholds Electoral Committee Decisions on Disqualified Aspirants
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Nyanya-Karu Branch is set to conduct its much-anticipated branch elections today, June 19, 2025.
The election is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM and will be held at the FCT High Court Premises in Nyanya, located behind the Chinese Primary School.
This development follows a decisive ruling by the NBA Branch Elections Appeal Committee (North), which sat on June 14, 2025, and upheld all decisions taken by the NBA Nyanya-Karu Branch Electoral Committee (ELCOM).
The Appeal Committee, chaired by Abdul Atadoga Ibrahim, SAN, received and deliberated on five appeals brought forward by aggrieved aspirants disqualified from participating in the elections.
In each instance, the Appeal Committee affirmed the decisions of the ELCOM, thereby solidifying the integrity and legality of the electoral process.
Efa Eyo Ita, an aspirant for the position of Chairman, was disqualified for making donations towards the Bar Practicing Fees of young lawyers. Although he argued that the donations were made following a call by the branch chairman and before the Electoral Guidelines were published, the Appeal Committee held that the action violated Sections 6(12) and (13) of the NBA Uniform Bye-Laws. His disqualification was upheld.
Vice Chairman aspirant, Jegede Oarhe Ohiozokhai, challenged his disqualification on the grounds of alleged affiliation with the NBA Keffi Branch. The Committee found that he failed to prove his resignation from the Keffi Branch and did not adequately refute claims that he was still involved with the Karu Lawyers Forum. His disqualification was upheld.
Peter Sunday Umoru filed a general petition alleging that several candidates who were cleared also breached similar rules as disqualified aspirants. However, he failed to substantiate these claims, and the appeal was dismissed for lack of merit.
George Uwalaka appealed his disqualification on grounds of insufficient meeting attendance due to lack of notification. The Appeal Committee found that he indeed failed to meet the required attendance and had no valid justification. His appeal was dismissed.
Henry Ebu Tawo, another aspirant for Chairman, was disqualified for similar donation-related breaches, as well as inconsistencies in his nomination documents. He admitted to paying Bar Practicing Fees under a different branch and failed to convincingly establish his full membership in Nyanya-Karu before 2024. His disqualification was also upheld.
Among those going into today’s election unopposed are Alex Ebi Edim for the position of Chairman, Mazi Echika Ejido for Secretary, James Amende for Welfare Secretary, and Chiemela Ozioma Amalaha for Social Secretary. These candidates, having met all eligibility criteria and faced no opposition, are expected to be declared elected.
Meanwhile, the only contested position in today’s election will be that of Treasurer, where Monday Isah Adah and Pius Adenike will face off at the polls.
With all appeals dismissed and the decisions of the Electoral Committee affirmed, the path is now clear for the NBA Nyanya-Karu Branch to proceed with a transparent and credible election.
Members of the branch are expected to gather at the FCT High Court Premises in Nyanya, behind the Chinese Primary School, at 3:00 PM today to elect their new executive officers.
