Appeal Court Nullifies Order Halting NBA Elections

On July 14, 2026, the Appeal Court delivered a unanimous judgment nullifying an interim order from the Oyo State High Court that had halted the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) elections. The court found that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit, which was filed by Mr. Aham Ejelam SAN and others against Chief Gabriel Ojo and others.

The Appeal Court ruled that the matter fell under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, as it involved the interpretation of the NBA constitution and the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). The court also stated that the Attorney General of the Federation cannot issue directives to courts regarding ongoing cases, reinforcing the independence of the judiciary.

The ruling emphasized that any judicial proceedings without jurisdiction are null and void, and the suit was improperly filed in Oyo State. The court further noted that the respondents lacked the requisite locus standi to challenge the NBA elections.