NBA Affirms Validity of Stamp and Seal Policy Amid Court Ruling

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) issued a statement on Saturday, clarifying that its stamp and seal policy remains valid despite a recent judgment from the Federal High Court. The NBA, represented by its General Secretary Mobolaji Ojibara, emphasized that the Federal High Court's decision cannot override the binding authority of the Supreme Court, which has already affirmed the legal enforcement of the stamp seal requirement for legal practitioners.

The NBA referenced a Supreme Court judgment from October 27, 2015, delivered by Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta, which stated that court processes filed without the NBA stamp seal are improperly filed but not automatically null and void. The NBA also cited Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi's ruling in a related case, reinforcing that Supreme Court decisions are binding on lower courts, including the Federal High Court.

The NBA expressed confidence that the stamp seal policy is not invalid and remains crucial for preventing impersonation and maintaining professional standards in Nigeria.