The 2025 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association has opened in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria, with a powerful call on legal practitioners to defend justice, fairness, and equality in the society.
The opening session, held at the Enugu International Conference Centre, brought together some of the most influential voices in law, politics, and culture, including Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State; South African opposition leader, Julius Malema, and the Sultan of Sokoto.
The NBA Annual Conference is one of the largest gatherings of lawyers in Africa and for the first time in 22 years, Enugu is playing host to the event, which this year carries the theme “Stand Out, Stand Tall.”
Declaring the conference open, Governor Peter Mbah, a lawyer himself, highlighted reforms his administration has introduced in the justice sector.
He described them as part of a broader vision to reposition Enugu State as a destination for business, leisure, and investment.
For the keynote speaker, the South African Opposition Leader, Julius Malema, legality does not always equate to justice.
Known for his fiery advocacy on economic liberation, Malema challenged lawyers to confront laws that are technically legal, but inherently unjust, stressing the need for reforms that prioritize fairness and protect citizens from exploitation.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar lII, in his remarks, urged lawyers to remain the conscience of the nation in moments of political and economic uncertainty.
The conference, already generating robust debate, comes at a critical moment when Nigeria is considering constitutional amendments.
Participants are expected to engage in far-reaching discussions that could influence the country’s legal and democratic trajectory.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
