Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court Abuja has approved the formation of a new association for Nigerian attorneys, distinct from the existing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Justice Olotu, in his judgement, directed the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to register any of the three names proposed by the new association’s founders.
The proposed titles are ‘The Nigerian Law Society,’ ‘Nigerian Bar Society,’ ‘Nigerian Lawyers’ Society,’ and ‘The Association of Legal Practitioners of Nigeria’.
Justice Olotu also criticised the CAC’s unwillingness to register any of the names that were previously provided to it by those behind the new entity.
A group of lawyers, led by Lagos-based lawyer, Kunle Ogunba, had in December 2022, announced the creation of a new body known as the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN).
The promoters of the new body however met a resistance when they applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for registration as an incorporated trustee.
In its preliminary objection and defence to the substantive suit, the CAC argued among others, that the names are similar to that of the NBA and would be misleading.
It also contended that the plaintiffs lacked the required spread and national character.