By Abiola Olawale
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has granted an ex-parte order, barring the Body of Benchers and its Chairman, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), from removing former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mr Augustine Alegeh (SAN), as the Chairman of the Benchers’ Appointment Committee.
The presiding judge, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, also barred Awomolo from interfering with the activities of Alegeh as the Chairman of the Benchers’ Appointment Committee.
The ruling was sequel to a lawsuit dated May 21, 2024, and filed by Alegeh, seeking a court order to overturn Awolomo’s decision to dissolve all existing committees and appoint new members.
In his judgment, Justice Lewis-Allagoa held: “That an Order of Interim Injunction is granted restraining the Defendants from removing the Plaintiff/Applicant and/or interfering with his duties as Chairman of the Body of Benchers’ Appointment Committee during his tenure from 28th March, 2024, to 27th March, 2027, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction.”
The New Diplomat reports that crisis had erupted within the Body of Benchers, the top regulatory body for the legal profession in Nigeria, following the decision of Awolomo to reconstitute all committees.
One prominent committee affected by this action is Alegeh’s. Alegeh, a former President of the NBA, was appointed for a three-year term under the tenure of the immediate past Chairman, Honourable Justice Mary Peter-Odili.
However, in a fiery protest letter dated May 2, 2024, Alegeh rejected the action, warning on the impending dangers of side-stepping the Rule of Law.
He said: “That I accepted to serve the full term of three (3) years and I have not resigned my appointment as the Chairman of the Body of Benchers’ Appointment Committee. I believe there must be an error which I respectfully request should be corrected immediately.”
