Lawyers react as new legal association emerges

Reactions have begun to follow the news of the formation of a new legal association.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, issued a disclaimer to the statement of the purported Pro Tem National Executives of the Law Society of Nigeria (NLS).

The learned silk, who claims to be the convener and founding secretary of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN), stated that the LSN’s announced executives are unknown to the body.

He requested that all Nigerian lawyers and the Body of Benchers disregard the “hurried announcement.”

While acknowledging that recent events in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have increased agitation for the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) to resume full operations, he described as hasty the letter sent to the body of benchers by some representatives of the persons now claiming to be Executives of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN), as consultations on the issue are still ongoing.

He admitted to meeting with one of the Law Society of Nigeria’s promoters on October 6, 2022, in Lagos, where the appeal for the LSN’s full operations was tabled, considered, and deferred for further consultations with some of the other key promoters and the sole surviving Trustees.

The SAN also revealed that the logo and motto – Justice For All – on the purported letter claiming to be that of the Law Society of Nigeria (LSN) are alien to the LSN and amount to passing-off.

When Channels Television’s Judiciary Correspondent Shola Soyele asked the President of the LSN, Kunle Ogunba (Senior Advocate of Nigeria), about the disclaimer, he said he was aware of it and would respond later.

Douglas Ogbankwa, the Publicity Secretary, also promised to address the concerns as soon as possible.