The newly inaugurated President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has warned lawyers against using insulting or abusive language when engaging their colleagues on social media.
The Punch reported that Badejo-Okusanya, who became the 33rd president of the NBA, said her administration would take professional misconduct seriously, particularly where lawyers allow political disagreements to degenerate into offensive exchanges online.
She issued the warning on Friday during her inaugural address at the 66th NBA Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, shortly after taking over from her predecessor, Afam Osigwe, SAN.
The new NBA president said lawyers whose online conduct damages the reputation of the profession would face disciplinary measures, adding that some of the exchanges among legal practitioners on social media had become disturbing to both members of the profession and the wider public.
“Such lawyers will be subjected to public proceedings for bringing us all into disrepute in the eyes of the public, who look up to us and are increasingly aghast, as all right-thinking colleagues are, at the type of language that lawyers employ on social media against other colleagues, all in the name of politics.
“So, we’re coming after you,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya also pledged that her administration would defend the independence of the judiciary while pushing for reforms to address weaknesses within the justice system.
She said the NBA would speak out against prolonged court proceedings, conflicting judgments, corruption and other practices that could undermine public trust in the judiciary.
“We will defend judicial independence, but we will not be indifferent to delay, conflicting decisions, corruption, or conduct that diminishes public confidence. Respect for institutions does not require silence about their shortcomings. True respect requires the courage to help them,” she said.
She added that while the NBA would support judicial officers, it would continue to demand higher standards in the administration of justice.
“We will support the Bench while insisting on the integrity and efficiency of the justice system,” she said.
On the association’s relationship with government, Badejo-Okusanya said the NBA would cooperate with authorities when necessary but would maintain its independence from political parties and other interests.
She stressed that the association would not become a tool of any government, political party, region, religion, interest group or individual, insisting that its allegiance would remain to the Constitution, justice, the rule of law and its members.
“We will collaborate where collaboration advances the public good. We will challenge where challenge becomes necessary. And above all, we will act with facts, fairness, discipline, and boldness,” she said.
The NBA president also promised continuity in the association’s programmes, saying her administration would preserve initiatives that had delivered results while reviewing those that required improvement.
She disclosed that she had studied the manifestos presented by other candidates during the NBA presidential election and would incorporate useful ideas into her administration.
“Where we adopt them, I will not hesitate to acknowledge their source, and give credit where it’s due,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya further pledged to improve opportunities for young lawyers by expanding access to quality training and professional development across the country.
She promised to strengthen the NBA’s response to members’ concerns, empower its branches, promote transparency in appointments, improve the association’s use of technology and reinforce disciplinary mechanisms for professional misconduct.
She also announced that Abuja would host the 2027 NBA Annual General Conference, with preparations expected to begin immediately.
“The work starts now. We will gather there not merely for another conference, but to take stock of our progress, deepen our knowledge, strengthen our bonds, and prepare us all for the future of legal practice,” she said.
Calling on members to hold her administration accountable, the NBA president acknowledged that previous leaderships had made commitments that were not always fulfilled.
“I don’t ask you for blind faith. I ask you to hold us to account.
“Our administration will consolidate what works, repair what doesn’t, and build what the future demands,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya, who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002, described her election as another chapter in the NBA’s succession of leadership.
She thanked past leaders for their contributions and pledged to serve the association with dedication.
“When our tenure ends, may it not be said merely that a woman became president. May it be said that the bar became better; that lawyers became protected and empowered.
“May it be said that we restored faith in what collective professional leadership can achieve. May it be said that we helped our members earn better, live better, and practice better.
“May it be said that we put members first and we delivered. May it be said that we left the association stronger than we met it,” she said.
She concluded by urging lawyers to support the new leadership in its efforts to strengthen the profession.
“The time for action is now. The work begins today. Let us build it together,” she said.
