Two attorneys have initiated separate legal actions against the promoters of the Nigerian Law Society (NLS) due to alleged election fraud and breaches of data privacy.
These lawsuits stem from the recent election held by the Nigerian Law Society to appoint national officers. The Nigerian Law Society serves as an alternative organization for Nigerian lawyers, distinct from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The case, numbered FHC/ABJ/05/1506/2025, was filed by attorney Timothy Tersugh Ahua, naming Chief Mela Audu Nunghe, SAN (a promoter of NLS), Dr. Ugoji Eze (Secretary of the NLS Electoral Committee), Chief Bolaji, SAN (Chairman of the promoters), Ferguson Chioma Blessing (another promoter of NLS), Chief Emeka Ichoku (promoter of NLS), and Tejumola Adigun (promoter of NLS) as defendants.
In the suit, which is based on Order 34, Rules 1, 3, 5, and 6 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules, the attorney requests the court to rule that the defendants have significantly breached the Constitution of the Nigeria Law Society.
Additionally, the lawyer seeks a court declaration that all unopposed candidates listed by Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja (the alternate Chairman of the National Electoral Committee) should be recognized as winners and National Officers of the NLS.
The court is also being asked to instruct the defendants to recognize Timothy Tersugh Ahua as the unopposed candidate for the Secretary General position of the NLS, along with other candidates whose nominations were not contested, declaring them legally elected.
In a supporting affidavit for the originating summons, the lawyer claims that despite being properly nominated for the Secretary General role, his name was omitted by the defendants, who instead chose to ‘hand pick’ their preferred candidates.
He pointed out that this decision to hand pick resulted in financial loss, wasted time, and the loss of a scholarship, as well as causing him significant embarrassment and distress.