Justice Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court Abuja has approved the creation of another association for Nigerian lawyers different from the existing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Delivering judgment, Justice Olotu, ordered the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to register any of the three names suggested by the promoters of the new association.
The Proposed names are: ‘The Nigerian Law Society,’ ‘Nigerian Bar Society,’ ‘Nigerian Lawyers’ Society’ and ‘The Association of Legal Practitioners of Nigeria’.
Justice Olotu also faulted the refusal of the CAC to register any of the names when they were earlier presented to it by those behind the new body.
A group of lawyers, led by Lagos-based lawyer, Kunle Ogunba, in December 2022, announced the birthing 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.