Senior legal practitioner Olatokunbo criticizes NBA for granting awards, special recognition to politicians, activists who recently joined the bar

Timothy Abiodun Olatokunbo, a senior legal practitioner, author, and publisher, has criticized the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for granting awards and special recognition to politicians and activists who only recently joined the Bar.

He made the statement during NBA’s 67th Annual General Conference (AGC) on Sunday, August 24, at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu.

According to him, it was troubling to see very junior lawyers, some with less than a year of practice, receiving special recognition during the event, a development he described as inconsistent with the long-standing traditions of the legal profession

“My Lords, Justices, Judges, Life Benchers, Benchers, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and colleagues, I may not have attended the Nigerian Bar Association conference, but I have been following developments closely. I noticed that during the event, some very junior lawyers, a few of them barely a year at the Bar, were accorded special recognition on the platform,” Olatokunbo said.

He further noted that in his more than 45 years of legal practice, he had never witnessed the profession being run in such a manner.

He emphasized that accomplishments outside the legal field, whether in politics, entertainment, or show business, should not qualify a junior lawyer to assume positions traditionally reserved for senior members of the Bar.

“In my over 45 years of practice, the legal profession has never operated this way. I am Timothy Abiodun Olatokunbo Tugbiyele. In law, advancement comes only by paying one’s dues,” he added.

“Achievements outside the legal profession, whether in politics, entertainment, or show business, should not qualify a junior lawyer to take positions reserved for seniors.

“This practice undermines tradition and deeply saddens me. Imagine sitting in the hall as a senior, only to see an actor with three or four years at the Bar placed ahead of Benchers and Senior Advocates, it is inappropriate.

“Going forward, I strongly urge that what happened in Enugu must not be repeated. The legal profession thrives on hierarchy, discipline, and respect for tradition.

“I recall as a young lawyer being asked by a senior to move to the middle of the courtroom bench, a custom that reserves the sides for seniors who frequently step in and out. At the time, I did not understand and refused, only realizing much later that I was wrong. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to apologize.

Abiodun Olatokunbo stressed that the legal profession is guided by long-standing traditions and urged lawyers to preserve and uphold them.

“Let us therefore preserve and respect the traditions of our noble profession. That is my firm position,” he added.