NLS President Pushes For Pluralistic Bar Model In Legal Practitioners Act Amendments At Senate Public Hearing

Chief Mela Audu Nunghe, SAN, President of the Nigerian Law Society (NLS), urged the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to incorporate a pluralistic framework for national bar representation in the ongoing amendments to the Legal Practitioners Act during a public hearing in Abuja.

In a detailed presentation, Nunghe, a former Commissioner for Special Duties in Gombe State and the first indigene of the state to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, argued for an inclusive model that challenges the current monolithic structure dominated by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). The NLS, established in October 2022 as an alternative platform for legal professionals amid debates over NBA governance, submitted a formal memorandum outlining historical precedents and constitutional justifications for the shift.

“This advocacy is not just about structure; it’s about fostering diversity, accountability, and true representation in the legal profession,” Nunghe stated, emphasizing how a pluralistic approach could address long-standing grievances within the bar, including calls for multiple associations to coexist without monopoly.

The proposed Legal Practitioners Act (Amendment) Bill, CAP L11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, aims to repeal and re-enact the existing law to modernize regulations on legal practice, ethics, and professional bodies. The NLS’s position, which supports multiple bar associations, contrasts with opposition from NBA loyalists, who view it as a threat to unity. Recent NLS elections in July 2025, where Nunghe was re-elected president, have faced legal challenges over alleged irregularities and registration disputes with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), adding layers of controversy to the society’s push for legitimacy.

The hearing drew submissions from various stakeholders, including the NBA, civil society groups, and individual practitioners. Committee Chairman Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno) assured participants that all views would be considered to ensure the bill promotes equity and strengthens the rule of law.

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