Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, CGoF, has strongly criticized an ex parte order of the Oyo State High Court which barred the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) from recognizing any presidential candidate other than the Egbe Amofin consensus nominee, Aare Muyiwa Akinboro, SAN.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Odinkalu described the order as a “blatantly corrupt” attempt to predetermine the outcome of the 2026 NBA elections. He accused Justice Yemi Saubana Adekunle, appointed to the Oyo bench in December 2024, of effectively announcing the election result through the injunction.
Odinkalu faulted the judge for excluding NBA members from being heard, noting that the ruling restricted the association’s voting membership to a single candidate. He argued that if Akinboro sought to emerge by consensus, he should persuade other aspirants to step aside rather than rely on questionable judicial orders.
“But if he thinks he can become NBA president by fabricating these blatantly corrupt orders from a neophyte judge who cannot distinguish between ‘save’ and ‘safe,’ he is wrong,” Odinkalu declared.
The controversial order, issued on February 24, 2026 in Suit No. I/205/2026, restrained the NBA and its organs from processing nominations of any candidate other than the Egbe Amofin consensus choice. The matter has been adjourned to March 10, 2026 for hearing of the interlocutory application.
... Odinkalu Faults Oyo High Court Injunction Restricting NBA Presidential Race to Egbe Amofin Consensus Candidate, Questions Akinboro’s Strategy. ... Naijaonpoint.